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...
I don't think I'm being over-sensitive when I say that they seemed to go out of their way to avoid mentioning the OCA or the fact that any Eastern Orthodox people may not be "ethnic", i.e.-Serbian, Greek, Russian, Polish, etc. The Russian priest looked like he was about to mention that fact but I don't know if he didn't or if it was edited out. If the video's purpose was to educate officers about those ethnicities, then why say it's a video about Eastern Orthodoxy? If the video was about Eastern Orthodoxy, then why make it look like only "new immigrants or fourth generation Chicagoans (great-grandchildren of immigrants)" were Orthodox? It seems to be perpetuating a common myth in this country. That said, the instructions about church behavior and treating blessed items with respect was good. I don't see how knowing which way we make the sign of the cross is of practical use to them though.
ReplyDeleteAlways neat to see one's bishop in a video!
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