www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West The scandal of Archimandrite Zenon (Teodor)

Dearly beloved in Christ,

Glory to Jesus Christ !

I remember growing up in the 60's watching the civil rights movement. Our Catholic and Orthodox Churches are still stuck in the 60's. Catholics must still ride in the back of the Orthodox bus and Orthodox must still ride in the back of the Catholic bus. And when it's time to receive your spiritual food and receive Christ in the Eucharist, some of us must only feast in Catholic only restaurants and some of us in Orthodox only restaurants.

May God have mercy on our souls !

Joe Prokopchak
archsinner

Dr. John,

You said:

>"Once again, the fascists among us have turned Christ's loving commandment into a raging war of canonicity."

The saddest thing about this is the crippling effect that it is having on our souls. Many of us, including myself, can become so resentful in these "canonicity wars" that we remain spiritually stunted. There is nothing sadder than an adopted son or daughter of God not reaching their full potential: theosis.

>"If I ever meet my sisters and brothers of good will, I'll buy us dinner..."

I certainly hope that I run into you in the near future!

Anthony

Dear Anthony, next time I'm in Ohio......

You want fries with that?"

"How little Tim realizes that the model of Church for which ROCOR stands, the "Holy
Synod" of the Russian Orthodox Church, is itself an uncanonical innovation, a creation...."

Just a few small points.

First, the ROCOR is not a proponent of the "Synodal" system of Church governance for the Russian Orthodox Church. The "Synod" of the ROCOR is a temporary governing structure until the legitimacy and canonicity of the present Moscow Patriarchate is established by all of the Bishops, those inside and those outside of Russia. The ROCOR came from the bosom of the newly re-established MP of St. Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow.

Secondly, the words of Metropolitan Philaret are very strong, but they are not authoritative of the teaching of the Church concerning "grace" in the sacraments of other Orthodox jurisdictions. That doctrinal area is reserved for the whole of the Church, not just one bishop, despite the eminent holiness of the Metropolitan.
BTW, I was blessed to be in Jordanville and pray at the sepulcher of this reposed hierarch, whose body was found to be incorrupt when his body was translated recently. I really do not think it wise to make Metropolitan Philaret the 'mouthpiece' for antagonism of those outside of the ROCOR, particularly by Timothy who isn't even a member of the ROCOR.

Last night I witnessed the tonsuring of a new monk - such a blessing, particularly as each of us asked him "What is your name?" (The abbot told us this is the way to first greet him). So poignant when his own parents came to greet him, needless to say- I cried.

In Christ,
John

About Archimandrite Zenon, Orthodoxy doesn't speculate about grace outside itself. Fr Zenon's opinion about Catholic sacraments is just that in Orthodox eyes - opinion. Seems to me he is on his way to becoming Russian Catholic like it is said Soloviev became (which is debated).

The point, regardless of where one stands on the Schism, is it was disobedient for Fr Zenon (in his position at the time as an Orthodox) to go to and commune at a Catholic Mass. There was no reason to go since he was in his own monastery, where Liturgy is served perhaps even daily. Also, if the Italians served without the Orthodox' permission (they would be unlikely to give such), that was wrong too.

What we see here is proof that disobedient acts using Holy Communion, not seeing Communion as the *goal* of reunion, only does Orthodox/Catholic relations harm, not good.