Thank you for the swift reply!
You speak of communion with the rest of the Orthodox faithful, but is it *true* communion when there is dissent among the body. I find it hard to believe that no one cares if the Greeks and Russians celebrate the Nativity and so many other pertinent feasts at comepletely different times. There is something going on rotten in the heiarchy; why don't they care about these things!! How can they even ponder entering into communion with Rome when they are not even in communion amongst themselves!! It has always been the duty and privilege of the Orthodox faithful to make a stand to the heiarchy when something is amiss! This is one of the main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. When the Pope says something, it goes, disregarding what any one else says. This attitude is what has led them into so many sad problems. The pope is sort of an ecclesiastical dictator, and thus the laity's position is hugely undermined. One of the hallmarks of the Orthodox Church is that no one is given more power than another. In fact, power is not a role in its politics, according to the canons. Indeed, the Holy Spirit speaks through the entire Church, not a single patriarch, nor even a group of patriarchs. By the ROCOR "splintering", as you justifiably say, they are merely taking a vigilant stand in the hope of rallying and awakening the faithful. Indeed, there lack of communion with the rest of their brethen was a step taken so that the rest of the Orthodox world will eventually be strengthened. They look forward to the day when the ROCOR will no longer exist, and they can enter into communion with the Patriarch of Russia.
The real question for me is, where can I do the most good. I am only 16 years old, so I admit I have a lot of time to ponder this; afterall, my mother won't let me convert until I'm 18!! Nevertheless, it is something that grieves me deeply. After seeing the absolute confusion (in all areas) in the Roman Catholic Church, I have a great distaste for any communion of believers that claim to be united, yet holds to so many wildly different beliefs. For example, do you know that *70%* of Catholics my age do not believe in the True Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion!! And yet most consider themselves commited Catholics, and the clergy agree! Afterall, the Pope decreed that is only a personal choice to believe in the Real Presence!!
All I have to say is please pray for me!!
In Christ,
Marianne+ a sinner
