Well,
What is written and what is believed are two different things. My son married a beautiful young lady from Mtsketa, the Republic of Georgia. I am very much involved w the family and the church.
When Russia invaded Georgia,we evacuated her and our granddaughter. We are in Fayetteville, NC. We have a Greek Orthodox Church and a very small Russian Orthodox church that is just starting up. The priest comes here only 2x’s / month. She is use to 8 priest in the one 4th to 10th century monastary that they still use. She was married in the 10th century part and my grandchildren are baptized in the 4th century baptismal font that the kings and queens of Georgia were baptized in. Now, we can’t receive communion in their church here in America or overseas. They can receive in our church our priest told me. I brought her to my mass on the way home from her church here in town. I could just make mass if I stopped w her. I looked over and she was crying. She told me she was NOT ALLOWED TO BE IN MY CHURCH. I recall as a child, I was not suppose to be in the Methodist church when my uncle died for his funeral service and I knew that was stupid at 10. Then, Vatican II came out and it was okay. I sent Jesus coloring books over for the kids w the Flood story, Adam and Eve, The sermon on the Mount, The Nativity, The crucifixion and Resurrection. She asked me if I was trying to convert them to the Roman church. There was no Pope in it or churches. You figure. A friend was given a short poem telling the basic Bible story of Adam and Eve to Resurrection w kids pics. It is translated in 8 languages and I say I can get it translated in Khartuli, the language of Georgia. She refused. Her priest said no. I am not done researching this. But, I did find out after the sweet grandmothers died and her Dad. They all died within a year. They have 6 days of activity after death. They keep them in the house for three days on ice-not embalmed. For 3 days their spirits go around visiting family and friends. They they have 3 doors to go through. The first one or two have demons we have to fight. Then, we go w the angels. I feel tired just thinking about it. So, there are some things that are different. I am inclined to think they may be using the gnostic gospels but I am not sure. I am still trying to figure it out. She asked me if I would convert. You may be too young to remember but there was a time that we were taught that if you weren’t Roman Catholic you wouldn’t go to heaven. They are taught that now. My son had to convert to marry her.
So, who knows which EO church is strict w old teachings or more modern w newer teaching.
They believe that in their chuch in Mtsketa, that a crusader brought back a piece of Jesus’ robe or the robe and he handed to St Sedonia who died. They buried w her and a tree grew above the site. Some years later they cut down the tree and Holy water poured out from the tree. Jesus and angels appeared. People were healed. So, the Georgians come from all over to visit our church there. The Russians tried to dig it up but tremors started every time they started to dig. Curious. They are in an earthquake area. In their language a Father is MaMa and Mother is DeDa. Talk about confusing. The priest, therefore, is Mama Davidi. (David). He is married w a few children and looks like Rasputin. They all do. So something is different. They may be keeping old practices over there and it is more ecumenical over here. I still need to find out. They live in the silk road where Marco Polo traveled. The hotels are too expensive but they have small rooms near the monastary that are cheaper now. It is beautiful. Worth the trip. 21hours to get there. 17 hours in the air and 6hours in Munich layover. Tiring.
Alice Happy New Year Everyone
Its the same thing we believe.