I have always wondered why Orthodox Churches are against Catholic/Protestant missionaries advancing into traditional Orthodox countries, when at the same time, there are so many Orthodox missionaries expanding into traditional Catholic countries (i.e.: Mexico, various places in South America). Doesn’t this seem to be a hypocritical position? Why is it that Orthodox Churches do not spend the majority of their missionary/aide activities trying to help rebuild the Orthodox presence in Eastern Europe? After all, if it wasn’t for the Eastern European immigrants who came to America, we would not be so blessed with the many Orthodox Churches in this country, and it would help combat the various denominations vying to convert Orthodox souls in Eastern Europe.
Slightly hypocritical?
Moderator: Mark Templet
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Justin Kissel
Think of it this way, plug in "Arian" or "Nestorian" in place of Catholic/Protestant. Why would Orthodox be angry that Arians and Nestorians were coming into their territory, but then turn around and go into their territory? It would only be hypocritical if statements such as the Balamand agreement were true, and we were indeed similar in faith. In reality, we are the true Church and they are not, so there's no hypocrisy in us complaining about them infiltrating our lands, but then for us to go and missionize other peoples with the true faith.
RE:
Good point, I did not think of it that way. It all becomes a vicious circle, since no other denomination is going to admit that the Orthodox Church is the True Church and pull out of the traditional Orthodox countries. I am just disheartened that there isn’t more of an effort to help and defend the “Mother countries” of Orthodoxy. Various Catholic/Protestant groups intrude on Orthodox land daily. Why are we (the Orthodox in America) not concentrating on sending aide to the countries that endured such great trials and lost so much blood due to spiritual persecution? We are all Orthodox brothers and sisters, and we should support one another as much as possible. Why turn our heads to the invading heretics, & concentrate so much of our efforts elsewhere? I have heard too many stories about grandmothers sneaking out of their houses at night to steal the bricks from the newly constructed Protestant church walls, desperate to slow their progress! These groups enter orphanages and bribe the children with toys and then give them their bibles. I have encountered Orthodox who have the audacity to say that this is better than the citizens of those countries getting no spiritual instruction at all!
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mwoerl
hypocritical?
i dont know of any great orthodox missionary surge in mexico or south america...or anywhere for that matter! be that as it may...the most complaining i have seen about catholic/protestant missionaries is from the MP. i believe there are laws that guarantee freedom of conscience in russia nowadays...this, i think, would include allowing these catholics and protestants to try their hand, so to speak. when the MP gripes on and on about this, it really is asking for laws to be passed in russia to keep these people out. as they have also asked for laws, and/or government assistance to keep other non-MP orthodox at bay. this seems to me that the MP somehow fears any competition whatsoever, and wants a deal with the government that there simply will be no competition. russia is certainly not totally "orthodox," by any means. if a so-called "democratic" goverment exists in russia, it will have to allow freedom of religion. at one point the MP even closed its parishes in italy in a non-compete deal with rome!
while many of the various missionaries who travel to russia are indeed extremely offensive, i still do not think they can be excluded or not allowed to do their thing. i dont want a state church here-and you can bet if we had one it would not be an orthodox church, neither do i desire to see a state church in russia, or anywhere else for that matter. should people come to orthodoxy because they desire the truth, or because it is the state church?
relatively recently, a metropolitan atanase of the georgian orthodox church stated that jehovah's witnesses missionaries in georgia SHOULD BE SHOT! while it is undoubtedly a good thing that i did not possess a firearm when jehovah's witnesses came knocking on my door on various occasions, i could not see how this statement of metroplitan atanase could be welcomed by ANY orthodox christian. the MP, evidently, does not want anyone shot, just simply kept out of the country...if there are any orthodox people on this forum that desire that russia become a "totally orthodox country" by force of law-i feel sorry for you.
michale woerl