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in North America DEFENSE OF THE FAITH |
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in North America DEFENSE OF THE FAITH |
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| Dear Father,
the Auxentines are known as Phlorinites because they came from a group once lead by Chrysostomos of Phlorina. Chrysostomos of Phlorina claimed that New Calendarists had Grace which lead to the Matthewite schism. Why is it that the Auxentines changed their doctrine from that of Chrysostomos of Phlorina and now have the same doctrine as the Matthewites (denying grace in new calendarism)? If the Matthewites were the first to keep this doctrine, why did the Auxentines copy them, but keep their own synod? Aren't the Matthewites right for keeping the same doctrine from the beginning unto now. If the Auxentines changed their doctrine to that of the Matthewites, shouldn't they have joined the Matthewites? |
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Christ is Risen!
Thanks for the question. It is true, that at first, Chrysostom of Florina held that there was grace in the new calendar, but if I remember correctly, he later changed his mind. At the time of his death he was of the opinion that the new calendar was devoid of grace. After the Russian Church Abroad graciously reularized the Matthewites (whose bishops were consecrated by one bishop only) they spurned the Church Abroad, calling it and all other Orthodox Churches graceless. Since that time, there have been additional errors, such as the insistence on the use of the "Trinity" icon, and the rejection of the icon of the "Harrowing of Hell" except on Holy Saturday. These things border on fanaticism, and for these reasons we are not with the Matthewites. On the other end of the spectrum, the Cyprianites recognize grace in the new calendar, so in effect, are, new calendarists. We are in the middle of these two factions, so you would have to say that we are really the "moderates". This is the briefest of answers to the question. I refer you to the History of the Old Calendar Church of Greece, about to be published by Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Boston. |
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Love in Our Lord,
Your own unworthy priest, St. Joseph of Arimathea English Language Orthodox Church |