X. Fasting on Saturday

Question: Do Catholics do the right thing when they fast on Saturday? Answer: No, because the 64th canon of the Holy Apostles states: "If any of the clergy is found fasting on the Lord's Day, or on Saturday, except only one (Great Saturday), let him be expelled." Question: Did the Church pay attention to the illegal custom of Catholics to fast on Saturday? Answer: Yes, I did. The Sixth Ecumenical Council, by its 55th canon, decreed that in the Roman Church (i.e., among the Catholics) the 64th canon of the Holy Apostles, which forbids fasting on Saturday, should be observed. "Having learned of the Holy Council," writes the interpreter of the conciliar canons, "that in the city of Rome they transgressed the 64th canon of the holy apostles, which commands not to fast on any other Saturday except for Great Saturday, it commanded that such an apostolic canon should be immovable in the Roman Church." Consequently, by fasting on Saturday, Catholics violate the rules of the Holy Apostles and Holy Fathers.

XI. Ministry in an Incomprehensible Language

Question: Are Catholics doing the right thing when they perform divine services in Latin, which is incomprehensible to the worshippers? Answer: No, it is wrong, since prayer in an incomprehensible unknown language is condemned by the Word of God. The holy Apostle Paul wrote to Christians thus: "When I pray in an unknown tongue, although my spirit prays, my mind remains unfruitful" (1 Cor. 14, 14). Therefore, says the Apostle further, "in the Church I would rather say five words with my mind, that I may instruct others, than a thousand words in an unknown tongue" (1 Corinthians 14:19). Question: How do Catholics justify their custom of performing divine services in a language that is incomprehensible to the worshippers? Answer: Catholics say that their worshippers stand at the service with prayer books, in which the prayers are set forth in a language understandable to the pilgrims. Question: Is this justification fair? Answer: No, it is not fair. In church, during divine services, people should take part in the service with their pastor with one mouth and heart. Among the Catholics, instead of unanimous prayer, everyone prays separately, each reading his own prayer book. Question: What should be said about the above-mentioned custom of performing divine services in a language unknown to the worshippers? Answer: This custom is illegal, since it has no justification for itself and is condemned by the Word of God.

XII. Organs

Question: Do Catholics do the right thing when they use organs during divine services? Answer: No, it is wrong, since this is an Old Testament custom, which has lost its meaning in Christian worship. Question: Why should there be no music on organs in Christian worship? Answer: Because the worship of Christians, according to the word of the Saviour, must take place "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24); in other words, that in prayer the spirit of man may ascend to God. The latter cannot exist in any case, if the prayer is performed not by people, but by a soulless instrument. Conclusion Question: On the basis of all of the above, how should the Orthodox view Catholics? Answer: Catholics should be looked upon as heretics excommunicated by the Orthodox Church, who, as it was said at the beginning, have distorted the true faith by a series of heretical teachings and have adopted customs that are not in accord with the Tradition of the Church. Question: Can Orthodox Christians go to Catholic churches for prayer and attend Catholic dismissals? Answer: Under no circumstances: "If anyone goes to a barbaric or heretical feast," it is commanded in the Nomocanon, "and eats with them on that day the one who eats for their souls, or celebrates them, let him not receive communion for two years, according to the 7th canon of the holy council in Ancyra." "Canon 64 of the Holy Apostles says, "Those who go to worship to pray, that is, in the words of their Church, which are also called councils: if there is a priest, let him be expelled, but if he is a layman, let him be excommunicated." "The Apostle commands the 10th canon of the saints: Pray with those who are excommunicated, even if they are not in the Church. but in the house, let him be excommunicated in the same way" (Nomocanon, p. 133, 154, 157). Question: Can Orthodox Christians marry Catholics? Answer: According to the Church rules, it is impossible. The 2nd canon of the Sixth Ecumenical Council commands: "It is not absurd for an Orthodox man to have copulation with a heretical wife, or for an Orthodox wife to have sex with a heretical husband. And if it becomes, let the unstable marriage be imputed, and let lawless cohabitation be allowed. And if a heretical person promises to repent, let the marriage endure, until the promise is confirmed, according to the 14th canon of the same council. Likewise, from the Latins, if an Orthodox wife copulates with the permission of marriage and the prohibition to lay down according to the 12th chapter of the 3rd element in Matthew. And if anyone transgresses "what is commanded, let him be excommunicated" (Nomocanon, rule 58). Question: Is it possible to marry a Catholic if he promises to convert to the Orthodox faith before marriage? Answer: Perhaps. Canon 31 of the Council of Laodicea states: "It is not proper to conclude a marriage alliance with any heretic, or to give to such sons or daughters, but rather brothers by them, if they promise to be Christians." Question: So, heretics are not even called Christians? Answer: Yes, they are not: the Church, depriving them of the name of Christians, acts according to the Word of God: "If he will not listen to the Church, let him be to you as a heathen and a publican" (Matt. 18:17).

Question: Does the Russian Orthodox Church have a basis for this condescension? Answer: Yes, because such leniencies are permitted according to the 1st canon of St. Basil the Great, according to which it is possible to abolish the canons on the new baptism of heretics, "if this is an obstacle to the general good." Question: How should Orthodox Christians treat Catholics? Answer: One should pray for their repentance and admonition, and treat them meekly, according to the 77th canon of the Council of Carthage: "Perhaps then, as we gather with meekness those who think differently, according to the words of the Apostle, God will give them repentance in the understanding of the truth, and they will arise from the devil's snare, having been caught from him by his will."

The end and glory to God.