...and now for a politically incorrect moment...
The fourth verse of the Star Spangled Banner, the national anthem of the United States of America: A special gift for the atheists, revisionist historians, progressive politicians, humanists, anarchists, and Muslims, who would like us to believe that there is no God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and that this country was founded on godless principals.
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
...this has been a politically incorrect moment...
Yes!
ReplyDeleteGreat words! As a Southern Baptist seeking to learn about the Eastern Orthodox church, would I post a question to you here Nathan? Anna
ReplyDeleteOf course Anna. That's what this blog is here for! Ask away...
ReplyDeleteNathan: As I stated, I am a Southern Baptist who is searching for answers and have turned to Eastern Orthodoxy. My husband and I are discouraged with the churches we've attended-it's as if we're at a rock concert and so many things are irreverent. Even the conservative Anglican church we now attend is starting to have this problem. So I wondered if the ROCOR is still adhering to their principles in worship, dress codes, music, etc. And if they have not joined the World Council of Churches or have succumbed to the ecumenism that involves a diluting of their principles, beliefs, etc.
ReplyDeleteIf they are intact, can you tell me of any churches in my area (St. Louis, Missouri)?
Thank you-Anna
Anna, First of all, you are welcome to e-mail me at journeytoorthodoxy@gmail.com if you want to talk there. Secondly, it seems you know some of the right questions to ask. This is good and shows that you are doing your research. Assuming you have come to the understanding that the Orthodox Church is the original Church of the Apostles, and are aware of World Orthodoxy, which is the modern apostacy from that Church, then your ROCOR question is an important one. Brief Answer: All the Bishops of ROCOR, but one, entered communuion with the Moscow Patriarchate in only 2007. This was a startling reversal of years of ROCOR denouncement of the MP as a false KGB government pseudo church, by ROCOR. Only one faithful Bishop, Agafangel, and his Synod and priests refused to compromise and he now stands as the lone uncompromising ROCOR jursidition.
ReplyDeletehttp://sinod.ruschurchabroad.org/engindex.htm
I am part of the Tennessee parish and Father Gregory Williams is my priest. He too, remained faithful and is head of english speaking missions in North America, as well as headng up the mission in Haiti.
http://www.annunciation.us/index.html
People, like yourself, drive as far away as Florida to be a part of our local Tennessee church. We also have a family that comes from Kansas/Missouri area. It is encouraging to see such adherance to the faith of our fathers as the world waxes more and more evil.
For you, just coming into the church, it would be a sacirfice indeed to travel so far to Tennessee. You are welcomed, but, it might be a better option to find another true church closer to you. It will not be one of ours, but still a true, uncompromising, Orthodox jurisdiction. Here is a valuable link where you can see the trustworthy churches in your area and read more on the vicious and often violent methods the World Orthodox are using against the true churches-arresting priests, seizing buildings, etc.
http://news-nftu.blogspot.com/2010/03/directory-of-true-orthodox-jursdictions.html
When you find one near you, e-mail me and I might be able to give you some specifics on that group.
Above all, God loves a sincere seeker and He will guide you. Where I, in my feebleness, may let you down, He will not.
Nathan: Thank you for your time and info. I will look up those links and may be asking more questions. Anna
ReplyDelete