I've been following this thread - and with all respect to previous posters, the question is a bit loaded.
What constitutes "Orthodoxishness" in an Eastern Catholic parish?
Can I be "Orthodox" and still have pews?
Can I be "Orthodox" but have more western-style iconography?
Can I be "Orthodox" but I'm using all the current approved service books and materials? (Can a green book parish qualify as "orthodox" or do I have to be a rebel and use the red book)?
Do I have to say "unto ages of ages" ?
Do all the women need their hair covered?
Does "Vespergy" count? OCA parishes have "Vespergy" - went to one this Monday for Annunciation.
You can see how this thread can go in some really strange directions.
I'd just ask more simply "who is following the typikon properly" and who celebrates the "traditonal cycle" of services (vespers/hours or matins/divine liturgy)?
Who does the other things like Akathists, Lytia, Artoklasia, etc?
Who/What parish follows a more "traditional or fuller expression" of Eastern Christian liturgical/paraliturgical life?
Blessed Lent to all!
Egad. I thought only we Orthodox obsessed about such stuff.The "super-Orthodox" versus the rest of us. I have always viewed that talk like a playground argument... "my dad's car is better than your dad's car, my team has cooler uniforms than your team." Etc...
As for me I was taught not to judge by the depth of the poklon or the length of the services but rather by the real witness of faith within the parish family.
You will never find perfection or consistency of praxis within any Orthodox group.
By the way, most Orthodox churches in the states have pews, many have western style icons- (in Greece and Russia too....) ,most parishes have sparse "crowds" at Vespers and holy days, most woman don't wear head coverings etc...etc....
I've seen many 'Orthofolk' bounce from one jurisdiction to another before landing in a cult like "orthodox" schismatic group or totally losing faith.
