Russian Orthodox wish happy Easter to other churches...

[OrthodoxyOrDeath]

MOSCOW. March 26 (Interfax) - The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexy II, on Saturday sent Easter messages to Pope John Paul II and the leaders of other churches that will be celebrating Easter on Sunday.

"Christ is risen!" Alexy said in a letter to John Paul whose text was made available to Interfax.

"From the bottom of my heart I wish you Easter joy about the Risen Lord and Savior, good health, and God's help in your lofty service," the patriarch said in his letter.

http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/politics/28. ... e=11261086

Instead of sending "sorrowful epistles" and warnings to the ecumenists, soon, the ROCOR will also be wishing the "bishops" of "other churches" a happy easter.

[Anastasios]

Sorry, I don't see much wrong with this. There's nothing wrong with being nice to other people. You win more flies with honey than vinegar.

There's a big difference between compromising the faith (something the MP certainly also does) and just sending people greetings. Like it or not, the Roman Catholics are celebrating Easter and we can wish them well. They think they are doing the right thing, so wish them well. I would have added a line about, "we hope you will return to the Orthodox faith" but then again, I am more upfront

[Joseph]

I think the problem with such greetings is that they blur the distinction between the Orthodox and the heteradox and give credence to the "Branch Theory". Such greetings cast the Pope, Rome, etc as parts of the Church and pray God's blessings on that which is heretical. How can you wish Godspeed on that which destroys souls or encourage that which is false? I fear that such greetings reveal the true beliefs of thsoe who give them. The Fathers, including the Holy Scriptures, teach us that we should not bid Godspeed to those who are in heresy and that those who do are partakers in their heresy. We are not to encourage them but flee from them and renounce tham. Otherwise we are conditioned to think of heresy as not so evil or not so bad.

[Anastasios]

I think the problem with such greetings is that they blur the distinction between the Orthodox and the heteradox and give credence to the "Branch Theory". Such greetings cast the Pope, Rome, etc as parts of the Church and pray God's blessings on that which is heretical. How can you wish Godspeed on that which destroys souls or encourage that which is false? I fear that such greetings reveal the true beliefs of thsoe who give them. The Fathers, including the Holy Scriptures, teach us that we should not bid Godspeed to those who are in heresy and that those who do are partakers in their heresy. We are not to encourage them but flee from them and renounce tham. Otherwise we are conditioned to think of heresy as not so evil or not so bad.

I don't think someone sending someone else greetings blurs the distinction between Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy, and us saying Godspeed to someone is us praying for them to follow God's will--which entails them renouncing their heresy. Again, I personally would have added an explicit Orthodox "carrot" to the message. I think many people here think that such greetings are new, but really if you look back in history sending polite letters, etc., to other Churches is not just a newfangled thing that ecumenists invented.

[OrthodoxyOrDeath]

Anastasios,

It may surprise you to know that I was visiting some Roman Catholics yesterday for their Easter and wished them well. They are sincere and unaware - I realize that and would not want to be the one to kick the crutches out from underneath a cripplied person, so-to-speak. Of course whatever is "good" should always be encouraged and since the opportunity did not come, I mentioned nothing about religion and everyone had a pleasant afternoon.

In the case of this article I just took issue with a certain part of the well-wishing that seemed to offer a glimpse into the mindset of the well-wisher. Wishing well to someone is very different than encouraging someone in their error, which at least for me seemed to be the case. Of course the part about "and God's help in your lofty service" can be explained away in a number of ways, which is always the kind of ambiguity we see these days, but I think it clearly implies he in fact has a "lofty service" in God's cause. And of course the pope does not serve the Church, but in fact is in opposition to it. He absolutley does not serve God, but is an obstacle to Him.

Don't you think, in this syncretistic age, that most people would read it this way? You may not think much of it, but I think it continues that ecumenical message that your a church and I'm a church, your ok and Im ok, lets be forget about such useless stuff. But what kind of a friend to the billion or so Latins is this really, this Patriarch?

Yesterday we heard about the paralytic whose friends struggled to help him be healed by climbing on the roof of a building to lower this man in. This was no small effort. I would like friends as these who help a friend with great effort, and not a friend who would throw you in a ditch for a nickel.

It is always easier to be friendly and nice, and not upset anyone. You or anyone can think I am the biggest stubborn minded, one-track mind dope around, and I would gladly wear the badge, but what I am saying should be repeated often because of the times we are in.

And to all you Romans Catholics out there, happy Easter.

[Joseph]

anastosios wrote:

"I don't think someone sending someone else greetings blurs the distinction between Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy,"

Yet, you yourself refer to the other "Churches". The distinction has indeed been blurred.

[OrthodoxyOrDeath]

joseph b,

I'm pretty sure Anastasios was just using the term in a generic sense. Just like we often say "Christians" as in the "Christian world" in general. I suppose my bishop might even use the word "Christians" generically, but I think I could tell if he meant it in a way as to imply they were Baptized - big difference, but how do define how this difference is understand. Its hard to explain really.