Archbishop GREGORY of Denver and Colorado

[ultra_sinful]

No I did not learn that from him.

[Pravoslavny Seraphim]

Ultra_Sinful, alas, I would indeed go to the ROCiE if I could, if only just to visit, but alas, the one nearest me is almost 80 miles from my home. I know of many who drive long distances to attend the parish of their choice, but it is not really an option for me financially at this time. With God's help, I may one day be in a position to drive further away than I am, but not at the moment. Fifty miles is pushing it for me right now.

I realise this is a Traditionalist forum, and believe me, if I could find a good Old Russian church I would go if I was able. In light of the general outlook of all the Old Calendarists here, what do you think of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate? True, it is an OCA diocese, but is OCA really that bad? What pushes ecuminism from being a steadfast witness to Orthodoxy in a public arena to being that type of ecumenism which is condemned in the holy Canons?

Let me also add that I have read much of Gregory of Denver's polemics in regard to world Orthodoxy.

[Kollyvas]

The Romanian episcopate in the OCA could be described as a broad ethnic diocese in a timewarp--it's essentially what it was in the 1950s, not really "traditional" but very much ethnic. The regular OCA diocese of the West is much more traditional, and +Bishop Tikhon has no love for ecumenism. OCA-West parishes tend not to have pews and are very much ROCOR-like. You'd experience quite a notch up from the Antiochians going to an OCA parish, which would be a good second step. (The Antiochians serve an invaluable witness in N America by reaching so many people.)
R

[ultra_sinful]

Pravoslavny Seraphim,

ok then, I understand. but try someday to go there, the sooner the better because we don't know when the Lord will ask for our soul.

[Pravoslavny Seraphim]

Thank you, Kollyvas. The Romanian Episcopate parish is closest to me, so I will visit there and see it for myself. Is there somewhere I could learn more about +Bishop Tikohn? I think that I am most concerned about whether the OCA, Antiochians, or other big jurisdictions will impede my salvation and spiritual development, because of the Old Calendarists who say they are in heresy and hence have no valid Mysteries.

[Ekaterina]

Serafim:

Put your trust in Christ and pray to you chosen saint to help you find where you need to be.

If you listen to this bunch you might decide not to become Orthodox, which would be their sin and not yours.

There is too too much name calling, be it heretic, schismatic or gracelessness. The jurisdiction bashing will drive you absolutely batty.

For this reason take the advise you are given with a grain of salt, trust in Christ and pray that St Seraphim leads you to where God wants you to be.

Katya

[Kollyvas]

As a general rule of thumb, +Tikhon runs his diocese in a very traditional manner. He is unapologetic about his friendly relationships with ROCOR clergy, whom he sees as identical in discipline to his own and himself. I can understand interests of proximity, and grace is garce, whether Old or new calendar. The most important thing is obedience to a spiritual father, a regular and consistent prayer life, and once you are baptized frequent Communion. I would orient you toward the works of Fr. Seraphim (Rose) and the website orthodoxinfo.com, which represent humble and moderate Traditionalism. And I concur that it is best to avoid the sanctimonious who tend to self-indict: ponder the spiritual meaning of the term "self-righteous suicide."
R