Fr. Igor Responds to Bp. Gabriel

Fr. Igor (Chitikov, ROCOR-PSCA) Responds to Bp. Gabriel (Chemadakov, ROCOR-MP)

November 24, 2008
Dear in the Lord Bishop Gabriel!

I received your “accusatory” letter. I thought long and hard, what to write back. Finally, I put pen to paper and followed your example.

I’ll begin by reminding you how, in April of 1992, the Most Reverend Mark, Archbishop of Berlin and Germany, accepted me into the ranks of the clergy of the England diocese of the Church Abroad without a so-called “release.” At that time, he demonstrably explained to me that I was leaving a SCHISM and joining the TRUE CHURCH.

Along with that, I was required to repent that I was part of the “sergianist schism.” Fifteen years went by and it turns out that what we called a schism is now called the true church. Our bishops suddenly understood something or another which they did not understand in 1992. While those distinguished diaspora priests, who cried out louder than everyone else about the disgraceful actions of the Moscow Patriarchate, and wrote books, and made accusations in the pages of newspapers and magazines, and spoke on the radio, and staged demonstrations in the 1970’s against the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of America, now convince their flock of just the opposite. That the Moscow Patriarchate is not a schism, but our Mother Church, and that the diaspora never considered it to be in schism. Forgive me, dear Bishop, I did not know that the term “sergianism” was thought up in the MP and not in ROCA. Is it possible that for over 50 years, in our seminary in Jordanville, no one ever heard of the “sergianist schism,” though the so-called “karlovtsy schism” was well known to all in the MP? Your parents and teachers were a part of this schism. You were born, baptized, tonsured and ordained in this SCHISM.

In my opinion, the Moscow Patriarchate made a heroic act in accepting the “karlovtsy schismatics” WITHOUT THEIR REPENTING. It knowingly committed a violation of the Canons, and not those, which you use against me. (Those dutiful citations which the bishops always use, though they did not prevent them from remaining in schism.) The MP trampled the basic principle of territorial sovereignty of the local churches, and also violated the Tomos of 1970 it had with the American church. This was all done for the sake of love and unity within the One Orthodox Family.

I do not judge you or Metropolitan Hilarion. Who am I? A simple Russian priest. I do not have the right to denounce or judge all of you bishops. You certainly have your reasons for which you deserted the Church Abroad. Apparently, you think you are right. My relationship to both of you has not changed because of it. I continue to love both of you and continue to consider you my friend.

But you made your choice. Why do not you let others make their choice? Even if they are wrong from your point of view. But it is their choice. The choice of our brothers is not to be under the omofor of the Moscow Patriarchate. What are we going to do, punish them all, so that it “does not happen again”? Where did our bishops get the idea that they are always right? They thought they were right while in the “karlovtsy schism,” and now they are right while in the “sergianist schism.” Or perhaps a bishop’s ordination imparts wisdom? Though, as we know, “even in the emptiest of heads, love often begets extreme fabrications.” (Cosima Prutkov)

You never considered why out of all the priests of our diocese who did not want to leave ROCA for the MP, I was the only one who was censured. Why, right after I received your letter, did I receive the grave order from Metropolitan Hilarion announcing the dismissal of the parish council, and making claims on our parish property, parish accounts, etc.? Is it possible that Metropolitan Hilarion is interested only in our property? He is after all one of God’s Bishops, and not a synodal clerk. Why “engage in this farce” of censure and “threaten” the priest?

Is it possible that you still do not understand that there is no place for me in your new system? And that is not because the Metropolitan wants it that way. It is because his “lackeys” (excuse me for calling them that) want it that way. They are the true administrators of ROCOR(MP) and receive their orders from their real bosses in the Moscow Patriarchate. I watched this farce for a whole year. Forgive me, dear Bishop, I cannot do it any more. You can continue putting up with it alone. Maybe with time, you will understand me and forgive me. I do not believe it is possible to have a serious conversation with your superiors. They have already made up their minds about me.

I deeply appreciate your letter.
Yours,
Fr. Igor

To read Bp. Gabriel's letter which prompted this response click here.

UPDATE: VERY STRANGE - SEE JANUARY 22, 2009 OF THIS BLOG

Contemporary Sergianism

Fr. Nikita Grigoriev on Sergianism

Report to the 5th All Diaspora Council of the ROCA click here 17/4 November 2008

Dear Readers, this should be required reading for all in the school of Orthodox life. Here is an excerpt from the report:

... Before concluding, it is necessary to touch upon the topic of ecumenism, since it is now inexorably linked with contemporary sergianism. In order to justify their emergence, contemporary sergianists (resorting to the typical cunning in the spirit of the scribes) offer a purely ecumenical “branch theory”.

First and foremost, they needed to substitute the idea of a “schism” with the notion of “separation”. According to a prominent contemporary apologeticist of Sergianism, “In order to achieve this substitution, not only was an enormous psychological change required… In essence Church canons have no experience of the practice where two church groups coexist without Eucharistic union, yet are equally bona fide. This desired substitution not only requires that a definition be found which would satisfy all, but also it requires some boldness in the area of canons and church history. All previous severances of Eucharistic union had always implied the existence of a correct and incorrect (guilty) side.” It simply seems unbelievable how renovationism attempts to cover up its tracks with even greater renovationism in order to justify itself. The text continues: “We still face the task of finetuning this definition (separation), of comprehending it, and if possible finding a more suitable term. This was the manner of existence of several parts of the Church which developed along parallel paths without the presence of outwardly expressed Eucharistic union, yet still managing to wholly preserve the inner unity of the Church”. The previous quotation is precisely an exact exegesis of the “branch theory” on which the contemporary ecumenical movement is based...


To read more click here

Photo of Vl. Agafangel

Sobor News

Many years to our newly enthroned Metropolitan Agafangel!

Vladyka Metropolitan was enthroned ("in very humble circumstances!") and presided over the holy liturgy, wearing the mitre (given him by Bishop Gregory many years ago) which our blessed Metropolitan Philaret had worn at his own enthronement. And which our Vladyka Metropolitan will wear at the canonization services of blessed Metropolitan Philaret.

We magnify thee, O Holy Hierarch Philaret, and we honor thy holy memory, for thou dost pray for us to Christ our God!

(source: taken from an email sent out by Fr. Gregory Williams)

St. Anna Icon Cover-Up

Dear Readers, I call attention to this comment made on the recent post: "Patriarch Alexis 2002 Vision":

anonymous said...
Regarding the supposed visitations from Above to persuade influential hierarchs to go for or go against the union, let us call to mind an unassailable occurrence.

This was the BLOOD which streamed from the eyes of both Our Lady and Her Mother, St Anna, in the otherwise myrrh-streaming Pennsylvania icon. It streamed blood only once that is known. That was: when Rocor Met. Laurus was serving at that Church!

When shown or told about the dreadful sign from Heaven, Met. Laurus reportedly became nervous and confused, ordering the icon locked away for awhile. As well as all those present were forbidden to take photos or tell anyone.

Thank God, a picture got out and was not ever really circulated the way it should have been as the RED flag it was against Met. Laurus' plans, who knows, perhaps himself personally for his treacherous deeds and personal problems...

Too bad that political blogs at the time refused to even carry it, though it was suggested to them [by myself!]. I'm sure this one, should it have been already started back then, would courageously have made a powerful point about the Bleeding Icon's statement of warning to ROCOR!

November 9, 2008 2:40 PM

The Royal Path by Fr. Seraphim Rose

The Royal Path is neither to the left (ecumenists, modernists) nor to the right (super-correct). Fr. Seraphim Rose wrote this article in 1976. It is helpful for us today in understanding where ROCOR-PSCA stands in relation to the SCOBA Churches, the MP, and the terribly fragmented "true" or "traditional" Churches. Since Fr. Seraphim's time both the right and the left have become more extreme.

The Royal Path:
True Orthodoxy in an Age of Apostasy

THE HOUR of death will come upon us, it will come, and we shall not escape it. May the prince of this world and of the air find our misdeeds few and petty when he comes, so that he will not have good grounds for convicting us. Otherwise we shall weep in vain. “For that servant who knows his Lord’s will, and did not do it as a servant, shall be beaten with many stripes” (cf. Lk. 12:47).
St. Hesychios the Priest

As the Fathers say, the extremes from both sides are equally harmful . . . (We must) go on the royal path, avoiding the extremes on both sides.
St. John Cassian, Conference II . . .

To read more click here.

Patriarch Alexis' 2002 Vision

From THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE 20th CENTURY (Part V) by Vladimir Moss:

          In October, 2002 “Patriarch” Alexis had a vision which indicated both the nature of his own church, and the abyss to which the ROCOR (L) was heading: St. Theodosius of the Kiev Caves appeared to him and said:

“You have fallen away from God – you and many of your brothers – and have prostrated yourself before the devil. And the rulers of Russia are not real rulers, but crooks [there is a pun here: “ne praviteli, a kriviteli”]. And the church is pandering to them. And you will not stand at the right hand of Christ. And there await you the torments of gehenna, the gnashing of teeth, endless sufferings, if you accursed ones do not come to your senses. The mercy of our Lord is boundless, but your path to salvation through the redemption of your countless sins is too long for you, the hour of reckoning is near.”

Then he disappeared. The patriarch was in shock, he had never experienced anything of the sort before, and always responded with scepticism to such miracles. Shortly after this he felt ill. Those who gave him the first help affirm that the sick man was whispering, scarcely audibly: “It can’t be, it can’t be!”[134]

footnote: [134] “Agentsvo Russkoj Informatsii”, http://www.ari.ru/doc/?id=1410#555

source: http://uk.geocities.com/guildfordian2002/History/OrthodoxChurch20thCenturyP5.htm

Fr. Alexander Lebedeff Flip-Flop

A couple days ago I emailed a flyer promoting Preobrazhensky's KGB-FSB book to different groups and individuals. The discussion that ensued from one group reveals that Fr. Alexander Lebedeff also did a flip-flop:

 
FR. AMBROSE (of New Zealand - jh)
Dear Comrades,

the Amerikanets imperialists have discovered our ecclesiastical spy ring! Qvickly, dismantle the nuclear anthrax terror bombs!     

This is so old already. He needs to move on to a new subject because no one is listening anymore. Its all speculation, ramblings and the devil's work. If Preobrazhensky wants to do some real, truthful, investigative work why doesn't he focus his efforts on "our" governments meddling into the affairs of Ukraine or Georgia.      
At least the book is a backup source of fuel on a cold winter night.......    

--Agent Silouan of SMERSH

 
STEPHEN:
Dear Komrades and "no good nics",

Before there was Preobrazhensky we had Fr. Alexander Lebedeff who wrote the book "Evil Fruit, the Origins and Essense of the Moscow Patriarchate".   Here is Fr. Alexander explaining it all in short form back in '96!
 
 
Subject:  KGB Code Names
From: "Fr. Alexander Lebedeff"
Reply-To: Orthodox Christianity
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 11:37:05 -0700
Content-Type: text/plain
Parts/Attachments: text/plain (18 lines)  

Just a quick note re: KGB code names and Steve's question.
Unfortunately, what I've seen published regarding the KGB code names of the senior hierarchy of the Moscow Patriarchate would indicate that these were not merely code names given by the KGB to refer to prominent clergymen in the way that the Secret Service uses code names for prominent political figures.

The recently disclosed documents (internal KGB status reports) read something like this: "Agent Adamant sent to the conference of the WCC in Aukland with instructions to influence the appointment of an assistant secretary general who would be supportive of our views."

That is, they are operative code names for active agents fulfilling specific assignments.     

Sad, but true.     

Fr. Alexander



FR AMBROSE:
Of course Fr Alexander Lebedeff is referring back to the days of the old Soviet Union.  Preobrazhensky is referring to 2008.



STEPHEN:
Fr. Alexander wrote that well after the fall of communism, and he wrote even stronger statements in 2002.   He clearly had a problem with the KGB positions well after the fall of communism!
 
For example, he reposted a statement from the late 90's in 2002 as a reaffirmation of his position concerning the MP. He said  

"I believe that the current senior hierarchy, and especially Patriarch Alexei II were handpicked by the organs of the Soviet State and willingly participated in activities that were detrimental to the Church that were dictated by the KGB."
 

He also said in the same statement,

"I believe that the senior hierarchy of the Moscow Patriarchate are Sergianists through and through, who lie all the time, because their very essence is lying. As Fr. George Edelstein, a Moscow Patriarchate priest stated so succinctly: Sergianists lie, they lie constantly, and not because someone is holding a gun to their heads--they do it because it is their nature--it is as natural for them as breathing."

 So, Fr. Ambrose, the idea that the KGB/FSB is still involved in the Russian Church is nothing new.   I don't see anything "shocking" about the claims made in the new book.



FR. AMBROSE:
Rather than irritate all the people whom Mrs. Higginbotham has included in her posting why don't you take it up directly with Fr. Alexander Lebedeff on such as the [orthodox-tradition] list where you are both members.
 


VLADIMIR:
Dear Father Ambrose,

Father Alexander replies only when he pleases to do so.

It is more important however to expose his contradictions than to obtain one more unconvincing explanation from a person who has lost any credibility anyhow and considers deceit as a good and legitimate pastoral approach.

In Christ,
Vladimir

K. Preobrazhensky on Met. Laurus & KGB

(THE ABUSE OF ST. JOHN SF BLESSED MEMORY)

...On July 3, 2004, an icon of St. John suddenly fell down from an analogion where it had been lying peacefully in the Joy of All Who Sorrow Cathedral in San Francisco where his relics repose. The glass of the icon case cracked. This happened precisely when Fr Peter Perekrestov (who is now more frequently called Comrade Perekrestov) was telling the guests of the 11th All-Diaspora Conference of the Young Orthodox that "we ought to leave the past behind us and go forward". The falling of the icon was a sure sign from God that Saint John would not agree with this statement.

I came across a video recording of a discussion of this event, which took place during the Patron Saint’s Feast-Day in St Serafim of Sarov Church in Sea Cliff, NY, the first of August. Metropolitan Laurus was present at the discussion, and his reactions were very revealing.

The first to speak was the young priest Fr Seraphim Gan. With a lachrymose voice he made every effort to persuade the congregation that this was no sign at all, just a mere coincidence, a result of the wind blast outdoors. It was with a heavy feeling that I watched this young priest telling lies. And it was part of his effort to promote the idea of a union with Moscow. Oh, many were orations of this type that I had listened to at Party conferences in the Soviet Union!

Archpriest Sergiy Klestov, the Rector of the parish, delivered an indignant speech of rebuke.

-Can and may we ever leave our past history behind? – said he excitedly, - We are successors to the St Patriarch Tikhon, to the New Martyrs, and are we to denounce all this? Disavow Vladykas Anthony Khrapovitskiy, Anastasias the First Hierarch, Averky and Filaret? When the icon fell…we were given a great sign…and it is a sin to laugh about it…

All during the rebellious speech, Laurus was nervously eating something from the table and soon afterwards left the meeting. Not long after that, Fr Sergiy was ousted from the parish. Fr Seraphim Gan was appointed as the new Rector. No comment…


To read more click here.

Secular Book About ROCOR

New book:

KGB-FSB's NEW TROJAN HORSE:  AMERICANS OF RUSSIAN DESCENT
by Konstantine Preobrazhensky

QUOTE:
Paul M. Joyal Director, P.S.S at National Strategies, Inc.
(Former Director of Security for U.S. Senate Committee on Intelligence):

“This book addresses one of the unforeseen developments of the consolidation within the Russian Orthodox Churches that can have significant counterintelligence implications for the United States and the Western world.” 

“It is not incredible to contemplate how Russian intelligence can very cynically use even Russian Priests to implement its intelligence agenda.” 

QUOTE:
Novoe Russkoe Slovo
Russian Language Daily in New York

“Preobrazhensky’s book can be called a work of an investigative journalist who has studied the  development of a church takeover with his own eyes, and comments on it – all this emanating from his own work experience in the KGB. For those who lived under the Soviet regime, it is difficult to doubt Mr. Preobrazhensky’s deductions”. 

This book is published by GERARD GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Available  from St. John Kronstadt Press click here.