Posted on 10/10/2005 9:35:22 AM PDT by NYer
I haven't a clue. It seems to me the emperors called the last 7.
Looks like we've been exposed to differing circumnstances in the Orthodox Church. Sure, I notice that Mainline Orthodoxy endeavors to shun the "True, Honest to God, Real Thing" Orthodox Churches, but I've noticed a certain wistfulness in doing so. And when ROCOR reconciles with the Patriarchate, she'll become canonical and watch it, she'll become a power house. It is my conviction that Orthodoxy cannot set aside their Ultra-trads as easily as Rome has done with their counterparts.
You ask me "why" I say the Hesychast terminology on "energies" requires more refinement. Because there's hasn't been an effort to connect it to dogmatic definitions, such as the Nicene Creed, or at least, none that satisfies this ignorant Western mind. Note that I'm not saying it is wrong, only that the Orthodox Church has frozen the insights of Sts. Symeon the New Theologian and Gregory Palamas, without further ado. I want to see these two placed in "dialogue" with Sts. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, for example, and see "what comes out." A personal predilection of mine that might just be "pie in the sky."
Finally, quoting me, you say:
"The questions facing you are as tough as the one facing us: Who are we? What are we? Where's the Royal Path? Who are the extremes? Where and when will Love triumph?"
You're kidding, right?"
I wish I were kidding, but I am not.
-Theo
"Note that I'm not saying it is wrong, only that the Orthodox Church has frozen the insights of Sts. Symeon the New Theologian and Gregory Palamas, without further ado.
Maybe because we thinbk they did a pretty good job of outlining what Orthodoxy believes. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! :)
"I want to see these two placed in "dialogue" with Sts. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, for example, and see "what comes out."
Some of +Teresa of Avila's stuff is a bit on the bizarre side, the sort of ecstatic experience which we have questions about. Now +John of the Cross...well, I'd like to see that dialogue myself!
Well, then, all we have to find is an emperor we can borrow for a while. Surely there must be some unemployed emperor lingering around that we could use. Too bad Bogdan only knows a prince.
Orthodox saints are not exempt from "bizzare" mystical experiences. Yet they are still saints and still considered spokespersons for the Tradition.
-Theo
Come to think of it, kings are not high enough. You think the Emperor of Japan might be interested? Then again, I believe the emperor has to be Christian...hmmm, that complicates thing just a little...Otto would qualify I think, but he is only an emperor-in-waiting....and the same thing with that guy in Bulgaria (and he's even Orthodox!) You know, I think they will just have to change the rules. :-)
Reunion can't be far off if you're considering the very, very Roman Catholic and Austrian von Hapsburg clan as successors to the throne of Byzantium. (At least the double-headed eagle emblem would fit ...)
I really like him, btw!
Vatican, Oct. 12 (CWNews.com) - The Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, who had suggested that the next Synod of Bishops should discuss the Eastern Christian churches, has explained that he was referring to the Eastern Catholic churches. The question of whether or not Orthodox bishops should be invited to take part in such a Synod, he said, should be left to the Pope.
Cardinal Lubomyr Husar had drawn considerable attention with his October 10 address to the Synod of Bishops, in which he introduced his proposal for the next Synod's topic. The Ukrainian prelate had suggested that the Synod discuss how the Eastern churches, Catholic and Orthodox, could be drawn together.
Some accounts of Cardinal Husar's talk had created the impression that he envisioned a joint Synod, in which both Catholic and Orthodox bishops would take part. In an October 11 statement, the Ukrainian cardinal clarified his point. "I asked for a special Synod dedicated to the Eastern churches," he said. "But whether it should be extened to the Orthodox churches, that is for the Pope to decide."
Cardinal Husar made his clarifying remarks during the hour of free debate on Tuesday evening. Synod officials have set a policy of releasing only the general topics raised during these periods of free debate, without naming the bishops who spoke. An exception was made in the case of Cardinal Husar's remarks, since he was trying to correct possible misinterpretation of his earlier remarks.
http://www.directionstoorthodoxy.org/mod/news/view.php?article_id=5900
"You think the Emperor of Japan might be interested?"
Sorry, I don't know the man. Otto von Hapsburg just died so he's out. Like I said, there's some guy in England claiming to be the Czar, but of course, he's out of work too.
The only guy with a realistic crack at the job would be Simeon in Bulgaria; I think he has Czar as one of his titles and maybe he'll actually get the job. At least he has a government position. I don't know him, but one of my best friends, a Scottish Baron who is Orthodox, knows him quite well. Shall we "put out feelers"? :)
"The Ukrainian prelate had suggested that the Synod discuss how the Eastern churches, Catholic and Orthodox, could be drawn together."
$50.00 says +Lubomyr is the LAST hierarch either Rome or Orthodoxy would look to for talks about a union of the Orthodox and Eastern Rite Churches in communion with Rome.
I suggest they change the canon by acclamation and get on with the business. Never mind the emperor.
And you could have gone much higher with no risk of loss.
"The Ukrainian prelate had suggested that the Synod discuss how the Eastern churches, Catholic and Orthodox, could be drawn together."
Gee. Why didn't we think of that? Oh wait... we did. Decades ago. Not a Synod, ok, but discussions, yes. Orthodox bishops talking with Catholic bishops about topics that we seem divided on. For example, in 1969 we discussed, and reached an agreement on, the Holy Eucharist. Big or small, it's a step in the right direction. The situation with the Eastern Catholics has the process bogged, but nobody has thrown the towel in yet. Talks are scheduled to resume later this year. Maybe we'll make some more progress. I really hope so, because we have a lot more left to discuss and the clock is ticking. But the point I'd like to make is that when this guy stands up and starts talking about calling a Synod to address the issue of unity like there is nothing to it, it's a scandal.
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