Saint Regis University

Spot on! Especially the final bit about accountability. A lot of these characters are chasing after either orders or imagined 'legitimacy' through affiliation, titles, and so forth. If they manage to get someone to recognize them, that would suddenly make everything they do okay.

In this case, I don't imagine any Catholic or Orthodox bishops would accept Kersey's communities as is, especially not with Kersey continuing to rule over them.

For sure. The Antiochians, ROCOR, and others have experimented with Western Rite communities. From those I've encountered, they're largely former Protestants (Anglicans, in particular) who want a High Church experience whilst giving the finger to Rome. Obviously, individual parishes and members have their own motivations, but that's simply been my experience (mostly virtual, I'll admit).

As to mainstream Eastern Orthodoxy, you're right. Most people do frown upon the WRO communities and see them as not truly Orthodox. It's a shame, but it is what it is.

 

Here's the Spiritual part. Academic? When I get time. I believe he is now deceased.

"His Eminence Sir Dr. Chief Alexander Swift Eagle Justice D.D., Ph.D., J.D. -Theologian, Academician

Metropolitan/Archbishop and Member of the Imperial Holy Orthodox Synod of the Holy Orthodox Church of All Russia and Appointed Chief Patriarch for United States of America - California, Mexico and for ALL Latin American Countries.

Metropolitan/Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Native Americans and President of the College of Bishops of the Mexican National Catholic Church

Metropolitan/Archbishop of the Holy Orthodox Native American Catholic Archdiocese and Chief Patriarch of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Holy Orthodox Native American Catholic Church

Bishop of The National Pentecostal Overcoming Churches of the World Inc. View Certificate

(AKA - Keepers of Creation Church)"

...and you're welcome. J.

 

@nosborne48 As a lawyer, you may be interested to know that His Excellency Plenipotentiary RF the Most Reverend Patriarch Doctor Chief Alexander Swift Eagle Justice, D.D., Ph.D., Juris Doctor, Theologian, Academician Russian Federation, Resident Native American Archbishop and Chancellor of International Theological University, also claimed chairmanship of something called the "World Law Bar Association."

Lots of reading in an old thread here:
https://www.degreeinfo.com/index.php?threads/please-destroy-or-return-your-copy-of-my-book.9418/

The "academician" title seems to refer to an Academy set up, I believe on Russian turf - or taiga, perhaps, by 6Dr. Richard Hoyer. You may recall him from old times.

 

Aren't most of the Orthodoxy in the West either ethnic cradles or people who want High Church experience whilst giving the finger to Rome? Or sometimes, to "the West" by embracing supposedly more spiritual community (usually the very overrated Great Russian Culture (c) (R) (TM))?

This is why I'm moving towards East Catholicism. This kind of discourse is exhausting.

 

Many parishes are certainly that way. I won't go so far as to say all (nor did you, for the record), but it is definitely a problem within Eastern Orthodoxy.

Interestingly, I've not seen anything akin to the Holy Russia trend in Oriental Orthodoxy, at least in the English-speaking world. For sure, there are super Egyptian, Armenian, Lebanese, Indian...etc.etc. communities, but most don't worship the State in their home countries.

May you find peace of heart and mind as you continue your journey!

 

At Temple 420 in LA, you can ALWAYS count on a "high church experience."
https://religionnews.com/2022/03/29/with-christian-cannabis-a-pastor-is-promoting-the-spiritual-side-of-marijuana/

Fun fact from the article: "Cannabis is named as one of the most sacred plants on Earth in the Atharva Veda, one of the four foundational texts of Hinduism, and is still widely consumed at Indian religious festivals and ceremonies."

 

Well, I should qualify two things. Sorry for not having done so earlier, but here are two additional things to consider:
1. Unquestioned apostolic succession. While many Anglicans contest statements from Rome, most Catholic and Orthodox Churches do not recognize the succession within the various Anglican communions (Church of England, Episcopalianism, ACNA, etc.).
2. A High Church experience...everywhere. While the odd High Church parish might exist in a given Anglican communion (or more often in some dioceses than others), it's often the exception that proves the rule. Whereas within Orthodoxy, proper liturgy is the rule. Vagantes aside, I've never seen or even heard of a 'Low Church' Orthodox parish. It's simply not an option.

Just to be clear, this is not an attack on Anglicanism, but these are some of the reasons that people leave Anglicanism, Lutheranism, and other communities for Orthodoxy.

Not quite what most people are probably looking for, but I'm sure it fits the needs of some!

 

"Temple 420 - Services always fully packed. Like a well-rolled joint." Yes, Rev. Gross - if you like, you can use that one free of charge - my gift to you. Keep on doing the Lord's good work, Sir!

 

There's a target audience for just about everything, eh? A time and a place too.

What might work in California would be...less accepted in a place like the UAE or even Singapore.

 

Odd, perhaps. From the article: "Ancient Assyrians, Egyptians and Hebrews burned cannabis as incense, while Sufi Muslims smoked it at shrines and while observing sacred dances."

Sufis sound like fun-loving dudes. Smoke a little weed - check out the dancers... Been there, done that, MANY years ago -- but never both at the same time. Sufis were good poets, too. Darn good!

 

To prove my point: The most famous Sufi - very relevant here and now.

Google: "The ecstatic poems of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Persian poet and Sufi master born 807 years ago in 1207, have sold millions of copies in recent years, making him the most popular poet in the US. Globally, his fans are legion.Apr 14, 2014" (Emphasis mine - J.)

PS. Jalal-ad-Din means "Majesty of the Faith."

If he indulged, as he might well have, nobody's gonna begrudge a man of his accomplishments a few tokes. Certainly not me, who finished with the 'sweet leaf' in the 1970s. Reason - I felt it might lead (back) to smoking cigarettes. I quit those then, as well.

 

There's no time like the present!

 

Maybe dancers, but no weed. -- my 80th is on Tuesday. We'll see who shows up - and what happens - at the party. I'll let you know.

 

Present religious administration in Iran (Persia) please take note. Lighten up, guys. You don't always need to be so serious. You need to party like it's 1399! Your ancestors were cool. And intensely, rapturously spiritual. Why not you?

 

Somehow I ended up clicking on your website and discovered that you have your very own University project Sounds exciting, have you given details on this project somewhere here on the board?


Regarding Saint Regis: this guy know how to write so I guess he could have started something legitimate too. Maybe he should have just labeled it "competency-based" degrees, that would have increased the acceptance

 

I just had a quick look into the accreditation requirements in Dominica...I guess e.g. having office space/a campus in Dominica is a bit challenging since you probably don´t even live there. Or is it possible to skip this requirement by establishing an online-only university?

 

Yes. The following does NOT refer in any way to Steve's New World University. which I regard as a praiseworthy venture.

Quite a few other "universities" have skipped ALL accreditation requirements and have established themselves in Dominica as International Business Corporations, doing business as distance Universities. Can't remember one that had recognized institutional accreditation in any country. The people who run these "schools" could be anywhere. Likely nowhere near Dominica.

Want to establish one? You pay the fee, they set you up. Quite a few are known as the "8 Copthall Crowd" because they share that address of incorporation. We've had threads on at least half a dozen - likely more. Selinus U. and Auream Phoenix U. come to mind.

For legit accreditation, there IS a legit Dominican Government Accreditation authority that was in the set-up phase a few years back. I don't think they were operative yet, at the time. Maybe contact them now and see what the rules are.

 

Hm. Kind of a “Lawyers Without Borders” thing, this World Bar? Trouble is, of all professions lawyers are the most affected by borders.