An interesting thread, to be sure. The observations of the Global Moderator, however, highlight a number of significant obstacles which seem unlikely to be oversome quickly or easily. Setting aside the very real and as-yet-unresolved issues of the extra-territorial jurisdiction of His Beatitude as well as the anomaly that would likely be involved in accomplishing the 'amalgamation' by action of the Roman Pontiff and/or Vatican dicasteries, one is tempted to ask what the purpose of this Slavic Mega-Church might be. Is it likely to reverse the decline in UCC and BCC numbers in this hemisphere? How will it make our Churches more effective bearers of the Gospel Message?

Father Deacon,

Where can one find this for the UGCC?

In Christ,

John

Good point. I was actually thinking exclusively of Greek Catholic unity, not necessarily the other ritual traditions and Churches.

Look at the acta of the various Synods and Sobors as well as the UGCC Catechetical Directory.
FDRLB

I just spent a fair amount of time on the UGCC website. The press release section is a good read. The acts of the Synods and Sobors are especially interesting. The UGCC has really taken the New Evangelization to heart. This is all very encouraging.

Amen. I just got started. Very interesting.

CDL

CDL

Think in terms way beyond the USA. You would make a great Greek Catholic (Byzantine) missionary in Ukraine, Belarus, or Kazakhstan. Think about it.

I.F.

IF,

I'm a bit old for that...but maybe not. As we were preparing for our mission festival featuring he Iraqi Church last fall we were asked if we could establish a mission fest regard Eastern or Central European Greek Catholic Churches. Sounds like a winner to me. Who do I contact. Perhaps those who are Ukrainian Catholics could help me although I know several Ukrainian Catholics around our area already. Where's Professor Alex?

CDL

What is the SPR: Ark of Orthodox Carpatho-Russia, run by Fr Dmitri Sydor?

Is there any contact between this organization and Rusyns in the USA or the ACROD?

I believe that Fr. Dmitri Sydor is pastor of the Orthodox Cathedral (UOC-Moscow Patriarchate) in Uzhorod. I get the ACROD newspaper, "Cerkovnyj Vistnik". They had featured Fr. Dmitri in past articles, such as when represntatives of ACROD had visited Uzhorod. From other sources, I had read that Fr. Dmitri was active politically, and was somewhat of a Rusyn Nationalist. Sounds like a problematic situation if you are in the Moscow Patriarchate.

Dn. Robert

You may find some interesting info on Father Sydor (Ruthenian leader Archpriest Dymytrii Sydor) by searching the English version of this website:

www.risu.org.ua/eng/

Google search on "Sydor" at www.risu.org.ua/eng/

This is the google search (you can copy/lift/paste in browser)

http://www.google.com.ua/custom?domains=risu.org.ua&q=sydor&sitesearch=risu.org.ua&client=pub-4148658215282539&forid=1&ie=windows-1251&oe=windows-1251&safe=active&cof=GALT%3A%23008000%3BGL%3A1%3BDIV%3A%23336699%3BVLC%3A663399%3BAH%3Acenter%3BBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BLBGC%3A336699%3BALC%3A0000FF%3BLC%3A0000FF%3BT%3A000000%3BGFNT%3A0000FF%3BGIMP%3A0000FF%3BLH%3A63%3BLW%3A66%3BL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.risu.org.ua%2Fimg%2Flogo.gif%3BS%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.risu.org.ua%2F%3BLP%3A1%3BFORID%3A1%3B&hl=en

http://www.risu.org.ua/eng/news/article;15225/

Regards in the Lord,
-Pustinik

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"Acquire a peaceful spirit, and thousands around you will be saved." –St. Serafim of Sarov

Father Sydors is a Russian nationalist. He believes that (Carpatho) Rusyn = Russian and they are one indivisable nation. Therefore, belonging to the Moscow Patriarchate is completely logical for the Father. He is a strong supporter of the 'Third Rome'.

I.f.