I totally stand corrected on the whole OCA not being recognized by the EP. That is an important distinction that some here made about their autocephalocity (sp?) and not their canonicity being questioned. Thank you!
As far as the whole ROCOR thing goes, I really don't think it is as bad as many are making it out to be. I mean, I'm sure in some areas in the World it is, but generally between the ROCOR and the OCA and ROC there is intercommunion. Officially not, but on the priest/lay level there is. And the bishops know this as well. They aren't dumb. They just turn their head and pretend not to see it because they are all (ROCOR and ROC) working towards official union and sometimes, as they know, it needs to start from the bottom up. Were I in the same position as the Synod who started ROCOR early last century, I may have done the same thing. It was an emergency situation and this anomaly called the ROCOR probably helped countless believers keep their faith in a Church that SEEMED to be being run by puppets of the government. Whether this was true or not is not the question, for the perception was VERY real to many Russians and they saw the Holy Synod as a way of preserving Orthodoxy (let's remeber that these people who made up the Synod were not self-appointed Bishops, but already ordained Bishops by the Church). I believe God blessed that. And now, many are realizing that the existence of a separate Church outside of Russia is no longer necessary. I think someone already mentioned it, but the ROC and the ROCOR are in very sensitive talks right now and their reconciliation is set for sometime soon. Neither Church is calling the other "Schismatic" in these talks (even if they have in the past). We should also be thankful to the ROCOR for preserving much of what has been lost by other Orthodox. While I think it is wonderful that the OCA takes a more practical approach to the Liturgy (reading aloud the silent prayers, etc) I think it is equally good that the ROCOR has found it important to conserve the "Old Ways". Diversity in the Church is beautiful!
Also, as far as the ROCOR not serving at the Orthodoxy Sunday Vespers goes, I completely understand where they are coming from. I don't know about that particular parish, but such a response is not necessarily out of pride but can be out of humility as well. Talks between the ROC and the ROCOR are still sensitive and there has been nothing "official" yet (let's not forget that there were similar hopes for reconciliation between the Copts and the Orthodox some decades ago and then they just kind of dwindled into nothingness.. so tragic!). Concelebrating usually tells people that we are in every way (both mystically and athoritatively) unified... and the latter is, unfortunately, not true yet. And please, to expect the priests to come and just stand with the congregation? It would be completely uncanonical for a priest not to do so except in circumstances where they have too many priest and too little space... and why should they anyway? That truly would be treating them like second class citizens... "you guys are kinda like priests."
I do recognize that the ROCOR tends to be more stubborn than the next jurisdiction, this is true, but I have been surprised at how wrong my stereotype of these people has been since I have been a member at Monachos.net (where there are many ROCOR priests and monks who are very "ROCOR" but have NEVER questioned our Orthodoxy) and I have met other ROCOR priests in person with the same mentality. Actually, they haven't ever met my stereotype... I wonder why I still hold it??? lol
Countrymouse, I wanted to tell you that, despite some of these messes, I've just learned to say, "let the Bishops deal with that, and I'll deal with being Orthodox." Sometimes it is easy in Orthodoxy to fall into a splitting-hairs mentality. Don't let that happen. Keep your eye's on the prize which is growing in Christ through using the awesome tools that the Church gives you: the beautiful prayers (the Trisagions, The Jesus Prayer), your own prayers, the Divine Liturgy, the Eucharist and other Sacraments afforded to you, the Scriptures, the Lives and writings of the Saints and fasting (sacrifice in general) and almsgiving. None of these are an end in themselves, but rather means to work towards theosis: a relationship with Christ.
I will sign off for now. God bless everyone!
James
