tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949422246633548404.post580436256216216538..comments2024-02-07T11:31:44.141+03:00Comments on On Life in St. Petersburg: Seeking brothers and sistersElizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15283395756742923658noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949422246633548404.post-83762566793996046812014-06-04T01:23:20.894+04:002014-06-04T01:23:20.894+04:00I definitely pray for you, even if it's not th...I definitely pray for you, even if it's not the type of prayer you might be used to. We all have that "I'm right, you're wrong" attitude at one time. I guess what annoys me is the "I'm Russian, so I'm obviously Orthodox" attitude. <br /><br />Afterlife and burial beliefs are one topic I try to avoid. I do so want to mourn with friends who have lost loved ones, and yet I'm not comfortable with the whole praying for the soul and that sort of thing, and I don't thing the burial method really...gasp...matters, PROVIDED it is appropriate and respectful. So if there is only one way in Russian culture that is appropriate and respectful, I won't argue with that...but I won't affirm as the only proper Christian way, either. <br /><br />And as I mentioned in the above comment, I get confused about what is (Pagan) tradition and what is Orthodox doctrine. Those fears about unclean spirits aren't always related to Christianity, yet in Russian culture they go hand in hand. Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15283395756742923658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949422246633548404.post-41736473569249421262014-06-03T08:13:33.891+04:002014-06-03T08:13:33.891+04:00Oh, Elizabeth, I'm not Protestant, so I hope w...Oh, Elizabeth, I'm not Protestant, so I hope we could connect. I think so, somehow, I do rather know what you mean about Orthodox believers....and yet, sometimes I wonder if I'm just associating the "zealousness" with Orthodoxy and feeling uncomfortable (maybe because I don't' quite understand where they are coming from?) I do think I feel the same discomfort speaking to a really right (or left) wing Catholic or Protestant. Or, is it just that hard "don't argue with me; I'm right" demeanor that so many Russian people seem to have about so many issues that scares me? Though, I figure you must be used to that by now! <br /><br />I'm in trouble with my Orthodox friends now; I can sense it is getting serious - because we have not yet buried Ilya's ashes. It has taken me a while to decide what seems right - and now, at least it is down to two choices. But, my RO friends are becoming less friendly. In my ignorance, I had not realized that actually both the RO Church and the RC Church believe precisely the same thing in this regard, and I am wrong for not having had him buried immediately. But, the difference in how they speak to me about it, is what I notice. From a priest friend, "Well you probably ought to... Why don't you call...." From the RO friend, "I hope you have called the monastery? What will you do?" <br /><br />I do think it HAD to be God's plan for you to meet that woman in person, and for that reason, that the visit was important in some way. Trust that you said and did precisely what was needed. That''s just amazing.Anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12623179886908222942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949422246633548404.post-29081459674130252252014-06-03T00:37:35.748+04:002014-06-03T00:37:35.748+04:00That's a good question...I guess fair to ask s...That's a good question...I guess fair to ask since I mentioned it! But I think it depends on why you're asking. For me the challenge in Christian unity is to determine which differences are deal-breakers and which are "agree to disagree." But even if I can sort of overlook something, I might not ever really feel comfortable with it. Like icons, or saints. Baptism can bring up some issues. And just the whole exclusivity thing...if certain confessions believe that only those in THEIR church are saved...how can I fellowship with them in an ecumenical setting? And also some confusing cultural things, as I said, that are really traditions and not official doctrine. Like certain superstitions, that are really more Pagan in nature but have gotten sort of mixed up with ritual purity found in Orthodoxy. Confusing, right? :)<br /><br />So what I mean is that you don't "have to" avoid certain topics...I just prefer to, for my own sanity.<br />Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15283395756742923658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949422246633548404.post-36352238082380308082014-06-02T14:48:11.507+04:002014-06-02T14:48:11.507+04:00What are the topics that "have to" be av...What are the topics that "have to" be avoided with Orthodox believers? Maybe that would be an idea for another blog post :)Jessica W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13346907257802513699noreply@blogger.com