ioannis said:
This seems to me to be an attempt to try and "explain away" Genuine Orthodox Christians, who believe they are a remnant, as victims of their own passions.
Actually I think it is a valid question and I am not pretending to have the "definitive" answer, that is why I am asking the question. My intent is not to try and "explain away" anything.
I will state that even Genuine Orthodox Christians fall into the sin of pride and yes, and can believe they are part of the "remnant" church for the wrong reasons. Just as I can fall into the same trap myself.
But in order for you to say this, then you will also have to call the Holy Fathers, who wrote many times that they were the last remnant, sinners for saying this, which is just absolutley absurd.
To me, the Holy Fathers were much more illumined than you and I. Many where saints and experienced Theosis on earth. They can say that, because I believe they have gone through the purification process and are illumined - thus "Holy Fathers". You, I, and those on this board, I would believe would not equate ourselves to their spiritual level. Therefore, I believe for them to make the statement is one thing, for us, in our day and age, a completely different thing.
I can merely point to the issue that the "Remnant" Churches are at odds with one another. Many do not commune with one another. Many believe they are the true remnant, the others are schismatic.
What is a passion is when people think, in spite of the heresy they commune with, that the majority of so-called "Orthodox Christians" are the Church.
You focus on one possible passion of the many possible passions that we are confronted with and have to deal with on a daily basis. I believe you bring up this paticular passion, as it defends your Churches right to believe that it has the right to maintain that "remnant" status. My point is that all of us here on this board are subject to the "passion" of pride. None of us is exempt from it, regardless if we belong to one of the many "remnant" churches or not.
That is not meant to be an insult, just my persepctive.
You and I have gone around the "barn" enough times together to know that when we speak, that it is understood that is just our perspective and not meant as an insult and as such, I didn't take it as an insult.
I am glad that we are able to discuss this issue, and encourage others to discuss this question and others.
As you know Ioannis, I am for the unity of the Eastern Orthodox Faith, that we all might be one. I pray for that unity on a daily basis. My sincere prayer is that those who make up the "remnant" churches would be one. That would be a step in the right direction. I pray that ultimately we would all be one, but judging on how things go within today's Church it might be some time before that would ever take place! 
Yet, that doesn't prevent me from praying about it and for it!
