www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Martin Luther's descendants

Interesting. Is there an akathist for him? Just kidding.

Dear Cantor Joe,

I HAVE written an Akathist for Jan Hus, whom Luther called "my saint!"

The Evangelical Catholic Church does actually invoke Luther on this day as a Reformer and Doctor!

Alex

Is the Evangelical Catholic Church in communion with the Holy Catholic Church?

ChristTeen287

Dear ChristTeen,

No, in a word . . .

There have been several churches that have taken the title "Evangelical Catholic" over the years.

The first to do so were the early Protestants who also called themselves "Reformed Catholics."

The High Church Anglicans in the 19th century also used this term.

High Church Lutheranism soon adopted it as well, in Sweden and elsewhere.

The particular group I'm referring to is a "Lutheran Rite" independent body that has adopted Orthodox faith and practice for the most part - and which is gravitating toward Western Rite Orthodoxy in union with the Antiochian Church, although nothing has happened yet in that department.

The Polish National Catholic Church and the Anglican Catholic Church are also interested in union with the Antiochian Orthodox.

Alex

As long as we're talking about small groups looking for communion with larger (and more "legitimate") groups, has anyone heard any more news about the Milan Synod? I had heard that they (or some such group, but I'm pretty sure it's the Milan Synod) wanted to enter into communion with the Syrian Orthodox Church. This Church already has Latin and Byzantine rite groups in communion with it, but I was wondering if anyone knew specifically about this group?

Dear Catholicos Mor Ephrem,

I do know Fr. Keller from that Synod (a deeply learned and holy man).

They even have Western Rite SERBIAN parishes across the pond!

Perhaps all this talk about him will entice him to say something on the topic you've raised.

He is registered here and has posted before to correct me . . .

Alex

By being in communion with the Antiochean Orthodox, wouldn't that mean you are put in communion with the other Orthodox Churches already in communion with Antioch?

There was a thread on all this intercommunion stuff, I need to look for it again...

ChristTeen287

Deleted.

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Glory to Him Forever!

My first thought on reading the last few posts was, "We need to seriously pray for unity."

Is there any talks between the Charismatic Episcopal Church and Holy Orthodoxy? I'm guessing not, but I would have never dreamed that a Lutheran group could seek serious unity with Holy Orthodoxy....

Adam

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Orthodox Catholic:

"As you know, Martin Luther returned to the Catholic Church a short while before his death and was received back by the Bishop of Salzburg."

Alex,

is this a joke? Please elaborate!

Christian

Dear (Lithuanian) Christian,

No joke, my friend!

Lutheran theologians and one Presbyterian Minister who were present at a conference held at the University of Toronto some years back told me this.

There is also a body of literature by Catholics who were desirous of rehabilitating Martin Luther who argued that he could "even be canonized since he died in union with the RC Church."

What is even more interesting from an Orthodox point of view is the "Lutheran Rite" Evangelical Catholic Church that accepts Orthodox doctrine and liturgical theology, is seeking union with Orthodoxy through Antioch AND which allows for public services in honour of Martin Luther on November 10th and February 18th.

And don't be surprised - this is not the first time this has happened.

In the Calendar of the Czech Orthodox Church published at Prague one year, mention was made of an application by Old Catholics to the Orthodox Church regarding the issue of the veneration of Jan Hus and Jerome of Prague "in the event that they should embrace Orthodoxy."

But that project fell through . . .

Jerome of Prague, as we know, actually DID become Orthodox in Latvia and the Czech Orthodox Church has his baptismal certificate - some are even considering the possibility of him becoming and Orthodox saint.

Alex

Dear Theosis,

I don't know that particular group you mention . . .

Charismatic groups don't usually seek to enter into communion with Orthodoxy - Orthodoxy doesn't think highly of Neo-Pentecostalism .

Actually, there are a number of great Lutheran theologians who have come into communion with both Catholicism and Orthodoxy. Jaroslav Pelikan, the great Lutheran historian, recently became Orthodox.

I am also in touch with a number of Lutheran pastors who are now attending Orthodox Divine Liturgies and who use me as a resource for materials on Orthodoxy with the view to eventually joining the Orthodox Church.

Martin Luther himself, when once comparing the Western and Eastern Churches, said that the East is the "Better Half" of the Church.

Alex

Dear ChristTeen,

Yes, we can only come into communion with the Universal Church of Christ through coming into communion with a Particular Church, such as the Antiochian Orthodox Church.

The Second Vatican Council also asserted this and states that ALL Christians, Catholic or not, belong to a particular Church tradition or rite, even Protestants and those who derive their ecclesial origins from the Western Church.

Alex