Questions about Orthodoxy

[IconWriter]

https://archive.ph/0JxmA
The Wall Street Journal did an article about the surge of growth in the Orthodox Church from non-ethnic Americans. It's good news for a change! The above link is archived so anyone can read it. I hope it works. Screen shot below:Screen shot:

 

[IconWriter]

Regarding the above discussion about finances: Our ROCOR church, as should they all, urges us to tithe. Never has anyone ever become personal and intruded like that asking how much we make, about our lifestyle, our other financial obligations, etc. It's not anyone's business and we'd have been out the door if asked when we were inquirers. We don't even "pass the plate", but have a donation box in the narthex.

 

[messaggera]

Personally, after reading the Preface, it was helpful (and will be) to review a few of the other written documents mentioned in this section: to better understand why spirituality Ecumenism is heresy – “the belief that there is no visible Church of Christ, that it is now only being formed.”
Unity is in Christ, but unorthodox denominations are responsible for the “charismatic revival.”

Is the term "interfaith cooperation" a synonym for Ecumenism?

EP, who has been functioning as a Western asset for ages and Bartholomew frequently lets people introduce him as "the Orthodox Pope", which is annoying and kind of shows you where things are heading.

If memory serves correct it was Bartholomew who awarded George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush the Patriarch Athenagoras Human Rights Award of the Order of Saint Andrew Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America.

A fascinating read into modern Orthodox history - file attached:

To give canonical expression to this reality, His All Holiness Bartholomew recently changed the composition of the 12-member Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to include six hierarchs from the Churches in countries outside of Constantinople, among them being the United States, Great Britain, Finland and New Zealand.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew convened for the first time in modern history the Primates of all the world’s Orthodox Churches with the goal of a Pan-Orthodox Synod and a true expression of unity, as well as the first ever World Clergy-Laity meeting of all Greek Orthodox Churches under his jurisdiction.

Bartholomew's history is becoming interesting to read more:

He has bridged gaps in understanding around the world. With His
Holiness Pope John Paul II, he has made progress toward reconciliation of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches.

His All Holiness has served as a president of the World Council of Churches, which includes most Protestant and Orthodox Churches and has met with the World Jewish Congress and visited Israel where there are many Orthodox Christians.

And what does "Pan-Orthodox" really mean and what is the objective?
Does this article do a good job of providing answers to these questions:

Sadly, the phrase ‘Pan-Orthodox’ really means ‘only for selected Orthodox’. In fact, it means ‘for new calendarists only’ (thus, excluding 85% of Orthodox), and for ecumenists, modernists, freemasons and liberal intellectuals (thus, excluding 99.9% of the rest). How has this distortion of meaning come about?

Archpriest Andrew Phillips. ‘Pan-Orthodox’ = Non-Orthodox?

Sadly, the phrase ‘Pan-Orthodox’ really means ‘only for selected Orthodox’. In fact, it means ‘for new calendarists only’ (thus, excluding 85% of Orthodox), and for ecumenists, modernists, freemasons and liberal intellectuals (thus, excluding 99.9% of the rest). How has this distortion of...

orthochristian.com

 

[Owlet]

https://archive.ph/0JxmA
The Wall Street Journal did an article about the surge of growth in the Orthodox Church from non-ethnic Americans. It's good news for a change! The above link is archived so anyone can read it. I hope it works. Screen shot below:View attachment 58127Screen shot:

A pity that convert hasn't yet learned to cover her shoulders in church, and to kiss an ikon on the hand or foot, never on the face. Hoping someone will gently teach her, but not a good look to use this photo to illustrate a convert's devotion.

 

[MarthaOrMary]

Orthodoxy is the one branch of Christianity that I don't know much about. What are some good books or websites to begin learning? Also, for those who are Orthodox, would you say it's a fair assessment that it is the branch least tainted by humanity? Does that make sense? In order to be Catholic, one must believe in the infallibility of the Pope... in order to be Protestant, one must accept man's teaching on various denominational doctrines. Is Orthodoxy freer of such things?

An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith​

by St John Damascene​

An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith by St John Damascene - the Complete Text

 

[Hermetic Seal]

I was surprised by how decent the WSJ article was. It didn’t even mention Putin, spooky “white nationalists”, or any of the other boogeymen! Sarah Riccardi must be absolutely livid that they didn’t reach out for her brilliant insights.

 

[Ah_Tibor]

A pity that convert hasn't yet learned to cover her shoulders in church, and to kiss an ikon on the hand or foot, never on the face. Hoping someone will gently teach her, but not a good look to use this photo to illustrate a convert's devotion.

She'll be ok. The icons won't melt, either.

 

[DeDe]

I apologize if there was a thread better suited for this, but I heard about the proposed moving of St. Vladimir's Seminary and was curious if anyone has heard any updates.

St Vladimir’s Board of Trustees continues expansion planning for the future | St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary

www.svots.edu

 

[OrthoSerb]

I apologize if there was a thread better suited for this, but I heard about the proposed moving of St. Vladimir's Seminary and was curious if anyone has heard any updates.

St Vladimir’s Board of Trustees continues expansion planning for the future | St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary

www.svots.edu

They are moving to Texas it appears: