Posted by rjklancko
on 4/2/2012, 4:14 pm, in reply to "Re: More on the Synaxis of Orthodox Patriarchs in Cyprus"
of course there is no support for us, we eastern orthodox christians in the usa are far from united, why? because we are not united by faith - no matter what one is told - we are divided by ethnicity and old country loyalities. if we were united into one american church, we could speak with one unified voice and be an active withness - yet alas we are plagued with missplaced loyalities and perspectives. we need to shed our relationships with the past and the cut the ties of foreign intrigue and allegience - we are american, we are christian - suppossedly ---- if so, we need to place christianity above all else -- he are three tragic examples that have no need existing
1) there are 48 parishes in connecticut under 7 different ethnic bishops - unity - you jest - i thought that chrisitanity comes before all else - these parishes all march to the tune of different drummers and do scant little tio support each other
2) in the midst of holy lent, when are are supposed to be fasting, looking inwardly, renewing our selves spiritually, treding along our spiritual pathway and petnitent pilgrims - at least this is what we galician russian americans alwalys did - our greek bretheren in the usa forsake their church and holy lent and have their greek independence celebrations - greek nationalism comes before great and holy lent, fasting - what is that, celebrating and banquets - yeah, thats what the norm is - go greek! --- oh, oh, what about american independece day - how do they celebrate that day - never saw a greek float in an independence day parade on july 4th
3) lastly look at kindratch's latest report on ethnicity in orthodox churches in the usa - need i say more - we are doomed, it is truly the st. charlie brown effect par excellance!
come on guys, its time we took our heads out of the sand and recognized that we are christians and need to play a more active role in american society, as witnessing chriostians - so that we can help those in jepoardy throughout the world -- oops, sorry - we only help our own providing they are from the same street, of the same village, of the same county, of the same, state of the same country and go to the same church and stand - not sit - on the same side of the church - get my point?
to quote that eminent orthodox theologian pogo the possum - we have met the enemy and he is us - amen - may God save us all - from ourselves.
