I've had an honor of meeting his eminence bishop Alexei last year. His speech on the situation of diocese of Alaska really made me put an effort to support the diocese of Alaska.
Not at all. First, the Russian saints who brought the life-giving Gospel to this land did not think of the indigenous people as pagans. They had shamanistic beliefs that (depending on people and region) were already based on fundamental truths found in the Gospel such as worship of the Creator, deep respect and love for people, and a moral and ethical culture that understood everything in life was a gift from God. When the Missionaries arrived they did not have to teach the people not to murder, not to lie, not to commit adultery, or even that there is One God as these were already accepted truths. Rather, the teaching that took place focused on WHO God is and how as a people of God we become one with Him through His Holy Orthodox Church. Compare the writings of Saint Innokenty to the letters of the holy apostle Paul who was combating a truly pagan civilization that was far more dogmatic than anything found in pre-Christian Alaska. It is clear from the Saints and those missionaries who traversed the land that the Alaskan people were as ready as any Pre-Christian people could be. Lastly, I would point you to Orthodox history and specifically how the Orthodox missioned to people. Everywhere we see great Orthodox missionary efforts we see a very careful observation of the culture that the people are accustomed to and where it's blessed, the Church baptizes that cultural practice. For example, the practice of polygamy was something that Saint Innocent instructed to "die out naturally" whereas the regalia, dances, language, and many other aspects of life were baptized and wholly accepted with no change. This is the Orthodox way.
Russia was pagan? But they translated the liturgy into slavonic for us? Russia was pagan? but the traditions are still kept? literally all of Europe was also pagan? but they all still have their own cultures?
I've had an honor of meeting his eminence bishop Alexei last year. His speech on the situation of diocese of Alaska really made me put an effort to support the diocese of Alaska.
Thank you for your support!
great video but the overdramatic music is too loud in the background
But isnt that embracing paganism? Their culture comes from paganism. I might be wrong im just asking out of curiosity
Not at all.
First, the Russian saints who brought the life-giving Gospel to this land did not think of the indigenous people as pagans. They had shamanistic beliefs that (depending on people and region) were already based on fundamental truths found in the Gospel such as worship of the Creator, deep respect and love for people, and a moral and ethical culture that understood everything in life was a gift from God. When the Missionaries arrived they did not have to teach the people not to murder, not to lie, not to commit adultery, or even that there is One God as these were already accepted truths. Rather, the teaching that took place focused on WHO God is and how as a people of God we become one with Him through His Holy Orthodox Church. Compare the writings of Saint Innokenty to the letters of the holy apostle Paul who was combating a truly pagan civilization that was far more dogmatic than anything found in pre-Christian Alaska. It is clear from the Saints and those missionaries who traversed the land that the Alaskan people were as ready as any Pre-Christian people could be.
Lastly, I would point you to Orthodox history and specifically how the Orthodox missioned to people. Everywhere we see great Orthodox missionary efforts we see a very careful observation of the culture that the people are accustomed to and where it's blessed, the Church baptizes that cultural practice. For example, the practice of polygamy was something that Saint Innocent instructed to "die out naturally" whereas the regalia, dances, language, and many other aspects of life were baptized and wholly accepted with no change. This is the Orthodox way.
Russia was pagan? But they translated the liturgy into slavonic for us? Russia was pagan? but the traditions are still kept? literally all of Europe was also pagan? but they all still have their own cultures?