Objections I Have Heard

Objections I Have Heard

(To Leaving World Orthodoxy)

A Guest Article

by

Joseph Bragg

A Former Antiochian Orthodox Priest 

There is an abundance of material that is cited for support by those who have ceased to have communion with heresy and those in communion with heresy. Many writings in support of this action can be cited from Scripture, the Fathers and numerous Councils, Synods and Canons. A good summary of this reality was set forth by St. Mark of Ephesus when he said, “All the teachers of the Church, all the Councils, and all the Divine Scriptures, exhort us to flee those who uphold other doctrines and to separate from communion with them.”

But what material or what sources are cited by those who remain in communion with heresy? What arguments or defense do they set forth? They certainly cannot cite any teachings of Scripture, the Fathers, Councils or Canons that tell us to remain in communion with heresy. The arguments I have most often encountered are as follows:

1) "The heresy in World Orthodoxy is not official but merely the private opinions of various bishops."

First, where do we get the distinction between official heresy and unofficial heresy? Heresy is heresy, period. The only distinction made by the Church is the public proclamation of heresy vs. private and unexpressed opinions. Once a bishop publicly proclaims heretical teachings, separation is in order and, in fact, required and praised by the Fathers and Canons.

But the fact is that many of the heresies of World Orthodoxy have received an “official” status if such a thing is important. Heretical statements and position papers have been published in official journals, signed officially and even approved by synods. But whether such an “official” status is given to heresy is irrelevant as to separation according to the Fathers, and Canons.

2) "It is wrong to separate from the Church."

This statement and thinking shows how far World Orthodoxy has fallen from the Orthodox Faith. Such thinking reflects the Latin understanding of the Church as an organization or political entity that is defined primarily by what is “official” and by external associations. Since the Church is the Body of Christ that holds the Orthodox Faith under Orthodox bishops, those who separate from the heresy of officialdom are not leaving the Church but are, as one Canon puts it, preserving the Church, since they have not left bishops but false shepherds. In World Orthodoxy, the externals of officialdom are equated with the “Church”. This, of course, is not true. How can it be that those who hold the faith unchanged have left the Church while those who have changed it have preserved the Church? You see how perverted and deceived the thinking of World Orthodoxy has become! Those who have changed the faith (heresy) are the ones who have left. Those who have not changed the faith are the ones who have continued the Church. The perception of the Church as membership in “officialdom” stands in sharp contrast to the teachings of Holy Scriptures, the Canons, and the holy Fathers, including St. Gregory Palamas who wrote:

“They that are of the Church of Christ are they that are of the truth; and they that are not of the truth are not of the Church of Christ...for we are reminded that we are to distinguish Christianity not by persons who have ecclesiastical titles, but by the truth and by the exactness of the Faith.

3) "Everything is not so black and white as to the teachings of the Fathers and the Canons on this issue. There is a lot of gray area."

At this point I want to ask, “What is it that is not black and white and what is it that is gray?

Is it the Truth of the Church that is not certain? Is it the teachings of the Fathers and the Canons that are not certain? Is it not possible to know heresy when you hear it? How did the Church throughout history know, identify and anathematize heresy if it is all so gray and uncertain? And why are the teachings of the Fathers uncertain and gray only when it comes to what they say about separation from heresy? Why aren’t their teachings unclear and uncertain when they teach about the Holy Trinity, the Nature of Christ, the Veneration of the Saints, the doctrine of the Church, the meaning of the Eucharist, the necessity of the Hierarchy, the Canon of Holy Scriptures, etc.? What is unclear or uncertain when the Scriptures tell us to have no association with those who do not continue in the Apostolic Tradition? Is it not possible to know the Apostolic Tradition? If not, then Orthodoxy is a joke and unworthy of serious consideration.

What is unclear or uncertain about the words that tell us to flee from heresy as from a plague? What is unclear or uncertain when Orthodox bishops do the things they have done and make the statements they have made? They are public knowledge and as clear as any news event. No, the argument that it is all gray and uncertain is contrary to the facts and dare not be applied to the teachings of the Church.

4) "We should not be judgmental."

This understanding reflects a confusion of what it means to be judgmental. The Scriptures and Fathers all urge us to discern and judge between right and wrong and truth and error and light and darkness. The Fathers made many such judgments. The Canons are judgments about what is good and proper and Orthodox and what is not. St. Paul taught that we are to judge a “different gospel” as false and under Divine Judgment. He also tells us to discern the sprits to determine if they are of God and to turn away from that which is false. If we are to make no judgments about the truth or error of beliefs then, again, Orthodoxy is a joke and there is no reason to be Orthodox.

The kind of judging that is condemned by Scripture and the Church is that which judges a person’s unknown heart or motives when we really don’t know what is in his heart. Thus we are not to make judgments about people’s unknown motives or eternal destiny but only about their false beliefs and teachings. The Church has always made judgments between truth and heresy and has always called on the faithful to do the same.

5) "Those who separate are guilty of violating the canons that condemn schisms."
 

It is interesting how the teachings of the Fathers and the Canons suddenly are clear and no longer gray when it comes to understanding schisms and how it is no longer judgmental to make such judgments. But the “schisms” canons do not apply to separation due to heresy. The canons tell us to separate from heresy but if we separate from our bishop for other reasons, then we are guilty of schism. The “schism” argument does not apply to the heresy issue and is used as a smoke screen since there are no canons that forbid separation due to heresy.

6) "We should stay and fight from within."

This is contrary to all the teachings of Scripture, the Fathers, the Councils and the Canons that tell us to flee. Beside, if you stay to fight from within, how do you do that? Do you stand up and speak out when you see the Faith being violated and betrayed? Do you bring these issues to the attention of your priest and others? Do you write to your bishop objecting to the heresies of World Orthodoxy? Or do you just learn to adapt, go along and ignore?

7) "Ecumenism has never been condemned by a Council."

The Fifteenth Canon of the First-Second Council of Constantinople clearly tells us that we do not have to wait for an official council before we separate from heresy. But the fact is that all or most of the heresies present in Roman Catholicism, Monothelistism and Ecumenism have already been anathematized by numerous councils. This is why Ecumenism is called a “pan-heresy”. It contains all the heresies already condemned by the Church.

8) "What the bishops do or say doesn’t effect me. I don’t agree with them and neither does my priest so we will be Orthodox and ignore the bishops."

This is fine if you are a Protestant but it is not Orthodox. The Orthodox Faith teaches us that when we receive the Eucharist from the antimins of the bishop and commemorate his name at the Liturgy we are united in faith with him. The faith he holds is also the faith of the priest and the people. The bishop is the line of apostolic succession through which the Grace bearing Mysteries are passed on or lost. If we do not believe what the bishop believes why would we be under his omophorion and commemorate him as a right believing bishop?

New Genuine Orthodox Mission Community of Middle Tennessee Website Launched

Update 1/10/2010  The GOC mission effort was put on hold when the original baptized family went to another jurisdiction.

From the Home Page of GOC Tennessee 

"Welcome to GOC Tennessee. Here you will find everything you need to know about our on-going effort to establish a mission of the Genuine Orthodox Church of America, in Middle Tennessee. This mission effort in Tennessee was launched in November 2009 when one Tennessee family was baptized and became a part of the GOC. Soon after, calls began to come in from other Middle Tennessee families and individuals who have longed for a local presence of a Genuine Orthodox Church in the Nashville area, with whom to be in communion. The mission members currently meet together every Sunday for a full Matins and a Readers Service, led by layman Readers and Chanters. Our supervising GOC priest, Father Anastasios Hudson, who pastors two missions in Raleigh and Greenville, North Carolina, will travel to Middle Tennessee upon occasion, as he continues to offer us his pastoral care. The GOC Tennessee community joins several other GOC mission groups being established in the South, including North Carolina, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. While GOC Tennessee has its initial beginnings in Middle Tennessee, we welcome inquiries from other Tennessee residents who wish to establish a local mission in the East and West Tennessee regions. Please contact us by phone or e-mail. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have and welcome you with the love and joy that is characteristic of this blessed community of Genuine Orthodox Christian believers."

http://www.goctn.org/

You Can Get The Evangelical Into Orthodoxy But Can You Get Orthodoxy Into The Evangelical?

 I had a conversation over the weekend with a church member of our former Antiochian World Orthodox Church. This member is one of the founding members having been part of the church for 30-plus years. I was stunned when he pressed the point that there is no connection to what a bishop does and what the local church does. The conversation was particularly focused on the possibility that one's bishop may fall into heresy and a local parish and members have a responsibility to react to such a happening. At every turn in the conversation, the member refused to consider the possibility that the local church, or he as a member, was effected in any way if their Bishop were to become heretical. I brought to his attention that he commemorates the Bishop in every service, that the Bishop is the local Church and that the Liturgy is done in his name. Still he refused to consider that there was any effect at all on a local parish. In other words, if the Bishop is heretical, it is okay to do nothing. Just keep on keeping on. This long-time member's limited understanding that the Orthodox Church is corporately and mystically "one", was revelatory. Having left that communion this year to become part of the Genuine Orthodox Church of America, I am seeing more clearly, from this vantage point, that, not only did our former church not adhere to Orthodox teachings, but it was not even in unity with its Antiochian roots. It is a parish of its own making, influenced by its easy, no obligation, acceptance into the Antiochian diocese by its current metropolitan. No one was required to be baptized to enter the church, and today that is still the practice. For years after becoming Antiochian, this former evangelical religious commune, located on acreage several miles in the country, still used guitars in its liturgy. Even though they eventually replaced their guitars with Byzantine chant, today the church's individual tweaking of the Liturgy includes the elimination of the entire reading of the canons during Matins- to "save time." It is no surprise that the member, with which I had the conversation, holds the opinion that he does. It seems it was easy to get the evangelical into Orthodoxy but it is not so easy to get Orthodoxy in the evangelical.

For the sake of this member I have included here the Orthodox practice which he denies is relevant:

"During the Divine Liturgy, the name of the local prelate is commemorated aloud by the deacon during the Litany of Peace at the beginning of the Divine Liturgy and at the Litany of Fervent Supplication after the Readings, before the Divine Eucharist, when the Catechumens are still present with the Faithful.

After the consecration of the Divine Gifts, the priest officiating commemorates the local bishop in whose name he is conducting the Divine Liturgy and under whom he remains canonically, as does the whole of the Eucharistic Assembly. Should the bishop himself be at the head of the Eucharistic Assembly, he commemorates at this point the primate of the eparchy, the metropolitan - “First of all, remember, Lord, our Archbishop, NN., and grant that he ...” - with whom he is in sacramental and therefore canonical communion and under whose chairmanship he serves."

commemorate- to call to remembrance

remembrance- an act of calling to mind

If a church or a member commemorates a heretical Bishop they too partake in the heresy. Remove the Bishop from the church or remove your family from the Bishop, lest you become a Frog In Boiling Water.

Our Blessed Sunday

On Sunday, we (the Lewis family) had only our second Reader's Service since being baptized. Our Readers Service currently consists of a complete Matins and the Typica lasting about an hour and forty minutes. A Readers Service is any service held by Orthodox laymen without a priest present. In our case, we have a priest, but he is in a neighboring state. This blessed priest oversees at least three such missions and is fielding calls from all over the country from those wanting to be in communion with the Genuine Orthodox Church of America, of which we are a part. Our priest will visit us upon occasion, but, in his absence, we will continue to worship on a regular basis in Tennessee.

Although we knew that word of a baptized Genuine Orthodox family in the Nashville area holding Readers Services, would be encouraging news to others of  like-mind, we did not anticipate the blessing of two other worshipers joining us so soon. There were six of us for the Reader's Service on Sunday. The two that joined us have been faithfully worshiping in their home for several years, while remaining in communion with another Genuine Orthodox jurisdiction. With the blessing of our priests and bishops, we will continue to join together as often as possible and, in fact, have made plans to worship together next Sunday. We are also planning a Nativity Service.

There is no doubt that there are others in the Nashville, Tennessee area who will rejoice in knowing that there is a group of Genuine Orthodox believers with which they may commune. Many, who are becoming aware of the heresies within their own Orthodox jurisdictions, are comforted to learn of the Genuine and True Orthodox jurisdictions. Heaven is rejoicing as well, in that the Faith of our Fathers is offered in such a tangible way in Tennessee, within the shelter of the Genuine Orthodox Church of America, which holds fast to the Dogma and Canons of the Church and resists all forms of heresy and apostasy that is so prevalent today.

We invite all who are of the same heart and mind or those who are seeking the truth of the Genuine Church, to join us in worship of the Holy Trinity, as as we pray together,

"We were filled in the morning with thy mercy, O Lord, and we rejoiced and were glad. In all our days, let us be glad for the days wherein Thou didst humble us, for the years wherein we saw evils. And look upon thy servants, and upon Thy works, and do Thou guide their sons. And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and the works of our hands do Thou guide aright upon us, yea, the works of our hands do Thou guide aright."

You are welcome to inquire further by

clicking on  "Post A Comment" at the bottom of this post,

or you may email us at:  JourneyToOrthodoxy@gmail.com

 Pictured Above: 

Father Anastasios Hudson of the Genuine Orthodox Church of America 

makes the Lewis family catechumins, the night before their Holy Baptism.

Our Holy Baptism, Chrismation, And Marriage

On Sunday, November 29th, 2009, my wife, our two youngest daughters, and I were baptized for the remission sins, and were chrismated, into the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Seven months after leaving World Orthodoxy, we entered the gates of the Church through the Genuine Orthodox Church of America (GOC) under the pastorate of His Eminence Metropolitan Pavlos of the Cathedral of Saint Markella in Astoria, New York. Having been under the careful catechism of GOC priest, Father Anastasios Hudson, who pastors GOC missions in Raleigh and Greenville, North Carolina, we traveled to His parish in obedience to Holy Spirit and the Church, for the blessed weekend. We were baptized Nathan, Xanthia, Seraphima, and Chloe' after the blessed saints of the same name. We will forever ask those saints to pray for us as we continue in the theosis of our souls.

Immediately following our Holy Baptisms and Chrismation, Xanthia and I submitted to the sacrament of Holy Marriage. To know that our union of 29 years is, finally, sacramentally blessed, is a fulfillment that a few words cannot describe. Our newly-baptized daughters were asked to participate in the sacrament by chanting a portion of the liturgy scriptures. We spent a few precious hours with the faithful members of the two missions, and ate a wonderful meal. We were treated with sincere hospitality and love by our new brothers and sisters, who were the epitome of servanthood.

Even before our hair was dry from our Holy Baptisms, I told Xanthia that, rather than feeling a sense of having arrived, I felt a sense of readiness to fulfill the great commission of our Lord Jesus to,  "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creatures, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."  Living in the Nashville, Tennessee area, we know that there are thousands of souls who are not part of His Church and, "How will they hear without a preacher?" The Exaposteilarion from our first Reader's Service (since our Holy Baptism) speaks directly of this mission,

"Let us gather with the Disciples on the mount in Galilee to behold Christ in faith, saying, I have received the power of those on high and those below. And Let us learn how to baptize all the nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and how He is present with His initiates to the end of the world as He promised."


There is now a Mission Station of the Genuine Orthodox Church of America in Tennessee, by virtue of the fact that there is at least one baptized family in the Nashville area. My family and I will continue to worship the One God through a Reader's Service and will travel to North Carolina and other GOC parishes as often as we can. Father Anastasios will also come to visit the Nashville area as often as possible. We will also welcome all who inquire about the GOC with the loving embrace that is characteristic of this blessed communion-in-Christ.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all JTO readers. In 1620 a few shiploads of  Protestant Christian Pilgrims sailed in to Plymouth Harbor off the coast of Massachusetts. Having endured an arduous sea venture, and having found the home they so longed for, they took time to offer thanksgiving to God. Having established a settlement, and with the gracious welcome of the indigenous peoples in the area, the root of European civilization and protestantism was deeply planted. It would take another 174 years for an Orthodox Christian colony to be established on the North American Continent, but then, only on the opposite side of the continent, by Russian immigrants to Alaska. Protestantism of all shapes and forms grew as the nation grew, while Orthodoxy, in its origins, was geographically isolated. Today, some 389 years later, there are still less than 500,000 Orthodox believers on the North American Continent, although worldwide, Orthodoxy is the second largest recognized Christian group on the planet. May the year 2010 be the year that ethnicities, cultures, and geography take second place to establishing the original Faith Of Our Fathers, on this continent- The Orthodox Church.

Priest Shot Dead In Moscow

Are You Awake Yet?

World Orthodoxy continues its plummet into the abyss of heresy:

* CLick Here: ROCOR-H: Metropolitan Hilarion Held Meeting with Masonic Leaders in November 2008

Click Here: Constantinople Patriarch gives Qur'an as a present to Chairman of the Caucasus Muslim Board 

All jurisdictions in communion with SCOBA and the Patriarch of Constantinople are in heresy. Guard your soul and that of your family. Come out of her!

Click Here: Why We Left...Where We Went...

Click Here: A Frog In Boiling Water

Are You Awake Yet?

11/21/09 Addendum to this post.

A JTO reader took exception to the fact that JTO posted  a *link which erroneously concludes that Met. Hilarion had "a meeting" with Freemason leaders. The criticism is valid and JTO regrets having posted a link that was erroneous in its interpretation of the photo at issue, or at the least, incomplete in its information. JTO, however, would question the failure of the Met Hilarion to "refrain from every appearance or evil", in allowing himself to be photographed with Masonic leaders who were clearly identified by the pins they wore on their clothing. The Masonic leaders, in turn, used the photograph to promote their own propaganda via their publication, photo included, and further their own agenda within Orthodoxy. Here is Met. Hilarion's statement on the matter:

De : Archbishop Hilarion Kapral [mailto:abphilar@ozemail.com.au]
Envoyé : vendredi 20 novembre 2009 4:20
À : xxxxxxxx
Cc : xxxxxxx
Objet : Re: Meeting with masons

Dear Vladimir,

I was very amazed to learn that I had attended a Masonic meeting. Such a thing has never happened.

What in actual fact occurred is being totally distorted. During the visit of the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church to South America with the choir of the Sretensky Monastery some two years ago, the delegation was invited by the ambassador of the Russian Federation to a reception at the embassy. Many different dignitaries were also invited to attend.

While Metropolitan Platon and I were standing at the reception, two distinguished-looking gentlemen came up to us and asked if they could be photographed with us. We said, why not? We did not ask who they were. It turned out that they are high-ranking Masons of Brazil. That is the extent of our involvement with Masons.

The enemies of the Russian Orthodox Church are very quick to pick up on such an unexpected and innocent encounter to defame and slander the Church and its hierarch.

For the record: I am not a Mason and have nothing to do with Masonry. It is impossible for a Christian to be a Mason at the same time as Masonry is a religion of its own.

In Christ our Saviour,
+ Metropolitan Hilarion

Met. Hilarion misses the point if thinks that those expressing concern over the matter just want to "defame and slander the Church and its hierarch." The fact that this is an issue and a discussion, is evidence of Met Hilarion's poor judgment in allowing himself to be duped by these satanists appearing as angels of light. I believe Met. Hilarion now has the answer to his question, "Why not"?

Our Proverbial Week Of Creation

For months now, since leaving the Antiochian Orthodox Diocese and all of World Orthodoxy, to seek communion with the True and Genuine Orthodox Church,  I have fielded attack-comments from anonymous bloggers, and other friends and acquaintances, many assuming that, because we left our local Antiochian Orthodox Church, and all of World Orthodoxy, we must be without a church, without a priest, and drifting aimlessly in the sea of spirit-barren apostasy. The erroneous presumptuousness of such comments is glaring, considering we have not posted specifics of our day-to-day, Sunday-to-Sunday activities, until now...


The fact is that, since day one, we have met as a family in our home for regular daily prayers as we began a specific search for a Genuine and True Church with which to be in communion. 

By the proverbial day two, we had made contact with several priests in several Communions. 

By day three, we had followed the leading of Holy Spirit to enter specific dialogue with a specific priest in a specific communion. Under the priest's guidance and blessing, and with the knowledge of the Bishop, we began using the Typica Reader's Service for regular Sunday worship, and quickly added a full Matins service; our time in prayer and worship being about 1 1/2 hours. We had an advantage over some in our position due to the fact that my wife was well-versed in the Byzantine chant having been a chanter-in-training on the chanter's team, and my daughters had either sung in the choir or had attended chanter's classes. We treated the layman's Matins and Typica, the "Service Without a Priest," with commitment and reverence, rising early, dressing in our most presentable clothes, and shutting out all outside distractions. 

By day four, we began a thorough catechism, talking with the priest by phone and video conference, once, and sometimes twice a week. 

As the sun rose on day five, we had set a date, time, and place for our baptisms.


On day six, occurring on Sunday, November 29th, 2009, my wife and our two daughters and I will have entered the Church through holy baptism and chrismation.  

On day seven, we will rest in knowing that the continuing theosis of our souls will be sheltered in the arms of the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Our proverbial 7-day-week will have taken only 7 months. 

Thanks be to God for His faithfulness and long-suffering toward us. Thanks be to God for giving us the peace and fortitude to endure the transition which included malicious, and always uninformed attacks from our former "brothers" and "sisters", many of whom, evidently are the anonymous bloggers. I am thankful for all who have persecuted us in having allowed us the opportunity to practice the principle of praying for those who falsely accuse and who spitefully use us. My prayer list has increased with each proverbial day.



With our entrance into the Church, we will continue to worship Holy Trinity, working out our salvation with fear and trembling. and adhering to the Faith of Our Fathers:

Julian (old) Calendar 

+ Holy Tradition 

+ The Seven Ecumenical Councils 

+ the Holy Scriptures 

+ the Holy Fathers 

= Holy Orthodoxy.

Whether it be the Lewis' family alone or should we unite in worship and work with other like-minded people in this prosperous Middle Tennessee community, we are assured that,

"Where two or more are gathered in my name there will I be also."

The Gift Of Tears

I am a man given to tears. It must be in my DNA. At my wedding, all the men cried and the women didn't. My first memorable encounter with the God With No Name came at age six. I was moved to tears when I recognized His presence and heard his voice in my soul. To this day, tears flow at His presence. Tears also flow at the presence of my own sins, especially during times of repentance.

One of the things I have had to work through, since becoming Orthodox, is the idea of  "passionless worship". It took me at least three years to understand that passionless is not the same as being emotionless. Passionless, in this context, refers to not being motivated or led by self-promotion. Was Christ emotionless when he wept at hearing the news of the death of His friend?

"Jesus Wept."

Was Christ emotionless when he sweated drops of blood as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane?

A few months ago, I was moved to quiet tears at the sight of a Bishop being ordained. It was a holy, reverent moment, and the awesomeness of our Holy God, conferring on a mere man such an anointing, was overwhelming. A nearby priest, seemingly uncomfortable at my quiet display, ordered me, "Don't Cry. Just be aware that there is work to do."

Would one say, "Don't cry, Jesus. Suck it up. Yes, your friend is dead, and his loved ones are grieving,  but there is work to do", or "Hey Christ! Why so emotional? You don't have to work up a bloody sweat over things. Don't be such a winer. There is a lot of work to do."

Passionless worship is not emotionless worship- Christ forbid! We cry both for joy and for sorrow and both are holy.

St. Symeon the New Theologian said, "God has removed all tears from the face of this earth by means of baptism, having poured out richly His Holy Spirit. But, as I have heard from the Holy Scriptures, certain adults, upon being immersed in this baptism, have shed tears, because they were pricked by the descent of the Spirit. They were not painful and laborious tears, but sweeter than honey by virtue of the working and the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Indeed, tears are a gift from God to his human creation.

THE GIFT OF TEARS

St. Simeon the New Theologian

"What an unutterable wonder! That when tears are shed from the bodily eyes they invisibly flow over the soul and wash away the impurity of sin. They shake and burn out the demons as they fall to the ground and make the soul free of the invisible bonds of sin.

O, Tears, that flow because of that divine radiance and that open heaven and bring divine comfort. Again and I say this repeatedly, stirred by delight and pleasure: Where there is an abundance of tears, my brothers, with true knowledge, there also is illumination in the divine light. Where there is the shining of that light, there too is the bestowal of good blessings and the seal of the Holy Spirit embedded in the heart.

Tears work within us a divine fire of contrition. Without tears and constant compunction no man has ever been cleansed or has become holy or has received the Holy Spirit or has seen God or knows that He dwells with him. Without repentance there are no tears; without weeping there are no tears. Let no one say it is impossible to weep everyday...then it is impossible to repent each day. If repenting and weeping and shedding tears is impossible, then to be humble and to pray unceasingly would also be impossible.

Man should not pass through even one single day without repentance and tears. If he has no tears, he should ask God for them with all his strength and with all his soul. There is no other way by which  he can remain sinless and pure in heart."

Where Ecumenism Leads

The "Fear" of Gay Marriage

AP/PORTLAND, Maine – Cecelia Burnett and Ann Swanson had already set their wedding date. When they joined about 1,000 other gay marriage supporters for an election night party in a Holiday Inn ballroom, they hoped to celebrate the vote that would make it possible.

Instead, they went home at midnight, dejected and near tears after a failed bid to make Maine the first state to approve same-sex marriage at the ballot box.

"I'm ready to start crying," said Burnett, a 58-year-old massage therapist, walking out of the ballroom with Swanson at her side. "I don't understand what the fear is, why people are so afraid of this change.

"It hurts. It hurts personally," she said. "It's a personal rejection of us and our relationship, and I don't understand what the fear is."

Cecelia, 
The reason you don't understand is because your standard of morality is based on personal relativity and not on the fact that there is a God who created you and knows better than you what you need in order to live a fulfilling life here and in the life to come. Homosexuality is an aberration, perversion, and anomaly of God's design of creation. Does not your very anatomy tell you that? Marriage is a sacramental covenant established and ordained by God, between a man and a woman. The reason you don't understand is because those who "fear" gay marriage do so based in the fear of God, not fear of gays. The word "fear" here, does not mean "to be afraid", but, rather, "respect." The majority of Americans, and in fact, the majority of cultures across the world, do not fear (respect) any rights that are elevated above that which God says is right. It's that simple. Now do you understand what the fear is? Perhaps, acquiring a little fear of God may help you.

The Altered State Of A Southern Baptist Icon

This is the portrait of B. H. Carroll, D. D. (pro causa honoris) that hangs beneath the rotunda of the B. H. Carroll Memorial Building on the campus, in Ft. Worth, Texas, of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, the institution that he founded in 1908. Among Texas Baptists, the esteem accorded to "old Dr. Carroll," as he is fondly called, is comparable to the veneration that communicants in the Church of Rome routinely accord to saints.

This portrait of old Dr. Carroll was made from life and, in it, the viewer will observe that, at some time after its completion, a surgically inclined artist removed three fingers from its subject's left hand. For this amputation, the reason was not that of any defect in the hand; but it was, instead, because of what the hand was grasping, that is, a perfectly honest stogie. Although Dr. Carroll, an ardent Prohibitionist, was strong against beverage alcohol, his devotion to other Southern agricultural products certainly did not exclude tobacco.

It was in the aftermath of the First World War that the Texas Baptists finally decided, en masse, that tobacco was a pernicious species of plant sown, nurtured, and harvested in the blighted fields of sin. Because the portait of Dr. Carroll, on account of the cigar, was thus and then perceived not as a source of spiritual uplift but as a medium of temptation, it became necessary to excise the offending object and, with it, the good pastor's tempted fingers.

The portrait of Dr. Carroll, in its present condition, is as pure and chaste as any English war-memorial. It is religiously correct. And, at the disfiguring result of the procedure by which Dr. Carroll's right hand no longer needs to know what his left hand is doing, Machiavelli nods.

(From http://gennotes.150m.com/verita.html

JTO Editor's Note: Nice Orthodox Beard. Don't you think?

You May Be An Ecumenist If...

You may be an Ecumenist if...

1. You refer to Muslims and other non-Christian groups as “brothers” or commune with those who do.
   
   
2. You consider the Roman Catholic Church a “sister” church to Orthodoxy or commune with those who do.
   
   
3. Your heiarchs concelebrate with Roman Catholics or Anglicans and you have not called for them to be deposed.
   
   
4. You are in a jurisdiction that is part of the World Council of Churches.
   
   
5. You are in a jurisdiction that is part of the United Nations World Council of Religious Leaders.
   
   
6. You are in a jurisdiction that does not require unbaptized protestant converts to be baptized.
   
   
7. You don't think the baptismal mode of triple immersion is a big deal.
   
   
8. You willingly commemorate a Bishop who has committed doctrinal heresies.
   
   
9. You commemorate a Bishop who has proven himself unworthy to hold the office.
   
   
10. You are in a jurisdiction that is a member of SCOBA.
    
    
11. You think the word “canonical” applies only to jurisdictions under the Patriarch of Constantinople.
    
    
12. You think that the Patriarch of Constantinople is not a heretic, even when he promotes that all religions are equal paths to heaven.
    
    
13. You remain in a jurisdiction in communion with the Patriarch of Constantinople even though you know he is a heretic.
    
    
14. You think Monophysites were given a bad rap by four of the Ecumenical Councils who denounced them as heretics.
    
    
15. You have ignored the fact that the Patriarch of Antioch concelebrates with Monophysites in opposition to four of the Ecumenical Councils.
    
    
16. You refer to the Genuine or True Orthodox jurisdictions as “uncanonical”, “schismatic”, or not one of the “major” orthodox groups.
    
    
17. You believe and repeat the propaganda that there are millions of Orthodox believers in North America when there are actually less than five hundred thousand.
    
    
18. You have been told and you believe that Genuine and True jurisdictions are small and insignificant, when they make up at least 10% of the jurisdictions in North America alone.
    
    
19. You think that the larger of “Orthodox” groups must be the more orthodox of the Orthodox groups just because they are the larger of the Orthodox groups.
    
    
20. Your Priest, Bishop, Metropolitan or Patriarch tells you that it is wrong to question a Priest, Bishop, Metropolitan or Patriarch and you believe them.
    
    
21. You are not certain what “World Orthodoxy” means.
    
    
22. You know what “World Orthodoxy” means but think it is a good thing and not a bad thing.
    
    
23. You don't believe that the Moscow Patriarchate is state-own and KGB operated and you name one of your children Sergi.
    
    
24. You don't know the significance or origin of the New Calender/Old Calender issue or you don't care and you name one of your children Meletios.
    
    
25. You have no idea that Freemasons are in the seat of power in most jurisdictions of World Orthodoxy or you don't care.
    
    
26. You are a Freemason.
    
    
27. You think the movement toward a One World Church is the unity the scriptures speak of rather than the devise of anti-Christ.
    
    
28. You have decided that every orthodox group has problems of some kind so you will just stay where you are.
    
    
29. You ignore the Early Church Father's practice of denouncing and separating themselves from heretical Patriarchs and Bishops and Priests and you attack those today who would follow their example.
    
    
30. You think Ecumenism is a good thing. 

(c) 2009 Nathan Lee Lewis- Journey To Orthodoxy

Bartholomew Endorses Muslim Religion as God-Blessed

So, you still don't believe there is anything called World Orthodoxy, Ecumenism, or a movement toward a One World Church?  If your diocese, jurisdiction, or bishop is in communion with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew then this is what you believe:

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew issues message for the End of Ramadan
Istanbul, Turkey
9/21/2009
It is with feelings of love and respect that we convey to all Muslims around the world our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes upon the occasion of the end of Ramadan.

After this extended period of fasting, which has also been a time of reflection, prayer and almsgiving, the time has come for each to celebrate their labor and receive their just reward from above.

In the spirit of peace, love and understanding we wish you once again a blessed celebration, praying that God Almighty grant you every spiritual blessing from above in the hopes that the world may live as one.

At the Ecumenical Patriarchate, 7th of September 2009

Your fervent supplicant before God,

+ BARTHOLOMEW
Archbishop of Constantinople,
New Rome and Ecumenical PatriarchIstanbul, Turkey

Ask your priest this Sunday if
1. he thinks it is fine to offer best wishes to a heretical Christ-hating religion...
2. he encourages heretics to celebrate their actions and expect to receive "just rewards from above"...
3. he also prays that God will grant heretics "every spiritual blessing from above"...

If your priest does not think, encourage or pray in this way, ask him why he or your church is in communion with the Patriarch of Constantinople who does. While you are at it, you might ask him why there were representatives of the Greek Orthodox Church concelebrating with the Pope at his mass recently. But, it doesn't really matter. According to all SCOBA members, by their participation in the World Council of Churches and the UN religious unity movement, all religions are equal paths to God. So just pick one.

Read: Why We Left...Where We Went...

Attacking The Messenger-According To Winston Churchill

It never ceases to amaze me the number of people who choose to attack not the content of what you say but the fact that you said it. Please allow Winston Churchill to lend some sense to the matter...

"True genius resides in the capacity for evaluation of uncertain, hazardous, and conflicting information." 


"We occasionally stumble over the truth but most of us pick ourselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened." 

"The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is." 

"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." 

I AM STOCACUS!  

The Three Pillars Of The Power Of The Antichrist UPDATE: 1/15/2015

The Global Religion is here. There are only two religions on the planet, the True Orthodox Church and the Global Religion of the Antichrist which is Ecumenism. Listen to this Holy Monk explain in clear terms the three pillars of power that the Antichrist is using to dominate the population of the Earth.

Global Economy

Global Politics

Global Religion

With these three pillars established, the AntiChrist will set himself up as head. But one breath from Christ Jesus will topple the Kingdoms of this world.

[UPDATE: The videos are no longer available.  The comment section still has valuable information.]

Depose Or Remove!

In this provocative word from Orthodox Prophets website, only two options are given in dealing with heretical bishops who are participating in the coming One World Church. Click: Depose or Remove!

Fearless Faithful

Commendation to Jason Barker for signing his name to his thoughtful article:

The Antiochian crisis and its resemblance to cultic thought and action.

-->

Jason has joined the ever increasing number of Fearless Faithful Antiochian laymen and clergy who are realizing the merits of this quote from the King of Jerusalem in the movie The Kingdom of Heaven:

"You see, none of us choose our end, really. The King may move a man, a father may claim a son, but remember that, even when those who move you be kings or men of power, your soul is in your keeping alone. When you stand before God, you cannot say, 'But I was told by others to do thus, or that virtue was not convenient at the time'. This will not suffice.”

"Watered Down Orthodoxy"

Actually the post title is a misnomer. There is no such thing as Watered Down Orthodoxy. Orthodoxy is Orthodox. If water is added then it ceases to be Orthodox at all.

In my two posts Why We Left...Where We Went and Do Orthodox And Baptists Have A "Similarity of Beliefs", I included discussion about the fact that the Antiochian Diocese, under Metropolitan Philip, had left adherence to the doctrines, traditions and Canons of the faith especially where it comes to the reception of converts. I mentioned that the prevailing contemporary attitude was "Come on in your water is fine", in that my family was not baptized nor even asked to show a certificate of our Southern Baptist baptism. I also pointed out that priests in the Antiochian Diocese were not consistent in their reception of converts, notably the fact that one priest in California required his former Charismatic Episcopal converts to be baptized while my local receiving priest did not. I have been the subject of sharp rebuke especially from those who feel that I have "besmirched" our former priest and "brought shame" upon our local congregation by severing our communion with Antioch while providing a statement as to why we have done so. With this in mind, I was particularly interested to see A Letter From A Sad Khouriya in which the wife of an Antiochian Priest reveals,

"Metropolitan Philip asked, in his address of the General Assembly if he betrayed us by welcoming the Evangelical Orthodox Church into the Archdiocese. As one of those former EOC members, I believe that he did betray us. Not by his encouraging us to join ourselves to the true and historical Church, but by not preparing us to truly be Orthodox. He did not prepare us for Holy Chrismation and even Ordination. None of us, that I know of, were even asked to go to confession before our chrismations. The priests and deacons were not even confessed before their ordinations. Was this an act of love and great vision? Is it loving and commendable to endanger people’s souls in this way? What kind of precedence did that convey? That confession is not important, that we don’t need to prepare ourselves to receive the blessed sacraments of the Church? The Metropolitan did not give us sponsors to help us along the road of actually becoming Orthodox. He gave us watered-down Orthodoxy."
So has this Khouriya "besmirched" or "brought shame" or is she also recognizing the Heresy of Ecumenism into which she and thousands of other Converts have been birthed? Perhaps it is the Metropolitan and the priests in communion with him who have besmirched and shamed the Church of Christ by participating in and allowing such deviation from the Faith.

It is time for the Converts of Antioch to stop defending their jurisdiction and start defending the Faith of Our Fathers. Start with following the biblical and canonical guidelines which would call for the deposing of a heretic such as Philip Saliba. Would someone, anyone, have the courage to rise up and shout, "Depose!"?

"As we walk the unerring and life-bringing path, let us pluck out the eye that scandalizes us, not the physical eye but the noetic one. For example, if a bishop who in the eyes of the Church conduct himself in an evil manner and scandalize the people, he must be plucked out. For it is more profitable to gather without him in a house of prayer, than to be cast together with him into the gehenna of fire together with Annas and Caiaphas." Saint Athanasius The Great

Once having plucked out the scandalizing bishop, go back to where the axe head fell into the water. Be baptized by triple immersion in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This water is not the watered down kind but the Sacrament that you were denied and that which will remit all sins.

Can't We All Just Get Along?

No, we can't all just get along and we are not all supposed to get along. What does it mean to "get along" anyway? Christ loved but did not accept the sin of those who rejected the truth. Likewise, we are to love but not to accept, commune, nor pray with those who call themselves Orthodox yet believe heresies or commune with heretics. This is not mere "opinion" up for debate. It is the Faith of Our Fathers and confirmed in the Councils. The contemporary idea that we can have differences of doctrine and tradition and still be unified as authentic Orthodox is patently false and purely Ecumenism. See the words of the Church:

"I'm Stokacus!"

In light of Antiochian Metropolitan Philip's failed attempt to blackmail the OCA into silencing and punishing the website, Orthodox Christians For Accountability,

JTO publicly supports the ongoing effort of the website
and of the web author, Mark Stokoe, by proclaiming,

"I'm Stokacus!"

TO: Mark Stokoe:

Remember that the name Stokoe means a person whose profession is "felling trees or removing stumps". The bigger they are the harder they fall. Keep chopping and digging!

"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

TO: Metropolitan Philip:

"Shepherd the flock that is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away"

TO: The Silent Antiochian Clergy:

"For I have been crucified with Christ yet nevertheless I live, yet is not I who live but Christ who lives in me and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me...for me to live is Christ and to die is gain."

"For the Lord has not given me the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

FOR GOD'S SAKE AND THE SAKE OF HIS HOLY CHURCH AND YOUR OWN SOUL, STAND IN THE LIGHT AND SPEAK THE TRUTH..."Fathers".

Read The Article:
Making Good on Warnings, +Philip Pulls Incoming Antiochian

Students from OCA’s Seminaries



Also The Article:
Metropolitan Philip Plays Hard Ball

Prayer For A Soldier

JTO readers may remember the posting of letters from one of our brave soldiers fighting in Iraq. The series of five letters ( 1 2 3 4 5 ) written from the field of battle were inspirational as this Christian Soldier came face to face with his own mortality and saw the hand of God at work in every situation. We all prayed for the safe return of Sergeant Daniel Nuoffer and God answered our prayers. Sergeant Nuoffer returned safely from his second tour in Iraq, married a single mother of two young children becoming a father and husband. The very week Daniel brought his new wife and children to his base in Alaska he was rushed to the hospital in great pain. He was diagnosed with abdominal cancer.

I received a call from Daniel today. He was in the middle of his second round of Chemotherapy. His hopes are high but so is the pain he is enduring. I asked for Daniel's permission to post this prayer request. Please pray for his healing and also pray for his new wife and young children.

I will keep you posted on the new battle that this brave soldier is fighting. Perhaps when he feels stronger he will send new letters from the front.

Is "Official Orthodoxy" that big? Is True Orthodoxy that small?

Subdeacon Joseph Suaiden has posted a brief but profound article on his BLOG, Reredos (Formerly the Blog Let Us Attend Apologetics), in which expands on the JTO article "I'm No Mathematician"

"An American convert and recently awakened to True Orthodoxy, Nathan Lee Lewis, has finally put some numbers to what I've long suspected-- contrary to official claims, the "official" Church in America ISN'T that big. By comparison, it's fair to say that if there are 120 True Orthodox parishes in America (the number in my directory) that we make up 8-10% of the total of the Orthodox population in America. Something to consider!"

In simple language. The true and Genuine Orthodox Churches are not small, insignificant little rebellious, uncanonical communities cowering in a dark corner of their pseudo-orthodox deception. They are 8-10 percent of the total parishes in the USA alone. The percentages are larger in countries abroad. 

 From Orthodox Prophets:

"We are in the end times and the anti-Christ is in the world. We are quickly moving to a One World Government and its tool the One World Church. A new United Nations religion now accompanies the World Council of Churches in its effort to bring all global religious movements under one jurisdictional head. This Anti-Christ religion will promote great persecution to the elect. This is not a scenario for days afar off but we are in those days now.

 "As host of the U.N.'s Millennium Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, Jain told an international meeting of 1,000 delegates that religions need to accept the validity of all beliefs to attain world peace. The summit, the first of its kind to be sponsored by the United Nations, was held in New York City Aug. 28-31 just before political leaders gathered for the U.N. Millennium Assembly. The timing was perfect, says Jain, as it allowed religious leaders to update their political counterparts on how to usher in the peace of the new world order through religious universalism...So what is the objective here? Is it religious tolerance, unification or subversion of religious faith? Jain tells Insight that he looks forward to a day when religious people no longer insist on a single truth."

Two things will happen as this world takeover becomes more obvious. Some Orthodox people will remain in the system as it divorces Christ and becomes the bride of the Prince of this World. They will be like a Frog in Boiling Water. Others will flee this anti-Christ system and find the True and Genuine Churches which are even now preparing to receive them. There is a ground swell increasing of mission efforts by the True and Genuine Churches as local missions are springing up across the USA and the world. Many of these local missions are not initiated by a church planting committee of a specific Genuine or True diocese but by individual Orthodox faithful from all jurisdictions of World Orthodoxy who desire communion with the Bishops who have remained true to the faith of our fathers. 

The True and Genuine Churches will always be smaller than World Orthodoxy. Follow those who are being persecuted by the World Orthodox Churches and you will find the remnant of True and Genuine believers. Watch the World Orthodox Churches continue to validate, defend and promote the authenticity of other religions, even those who are non-Christian, while violently condemning, attacking, maligning the True and Genuine Orthodox groups shouting, "Non canonical! Non canonical!" It is the spirit of this world infusing himself in the adulterated bride. 

If the Hierarchs are participants of the anti-Christ movement then the local parish is also for the local parish is the Bishop and Metropolitan it commemorates. There are only two choices given in scripture and in the Canons of the Church. Depose the heretics or remove yourselves from them."

"Choose ye this day whom you will serve"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

List of Genuine or True Orthodox Churches
(Thanks to Reredos BLOG)

True Orthodox Church of Greece under Abp Chrysostomos of Athens (Chrys)
True Orthodox Church of Greece under Abp Nicholas of Athens (Matt)
Autonomous True Orthodox Metropolia of Western Europe and America (West)
True Orthodox Synod under Kirykos of Mesogaia (Kirk)
Synod in Resistance under Metropolitan Cyprian of Fili (Cyp)
Holy Orthodox Church in North America (HOCNA)
Russian True Orthodox Church under Archbishop Tikhon of Omsk (RTOC)
Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church under Metropolitan Valentine of Suzdal (ROAC)
Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia under Archbishop Vladimir of San Fransisco (ROCIE)
Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia under Metropolitan Agafangel of Odessa (ROCOR-A)
*Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia under Archbishop Anthony of San Fransisco (ROCIE-A)
*True Orthodox Church of Greece under Abp Makarios of Athens (Mak)

Joy Comes In The Morning

"Weeping may last for a night but...

I knew that with our leaving Antioch we would be subjected to a myriad of reactions. For those who have not waded through "Why We Left...Where We Went...", we did not tell anyone we were leaving or the reasons for our decision and only sent a letter to the leaders of the church after the fact. In this we hoped to remain free of accusation that we had "caused trouble" or any such vain or false imagination. All was relatively quiet for a few weeks, then I posted the article, again to squelch any rumors by giving a measured and thorough explanation as to how we had reached our decision. Most understood the intent of the post. Others did not. Some encouraged us. Others slammed us. With the tumult of the Antiochian diocese surrounding the embattled Metropolitan Philip, the attention to our leaving seemed to die down. My family settled into a wonderful routine of prayer and seeking. We connected with a priest who has given us counsel, guidance and support on our way to the Genuine and True Churches. Lately we have been receiving through various unsolicited sources, more reaction to our leaving. A new wave of reaction if you will. For some reason the nature of these reactions worsened in their derogatory tone. There are more personal accusations, character assassinations and the like. Our new priest friend suggested that "Over time the attacks just become comical. When people go to the level of psycologizing it's especially entertaining; they will come up with all sorts of reasons why you've made the choice you did, without ever bothering to really ask you personally or dig deeper."

That aside, this is anything but a woe is me post. I have no desire to be a martyr...yet. But, considering the content of the responses, one would think that the Lewis' are the most miserable, lonely, isolated, pseudo-orthodox on the planet. One would especially think that of my wife and daughters since there is a false assumption that somehow I have forced them into subjectively making them follow me to certain unwanted paths of spiritual destruction. One of my daughters recently received a communication from an Antiochian priest telling her, "I know you are only doing what you have been made to understand. So I certainly don't fault you..." Such presumptuous remarks irk me somewhat but they particularly irk my wife and daughters who wonder how people could think so little of their ability to hear and follow God as individuals. No matter how often we say that our family came to this decision together, some must find blame somewhere, so it usually falls on me. In the words of the worst actor who ever lived, "I pity the fool" who thinks that my wife and daughters are push-overs who can't think for themselves. The simple fact is I have a wonderful, Godly wife of 29 years and intelligent God-fearing daughters who seek the truth every bit as much as I do. I am blessed.

So, I have good news for all those who think that the Lewis' must be the most miserable of souls dwelling in the depths of despair...

We have Joy!

Even with the pressure of transition and the waves of criticism, we still laugh around the house, eat our meals together, spend hours talking and studying together, watch movies, go on walks, wash the cars, walk the dog and the cat who thinks he is a dog, and laugh some more. Most of all we regularly say the prayers and worship together. The true source of our current state of joy is our hope in our Lord and the fact that we are nearing the moment of our Holy Baptism.

Joy! Joy! Joy!

Granted we aren't always happy with the situations that surround us but...

We have joy!

So, take a moment to join me in the following rendition of "I've got the joy". It will do you some good. It's not Byzantine chant but you can dance to it! (unless you are Baptist :)

...joy comes in the morning."