An American Orthodoxy of the future?

At this point it is my unfortunate belief that such things as we talk of, like the following ideas and thoughts, will NEVER be realized until Christ's second coming.  I was going to say "we need to figure out what form such an organization would take", but, I see the preceding line and it reminds me of the overall history of North American Orthodoxy since the 1920's. 

   I do not think that in the near future the various Orthodox jurisdictions will come together.  If the jurisdictions cannot get along with each other then they can at the very least try to leave each other alone.  And if someone asks clergy from one group about a different group they would refrain from "bad mouthing" them.  If they could bring themselves to recognize one anther's sacramental acts in light of the Cannons at the very least, that would be a miracle.

   Presently and for quite some time, each jurisdiction has maintained its own seminarian and lay training programs.  The idea of several of them reaching a level of common recognition and codification of certain required courses of study in various areas with both correspondence and sporadic residential training for the 'hands on' orthopraxis would probably cause the larger groups such as the OCA, SCOBA, the Greeks, and ROCOR et al. to worry not a little.

   A start toward such a "dream" would be the establishment of a council of Primal Vicars or liaisons i.e. 'representatives'.  For this we would need much more than prayers, we would need the physical action taken by the person of the Holy Spirit directly.  Such a thing would provide for a peaceful coexistence with courtesy and respect, recognition of callings to specialized ministries, along with a way to protect such a 'pax concordium' conciliar organization from attacks and infiltration by dissemblers, con men, and "reformers".  For this last one, I have no ideas.

   If such a council were tenable, establishment of a multi-jurisdictional seminarian program or set of corresponding programs will allow new seminarians and new clerics to maintain a common understanding - in today's phraseology "be on the same page".  If the only thing such a council did was accomplish this a solid framework for a lasting understanding and brotherhood in North American Eastern Orthodoxy would appear.  Old feuds and schisms would be put down and healed over.  Ah !  Such a dream.

   As far as the notion of a single head of North American Eastern Orthodoxy goes, it is unimaginable.  There would have to be a convocation of jurisdictional leaders on a basis of equality without regard to the size of their followings.  This would have to be to form a solid co operative or collective.  But, the idea of a single head to the church is "dead on arrival"; there will be no 'Supremo Commando'.  The national and social mindset of North American 'culture' will not allow for birth of this.  Americans are 'democratic' at heart.

   Under such an aegis, a new Ecumenical Council of North American Orthodoxy could be called and actually meet.  The very thought of this just makes me dizzy.

   That being said, time for something of a personal nature.  I tried sending an e mail to +Kevin Basil Collins (he and I got to "hang around" together some 12 years ago along with Fr. Michael)  and it bounced back; so did a later e mail to Fr. now +Michael.  I wonder what's up with that ?  Are you in any contact with them ?  They are of the United Orthodox Church in North America.  I checked their web site and the addresses were correct.

  May the blessings of Christ through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos by with you, now, ever, and forever.

Yours in Christ Who lives eternal,

XXXXXxxxxx

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