So you have synods of bishops that convene and determine Orthodox Church doctrine.

Our doctrines and theirs are pretty much settled already. Councils just clarify ideas and interpretations

So Orthodox is decentralized, in that you don’t have a pope, but you still have a governing body that keeps the Orthodox Church in line.

Yes, the autocephales are meant to keep their church in-line

If one of the bishops decides to change, it seems that he and his churches would be removed from the title of orthodox.

what do you mean change?

Like no longer considered orthodox by the the others.

No

they would be either schismatic so the communion with the churches would end

like the church of Constantinople with the church of Russia

@Deleted User yeah that’s what I meant. I know y’alls doctrines are basically established and unchanging. But like you said, questions arise about interpretations of verses and stuff.

Ah ok. So Russia and “Greek” orthodox aren’t in communion now?

wrong

Greece has its own church nowdays

it isn't the same church with Constantinople

Oh I see.

Before our revolution against the ottomans we were under the jurisdiction of Constantinople

The only thing I could say that its bad in a decentralized church is that it can be weaponized like it has been done in Russia numerous times

Yeah. There’s a lot of pros and cons in a centralized vs decentralized church.

Local pastors can be corrupted and paid off to influence people. And without a governing body for them to report to, it may never be discovered.

Corruption isn't an issue at least for the Greek church

That’s part of what happened in West Virginia during the miner riots and strikes.

Pastors were corrupted to give messages of being passive and allowing the mine owners to just run all over the workers.

“We should be long suffering like Jesus was. Just ignore the fact you will never be paid enough to not be a miner and your kids will be miners and never have another option.”

How do you think you can’t have corrupted Orthodox priests?

Depends, in the era of my father and his father, corrupted priests would be thrown out of the church from the people, tore their clothes and shave them

Nowdays we don't do that so the "big" fish can get corrupted the patriarchs etc but the common priests here aren't like that. They may be harsh with the punishments for your sins but not extort money

The Patriarchs though are another story though

At least they don't kiss moosies and endorse gays "shots fired 😛 "

jokes aside, corrupted priests are a big problem because the govt have their back with their laws and you can't do much anymore

Ah. So you were fucking around when you said orthobros don’t get corrupted 🤔🤣

Well, the higher ups kinda do nowdays :/

@Andrules Forgot to mention, we had a drama here because a patriarch of us said that we need to ostracize gays and leave them out of our group and the Law here sued him ahahaha

Oh wow

That’s dumb 🤣

Was it some hate speech bullshit?

Yes

Our govt doesn't even allow us to sing some march songs we do have because it give birth to faschists 😛

Wow, restorationism was a branch of protestantism. I really had it wrong.

Also, Priest said RCIA is free and they have dinner on Tuesday nights. I can't wait for summer to pass.

Are you going to become a priest? @Iakovos