A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY
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| Volume 6 Number 32 - Tuesday, August 10th, 2004 |
A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY |
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The Orthodox Christian News Service |
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Clergy-Laity Congress by Fr. Steven J. Vlahos (St. Andrew House Forum, August 3, 2004) - The value of the clergy-laity congress in bringing people together to pray, learn, share programs, legislate and incorporate new ideas in serving God's people in the parishes and evolving consensus is enormous. Personally, I believe that the 37th congress was one more lost opportunity to stimulate greater syndiaconia, open dialogue and agreement on the numerous issues related to the charter, regulations, church operations, governance, management and a common approach to addressing and solving contemporary spiritual and religious issues. Once again, more time was wasted listening to speeches at the opening ceremony, the Philoptochos Society banquet, the NY Metropolitan Museum cultural event and the grand banquet than the plenary sessions. The emphasis on tradition and immigrant orientation visualized in the great number of priests wearing pony tails, beards, robes and crosses, repetition of age-old antiquated styles and concepts, mediocrity, amateurism and "business as usual" characterized the event. The plethora of positive contributions of the Orthodox Christian Laity on maintaining clarity of purpose, spiritual focus, providing the faithful with authentic and unbiased information, defending integrity, promoting conciliarity and emphasizing spiritual renewal, outreach and evangelism (despite the active disinformation efforts of the apologists) have positively sensitized and impacted the Church faithful.
Certain hierarchs even praised the ministry of OCL
and refused to endorse criticism of its members
and ministry. As the OCL ministry under the
guidance and direction of the All Holy Spirit
continues to sensitize the hierarchy, clergy and
laity on steps needed to ensure the progress of
Christocentric ministry to contemporary Orthodox
through the survival, growth and expansion of the
Church in "Building Communities of Faith and Love
and Orthodox Parishes in Worship and Ministry"
will be secured. |
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