A young American has moved to Russia for being able to practice Orthodoxy

[mike]

33-years-old American George Green, a former programmer has given up his career in the USA for being able to live in Russia and to practice Orthodoxy.

In interview to Interfax-Religion he told how being an adult chose his religion and subsequent reversals of his fortune...

I wonder how much time will it take for him to burn out.

 

[podkarpatska]

Yawn, another anti-American American comes to Russia for salvation.....Methinks he is searching for that heaven on earth which can not be found by mere men. Back in the days of the Bolshevik revolution and into the 1930's he had plenty of company in that regard, only they saw their God in Leninism. John Reed and his fellow travelers must be laughing somewhere....

 

[Gorazd]

I wonder, is this guy still in Ukraine? Or has he returned to Russia? It's not clear in the text.

 

[Alpo]

I could understand the anti-American aspect but that of all countries he chose Russia.  ???

 

[orthonorm]

[redacted polemics against pilgrimages not being Christian for almost everyone]

Perhaps everyone should read this:

When the Lord invites the blest to their inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, He does not include a pilgrimage to Jerusalem among their good deeds; when He announces the Beatitudes, He does not name among them that sort of devotion.

He cannot imagine that our Lord is living, in the body, there at the present day, but has gone away from us foreigners; or that the Holy Spirit is in abundance at Jerusalem, but unable to travel as far as us. Whereas, if it is really possible to infer God's presence from visible symbols, one might more justly consider that He dwelt in the Cappadocian nation than in any of the spots outside it. For how many Altars there are there, on which the name of our Lord is glorified! One could hardly count so many in all the rest of the world. Again, if the Divine grace was more abundant about Jerusalem than elsewhere, sin would not be so much the fashion among those that live there; but as it is, there is no form of uncleanness that is not perpetrated among them; rascality, adultery, theft, idolatry, poisoning, quarrelling, murder, are rife; and the last kind of evil is so excessively prevalent, that nowhere in the world are people so ready to kill each other as there; where kinsmen attack each other like wild beasts, and spill each other's blood, merely for the sake of lifeless plunder. Well, in a place where such things go on, what proof, I ask, have you of the abundance of Divine grace?

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2913.htm

And Jerusalem was not even a one of the three Moscows . . . 

 

[Golgotha]

I'd just go half way and move to Alaska 8)

 

[Ansgar]

I would take Georgia or Romania. Beautiful countries.

 

[Achronos]

Can we define what it means to be "anti-American American"?

 

[Kerdy]

I wish him the best!  It takes courage to leave everything behind and follow Jesus, as we are commanded.  I suspect this fellow really seeks God and chose a place known for its sacrifices and Saints and also for seclusion.  What better place to live without distraction than somewhere not American.  Perhaps we should give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

[sheenj]

I wish him the best!  It takes courage to leave everything behind and follow Jesus, as we are commanded.  I suspect this fellow really seeks God and chose a place know for his sacrifices and Saints and also for seclusion.  What better place to live without distraction than somewhere not American.  Perhaps we should give him the benefit of the doubt.

Because there are absolutely no carnal distractions in Holy Muscovy, none whatsoever.  :

 

[Kerdy]

I wish him the best!  It takes courage to leave everything behind and follow Jesus, as we are commanded.  I suspect this fellow really seeks God and chose a place know for his sacrifices and Saints and also for seclusion.  What better place to live without distraction than somewhere not American.  Perhaps we should give him the benefit of the doubt.

Because there are absolutely no carnal distractions in Holy Muscovy, none whatsoever.  :

Without money and the language barrier, very few.  But you are very well aware of what I was saying.

 

[Gorazd]

Without money and the language barrier, very few.

You dont need any money or knowledge of the Russian language to get a carnal distraction in Russia. You just need to walk on a street and see the females. The majority of them look like supermodels, according to Western standards, and wear miniskirts even when it snows. And this is not an exaggeration.

 

[Achronos]

Without money and the language barrier, very few.

You dont need any money or knowledge of the Russian language to get a carnal distraction in Russia. You just need to walk on a street and see the females. The majority of them look like supermodels, according to Western standards, and wear miniskirts even when it snows. And this is not an exaggeration.

I could careless about Western standards, but only my own standards when it comes to someone looking like a supermodel.

In fact I'm sure we could get discounts because we are Americans. Isn't there some class in France that just adores Americans, and they are rich too?

 

[Kerdy]

Without money and the language barrier, very few.

You dont need any money or knowledge of the Russian language to get a carnal distraction in Russia. You just need to walk on a street and see the females. The majority of them look like supermodels, according to Western standards, and wear miniskirts even when it snows. And this is not an exaggeration.

You could have even more distractions in the privacy of your home at the computer.  Why are we attacking this man?  Again, perhaps we should consider his intentions pure and pray for his success rather than speak harshly of him. 

 

[KBN1]

I'd just go half way and move to Alaska 8)

I hear that you can see Russia from there.

 

[sheenj]

Without money and the language barrier, very few.

You dont need any money or knowledge of the Russian language to get a carnal distraction in Russia. You just need to walk on a street and see the females. The majority of them look like supermodels, according to Western standards, and wear miniskirts even when it snows. And this is not an exaggeration.

You could have even more distractions in the privacy of your home at the computer.  Why are we attacking this man?  Again, perhaps we should consider his intentions pure and pray for his success rather than speak harshly of him.  

I don't think anyone is attacking him, though I personally just find the notion that Russia is "Holier" than America to be little naïve.

 

[Kerdy]

I'd just go half way and move to Alaska 8)

I hear that you can see Russia from there.

So you watch SNL?

 

[Kerdy]

Without money and the language barrier, very few.

You dont need any money or knowledge of the Russian language to get a carnal distraction in Russia. You just need to walk on a street and see the females. The majority of them look like supermodels, according to Western standards, and wear miniskirts even when it snows. And this is not an exaggeration.

You could have even more distractions in the privacy of your home at the computer.  Why are we attacking this man?  Again, perhaps we should consider his intentions pure and pray for his success rather than speak harshly of him.  

I don't think anyone is attacking him, though I personally just find the notion that Russia is "Holier" than America to be little naïve.

I understand that, it isn't, but at least this fellow is searching and I have not seen much encouragement here for him.  We should pray he finds what is soul is searching for, whether in Russia or somewhere else.

Now that you mention it, attack is too harsh a word.  Criticize would be a better word.

 

[sheenj]

Without money and the language barrier, very few.

You dont need any money or knowledge of the Russian language to get a carnal distraction in Russia. You just need to walk on a street and see the females. The majority of them look like supermodels, according to Western standards, and wear miniskirts even when it snows. And this is not an exaggeration.

You could have even more distractions in the privacy of your home at the computer.  Why are we attacking this man?  Again, perhaps we should consider his intentions pure and pray for his success rather than speak harshly of him. 

I don't think anyone is attacking him, though I personally just find the notion that Russia is "Holier" than America to be little naïve.

I understand that, it isn't, but at least this fellow is searching and I have not seen much encouragement here for him.  We should pray he finds what is soul is searching for, whether in Russia or somewhere else.

Now that you mention it, attack is too harsh a word.  Criticize would be a better word.

Yeah, I definitely wish him well on his spiritual journey, if that's what he needs to do to be closer to God, then by all means do it. But, for the most part, Russia is not exactly the last fortress of Orthodoxy that some russophiles like to think it is.

 

[Cantor Krishnich]

Without money and the language barrier, very few.

You dont need any money or knowledge of the Russian language to get a carnal distraction in Russia. You just need to walk on a street and see the females. The majority of them look like supermodels, according to Western standards, and wear miniskirts even when it snows. And this is not an exaggeration.

You could have even more distractions in the privacy of your home at the computer.  Why are we attacking this man?  Again, perhaps we should consider his intentions pure and pray for his success rather than speak harshly of him.  

I don't think anyone is attacking him, though I personally just find the notion that Russia is "Holier" than America to be little naïve.

An elderly Russian lady once said "America is much holier than Russia because in America, Russians went to church to find a wife instead of other places!".

 

[celticfan1888]

Glory to God!

 

[podkarpatska]

I wish him the best!  It takes courage to leave everything behind and follow Jesus, as we are commanded.  I suspect this fellow really seeks God and chose a place know for his sacrifices and Saints and also for seclusion.  What better place to live without distraction than somewhere not American.  Perhaps we should give him the benefit of the doubt.

Because there are absolutely no carnal distractions in Holy Muscovy, none whatsoever.  :

Without money and the language barrier, very few.  But you are very well aware of what I was saying.

Oh, come on....

 

[Shlomlokh]

Can we define what it means to be "anti-American American"?

Ask Νεκτάριος?

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[Rufus]

I'd just go half way and move to Alaska 8)

Hmmm...if an American wanted to pursue a monastic or semi-monastic life, Alaska might be the perfect place.

 

[Shanghaiski]

Can we define what it means to be "anti-American American"?

I don't want to name names, but some posters on this forum are prime examples.

 

[Shanghaiski]

I wish him the best!  It takes courage to leave everything behind and follow Jesus, as we are commanded.  I suspect this fellow really seeks God and chose a place know for his sacrifices and Saints and also for seclusion.  What better place to live without distraction than somewhere not American.  Perhaps we should give him the benefit of the doubt.

Because there are absolutely no carnal distractions in Holy Muscovy, none whatsoever.  :

Thank God. The women there dress like women and the men like men.

 

[Gorazd]

Thank God. The women there dress like women and the men like men.

This is how the men look in Holy Russia:

(picture under Public Domain, source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gop3.jpg)

 

[Shanghaiski]

I've seen that while in Russia, but I've seen more than what you post.

 

[Alpo]

You dont need any money or knowledge of the Russian language to get a carnal distraction in Russia. You just need to walk on a street and see the females. The majority of them look like supermodels, according to Western standards, and wear miniskirts even when it snows.

Are you refering to looks or way of dressing?

 

[Red A.]

I'd just go half way and move to Alaska 8)

Hmmm...if an American wanted to pursue a monastic or semi-monastic life, Alaska might be the perfect place.

5 years. The new will wear off and he will begin to judge them in Russia as harshly as he judged those in the U.S. No matter where you go, there you are.

The real question is will it be Tibet or Afghanistan next.

 

[mike]

I could understand the anti-American aspect but that of all countries he chose Russia.  ???

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Kerdy]

I wish him the best!  It takes courage to leave everything behind and follow Jesus, as we are commanded.  I suspect this fellow really seeks God and chose a place know for his sacrifices and Saints and also for seclusion.  What better place to live without distraction than somewhere not American.  Perhaps we should give him the benefit of the doubt.

Because there are absolutely no carnal distractions in Holy Muscovy, none whatsoever.  :

Without money and the language barrier, very few.  But you are very well aware of what I was saying.

Oh, come on....

You disagree?  I remember being a young man traveling the world looking for those things and without the money and language, it wasn't easy.  Practically impossible, which now I know was a blessing.

 

[podkarpatska]

This guy, if he exists, is not exactly a 20 year old back packer on his way to find himself and see the world. He sounds embittered about a number of things, including what he called the inability of the American government to help him when his computer was stolen while in Ukraine and being bitter about having lost a job at a bank when the current economic meltdown began some years ago.

Look, if anyone has an idealized mindset that life for them will be better if they can just get to the 'promised land' (whatever that may be to the individual) - well then, go for it. But, as Frank Baum wrote a century ago in his famous children's book, The Wizard of Oz, things in the Emerald City are not always what they appear to be and the man behind the curtain is sometimes just a man - not an all-powerful wizard. Or as Dorothy concluded, there's no place like home for most of us to find our 'way.'

 

[primuspilus]

I think Hyperdox Herman was his travel agent.

PP

 

[Kerdy]

I could understand the anti-American aspect but that of all countries he chose Russia.  ???

My thoughts exactly.

Maybe it's the result of so many people dying for their faith at the hands of tyranny and he considers it sacred ground.  Maybe he's just a nut.  I don't know, but I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, which isn't always easy for me and you guys keep messing it up.   :'(

 

[Second Chance]

I wish him the best!  It takes courage to leave everything behind and follow Jesus, as we are commanded.  I suspect this fellow really seeks God and chose a place known for its sacrifices and Saints and also for seclusion.  What better place to live without distraction than somewhere not American.  Perhaps we should give him the benefit of the doubt.

His action is surely a strange application of "take your cross and follow me."

 

[Kerdy]

I wish him the best!  It takes courage to leave everything behind and follow Jesus, as we are commanded.  I suspect this fellow really seeks God and chose a place known for its sacrifices and Saints and also for seclusion.  What better place to live without distraction than somewhere not American.  Perhaps we should give him the benefit of the doubt.

His action is surely a strange application of "take your cross and follow me."

It's certainly extreme.

 

[podkarpatska]

I wish him the best!  It takes courage to leave everything behind and follow Jesus, as we are commanded.  I suspect this fellow really seeks God and chose a place known for its sacrifices and Saints and also for seclusion.  What better place to live without distraction than somewhere not American.  Perhaps we should give him the benefit of the doubt.

His action is surely a strange application of "take your cross and follow me."

"  Summing up George confessed that he sees Russia as a country having an emerging middle class, an army that is modernizing tremendously, and a Christian culture. "I think it is a great place to start a family, as well as a great investment opportunity,"  "

Yeah, I missed the part following what Carl quoted where Jesus also says when you follow Him to seek out  a land with a modern army and great investment opportunities.....

 

[Gorazd]

You dont need any money or knowledge of the Russian language to get a carnal distraction in Russia. You just need to walk on a street and see the females. The majority of them look like supermodels, according to Western standards, and wear miniskirts even when it snows.

Are you refering to looks or way of dressing?

Both.

 

[vamrat]

I wish him the best!  It takes courage to leave everything behind and follow Jesus, as we are commanded.  I suspect this fellow really seeks God and chose a place known for its sacrifices and Saints and also for seclusion.  What better place to live without distraction than somewhere not American.  Perhaps we should give him the benefit of the doubt.

His action is surely a strange application of "take your cross and follow me."

"  Summing up George confessed that he sees Russia as a country having an emerging middle class, an army that is modernizing tremendously, and a Christian culture. "I think it is a great place to start a family, as well as a great investment opportunity,"   "

Yeah, I missed the part following what Carl quoted where Jesus also says when you follow Him to seek out  a land with a modern army and great investment opportunities.....

I think the guy has an entitlement complex a mile wide.  He needs to become gay or find someway to weasel in to one of the other protected classes in America if he wants to feed his entitlement fantasies.  I don't think he will find it in Russia.

Now, I have heard of other people who have moved to Russia for other reasons, but it's generally because there are more opportunities to be had over there for someone who is willing to take risk.  I think that many of the points he brought up - modernizing army and growing middle class - are true and show that while it may take some time Russia will be a growing, modern nation someday.  Supposing they can get their birthrate under control.  Many of the expats I have read say that business is usually their reason for going to Russia and Russian women vis-a-vis American women is their reason for staying.  If Russia were to find some way to make it easier for American Orthodox men to move over there it could help with the population decline in more ways than one.