Another step towards the Ecumenist "Super Church"

[Aristokles]

Dear Demetri,
There are 14 juristictions currently in Australia:
<snipped>
Both the Jerusalem Patriarchate and the OCA attempted to establish Parishes, but were refused permission by the EP.
George

14 - Astounding.
When I read last year about the OCA being in Australia I admit I thought it odd.
As to "permission" from the EP, I don't think it would be necessary, do you? But I am sure he could pressure Jerusalem (as Constantinople has done for the last 1500 years).

Thanks for the list.

Demetri

[Mor Ephrem]

Question: why is the OCA in Australia?

[Chrysostomos]

Being in the OCA....

I agree with Mor, why is the OCA in Australia?

Most likely same reason that Greek, Antiochian, MP, you name it
are here in America. Or so the same excuse can be used.

In this case, to minister to Americans who reside in Australia.

I think there should be an Orthodox Church of Australia. If Americans
want to worship, go to that Church, why the need for an OCA church?

I'll tell you, it sure seems that Orthodoxy is getting to be more like the Protestants in regards to denominations. This jurisdictionalism is
really getting out of hand. Crazy......

Lord Have Mercy,

Rd. Chrysostomos

[Mor Ephrem]

Most likely same reason that Greek, Antiochian, MP, you name it
are here in America. Or so the same excuse can be used.

In this case, to minister to Americans who reside in Australia.

No offence, but why do Americans in Australia need an American Orthodox Church in Australia when (from my vantage point) there doesn't seem to be a significant difference between Americans and Australians from the perspective of culture, language, etc.? Or is it that the "ethnic" jurisdictions in Australia do not serve in English or something like that?

[Anastasios]

Dear in Christ Etienne,
I'm not sure which juristictions did sign but two of the four which did not were the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (EP) and Russian Orthodox Church (MP).
That's a good point about Australia being a testing ground. The no infamous Seventh Assembly of the WCC took place here in 1991 where "Orthodox" representatives (all of whom were clergy including Archbishop Meletios of the Ecumenical Patriarchate) took part in joint "worship" not only with heretics, but pagans as well. It was this which led to such an outcry that the Thessaloniki Communique was issued less than twelve months later, banning Orthodox participation in any joint worship at the WCC.
Let me tell you, it's no fun living in a testing ground....
George

No, they did not participate in worship with pagans. This lie is often repeated. The aborigenees who censed the participants with their smoke WERE INCULTRATED ANGLICANS.

anastasios

[Anastasios]

Question: why is the OCA in Australia?

Goes back 30 years, when the OCA, ROCOR, and MP were fighting. Some parishes left the MP or ROCOR and went under the temporary protection of the OCA.

anastasios

[Chrysostomos]

Mor,

Read my message again.

I agree with you....Americans do not need their own Church, they can go to the Australian one. I am the "knucklehead" advocate of espousing one single Orthodox Church per nation. Orthodox Church of Australia, Greek Orthodox Church for Greece, Russian Orthodox Church for Russia...but that's too easy, too simplistic and I am sure that someone could find a canon or two for or against my proposition.

Rd. Chrysostomos