The Serbian Orthodox Church vis-a-vis Ecumenism
Bishop ARTEMIJE of Raska and Prizren
An address prepared for the Academic Conference
Ecumenism: Origins, Expectations, and Disenchantment
University of Thessaloniki, September 20-24, 2004
Ecumenism is a child of the 20th century. It was born at its outset, experienced a metamorphosis in the World Council of Churches around the middle of the century and by its end, it was on its last breath being fiercely rejected. Unfortunately, it survived this crisis, and continues to trouble the Church of God in the 21st century.
This theological conference on ecumenism, in our humble opinion, is long overdue but not hopelessly so. Therefore, we thank God, as well as all those who worked to make this eminent gathering possible, in order that the issue of ecumenism may be considered from various perspectives, which should be of great help to all local Orthodox Churches, as well as the Church as a whole and every faithful person. It will help the Church take the proper position toward this, not only the latest, but also the most dangerous ecclesiological heresy, which our well-known theologian, Fr. Justin Popovich, consequently called pan-heresy because it encompasses all heresies previously known in the history of the Church. . . Read More
Ecumenical Impact on Orthodox Witness and Mission
A Convert’s Reflections
Fr. John Reeves
An address prepared for the Academic Conference
Ecumenism: Origins, Expectations, and Disenchantment
University of Thessaloniki, September 20-24, 2004
The School of Pastoral Theology * The Aristotelian University
Twenty seven years ago (last week, in fact), I stood outside the doors of the St Seraphim Church, Dallas, Texas, awaiting reception into Holy Orthodoxy. I was asked whether I confessed the Orthodox Church as the Bride of Christ wherein was true salvation which was in the Ark with Noah at the Flood. I confessed it with all my heart. I believed it then. I believe it now.
Orthodoxy was for me the Pearl of Great Price. Archbishop Dmitri of Dallas had counseled me upon my entry into the Church that, as grave as the situation was in my Anglican life, there remained but one reason to convert to the Orthodox faith: Namely, that I believed it to be true. He, himself a convert from the Baptists while yet in his teens in the early 1940’s, was the perfect one to give that advice.
Thus, I come before this august gathering of prelates and priests, of theologians and spiritual fathers, as an American, a convert to Orthodoxy, a “village priest,” quite humbled by this privilege, to speak on a subject of concern to us all. I bring the perspective of one who has sought refuge in Orthodoxy from the doctrinal and moral morass afflicting many of our partners in the ecumenical movement.
In my seminary training, in an Episcopal seminary in the 1970’s, I was alarmed by trends away from apostolic faith and witness then present in my denomination. Equivocation on the Incarnation, the Resurrection and the Miracles was readily accepted. Doctrine was nuanced away. Ordination of women to the priesthood was on the horizon. Advocacy for abortion, for which some Episcopal clergy were already providing “ministry services,” (transporting young women to abortion clinics)--and acceptance of homosexuality raised few eyebrows amongst faculty or most students. . . . Read More
The Mystery of Baptism and the Unity of the Church
The Idea of “Baptismal Unity” and its Acceptance by Orthodox Ecumenists
Fr. Peter Alban Heers
An address prepared for the Academic Conference
Ecumenism: Origins, Expectations, and Disenchantment
University of Thessaloniki, September 20-24, 2004
“The Church can be experienced and ‘tasted’ only from the inside
and not externally: without the right faith (orthodoxy) and outside
of living a life according to this faith, the Church does not exist.”
– Metropolitan Amphilohije of Montenegro
The Church as the Pillar and Stronghold of the Truth:
The Question of Autocephaly and the Church
Your Eminences, Revered Fathers, Beloved Brethren in Christ, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Orthodox Church’s understanding of heterodox baptism flows from and is determined by its self-understanding of being the “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church,” which alone performs the one baptism into the death and resurrection of Christ. This is so, for the Church is known in her mysteries. In and through the mysteries the Church exists and is continually formed, her borders are set, her members identified. “Those who live their lives outside the mysterial (sacramental) life are outside the body of Christ.”
The “One Baptism” and the Baptism of Heretics
Holy Baptism is the portal of entry into the Body of Christ, and thus the foundation and presupposition of all subsequent mysteries. As the Lord Himself has solemnly declared: “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” . . . Read More
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Apostle to Zaire
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The Truth of our Faith
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The Truth of Our Faith: A Discourse from Holy Scripture on the Teachings of True Christianity
by Elder Cleopa of Romania
The Table of Contents, excerpts
Orthodox Heritage
The St. Poimen Greek Orthodox Brotherhood
PO Box 38688
Phoenix, AZ 85069-8688, USA
http://members.cox.net/orthodoxheritage/Elder%20Cleopa.htm
Read an excerpt from The Truth of our Faith, chapter 15, On the Second Coming
Divine Ascent: A Journal of Orthodox Faith
A Publication of the Holy Monastery of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco
http://www.divineascent.org/divineascent.php
Editor’s Picks:
— Apostle to Zaire: The Life and Legacy of Blessed Father Cosmas of Grigoriou
Written by Demetrios Aslanidis and Monk Damascene Grigoriatis
Uncut Mountain Press. 2001.
Road to Emmaus
P.O. Box 16021
Portland, OR 97292-0021 USA
http://www.roadtoemmaus.net/backissues2004.html
Letters From An Apostle: The Inner World of Fr. Cosmas of Zaire
In his own words: Missionary-priest Cosmas of Grigoriou (+1989). In eleven years Fr. Cosmas baptized 15,000 souls and built 55 parishes in the heart of the Congo. (Excerpts taken from Apostle to Zaire, published by Uncut Moutain Press.)
Protection of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church
112 N. Fairdale Ave
Royalton, IL 62983
Phone: 618-984-2144
http://www.holyprotection.us/orthodoxfaith3.htm
If you interested to learn more about the Orthodoxy, here is the list of some recommended readings for you…
Elder Cleopa’s The Truth of our Faith: Discourses from Holy Scripture on the Tenets of Christian Orthodoxy. Published by Uncut Mountain Press.
St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Monastery
5 Timmer Lane
Goldendale, WA 98620
Phone: (509) 773-7141
http://www.stjohnmonastery.org/
References and Further Reading…
Elder Cleopa The Truth of our Faith
St. Lawrence Orthodox Christian Church of The San Lorenzo Valley
6192 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
http://www.slocc.com/orthodoxy/biography.shtml
Christian Biography
Apostle to Zaire: The Life and Legacy of Blessed Father Cosmas of Grigoriou
My Journey to Orthodoxy
http://www.orthodox-journey.blogspot.com
“Precipitating this mounting concern has been my reading of Elder Cleopa’s The Truth of our Faith and this wonderful blog entry by a fellow blogger...”
UMP Books Endorsed as Parish Catechism Tools
Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church
927 North LaSalle Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60610
312-202-0423
“The Adult Study group meets every Wednesday after Vespers at about 7:20pm. The current is “Tenets of Christian Orthodoxy.” Everyone is welcome! We will be reading and discussing Elder Cleopa’s book, The Truth of Our Faith. The class in intended to deepen the understanding of our tradition among the faithful while introducing inquirers to the Holy Orthodox faith.”
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
155 Hogan Rd.
Lewiston, ME 04240
Bible Study - Catechism, Thursday Nights at 7 P.M
Catechism guide text is based on:
The Truth of Our Faith
by Elder Cleopa of Romania
....bring a friend.
Protection of the Holy Virgin Parish
St. Seraphim Orthodox Church
90 Mountain View Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Ph: (707) 584 - 9491
COURSE SCHEDULE for Tuesday evening classes…
Part 2: Reading during this period of study: The Truth of our Faith, Elder Cleopa
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