www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology My current conversation with a Russian Orthodox

This is truly the saddest thing I've ever seen.

I have spoken with many Orthodox in this forum, all have been friendly and compassionate, but this Russian Orthodox man I am speaking with is not giving me a good impression of the Russian Orthodox church.

He's said pretty much all an Anti-Catholic can say (as fa ras Orthodoxy is concerned). From "papal heresies" to filioque. When I make a clear, good point, he brings up every line of nationalistic, anti-western garbage I've ever heard. And, of course, the Orthodox are "always right". He's even critizising me for calling God YHWH. Oh yeah, he also accuses me of Judaism! As though it were the ultimate evil or something!The last words of the conversation from him: "You are hopeless, read some church history...I hope you come to Russia one day and convert to truth. May the blessing of the Mother of God be with you!"

MY last words in the conversation:

"Go away, heretic (see what he reduced me to!?!?! I was nice to him the whole time until then, he pushed me over the limit)... Peace be with you."

Somebody please calm me down before I burst. I swear, it is harder talking to him than a protestant or a "western" Buddhist!
-Peace,
Justin, sinner, tired of polemics.

Also, I begged that we find common ground to speak in peace. Of course his response was, "We have no common ground!!!!" If you want the entire conversation, I'll try and post it up.

Here is what I think: He sounds like an over-zealous individual, and representative of a small minority of Orthodoxy. Also, don't forget, there are a few in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church(mostly Tridentine Trads) who feel the same way toward the Orthodox, despite what the Holy Father says.

Columcille

As an Orthodox let me respond.

You have to remember that there are good and bad as well as fanatics in both Roman Catholicism and Orthodox Catholicism. You should hear some of my converstaions with RC trolls on Orthodox newsgroups and discussion groups. As well as the transalpine redempotists, SPX group, and not to mention the Fatima fanatics!

Don't judge a religion by one or two people who's background you are unsure of.

If he is from Russia, then it may be he's unaware of the harshness with which his English comes across. I have a very dear friend, almost like an adopted son, who is a devout Orthodox who will refer to Roman Catholics a heretics. He has absolutely no idea how offensive that word can be or the images it conjures up in a person. I constantly have to remind him not to use that word. If he has to, use either non-Orthodox or heterodox. But he still is unable to grasp what I am trying to tell him. And the funny thing is that he has no great hatered for the RCC. It's just that, to him, they are not Orthodox therefore, they are heretic. It's just like him saying "well, that person is not a male, therefore they must be a female.

So, if you have to, judge the person, not the religion he or she represents.

OrthoMan

I assure you, I do mean to judge him nor his religion. It is simply that whenever I hear of Orthodoxy (particularly slavic Orthodox) there is always the harsh opinions against seemingly everyone else.

I came across a similiar person a year or so ago. Myself, being an Old Calendarist, was simply shocked to find a person more fanatical than me and on top of that, he was a New Calendarist.

I'm not sure he realized how personally insulting he was.

I left wondering if he was even Christian.

That being said, there are certainly many different personalities out there. I know a person for instance that will insult you to your face and not mean any harm, he just speaks his mind.

[ 04-03-2002: Message edited by: OrthodoxyOrDeath ]

[It is simply that whenever I hear of Orthodoxy (particularly slavic Orthodox) there is always the harsh opinions against seemingly everyone else.]

Hey it's in our genes! What can I say! Along with some pretty harsh & opinionated Orthodox Slavs, I know plenty of harsh opinionated Ukrainian, Polish, and Slovak Catholics. Believe me!

And I come from a mixed slavic background. That's why when my mom was mad at me I was a 'dumb Polak'. And when my dad was mad at me I was a 'stubborn thick headed opinionated Russian'. Go figure. I got it all! And from all sides!

OrthoMan

This Orthodox Christian loves you.

Axios

Thank you Axios and all you others for your warm responses.
Peace be with all!

-Justin

The only Slavs who are perfect gentlemen ( and women ) are Slavic Muslims.

(Now, if you believe that, there is a bridge in Brooklyn that....... . )

Abdur

I notice that alote of times Russians will be very blunt in saying things to your face that we, with our delicae western sensibility will find rather appaling. But to them , this is just how they express themselves to one another all the time without thinking anything of it. The same goes for good deal of other nationalities as well.

Its just a cultural thing.

Robert K.

I have experienced similar things multiple times. Do not take it personally, just be discreet until you know how you and your Catholicsm will be received.

Stefan

It all that drinking of Vodka.

Pluse when it's cold out in Siberia, who has the time for sensible conversation. Cut-to-the-chase... even if it means dropping a few letters off of the words.

It's true, but sometimes that's because we mix politics with religion. I think it happens in all the countries and all the religions.

For example, recently the Roman Church in some regions of Mexico started a "patriotic" campaign against protestantism with small books (with very good information about the false teachings of the sects), but the problem is that in the back of the p�pers there is a picture of a Spanish monk and an aztec warrior "destroying" a flag of the USA with "chauvinist" ideology.

Unfortunately, anti-catholicism is very popular in the East. During the Pope's visit to Greece, those who protested had hidden political causes: greeks saw the Pope as a leader that supports the West (integration, USA, European Union)and think the religious life style of the greeks is being threaten�' by the West and the Western church.

Dear Friends,

Slavs who mix politics with religion? And who are harsh and run off at the mouth?

Are there such people?

I just love y'a all so VERY much!

Alex