Far from a problem I think it is an extremely positive development. One of the occasional problems in Orthodoxy (your mileage will vary) is that some jurisdictions (and I have seen this a few times at the parish level too) can put too much emphasis on ethnicity. Ethnocentrism is not as bad as it once was by any means. But one can still run into it here and there. I remember visiting a Russian parish once and there was not a word of English in the liturgy. I kind of got the third degree (who are you and why are you here?). When I explained that I was Orthodox and not Russian they asked if I was Greek and I said no, I’m of Irish descent. Thereafter every one kind of looked at me like I had just landed in a flying saucer and quietly kept their distance.
I would agree, and that's why I found the article confusing.
One of the occasional problems in Orthodoxy (your mileage will vary) is that some jurisdictions (and I have seen this a few times at the parish level too) can put too much emphasis on ethnicity. Ethnocentrism is not as bad as it once was by any means. But one can still run into it here and there.
Ethnocentricity is one of the unsurmountable hurdles I have with Orthodox churches, because in my limited exposure to them I've never not encountered it.
I remember visiting a Russian parish once and there was not a word of English in the liturgy. I kind of got the third degree (who are you and why are you here?). When I explained that I was Orthodox and not Russian they asked if I was Greek and I said no, I’m of Irish descent. Thereafter every one kind of looked at me like I had just landed in a flying saucer and quietly kept their distance.
Good illustration of what I'm talking about, above. The Gospel and the ethnicity are so intermingled that one never knows if they're becoming a Christian or an Expatriate.
I’m half Irish and would probably get the same reaction. But Church-ianity is a problem everywhere I guess.
When Orthodox ask about my ethnicity, I usually tell them “Varangian” with a grin and a twinkle in my eye. (My ancestors came from all over northern and northwestern Europe.)