British Orthodox Church, which is part of the Oriental Orthodox family of Churches and comes under the jurisdiction of Alexandria and HH Pope Shenouda.
Our Metropolitan is Abba Seraphim, who is a member of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Church. We use the ancient Liturgy of St. James.
I am a monastic priest, currently in the process of incardinating into the Anglican Mission in the Americas, within the Anglican Province of Rwanda.
Greg+
Hi Greg, and welcome. What Anglican church body do you belong to at present?
(It's just a matter of curiosity. Don't answer if this seems too intrusive)
Last edited by Albion; 16th December 2007 at 12:34 PM.
I am a Catholic. Jesus promised, "I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). Among the Christian churches, only the Catholic Church has existed since the time of Jesus. Every other Christian church is an offshoot of the Catholic Church. The Eastern Orthodox churches broke away from unity with the pope in 1054. The heretical protestant churches were established during the Reformation, which began in 1517. Only the Catholic Church existed in the tenth century, in the fifth century, and in the first century, faithfully teaching the doctrines given by Christ to the apostles, omitting nothing. The list of popes can be traced back to Peter himself, the first pope.
Jesus’ Church is called catholic ("universal" in Greek) because it is his gift to all people. He told his apostles to go throughout the world and make disciples of "all nations" (Matt. 28:19–20). For 2,000 years the Catholic Church has carried out this mission, preaching the good news that Christ died for all men and that he wants all of us to be members of his universal family (Gal. 3:28).
I am a Catholic. Jesus promised, "I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). Among the Christian churches, only the Catholic Church has existed since the time of Jesus. Every other Christian church is an offshoot of the Catholic Church. The Eastern Orthodox churches broke away from unity with the pope in 1054. The heretical protestant churches were established during the Reformation, which began in 1517. Only the Catholic Church existed in the tenth century, in the fifth century, and in the first century, faithfully teaching the doctrines given by Christ to the apostles, omitting nothing. The list of popes can be traced back to Peter himself, the first pope.
Heh, the catholics claim what just about every ancient church claims. "We've been there from the Beginning, and everyone else is schismatic".
The Eastern Orthodox claim it, the Orientals claim it, the Non Chalcedonians, the Anglicans........
Saying it doesn't make it so.
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Heh, the catholics claim what just about every ancient church claims. "We've been there from the Beginning, and everyone else is schismatic".
The Eastern Orthodox claim it, the Orientals claim it, the Non Chalcedonians, the Anglicans........
Saying it doesn't make it so.
Indeed we do, and that is because we all read the ecclesiology of St. Cyprian in the same way. We all read the same Fathers and worship the same Triune God, and even confess the same Creeds.
If there was not such a fear of syncretism or its modern equivalent, indifferentism, we might also discover we have similar views on these things.
Who knows, if we actually listened to each other, rather than telling each other (at times) what it is each other believes, we might discover more things in common.
We might even end up being able to practice His injunction to love each other. Our hierarchs will discuss these things for years to come, and on all sides those who think ecumenism a synonym for indifferentism will snap at some of us and cry 'heresy', and perhaps fail to see that we too believe in doctrines and dogmas, but still think we can talk to our fellow Christians to find out how they interpret our common heritage of the Risen Word.
If we are commanded to love even our enemies, how hard can it be to give that service to those who also confess Christ crucified and risen? If we find they are indeed preaching a different gospel, well He will deal with that. But what if they do not?
Of course, we must all be guided by our bishops and other hierarchs, but a faith founded on repentance and amendment of life always has within in the means towards unity - and without any need to compromise on our Faith. Love, and trust in Him.