Tears and Prayers in the City He Wanted to Visit

Russian religious leaders, politicians and cultural figures also paid tribute to the Roman Catholic leader whose persistent desire to visit Russia was blocked by the Russian Orthodox Church.

.................then, why is the Russian Orthodox Church...'Orthodox'?

".................then, why is the Russian Orthodox Church...'Orthodox'?"

Not sure I understand the question - In 988 Prince Vladimir decreed that Eastern Orthodox (from Constantinople) would be the "state" religion. He explored all options before choosing a religion he thought would suit Russia. He did not want to select Catholicism because it would subordinate him to the Pope. He almost chose Islam, but ruled it out because of the prohibition on drinking alcohol.

It's a shame they didn't let the Pope in-country. I never understood Alexis II (The head of the Russian Orthodox Church) opposition to his visit. Orthodox has nothing to fear from Catholicism.

The church in Moscow is beautiful (from the outside). Although I am not Catholic, I dropped by on New Year's Eve (2003 - 04).

....Interesting, thanks.

He almost chose Islam, but ruled it out because of the prohibition on drinking alcohol.

That's legend. In no way would he have choosen Islam. His own grandmother Olga was already canonized a saint and Christianity was a growing force in Russia by then, especially from Bzyntine. He could never choose Judism either since that was the faith of his enemies, the Khazars.

bump

Thanks!

PING ! I hope you don't mind the ping. This is about the mourning of John Paul II in Moscow. It's a shame that Russian Orthodox Church corrupt and narrow minded establishment did not let Pope to visit the Moscow which Pope wanted to visit so much. However, let's hope for better future and that we going to live to see this future when Orthodox and Catholics fully see each other as brothers and sisters and throw out the garbage of History.

Thank you"sergey1973"be good I do feel{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{

Thanks for the ping sergey1973! I really hope so, too! John Paul 2nd showed us with his life how we ought to achieve that. Thanks, again :))

I also wanted to share with you this statement from Orthodox Church of America just to prove that any differences remaining between the genuine Christians, Catholics or Orthodox are more and more superficial. Their website is http://www.oca.org. Orthodox Church of America have roots with Russian Settlers in late 18th Century in then Russian Alaska. After Alaska became American in 1867, a few Russian priests stayed in America. Those who came after them along with various waves of Russian and other East European immigrants were eventually able to unite a number of ethnic Orthodox Churches in one Orthodox Church throughout United States and it is completely independent of Moscow Patriarchate. So once you have church that is not used as a political instrument in the hands of dubious politicians, then you have a peace and tranquility. Unfortunately, the current Russian Orthodox Church is largely the extension of Kremlin--Christianity in Name but Not In Spirit and Action.

I really hope that Russian Orthodoxy in Russia will get another figure similar to John Paul II (at least in moral statute if not popularity) to make genuine religious, moral and political revival in Russia truly possible. Moral revival does not have to come from the church of course, but having someone like John Paul II telling Russian people "Be not afraid" and tell Kremlin that it must "respect the basic truth about humanity" and human dignity in order to govern would be a great blessing.

Thanks for your post.
It's very cooling down, as it seems like I've started some kind of Catholic - Orthodox war on the other thread (really didn't mean so!).

Orthodox Church Patriarch Expresses Condolences at Pope's Death

Ah--I'm out of this war -:))))) Seriously, I'm not much interested discussing few useless religious differences. I care about the moral level of John Paul II and how great example he was for all Christians and non-Christians to follow.

I also wanted to share with you this statement from Orthodox Church of America just to prove that any differences remaining between the genuine Christians, Catholics or Orthodox are more and more superficial. Their website is http://www.oca.org. Orthodox Church of America have roots with Russian Settlers in late 18th Century in then Russian Alaska. After Alaska became American in 1867, a few Russian priests stayed in America. Those who came after them along with various waves of Russian and other East European immigrants were eventually able to unite a number of ethnic Orthodox Churches in one Orthodox Church throughout United States and it is completely independent of Moscow Patriarchate. So once you have church that is not used as a political instrument in the hands of dubious politicians, then you have a peace and tranquility. Unfortunately, the current Russian Orthodox Church is largely the extension of Kremlin--Christianity in Name but Not In Spirit and Action.

Yes, especially people who pretend to be a religious leaders, shouldn’t acting in such style as Alexy II sometimes acted.

I really hope that Russian Orthodoxy in Russia will get another figure similar to John Paul II (at least in moral statute if not popularity) to make genuine religious, moral and political revival in Russia truly possible. Moral revival does not have to come from the church of course, but having someone like John Paul II telling Russian people "Be not afraid" and tell Kremlin that it must "respect the basic truth about humanity" and human dignity in order to govern would be a great blessing.

I really believe that it is possible but only in democratic country, with new leaders, both secular and religious.

I'm not much interested discussing few useless religious differences.

Exactly, I also share such views. I have always a lot of laugh because of people who are arguing about some completely unimportant differences like regional customs and etc. What is really important in religion? For sure not customs…

Thank you