A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY
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| Volume 6 Number 15 - Tuesday, April 13th, 2004 |
A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY |
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The 2003 Angel Fund Appeal • OCN Website
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The Orthodox Christian News Service |
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A United Orthodox Church in the U.S. is Needed In response to Mr. Pappas's letter stating "Our Eastern Orthodox faith doesn't need an ethnic or nationalistic modifier" (http://www.orthodoxnews.netfirms.com/114/Regarding%20Gary.htm), I would like to offer the following comments/observations. I am an Orthodox Christian (born and raised), grew up in Northern California, and for the past 22 years have been serving our Nation in the Armed Forces. Currently, I am a Lieutenant Colonel (USAF), although my statements do not construe the official position of the United States Air Force. From 2000-2002, I was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, and was a member of St. Michael's Orthodox Military Community. Although I had the option of attending an Orthodox Church in downtown San Antonio, I chose to attend a Military Chapel out of duty. As an officer, it is my duty to mold, mentor, and teach those under me. Being assigned to a training base, I wanted to set an example to the many young airmen who were attending either Basic Training or follow-on schools. During my assignment, we were assigned a Military Chaplain who was Antiochian Orthodox. The Chaplain was transferred a year later, and we were assigned a Chaplain who was Orthodox Church in America (OCA). We also had 2 Chaplains who were military reservists who filled in (1 OCA, 1 Serbian Orthodox). I transferred in 2003, and now in a Greek Orthodox Church. Though all of the changes in jurisdictions have given me a much greater appreciation for our heritage and ethnicity (Orthodoxy is truly a world religion), I must ask myself: "Why did I have to change jurisdictions? I am Orthodox. I am an American. I didn't move to another country. In fact, for some of the changes, I didn't move at all!" Now all of this is confusing enough for us born and raised Orthodox. Imagine trying to explain this to someone who is not Orthodox! Orthodoxy in the United States is different from other countries. Whereas in other countries missionaries traveled around, converting the local population (Sts. Cyril & Methodius, St. Herman of Alaska, etc.), Orthodoxy in the United States was brought over by immigrant populations. In other countries, these converts grew into a National Church. Here in the United States, we are divided among our ethnic lines. I am extremely thankful and humbled of the sacrifices my Grandparents made when they immigrated to the United States shortly after WWI. Their sacrifices paved the way for the success I have, and I am deeply indebted to them. I also am very thankful for the beautiful treasure of the Orthodox Church that my Grandparents brought over from Greece when they immigrated here. However, the time has come for us to unite in love and respect to the Cross we carry. A united Orthodox Church of the United States is needed if we are to effectively bear true witness to our neighbors. A united Orthodox Church of the United States in needed for us to maximize the use of our limited resources (money, materials, manpower, etc.) instead of having these limited resources divided among numerous jurisdictions. A united Orthodox Church of the United States in needed to provide effective, harmonious oversight over us the Orthodox faithful. I pray for the day that we will all be under one Orthodox Church of the United States, united with respect to ancestry, and united in Faith and Love of our Lord. In Christ,
GARY M. WOLFE, Lt
Col, USAF |
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