Father George to be elevated to the rank of Bishop

Evfimy · Post by **Evfimy** » Sat 9 February 2008 2:26 pm

If God is the cruel tyrant like Ivan the evil emperor of Russia that people like Gregory want to portrary, then no one in their right mind could possibly be interested in such a religion. This is why I said people like Gregory are dangerous because their teachings actually destroy faith.

You follow me around this forum and your comments are always negative. There's something about Orthodox people -- especially their women -- that makes them so feisty. I don't quite know where this comes from but it is not productive.

GOCPriestMark · Post by **GOCPriestMark** » Sat 9 February 2008 4:16 pm

Because Orthodox Christians are such a minority in the world and do not have much of a voice, perhaps then they feel they have to get right to the point in the first sentence. (Or perhaps this is just an American thing. ) Perhaps folks learn first and more thoroughly the differences and the things that make them stand out from the crowd, but neglect to become deeply immersed in the full inner life appropriate to the true Christian. It is easy to learn the rhetoric, but takes a life-time to acquire the Holy Spirit in ones' every breath.

If he who speaks the rhetoric has love for God and he who hears has love for the truth then, even though the words may seem harsh, still they inflame the heart with love for God. Perhaps our words seem fiesty because we life in a time when ecumenism is in the air. "It's all good." "Why can't we all just get along." "We have the same God." Having the one true religion/way of worshipping the One True God, is just not an acceptable claim in these days. Growing up in the 60's and 70's it is my recollection that all the Protestant branches claimed they were the 'one'. One Lutheran branch couldn't be sure of the salvation in another Lutheran branch. Now, such a thing is not acceptable and the ecumenical movement has even drawn in those who still say that they believe in "One Church".

We really shouldn't be so defencive, there is no need. If we work on living as Christians, God will defend us. If we follow our Lord's example given in the story of the Good Samaritan, helping those whom we come across on our path, we will be plenty busy.

There is especially no need for us to condemn anyone. All of us, without a doubt, will have our reward for how we have exercised our will in this short life. Let's not add the condemnation of fellow humans to the list of things we will be required to answer for at the dread judgement.

Evfimy · Post by **Evfimy** » Sat 9 February 2008 5:16 pm

Orthodoxy is becoming worldly. I see this even on this website. This emoticon ( ) is an example. It augments the vice and passion of anger. It seems harmless and "cute." But that's how Satan gets his fangs into everything. He's a sly devil and starts slowly. The analogy of the frog in the pan comes to mind.

We are not supposed to look and do things like the world (including its worldly forums). If anyone thinks what I said above is crazy, then they have this very spirit of worldliness I'm speaking of.

I personally do not recommend Orthodox Christians even use the internet. I think we should abandon tecnhology as much as possible since it seems to drive away the grace of God.

Evfimy · Post by **Evfimy** » Sat 9 February 2008 5:19 pm

But I like this website. It has icons, etc -- things reminiscent of Orthodox Christianity. $/\$

GOCPriestMark · Post by **GOCPriestMark** » Sat 9 February 2008 6:35 pm

And is it also wrong for us to use the fairly recent invention called the printing press? Shall we go back to hand copying the Scriptures? [Of course, it could be a beneficial exercise.] Whoever you are talking/writing to could fill themselves up with thousands of words and images while waiting two weeks for a return letter. Perhaps we are just weak, but whatever happened to reaching out to people where they are?

Evfimy · Post by **Evfimy** » Sat 9 February 2008 7:49 pm

GOCPriestMark wrote:
And is it also wrong for us to use the fairly recent invention called the printing press? Shall we go back to hand copying the Scriptures? [Of course, it could be a beneficial exercise.] Whoever you are talking/writing to could fill themselves up with thousands of words and images while waiting two weeks for a return letter. Perhaps we are just weak, but whatever happened to reaching out to people where they are?

This has nothing to do with the Scriptuers. This is purely entertainment and gossip based. And the emoticon ( ) augments the passion of anger.

joasia · Post by **joasia** » Sat 9 February 2008 10:49 pm

I think we should abandon tecnhology as much as possible since it seems to drive away the grace of God.

So leave. You sound like a hypocrite. Why post? Do what you profess.