They are coming out of the woodwork now...

[Orthodox New England]

Is this email real? It just sounds so over the top to be true. I hope that he really doesn't mean what he says, but rather fell into weakness in order to seem relevant to the "world-stage". This type of stuff is getting old.

Gregory

[OrthodoxyOrDeath]

Katya,

People love socializing, organizing trips and dinners, talking and doing things that make them feel spiritual. But this does not mean that people like to hear the true Christ; in fact, Christ is the single biggest obstacle to people joining the true Church, which is why they have invented so many variations of so-called "Christianity" to suit their own desires. If you want homosexual bishops, just invent a new church. If you don't want confession or fasting, just get rid of it. Many people are so pleased with their revised "Christianity" that they simply cannot tolerate anyone being pessimistic. They are that content that they will never forgive you if you show them that they are deceived.

But like you say, I am concerned if I have caused someone to fall away from the faith. This is very serious for which I will have to answer for. It seems whatever I have done or said can be found in my original post here??

[OrthodoxyOrDeath]

Katya,

It is often not what we say but how we say something that causes the injury. Even to most innocent sounding thing can injure another.

It has been said that it is better at times to remain silent than to ram the truth home.

I understand this and agree. It is often difficult to be delicate on the internet - much easier in person.

I don't believe there is anything new here, it has all been talked about many times and often posted by others. What was unique about this post do you think?

[Chrysostomos]

The words of Elder Porphyrius of which I quoted on this board in another section would be appropriate in regards to this discussion. Link below.

http://euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3906

Your fellow struggler in Christ,

Rd. Chrysostomos

[Joseph]

If anyone is heavy-handed and driving people away from the Kingdon of God, it is Met. Maximos! It is interesting how the defenders of the faith all aways attacked. Why isn't anyone upset with Met. Maximos?

[Ekaterina]

OOD:

First I would say that the "problem" does not originate with this posting. This one could have been that one straw which was too many. Perhaps you need to relook at your recent postings. I would remind you that there were a number of protests regarding your commentaries recently.

Also I think this

People love socializing, organizing trips and dinners, talking and doing things that make them feel spiritual. But this does not mean that people like to hear the true Christ; in fact, Christ is the single biggest obstacle to people joining the true Church, which is why they have invented so many variations of so-called "Christianity" to suit their own desires. If you want homosexual bishops, just invent a new church. If you don't want confession or fasting, just get rid of it. Many people are so pleased with their revised "Christianity" that they simply cannot tolerate anyone being pessimistic. They are that content that they will never forgive you if you show them that they are deceived.

....may not be relevant to the current problem. While there are liberal Orthodox people, I don't think this points to the "core" of what Justin might be referring to.

I have to admit that at times I read you posts with caution, at times they are quite informative and most times they make me a bit angry. Again more in the vain of how and not necessarily what you say. By that I mean a turn of phrase.... a derision ... something meant to be "truth" that doesn't come out the why you meant. But this does not JUST apply to you. There are others here how should exercize care in their writings also.

My husband is a writer and I often help him translate his thoughts into English. I know how difficult it can be to get just the right meaning.

Please forgive me if I have offended or hurt you it was not my intent. The words of Elder Porphyrius are definitely something we should keep very much before us when we speak and/ or write.

Katya

[Ekaterina]

Joseph wrote:

Why isn't anyone upset with Met. Maximos?

We can be upset about him, but ultimately we little people cannot change him. We can pray for him but we cannot change him. At the same time perhaps we can help each other to be everything that Met. Maximos is not.

Katya

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