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**lopaayd** · 09-14-2010, 08:29 AM

I think this is a great example of how Greek nationalism (and Russian, Serbian, ect.) is tearing apart the church. I know many kids from school who were Greek Orthodox and said that they wish they could go to the Roman Catholic church because they could understand the service. The Orthodox Church in Turkey will fade if we don't destroy these ethnic barriers. Like others have said, if texts and services aren't in the country's native language, how do we expect the average citizen to desire to participate. I don't mean to put down anyone by this, I just feel we should leave our ethnicity's at the door of the church and become citizens of Christ.

Regarding the language issues, I think that the best solution is to make one or two Sunday services each month in the local language. For the Greek church in America, that would involve Greek services and from time to time a service completely in English.

Here in Buenos Aires there is a ROCA church, which has the services in Church Slavonic, but the last Sunday of each month the service is in Spanish. This way, Russian immigrants can still follow the service in their native language, and Russian descendants can also understand what is going on.

09-14-2010, 08:29 AM	#15
lopaayd Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 511 Senior Member	I think this is a great example of how Greek nationalism (and Russian, Serbian, ect.) is tearing apart the church. I know many kids from school who were Greek Orthodox and said that they wish they could go to the Roman Catholic church because they could understand the service. The Orthodox Church in Turkey will fade if we don't destroy these ethnic barriers. Like others have said, if texts and services aren't in the country's native language, how do we expect the average citizen to desire to participate. I don't mean to put down anyone by this, I just feel we should leave our ethnicity's at the door of the church and become citizens of Christ. Regarding the language issues, I think that the best solution is to make one or two Sunday services each month in the local language. For the Greek church in America, that would involve Greek services and from time to time a service completely in English. Here in Buenos Aires there is a ROCA church, which has the services in Church Slavonic, but the last Sunday of each month the service is in Spanish. This way, Russian immigrants can still follow the service in their native language, and Russian descendants can also understand what is going on.
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