To Metropolitan Paul of Astoria

[nicholas candela]

NICHOLAS: Because three Pan Orthodox Councils declared that any who go on the Pope's calendar (either the Paschalion OR the Menologion) are cut off from the Church. Those who are cut off from the Chruch have no Grace in their mysteries.

INCOGNITO: I understand the CLAIM. My point was whether or not at that time such a position was justified. The calendar is not a dogma of the faith.

NICHOLAS: Now that you are contemplating atheism, is this the best time for you to place yourself above the Church and to criticize Her decisions? Do you really believe you have the authority to undo those Pan Orthodox Synods? And besides the 3 Pan-Orthodox Councils there were ten local councils that said the same thing about the calendar change, through 1919. So everyone had been duly warned, for centuries. Therefore the Masons had no ecclesical right to unilaterally impose the papal calendar on the Church. That is why those who did not go along with the innovators remained the Church, and the innvators left Her. They brought their ecclesial status upon themselves.

INCOGNITO: Christ did not build His Church on a calendar. The Church is built on dogmas. There is no proof that the other churches were without grace just because the calendar was changed. Ecumenism as we see it today: I understand no grace. The calendar at that time, no. There is no proof they were without grace just because of a calendar change. I think they went off the deep end and abused their authority. Orthodox tend to go to extremes.

NICHOALS: Tell me, doubleminded man: why did you post your letter to M Pavlos, since it is obvious that you do not believe what you wrote.

Nicholas Candela

[nicholas candela]

Dear Incognito,

I have never been more content and "fulfilled" since I received holy baptism. I am very sorry that you have not experienced the same and that this is leading you to consider spiritual suicide (atheism). I sincerely hope you find what you are looking for.

God bless you,

Fr Anastasios

"On the other hand, a sorrowless earthly life is a sign that the Lord has turned His face from a man, and that he is displeasing to God, even though outwardly he may seem reverent and virtuous.' [St. Ignatius Brianchaninov].

"He gives us trouble in order to bless us in some way, and we shall always be losers when we chafe or reject our thorn." [New Martyr Tsaritsa Alexandra].

"...Following the Lord is a yoke...." [St. Theophan the Recluse].

"It is the infinite and incalculable love of God that makes Him allow us so much suffering." [Fr. Seraphom Rose].

"It is because God loves us that we are called or permitted to suffer." [New Martyr Tsaritsa Alexandra].

"Where there is no struggle, there is no virtue." [Saint John of Kronstadt].

"Some of the best Christians the world has ever known have been the greatest sufferers, but meanwhile nothing has been able to break their rest." [New Martyr Tsaritsa Alexandra].

"The man who is sent unceasing sorrow is known to be especially under God's care." [St. Isaac the Syrian].

NICHOLAS: These quotations are from God's Saints, who are expressing what it often feels like to serve Christ God WITHIN HIS CHURCH. These Saints would never even have thought of criticizing the Church the way you do. When Elder St Nektary of Optina declared the Marxist Living Church to be Graceless, do you think his spiritual children gave him a hard time about that? Do you think they inveighed against his lack of love and humility? You cannot attain to the level of spiritual endurance of Christ's Saints if you do not hold as sacred the decisions of the Church Who gave them the Grace to bear all ills as joys.

Nicholas Candela

[Incognito1583]

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[Incognito1583]

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[joasia]

Incognito,

You need to do a lot of praying. You are so confused in your soul that you are spinning out of control.

Pray to the Mother of God (Theotokos). She will help you, if you really want to stop this madness.

[Incognito1583]

Deleted

[byzantinestudio]

A simple approach to the entire dilemma our dear confused brother has brought up is at hand.

Should any true church or chalice commune a sinner?

There is a degree of responsibility for each cleric or bishop when offering communication with The Lord. The responsibility to educate and make the flock aware of the appropriate practices needed from the faithful. Communication works in two directions, from the people to The Lord facilitated by the church. We are told to fast. Is there an inspection on fasting prior to communication? We are told to confess and approach cleansed and with humility. Is there any guarantee to the Holy Doors that the one who approaches has complied?

Even The Lord instructed Adam and Eve in the rules of what was permitted and what was not in the early hours of human existence. That was the extent of His responsibility to mankind. The line was drawn and life and life's choices were left to man. There was no divine intervention prior to their disobeying. Thusly, from the very beginning of the history of our existence we are provided an example that ultimately, individually we are responsible for our own actions. We can certainly be like Adam and pass the blame to Eve or like Eve and pass the blame to the serpent but in the end the outcome is inherently ours, be it good or bad. Our foreparents decision was not to turn their back on God or to lose faith entirely but to recognize their fault and learn from the consequences. It is from this first example from the earliest of days that we should consider all that is questioned here.