[Agrarian]

If you encounter an Orthodox church that is busy tearing down what others believe -- whether in the homily or at coffee hour, I'd find another one to visit, because they don't get it. The teachings of Orthodox Christianity are so rich that it is counterproductive not to just present them as is.

It's not that there isn't a place for "compare and contrast" within certain contexts, if that is where an individual or a parish is in its search for understanding. But it shouldn't be what parish life is about.

There is a prayer we pray at every service on weekdays in Great Lent (accompanied by prostrations to the ground), which goes in part "grant me to see my failings, and not to condemn my brother..." It is meant to be taken seriously.

[newheart]

Excellent advice.

[newberger]

The Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian:

O, Lord and Master of my life

Give me not the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power and idle talk

But, give, rather, the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to thy servant.

Yea, Lord ans King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brother

for you are blessed to the ages of ages,

Amen

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What would this forum be like if we all lived by this prayer?