[the_conscience]

I agree. In fact, if many in the ecclesial assemblies knew where the Latins got so many of their beliefs and that some of them are in a sense "toned down" from the way we Orthodox live out those doctrines and dogmas (Most Holy Theotokos, Save Us!), I expect we'd be the target of much more vitriol. On the other hand, if they did understand such things, maybe then they would also understand that most of what they think are "papist magic", in fact are practices from the earliest days of The Church and have nothing whatsoever to do with the Papacy their ecclesial ancestors rebelled against.

With your claim that your assembly is the One True Church I would think you would have a duty to do so, at least from my perspective.

I also think this thread has been instructive that the term Catholic assigned to the churches associated with the Pope is fraught with all kinds of difficulties. You believe you have a claim based on apostolic succession and I believe I have a claim from God himself.

[Romulus]

I believe I have a claim from God himself.

The problem is that God himself, speaking through the scriptures makes it plain that authority is transmitted apostolically. What you claim for yourself is no different from what was claimed by Mohammed and Joseph Smith.

[Quix]

INDEED.