[hrotedk]

With a papal visit to the island of Cyprus coming up many Bishops are calling for a boycott of the visit. However, they are being told to keep it quiet:

NICOSIA (Reuters Life!) – The leader of Cyprus's ancient Orthodox Church lashed out on Tuesday at criticism of Pope Benedict's upcoming visit to the island on June 4-6.
Some members of the Holy Synod, the Cypriot Church's governing body, have expressed opposition to the Catholic Pope's visit to the Mediterranean island, calling him a "heretic."
At least five members of the Synod were planning to boycott the welcoming ceremony for the Pope, the daily Phileleftheros reported.
But seeking to quell dissent, the leader of the Cypriot Orthodox Church on Tuesday told critics they must toe the line and avoid offending a guest of the church and state.
"There is democracy in the Church, freedom of speech and expression. But people cannot just do the first thing that comes into their heads," said Archbishop Chrysostomos, leader of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus.
Benedict's visit follows a formal invitation from Chrysostomos and Cypriot President, Demetris Christofias.
Chrysostomos, a skillful if often blunt speaker, added: "People can believe what they like, but that does not mean offending a guest."
Cyprus's Greek Cypriot population are predominantly members of the Orthodox Christian faith. There is a small community of Catholics, and religious differences or disputes have rarely, if ever, been a problem in recent times.
A key difference between Orthodox and Catholicism is the Catholic doctrine that the Popes of Rome have absolute authority over all other bishops. Orthodoxy and Catholicism formally divided in the 11th century in what is known as the Great Schism.
Cyprus's Orthodox Church traces its lineage back to some of Christ's earliest followers. According to the Book of Acts in Christian scripture, Paul visited the island in 47 AD with Barnabas, the founder of Cyprus's Church, and Mark the Evangelist, Barnabas's kinsman.
According to local legend, Paul took lashings at a pillar in the western city of Paphos, which still stands in an archaeological site.
(Writing by Michele Kambas, editing by Paul Casciato)

[cheesypeetyz]

Here is also an interview from Metropolitan Athanasios of Limasol on the visit:

http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010...thanasios.html

[Q0KmoR8K]

Is there a wider movement now for traditional Orthodoxy and away from ecumenism? I ask this because recently we have had the Church of Serbia canonize St. Justin Popovich, the Greek bishops issue an unequivocal condemnation of Papal primacy, and now these Cypriot bishops protesting the Pope's visit.

[Unlinozistimi]

With a papal visit to the island of Cyprus coming up many Bishops are calling for a boycott of the visit. However, they are being told to keep it quiet:

NICOSIA (Reuters Life!) – The leader of Cyprus's ancient Orthodox Church lashed out on Tuesday at criticism of Pope Benedict's upcoming visit to the island on June 4-6.
Some members of the Holy Synod, the Cypriot Church's governing body, have expressed opposition to the Catholic Pope's visit to the Mediterranean island, calling him a "heretic."
At least five members of the Synod were planning to boycott the welcoming ceremony for the Pope, the daily Phileleftheros reported.
But seeking to quell dissent, the leader of the Cypriot Orthodox Church on Tuesday told critics they must toe the line and avoid offending a guest of the church and state.
"There is democracy in the Church, freedom of speech and expression. But people cannot just do the first thing that comes into their heads," said Archbishop Chrysostomos, leader of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus.
Benedict's visit follows a formal invitation from Chrysostomos and Cypriot President, Demetris Christofias.
A key difference between Orthodox and Catholicism is the Catholic doctrine that the Popes of Rome have absolute authority over all other bishops. Orthodoxy and Catholicism formally divided in the 11th century in what is known as the Great Schism.
(Writing by Michele Kambas, editing by Paul Casciato)

Ok so the Synod has voted to boycott the Pope and the article points out that one of the key differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism is that we Orthodox do not believe the Pope is the leader of the entire Church and that all bishops are equals. Yet Chrysostomos is acting as Pope of Cyprus by [i]telling[/] the Synod what to do?

[Grenader]

I think he (the Patriarch of Cyprus) does have a point though. It is best not to be offensive to guests but to be hospitable and humble. He is the Patriarch of the Cyprus Church, which although equal with every bishop, he does have a status of honor and has been placed there by God and is advanced in many years. I am not sure that I myself would question someone of such stature, as I am in no position to do so. We must question our motives for opposing authority. Is it because of our American instincts?

[immoceefe]

I don't know why America has to be brought into it. I don't think this has anything to do with opposition to authority, since the Pope is not an authority for Orthodox believers. He does, however, deserve some respect and civility.

[karaburatoreror]

I think he (the Patriarch of Cyprus) does have a point though. It is best not to be offensive to guests but to be hospitable and humble. He is the Patriarch of the Cyprus Church, which although equal with every bishop, he does have a status of honor and has been placed there by God and is advanced in many years. I am not sure that I myself would question someone of such stature, as I am in no position to do so. We must question our motives for opposing authority. Is it because of our American instincts?

Question motives for opposing authority? Is is because of our American instinct? Not really, it is because of our humanity, in which is imbedded the passions of arrogance, pride, and the others. The Pope should be accepted not only as the bishop of Rome, but as a human person who deserves respect and even reverence. All human being whether the poor beggar in the street of the Pope is to be regarded as Christ. For in speaking to his disciples Jesus Christ himself tells us that "he who sees me sees the Father" As Orthodox Christians, not only American we are all called to see Christ/God/Holy Trinity present in the Other, aren't we? Don't we all need to learn how to dialogue with another person in Spirit and in Truth.

[jamemeveRhype]

A quote from the Dalai Lama on 13th June this year:"

Although the world's religions may differ fundamentally from one other in their metaphysical views, when it comes to their teachings on the actual practice of ethics, there is great convergence. All the faith traditions emphasize a virtuous way of being, the purification of the mind from negative thoughts and impulses, the doing of good deeds, and living a meaningful life."

There may be some bad history between East and West but wouldn't it be great if we were all as open to each other as the Dalai Lama is to everyone of every calling and creed.....

[Grenader]

I don't know why America has to be brought into it. I don't think this has anything to do with opposition to authority, since the Pope is not an authority for Orthodox believers. He does, however, deserve some respect and civility.

The Pope is not, but the Patriarch of Cyprus is.

[Grenader]

Question motives for opposing authority? Is is because of our American instinct? Not really, it is because of our humanity, in which is imbedded the passions of arrogance, pride, and the others.

This is true, but we Americans tend to have an opposition to authority. I brought this up because, look at David's post. It is an example of an American resisting/questioning authority. I am sure most of us have heard something along the lines on how Americans tend to question and oppose authority more than other groups. A quick search on google wielded this result: http://nikkistern.com/question-authority.htm
On facebook, if you look on the "ancient faith radio" group you will see an example of an American Orthodox opposing the Episocal Assembly of the Canonical Orthodox and all the bishops who were present that weren't OCA. The phrase, the EP is trying to set himself up as Pope over the Orthodox Church is quite common among Americans. These are a few examples, but I have often heard that we Americans have a tendency to oppose and question authority.

Again, I only brought this up because David was questioning the authority of the Cyprus Patriarch and David is an American. Do we see those from the UK or Europe or Russia opposing authority? The Cyprus Patriarch is a bishop. Unless many other bishops oppose him I surely will not because I am in no position to do so as he is "closer" to God and knows His will more than I do.

[D6Ri5u13]

Although the world's religions may differ fundamentally from one other in their metaphysical views, when it comes to their teachings on the actual practice of ethics, there is great convergence. All the faith traditions emphasize a virtuous way of being, the purification of the mind from negative thoughts and impulses, the doing of good deeds, and living a meaningful life." Although it is often overstated, I agree with the Dali Lama that there's a considerable convergence between religions on the practice of ethics and morals. I will not even deny that the practice of these ethics - the practice of love - is more important that the holding of specific metaphysical views. However, the Christian Faith differs from all the others in that it actually provides us with the means to be ethically and morally good.

The other religions provide us with lofty ideals that we will all fail to achieve to a greater or lesser degree. In Christianity, the ultimate Good and the ultimate Truth are revealed to us as a person, and more than that, we are given the means to become united to this person. This is a fundamental metaphysical difference, but also a fundamental practical difference too, and thus is crucial.