www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Met. Stefan Soroka comments on "Passion" film

I am surprised that the bishop has time for such trivialities. Can't he find something better to do (i.e. Compline or Vespers or tending to his flock). Though I am sure that he likes the prospect of being a movie critic.

I don't think any movie can meet the standards of true Orthodox Theology. That is why we have the divine services and holy writings. Look to them for theology, not to hollywood.

Its easy to be a critic, what is not easy is creating a mainstream film about Christ in an increasingly anti-chritian age.

How about this for an idea, a cartoon about the Church Fathers called the 'Ortho-Friends'. Simple hermits in the deserts of Egypt by day, by night they can battle apostates and crush evil heresies.

"Look out, it's the evil heretic Nestorius!"

"quick, to the Apathea-mobile..."

music: na na na na na na na na Fathers,
na na na na na na na na Fathers,
Fathers, Fathers, Fathers.

Besides, are monks allowed to go to the movies? oh wait...


IG
i hope i am not getting myself into trouble, forgive in advance.

I would like to see St. Nicholas punching out Arius at the Council of Nicea with some of the old Batman TV show effects like "biff" "pow" etc. We could have famous actor "heretics" like Batman TV show used to have famous actor villans...

Oh, come on, it's one night at the movies! Couldn't you pick on this hierarch for something else besides watching a Jesus movie? Perhaps you could critique his taste in vestments or kolpak-style mitres? He does wear a white klobuk, so maybe it all evens out.

As a hierarch, I'm sure many people, both within his care and those outside his diocese, will want to know his view of a controversial film about Christ. So why not watch it?

I recall that Archbishop Lazar Puhalo wrote some interesting reviews of the Star Wars movies that appeared in his "Canadian Orthodox Missionary" magazine...

Sure, he could have prayed Compline instead; I could be praying an akathist or something right about now, but instead I'm wasting my time online. Reminds me of a story on the Onion Dome about monks who had a TV show called "Why are you watching this when you could be praying?" or something akin.

Ramble, ramble, ramble. Sorry, it's been a long Thanksgiving Day. :p

Dave

Your're right, Dave, we need a hierarchical version of Siskel and Ebert, don't we.

I could see it now, trikery up or down depending on the quality of the movie. Or if it's really good or bad, dikery and trikery up or down.

O well, I've completely lost it.

Diak,



Happy Thanksgiving!

Paul

I agree with Chtec in that there is absolutely nothing wrong with Vladyka Stephan seeing the movie and commenting on it. After all, it is not a movie that purports to portray something that directly relates to the Christian Faith.

Is it also not the bishop's job to make sure to see it and to subsequently point out to his flock where this film departs from what scripture tells us?

People are critical of our clergy when all the clergy does is hold services.

Now, the highest ranking UGCC bishop in the USA speaks out on a movie (which no doubt a lot of his flock will see) and he is basically told to "go back to chanting Compline."

Our bishops must live in the real world to be effective. For once, let's let them do their jobs.

Yours,

hal

The point I was trying to make was that good christians shouldn't expect to spiritually gain anything from hollywood interpretations of scripture in the first place.

ilya

Dear Ilya,

Your comment reminded me of an episode in the life of St Josaphat.

He once went to visit the Kyiv Caves Lavra, even when being warned to stay away for the sake of his own personal safety.

As he approached the Lavra/monastery, some monks who were getting ready to go hunting actually attacked him with fists - but then he calmed them down by telling him he didn't come to do any mischief, if that is what they thought, but to pray at the holy Relics of the Kyivan Caves Saints.

So they let him pass into the monastery. As he did so, St Josaphat turned around and asked the monks, "But where in the Rule of St Basil is the activity of hunting granted to monastics?"

While I agree with Hal, I think you are right also.

What we will see in Mel's movie is Mel's interpretation of the Passion of Christ which may or may not adequately reflect the timeless portrayal of the Gospels. I don't know, in any event, as I've not seen the movie.

Alex