Comments on: OCL Laments “Few tangible results” at Episcopal Assembly

By: Nathan

Nathan — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 17:22:16 +0000

I don’t see where they are going with the assembly except “blah, blah, blah”. What happened to the ascetic bishops and the Eastern approach to solving pastoral concerns? I’m not suprised the Serbians “couldn’t make it” or that Russians didn’t show any support. The Greek Archdiose is supporting AHEPA like the Catholics support Knights of Columbus. The assembly is described in the address almost as a “fraternity”. I can’t help but wonder if the whole thing has to do will false unity to the Catholic Church and is being supported by fraternities that are related to the freemasons?! May it not be. I hope that’s just a terribly bad imagination. I hope that these bishops truly want to return to the same awesome and holy cannonical orthodox way that the eastern church has struggled to preserve for the last 2000 years. I hope they are going to sit down and declare that they have gotten too slack in spiritual matters and caught up in many secular matters that have threatened the life of Orthodoxy in America. I hope the decide they are going to stop dressing their clergy like Catholics and that they’re going to take catechism and baptism in they church a little more seriously for the poor converts who are being starved by reception of only Chrismation. Today’s society keeps mentioning that we do things in the ‘name of love’. Today’s society promotes same sex marriage in the ‘name of love’…and we certainly know it’s anything but true love that promotes homosexuality. These assemblies in the ‘name of love’ will not retain the true Love of Christ if the truth of Chirst and His Church is compromised.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, in vain do we labor.”

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 21:19:32 +0000

Breaking News fron the Episopal Assembly! Members of the Episcopal Assembly of Orthodox Bishops of the United States have joined with the Office of Church and Society of the Greek Archdiocese to respond to the radical redefinition of marriage in the State of New York. Check it out HERE!

By: Geo Michalopulos

Geo Michalopulos — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 01:14:37 +0000

Andrew, this is truly shocking as all Orthodox jurisdictions are either headquartered in NYC or have a diocese there. Of course, if we adhere to the Stokovite doctrine, then the Metropolitan of the OCA won't be able to say anything unless he gets permission from the Lesser Synod and their ober-prokurator.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 01:03:27 +0000

And by the Way Greek Orthodox assemblywoman Avarella Simotas of New York has voted in support of same sex marriage.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 01:02:34 +0000

Fellow readers, I think we are missing out on a big story. Right now the Legislature in the State of New York is working to pass legislation that would legalize same sex marriage. Archbishop Dolan of New York has been very active in defending the historical definition of marriage and the religious freedom of individuals.

However, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and its office of Church and Society have been silent on this legislation. Likewise, every major Orthodox jurisdiction has a episcopal presence in the New York. Is it not time for the Episcopal Assembly to advocate for an Orthodox understanding of marriage intervene so this legislation does not pass as it will no doubt curtail the religious freedom of Orthodox Christians in New York State.

I think its time to ask what Orthodox Christian leaders in New York are doing about this bill and what is their position on it.

By: Geo Michalopulos

Geo Michalopulos — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:15:37 +0000

Isa, I was told by a certain correspondent that the Serbian bishops actually boycotted the EA. No reason was given. You’re right: one can’t serve two masters.

I think the writing on the wall for the EA in general (and the USA in particular) was written back in April when all agreement broke down in Chambessy and the Russians walked out. I’m wondering if the Leadership 100 types are going to bankroll the next one.

Even with the Serbian boycott, the EA could have done some real good. For one thing, they could have officially chastised the two OCA bishops who have caused the recent tumult in the OCA. I for one, think that the various jurisdictions should be actively involved in each others’ business if it touches upon theological and ecclesiological matters. In so doing, it would function as a de facto Holy Synod since bishops are to be responsible for each other.

By: Isa Almisry

Isa Almisry — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:30:26 +0000

The Serbian Bishops were not present, because they were called to meet with the Synod in Serbia for important business…There was no discussion or recognition that the Church in the USA is a local Church and these are local bishops serving a local Church.

You cannot serve two masters. What a way to underline that the Church of North America has to act like the local Church she is.

The Bishops of the United States met. Canadian Bishops did not attend. They want an Assembly of Bishops of Canada.

Met. Soterios I know wants it, so he can preserve the ethnic ghetto. Did the OCA and Antiochian bishops not attend?