Justin,
St. Gregory was talking about the extremes of two heresies which said completley opposite things. Are you calling the GOC of Greece a heresy?
You seem to be turning the question of new-calendar Grace into as big of an issue as their heresies are. The Church is primarily pastoral, it is not a political party. You are not on a "middle road", you are simply closer to the fire, accepting the Grace of heretics which you know is a lie. Sure, believing in the Grace of heretics and those who accept their teachings by communing with them may make YOU feel good inside, but how pastoral is that when you deny people coming over a true Baptism? How pastoral is it when you teach Christs flock, that while there are differences, there is really no difference in the end and everyone is "the Church", and thereby lead people into the "impious and profane" desolation of heretics?
"Extreme ecclesiology" to the world are those who don't agree with them the most. "Extreme ecclesiology" to the Church is that which approaches something which is not accepted by the Church. Who has "extreme ecclesiology" when accepting the Grace of heretics?
The difference between the GOC and the ROCOR is a question of pastoral care and responsibility.
OrthodoxyOrDeath
St. Gregory was talking about the extremes of two heresies which said completley opposite things. Are you calling the GOC of Greece a heresy?
No. What I'm saying is that there are two extremes--one is a pan-heresy, and one hasn't been labeled a heresy. So, in this case, I'm not even speaking of two heresies, but of two extreme approaches to a subject. I never said that you or the TOC were sectarians, if I did please show me where and I will both withdraw the comment and apologize to you. Actually, I've tried to make it clear--especially over the last week--that I did not consider you or your synod to be "extremist" or "sectarian" (e.g., I said in this thread that when you quoted the Fathers you did so "within a totally Orthodox framework").
You seem to be turning the question of new-calendar Grace into as big of an issue as their heresies are. The Church is primarily pastoral, it is not a political party. You are not on a "middle road", you are simply closer to the fire, accepting the Grace of heretics which you know is a lie.
Obviously we would disagree as to whether I--who accept the sacraments of world Orthodox, for example--am on the path or not. You would possibly say that I've left the path and am about to stray into a jungle; and of course I would disagree. The royal path is associated with moderation, which of course is coupled with zeal (paradoxically); it is this that I am trying to keep ahold of. Accepting the grace of heretics is indeed unorthodox and hateful (both to God and to the heretics). I'm not yet convinced that the groups some see to be heretics are in fact heretics yet, however. And to be frank, I don't have the spiritual discernment to make such a decision anyway!
Justin
Justin,
Then I took your post the wrong way. I am quite sensitive you know. 
I don't believe every priest in the new-calendar communion is a heretic either. Perhaps some still beleive in One Baptism of the Church, but of those that do have the right faith all commune with their own heretic syncretists and/or Monophysites.
Perhaps our difference lay on our personal experience with new-calendarism. If you have every been to a GOA "church", you can see almost with your eyes they have no Grace.
OOD,
As I've been reading over some of the older posts I've made, I've come to realise that I owe you an apology. While I do not believe it, I apparently have, in the past, thought of you to some extent within the camp I see as having "erred, going to far to the right" (so to speak). I do not really believe this, and so what I've said in threads like this one and the one I linked to represent how I really feel. However, as I said, I apparently was not so disciplined in the past and let myself (perhaps out of defensiveness, perhaps out of frustration, I don't know) say things it was foolish to say. In any event, I apologize to you for any unfair words I have spoken to you. And while we may disagree on some things--sometimes quite strongly disagree--please know that I do consider all that you say and do not just ignore "the other side of the story". Please pray for me as my wife and I pray for you and your family.
Asking forgiveness,
Justin
Justin,
I've been reading them for the past week or so and not really responding, just taking it all in. I thought I triggered some kind of a reaction with all of my muscle-headed opinions of mine.
This thread I felt I had to respond, so I'm glad to find out this was not all directed at me!
We will be praying for you Justin, thank you for keeping us in yours, we need them bad.
