“I don’t understand why any non-Catholic would care ONE IOTA who the Pope was/is. I, as a Catholic, don’t care. The Pope doesn’t have any influence on my life. I don’t have to “deal” with the Pope, as you wrote. Lol. That’s a laugh. Me, “dealing” with a Pope.”
Good place to be! The Greeks say that the further we stay away from hierarchs, the better, even though ultimately as the “Defenders of Orthodoxy” we, the Laity, can stymie their plans and even remove them in extreme cases. You guys don’t have that option so just staying away, living your lives in your parishes, listening to your spiritual fathers, is best for your theosis.
The sky, by the way, is not falling and the Latin Church will survive just fine.
The Orthodoxies ARE smaller and more intimate. I went to a Roman Catholic Mass in Greece some years ago. It was an intimate gathering. I think I was on Syros.
An old acquaintance of my mother's had us go to a Russian Orthodox service. Of course, THAT was 100% behind their screen and we didn't see a thing PLUS we had to stand the entire time. It was HOURS long...or just FELT that way.
I went to a Roman Catholic Mass in Belgrade and the ONLY words I understood were JИсус Христ Isus Hrist. The priest spotted this OBVIOUS American in the Church and kept an eye out for me. :o) That seemed a kindness on his part/
I felt very comfortable with all the services.
I just find it funny that the Pope and the Swedes are going to celebrate the Reformation together.
My people don’t like the Swedes, and don’t trust the Italians (we do like their food and wine a lot though). The statement my Pastor friend said was something like “What poker game did they lose for that to happen?”