Above is a Greek Orthodox church, one of many that we saw while in Romania. The Greek Orthodox church considers itself, as it's name implies, the original, true church. In one sense, it is. The Roman Catholic church actually broke off from the Orthodox church, which later produced the Protestant churches. Today, a majority of Romanians belong to the Greek Orthodox faith. Many never set foot in one of the ornate, magnificent churches, outside of Christmas and Easter. The "church" as they know it has become irrelevant, a ritual you perform not a lifestyle.
Above is the church we worked with in Romania. It's a new church, only 2 years old. They meet in an unassuming building (top photo) and they do things like start a club at the local high school to hang out with students and challenge them to discuss spiritual topics, and play soccer with unbelievers every Wednesday night and then go drink beer with them and get to know them. Oh yeah, and watch the World Cup in the sanctuary (bottom photo). I guess the early church is alive and well in Romania, it just doesn't look much like a church. I bet the disciples didn't look much like the Pharisees either. As far as sending missionaries to the same place the early church started, I guess wherever there are people that don't know him, God is going to send others to tell them. Whether that is in the backwaters of the Amazon, or the shadow of a beautiful church building...
-JTP
1 comment:
Hristos a inviat!
The Real Church has always stood and has never fallen (cf. The Gospel of St. Matthew 16:8). Like you, I am very puzzled by missionary journeys undertaken by evangelical Protestants to Romania.
I am a former evangelical Protestant who was received into the Orthodox Church (what you would call the "Real Church) six years ago.
I don't know what you have seen, but it is apparent what you have not seen. You see, in Orthodox circles, we are in wonderment at the news of the REVIVAL of the Orthodox Church in Romania! But then, no one is more blind than those who refuse to see.
Before you go on your next trip, I challenge you to read: "The Truth of Our Faith" by Elder Cleopas (a modern Romanian Saint!). This book takes the form of Q&A. Questions (most from an evangelical Protestant perspective) and Answers from Elder Cleopa (complete with full Biblical citations for the Berean-like). It's a paradigm shifter!
Elder Cleopa is certainly God's instrument in the revival of the Orthodox Church (triumphant over the satanic communist government and its minions) in Romania and the the rest of the world.
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