Exactly. I have a lot of respect for priests, but they’re still human. It may be the “one holy Catholic and apostolic church” but it is led by humans who are just as vulnerable to temptation as the rest of us.
There’s always Constantinople... but then again, at this point Moscow is maybe a safer bet. No heresies tolerated. They identified them all centuries ago. Of course Liturgy is attended standing up for the multi hour duration, so the weak cannot abide.
It’s beautifully ceremonial and heavily incensed and you feel numinous. But it’s all in Slavonic, so unless you know the Liturgy in English you’ll be lost.
It’s a re-enactment of something not discussed. They actually eject the non initiated before the main event. It might harm them to even be present.
Pretty hardcore. But they’ve seen totalitarian communism and Mongol occupation and survived, so maybe they’ve got something enduring.
Remember, the Kremlin was a Cathedral. It’s a work of high art. Divinely inspired maybe.
Oh, and priests marry and have wives and children. Not a lot of aberrant sexuality going on.
I’m Orthodox, but I’m not Russian. I was weak and couldn’t abide. That’s okay too, I’m reliably informed. So, I pilgrim on alone. But I will always remember. Can’t detect counterfeit unless you’ve seen the real thing.
Exactly. I have a lot of respect for priests, but they’re still human. It may be the “one holy Catholic and apostolic church” but it is led by humans who are just as vulnerable to temptation as the rest of us.
There’s always Constantinople... but then again, at this point Moscow is maybe a safer bet. No heresies tolerated. They identified them all centuries ago. Of course Liturgy is attended standing up for the multi hour duration, so the weak cannot abide.
It’s beautifully ceremonial and heavily incensed and you feel numinous. But it’s all in Slavonic, so unless you know the Liturgy in English you’ll be lost. It’s a re-enactment of something not discussed. They actually eject the non initiated before the main event. It might harm them to even be present. Pretty hardcore. But they’ve seen totalitarian communism and Mongol occupation and survived, so maybe they’ve got something enduring.
Remember, the Kremlin was a Cathedral. It’s a work of high art. Divinely inspired maybe. Oh, and priests marry and have wives and children. Not a lot of aberrant sexuality going on.
I’m Orthodox, but I’m not Russian. I was weak and couldn’t abide. That’s okay too, I’m reliably informed. So, I pilgrim on alone. But I will always remember. Can’t detect counterfeit unless you’ve seen the real thing.
Love to all. God Bless.
As some alter boys will attest Xp
The way I always think about the Church is that it's a perfect vehicle driven by imperfect beings.