'Modernist' vs. 'synodal' Orthodox parishes

[Stephanos]

Hello all,

I am quite new to the subject of Christian Orthodoxy, especially to its manifold organisational forms. At another website I have found a mention of "modernist" parishes as opposed to the "synodal" ones, and I would like an explanation of the difference(s) between the two, possibly with specific examples. I can guess the gist of this division but I need something more concrete. Also, what is the position of the Orthodox Church of America - "modernist" or "synodal"? Please excuse my ignorance.

In Christ,

Mariusz

[Father David Moser]

Mariusz,

I would have to see the context of those remarks to understand fully what they refer to. It is possible that the remarks on that other website refer to parishes of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, often refered to as "the Synod" (hence the term "synodal"). Because ROCOR (and the Russian Church as a whole) tends to appear a bit more conservative than many other of the national Churches there are those who use us as a "standard" by which to label parishes which *appear* less traditional as "modernists". But in themselves these labels are pretty meaningless (other than "synodal" referring to that which is a part of the "Synod of Bishops of ROCOR" - but even then every national Orthodox Church is ruled by a "synod" of bishops).

As for the OCA, at times they are labeled as modernists, but there are some pretty traditional people and parishes in the OCA for that to be an accurate label. OTOH, there is also a Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America - so I guess one could call them "synodal" too...

Apr David Moser

[Stephanos]

Dear Father,

I apologize if I am not using the proper form of address. Thank you kindly for your reply. You can find the original context of these remarks at
http://www.roca.org/OA/147-148/147w.htm . Your answer seems to confirm my original understanding of this contrast as between the more and the less "liberal" Orthodox parishes.

Yours in Christ,

Mariusz

[Father David Moser]

Mariusz,

"Father" is the correct honorific when addressing an Orthodox priest so you are ok here.

I looked at the article. I don't think that "modernist" and "Synodal" were necessarily meant to be placed in opposition to one another in that context, however, it certainly does seem to be an an easy assumption. In that context my guess would be that "modernist" referred to parishes that were on the "new calendar" and I am certain that "Synodal" in this context referred to a parish in ROCOR.

Apr David Moser

[Stephanos]

Dear Father,

Thank you kindly again.

Yours in Christ,

Mariusz