George,

Maybe that’s the problem. We live in a country which is no longer arguably Christian but in which also there is not (yet) violent persecution. Think of it as a transition period. Persecution tends to have a wonderful clarifying effect: “Whom do you serve?” That question gets muddled in our society, even among bishops. Also, persecution tends to refine a person’s appreciation for traditional practice. When there’s a complete break with the dominant culture (because the dominant culture is actively engaging in anti-Christian violence) it ceases to be a legitimate source of reference when it comes to how we behave as Christians – – no more “one foot in tradition and one foot in pop culture” (i.e., Desperate Housewives, boat rides to combat “Global Warming” etc.).

Admittedly though, persecution is a steep price to pay for renewal. But we always had the choice to break with the culture voluntarily and convert it instead of capitulate.

As much as I like and admire Fr Mark, I couldn’t help but be perplexed by his interview. When he said that this EA was important because he heard bishops say for the first time “nice to finally meet you,” I thought: these are bishops for Christ’s sake! They have the charisms of the Holy Spirit! Since we’re into diptychs and all that, read Eusebius and pore over the list of the first bishops. How many centuries elapsed before one of them died a natural death? I’m even talking about the popes of Rome, many of them died in the lead mines, doing the most menial work. And here, our bishops, most of whom have never known a hungry day in their lives, have never slept in a prison cell, or worked in the gulag, all they cared about was seeing if they could get along? Am I the only one who sees any incongruity here? What is going to happen when the persecution comes?

All of these are evidence of the foundation of Christ are they not?

Will I forgive the people who do not/have not agreed with me?

Or will I seek my own version of what it means to be Orthodox to the exclusion of others?

I frankly don’t know the answers for myself. I hope to find out though.

Still think the best solution is to lock all the bishops into a monastary for as long as it takes for them to reach a solution. Don’t let them out until they have forgiven each other, prayed and can honestly say…”It seems good to us and to the Holy Spirit to lay down our claims to power and submit to one another in Christ, we have elected Bishop… as our our leader and will continue to work with him and one another in brotherhood and love to heal the divisions we have created, to reach out to our fellow Americans… followed by specifics such as outlined in the post.