EP calls different Paschal dates a "scandal"
( Orthodox Times ) - Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew extended in his homily his heartfelt wishes to all the non-Orthodox Christians who celebrated the Holy Easter on Sunday, March 31, after presiding over the Sunday Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Theodore of the Community of Vlanga. “On this day, the timeless message of the Resurrection resonates more profoundly than ever, as our non-Orthodox Christian brethren and sisters commemorate the resurrection of our Lord from the dead, celebrating Holy Easter. We have already sent our representatives to all the Christian Communities of the confessions here, to extend our heartfelt wishes of the Holy Great Church of Christ and our Patriarchal congratulations. But also from this position we extend a heartfelt greeting of love to all Christians around the world who celebrate Holy Easter today. We beseech the Lord of Glory that the forthcoming Easter celebration next year will not merely be a fortuitous occurrence, but rather the beginning...
A friend of mine had taken a masters degree from St. Vlad's in the early 1990's, and she had recorded her classroom lectures including Fr. Thomas's. She loaned me these tapes (this was the mid 1990's) and I would listen to them in the car on the way to and from work. As a neophyte, I recall being slightly aghast when he went into a semi rant about how all the clergy/bishops dress up like (Byzantine) Roman courtier's and how these traditions may or may not be for the Gospel and God's glory today.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, a step in the direction of facing up to these challenges he identifies would be to address in a serious/sustained way at the catechetical level, so that the "liberal" or the "conservative" has at least the opportunity to see these two failure paths. Anyone know if this ever occurs?
Powerfully relevant & refreshing words of wisdom that challenge & inspire!
ReplyDeleteMemory Eternal!