Oriental and Eastern Orthodox: questions

[John Charmley]

Dear Fr. Gregory,

Many thanks for such a clear and helpful exposition of the situation.

The situation described by Kirk is, I am sure, not unusual, and one needs to bear in mind what you have just written; and also that however well the discussions have gone between representatives of our Churches, the situation out in the parishes and among the laity has not changed all that much in some places.

What I can say from personal experience is that when I became a catechumen I knew that the heaviest price I would pay would be the Eucharistic fast; and all I can say is that when I took my first communion as an Orthodox the experience bore no relation to anything I had experienced in nearly 40 years as an Anglican - it was so deep, so meaningful that words cannot express what it meant - and means to me.

For the very first time I began to understand what it means to be part of the body of Christ, and I never cease to be grateful to the BOC for helping me into the true path.

In Christ,

John