Did anyone read the statement by the Orthodox Church in Russia, in reference to the Pope Benedict statement?

Question

I just read this. Very interesting, and right on the mark in my opinion. Here are a few snippets. You can read the entire article at the link below.


"It is an honest statement. It is much better than the so-called 'church diplomacy'." It shows how close or, on the contrary, how divided we are," Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, who heads the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, told journalists in Moscow.

"For an honest theological dialogue to happen, one should have a clear view of the position of the other side," because "it helps understand how different we are," he said. Basically, the Vatican's current document has nothing new and is in "full conformity with the doctrine of the Catholic Church," Metropolitan Kirill said.

Link: http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=3311

Answer 1

romano,
where does it say the church is the world wide body of true believers? what was jesus saying when he said he would build his church on the rock of peter? who did he give the keys to heaven and earth to? every self professed christian?

there is one church and he wouldnt have wasted his time appointing apostles, if he would ask us to disregard their pronouncements after conferring authority on them. The bible mentions bishops and elders and suggests a hierarchy in no uncertain terms, otherwise anyone can pick up a bible and say he knows Gods will.

What did the ethiopian eunach say to paul? "how can i, unless someone teaches me"

this by no means suggests you cant have faith in jesus outside the church. The catholic church affirms this in this document, but it does suggest that God established a defined church 'THE SPIRIT AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH THAT IS JESUS CHRIST. The disciples went out and preached the gospel , baptizing and casting out demons because jesus conferred authority on them with peter as its leader. Peter and the apostles is reiterated over and over ad nauseum for a purpose. ecclesial communities have existed outside the church for centuries because some poeple just cant stand a human face in authority preaching Gods truth.

you follow the bible , yet the bible wasnt finally produced until 500 years after christ, and so many were illiterate at that tiome, what happened to all the verbal teachings, did they suddenly lose import? It says to preach the gospel , not read the gospel it says go out and do the works of God, not sit at home and read your bible.

A "church" that does not affirm its doctrines is one built on sand. It must affirm and confirm the foundation of truth, to the consternation of those who have no firm grounding in its principles.

Answer 2

I totally agree with His Beatitude Metropolitan Kirill. Of course, I am Eastern Orthodox, though. Anyway, I was glad when I saw what the Pope said (I read the actual document, not just what the media said, which is beyond questionable). I thought it was true and honest to the traditional beliefs of the RCC.

Answer 3

The patriarch has done exactly what the Archbishop of Canterbury and the various Anglican communions are not doing with their coming schism. Surprisingly clear and frank language - without himself giving any ground.

Frankly, this is why we are seeing the unfortunate and sad demise of the Anglican church... the Anglican insistence on finding some bureaucratic middle ground language, rather than doing the hard work of hashing out a definitive position either way.

Answer 4

I agree with what the Holy Father & the Patriarch of the Russian Orothodox Church said.

Answer 5

I'm going to be completely honest with you. I went to the link and read through it. I didn't understand it. I've read things from the Vatican and I've read things from critics of the Vatican and from people that agree with the Church and I have a hard time understand what they are saying. I need laymen's terms. So I can't give you my opinion because I have no idea what the Russian Church is saying. Sorry. Please email me and explain it to me. I'd appreciate that. Peace!

Answer 6

That's sounds accurate enough. I'm gald the orthodox are taking it in stride. The mass media is representing it all as some big,shocking change. it is nothing of the kind. i was brought up catholic. Nothing is changed by this recent reminder. It's just a big media crock,really. I assume it's a slow season for news,that they should make so much out of it.

Answer 7

It surprises me that the secular press even bothered to report on a view that actually supported the Pope. Thumbs up to the Orthodox Church for their support.

Cheers :-)

Answer 8

I would like to write him a letter to this effect:

Your Imminence,

The sorrows which divide us are truly painful. Our mutual enemy is doing everything he can, as you yourself know, to keep the East and the West divided. Having read, and been thankful to read, your comments on the teachings of my Bishop and Pope, Benedict of Rome, my heart goes out to you and your communion.

I applaud you, your Imminence, for your insight as a voice of reason in this chaotic world. I truly pray for the day when you and I may commune together in the same faith. May Christ make His priesthood always fruitful in you!

In Christ

Answer 9

That man shows great insight. Exactly true.

In order to have any kind of dialog, it's best to know the position of the other side. If you you whitewash your position and try to soften it, then you can't really talk about your differences. It's best to make your stand and begin the debate.

I love it.

Answer 10

Yea, I've read the statement of my countrymen.
Still there's a small "BUT".
The Lord Himself said:"God is Spirit. And he who worship God must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth". What is Truth? Jesus is.
So, to view things from the right perspective it's necessary to see them as outlined in the Teaching of God's Word.
As The Lord Himself says in the O.T. through His prophets and in the N.T. through the Apostles, The True Church was and is a group of people worldwide who walk in God's Word ALONE, by Faith ALONE, by God's Grace ALONE, being free and not influenced by the teachings of men and led by The Spirit of God ALONE. It has nothing to do with the organized structure of men's congregations, whether the Russian Orthodox or the Roman Catholic, or some other denomination.The Church is a SPIRITUAL worldwide entity and, as such, it was NEVER divided in the past, NOR is it divided nowadays and NEVER be in the future because it's being led by Christ in The Holy Spirit of God, having their eyes and ears open to the voice of God and obeying it, as narrated by The Lord: "I know My sheep and My sheep obey My voice... a stranger they will not follow, but shall run from him".
And there are such followers in every denomination as well.
It's also written in The Statement of Faith:
..."I believe in the SOLE Apostolic Church..." that is, in The Church as outlined in the Scripture, doing everything in unity and one accord because of being led by The Sole God's Spirit. In controversy with every denomination which has "its own unique and perfect doctrine which make us different from all the rest".
Thank you for posting the bulletin also!