Proselytizing

[il capo]

Hi, this is my first post in the Orthodox forum so in advance I thank all my orthodox brothers and sisters for all answers and for allowing me to be here.
I wanted to ask how do you view the Patriarch of Moscow not invinting John Paul II to visit Russia knowing that it is one of his longtime dreams. I ask this because lately I've been reading about Puttin's visit to the Vatican and that he wouldn't extend him an invitation due to the Russian Church's reluctance to receive the pope because it would be proselytizing.
I'd like to know your personal opinions and also the Church's stance on this issue.

Thank You,

Que Dios los bendiga

 

[Reader Nilus]

I agree with HH Patriarch Alexis stance on this issue. It has to do with the Uniates and there is bad blood all around that.
Jeff the Finn

 

[Photini]

I agree with HH Patriarch Alexis stance on this issue. It has to do with the Uniates and there is bad blood all around that.
Jeff the Finn

I also agree with this.

 

[nicodemus]

If you will notice one part in the 2nd paragraph that I put in boldface and italics. This is one of the major problems of proselytism by non-Orthodox groups in Russia (and the Orthodox Christian East in general.) They feel that many outside groups are proselytizing "with material benefits" due to the crippled economies of the Orthodox Christian East. Basically, they feel people are being bated with what richer, western churches can provide materially. For the past 500-600 years, much of the Orthodox world has been under some type of oppression, be it the Ottoman yoke or communism. To put it in a nutshell, Patriarch Alexey seems to feel that people are taking advantage of the East's unfortunate circumstances.


This is from the Russian Orthodox Church's website: http://www.russian-orthodox-church.org.ru/s2000e13.htm



6. Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church with the non-Orthodox on her canonical territory


6.1. The relations of the Russian Orthodox Church with non-Orthodox Christian communities in the CIS and Baltic states should be carried out in the same spirit of fraternal co-operation in which the Orthodox Church works with other traditional confessions in order to co-ordinate social work, promote social harmony and put an end to proselytism on the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church.


6.2. The Russian Orthodox Church maintains that the mission of the traditional confessions is possible only if it is carried out without proselytism and not at the expense of "stealing" the faithful, especially with the aid of material benefits. The Christian communities in the CIS and Baltic countries are called to unite their efforts for reconciliation and the moral revival of society and to raise their voice in the defence of human life and human dignity.


6.3. The Orthodox Church draws a clear distinction between the non-Orthodox confessions which declare their faith in the Holy Trinity and the divine-human nature of Jesus Christ, on the one hand, and the sects which reject fundamental Christian doctrines on the other. While recognising the right of non-Orthodox Christians to witness to their faith and conduct religious education among the population groups that traditionally belong to them, the Orthodox Church is against any destructive missionary activity on the part of sects.

 

[Maximus]

I believe Pope John Paul II has already indicated that Roman Catholics should not attempt to convert the Orthodox and vice versa.

I personally do not see how a visit to Russia by the aging Pope would constitute proselytizing. The fact is, there are already Roman Catholics in Russia.

It might also help if the Pope and the MP tried to work something out over the relationship of the two churches there.

These are just my own personal opinions, however.

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

I think it would be a great gesture to allow the Pope to enter Russia. In my opinion, not allowing Pope John Paul 2 to enter Russia only furthers an unwanted schism is Christendom.

 

[nicodemus]

I personally do not see how a visit to Russia by the aging Pope would constitute proselytizing.

I certainly don't want to speak for Patriarch Alexey, but I think the general idea behind it is that there is an issue (or at least the perception of an issue) and until there is a satisfactory resolution to the issue, he doesn't want to meet with him on Russian soil. Eventhough the visit of JPII himself wouldn't be proselytizing, it would be tacit approval of what's going on there.

It would be just like if you had a problem with another parent at your child's school, you probably wouldn't invite the parent over for dinner, but would discuss the problem at a neutral site. It is a subtle distinction, but one that speaks volumes. It isn't that Patriarch Alexey isn't willing to have discussions with the Vatican, it is just that he wants them to understand the Russian Church's stance on the issue.