Southeastern Churches

[Anastasios]

Thank you for clarifying, Kybihetz21.

I have an obligation as an Orthodox Christian to prevent the spread of gossip. I also legally have an obligation as a forum administrator not knowingly allow the publication of libelous material. Slander and gossip have done more to hurt the True Orthodox Churches in modern times and I won't allow our forum to be part of that unfortunate phenomenon.

i.e. when people make comes regarding one issue, there is surely some truth to it

I think that's a dangerous proposition. It may be true sometimes, but it also may not be true. Hence why we are not supposed to revel in others' alleged falls and spread the information around.

I don't close threads because I disagree with them, but rather when something that is out of order is being posted. If I closed all threads I disagreed with, well, then there would not be so many threads on this forum...! I have pretty much operated this forum hands-off for some time, and have no desire to actively moderate it myself.

In Christ,

Fr Anastasios

[Philoteus]

I don’t live by my computer, and only come to this site (or any other for the matter) to check on news or anything interesting that could be happening …

The Gestapo comment (it could have been NKVD, KGB, G2, Mossad, etc.) was just a remark regarding the general way in which moderators/administrators in most groups quickly close, delete, ban, etc. certain comments/threats/members when they do not agree with what its being said on the forums.

Thank You for the clarification Kybihetz21. Before I was confused. Now I am embarrassed.

Philoteus

[Kybihetz21]

Nothing to be embarrassed about dear brother in Christ.
I just realized I wrote "threats" when another word should have been used
I guess I should not trust my mind but rely on the spell check

[Kybihetz21]

So at the end nothing came out of this topic … still no missions, parishes, or monastic communities to go to here in Florida … maybe we should follow Bishop Christodoulos’ advice given to an acquaintance of mine and move out of Florida, since nobody is interested in creating more missions or supporting the ones that already exist … that until that parish breaks away and we have to move again (wonderful choices on these times of economic uncertainly). Shouldn’t we rather just move to the desert like St. Mary of Egypt and the ancient anchorites? Probably it will be a better choice and more God pleasing that be picking up and moving at the will of somebody else’s whims.

[Anastasios]

So at the end nothing came out of this topic … still no missions, parishes, or monastic communities to go to here in Florida … maybe we should follow Bishop Christodoulos’ advice given to an acquaintance of mine and move out of Florida, since nobody is interested in creating more missions or supporting the ones that already exist … that until that parish breaks away and we have to move again (wonderful choices on these times of economic uncertainly). Shouldn’t we rather just move to the desert like St. Mary of Egypt and the ancient anchorites? Probably it will be a better choice and more God pleasing that be picking up and moving at the will of somebody else’s whims.

When a clergyman gives advice, it is usually tailored to the person getting it; so perhaps the person receiving the advice was not the type of person that would be able to start a mission and in his or her case, moving really would be better. But ultimately, we do need people to start missions in South Florida, and everywhere. It just takes a long time. I know, given that I am in the process of starting/growing several myself.

Oftentimes, there are people in the area that don't even know about what is going on with others interested in a mission; there are people in Florida that with some regularity travel several hours to Clearwater, FL to Dormition parish where my good friend Fr Savvas is serving. Maybe it's just a case of patience and prayer. Maybe someone will come across this thread in their searches. Instead of sounding dejected, try to have some faith that God is moving in all of our lives and leading us to what is right for us.

As for moving to the desert, the Philokalia warns us against going there unprepared.

[Kybihetz21]

Well it was more of a general advice and opinion (come to New York, here is better than Florida, kind of thing) …

The case with the Dormition parish is quite sad (about 6 priests in 5 or so years?), and it is a good example of when the parish council runs the show and do as it pleases, something that must be avoided at all costs by both missions and established parishes (have seated enough times at parish council meetings of various jurisdictions to know this is plainly the truth). I won't comment on Fr. Savvas (I reserve anything on that subject).

I haven’t lost faith in God (if I had I wouldn’t be even trying), but I have surely lost any hopes on men, since they are more deceitful that the one that deceives us all … as for being patient, I think that 7 + years is enough time to wait …

I rather be alone in a desert than surrounded by this wasteful world …

[Anastasios]

Well it was more of a general advice and opinion (come to New York, here is better than Florida, kind of thing) …

The case with the Dormition parish is quite sad (about 6 priests in 5 or so years?), and it is a good example of when the parish council runs the show and do as it pleases, something that must be avoided at all costs by both missions and established parishes (have seated enough times at parish council meetings of various jurisdictions to know this is plainly the truth). I won't comment on Fr. Savvas (I reserve anything on that subject).

You seem to be misinformed about some of the details, unfortunately. The parish had some difficulties, but things seem to have been improving, especially under the able tenure of Fr Savvas. But there really isn't a point to discuss the inner details of a parish with someone that doesn't go there, so I will refrain from further comment on that.

I haven’t lost faith in God (if I had I wouldn’t be even trying), but I have surely lost any hopes on men, since they are more deceitful that the one that deceives us all … as for being patient, I think that 7 + years is enough time to wait …

That one monk in the Evergetinos watered the tree for 12 years before it grew a shoot. Please keep asking yourself though whether you are doing anything to prevent God's grace from acting on yourself.

I rather be alone in a desert than surrounded by this wasteful world …

It really isn't about what you prefer, but what is best for your soul. The Fathers teach us to go to a cenobetic monastery before we go to the desert by ourselves.