Hi

[PeterPaul]

I just wanted to say thank you to my Orthodox brothers and sisters for being on this Earth. :clap:

[Plan 9]

Yeah! What he said! http://sevenofnine.cherrytaco.com/Miscellanea/Emoticons/Icon_bounce.gif

[Servant of the Kingdom]

I think Peter is excited at the prospect of a possible reunificiation in his life time.

Men can dream :)

[ProCommunioneFacior]

God Bless the Orthodox.

[The Prokeimenon!]

What a wonderful thread! You've put a smile on my face :) God bless everybody here and everywhere!

Moses

[Filia Mariae]

:wave: :hug: :wave:

Hi guys!

[Michelina]

We thank God for the faith and spirituality of our Orthodox brethren.

You are an example and an inspiration to all Christians.

[Reader Nilus]

I do not see reunification any where in the near or even distant future. As long as the Papal doctrines of the Assumption, The Immaculate Conception, and Papal Infalliblity stand in the Roman Church, there is no possiblity of reunion. That is not even bringing up things like unmarried priests and the glorification of the Host in Catholic practice.
Jeff the Finn

[Rick of Wessex]

Hello, everyone. :wave:

Thank you guys. :hug: God bless us all!

Your brother in XC,
Rick

[Matrona]

I do not see reunification any where in the near or even distant future. As long as the Papal doctrines of the Assumption, The Immaculate Conception, and Papal Infalliblity stand in the Roman Church, there is no possiblity of reunion.
You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to jeffthefinn again.
Drat.

Jeff, I appreciate your courage. :clap:

PeterPaul and others, I truly appreciate the cheerful sentiment, but we Orthodox will not give up our identity in the spirit of false ecumenism.

[Michelina]

Drat.

Jeff, I appreciate your courage. :clap:

PeterPaul and others, I truly appreciate the cheerful sentiment, but we Orthodox will not give up our identity in the spirit of false ecumenism.

No one (in his right mind) wants you to, Matrona. :wave:

But we can embrace each other in fraternal love. That is what this is about. :hug:

[Photini]

Hi guys. And thanks for letting me hang out in OBOB every once in a while. :)

[Matrona]

No one (in his right mind) wants you to, Matrona. :wave:

But we can embrace each other in fraternal love. That is what this is about. :hug:
Fraternal love I can manage. I do love those affiliated with the patriarch of Rome, my brethren in Christ.

But what I think you had in mind when I said "identity" was our liturgy, our spiritual practices, our "smells and bells." What I meant was, we refuse to give up our identity as the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

[Eusebios]

Really appreciate my brothers and sisters from OBOB!
:wave:
His unworthy servant,
Eusebios.
:bow:

[Michael the Iconographer]

Drat.

Jeff, I appreciate your courage. :clap:

PeterPaul and others, I truly appreciate the cheerful sentiment, but we Orthodox will not give up our identity in the spirit of false ecumenism.

Drat I tried to bless you for this and it gave me the same old message. I guess I tend to spread reps among the same ppl, lol!

[CyberSponge]

I just wanted to say thank you to my Orthodox brothers and sisters for being on this Earth. :clap:

THANKS!!!

We always appreciate appreciation. :D

[PeterPaul]

I do not see reunification any where in the near or even distant future. As long as the Papal doctrines of the Assumption, The Immaculate Conception, and Papal Infalliblity stand in the Roman Church, there is no possiblity of reunion. That is not even bringing up things like unmarried priests and the glorification of the Host in Catholic practice.
Jeff the Finn

:sigh:

[MattMMMan17]

I do not see reunification any where in the near or even distant future. As long as the Papal doctrines of the Assumption, The Immaculate Conception, and Papal Infalliblity stand in the Roman Church, there is no possiblity of reunion. That is not even bringing up things like unmarried priests and the glorification of the Host in Catholic practice.
Jeff the Finn

By the Grace of God, we WILL be one once more.

[Reader Nilus]

May Our Catholic Brethren follow the example of St Alexis Toth, and then we could be one again.
Jeff the Finn

[Matrona]

May Our Catholic Brethren follow the example of St Alexis Toth, and then we could be one again.
:clap: I pray that day will come soon!

[Suzannah]

:hug: PeterPaul!

Last night, at catechumen class, my priest was talking about "living in the Church" and what it all means...he said a very simple thing that I loved ... "Our life within the Church is our training ground for our eternal life in Heaven." God bless you PeterPaul! :hug: You are right. We must love one another unreservedly if we hope for salvation...

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[Servant of the Kingdom]

Dear kids

Let's see... don't you believe in a God that came to Earth to be crucified for us?

so now, what's the problem?! can't God help us with a little differences? (tell me what's big for God)

Now on a more serious note. I've noticed that most debates between east and west, historically, are more based on misunderstandings and my latin is more cool than your greek (or viceversa) than real theological points. I'm not a theologian, but I suspect we can find a common formulation to make everybody happy and if not there gotta be some way to determine who is right.

God will help.
Resistence is futile... :D

[Matrona]

Dear kids

Let's see... don't you believe in a God that came to Earth to be crucified for us?

so now, what's the problem?! can't God help us with a little differences? (tell me what's big for God)
Why doesn't the Roman church have open communion?

Because even though we disagree on what orthodoxy is, we both know it's important.

[readerpaul]

Dear "Dad":

With all respect, charity and love, and with real hope that someday "all might be one," it's not about "misunderstandings": it's about real and important differences in such crucial questions as 1) who is the head of the Church? 2)how is the Church governed? 3) How do we, with our limited abilities, understand and relate to the Holy Trinity? There are a host of other differences as well.

As Orthodox we are sometimes too quick to perceive offense where perhaps none was meant---but we are in love with the Faith "once received from the Saints" and don't want to lose it. Many people have given up a lot (or at least, what seems like a lot in human terms) to come to Orthodoxy; they cling to it as the "pearl of great price."

So while reunion is devoutly to be prayed for, most of us would see unity as currently impossible, precisely because, we don't for example, even agree on the nature or degree of the differences between us: you seem to view them as misunderstandings, linguistic hubris, or based on semantics. I (we) see them as real and profound, reaching to the very heart of the idea of the Church and the mystery of salvation.

Truly all this is in the Lord's Hands.

One of the "kids"

[Ampmonster]

Hi guys! nice forum you have. i want you guys to know i think you rock!
-Ben

[Rilian]

Well said readerpaul.

[PeterPaul]

As I am a guest in TAW, I will honor my host and not comment on some of the things said. However, for those who looked at my spirit when I started the OP, God Bless you!

[Servant of the Kingdom]

Now, I'm a dad. :)
(kid = how we call anybody we love in Canary Islands. I call my granny little girl. Sorry sometimes I forget)

The Head of the Church is Jesus... and please don't debate that :) there's a nightmerish thread on General Apologetics about that called "just a little question" :)

Point 2) is probably the most difficult because it deals with our vanities, long traditions, etc, etc, however we have the help of God.

Point 3) is something I prefer to stay mute. One little comma and you are a heretic, I will wait after I get better trained in theology. However I do trust in our theologians to do a better job, given time.

I don't think it is easy, but when I pray I know nothing is impossible, and undertand our differences are minor when compared to the ones we have with let's say baptists... and I have not lost hope with them too...

as said earlier a man can dream...

[Orthodox Andrew]

Much love to all my Catholic brothers and sisters!:clap:

[Orthosdoxa]

Ditto Andreas! :)

[PeterPaul]

Anonykat, that avatar is precious!

[Stone_Lock_Comanche]

No matter what the crisis is praises and glory to the Most High forever.

[Photini]

PeterPaul, I hope you do not feel that your time has been wasted on us. I appreciate what you have done here. There has been turbulent waters between OBOB and TAW over the past few months, and it's people like you that will help to heal that wound. I thank you again.

[Servant of the Kingdom]

I did not know that photini :( thanks

[marciadietrich]

Just stopping by to say hello as well. I generally stay in OBOB, but wanted to say I do enjoy the Orthodox posters who visit over there. :)

[Plan 9]

Resistance is futile... :D

This must be my cue to post again? ;)

I doubt if any member of the Orthodox Church has ever given a moment's thought to any possible reconciliation between their church, and the United Methodist Church.
Nevertheless, I deeply appreciate your ferver, your devotion, your dedication and the unconditional love with which you have always greeted me when I visit.
Thank you. I truly am honored. :bow:

[Matthias]

I think I actually agree on the Catholic idea of priests being unable to marry. Then again, I haven't really thought that much about it. I also believe in Purgatory, too. Maybe I'm 1/2 Orthodox and 1/2 Catholic. ;)

[PeterPaul]

PeterPaul, I hope you do not feel that your time has been wasted on us. I appreciate what you have done here. There has been turbulent waters between OBOB and TAW over the past few months, and it's people like you that will help to heal that wound. I thank you again.

Thanks Photini. I appreciate it. I honestly love and respect my fellow Orthodox brothers and sisters. In fact, I love the respect and complete reverence you have for worship. I'm jealous! (except when I go to my '62 Missal Latin Mass, then I think we are complemented)

Seeing the Mass the other day made me realise how beautiful the love of our Lord is, and what an historic event!

I realise there are those here who didn't like it. I understand there are many theological and historical differences, rifts, and problems throughout so many centuries. Certainly, I am not ignorant that this can be solved as a pure misunderstanding.

But, in the meantime, while our theologians debate and work together, I just wanted to celebrate you!

I have always had contact with Orthodox priests in my life and they, knowing I was a Catholic showed me more love, invitation and hospitality because of it. I am eternally grateful by the example of the Orthodox.

[Michelina]

I have always had contact with Orthodox priests in my life and they, knowing I was a Catholic showed me more love, invitation and hospitality because of it. I am eternally grateful by the example of the Orthodox.

My brother, a Catholic priest, speaks about how reverently and respectfully he has been treated by Orthodox priests and laymen. He says "They know what a priest is. Our people have forgotten".

[Daedalus]

I think I actually agree on the Catholic idea of priests being unable to marry. Then again, I haven't really thought that much about it. I also believe in Purgatory, too. Maybe I'm 1/2 Orthodox and 1/2 Catholic. ;)
Yup, me to, though I know I'm wrong :)
But, expecially, for Matrona -- I thought we were taught to forgive first and then go to church; I don't see how this doesn't apply to catholics as well.
Really, I also feel very close to the chatholics because, they are the closest relatives we have :)
I don't see a reason why a chatholic shouldn't go to heavens for instance.
Most of the believers don't know about all the dogmas, don't care where the Holy Spirit comes from, or the conception of the Virgin Mary (I think the catholic view is wrong however);
Anyway, just wanted to say I love you too guys.

[MaRiNa_Orthodox]

God Bless u all!

P.S. How do u guys put a Serbian flag and the icons on this thing? They said I have to have some "blessings"...what are they talkin about?

[Matthias]

Daedalus; well said. I guess we both have beliefs from both Orthodoxy and Catholicism. :)

[Matthias]

Andreas, perhaps you are the best person to explain about blessings?

[Oblio]

God Bless u all!

P.S. How do u guys put a Serbian flag and the icons on this thing? They said I have to have some "blessings"...what are they talkin about?

Blessings are recieved by several ways, one of which is from other members giving them to you.

[Eusebios]

God Bless u all!

P.S. How do u guys put a Serbian flag and the icons on this thing? They said I have to have some "blessings"...what are they talkin about?
Hi Marina:wave:
Welcome to Christian Forums, and especially here to The Ancient Way! To have an icon for your avatar, you do have to have some blessings, we can help with that :)
To put the Serbian flag at the top (like many of us have done, though we live here in the US, out of respect for the suffering of our Serbian Brothers and Sisters) is to go here (http://www.christianforum.com/profile.php?do=editprofile) and simply choose your country under "additional information/country"
Hope that helps!
His unworthy servant,
Eusebios.

[MaRiNa_Orthodox]

Thank you all a lot! You are wonderful. I am so glad that you guys put Serbian flag because of the suffering that Brothers and Sisters in Serbia are going through, thanks a lot! I am from Serbia and believe me, Serbs need lots of prayers, it's sad out there right now but on the other hand, ppl started going to Church more often and started having more faith in God. We, Serbs, appreshiate that you care about us and pray for us. God bless you all!

P.S.: At first, I thought all of you guys were Serbian(those of you who put Serbian flag), but knowing why you put our flag makes me even more happier. :)

[Matthias]

How old are you?

[MaRiNa_Orthodox]

How old are you?I am 16, you?

[Stone_Lock_Comanche]

Marina Do you live in the US or Serbia?

[MaRiNa_Orthodox]

I live in Canada:D but I wish I was in Serbia...it's poor but I like it better kinda....;) Byes