Thekla, about Fr. Romanides' book...

[Vasileios]

I've been reading Ancestral Sin by Fr. Romanides - a huge chunk of differences can be traced to differences in understanding of this issue. It may not be in time for this discussion (with your mom) but could be helpful in the long run.


Thekla,
How do you find the book? Is it an easy read? It is the work he did for his PhD with some additions, is it not?

From what I understand, Fr. Romanides tackled this issue when nobody would touch it because he believed that most theological problems with the West started from that point. I believe he was told it was an impossible task and he would be better off trying something easier but he insisted. It is since then that there is such a strong emphasis on the differences between the East and West over this issue.

This I have been told by a bishop who was his student in theological school. I have not read it, the book is lying somewhere in my parents' house but I still haven't tried it.

Anything you could share would be interesting.

[Thekla]

Thekla,
How do you find the book? Is it an easy read? It is the work he did for his PhD with some additions, is it not?

From what I understand, Fr. Romanides tackled this issue when nobody would touch it because he believed that most theological problems with the West started from that point. I believe he was told it was an impossible task and he would be better off trying something easier but he insisted. It is since then that there is such a strong emphasis on the differences between the East and West over this issue.

This I have been told by a bishop who was his student in theological school. I have not read it, the book is lying somewhere in my parents' house but I still haven't tried it.

Anything you could share would be interesting.

Hi, Vaseileios --

Its amazing ! I'd only read a bit of his writing online (romanity), but this book is not too difficult and worth every effort. I've only recently started it ... and will need to reread.

I started to get a sense that this issue might be central to differences when I began posting on GT -- there was something askew between our understanding (EO vs. everyone else). And it was more than incarnational theology - even though I couldn't describe it well. This book - in a way- describes the foundation of incarnational theology, describes the 'reason' we honor the Saints, the Eucharist... At least to my limited understanding -- it truly shows the basic understanding for much !

Romanides also discusses the Augustinian basis of Calvinism and the protestant theologie(s) in general. I do so hope that you (and all EO) get a chance to read this. It, so far for me, helps so much "fall into place".

Let me know if you read it -- I'd enjoy hearing about your experience with it ... :)

in Him

[NyssaTheHobbit]

Are you referring to this: http://www.romanity.org/htm/rom.10.en.original_sin_according_to_st._paul.01.htm

[Thekla]

Are you referring to this: http://www.romanity.org/htm/rom.10.en.original_sin_according_to_st._paul.01.htm
just did a brief "scroll" -- looks similar :)
the book I have is much expanded, and discusses why western "views" on the matter . (Holy Cross, Brookline carries it if you're interested). Will try to take a closer look later ...
Thanks !

[Vasileios]

Nyssa, many many thanks for posting that link!

It was a great read. In fact I think this article alone would benefit A LOT of people. I think we need to tell eoe to start giving blessings to people to read it :P

And Thekla, I will definitely picking the copy of that book. I have been postponing it for too long.

I've only read one book by him, which is actually the transcripts of lectures he gave to the theological school of Thessaloniki. And they are absolutely amazing.

I was talking with a Serb priest, who is very well read and he told me that there are two books he would want to see translated in every language. The first was the one by the elder Porphyrios and the second was this one by Fr. Romanides.

Also, I believe it is metr. Hierotheos of Nafpactos that said that Fr. Romanides was the greatest theologian of recent years (he was his student). I am not sure if this was him (I have to double check) but at a dinner with him, he started writing down things fr. Romanides said, on napkins because he did not want to lose one word.

and I saved the best for last: ;)
The elder Paisios after being asked said: "You should listen carefully to fr. Romanides. He knows what he is talking about"

In general, I've spoken to some people who I trust very much in these matters and they all spoke very very highly of him. It speaks volumes about some things here in Greece that the greatest problems he faced were from inside the theological school in Greece and the status quo so to speak.

He had a vast knowledge of the Fathers (and I daresay their mind), history and philosophy. At one time, students from the philosophical school of Thessaloniki started to attend his lectures and then asked him to come and lecture them as he was much more knowledgable than their professors.

Anyway, I am rehashing what I have been told but I assure you, the sources of these stories are *very* reliable.

There was another story from the dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox and us, where fr. Romanides had a pivotal role which was very amusing but unfortunately I can't remember. But it involved a bishop of the OO who was very frustrated with fr. Romanides because he always "won" the arguments. In a meeting in Adis-Ababa if I remember,the church in Greece for some reason decided to not send fr. Romanides again, and the OO bishop relieved that fr. Romanides did not show up said:
"Well, it seems fr. Romanides has no answer this time. Where has he gone then?"
...at which point fr. Romanides walked in because a bishop had paid his tickets and convinced him to come anyway. I ruined the story but you get the idea.

Anyway, I got carried away. It's just that I have heard all these important people (from an Orthodox perspective obviously!) speak about fr. Romanides with such respect and admiration, I've heard the stories (and there were tons more) and finally I read that book, which is incredible in its clarity and depth, that I had to share at some point.

[Thekla]

Vaseilios --

thank-you, your post "brightened my day" :)
I always like the news you tell.
Metr. Hierotheos, Elder Paisios -- some of my favorites ...
Thank-you !