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As one of the planners on the Orthodox side for the resumption of the dialogues, Metropolitan Filaret (Philarete) of Minsk would be one of the 2 representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church-MP. We don't know the other yet.

As insinuated by the CWNews article, there will be a total of 30 Orthodox delegates, 2 each from the 15 leading Orthodox Churches.

Amado

Dear Administrator you said to Kollyvas:

"Did you use the term �Eastern Riters� on purpose to bait people into controversy? You should know by now that such terminology ended with Vatican II and that the correct terminology is �Eastern Catholic�.

I say:

Actually, I don't believe that Kollyvas stated "Eastern Riters" instead of Eastern Catholic's in order to bait. I am an Orthodox, and would never have realized that it's an offense to the Byzantine Catholics.

As for his capitilizing certain words, I again percieved him as trying to emphasize certain things. Frankly as an Orthodox, Kollyvas seems to be quite open minded and refreshingly honest. At least he does not speak with a forked tongue....as some others do.

Knowing the common Orthodox mind, I find his suggestions quite 'constructive' because he has a true intent towards 'unity'. I believe his post was taken a little bit out of line by some 'Orthodox' who might have other objectives in mind, (such as only a pretense towards unity)...as well as by some 'Byzantine Catholics' that are misconstruing what he is saying because of their former contacts with Orthodox.

But then again, that's just my viewpont.

Zenovia

Dear Zenovia ,

I knew nothing about Kollyvas till he arrived among us. Then it struck me that he was posting in 2 different ways - the first was wonderful quotes from the Fathers and these I truly appreciate.

The second way was where I started to get worried - and it was based on 1 thread in particular,

After the thread was locked I started to look at things very very carefully - and the more I looked the more I objected to things that were posted.

Eventually - have done a little searching on the Internet [ and it was sooo easy to find ] I came to the conclusion that Kollyvas had only 1 motive - he regarded all of the Non - Orthodox Christians [and definitely some of the other Orthodox Christians that were not of the same persuasion as him] as - well I won't use the term - it's one to which I object most strenuosly.

Dear Our Lady's Slave of Love,

Okay so Kolyvas is a fundamentalist...what else is new? I think though that he is trying hard to be open minded. I kind of sense a struggle within him...not the 'pretense' that some other 'Orthodox' are so adept at.

I don't know, maybe you caught something that I have not caught. I do think though that it would be a good idea if someone kept count of all the 'reports' that are given. They could all be the same person with a mischievous agenda, or a few of the same people.

Just wondering!

Zenovia

Dear Zenovia:

You were deceived.

Gaudior, who believes your kind heart would be appalled at just what you missed. AND who also requests that you stop putting quotes around the word "Orthodox".

Dear Gaudior,

I don't know what I've missed, but the truth is that I shouldn't have called Kolyvas a 'fundamentalist'. It was not nice of me and I sincerely apologize to him...or 'you' Mr. Kolyvas, if you happen to be reading this.

I got carried away with the passion of the moment, because I thought he was being taken off unjustly. I'm usually more thoughtful than that.

Zenovia

"Eastern Riter" is unbearably poor English and should therefore offend anyone who objects to the degeneration of language.

Moreover, it rests upon and propagates some misconceptions: there are several quite distinct liturgical traditions (Armenian, Alexandrian, Antiochian, Byzantine, Chaldean and so on); no one could possibly "belong" to all of these simultaneously.

Kollyvas gave the strong impression that there is a valid distinction between the Orthodox and the "Eastern Riters". Since most Orthodox (leaving aside for a moment the few Western Rite Orthodox communities) and all Greek-Catholics use the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom and the other divine services associated with the liturgical tradition of Constantinople (as it took root in various local cultures), if one must use the peculiar expression "Eastern Riter" at all, it applies equally to Orthodox and Greek-Catholics.

But may we not send that hideous and pointless expression back to the circular file and make whatever effort is required to speak and write accurately and courteously?

Incognitus

Dear Gaudior you said:

"AND who also requests that you stop putting quotes around the word "Orthodox".

I say:

Now that would be quite difficult. Capitalizing is considered 'shouting', so how else can I emphasize something....you know, it's not as if I'm not 'Orthodox'. (Did it again)!

Well! Maybe I'm a very 'ecumenical' minded Orthodox.

Zenovia

Ah now Zenovia - usage of continued Caps [ upper case letters] is indeed considered 'shouting'

However it is possible to add emphasis , as I'm sure you know by the use of bold typeface.

Anhelyna - whom no-one could consider computer literate

Dear Lady's Slave of Love,

I'm more accustomed to using 'quotes' when I want to emphasize something. It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Actually, I would personally find bold letters more offensive. You know I have never seen that used! But since bold letters would be more offensive to me, and therefore probably to others as well, I'll stick to my quotes. ( I'm just lying you know, I don't get offended that easily).

But if it does offend Gaudior, then I'll try to remember to apologize if they are used concerning the name 'Orthodox'. (My apologies to Gaudior)

Hey! A little sense of humor here.

Zenovia

Dear Icognitus you said:

"Eastern Riter" is unbearably poor English and should therefore offend anyone who objects to the degeneration of language."

I say:

What happens is that a term can be commonly used among certain individuals. Matter of fact, if I hear it often enough, I might accidentally use it...but then again I'm 'absent minded', and might actually forget that it is offensive. Also some people pick up concepts as well as expressions of those that they associate with.

Now if one does, and yet is modifying the concepts that exist around them, I think they should be given respect for their openess. Now a Byzantine Catholic might not be aware of that, but I as an 'Orthodox Christian', would.

Actually, taking that into account, and knowing 'some' of the mentality that exists within my Church, I have to say that Kolyvas was modest in his approach, and for that I would have to give him credit for his honesty and for showing at least a 'real', if not a minimal quest for unity.

I think that had he continued on this forum, he would have contributed a great deal, and there might have been a 'real' discussion on the problems concerning unity with the RCC.

As for me, I see no difference between the Churches anyway...only between the individuals that worship within them. God's Grace is given to the extent of each one's worth you know!

Zenovia