Convert chosen to lead Orthodox Church in America
In the spirit of change, the Orthodox Church of America also broke their own cultural barrier by electing Auxiliary Bishop Jonah of Dallas to be Metropolitan Jonah of All America and Canada.
What's wonderful about the election is that Bishop Jonah was not born into the Orthodox faith, and will undoubtedly bring a new perspective to the Church. Full story available at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08318/927528-85.stm.
The Russian Orthodox Church had granted the OCA “autocephaly" in 1970, and interestingly the list of original churches listed on the OCA's site where also clustered around the NY/NJ area (similar to the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church here in America). The OCA has shown an incredible level of respect to the American Diocese of our Church, and a number of students study at St Tikhon's and St Vladimir's.
This provides a glimpse of the future of our Church in America if we stay focused on the Faith and spiritual growth of the members of the Church.
What's wonderful about the election is that Bishop Jonah was not born into the Orthodox faith, and will undoubtedly bring a new perspective to the Church. Full story available at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08318/927528-85.stm.
The Russian Orthodox Church had granted the OCA “autocephaly" in 1970, and interestingly the list of original churches listed on the OCA's site where also clustered around the NY/NJ area (similar to the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church here in America). The OCA has shown an incredible level of respect to the American Diocese of our Church, and a number of students study at St Tikhon's and St Vladimir's.
This provides a glimpse of the future of our Church in America if we stay focused on the Faith and spiritual growth of the members of the Church.
Comments
Im not implying there were dirty tricks performed in our Diocese or people should be worrying about the future hope of the Malankara Diocese. Just saying the Road to hell...
Just the fact that there are multiple bishops who actually interact with people for spiritual needs is a major change for our Church ... in ours, the bishops seem to be more figureheads and VIPs called to perform highly visible social and cultural programs :(
Like with all things Progress two steps forward one step back. If we feel passionately for our cause just pull ourselves back and reflect if that works for the Malankara church. AFR is a great resource but is it really going to help if the Americanized Sister churches are progessivelly faster in uniting Orthodox without any consideration for their mother churches. I believe the thirumenis would see it as foreign in the same way I will say for Malayalees being too hopeful for the American Diocese. Too much ideals could sell ourselves short. I will add OCA Bishop Dimitri, an american convert himself always immersed himself in the Gospel and responds with it. Barnabas thirumeni is no different with interacting with other Malayalees. They both see a vision completely different than ours thats attainable just different than what we want.