Faithful or Zealous?
The modern Orthodox experience in America is complex with both longstanding members born into the Church coexisting with pious converts who have chosen Orthodoxy as their religion. Neither is more important than the other since both are members of the Body of Christ.
Yet there appears to be a battle for the ‘soul’ of the Church in America between those who would fight against even the smallest change and those who would fight against even the smallest apparent concession to those outside the Church. Neither is preferred.
Brethren, continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; and pray for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison, that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one. Tychicus will tell you all about my affairs; he is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that he may know how you are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
Colossians 4.2-9
I understand both positions, yet they both ignore the historical reality of life in the Church. The Church has always existed among those who would seek to undermine our faith and destroy the unity of the Church, from within the Church and from without the Church.
Today’s inspiration from Saint Paul should help us in our coexistence. He says, “Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders.” He also says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12.18) He often warns about how we act outside the Church.
The most dangerous part of those who fight against the Church from within, is the ignorance of history. The Church is NOT unchanging. The TRUTH is unchanging. The Church has changed continually over the years, responding to new influences against the Church.
To cite various Canons out of context, as if 2025 does not have different experiences for the Church, ignores the very Canons we revere. It isn’t that Canons should be ignored. I have never suggested that. On the contrary they should be reflective of the past’s context.
The Canons were given and protected for a purpose, not for a Law, but standard of Church piety and governance. To be clear, I am not referring to Canons of Dogma, but Canons of Order. There are different Canons for different purposes, and not all are equally ‘enforced’ by the Church.
Unlike the Roman Church, the Orthodox Canonical Tradition, isn’t enforced as a rigid system of laws, but a standard of love and devotion to God and His Church. Here again is the difference between being faithful and being zealous.
Being zealous is to refuse to even pray with non-Orthodox family members in any circumstance citing the canonical prohibition of praying with heretics. Being faithful is understanding the difference between non-Orthodox family who love us and those strangers who oppose us.
Saint Paul advised, “If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.” 1st Corinthians 7.12) You mean to tell me he would never have prayed in the presence of his wife at home? How else would she then be saved by his faith?
Being zealous is to pretend the Divine Liturgy as celebrated in 2025, has never been altered. We may refer to Sunday Liturgy as the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, but it includes the Hymn of Justinian written three centuries later. Clearly the Liturgy has changed.
Being faithful is understanding why certain changes take place in the worship of the Church. Being faithful doesn’t mean refusing to change. Being faithful means understanding which changes have a good purpose and which do not. Random change is never good.
Our purpose at Be Transfigure Ministries is to help understand our Sacred Traditions for the purpose they have, more than following the letter of the law. It was the Pharisees who “cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.” (Matthew 23.25)
I invite you, before you ‘close out’ your non-Orthodox family or friends, consider the pastoral care that Saint Paul had for those outside the Church. Your treatment of them and how you speak to them, may just be what brings them to the Church, or keeps them away.
Being faithful to Christ and His Church doesn’t have to mean betraying family and friends. It means loving and serving all people, even those outside the Church with as much devotion as we serve Christ.
