greekchristian

Yup. That accounts for the origin of the Orthodox fellowships. But like I said before, that's only half of the equation. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> OK I can not change your mind as to why we have ethnic names in our Christian dominiation. I felt that I explained to you the reason, after looking at all the posts it now sounds like to me that all you just want to do is nickpick me to death over this issue. I am over this conversation about why we have a ethnic name each church. It is obvious to me that we don't agree with that issue! I respect your opinion BUT Lets think of something else to talk about! Thank You

1- I thought Christianity's origin was with Jesus, who said his temple would be a house of prayer for all nations. 2- Sorry, I can't control your feelings. 3- Yup. Lifelong member, and in his 40's. 4- Nope, I didn't have a point to prove, or any strong opinions. I wasn't a Christian at the time. 5- Yup. Extensively, in many places. 6- Not much. Again, you continue to make the mistake of attributing my views to ignorance. My opinion is a very informed opinion. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am so sorry for hurting your feelings Steve! I don't think that you are ignorant! I am just trying to understand you that is all! And in response to you other post I am getting defensive just trying to understand you. Well I agree that Orthodox don't go out to evangelize much that is why we don't have complete ethnic deversity, but we do have ethnic deversity Steve. 1.I thought Christianity's origin was with Jesus, who said his temple would be a house of prayer for all nations. These followships were created after Jesus assended to Heaven and again during the DarkAges. All nations can and do worship in orthodox churchs!

1- Again, you underestimate me. I have indeed been in your place. I followed a false "Christianity" for most of my life, until some risked offending me my teaching me from the Bible what it means to be a Christian. 2- Oh, I understand plenty. I simply disagree. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Are you accusing me of following false Christianity? It is ok to disagree! as long as we have respect?

1- I care because it indicates where your identity lies. I call myself a Christian, period. My ethnic origin has nothing to do with my religion. For this reason, I have the same issue with those other churches you mentioned. It is again as I said before It is the origin of that fellowship as to why it will have it's ethnic name. When someone says that they are members of Christian fellowship they must understand that they are a Christian FIRST if they don't believe this then they are not Christians. The Orthodox Church is an international federation of patriarchal, autocephalous and autonomous churches. Each church is independent in her internal organization and follows her own particular customs. However, all the churches are united in the same faith and order. The Orthodox Church acknowledges that unity does not mean uniformity. 2- I didn't accuse you of anything. I said this is the general nature of the Orthodox churches. By saying that because a church has a ethnic name that it excludes others and that sounds racist to you that means that since I myself follower of this fellowship that I ahere to those views that is why I feel that I was called a racist. 3- Oh, but I have. In many places, over the course of many years. Well did you go with a friend that is familiar with Orthodoxy? Did go wanting and wishing to prove your point? Did you talk to the pastor, anyone from the congregation? Did you notice any ethnic diversity with in those concregations? Believe me I have learned so much from non-Orthodox Christians that have enriched and reinforced my Faith!

Greekchristian, please allow me to remind you of your original post. This is what I was responding to. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I know what I wrote BUT when someone says that because your church has nation's ethnic name on it and it's call racist because of it. I get annoyed! I don't have any ill will towards you but how would you feel in my place? I understand that you may not agree with or understand why their are ethnic names to the Orthodox Churchs. If I can help you understand please ask and I will try my best. As I said before I do want to know what you think of Orthodoxy but you must understand I didn't come here to insult or get insulted I want dialog. I have a friend who is a BornAgain Christian who didn't understand Orthodoxy before he met BUT after getting to know each other we have both learn so much about our ministries and have come to respect each other's beliefs!

Bless you greekChristian. Please remember that those you may exchange posts with do not necessarily reflect the views of the board or the views of the membership in general. You are very welcome at Worthy Boards and I pray you continue to share your chosen expression of your FAITH in Jesus Christ, our Lord & Savior. I attend a Southern Baptist church, have membership in a Church of God (Cleveland, TN), was raised in a Roman Catholic church and fellowship with Pentecostals. Interestingly, my son serves as a part-time youth minister for a group of three churches... United Methodist, Presbyterian and Southern Baptist. They may have different doctrines but they are UNIFIED in the core belief in Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior, son of God, God in the flesh, born of a virgin who died for our sin and physically rose from the grave and ascended to the Father where He will one day judge all mankind. As I told you earlier, our fellowship is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. [1 John 1:3] You profess Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior, which is enough for me to extend the right hand of Christian fellowship to you. Bless you, Wayne <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thank you I am HONORED to accept your hand with mine in return. Your Brother in Christ Georgios

1- This is tragic, I agree. 2- Stealing a flock? I didn't know this was possible. I thought all believers were willing participants in whatever church they attend. Isn't this what Jesus desires, willing followers? 3- Then take the name of your country off your church. Every college campus has a Black Students' Union. But no one dares start up a White Students Union. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 2- Stealing a flock? I didn't know this was possible. I thought all believers were willing participants in whatever church they attend. Isn't this what Jesus desires, willing followers? Not when they were Atheist by force of government. Russians were jailed if they were Christians! The Church barly gets back on it feet and here comes a new church! You do the Math 3- Then take the name of your country off your church. WHY do you care so much about a name? what about Southern Baptist, Lutherains? I done arguing with you! LOOK I am a Christian First, Greek Orthodox Second ok I didn't come here get insulted and to be accused of racism! I came here seeking Christian Unity, not to be called names. It is OBIVIOUS that you have NEVER been to a Orthodox Church in LA or anywhere else. Because if you went you would see multiethnic people in those churchs just because those churchs have the name of the place their origin is NOT to your liking!

1- Again, I am fully aware of the historical development. I have been a student of church history for a long time. This acounts for the origins of the division, but it does not justify the modern continuation of that separation. 2- Yup. Understood. And the New Testament exemplifies the pattern of people of different nations worshipping together. 3- Huh? Of Course it does. In many neighborhoods around here, they have several different national orthodox churches within a 1-5 mile radius. They should be able to worship together, and not separate themselves this way. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Orthodoxy has been persecuted by muslims, catholics and communists. We continue to suffer in muslim countries (Iran, Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Turkey, Iraq, and Sudan) Sola Scriptora says that in Russia the Russian Church tries stop allowing American Evangelical Christians from STEALING FLOCK !! That is what it is!! We had suffered for over 80 years under the Communists now that we can openly worship again what happens people come along and try to steal FLOCK! How would you feel if you went through something like this in America??? I personally DON'T agree with what Patriarch Alexei is trying to do what BUT I don't blame him. I believe if there where HONEST dialog between the Russian Church and that group of Christians maybe something could be worked out?? In response to stevehut: Didn't I just say that they can and DO! worship together! Dude thank you I have tried to explain to you that we are NOT racist! BUT you continue to say this and another guy Sola Scriptora calls my beliefs cantankerous and while you call it racist THANK BOTH OF YOU!!! Remember when both of you are pointing your figures that three are pointing at you!

1- Lack of central control means you have to be divided ethnically? I don't follow that reasoning. 2- Yes, I'm aware of that. Jesus wanted his church to change the world, but instead the world has changed the church. And the people have accepted the outcome. This is sad. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Next time used they FULL quote NOT a cut up one to help your argument sir! Here is my full message: "the reason why the churches are divided along ethnic lines is that there IS no central control only regional control such a patriarch for Bulgeria and NOT in the WHOLE Orthodox Church! Also During the Dark Ages when pagan kings would convert to Christianity they would want have their own Church Hierarchy that would not be subject to a foreign Pope or Patriarch." I hope you understand that during Dark Ages it was a violent time full of fear and xenophobia Western Roman Empire had fallen and there was no control throughout Europe. Regional fiefs and kindoms had been set by the Germanic, Slavic, and Bulger Pagan kings. Plus when most of the Eastern Church fell under the Muslim turks disunity was encouraged between the Catholic and the Occupied Orthodox churchs. We live in modern times now and people move to different countries. Those people want to bring with them their beliefs and views of their home nations. So that is why we have multinational Orthodox churchs outside their home nations. That does not mean that they are divided! On the contrary we are unified in our belief in Christ! It is just that our Liturgy is spoken in our native tongues! I pray that you understand that Orthodoxy is only divided by the language we speak. If I go to any other Orthodox Church I am excepted as a fellow Orthodox Christian. You don't have to agree with me BUT I pray that you honsetly do some research. You say that you live in LA? I say go to a Greek Church and then to a Serbian one. You will see we are only divided by the language spoken. jcm I thank you for your understanding!

Is is ok I am NOT offended not all people will identify with Orthodoxy. I personally have been to a Pentacost Church and was freaked out by how the parish was raising their hands in the air praising Christ. I am NOT ment to be a Pentacostal Christian. I do know that the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I has promoted UNITY with all the Christian Churchs in Europe. Which I totally Believe in the Unity with in our Churchs.

OK in Orthodoxy, the reason why the churches are divided along ethnic lines is that there IS no central control only regional control such a patriarch for Bulgeria and NOT in the WHOLE Orthodox Church! Also During the Dark Ages when pagan kings would convert to Christianity they would want have their own Church Hierarchy that would not be subject to a foreign Pope or Patriarch. That is some of the reasons why Orthodoxy is split along national and ethnic lines. It is NOT racism sir! ANYONE can be Orthodox. In my church, St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in San Diego, CA you have Ethiopian Alter-Boys along side Greek and American Alter-boys. We have Mexicans, Philipinos, Africans, and Americans members Along with Greeks in our parish. St. Gregory of Nyssa over in El Clajon, CA. is made up of mostly Americans and Mexicans who have either converted or married Greeks. It is just that these churchs falls under the juristication of the Patriarch in Constantinople who is the head of the Greek church outside of Greece. I have celebrated the Resurrection of Christ ie. (Holy Pascha or Easter) with Ukranian, Serbian, and Russian parishes at my Church in the past. We heard and embraced our languages along with English during those services. I think that is celebrating diversity in Christ and not racism.

Please explain in more detail please. ''work of the people'' and why our theology of liturgy is awful? I am curious and NOT offended

So which do you prefer one church, central like the Catholic Church or a church that is independant but unified I can go to ANY Othodox Church in the world and receive communion become part of that parish with out converting! Also because it says "Greek", "Russian", "Ukrainian", etc. but all those church are the SAME. It is just that those languages are used in their respective Liturgies.

The Eastern Church is basically the Catholic Church EXCEPT we don't believe in the Immaculate Conception, Purgortory, an Infallible Pope, forced celibacy for Priests(if you are married before your ordained a priest you stay married but you can't get married after your ordained), we use bread not wafers, our fasting is different as well and the Nicenian Creed was altered by the Catholics in the part where the Holy Spirit comes from. IT was change to include and the Son by the Catholics. There is NO pope. All the Churchs are run by Bishops, Metropolitans, Arch-Bishops and Patriarchs. I am Greek so I go to a GreekOthodox Church here in SO.CAL. There are Albanian, Ukranian, Arab, Serbian, Bulgarian, Russian, Syrian, Ethiopian, Romanian, Armenian, and Greek churchs the beliefs are the same but the Divine Liturgy is done those respective languages and English. If you are interrested in Orthodoxy try a local yellow pages and attend the Liturgy on a Sunday. Go to different churchs. You may like going to a Syrian or Russian Church. If have ny more question dont hesitate to post.

Hello I came across this website and decided to register. I am a Greek-American who is also a Greek Orthodox Christian. I am curious to know what some or all of you think of this fellowship?? Please feel free to comment or ask questions. Think you Xristos Anesti.. Alethos Anesti !!!!!!