Rules promulgated by the Church must wisely guide and assist the parish priest in this missionary situation. It is essential that these rules, when they appear under new forms in conjunction with current circumstances and conditions in the world, reflect both the stability and the tradition of the Orthodox Faith along with the wisdom and love of Mother Church. In the distant past of the eighth century, St. John of Damascus wrote that the Church's legislation must breathe with a spirit of love and condescension. The Orthodox Church, while avoiding any type of compromise, must primarily show herself to be a loving mother with respect to those heterodox who, with faith and love, come to her from other Christian confessions. If kept in this perspective, the Church's rules will be vital and conducive to the work of spreading Orthodoxy in the world.
History is a wonderful teacher for life.
For Internet publication all notes have been converted to endnotes. Back to referring section. On the Holy Fasts , ch. Back to referring section. In ancient times bishops were also pastors of parishes which explains why there were so many bishops and chor-bishops in relatively small territories, which at times would number hundreds of bishops within its boundaries and who, as a result, would have been cognizant with the needs of parish life.