Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: eleni121
"He tells like he thinks it is..."

This was the first thought that I had when I read that particular quotation from him. Metropolitan Philip has a couple of good ideas, but he is not the one I would want designing an "American Orthodox Church." The presumptuousness of stating that his opinions are "like it is" is exhibit A, and there are many other exhibits. Promoting the idea that American ideas of democracy should guide the Church on these shores is another, very dangerous idea.

America is nowhere near ready for any kind of autocephalous, independent existence. Bad as the status quo is, the alternatives are, for the time being, worse.

That said, Constantinople is not "the seat of Orthodoxy," and there is no "primacy" to be "expensed." The EP is a beleaguered rump diocese with more bishops than faithful -- and on the worldwide scene, it is an answer desperately seeking a question. The reason that the EP spends so much time talking to the Pope and trying to micromanage the American Greek Church is that he doesn't have anyone in his own diocese to talk to, and essentially has nothing to do. He should work on converting the Turks to Christianity so he will have a diocese again, and then he can busy himself with catechesis and pastoral work like every bishop is supposed to be doing. The EP is "first among equals," has the right to call a council, and has the place of honor. That's it.

But ultimately, I agree that unity will be achieved through joint work such as missions and charity. Unity will happen, and a distinctively American church will happen. Both ARE happening, and nothing can keep either from happening.

Our time is better spent attending the services, praying, and doing Christian work than in trying to figure out the jurisdictional situation politically. Every jurisdiction in America has strong points, every jurisdiction has weaknesses. Our prime job should be to build strong parishes, and a secondary job should be to build strong extended local Orthodox communities across jurisdictional lines. The rest will take care of itself -- or rather, the Holy Spirit will take care it it.

9 posted on 02/25/2005 1:10:11 PM PST by Agrarian
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]


To: Agrarian

Thank you...I agree with everything you say...especially this:

"He (Dimitrios) should work on converting the Turks to Christianity so he will have a diocese again, and then he can busy himself with catechesis and pastoral work like every bishop is supposed to be doing."


10 posted on 02/25/2005 1:15:09 PM PST by eleni121 (Four more years and four more again after that...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson