Worldoxy

Orthodox brothers, take your anonymous online persona and show your priest what you’re doing. Tell him an Orthodox brother named Apollos Cassian talked with @JayDyer for about 20 minutes. Tell him Apollos said some things awkwardly and could have framed his concerns better. Then tell him what happened afterward. Jay said Apollos was Catholic, even though Apollos clearly stated he was Orthodox. Jay then spread more false information, calling Apollos an ecumenist. The next day, Jay claimed Apollos is "actually insane.” None of that is true. So if you believe mocking, misrepresenting, and spreading false claims about an Orthodox brother is righteous, bring it into the light. Show your priest your posts, your replies, and your accusations. Ask yourself, is this of Christ? Not online Orthodoxy. Not influencer apologetics. Not tribal loyalty. Christ. If he has questions, you have my name. I’m reachable on Facebook.

Brothers, I know @JayDyer has helped some of you come to Orthodoxy. I am not denying that, and I am not trying to erase the good God has done through him. But no one’s influence — no matter how meaningful — gives him immunity from correction. Gratitude is not a substitute for accountability. I called into his show. I could have phrased my questions better. I accept that. But what happened afterward crossed lines that should matter to all of us: the public misidentification of my faith, the shifting accusations, the mockery, and the personal insinuations. None of that is acceptable behavior for an Orthodox Christian, let alone a public figure presenting Orthodoxy to thousands. We are followers of Christ. Jay and I approach the same Holy Chalice. Jay, if I were at your parish, would that make a difference? Would you see me as a brother instead of someone to ridicule, misrepresent, or spread false information about? If you turned to me and said, “Christ is in our midst,” I would embrace you as the brother you are and say, “He is and ever shall be.” When a brother falls short, we do not justify it because we admire him, or have benefited from him. We call him back through Scripture, the Saints, and the life of the Church. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” — 2 Tim. 3:16 All truth belongs to God. Reposting something true does not make someone an ecumenist. If we speak of Christ, defend the Church, and call others to truth, then we must be willing to be corrected by that truth ourselves. Especially when we have influence. Especially when our words can harm a brother in Christ. Jay’s actions and many of the responses that followed have only demonstrated the concern I was trying to raise in the first place: social media can train us to treat brothers as content, correction as an attack, mockery as discernment, and influence as immunity. Jay, many of the brothers at my parish love you. They also love me.