favorite lesser-known saints (Orthodox version)

[gurneyhalleck1]

I’d honestly like to hear a discussion about Coptic-Orthodox differences and obstacles in our path to reunion as well....

Jeremy is about the only non-Egyptian Coptic Church convert I’ve ever met? There is a sizable Coptic Church in my town....100% Egyptian folks. Really nice folks, too. As a former inquirer fleeing Catholicism, I never once considered converting to that communion.

I’d enjoy hearing such a talk.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I’d honestly like to hear a discussion about Coptic-Orthodox differences and obstacles in our path to reunion as well....

Jeremy is about the only non-Egyptian Coptic Church convert I’ve ever met? There is a sizable Coptic Church in my town....100% Egyptian folks. Really nice folks, too. As a former inquirer fleeing Catholicism, I never once considered converting to that communion.

I’d enjoy hearing such a talk.

it really is about Chalcedon and Constantinople III. where is the actual heresy? part of what makes it so tough is that, theologically, pretty much everything they accused the Byzantines of rejecting, we have consistently used and affirmed as true.

 

[archer75]

it really is about Chalcedon and Constantinople III. where is the actual heresy? part of what makes it so tough is that, theologically, pretty much everything they accused the Byzantines of rejecting, we have consistently used and affirmed as true.

I think my ignorance is about to show again...but why does that make it so difficult? Can't the bulk of things then be dealt with with "this was a misunderstanding"?

 

[ArmyMatt]

I think my ignorance is about to show again...but why does that make it so difficult? Can't the bulk of things then be dealt with with "this was a misunderstanding"?

because our whole dealings with them have shown it wasn't. and, in addition to teaching heretical stuff, Severus of Antioch and Timothy the cat both admitted that what was said in Chalcedon was said by earlier saints (including St Cyril) only they knew better now so the Chalcedonian language should be rejected (Patrologia Greaca has some pretty eye opening stuff).

and you don't get anathema over a misunderstanding

 

[dzheremi]

I’d honestly like to hear a discussion about Coptic-Orthodox differences and obstacles in our path to reunion as well....

Jeremy is about the only non-Egyptian Coptic Church convert I’ve ever met? There is a sizable Coptic Church in my town....100% Egyptian folks. Really nice folks, too. As a former inquirer fleeing Catholicism, I never once considered converting to that communion.

I’d enjoy hearing such a talk.

And that's all totally fine. I appreciate your (and other TAW posters') willingness to discuss matters, and honesty with regard to what you guys see as the obstacles to reunion. My only point is that this wouldn't be the place to have such a discussion. This is a Chalcedonian subforum for the discussion and promotion of Chalcedonian Christianity, hence why I try to be careful in both the way that I phrase things here and in the examples I provide (trying to stick only to pre-Chalcedon saints in answering the OP, for instance). It is neither my place nor my intention to get into any argument with anyone here or anywhere else on the issues that divide us, and I also certainly do not feel either sanctioned to nor particularly interested in arguing as though others should not be wherever they are for whatever reason they are there, as I've had the "Why did you choose OO instead of EO?" discussion what seems like about 500 times on every messageboard I've been a part of for the past 6 years, so frankly I'm burnt out on the whole thing. There is nothing new to discuss regarding Chalcedon, or OO personalities who the Chalcedonians find controversial, or any of this stuff...and if there is, then I'm not the one to discuss them with anyway. I just happen to be here, that's all. That being the case, I'd much rather be a sort of resource for people who might be curious from a comparative perspective in as neutral an environment as can be managed, but that's not what this is once things turn to Chalcedon, as they understandably often do. (And that's not a criticism of this particular subforum or anyone on it, just to be clear; it would be equally unrealistic to expect a neutral viewpoint on things on the OO subforum, or any of the Catholic subforums, or any of the other confessional subforums of this website.)

So from my view, it's best to be silent when things turn this way. As Abba Arsenius said, "I have often regretted speaking, but I have never regretted keeping silent."

 

[~Anastasia~]

Would Traditional Theology, which is about discussion in the light of Tradition and comparison is allowed - but not debate - be more fitting? It neither "belongs" to either point of view.

 

[ArmyMatt]

you could PM each other, that's what I asked dzheremi to do a while back. and I wouldn't mind being in on that, as I am sure I'd learn more than I did.

 

[dzheremi]

Uh...where did I swear in that post?

I'm confused. I was referring to the desert father from among the Romans, Abba Arsenios.

 

[dzheremi]

Abba Arsanios?

(That's not how it's spelled in the collections I have...come on now, website...ughhh)

 

[ArmyMatt]

hahaha

 

[dzheremi]

Would Traditional Theology, which is about discussion in the light of Tradition and comparison is allowed - but not debate - be more fitting? It neither "belongs" to either point of view.

I suppose that would be up to the people who would want to have such a discussion there.

Even without 'belonging' to either view, I still imagine that things may degenerate rather quickly when the Chalcedonian view is not employed as the lens through which all these things are viewed (or to be viewed), since it is after all the default in the sense of being held to be the majority of Christianity either explicitly or subconsciously.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Totally up to you. I'll do everything I can to maintain order. Debate over who's right is specifically against the rules, so I should be able to get that backed up. I can at least lock any thread in the meantime (I can't delete posts).

If you'd be more comfortable with private, that's fine too. I'd like to be included in that case, as more of an observer. I think you've tried to answer that question for me before (or maybe you avoided saying certain things?) but either I didn't fully understand everything or maybe it didn't all get said.

I don't think my understanding is very deep, so I might manage a question or two but basically I'd just like to watch. If that's ok.

 

[“Paisios”]

Uh...where did I swear in that post?

I'm confused. I was referring to the desert father from among the Romans, Abba [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]nios.

Abba Arsanios?

(That's not how it's spelled in the collections I have...come on now, website...ughhh)

That’s happened to me before with the same name.