Differences and Similarities between the OCA and ROCOR

Colleen1

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The application of economia (Oikonomia) is generally regarded as being a more flexible application or interpretation of the Canons. Pastoral Discretion is of key importance to its application.

Thank you very much for the excellent explanation. :thumbsup:
 
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Monica child of God 1

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Thanks for your post. It helps clarify certain issues I was wondering about.

Dare I ask if what is termed 'White Russian' is a spin off of the ROCOR or is it the same?

I've heard ROCOR referred to as "white" and OCA referred to as "red." That was from a Russian immigrant who told me that as one who grew up in soviet Russia she would naturally go to a red church rather than a white one. She did not mean red pejoratively at all. On the contrary, she asserted that red churches endured persecution and were considered the church of the catacombs.

M.
 
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Colleen1

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I've heard ROCOR referred to as "white" and OCA referred to as "red." That was from a Russian immigrant who told me that as one who grew up in soviet Russia she would naturally go to a red church rather than a white one. She did not mean red pejoratively at all. On the contrary, she asserted that red churches endured persecution and were considered the church of the catacombs.

M.

I see. Interesting. Thanks :) Here a 'White Russian' will almost always be seen in a dress / skirt and head covering. I'm not sure how their church fits in with Orthodoxy though. I do know there are differences. Idk?
 
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gzt

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Can you expound on your reasoning? You mean Byzantine / Greek in just style or belief? Thanks. :)
I mean music. Beliefs are all the same.


This I gathered. :) What's the actual name of the Russian Church? :blush: This I can't remember. Is there a flow chart of this organizational structure from a historical perspective? ...or where would I find such information?
"Orthodox Church of Russia". "Moscow Patriarchate". I don't know of any flow charts.

Thanks, this is helpful. So OCA is basically considered part of the original church (Russian Church) now while ROCOR still is adrift a fair bit?
No, the OCA is autocephalous - that means they're completely independent. ROCOR is now under the Russian Church (as of 2007)- it is a part of the Russian Church.

Thanks, this is helpful. So there is just a difference in style of service etc. or in beliefs as well?
Style of service. Not beliefs.

So considering all of this, where would a Canadian Greek Orthodox Church and a Canadian Russo Orthodox church fit in to all of this? ...and would they both be part of the OAC or what other information would determine this?
The Greeks in Canada are in the same hierarchy as the Americans. The Russian one could be either OCA, ROCOR, or directly under Moscow (MP), just like in the USA. The A in OCA is for all the Americas, not just the USA. ROCOR is completely international. The MP has a handful of churches everywhere. In Canada, there are also some Ukrainians - they're their own thing.
 
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zoebliss

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You cannot receive communion without a head scarf in either OCA and ROCOR or just in ROCOR?
the greeks, oca, antiochians, ukrainians, ect (basically non rocor) dont need to wear headscarves or skirts that go below the knee. i know greek churches where some of the girls wear tank tops in the summer.
 
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I see. Interesting. Thanks :) Here a 'White Russian' will almost always be seen in a dress / skirt and head covering. I'm not sure how their church fits in with Orthodoxy though. I do know there are differences. Idk?

I'd wager that someone who said they were "white" with regard to orthodoxy would be ROCOR also known as Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (ROCA).

M.
 
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Colleen1

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The Greeks in Canada are in the same hierarchy as the Americans. The Russian one could be either OCA, ROCOR, or directly under Moscow (MP), just like in the USA. The A in OCA is for all the Americas, not just the USA. ROCOR is completely international. The MP has a handful of churches everywhere. In Canada, there are also some Ukrainians - they're their own thing.

Thanks for all your help. I appreciate it. :)
 
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Colleen1

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I'd wager that someone who said they were "white" with regard to orthodoxy would be ROCOR also known as Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (ROCA).

M.

Well, I don't know. I know they seem to be a culture unto themselves and seem to consider themselves different from Orthodoxy. I really hesitate saying anything. I have no desire to over step in any way. I will check this out more and post what I find.
 
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Dorothea

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Can you expound on your reasoning? You mean Byzantine / Greek in just style or belief? Thanks. :)
Don't you know? We Greeks and the GOC are too liberal and laid back with our pews and no headscarves and other practices. ;) I wish I were actually joking, but this has been said before that I've heard IRL. That's all I'll say.
 
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Do you wear a headscarf, Dot?

Don't you know? We Greeks and the GOC are too liberal and laid back with our pews and no headscarves and other practices. ;) I wish I were actually joking, but this has been said before that I've heard IRL. That's all I'll say.
 
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Dorothea

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Do you wear a headscarf, Dot?
No. I was never taught to. And cobweb is right on why Greeks don't feel comfortable wearing them. I'll give you an example. My priest told me to bring a headscarf in case I needed to wear one at one of the monasteries I visited in Greece. I brought it and put it on at one at Meteora. My mom got a bit uptight and said "Take that off! Everyone is going to think you're a Muslim!" True story.
 
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But I thought that the Greek Orthodox wore headscarves long before Islam was even around and that the Muslims copied the Orthodox, not the other way around?

I'm not a big fan either. If I visit a ROCOR church or somewhere wherein this is the norm, I'd naturally respect their parish and Kate would wear one. But I'm thankful that our priest, Father George, doesn't care in the least.

I was wondering also, are the women in Greek parishes allowed to pray out loud the post-communion thanksgiving prayers? My friend, godfather, said that in Alaska at his old Russian parish, they forbade women from taking communion before the men, and the women were not allowed to pray out loud the post-communion prayers.

No. I was never taught to. And cobweb is right on why Greeks don't feel comfortable wearing them. I'll give you an example. My priest told me to bring a headscarf in case I needed to wear one at one of the monasteries I visited in Greece. I brought it and put it on at one at Meteora. My mom got a bit uptight and said "Take that off! Everyone is going to think you're a Muslim!" True story.
 
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