Just what was fomerly the Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Church,which now calls itself the Sui Juris Metropolitan Byzantine Catholic Church of America.

Ungcsertezs

The Byzantine Metropolitan Church sui iuris of Pittsburgh was established as the Exarchate of Pittsburgh in 1924. This Exarchate expanded to become the Eparchy of Pittsburgh and the Eparchy of Passaic in 1963.

Full status as a Metropolitan Church was granted in 1969 with the designation of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, the Eparchy of Passaic, the Eparchy of Parma and, later, the Eparchy of Van Nuys.

Did Christ not say, "Behold, I make all things new?"

If you have changed to Orthodox, then perhaps you should find an Orthodox Message board instead of lingering on this Catholic one.

He also said, "I will build my Church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it." He also said to his Apostles and to their successors, our Bishops, "I give you the Holy Spirit."

I think there is a duty incumbent upon all Orthodox Catholics to trust the gifts of the Holy Spirit that have been given to Bishops and to submit to their legitimate authority, especially when the exercise of that authority has received approval from their legitimate, God-ordained, Spirit-filled Apostolic overseers.

For an individual or group of individuals to decide that they know better than the Bishops is the essence of Protestant thought.

For an individual or group of individuals to decide that they know better than the Bishops is the essence of Protestant thought.

During the Divine Liturgy we pray for everyone. Your question undoubtedly is prompted because of some people’s understanding or perception of the term "Orthodox". The English term is derived from the Greek Orthododokeo which means to teach rightly. In a passive sense, it is applied to those who had been "rightly taught", hence "true believing". It seems to me that when this Greek term was translated into Church-Slavonic (or ancient Bulgarian), the translator misinterpreted the second half of the verb Dokeo (to teach-Doksia participle) and confused it with the Greek word (to glorify) -- Doksia (glory), so that many have come to understand the word "Orthodox" as meaning "true -- worshipers" or those "rightly glorifying God". Hence, the word: Pravoslavnyj.
Curious, are you confused by now? Who wouldn't be! Be as it may, the word "Orthodox" has been used throughout the history of the church to describe the Faith of the Church. It appears in the writings of the Fathers of the Church, as well as in the Liturgies of both the Eastern and Western Churches. In the old Latin text of the Roman Catholic Mass, the people prayed "pro orthoxis fidelibus" i.e. for "Orthodox Christians", meaning the faithful who professed the accurate teachings of the Faith. However, since the word "Orthodox" originated in the Eastern Church(es), it was and has been widely used. For us to deny that our Faith is Orthodox, would be negating or re-writing the history of the Church and the terminology which the Church has used and uses.

In modern day Ukraine, many people, not wanting to be confused with the Orthodox Church, especially the Russian Church, argue against the use of the word "Orthodox". The late Patriarch Joseph Slipyi firmly stood on the ground that we must not abandon the use of this word at all costs, because it leads to a correct understanding of our very identity. We can understand that with the gradual estrangement of Eastern Christians from Western Christians, that some misunderstanding can easily arise especially since the term "Orthodox" has shifted in popular parlance from describing The Faith to describing the Church. Nonetheless, we strive to overcome misunderstandings and continue to use the word Orthodox properly, especially in our own day and age to overcome the difficulties of the past and pray for the unity of all the true -- believers in the One Church of Jesus Christ. The communion, in the love of Christ, of all "Orthodox churches" in the Universal Church is the one, holy, apostolic and catholic Church of Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Church. Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has underscored many times that we are "Orthodox in Faith, and Catholic in the bonds of love."

Yours In Christ,

+Bishop Robert

Great Fast 2004

Matthew,

May I suggest that you read the User Agreement. Diak is correct, this is not an exclusive Catholic board, but rather a discussion board between Christians of different traditions.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+
Administrator

He also said, "I will build my Church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it." He also said to his Apostles and to their successors, our Bishops, "I give you the Holy Spirit."

I think there is a duty incumbent upon all Orthodox Catholics to trust the gifts of the Holy Spirit that have been given to Bishops and to submit to their legitimate authority, especially when the exercise of that authority has received approval from their legitimate, God-ordained, Spirit-filled Apostolic overseers.

For an individual or group of individuals to decide that they know better than the Bishops is the essence of Protestant thought.

I just wanted however to note that your statement about "major" problems being "very clear" that I would disagree.

As I have written frequently, I "LOVE" the New Liturgy and, at least on a local level, have found it to be encouraging of spiritual life and vitality among the lay people. Far from imploding, I think it is the beginnings of an explosion of spiritual and numerical growth for the Church.

I should also note that my "sources" indicate that there is very little chance that the RDL will ever be rescinded. Liberty to use an older form MAY be extended to those who wish it, but it is "very clear" that the RDL is here to stay. For that, I thank God!

Liberty to use an older form MAY be extended to those who wish it