The Soul of the Russian People (Mikhail Nesterov, 1916)
Some of the staunchest supporters of the OCA have been Anglo-Saxon converts without ties to a traditional Orthodox nationality. They do not realise that if you sever a branch from the tree, it dies. That is what the OCA is, a branch cut off from the Mother tree of the Church of Russia. To regain life, the people of the OCA must rejoin themselves to the Mother Church. The delusions of Alexander Schmemann must be cast aside, for they are nothing but hindrances to unity in Christ.
Orthodoxy is a living family, it comes to us in all-too-human vesture. For instance, you can be “Greek” Orthodox or “Russian” Orthodox, these are legitimate expressions of the Faith. There are smaller groups such as Rumanians and Serbs that are legit too. However, there is no such thing as “American” Orthodoxy. That is an illusion ginned up by the SVS and Again crowd. It is a discarnate monstrosity lacking bones and sinews; it is a soulless golem fabricated by Schmemann and his lot in the 60s.
Look at this painting! It illustrates the rootedness of Russian Orthodoxy. Greek Orthodoxy (and the other smaller groups, too) is rooted just as solidly. Russian Orthodoxy has always been more “multi-cultural” than any other expression of Orthodoxy. Many peoples, many languages, and many expressions of faith are found within it. Can you believe that the Syosset apparat is passing the lie that the MP is going to dismiss all American-born priests? What utter delusion and prelest! Which would you want to belong to? A world-wide, powerful, and vibrant Church of many nationalities or to an impotent sect that limits itself to one ethnos and one region?
Look at the painting! Who is in the forefront of the image? A young boy. And a little child shall lead them. Whom do you wish to follow? The grinning corpse of Alexander Schmemann, or this little boy? I choose the latter. What about you?
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