That link is totally despairing. What is one to do? Being young in the Orthodox faith is hard, but this compounds it. This all seems to be a giant rat race. Why does God let such things occur? I mean this deals with the salvation of people's souls, why does God hide salvation from people? If new calendar Orthodox is without grace or has less grace than old calender, then it seems no one will be saved unless they join Old calendar. This whole thing is confusing and desparaging. 
Consistant position?
Just plain despairing
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Justin Kissel
Orthodoxy is a struggle. It's not always a struggle to fast, and a struggle to pray. Sometimes its a struggle to find and hold on to the firm faith. I agree that it is confusing, and it is somewhat discouraging... but don't despair, there is light at the end of the tunnel! 
Until then, though, it's our duty to try and walk towards the (admittedly dark and twisting) tunnel as best we can.
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尼古拉前执事
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logos wrote:How much of the problems within Orthodoxy are because of bad bishops and hierarchs? For instance, Bartholomew is a terrible EP but does that mean you sever ties over what one bad apple does. Does what one bad bishop or patriarch do during his reign merit severing communion for a very long time? I think it is dangerous to do such a thing. It kind of sounds like the Catholics who because of the child sex abuse scandal decide not to attend a Catholic church anymore because of the actions of a bad apples within the church. I think that one should have patience with our fellow Orthodox like God has with us. How many times have God given us a chance to repent and change our lives, shouldn't we do the same with our fellow Orthodox brethren?
According to the canons, if a bishop is a heretic or teaches heresy then we MUST break communion with him as he is no longer in the Church. To be in communion is to say we share the same theology, faith, and ecclesiology. When one is anathematized it is out of love, to not let anyone to be lead astray and think this is the true teaching of the Church. The road is narrow and straight, so we must be vigilant!
Re: Just plain despairing
logos wrote:That link is totally despairing. What is one to do? Being young in the Orthodox faith is hard, but this com\0\05{\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0l seems to be a giant rat race. Why does God let such things occur? I mean this deals with the salvation of people's souls, why does God hide salvation from people? If new calendar Orthodox is without grace or has less grace than old calender, then it seems no one will be saved unless they join Old calendar. This whole thing is confusing and desparaging.
the link's a gift to help you find truth. We're all fallen sinful people. He allows us to have free will. Don't blame God. Don't fall into Satan's trap of despair. Be glad for the gift God's given you today
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Seraphim Reeves
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Thoughts
What do you think seraphim reeves?
a) First, I'm disappointed that I haven't received more input about the subject I asked about.
b) As of this point, I'm of two minds. However, I already recognize that the ROAC folks rarely get a fair shake - it seems easier to repeat rumours, than actually point out why they are wrong. This by itself makes me wonder, for if they were as crackpot as it's often made to seem, then it should be quite an easy task to state why they are mistaken.
Seraphim
Re: Thoughts
seraphim reeves wrote:I'm disappointed that I haven't received more input about the subject I asked about
Perhaps we can dare to hope that people've realized there's no argument for being in communion with World Orthodoxy? That to be a heretic or to be in communion with heretics casts you out from the Church.