Metropolitan Onuphry to Patriarch Bartholomew: “physician, heal thyself!”

Do you actually expect us to care about what the Ukrainian faithful want?!

Lord have mercy.

I am not quite sure what Platina meant by the post, but I'm rather torn about these threads. To ignore the situation completely, especially when there may be inquirers, catechumen, newly Orthodox who may need some input - isn't healthy. But neither is focusing on them too deeply. And it's very difficult to manage a proper balance - we are just many people sharing comments from many places.

If no one brought it up at all, I probably would have. I did ask my own priest briefly. And I follow what other priests are saying. The comments of laity on FB not so much.

I don't know. We have something like more than a half-dozen threads. Maybe it would be better to discuss in them and not create new ones. I had something to say last night, but I couldn't find which thread it was really in reply to a post there, so I finally just decided not to reply.

This isn't to get onto you. Please do post what you need to discuss. But we love the Church and such things are grievous, though they will come, and have come since the days of the Apostles themselves.

I guess I for one wish I could come up with more other things to discuss so this didn't fill so much of our focus.

Lord have mercy on us all.

~Seraphim~ said:

Thanks for letting me know. I'll be careful what to post, but others may very well learn how to behave among brethren. Those I'm talking about knows it themselves and you're definitely not one of them sister

I think watching threads is more beneficial for me now than commenting to much. Thanks again for answering me politely Anastasia.

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Well FWIW I can imagine more than one meaning to Platina's post - and the first ones that popped into my mind were not anything rude directed toward you. But I can't speak toward anyone else's motive or meaning.

And on the other hand, remember too that many may have family (by the flesh or by the spirit) that can be deeply affected by these situations as they've gone on for years - no idea how much suffering these events may bring back to the surface.

It's best we all treat each other as kindly as possible.

God be with you.

~Seraphim~ said:

Should I discontinue posting things here? Like news and stuff? I'm not interested in getting pecked at for being nice enough to stimulate TAW with news and chances to have discussions.
Just let me know and I'll stop posting news.

Btw it's a civil way of saying things and a rude way. I think it would suit you well to talk with respect when approaching others.

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I think Platina was agreeing with you and being sarcastic.

Lord have mercy!

~Seraphim~ said:

Should I discontinue posting things here? Like news and stuff? I'm not interested in getting pecked at for being nice enough to stimulate TAW with news and chances to have discussions.
Just let me know and I'll stop posting news.

Btw it's a civil way of saying things and a rude way. I think it would suit you well to talk with respect when approaching others.

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Forgive me, I was being sarcastic. It's good to see material that focuses on Ukrainians and the Ukrainian Church, since they're the ones suffering here.

Too many people on both sides have made this all about Russia, when it's about Ukraine.

~Seraphim~ said:

Then forgive me too brother. English is my 2nd language so I'm often misreading posts and the spirit of them.
This isnt the first time I'm misreading intents on CF

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No worries. We don't know one another and I shouldn't have expected you to understand my intent. And your English is darn good for a non-native speaker!

You’re right! We have urgent, important, very pertinent threads from people needing to know if prayer ropes are water-proof and how to pray them when attaching them. This is an emergency!!!!

~Anastasia~ said:

I am not quite sure what Platina meant by the post, but I'm rather torn about these threads. To ignore the situation completely, especially when there may be inquirers, catechumen, newly Orthodox who may need some input - isn't healthy.

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gurneyhalleck1 said:

You’re right! We have urgent, important, very pertinent threads from people needing to know if prayer ropes are water-proof and how to pray them when attaching them. This is an emergency!!!!

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Well I specifically meant people who are struggling with what's going on between the hierarchs. But your sense of humor is appreciated.

We had Liturgy this morning (Wednesday) as usual. Today it seemed especially grace-filled, and in spite of one or two weak moments in the singing, it was highly prayerful and peaceful, because God is with us.

I considered the Gospel lesson that was read during today's Liturgy to be an especially important one (though they're all certainly important). The reading was from Luke 11:9-13, and it caused me to remember all of you here who are newcomers inquiring into our Orthodox Christian Faith, and you Catechumens, as I think it specifically speaks to you, though in reality it's for all of us, without exception:

"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?

Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Our greatly beloved St. Seraphim of Sarov has powerfully reminded us all, through his "conversation" with Nicholas Motovilov, that the aim of our Orthodox Christian Lives, according to Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition, is to acquire the Holy Spirit.

So what must we be about then? Why, we must be about prayer, of course, and the bringing forth of fruit fitting of repentance, as our Lord exhorts all of us to do with His Gospel decrees (Luke 21:36) (Luke 3:8). Because these things open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, to pour His grace into us and to purify our hearts.

But what about the discord between our Patriarchs, Metropolitans, bishops, and so forth? What ought we to think or to do about such things as these?

Perhaps it will suffice merely for us to remember what we have learned from the Biblical account of St. Paul and St. Barnabas?

St. Paul and St. Barnabas took John Mark along as a helper and traveled through many Gentile areas with the gospel. They were “men who . . . risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 15:25). Halfway through their journey, Mark left Paul and Barnabas, and this became a point of contention later. As they planned a second missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas disagreed on whether or not to take Mark again. Paul was determined not to bring him, due to his forsaking them previously. Barnabas, ever the encourager, was unwilling to leave John Mark behind. A “sharp disagreement” arose between them, and they parted ways. From that point on, Barnabas traveled with John Mark, and Paul chose Silas as his companion in ministry (Acts 15:36–41).

From the relationship of St. Paul and St. Barnabas we can draw an important lesson. Here were two godly men, loved by the churches, filled with the Spirit, enduring persecution together, seeing people saved, and enjoying an effective ministry. Yet they were fallible and did not see eye to eye on everything. They quarreled and parted ways. Even the best and most faithful among us are prone to the interpersonal conflicts and mistakes. We are all fallen human beings. The ministries of both men continued—in fact, the number of missionary teams doubled! God can use even our disagreements to further His work.

St. Paul and St. Barnabas continued to depend on God. They moved forward peacefully, even though it meant parting ways. In matters of personal opinion and practical procedure, The two saints differed. In matters of doctrine, they both saw the necessity of sharing the gospel with the world. They were united in what is truly important.

End note* the John Mark that St. Paul and St. Barnabas had suffered such a great breach in their relationship over is the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, who wrote the Gospel of St. Mark, and is a saint of the Church, along with St. Paul and St. Barnabas.

I think of Saints Paul, Barnabas, and Mark, and I don't worry at all about our bishops not seeing eye to eye on everything, whether such bishops are saints or mere Christian clerics who have fallen from grace. God is Judge above all, so His will be done.

That's all.