www.byzcath.org Forums Mysteries: The Life of Worship Vespers, Matins & the Divine Liturgy The Revised Divine Liturgy Farewell to my brethren

I have come to a very difficult decision. I will be taking my family to an OCA Church for vespers this coming Saturday. This will be the first step toward the exploration of joining the Holy Orthodox Church. As I have said before, the RDL is the final nudge that I needed. It is very likely that I would have waited for a retraction, (and I do believe there will be a retraction), but I cannot wait for ten, twenty, or even thirty years because I have a small child to raise. I refuse to raise my child in a Church that has surrendered to the secular, humanistic, politically correct agenda of the radical feminists. My child deserves to learn and to pray in the language of our Fathers. I believe there are many concerns with this revision, but the inclusive language is a travesty! This is not an easy decision since I have been in communion with Rome all of my life, but it is a calling, and I must follow the call. There is no doubt in my mind that the revisionists had nothing but good intentions when they decided to re-translate the Divine Liturgy, but my heart tells me that the result has wounded the Church. Fr Benedict Groeschel states that sometimes extremely intelligent men commit extremely large errors. He says that "the highest mountains cast the largest shadows".

I will never stop praying for the Ruthenian Catholic Church and all of the Eastern Catholic Churches. I urge all who will remain to never stop fighting the promulgation and approval of this RDL. I will pray that the Lord gives you strength to fight the good fight.

Peace and blessings to all of you,
Recluse

Recluse,

May you and your family find peace in your new Church. Go with
God (S'Bohom) and Xpucmoc Bockpece!

Ungcsertezs

Thank you Ungcsertezs!

Many years!

This is the most heart breaking part of the post. It is ashame to see anybody driven away, but the most important demographic are those with children, and unfortunately this demographic is rare in our churches so we can't really afford to lose too many of this group.

Don't think for one second that Recluse is alone in this sentiment. I know of many of our young that are disillunsioned (rightly or wrongly) by this revision. Let us pray that the revision is not the final nail in the coffin of our future.

I'm also growing weary of comments regarding the 'good intentions' of the revisionists. To my fellow lovers of Holy Tradition, this is a liberal thought process. Liberals are always asking to be judged by their intentions rather than by thier results. The results of this misguided revision will unfortunately be the same as most liberal initiatives, poor results. One of which is our church, which cannot afford to loose any more of its young families, loosing its young families. And here we have yet another example.

Hospodi Pomiluj!

Monomakh

And what will become of the Ruthenian Metropolia in ten years? Will it be just a few churches struggling without vocations (and a married priesthood) that will have to beg the Roman Catholic bishops for the use of Bi-ritual priests? I shudder to think what the future will become for this once vibrant Eastern Catholic Church.

Ungcsertezs

GOD be with you Recluse! Prayers will be offered for you and your family!

I can perfectly understand your responsibilities as a parent. I share your concern.

God be with you Recluse! May GOD strengthen and comfort you and yours!

Greetings Monomakh,

Christ Is Risen!

I understand what you are saying here. I am a major opponent of this revision. However, I find it dificult to believe that the revisionists have taken on this "work" as a way to put the final nail in the coffin and set the course for the extinction of the Ruthenian Catholic Church. I have heard some say that it was a work of pride and ego. I have heard others say that it is a work of ecumenism in an effort to attract disillusioned women back to the Church (however I have never met one of these disillusioned women unless they were extreme radical feminists). Whatever the motivation, whether it be a sincere belief in a "better" translation---pride and egoism---ecumenism--or liberal seminary education---I do not believe it was done in an effort to end the Church.

The result may indeed end the Church because I believe the fruit of this revision will continually rot with time, but I do not believe it was the revisionist's intention.

I am not defending the revisionists nor do I want to judge them as individuals--I do not know what is in their hearts. But I am convinced that the revision as set forth and promulgated and approved for the Ruthenian Catholic Church, is a terrible, terrible, error.

Blessings to you,
Recluse

I understand your move. Rod Dreher, a writer in Dallas, left Catholicism for Orthodoxy because of similar reasons. I opted to stop attending the Ruthenian parish in my area once I caught wind of the RDL. I knew it was a done deal. The libs always win on such matters in the short term, but God wins in the long run (conclusively too)

I wonder though: It strikes me that the issue is really one of culture rather than ecclesiology, doctrine, etc. Given this, what happens when Americanism/modernity/whatever-you-wanna-call-it seeps into Orthodoxy? Something to keep in mind is that Orthodoxy has experienced a heavy influx of converts from mainstream American culture over the past decade. These converts are often times people who carry the ideology of feminism/democracy/egalitarianism with them. How long do you think Orthodoxy will survive without its own, ahem, "revisions" to venerable worship and customs? Are you really sure that the American rot hasn't already set in?

These are some of the questions I've wrestled with in deciding whether to remain Catholic or not. The grass always looks greener. But unlike you Recluse, I've no children or spouse to worry about, so I certainly see your incentive for acting is greater than mine. I wish you and your family the best and am happy for you.

Recluse,

My statement wasn't only to you as I've seen it written many times by many other people.

Now I can hear others claiming that I am saying that the intentions are not good. That is not what I am saying. Can we all agree that the intentions were good, the liturgy has been promulgated, and discuss what the ramifications are now? And that is what I am bringing up, what the results will be. Wouldn't we have more positive results if all the time, money, and effort went towards evangelization?

As for Recluse, I pray that you and your family will have a spiritual and rewarding journey.

Monomakh

Thank you corsair,

Your prayers mean a lot to me. I need them--especially at this crossroads in my life. As a Catholic, born and raised Roman Catholic and canonically changed to the Eastern Church, there is a hesitancy with breaking communion with Rome. But I must do what I feel is best for my family. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner!

I will pray for you also, corsair!

My apologies--I am not accusing you of such a thing.
Yes. This is where attention needs to be directed.
Yes. It seems like a no-brainer. That is the most frustrating part.
Thank you my friend.

It has already been dealt with in the Orthodox Church. I cannot recall the link, so I will tell you by memory. In 1997, the S.C.O.B.A revised the Nicene Creed to delete the word "men" so that it read: "for us and for our salvation..." The people and the clergy were not happy, but this horizontal inclusive language remained for about eight years. Then, another change occured. The Creed was changed again to read that Jesus "became human". There was widespread outrage from the clergy and the people in response to this vertical inclusive language. Hence, about eight years after the horizontal inclusive language, the Creed was changed back to its original and ancient translation. So you see, I don't expect the Orthodox to have this problem again anytime soon.

P.s.--note the progression from horizontal inclusive language to vertical inclusive language. I believe that once you open the liberal radical feminist door, it is very difficult to close again. Better to keep it locked up tight!

As one who made the move to Orthodoxy 5 months ago, I am praying for you and wish you well in your journey. May you find the same peace and happiness that I have in my new spiritual home.

Christos Voskrese!

Voistinu Voskrese!

Thank you Etnick!

You are an inspiration to me and your prayers are appreciated!

Following in Etnick's footsteps...

As one who made the move as well one year ago myself. (Family concerns were also a major part of prompting my return to Orthodoxy.) You and your family will be remembered in my prayers. I hope you find the same joy that we have found.

Chris