I Believe In ONE Holy Catholic & Apostolic Church...

[SouthernOrthodox]

Oh come now, there is no "conspiracy theory" going on here, at least from where I sit. Lets go way back in time. The Russian Church has a long history of tolerance on resisters, look at the Old Believers, but what happened in 74. Now they are one in the same. So the resistor mentality had it's place, unfortunately, now it's political and must be addressed. One, that's the thread.

[Kollyvas]

since I've authored the thread, I'm well aware of its intent. Your comment on resisters vs Old Believers escaped me like a jet at mach 3. (Were you intimating no further need for resistance and Traditionalists should "get with it"?!) No, I was addressing the ROCOR disinformation counter-offensive you're all up to. These bunglers are setting people back. I encourage you by asking, please, stay on topic regarding this thread or start your own and say whatever you like...
R

[SouthernOrthodox]

Yes, point taken, my apologizes. But let me tell you, you haven't met a resistor until you have spent time with some ol timely Old Believers, I'll tell you. But back to topic, yes I believe we can attain One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church even in our life time.

[Kollyvas]

From your lips to God's ears...(We already have one Church, it's just our earthly unity has been sundered.)
R
BTW, I went to a priestlees Old Believer church in Detroit once. It was Lazarus Saturday evening. Some were very kind, but there was one lady who would have tossed me out on the street if the "psalomschik" wouldn't have stopped her. She sure did keep trying. They didn't let me in the church: I had to stand in the narthex. "Nikonian" baptism isn't valid, but their lay baptism is. There was one woman, however, who was an angel: she prepared a bundle for me which was composed of cedar branches, a beeswax candle, palms and willows, which was alternatively lit and extinguished during the service. Their chant was so simply beautiful. Palm Sunday Matins was a reverent and beautiful celebration among them. I understand why some harbour grudges. I do hope they too return with all their marvelous ways and we have one Russian church...

[Kollyvas]

I would like to relate an anecdote I remember from the home of my parents. In it I would stress that after debate and rancor are over, everyone bearing the name of Orthodox Christian must indeed treat his brother with due respect and concern. Though we may disagree with some, we must always remember that all are reborn in Christ bear His image and are owed due respect... On a human level, let us not turn away from any Orthodox fellowship in Christ Jesus.
This illustrates how things should not devolve:

A Russian couple in France went to Calais in summer. They went to the beach and after eating, the husband decided he would go for a swim. He swam out far. He caught a cramp and stiffened up in pain. Soon he began to drown, screaming for help. The man's wife could not swim, so she looked around, looking for someone to save her drowning husband.
She approached an Englishman, saying, "Help! My husband there is drowning."
The Englishman retorted, "You can't save all. There are enough already". He turned coldly away from her.
She rushed to the next person she could find, "Help! My husband is the man drowning out there." The Frenchman answered, "I would surely help, madam, but I haven't a pair of trunks." He walked off.
Then in desparation she found a couple. They were Russian. She approached the man, "Help! My husband is drowning out there. Please hurry."
The man hurriedly took off his sportcoat and just as he was about to plunge in to save the drowning man, he stopped.
She asked, "What's wrong? Please save him."
The man retorted, "Which jurisdiction is he?"

[SouthernOrthodox]

My guess would be the Priestess Old Believers. I grew up in the 70's in PA. Lucky for us my parents excepted English and the restoration into ROCOR. The Old Timers broke off, built their own church. If we went into there church, we were told not even to make the sign of the cross. Sad part was it was usually my aunts and uncles telling us this. Very sad indeed. Interesting to note, now, it's a Cathedral Parrish thriving and growing, the other, I would be surprise to hear there is 10 families left. Go figure.

[Kollyvas]

While I was at that church in Detroit, I spoke with a couple members. They hated Erie to scorn, but it seemed most of their children were going to the beautiful OCA church on 8 mile to "have Communion" and "understand the services in English."
R