Quite right, there was never any desire to limit discussion to the point of view of the canonical Eastern Orthodox Churches, especially as I (your moderator) am not a member of any. I am what people used to call an Eastern Catholic. For years I used to say, Russian Orthodox in Communion with (Old) Rome. Given my history, I particularly like Lev Gillet's phrase Quaker of the Eastern Rite; I am still more likely to turn to Rufus Jones for inspiration than to Fulton Sheen or Seraphim Rose. These days I am increasingly comfortable with the "C" word. Part of it is that grand Bavarian in Rome. (Bavarian Orthodox, now that has a ring to it.) And I increasingly shake my head over the notions of people who insist on "Orthodoxy," the rabid silliness of the anti-Catholics, and the vague modernism of the more ecumenical folks. (The first group are half converted Southern Baptists for the most part, who do the best they can.)

The blurb for the group speaks of Byzantine, Chaldean, Coptic, Syriac, Orthodox traditions. My communion with Rome places me in communion with representatives of each of these ancient streams, and I hope we will attract some members who are active participants in them, or, perhaps some Russian Orthodox who, like St. Theophane the Recluse, find much of value in ancient Syriac fathers who might be considered Monophysite or Nestorian.