"Orthodox Christians Facing the 1980s"
Excerpt from a lecture given by Fr. Seraphim Rose
at the St. Herman Summer Pilgrimage, Platina, CA, August 9, 1979.
...Indeed, if one looks at the state of the Orthodox Church in Greece, we can see that the Ecumenical Movement has produced a reaction that has often become excessive, and sometimes is almost as bad as the disease it seeks to cure. The more moderate of the Old Calendarist groups in Greece has a position similar to that of our Russian Church Abroad; but schism after schism has occurred among the Old Calendarists over the question of strictness. A few years ago one of these groups cut off communion with our Russian Church Abroad because our bishops refused to declare that all other Orthodox Churches are without grace; this group now declares that it alone has grace, only it is Orthodox...
To read more of the lecture click here.
Dec 29, 2008
Where Is The True Church?
NOT in World Orthodoxy...
...When "Orthodox" scholars pick up the teaching of these pseudo-patristic scholars or make their own researches in the same rationalistic spirit, the outcome can be tragic; for such scholars are taken by many to be "spokesmen for Orthodoxy," and their rationalistic pronouncements to be part of an "authentically patristic" outlook, thus deceiving many Orthodox Christians. Father Alexander Schmemann, for example, while pretending to set himself free from the "Western captivity" which, in his ignorance of the true Patristic tradition of recent centuries (which is to be found more in the monasteries than in the academies), he fancies to have completely dominated Orthodox theology in modern times, has himself become the captive of Protestant rationalistic ideas concerning liturgical theology, as has been well pointed out by Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky, a genuine Patristic theologian of today...
Above quote taken from: Holy Fathers Part 1 by Fr. Seraphim Rose †
...When "Orthodox" scholars pick up the teaching of these pseudo-patristic scholars or make their own researches in the same rationalistic spirit, the outcome can be tragic; for such scholars are taken by many to be "spokesmen for Orthodoxy," and their rationalistic pronouncements to be part of an "authentically patristic" outlook, thus deceiving many Orthodox Christians. Father Alexander Schmemann, for example, while pretending to set himself free from the "Western captivity" which, in his ignorance of the true Patristic tradition of recent centuries (which is to be found more in the monasteries than in the academies), he fancies to have completely dominated Orthodox theology in modern times, has himself become the captive of Protestant rationalistic ideas concerning liturgical theology, as has been well pointed out by Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky, a genuine Patristic theologian of today...
Above quote taken from: Holy Fathers Part 1 by Fr. Seraphim Rose †
Dec 24, 2008
Mother Maria Taken By Police
Update news of Mother Maria's eviction:
... Someone from ROCOR-MP sent the police to take Mother Maria away by force. The police refused to show her a warrant for her arrest and took her away not even giving her time to put on shoes or warm clothes. The police took her to the Putnam County Hospital for "evaluation". The hospital's evaluation is that Mother Maria is not crazy, nor violent and she does not require any medical treatment.
... There is no reason to keep her in the hospital and they will be discharging her next Monday. Father Vladimir Aleandro (OCA) Father Basil Grisel (ROCOR-MP) both in Connecticut , Mother Agapia (Stephanopoulos) and Irina Bagration have all been looking for a place for her not too distantly away . So far they have found nothing.
She insists on an eremetical life for herself... She lives strictly according to the Ustav, she eats very little and she only needs a quiet, isolated life. ... She is a hardy, self sufficient person. She speaks perfect English, and French. She is very well educated.
If anyone can offer even a temporary cell, or help in other ways, please contact Cn. Irina Bagration
Iritem@aol.com
Related post: Request For Help scroll back to December 14.
Related post: http://rocorrefugees.blogspot.com/2007/10/open-letter-to-bp-gabriel-from-nun.html
... Someone from ROCOR-MP sent the police to take Mother Maria away by force. The police refused to show her a warrant for her arrest and took her away not even giving her time to put on shoes or warm clothes. The police took her to the Putnam County Hospital for "evaluation". The hospital's evaluation is that Mother Maria is not crazy, nor violent and she does not require any medical treatment.
... There is no reason to keep her in the hospital and they will be discharging her next Monday. Father Vladimir Aleandro (OCA) Father Basil Grisel (ROCOR-MP) both in Connecticut , Mother Agapia (Stephanopoulos) and Irina Bagration have all been looking for a place for her not too distantly away . So far they have found nothing.
She insists on an eremetical life for herself... She lives strictly according to the Ustav, she eats very little and she only needs a quiet, isolated life. ... She is a hardy, self sufficient person. She speaks perfect English, and French. She is very well educated.
If anyone can offer even a temporary cell, or help in other ways, please contact Cn. Irina Bagration
Iritem@aol.com
Related post: Request For Help scroll back to December 14.
Related post: http://rocorrefugees.blogspot.com/2007/10/open-letter-to-bp-gabriel-from-nun.html
Dr. Moss Criticizes SIR - Abp. Chrysostomos Responds
Recently the SIR website published a few brief comments on the progress in their dialogues with the GOC. Apparently Dr. Vladimir Moss had a rather strong reaction to it and published a public criticism. For our sakes, Archbishop Chrysostomos has written a response. The end result is edifying and helpful for us.
To read the criticism and the response click here.
To read the criticism and the response click here.
Dec 17, 2008
The Spiritual Condition Of Russians Abroad
A REPORT BY ST. JOHN (MAXIMOVITCH)
Read for yourselves what St. John said to his fellow bishops in Belgrade, 1939, at the Second All- Church Council of the Russian Church Abroad. These words are prophetic for our generation: click here.
http://rocorrefugeesreadmore.blogspot.com/2008/12/st-john-maximovitch-spiritual-condition.html
Read for yourselves what St. John said to his fellow bishops in Belgrade, 1939, at the Second All- Church Council of the Russian Church Abroad. These words are prophetic for our generation: click here.
http://rocorrefugeesreadmore.blogspot.com/2008/12/st-john-maximovitch-spiritual-condition.html
Dec 14, 2008
Request For Help
From: kn. Irina Bagration
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
You may have read the eviction notice sent to residents of the Kursk Hermitage at Mahopac NY signed by Metropolitan Hilarion, due to take effect on December 15. This eviction notice affects a seventy nine year old Russian Orthodox nun who had found shelter there a couple of years ago. Mother Maria Nau is a true Orthodox nun, as can be vouched by Fr Vladimir Alejandro of the Orthodox Church in America in whose house she has stayed . Both Fr. Vladimir and his Matoushka can vouch for M. Maria. I can also vouch that M. Maria is totally without means of subsistence and that all she needs or wants is a room where she can lead a totally monastic life, praying night and day. She found such a shelter at the Kursk Hermitage thanks to the intervention of Bishop Gabriel. Now she is threatened with eviction. She has no place to go and no money .
In signing the general eviction notice, Metropolitan Hilarion may not have realized that he was evicting a 79th year old nun without making any provision for her removal to another location. If you feel concerned, please e-mail an appeal on behalf of M. Maria to His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion. abphilar@ozemail.com.au
kn. Irina Bagration
Iritem@aol.com
Related post: Eviction Notice Scroll back to December 2.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
You may have read the eviction notice sent to residents of the Kursk Hermitage at Mahopac NY signed by Metropolitan Hilarion, due to take effect on December 15. This eviction notice affects a seventy nine year old Russian Orthodox nun who had found shelter there a couple of years ago. Mother Maria Nau is a true Orthodox nun, as can be vouched by Fr Vladimir Alejandro of the Orthodox Church in America in whose house she has stayed . Both Fr. Vladimir and his Matoushka can vouch for M. Maria. I can also vouch that M. Maria is totally without means of subsistence and that all she needs or wants is a room where she can lead a totally monastic life, praying night and day. She found such a shelter at the Kursk Hermitage thanks to the intervention of Bishop Gabriel. Now she is threatened with eviction. She has no place to go and no money .
In signing the general eviction notice, Metropolitan Hilarion may not have realized that he was evicting a 79th year old nun without making any provision for her removal to another location. If you feel concerned, please e-mail an appeal on behalf of M. Maria to His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion. abphilar@ozemail.com.au
kn. Irina Bagration
Iritem@aol.com
Related post: Eviction Notice Scroll back to December 2.
Dec 11, 2008
Monk Reports On Glorification
An unnamed monk from St. Edward's tells about the glorification of St. Philaret. This is his concluding paragraph:
"I have mentioned the two short addresses of Metropolitan Agafangel because they were in such contrast to the “gospel” latterly promulgated in ROCA (ROCOR-MP -jh): one of blind obedience, order, strict hierarchy and follow-the-leader. Here we heard words of love, humility, condescension to the weaknesses of others, and not judging, - yet all well-founded on steadfastness of faith. Such words were fitting for the celebration of the glorification of St Philaret the New Confessor. Such words were those that we heard in the Church Abroad of his day. Indeed one overriding, - and I must admit it is a subjective one, - impression left with me was that the spirit of ROCA of twenty or thirty years ago, before the deadening hand fell ever heavier and heavier upon her, had been rediscovered. And glory be to our God!"
To read the full 2-page report click here.
The Shepherd Magazine, December 2008 http://www.saintedwardbrotherhood.org/1208/shepherd5.html
"I have mentioned the two short addresses of Metropolitan Agafangel because they were in such contrast to the “gospel” latterly promulgated in ROCA (ROCOR-MP -jh): one of blind obedience, order, strict hierarchy and follow-the-leader. Here we heard words of love, humility, condescension to the weaknesses of others, and not judging, - yet all well-founded on steadfastness of faith. Such words were fitting for the celebration of the glorification of St Philaret the New Confessor. Such words were those that we heard in the Church Abroad of his day. Indeed one overriding, - and I must admit it is a subjective one, - impression left with me was that the spirit of ROCA of twenty or thirty years ago, before the deadening hand fell ever heavier and heavier upon her, had been rediscovered. And glory be to our God!"
To read the full 2-page report click here.
The Shepherd Magazine, December 2008 http://www.saintedwardbrotherhood.org/1208/shepherd5.html
Interview With Vladimir Bukovsky
From "Dziennik," Poland, December 8, 2008.
Reporter Artur Ciechanowicz interviewed the Russian writer and dissident Vladimir Bukovsky, who is currently living in London.
Artur Ciechanowicz - What will be the consequences in Russia after the death of Aleksy II?
Vladimir Bukovsky - Why should the death of a government functionary lead to some consequences?
A.C. - Perhaps because this "functionary", as you call him, led one of the more important forces in the country, the Orthodox Church.
V.B. - You're kidding. It was clear that Aleksy II's boss was Vladimir Putin. The Russian Orthodox Church is one of many government institutions. Stalin, after all, transformed it into a department of the KGB. And nothing has changed since then.
The real Orthodox Church was destroyed in the 1920's of the last century. When World War II broke out, Stalin realized that Russians will not give their lives for him or the criminal system of the GULAG. They will die without any doubts for their homeland and to protect their faith. Notice that Stalin was not a cosmopolitan communist during the war, but a fervent patriot. Do you know what he called the citizens during his radio appearences? "Brothers and sisters." Not "comrades." That is why he needed the church. That is the whole point of it.
A.C. - The war ended, but the church continued to exist.
V.B. - It was a great tool for keeping track of the people. Who could people trust more than a priest? Only the majority of these priests were KGB agents. Just as Aleksy II was. Secondly, it was an effective means to poison the souls of the believers with communist propaganda.
A.C. - What role does the Church have in contemporary Russia?
V.B. - The KGB men, who rule Russia today, decided to make the Orthodoxy one of the props for their government ideology. You see priests at every celebration, at every meeting, and all the politicians talk about God every chance they get. That's a little strange. Orthodoxy is a soft and liberal religion. It's not suited for ideology. Besides, seeing Putin and his gang cross themselves in churches disgusts me. People who look like unrepentant murderers should not go to church. It's unseemly.
Артур Чеханович (Artur Ciechanowicz)
"Dziennik", Польша, 8 декабря 2008 г.
Reporter Artur Ciechanowicz interviewed the Russian writer and dissident Vladimir Bukovsky, who is currently living in London.
Artur Ciechanowicz - What will be the consequences in Russia after the death of Aleksy II?
Vladimir Bukovsky - Why should the death of a government functionary lead to some consequences?
A.C. - Perhaps because this "functionary", as you call him, led one of the more important forces in the country, the Orthodox Church.
V.B. - You're kidding. It was clear that Aleksy II's boss was Vladimir Putin. The Russian Orthodox Church is one of many government institutions. Stalin, after all, transformed it into a department of the KGB. And nothing has changed since then.
The real Orthodox Church was destroyed in the 1920's of the last century. When World War II broke out, Stalin realized that Russians will not give their lives for him or the criminal system of the GULAG. They will die without any doubts for their homeland and to protect their faith. Notice that Stalin was not a cosmopolitan communist during the war, but a fervent patriot. Do you know what he called the citizens during his radio appearences? "Brothers and sisters." Not "comrades." That is why he needed the church. That is the whole point of it.
A.C. - The war ended, but the church continued to exist.
V.B. - It was a great tool for keeping track of the people. Who could people trust more than a priest? Only the majority of these priests were KGB agents. Just as Aleksy II was. Secondly, it was an effective means to poison the souls of the believers with communist propaganda.
A.C. - What role does the Church have in contemporary Russia?
V.B. - The KGB men, who rule Russia today, decided to make the Orthodoxy one of the props for their government ideology. You see priests at every celebration, at every meeting, and all the politicians talk about God every chance they get. That's a little strange. Orthodoxy is a soft and liberal religion. It's not suited for ideology. Besides, seeing Putin and his gang cross themselves in churches disgusts me. People who look like unrepentant murderers should not go to church. It's unseemly.
Артур Чеханович (Artur Ciechanowicz)
"Dziennik", Польша, 8 декабря 2008 г.
Dec 8, 2008
Report On Sobor V
A report from the SIR Synod describes the activities of the Fifth All-Diaspora Sobor of the ROCA (Metropolitan Agafangel).
This historic Sobor...
1.) established a new organization structure for that part of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad that did not join with Moscow in May of 2007
2.) elected a Metropolitan (Vladyka Agafangel)
3.) glorified Metropolitan Philaret.
Click on this link for the English translation and some very beautiful photographs of these events.
http://www.synodinresistance.org/pdfs/2008/12/07/20081207aParticipation_of_the_Holy_Synod%20Folder/20081207aParticipation_of_the_Holy_Synod.pdf
This historic Sobor...
1.) established a new organization structure for that part of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad that did not join with Moscow in May of 2007
2.) elected a Metropolitan (Vladyka Agafangel)
3.) glorified Metropolitan Philaret.
Click on this link for the English translation and some very beautiful photographs of these events.
http://www.synodinresistance.org/pdfs/2008/12/07/20081207aParticipation_of_the_Holy_Synod%20Folder/20081207aParticipation_of_the_Holy_Synod.pdf
Dec 7, 2008
Eschatology 101
Without an ongoing study and organic knowledge of Orthodox Eschatology, our children could easily be sucked into the world or tricked into World Orthodoxy even if they dearly love God.
I hope parents will teach their children in this subject, since nowadays end-times studies are either missing, or worse, like in World Orthodoxy, discouraged and even ridiculed.
A great place to start is with St. John Maximovitch's homily on the Last Judgment. (CLICK HERE)
A really nice collection of sober eschatological materials are being collected on this site: (CLICK HERE)
If anyone would like to network with other families doing end times studies with their children, please email me.
JoannaHigginbotham@yahoo.com
I hope parents will teach their children in this subject, since nowadays end-times studies are either missing, or worse, like in World Orthodoxy, discouraged and even ridiculed.
A great place to start is with St. John Maximovitch's homily on the Last Judgment. (CLICK HERE)
A really nice collection of sober eschatological materials are being collected on this site: (CLICK HERE)
If anyone would like to network with other families doing end times studies with their children, please email me.
JoannaHigginbotham@yahoo.com
Dec 5, 2008
Dec 2, 2008
Book Review: New Trojan Horse
Posted on the Euphrosynos Cafe -jh
KGB/FSB's New Trojan Horse
by Pravoslavnik » Tue 2 December 2008 3:35 am
I just finished reading the new book by former KGB Col. Konstantin Preobrazhensky-- KGB/FSB's New Trojan Horse: Americans of Russian Descent (Gerard Group Publishing, 2008.) The paperback is now available from the St. John of Kronstadt Press (http://www.sjkp.org) It is truly frightening to read this material, somewhat similar to the feeling one has in reading the published Mitrokhin archival material in The Sword and the Shield. I grew up in America in the 1960's learning how to "duck and cover" under my desk in the event of a Soviet missle launch, but later began to view American paranoia about Russia and the KGB as somewhat comical, especially after perestroika and the fall of the former Soviet Union. I had read some of Col. Preobrazhensky's articles on the internet during the past two years, but his book on the KGB and Russian Emigration had never, to my knowledge, been translated into English.
This book is a collection of Preobrazhensky's observations and anecdotes about KGB/FSB involvement in the religious affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate and ROCOR during the past few decades. He also discusses his own history as an agent and journalist working within the KGB in Japan and Russia prior to his seeking asylum in the U.S. in 2003. As I was reading the book, I kept thinking of the famous quote from President Vladimir Putin to the effect that "there is no such thing as a FORMER KGB agent..." Somehow, Preobrazhensky, unlike his old friend Alexander Litvinenko, has lived to tell the tale of life within the KGB before and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and of the permutations of the Russian foreign intelligence service during the Presidencies of Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin.
What is most disturbing about these revelations are the fairly detailed descriptions of KGB propaganda techniques and recruitment methods, based upon the experiences of Preobrazhensky (and Vladimir Putin, himself) during his training years in the KGB. It all seems a bit surreal to an average American Joe like myself, but certainly offers a plausible explanation for what has happened to the ROCOR in America during the past two decades. For example, as I was reading Preobrazhensky's description of the old KGB/FSB "blueprint" for the takeover of ROCOR parishes in America, I discerned the exact series of events that had transpired in my own American ROCOR parish after 2000-- first, the appointment of a "nationalistic" rector, then the gradual (or even sudden) replacement of the old parish council and warden with mysterious recent Soviet emigres.
I have never been big on conspiracy theories, in general, and I am all too familiar with our propensity for collective paranoia, but this book, overall, seems quite credible and well documented. The devil is in the details, of course, as in the case of the Mitrokhin archives, and the devil is also now, apparently, in the Orthodox Church in America.
Spasi Christye Bozhe!!
Pravoslavnik
http://euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=8708
KGB/FSB's New Trojan Horse
by Pravoslavnik » Tue 2 December 2008 3:35 am
I just finished reading the new book by former KGB Col. Konstantin Preobrazhensky-- KGB/FSB's New Trojan Horse: Americans of Russian Descent (Gerard Group Publishing, 2008.) The paperback is now available from the St. John of Kronstadt Press (http://www.sjkp.org) It is truly frightening to read this material, somewhat similar to the feeling one has in reading the published Mitrokhin archival material in The Sword and the Shield. I grew up in America in the 1960's learning how to "duck and cover" under my desk in the event of a Soviet missle launch, but later began to view American paranoia about Russia and the KGB as somewhat comical, especially after perestroika and the fall of the former Soviet Union. I had read some of Col. Preobrazhensky's articles on the internet during the past two years, but his book on the KGB and Russian Emigration had never, to my knowledge, been translated into English.
This book is a collection of Preobrazhensky's observations and anecdotes about KGB/FSB involvement in the religious affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate and ROCOR during the past few decades. He also discusses his own history as an agent and journalist working within the KGB in Japan and Russia prior to his seeking asylum in the U.S. in 2003. As I was reading the book, I kept thinking of the famous quote from President Vladimir Putin to the effect that "there is no such thing as a FORMER KGB agent..." Somehow, Preobrazhensky, unlike his old friend Alexander Litvinenko, has lived to tell the tale of life within the KGB before and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and of the permutations of the Russian foreign intelligence service during the Presidencies of Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin.
What is most disturbing about these revelations are the fairly detailed descriptions of KGB propaganda techniques and recruitment methods, based upon the experiences of Preobrazhensky (and Vladimir Putin, himself) during his training years in the KGB. It all seems a bit surreal to an average American Joe like myself, but certainly offers a plausible explanation for what has happened to the ROCOR in America during the past two decades. For example, as I was reading Preobrazhensky's description of the old KGB/FSB "blueprint" for the takeover of ROCOR parishes in America, I discerned the exact series of events that had transpired in my own American ROCOR parish after 2000-- first, the appointment of a "nationalistic" rector, then the gradual (or even sudden) replacement of the old parish council and warden with mysterious recent Soviet emigres.
I have never been big on conspiracy theories, in general, and I am all too familiar with our propensity for collective paranoia, but this book, overall, seems quite credible and well documented. The devil is in the details, of course, as in the case of the Mitrokhin archives, and the devil is also now, apparently, in the Orthodox Church in America.
Spasi Christye Bozhe!!
Pravoslavnik
http://euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=8708
Fr. Ilyia Served With Eviction Notice
ROCOR-MP continues with their plans for Mahopac. Here is a typed-in copy of the eviction notice received by Fr. Ilyia (Gun) that was delivered to him Monday 11/24 November 2008 at 7:30 am:
This was the apartment where Fr. Ilyia stayed while serving there. A parishioner has offered Fr. Ilyia a room in his apartment, temporarily.
recent related posts:
Synod Buildings in the Movies (Oct10)
ROCOR-MP Priests Will Be Replaced (Oct. 10)
ROCOR-MP Synod Eats Mahopac Alive (Sept 22)
TEN DAY TERMINATION OF LICENSE AND NOTICE TO QUIT
To: Mother Maria (Nau) Orthodox nun 1050 Route 6
Main house Room 3 Mahopac, New York 10541
Please take notice, that the undersigned is the owner and the sole party entitled to the immediate possession of Room 3, situated in the Main House at 1050 Route 6, Mahopac, New York, and that on or before December 15, 2008, you and all other persons occupying the same area are required to quit and remove from the aforesaid premises.
The reason hereto is that your license to occupy the said premises is on this day revoked, and that your continuance in possession of the said premises is without the permission of the undersigned or of any person entitled or authorised to grant such permission.
TAKE NOTICE ALSO, that if you fail to vacate and surrender possession of the afore~id premises to the undersigned on or before December 15, that being more than ten days after service of this notice this notice upon you, the undersigned will commence legal proceedings to remove you therefrom.
Dated: New York, New York November 19, 2008
Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Outside of Russia Inc. - Owner
by Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral) President
Amsterdam & Lewinter, LLP Attorneys for Owner,
9 East 40th Street, 11th Floor New York, New York 10016
(212) 725-6100
This was the apartment where Fr. Ilyia stayed while serving there. A parishioner has offered Fr. Ilyia a room in his apartment, temporarily.
recent related posts:
Synod Buildings in the Movies (Oct10)
ROCOR-MP Priests Will Be Replaced (Oct. 10)
ROCOR-MP Synod Eats Mahopac Alive (Sept 22)
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