[aAaBecker]

What better way to introduce liturgical changes than starting slow, at the dinner table, insiduously making simple remarks that won't be contradicted out of politeness? Dear Mary,

At the dinner table when the belly is being filled and the flesh is being served people can be polite in agreeing with other things as well. All of us can be distracted. However after the belly is full and things settle down and guests leave that which used to be politely agreeable did not settle well. The pious become more alert after reflecting on things a bit, so their explanation comes from within. Yet in this situation the beautiful thing is that that message and the real messenger are rejected while the Orthodox Priest is still beloved. When the other guests are telephoned latter and the matter is discussed the imported authoritative approach has no authority as it is rendered traditionally unacceptable. Ecumenical minded ways are avoided because all do not want any Church disagreements, the fruits of the awkward conversation nobody wanted. The older Priest is tired of such things and so are the faithful. The Priest and the faithful agree and just want to go to Church and pray, build the Church and keep the Orthodox traditions. So happy birthday will not be sung instead of God grant you many years and the Priest who really is a sweetheart I must say uses the Orthodox study bible for bible study classes an evening every week. There should be more patristic comments though in the foot notes.

So when you say, "I think, I have every right to question him and disagree with him, and ask for a proper explanation. I'm not just going to be polite and swallow everything anyone says," you would have been in the other room with me, so I agree. I'm sure it would have been a lively conversation! We are to keep the traditions of the Orthodox Church and asking for a proper explanation is among them. When an explanation goes against the traditions of the Orthodox Church a counter explanation of why that is so can be very helpful even when it is uncomfortable.

Recently I spoke with a Priest whom I've known since my youth and he mentioned that ecumenism is not anywhere near as prevalent as it used to be, it is being rejected by many nowadays. Back in the 60's he said it was just terrible, in short he said things are much better now so that's good to know. It is precisely by asking for a proper explanations that things are getting better. Many of the cradle Orthodox would just listen to the Priests or Bishops since that trust is woven into their souls, that was a problem when some started out along the ecumenical movement path. Many of us did not read as much as those that convert to the faith, we would go to Church listen to the Priest etc. and continue on with what we learned from our parents and grandparents, don't move icons, paint them this way not your own way who do you think you are to change those traditions, sing this way not that way, don't disagree with the Priest about Church matters what do we know etc. So your understanding Mary of "I have every right to question" is not easy for others to follow that really are very pious because they are used to being obedient to what the Orthodox Bishops and Priests say. But they are with you very often more strongly than we might think.

Interesting enough the Antiochians with many converts who are well read are against Ecumenism thanks be to God for them and thanks be to God for those that we have learned much from like many of the participants here on Monachos.

In Christ,

Matthew Panchisin