[sergey1973]

There is an interesting Web Site on Orthodoxy in America--the Site of Orthodox Church in America . There you can have a number of questions about Orthodoxy answered. I believe OCA became the first Non-Ethnic Orthodox Church in America back in 1970's. It has roots with Russian Settlers in Alaska in late 18th Century as well as a number of other previously Ethnic Churches that united to have multi-Ethnic Orthodox Church. OCA is not under Moscow Patriarchate and their high-ranking delegation will be at the Pope's Funeral.

FYI, Current Moscow Patriarchate is largely the Extension of Kremlin. Contrary to popular opinion, Religion was not completely banned in USSR. Russian Orthodox Church was allowed to function if Soviet Authorities could fully control its business, like approving priests, etc. Russian Orthodox Church under Soviet Regime became actually a Religious Extension of Communist Party--quite a strange, but not unusual animal in Communist Societies. There is also Russian Orthodox Church Abroad that broke away from Moscow Patriarchate in 1920's after Moscow Top Clerics proclaimed their loyalty to the Bolshevik Regime.

[donbosco74]

This is interesting stuff, here.

The Chinese gov't only allows bishops to operate who refuse to submit to Rome's authority but obey the Communist leaders there instead. Is it comparable to the Russian system you describe?

[annalex]

FYI, Current Moscow Patriarchate is largely the Extension of Kremlin

Let's assume the best. It crosses my mind that the opposition to the Pope's visit might have extraneous to the faith reasons, but we cannot throw the accusation lightly. There is plenty of expression of opposition on this thread coming from non-Russian sources.

[kosta50]

The communist party had its fingers in all the churches everywhere because the church was intriniscally the enemy. How could the Orthodox Church avoid being observed and infiltrated? And why is it held against Her as if she did it willingly? Christianity teaches that authority comes from God and that we are to submit to secular authority. It says nothing about "just" authority on earth because none of us is righteous; we are all sinners. no regime can conquer the Spirit. God does not need us to protect Him. The Church is the Church no matter what the politicial environment is -- it is there for spiritual guidance, not politicial manifestations.

Speaking of communist sympathizers -- President Roosevelt's own Vice President Henry Agard Wallace ran on the presidential ticket in 1948 of the pro-Stalinist Progressive Party, chock-full with communist workers and endorsed by the Communist Party USA. Just think, if Roosevelt had died while Wallace was still the No. 2 man , we would have had a President that was endorsed by the communists!

As Saint Paul reminds us: no one is righteous! Not one!