Moderator: Mark Templet
I would like to ask, as I myself am Greek Orthodox, if someone can explain to me in simple terms what is happening in Russia? I mean something big is happening in December with the Churches. Also what does ROCOR mean and some others. Are they all Orthodox Churches?
Many thanks
Angela+++
Angela,
ROCOR stands for Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. When the Russian revolution broke out, the Bolsheviks took over the government in 1917. I leave it to the more educated here to explain those details. What I will say is that there was great persecution against the Holy Russian Church and Patriarch Tikhon was killed for it because he refused to bow down to their anti-Christian takeover. As a result, Pat. Sergei, of sorrowful memory, did the deed when he was elected by the atheistic, communist government that took control. These atheists also killed the Tsar family. If you google these references, you will find plenty of information.
So, it became a time of preserving Orthodoxy against the atheist regime. You must have heard about how communists treated the Orthodox? The Greeks also had to face the same persecution. One day, your Greek Orthodox neighbor is your friend and the next day, he is spouting communist propaganda and turning you over to the communists for whispering a word of discontent about the way things are run by the communists. You would be at risk of being taken to a secluded area and shot in the head. Have you seen the movie, ELENI?
Back to Russia.... Churches were destroyed. Holy Altars were descecrated. Crosses from the church tops were torn down. Everybody lived in fear that the police would break down their doors and round them up because someone mentioned that he saw an icon in their house. Many parents and children were seperated, never to see each other again or many saw their parents or children killed in front of them. Whole villages were starved to death. People were taken out in the streets and tortured to death to make an example to others.
Anyone who was arrested and taken to court was quickly convicted. Many were killed and others were sent to Gulags(concentration camps), where many died.
Bishops and priests were arrested AND killed, with no trial, because they would not pledge their faith to the government but to Christ; they were shaved and stripped and tortured. The communist government wanted to replace the authority of God in the church and Pat. Sergei, of sorrowful memory was the one that accepted it.
But, there were some bishops that were able to escape. Again, I leave it to those with knowledge to explain the details.
They left their beloved homeland and dispersed to different countries. They seperated their communion with the false Patriarch and established a community outside of Russia. They preserved their love for Orthodoxy and faith in Christ. Over time, ROCOR established a strong body of faithful who resisted the Moscow Patriarchate(MP).
And now, with sorrow in our hearts...the bishops of ROCOR, have decided to re-establish their communion with the MP(but they call themselves the Russian Orthodox Church).
The MP are so deeply involved with the WCC and ecumenism. It is not right to join with them now...but apparently, most of the ROCOR bishops are either complete idiots or have been groomed to think without an Orthodox conscience.
There are plenty more details but you will need to take time to absorb them.
Joanna
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. 50)
joasia wrote:Angela,
...but apparently, most of the ROCOR bishops are either complete idiots or have been groomed to think without an Orthodox conscience.
Joanna
Joana in all fairness most ROCOR Bishops are indeed highly intelligent. Intelligence does not however equal wisdom which is a fruit of the Fear of God.
Theophan.
Joanna,
Many thanks for that info. Very much appreciated. I can understand what all the fuss is about. I have read a little of the Tsar family but I will research some more. It's good to know what our fellow Christians died for which is our Faith and the Truth. I have also heared the the Patriarch and other in Moscow are KGB
God Bless
Angela +++
ANGELA wrote:Joanna,
Many thanks for that info. Very much appreciated. I can understand what all the fuss is about. I have read a little of the Tsar family but I will research some more. It's good to know what our fellow Christians died for which is our Faith and the Truth. I have also heared the the Patriarch and other in Moscow are KGB
God Bless
Angela +++
AKA Agent Drozdhov, I understand he was granted a KGB Intelligence Decoration...
In Him
SB
GOCTheophan,
My sincerest apologies. When I start thinking about what we're dealing with now and how the bishops push forward despite the many protests by the parishoners in their diocese's and those who promote union like it's the best thing since sliced bread, I get so upset! and I use harse words. Well then, what word should I use to describe the opposite of wise, because they are certainly not that?
I guess when it comes down to it...we deserve this. We have fallen away from Christ. Just observe how many people go to Holy Communion every Sunday...that in itself is so sad(and I'm including myself of course).
Joanna
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. 50)
joasia wrote:, I get so upset! and I use harse words. Well then, what word should I use to describe the opposite of wise, because they are certainly not that?
I guess when it comes down to it...we deserve this. We have fallen away from Christ. Just observe how many people go to Holy Communion every Sunday...that in itself is so sad(and I'm including myself of course).
Joanna
Dear Joana,
You have no need to apolagise, least of all to me who stooped to calling certain ROCOR clergy the irrational sheep of satan. They are wise but their wisdom is of this world which is foolishness to God.
In your last paragraph you have shown your wisdom- which is not of this fallen age by the fruit of a geniune Orthodox piety. None of us, especially me are doing enough.
If we give money to the poor, say our evening and morning prayers, confess and go to Temple when we can we think that that is enough- maybe even more than enough.
They had that basically Roman Catholic mindset before the revolution and it didnt save them from the abyss that opened up beneath and all but swallowed Holy Russia. I write these words to my condemnation but they need to be said.
May God have mercy on us all!
Theophan.
