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I am getting very tired of some of the web gossip going on around the nefarious chat lists debating my "Orthodoxy". My original intent in putting up a website was just to inform.However it seems virtually impossible for me to avoid being controversial.I do not WISH to be so,but hairbrained ecclesiastics and laity seem to always want to do that to me.So I will herein attempt to set the record straight. If you go to my homepage,you will find that I wrote that I am a RETIRED Orthodox archbishop. I deliberately did not name my former institutional allegance,because it does not matter anymore.Emphasis on the word RETIRED!I also stated that it was AN American Orthodox Church -not THE etc.My reason for that was that many use that label and variants,some of whom I approve,and most of whom I do not.In other words,I have tried to kindly state my deliberate,conscious,willful separation from all of that.Yet ecclesidiots,as always,in their amoeba-like mentalities try to label me.Give it up! So for those types,here it plainly is.Regarding my own beliefs and practices,they are none of your business.I will tell you that I think for myself and encourage others to do the same.I accept NOTHING just because some tradition says it is so or because some institution has made an official policy about some issue.There is much in the traditions of both eastern and western christianity that is wise and admirable.There is also much that is stupid beyond belief! The former I accept,the latter I reject with a incredulous shake of my head that anyone could/would actually believe such nonsense.It is tempting to lampoon Orthodox Churches as they are today,but I will resist.If you go for that,well then,God help you,go for it.I neither want nor need it.Some are questioning the habit that I wear.Some say it is "Catholic". Look,I wear what is comfortable and available.Color means nothing,style means nothing.If you have read my other pages you know that I have carved this place out of jungle with my bare hands.With that in mind,if I want to go stark naked,I will do it!That is not without precedent in Orthodox monasticism,incidentally.Or I will wear an Italian silk three-piece with Oleg Cassini tie if I wish-with Gucci shoes.If you would like to see me wear some other color or style,then have it tailormade of lightweight fabric and donate it.When I changed the name of this foundation from St.Issac Hermitage to Hermitage-Hawaii,some criticized me for that.Look here! I built this place with the sweat of mine and Mother Gabriella's brows.If I want to call it Joe's Bar and Grill,I will do so.A few things I have to say:current Orthodox Christianity whether it be "canonical" or "non" is a ridiculous scene.Members get all tied up in knots over ritual,minor points of dogma,who is who's bishop etc. I would not have anything to do with that knitpicking ever. I did not have much to do with it when I WAS "official". All that crap brings to mind the criticism that Jesus gave to the religious leaders of his day about how they attempted to nullify the effectiveness of the word of God with their own traditions.It still goes on and always has.It boggles my mind why "religious" people get so bogged down in that quagmire! As far as I know,we only have one life.one time around.Maybe I am wrong about that but I assume that so that I do not waste my time with non-essentials.I suggest you knitpickers do the same. |
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