News from the world of Orthodoxy

According to the August 18, Chicago Sun Times Romanian Orthodox priest, Agapie Aurel Rusu, was ordered by Romanian Orthodox authorities to fast on bread an water for a month. His offence? Apparently, Father Rusu officiated over a five-hour funeral service. He extended the funeral homily by including poetry, political discurses, historical tales and even a talk on heart surgery. Father Rusu was angered at the deceased's relatives who had initially asked a different priest to preside [funerals are a good way to get stipends]. A spokesman for the Romanian Orthodox Church said that a funeral service should not take more than an hour.

Think about this the next time you think a priest has talked too long...it could be worse!