SS
#0
Friendsm
I am fascinated with Orthodox Karelia.
Olga M. Fishman has written on the Tikhvin
Karelian Orthodox Old Believers; I like the
more remote places in Orthodoxy; the
places you don\'t often think about, like
Petrozavodsk, in the Karelian Republic.
Athos and Jerusalem and Russia and Ukraine
and Serbia, Ochrid and Romania get more
attention. Although Valaam Monastery in
Karelia is rather well-known.
I like the Finno-Ugric peoples, and Karelia
is known as the land of the Kalevala and
the Uralic mythology is interesting. The
Orthodox culture of Karelia is Russian but
also Karelian. Their language Karelian,
which comes in several dialects, is closely
related to the Finnish language. The
name of the Karelian Republic in the
Karelian language is Karjalan Tazavalla or
something likethat.
I read a book in the 1990s on Karelia.
It is probably out of print now, but it was
at one time available from Light and Life
Greek Orthodox publishers in Minneapolis.
It was written by a Presbyterian minister
who is either Orthodox or interested in
Orthodoxy. I\'m not sure if he is still around,
but he has written other books I have heard
of. The book is \"KARELIA: The Songsingers\'
Land and The Land of Mary\'s Song: An
Introduction to and Meditation on
Karelian Orthodox Culture. copyright 1991
Rev. Alvin C. Currier, Rt. 1, Box 190 B,
Cplfax, MI 54730
Take care.
Scott Harrington
ERIE PA :grin:
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SS
#1
I am interested in what happens in America. The thing is, nothing happens. At least not much here. Actually, that\'s pretty good. Imean nothing dangerous. Anyway, becoming Orthodox should make us better Americans, not better Karelians. But we should not be xenophobic and think America is the greatest or the best of everything. There is a lot that is good in other cultures, and God\'sSpirit is present everywhere. That was what I was trying to say. Even in a remote place like Karelia, the Church is present. Actually, it seems Othodoxy is more remote i America than it is in Karelia. Most Americans are Evangelicals or Catholics. Anyway, we (I( have a lot to learn.
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SS
#2
True. Few of us can visit an overseas country, and it is simply not necessary to do that, anyway. It would be better if there were more Orthodox parishes in each town so it is possible to find Orthodox places of worship in more places. Anyway, we must work with what we are given, but there is a growing place for Orthodoxy, even in America.
It\'s a question mostly of finding a parish that uses English language. The only obstacle to growth of Orthodoxy in America, ISTM, seems to be the liturgical language question.
The ones that will appeal to the average American will be those churches where English language is the priority for Orthodox evangelism.
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