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"We have concluded that when the principle of racial division (i.e. phyletism) is juxtaposed with the teaching of the Gospel and the constant practice of the Church, it is not only foreign to it, but also completely opposed, to it. We decree the following in the Holy Spirit: 1. We reject and condemn racial division, that is, racial differences, national quarrels and disagreements in the Church of Christ, as being contrary to the teaching of the Gospel and the holy canons of our blessed fathers, on which the holy Church is established and which adorn human society and lead it to Divine piety. 2. In accordance with the holy canons, we proclaim that those who accept such division according to races and who dare to base on it hitherto unheard-of racial assemblies are foreign to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and are real schismatics." Constantinople...1872 * Pray and Work for Orthodox Unity in North America!!! * St. Andrew House announces Agreement to fund Orthodox Unity effort for years to come - see www.orthodoxdetroit.com * Welcome to the St. Andrew House Discussion Forum * Coming Soon - Orthodox Business Directory * Visit our Home Page at www.orthodoxdetroit.com

    Re: What those new to the church bring to Orthodoxy...

    Posted by Dean Calvert (dcalvert) on 6/4/2007, 12:17 pm, in reply to "What those new to the church bring to Orthodoxy..."

    Hi Tamara,

    In other words...they are adding little things like "life" and a focus on returning to our purpose.

    Sounds good to me.

    I attended one session of the Ancient Christianity conference the other evening in IL, which Fr. Moses Berry was presenting (next year's speaker at your conference?). In answer to a question from Fr. Moses of, "What does it mean to be a Christian to you...?," one man answered, "It means that whenver I see this one guy coming into the office, who I know is going to aggravate me...I say under my breath, 'Hello Jesus'..."

    When my friend, Subdeacon Robert Mitchell later put me on the spot by asking me to tell the assembled group what my thoughts were, I pretty much told them the same thing as your comment implied - something like, "You will never even BEGIN to appreciate what converts are bringing to this faith - there's a whole bunch of Orthodox out there that need to be brought back to basics."

    Yours sounds like a wonderful program. Do me a favor and report back once in a while on how it's working...both the good and the bad. No sense reinventing the wheel.

    Best Regards,
    Dean

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