Posted on 11/22/2002 10:19:31 AM PST by Destro
Schools dust off religious studies
November 20 2002
Russia is to introduce Orthodox religious education in schools for the first time since the Tsars.
Under a controversial proposal by the Education Ministry, head teachers will be able to schedule courses in a subject called Orthodox Culture.
The Education Minister, Vladimir Filippov, has proposed the course, which will not be compulsory. Opponents of the plan say the multi-ethnic nature of Russia, home to many Muslims, Jews and Buddhists, makes it unsuitable.
In the time of the Tsars children studied divine law, a course offering Orthodox religious and moral guidance. After the revolution in 1917, religious studies were replaced by courses in Marxism and Leninism. History, geography and other subjects were tailored to suit the ideological requirements of the Communist leaders.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 education has remained secular, but in recent years the resurgent Orthodox Church has called for the inclusion of religious studies.
The timetable for introducing the new course is unclear, but officials say a 30-page document issued by the Education Ministry sets out the subject matter to be included. Topics will include the traditions of Orthodoxy, asceticism, the liturgy and the Bible, as well as religious art and literature.
The Orthodox Church says teaching religion will help counter alcoholism, AIDS, crime and drug addiction.
The Telegraph, London
Rejecting someone's Clintonesque apology that does nothing to acknowledge the actual insult is a reflection that you are not a fool!
The Gospel was already being preached, you just couldn't stand the idea that your adulterated version wasn't being preached, only the one that the Russians hold dear.
By the way, it was the government officials who put a stop to these things. The Russians are quite (and justly so, considering their history) suspicious of foreigners who want to make changes in their country.
Yes, the Russians don't like pushy foreigners. So sue them.
If spreading the Gospel were the only concern, people could do so by helping the Russian Orthodox Church. The fact that they refuse to do so PROVES they are up to something else.
I wish we were so effective at closing the door to foreign troublemakers in this country. We might have avoided 9/11.
And FYI, you really think you know so much about Russia and her people, don't you? The person you said this to happens to hold a degree in Russian language, among other things. You seem to think that we have not studied in Russia or lived there for extended time periods. ROFL yourself. Western Christianity has taught you well.
Oh, please, you know that's a crock of Sheite and you've sunk to new lows...hopefully as low as you'll go. It was one priest and he's been defrocked, and you know it.
..."don't encourage this kind of thing (PROSELYTIZATION)???!!!Well if this kind of thing was encouraged by the Lord Jesus and was accomplished by the Holy disciples and apostles it is good enough for Christians today! I certanly don't hope that the Orthodox Church shares your narrow and might I add self defeating attitudes.
Evil one?
THE EVIL IS REFLECTED IN YOUR WORDS NOT MINE!
This is from:
http://www.ifa-usapray.org/Understanding_Palestinian_Terrorism/Orthodox%20Church%20Prelate%20Supports%20Suicide%20Martyrdom%C2%A0%20%20-%20June%2020,%202002.htm
Greek patriarch fires archmandrite Atallah Hanna over claims of supporting Palestinian terrorism
Palestine, Politics, 7/13/2002
The Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem Arinous 1st on Thursday fired Archamandrite Attallah Hanna from his post as an official spokesman for the Orthodox church in Jerusalem and the holy lands.
In a statement he made following a meeting he held on Thursday with an Israeli official at the headquarters of the Orthodox patriarchy in Jerusalem, the patriarch accused Hanna of "supporting the Palestinian terrorism," noting Hanna's rejection to sign a document condemning the Palestinian operations. Arinos stressed that his church can not ignore any side that practices violence, noting that Hanna supports the "Palestinian violence."
The patriarch announced appointing the Greek Rev. Afikhous as a spokesman for the church instead of its Arab spokesman ( Hanna ). He continued that any position to be made by Hanna as from now represents just his personal position and not necessarily the Orthodox church which voices its sympathy with the victims of terrorism and violence.
Meantime, Orthodox Arab figures described the decision of firing Hanna as political rather than being pertinent to the church.
To this effect the Arab Orthodox community in Palestine issued an urgent statement in reply to the statement made by the Greek patriarch in which it called on the Greek foreign ministry to interfere to stop the patriarch. The statement stressed that Hanna will be the spokesman for the church whether the Greeks accept that or not.
The Arab Orthodox figures called on the Arab states which have relations with Greece to notify the Greek diplomacy with the grave consequences of what the Greek Patriarch had done. The Arab figures explained that a delegation will head for Jordan in order to meet with officials in Jordan to this effect. It urged the Orthodox Arab Christian communities in Palestine and Jordan to boycott the Greek Patriarch and to take deterrent measures against him, considering that the ( Greek) patriarch exploited the state of siege on the Palestinian authority to release his decision against Hanna.
Be that as it may, there is some small measure of relief that this lunatic was demoted. But if this the best the Orthodox leadership can do...against the forces of evil in the Muslim world I am at a loss for an Orthodox rationale in dealing with the Muslim intifada/jihad.
Excerpted from the article sent: "To this effect the Arab Orthodox community in Palestine issued an urgent statement in reply to the statement made by the Greek patriarch in which it called on the Greek foreign ministry to interfere to stop the patriarch. The statement stressed that Hanna will be the spokesman for the church whether the Greeks accept that or not."
I sincerely doubt that this is the end of this. However, the Orthodox Church does not call press conferences to announce internal decisions nor is it known for making quick decisions on anything.
The statement stressed that Hanna will be the spokesman for the church whether the Greeks accept that or not.
They can call him the Queen of Sheba for all I care. The Patriarch has declared that Hanna is not the spokesman for the Church and that is final.
As to the tone of some remarks that some Orthodox have made certain Protestants, I have also fallen into the snares of the Protestants venomous remarks and have found myself using harsh words against them, even as we progressed from thread to thread. Christ calls for us to treat such attacks with love and humility. This is a difficult path. Therefore, do not judge your brethern too harshly when they stumble into these traps.
Well, the Byzantine Emperors would disagree with you. The Byzantines fought for hundreds of years against the Muslems. True - the west should have taken as its model Nicephorus Phocas probably the greatest crusader of them all - but to insinuate that the Eastern Orthodox Byzantines were not involved in taking back what was conquered by the Muslims is to ignore an incredible amount of history.
Yes, that's right and I do understand the source of your (and others) frustration and appreciate the conciliatory tone however vague of your remarks. However, our efforts - be they spiritual or militant in nature - should be directed against the Mohamedans rather than fellow Christians. And let me add - Orthodoxy does not and never has been the sole repository of genuine Christian strength. We try hard I guess but trying hard does not mean that others have not tried harder.
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