A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY
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| Volume 6 Number 33 - Tuesday, August 17th, 2004 |
A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY |
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The Orthodox Christian News Service |
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Regarding Wojcik and Orloff Comments on Patriarch Athenagoras Dear Editor, Presbyter Bartholomew Wojcik and Gregory Orloff need to get a life! Or, find something more meaningful to attack. Although I'm in my late 60's I never had the pleasure of meeting Patriarch Athenagoras I of truly Blessed Memory. All of my life I've only heard stories related to me by common folk-type individuals who met him, (including my father), who considered the then Archbishop of North and South America, to be a charismatic, warm and loving human being. I remember reading about incidences that took place during World War II involving servicemen and his impact on them, and I especially remember President Truman arranging for his Presidential airplane, The Sacred Cow, to take the Archbishop to Istanbul for his enthronement as Patriarch and I thought that was a really awesome event. I could go on about how he would arrange to visit the smallest of communities and leave wonderful memories of his presence in his wake. The retired priests who seek to honor him need to address his legacy. Now, I'm not a "retired" priest, (does a priest really ever "retire" after receiving the charismata of the Holy Spirit?), who knew Patriarch Athenagoras I in such a way to nominate, (if that's the word), him for canonization; however, why the angst about bestowing this high honor on one who dedicated his life to Christ? What is it in the hearts and minds of these old coot "retired" priests that they would want to honor someone whom they feel is one of their own? Could it be that they want to honor him for his works? His love for the church through some really difficult times here in America? His love for his fellow man? His love for his priests? What has inspired these men to do this dastardly thing? Has anyone investigated this matter in depth? Do Presbyter Bartholomew and our brother in Christ, Gregory, truly believe that these "retirees" want to honor the Patriarch of Blessed Memory only because he is a Greek Orthodox Christian and somehow that too is a travesty? My assumption is that Presbyter Bartholomew and Mr. Orloff are good and caring and intelligent people. Even without knowing them any further, and although I don't know what kind of authority one needs to do this, I would like to nominate them for canonization, some time in the future, of course, as "Protectors of the Faith", for making sure that Orthodoxy in the Americas was not burdened by having someone of the stature of Patriarch Athenagoras I become a saint of the Church. Of course I'm being facetious and I do not mean to be disrespectful of or to anyone, especially as I think of my own shortcomings. It seems to me that St. Peter called all of us to be saints and something about all of us belonging to a royal family under the realm of Christ our Lord. Well, how much more qualified is this Patriarch when a group of seasoned, although "retired", saints and elders of the Church, submit this man for canonization? My brothers, get a life! Patriarch Athenagoras I did....albeit in Christ!
Jim Rentas |
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