Uniting traditionnalist churches.

[Jean-Serge]

I think that the recent take-over of the Moscow Patriarchate on the ROCOR should urge orthodox traditionalist churches to unite.

As regards the Russian situation, it seems to be there are not many people left in ROCIE. The best thing should be to negociate an agreement with the ROAC. Indeed, most ROAC parishes are in Russia and many ROCIE parishes are out of Russia. A merger would allow this church to work normally, as a Russian church IN RUSSIA, because according to me a church cannot remain too many time in exile. So, the foreign churches would become missionary churches.

The Greek case is more difficult because there are more jurisidictions. I think all the hierarchs implicated in moral scandals (sexual ones including) should resign. The union should be made around the most important church (like in the Russian case) i.e the GOC-Chrysosotomus.

Then the Russian and Greeks could enter in communion. I hope that people in ROCIE and ROAC are seriously examining this option but I fear that the personal problems will prevail. I interpret the fact of ROCIE not electing a new metropolitan as a sign toxards ROAC... I hope it is.

[Michael]

The problem of unification is a serious one, in that St. John Chrysostom and others teach that division is worse than false beliefs... That being said, you won't see any serious attempts at union any time soon. The various communities which sprouted up in opposition to the new calendar, Ecumenism, Sergianism, etc., may have been a genuine effort to preserve Orthodoxy at the time, but they all seem to have devolved into mere instruments of the fanaticism, egotism, and ambition of their leaders. Not only is there no love - which St. Paul says is greater than faith - for those they condemn, but nothing but resentment, arrogance and derision for those within rival "traditionalist" communities which are a threat to their power and influence over devout laypeople.

[尼古拉前执事]

Let me just say that among a number of the laity and the clergy of these various synods, there is a movement for there to be only one Russian and one Greek Church and that unity would be based on a True Confession by all parties. It is going to take time, but with forgiveness, proper ekonomia where needed, and of course the Help of the Holy Spirit, and the doing away of pride and grudges, it can be, and will be done, according to His Will.

[Jean-Serge]

The final decision will habe to be made by the bishops. Will they listent to they flock. Won't they be interersted in having the title of Bishop of Athens or Metropolitan of X even even if actually they have only few faithfuls. I hope this reunification will come very soon. There are rumors of secret negociations now between different churches.

[Anastasios]

The problem of unification is a serious one, in that St. John Chrysostom and others teach that division is worse than false beliefs... That being said, you won't see any serious attempts at union any time soon. The various communities which sprouted up in opposition to the new calendar, Ecumenism, Sergianism, etc., may have been a genuine effort to preserve Orthodoxy at the time, but they all seem to have devolved into mere instruments of the fanaticism, egotism, and ambition of their leaders. Not only is there no love - which St. Paul says is greater than faith - for those they condemn, but nothing but resentment, arrogance and derision for those within rival "traditionalist" communities which are a threat to their power and influence over devout laypeople.

I find this to be a hateful statement itself, one that totally misrepresents the reality I experience at all times in the bosom of the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians.

[frphoti]

I agree that there are fanatical and downright megalo-maniac-like personalities in some of the Old Calendar groups. I also must say that I have never experienced any animosity, vitriol, or anger towards any people or clergy/ Hierarchs of the other jurisdicitons. I think that all (mentioned above) have the honest want for unity, but we being sinful people also understand that there are sadly alot of things in the way. Time, love and the mercy of Our Most Merciful Lord are neccessary.
May God have mercy on all of us.

Dcn. Photi

[drewmeister2]

Abp. Tikhon of RTOC just put out a new letter saying the necessity of the unification of the True Synods of Russia. How wonderful! http://www.catacomb.org.ua/modules.php? ... e&pid=1195