ORTHODOX CHAPLAINS

[John Haluska]

The Orthodox Church in America (O.C.A.) is, as far as I know, the only Orthodox Church to have Orthodox Christian Chaplains in the Armed Forces.

Why is that?

O.C.A. Chaplains are (at least used to be) 'required' to be "ecumenical" as the Armed Forces of America does not differentiate between Orthodox Churches.

In other words (at least when I attended these services) any Orthodox Christians could avail themselves of the Mysteries.

If an Orthodox Christian Serviceman or woman wishes to attend an Orthodox service at a base chapel...can they, even if they may not be in communion with the O.C.A., do this and not be "in trouble"?

Why is it that only the O.C.A. has Orthodox Chaplains?

John Haluska

[gimme your lunch money]

Is he an actual commissioned officer in the Navy though? Or is he a civilian who works for the Navy?

[gimme your lunch money]

ooops....I guess I need to start learning how to read everyone's posts before I respond.

[John Haluska]

First...my sincerest apologies for my "caveat"; I meant no harm

Unless I am mistaken and if I am, "I apologize", but...

Blagoslovih Vladyko or Evlogison Despota,

Thank you for your reply.

Please tell your cousin,

"Thank you."

My questions are still "there", and are important...to me anyway.

Why are there not other Orthodox Churches who can/will/would supply Orthodox Chaplains? I was led to believe...and just answered my own question...Holy Cross...of course...they have a seminary which supplies Orthodox Chaplains. Duh...sorry.

Orthodox Servicemen and women have spiritual needs, just as others, yet how many Orthodox Chaplains are there? It seems that these soldiers are "left out to dry" so to speak.

A serious question would/could be,

"Considering so-called "jurisdictions", Ecumenism, and such, does that preclude an Orthodox Priest from becoming an Orthodox Chaplain?

Thank you,

John Haluska

[Aristokles]

I am not up to date on the current GOAA chaplins serving in the US military, however the two listed below Fr. Paulson and Fr. Rogakos (both now retired from the military) I do personally know.

http://www.stnicholasvabeach.org/father_paulson.htm

http://www.annunciation.va.goarch.org/priests.php

[gimme your lunch money]

I was stationed on an aircraft carrier which would hold OCA Divine Liturgies every Sunday. This was way before I ever thought about becoming Orthodox.....or Christian, for that matter. But I always got a kick out of the thought that an iconostasis and the Holy Body and Blood of Christ and incense would be had two decks below the flight deck while F-14's were taking off!

[DavidHawthorne]

Christ is in Our Midst!
I was intrigued by the description of the Divine Liturgy aboard an aircraft carrier. And also was wondering- did the ship also have Protestant and Catholic chaplains? Are Orthodox military chaplains required to wear "reversible riassas" and perform heterodox services for heterodox congregants or is the exclusivity of Orthodoxy respected? Can the priest withold communion to non-Orthodox without getting slammed for discrimination?
Just wonderin'
In Christ,
Rd. David