The Great Sadness

[stephendaniel]

I wish to share these thoughts and feelings with all of you regarding Orthodoxy today. If you will forgive me and bear with me, I wish to share a little of my story to place the following in context:

Thanks to the mercy of God, I have been able to claw my way through the heresies of Protestantism, Roman Catholicism and World "Orthodoxy". The Holy Fathers have condemned the heretical teachings of the former; in regards to World Orthodoxy, joining the WCC was akin to placing their own heads into a guillotine and cutting the rope. It doesn't take much to see that. The Canons are clear, Tradition is clear, and the Saints are clear.

There are some who need to be reminded of what the Patriarchs said over 100 years ago, about reunion with Rome and why it is forbidden. This epistle is what helped me in realizing the grave error the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople has committed in "lifting the anathemas", entering in communion with the Papacy and implementing the new calendar [not in that order, I know]. It is very simple. There is no bending the truth. http://orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/encyc_1895.aspx

So one may get to the point of discovering "True" Orthodoxy. And here is where the great sadness can begin to erode the hopes of one looking to be baptized into the Church. Of one looking to be saved...

They encounter a mess of such a frightening scale that many run away to that which is externally united. Some of my good friends have given up the search because of the scandal that rocks them when they find out that a given Bishop has been excommunicated, that a church may secretly be entering communion with World "Orthodoxy", etc. Let me repeat this: the administrative mess that is contemporary Orthodoxy has left many in despair who then turn to PROTESTANTISM because they want to go to church.

Shall they be blamed for it? We know what Scripture says of those who failed to do the Lord's will and did not know it. But what of the rest of us? What of us who know better? Have we no love in our hearts?

Maybe we need a wake-up call. There are estimated to be over 1,000,000,000 people who are in the Roman Catholic church. Over a billion people. There are a billion people in the world who are in communion with that which has been under anathema for 1,000 years.

Please think about this. Please let your heart absorb this number. A billion people. Take the next number, 800,000,000. That is the estimated number of people who align themselves with Protestantism. And the next number, 300,000,000. This is the estimated number of people who adhere to Orthodoxy [though I would take a guess that this means World "Orthodoxy"].

So of the approximately 2 billion people in the world who claim to be Christians, 1,800,000,000 people are in obvious heresy. They are not in communion with the Saints in heaven. Their bread and wine is not the true Body and Blood of Christ. They are being led by false teachers and false prophets. And the worst part of this is, MOST OF THEM ARE NOT AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON. They don't even know...

And we stand by and do nothing.

Where is our voice? Are the True Orthodox not the Body of Christ? Is Christ silent? Is He indifferent to this issue? Does He not want everybody to be saved? Is salvation to be found outside of the Church? Is He not the only Way?

Where is that courage that calls us to preach the truth loudly? Do we know that this is the Truth? Do we know what that means? That if we are in the Truth, the world is under a lie? Do we really not care?

And when God has mercy on us and allows us to discover True Orthodoxy, what do we do? We bicker. We fight. We throw personal insult at each other. We slander our Bishops. Or allow them to be slandered. And we refuse to put our foot down, to take the stand for Truth and say, "THIS IS RIGHT! There is no compromise." To call out those who are uncanonical, those who are in heresy, those who have been excommunicated. They must be called out - souls are on the line. Where was the warning about Bp. Gregory of Colorado? If nothing else but to say that he had been excommunicated by the synod who ordained him as a bishop? It took me HALF A YEAR before I found out. IT IS IMPORTANT. There are souls entering into communion with him, being baptized by him and the one they call "Bishop John". Where is the warning this "Bishop John" may not be a bishop at all? That he may be a priest named Fr. George who has been excommunicated by his allegiance with Gregory?

Don't you care? Do you know what this has done for some people? That some, by THIS issue, have given up on Orthodoxy? And some are left to explain the situation who are new to it themselves? Who have yet to be "born"?

We cannot afford to be in disunity anymore. We can't. There is too much on the line. There are our families, our loved ones, our neighbors. We will be asked why we did not feed those who were hungry. Why we did not provide for those who had nothing to drink. There are some who interpret this passage in relation to TEACHING [perhaps to the mysteries of the Church?]. It would seem fitting.

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."
(Matthew 25:31-46)

This is not to discourage. Please help. I do not know what to do. For myself, I ask for your prayers, that I may have the strength to fulfill God's Commandments and find the Truth. And spread it.

Thank you,
Stephen

[Suaidan]

Wow.

Stephen, that was really heartfelt. And I know you are expressing the frustration that comes from so many people when they deal with the sort of shock of the current state of disunity in the Church. It is even worse for people when they are misled.

Why aren't the alarm bells sounding about Gregory of Colorado from all sides? Unfortunately, human politics tend to sometimes get in the way of our common responsibilities. Some folks tend to see his work as an opportunity for "pre-made" mission work, which is the wrong way to look at things. Some folks also guess that if they ignore him, it's a better way to deal with it, and that's because the simple truth is that the Internet is a place where anyone has a voice and some people will keep going no matter how many alarm bells are sounded. But many True Orthodox, across jurisdictional lines, realize the threats that such people create towards all of True Orthodoxy.

There are not many places where True Orthodoxy is treated as a whole Body; we tend to look at our national Churches and then our subdivisions and our jurisdictions and we become hardened in a very partisan mentality. It's not good, but it's reality. It isn't comfortable sometimes. Sometimes we fall victim to the politicking ourselves: it becomes almost a competition to see who's got more parishes, et cetera. And maybe that has to change.

Yet, like the E-Cafe, we are seeing more cooperation among True Orthodox than ever before. Times are changing. And yes, it would be nice if problems common to us were addressed, if we stopped treating the Church like a personal fiefdom. And that will happen in time.

Stephen, more than anything else I say this. Find a Church. Find a true priest to help you, give you the mysteries, and you will be at peace. You are in our prayers, and remember that there are many praying for you and for each other.

[stephendaniel]

I do apologize for my general accusations of indifference and apathy, as if I could see the heart of anybody. It was a post written in haste with many feelings going through my heart and many thoughts running through my mind. Please forgive my pride and recklessness.

[Cyprian]

Greetings Stephen,

Glory to God for all things!

I sincerely sympathize with your plight. Let's see if we can calmly sort this out, shall we?

There is a dearth of true Orthodox Churches in the Pacific Northwest, where I live, so I fully understand your frustration. Far and away, more churches are situated in the eastern portion of the United States. Not having the advantage of being fluent in Russian or Greek makes matters more difficult, as it is hard to understand what is going on with the various synods, which happen to be more active and numerous, abroad.

I wish to share these thoughts and feelings with all of you regarding Orthodoxy today. If you will forgive me and bear with me, I wish to share a little of my story to place the following in context:

Thanks to the mercy of God, I have been able to claw my way through the heresies of Protestantism, Roman Catholicism and World "Orthodoxy". The Holy Fathers have condemned the heretical teachings of the former; in regards to World Orthodoxy, joining the WCC was akin to placing their own heads into a guillotine and cutting the rope. It doesn't take much to see that. The Canons are clear, Tradition is clear, and the Saints are clear.

Well put. Let us give thanks to God for his abundant mercy and grace in revealing this unto us.

They encounter a mess of such a frightening scale that many run away to that which is externally united. Some of my good friends have given up the search because of the scandal that rocks them when they find out that a given Bishop has been excommunicated, that a church may secretly be entering communion with World "Orthodoxy", etc. Let me repeat this: the administrative mess that is contemporary Orthodoxy has left many in despair who then turn to PROTESTANTISM because they want to go to church.

With all due respect Stephen, these folks who return to the folly of Protestantism like a dog which returns to its vomit, are without excuse, and you would do well to let them know this, as gently--but firmly, as possible. I don't know your friends or their particular situations, but do you want to know the real reason why many who flirt with the Orthodox Church ultimately reject her and turn aside to some heresy? Simple. All the worldly allurements. Much is given to Orthodox Christians, and therefore much is required. Many people find fasting to be uncomfortable and inconvenient. All their friends are out barbecuing steaks and hot dogs and hamburgers, and playing at the beach, while Orthodox Christians are at home observing the Dormition fast. Others return to the Protestant churches because there are lots of pretty young girls there, who dress to attract the attention of male suitors. Driving a hundred miles to a true Orthodox Church, only to find just a handful of families there, to stand for three hours, just doesn't quite hold the exact same appeal as sitting in a comfortable chair or pew, sipping an espresso, while a guitarist and band sings "Christian" worship music, now does it? I think you've caught my drift...

Shall they be blamed for it? We know what Scripture says of those who failed to do the Lord's will and did not know it. But what of the rest of us? What of us who know better? Have we no love in our hearts?

Maybe we need a wake-up call. There are estimated to be over 1,000,000,000 people who are in the Roman Catholic church. Over a billion people. There are a billion people in the world who are in communion with that which has been under anathema for 1,000 years.

Please think about this. Please let your heart absorb this number. A billion people. Take the next number, 800,000,000. That is the estimated number of people who align themselves with Protestantism. And the next number, 300,000,000. This is the estimated number of people who adhere to Orthodoxy [though I would take a guess that this means World "Orthodoxy"].

So of the approximately 2 billion people in the world who claim to be Christians, 1,800,000,000 people are in obvious heresy. They are not in communion with the Saints in heaven. Their bread and wine is not the true Body and Blood of Christ. They are being led by false teachers and false prophets. And the worst part of this is, MOST OF THEM ARE NOT AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON. They don't even know...

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

God will not deny anyone the knowledge of the truth who earnestly desires it. Many are willfully ignorant. It is not difficult to recognize that what is being preached in Roman Catholic and Protestant churches today has nothing to do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I could not stand to be in a Roman Catholic or Protestant worship service for longer than five minutes. There is absolutely zero appeal. If your friends find going to a Protestant church appealing, then the truth of Orthodoxy never really took firm root in their heart.

And we stand by and do nothing.

Perhaps I sense a calling for you beginning to emerge.

And when God has mercy on us and allows us to discover True Orthodoxy, what do we do? We bicker. We fight. We throw personal insult at each other. We slander our Bishops. Or allow them to be slandered. And we refuse to put our foot down, to take the stand for Truth and say, "THIS IS RIGHT! There is no compromise."

This simply confirms the truth of the Gospel, which has foretold all of this:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Where was the warning about Bp. Gregory of Colorado? If nothing else but to say that he had been excommunicated by the synod who ordained him as a bishop? It took me HALF A YEAR before I found out. IT IS IMPORTANT. There are souls entering into communion with him, being baptized by him and the one they call "Bishop John". Where is the warning this "Bishop John" may not be a bishop at all? That he may be a priest named Fr. George who has been excommunicated by his allegiance with Gregory? Don't you care? Do you know what this has done for some people? That some, by THIS issue, have given up on Orthodoxy? And some are left to explain the situation who are new to it themselves? Who have yet to be "born"?

If some have completely given up on Orthodoxy simply because of one encounter with a vagante bishop, then as I said before, the truth was never firmly rooted in their heart to begin with, and they are without excuse. Most likely the case is that there are some worldly accoutrements that serve to tempt them away from the straight and narrow path, and they simply want to blame someone else to assuage their guilty conscience.

I know the Church is in utter chaos, but that is no excuse for any of us to abandon the knowledge of the truth which God has been so gracious to reveal to us. The Church has been shaken to the core in times past, and yet the gates of Hades could not prevail against her. If you have not read some of the letters of St. Basil, perhaps they will comfort you, for the Church was in similar straits during his time, and the saint speaks of the people avoiding the houses of prayer and praying in the open air, in the snow, rain, heat, etc. out in the wilderness. They can be found online in English for free.

Of course, we would also do well to learn of the holy and God-pleasing struggles of the faithful martyrs in Russia during the 20th century, since the Elder Ignatius of Harbin prophesied:

"What started in Russia, will end in America."

Orthodoxia i Thanatos! Orthodoxy or Death!

May God comfort you, Stephen.

[jgress]

Interesting that Cyprian is so quick to judge other people who falter in the faith, when he himself has steadfastly refused to get baptized anywhere, since he obviously knows Orthodoxy better than any single bishop (unless this situation has changed recently, in which case Cyprian needs to update his profile). Folks in glass houses …

[stephendaniel]

jgress, neither of us know Cyprian's heart, but if what you say is true, it does not sound like it stems from disdain towards the Orthodox faith but rather a careful approach. I hope it is not out of context to quote the Scriptures: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (1 Thess 5:21)

That is the the passage which has helped me in the past in questioning the heretical views of these "denominations". However, I am very rash and impulsive and I tend to throw my cards in with anyone who seems and looks legitimate. So I understand why someone would be very cautious.

It is not for any us to judge another. But perhaps Cyprian should be commended for taking his salvation seriously enough to MAKE SURE about those he investigates. Even if it takes years.

Cyprian, thank you for your personal responses to the original post. It is hard for me to accept; I feel we who know the truth about Orthodoxy are to blame more often than others. Or at least, I am. I feel I should know what to say and how to say it, how to prove it, and how to convince others. I don't know.

EDIT: Perhaps it is not about Cyprian "knowing better" than any bishop, but Cyprian trying to make sure the bishop is legitimate. I have already related my experience with a man I believed to be a bishop. A majority of people may throw their lot with a given person for a given reason; but majority does not necessarily mean correct. It is important to prove it.

[jgress]

Well, I only thought it was odd that Cyprian claimed to know what was going on in the hearts of all those who left the Church, when he himself isn't even clear about what or where the Church is. Maybe those who left the Church were scandalized by all the divisions, as Cyprian seems to be, and gave up. Could they be blamed for leaving when Cyprian refuses even to join?