http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=7bc9eaf3-9cf6-4206-a434-27960c498bc1
The Russian Orthodox Church Has Nourished, Sustained And Cultivated
By The REV. DEAN PANAGOS Published on 5/11/2008
On Sunday, April 27, Orthodox Christian families and individuals in
greater
southeastern Connecticut joined with millions throughout the world in the
celebration of Easter and yet there was no mention in The Day of this
event.
Instead, our eyes were led to an editorial on the Opinion page titled
"Freedom for one Church." Upon reading this editorial one must ask why on
the most im****tant holiday of Orthodox Christianity you would choose to
write such an editorial.
We who live in America are blessed to live in a land of many cultures and
religions; from all branches of Christianity to eastern religions to
cultic
religions and the list goes on. We have a choice of where and how to
practice our faith. Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches rose up in
this country because of the need of people to practice their faith in
their
own local traditions. The same can be said about Jewish synagogues,
mosques
and Hindu temples.
When we leave the boundaries of this country we find that this is not the
case. When one travels to lands whose histories go back far longer than
ours
we are automatically placed into historical and cultural foundations which
are deeply ingrained into the life of the people.
You began your editorial by writing about the fall of the Soviet Union and
the hope of rebirth of religious freedom. You write that the Russian
constitution assures freedom of religion and the Russian Orthodox Church
as
a defacto official religion of the people.
Yes, the Russian state allows freedom of religion. Jewish synagogues are
open, Muslim mosques are open, religious schools for training leaders
operate. By far the most predominate faith in Russia is Orthodox
Christianity.
A student of history knows that prior to the rise of communism, in fact
since the 10th century, Orthodox Christianity has been the faith of
Russia,
just as the faith of Israel is Judaism, the faith of Italy is Catholicism.
The entire culture of the Russian people is ingrained and intertwined with
Russian Orthodoxy. You cannot help but travel from small towns to large
cities and see the influence of Orthodox Christianity on the landscape.
When communism fell many western branches of the Christian church felt the
need to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to what they incorrectly believed
to be a faithless and atheistic country. The feeling was that the
landscape
and people of Russia were void of faith and religion. Many Protestant
churches in this country were set on saving the souls of Russians.
Unfortunately, this was a very naïve stance to take.
A student of history would have quickly realized that it was the faith of
the Russian people that led to the fall of communism. A faith that for
centuries the leaders of Communistic Russia tried to squash but could not.
A
faith that was passed from mother to child. A faith that in the end proved
stronger than the great military and ideology of communism.
Was Russia void of faith at the end of communism? Did the Russian people
need to be saved? Absolutely not! The faith of Russia ingrained through
the
centuries in orthodoxy was alive, vibrant and ready to lead the citizens
of
Russia to greater glories. This is evident today in the work of the
Russian
Orthodox Church in all aspects of the lives of the people of Russia.
The editorial then went on to quote the Rev. Aleksei D. Zorin. This
reminded
me so much of what is happening here on our own American soil. Do the
words
of this one priest reflect Russia or the stance of the Russian Orthodox
Church? Is he a spokesman for the church? Likewise, do the words of Rev.
Jeremiah Wright reflect the black Christian community in America?
Freedom of religion and freedom of the press allows one's voice to become
overwhelming to a degree that all who hear say: "Ah, that is what these
people believe." Can you as the editorial staff be so naïve as to believe
that? Just look at the facts of the Russian Orthodox Church and you will
see
consistent outreach and dialogue within the Christian church and with
other
faith traditions found in Russia.
The editorial continues with bringing to the forefront the Belgorod region
school system. Again, the vast majority of citizens are Orthodox. Faith is
an integral part of life and is reflected throughout society, including
the
schools. In America we have the freedom of religion but remove religion
from
all aspects of everyday life and confine it to just the homes of faith
communities.
In most countries of the world religion is an integral part of all aspects
of everyday life. It is found in the workplace, in hospitals, in industry,
and yes even in the schools. What we feel is a separation of church and
state is seen in many countries of the world as an integral part of
everyday
society. Are we to judge this upon our standards or theirs?
The last paragraph was the most troubling of all. You write that material
wealth is growing in Russia but that the trends of liberty are moving in
the
wrong direction. Russia is not America. Our concept of freedom of religion
cannot be dictated upon another land.
Russians are free to wor****p. The fact is that Russia is a land
predominantly consisting of people who belong to the Russian Orthodox
Church
which has nourished, sustained and cultivated the soil of Russia for
centuries. Perhaps a bit more of an appreciation of what orthodoxy has
provided to the soul of Russia is what is needed.
Unfortunately The Day opted to write a negative stance of Russian
Orthodoxy
on its holiest day. The paper missed the op****tunity to witness the
revitalization of faith not only in Russia but in all communist block
countries and even here in our local churches whose faithful gathered to
celebrate Easter.
On this Easter Sunday the local Orthodox churches joined with the over 350
million Orthodox Christians in proclaiming Christ is risen . Christos
Voskerse . Cristos a Inviat . Cristo esta resuditado . Khrishti unjal .
Christos Anesti!
This article was written by Rev. Dean A. Panagos, pastor of St. Sophia
Hellenic Orthodox Church in New London, and sup****ted by the Rev. Paul
Pantelis, pastor of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Norwich and
Archpriest Basil Grisel, rector of The Orthodox Church of the Holy New
Martyrs and Confessors of Russia in Norwich.
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