√ New Exciting Fundraising Appeal ∞ TITHE/ALMS ∞ We're growing!
√ The Minutes of the May 8/21 Meeting of ROCA(A) Bishops in Voronezh is available in English. I expect it will be on Vladyka Andronik's website soon. In the meantime, email me and I'll forward it to you. -Joanna
One question addressed in the Minutes was who we should and should not commemorate. The answer was that we should consider whether that person wants to be commemorated or not. What else of the discussion is not included in the minutes. This is something I'd like to hear more about. For myself I follow that rule, since I definitely DO NOT want any of my ROCOR(MP) friends commemorating me in their New Church or any World Orthodox church. So far none of my World Orthodox friends have asked me not to commemorate them, some have even specified they DO want me to commemorate them. What about children who can not reason for themselves? Or for the (ROCOR-MP) dead who may feel differently now than they did when they were blinded on earth? -jh
√ Don't miss this LaRussophobe article:
http://larussophobe.wordpress.com/2009/05/28/medvedev-poisons-the-russian-soul/
May 31, 2009
May 30, 2009
Truth About The Suzdal Schism
ARCHPRIEST LEV LEBEDEFF 1994 OPEN LETTER TO METROPOLITAN VITALY
(This is a PRIMO explanation and a factual history of what is wrong with the 'Suzdalian-Schismatics' from their inception, and the questionable part that Bp. Gregory (Grabbe) played in it. And, it is quite topical today, very! -RD)
An Open Letter About The Schism of the Suzdal “VVTsU”.
The Leaders of the Schism in the Russian Church, Lazar and Valentine.
To: His (titles)….
Metropolitan Vitaly, First hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church out of Borders
From: Archpriest Lev Lebedev
Your Eminence,
On 16 May this year, I received by mail a package from Suzdal without any sender’s name or address to me, this package containing photocopies of a document entitled "Resolutions... Read More
http://rocorrefugeesreadmore.blogspot.com/2009/06/truth-about-suzdal-schism.html
Related Post: A Tribute To Archpriest Lev Lebedeff
http://rocorrefugees.blogspot.com/2008/09/tribute-archpriest-lev-lebedeff.html
(This is a PRIMO explanation and a factual history of what is wrong with the 'Suzdalian-Schismatics' from their inception, and the questionable part that Bp. Gregory (Grabbe) played in it. And, it is quite topical today, very! -RD)
An Open Letter About The Schism of the Suzdal “VVTsU”.
The Leaders of the Schism in the Russian Church, Lazar and Valentine.
To: His (titles)….
Metropolitan Vitaly, First hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church out of Borders
From: Archpriest Lev Lebedev
Your Eminence,
On 16 May this year, I received by mail a package from Suzdal without any sender’s name or address to me, this package containing photocopies of a document entitled "Resolutions... Read More
http://rocorrefugeesreadmore.blogspot.com/2009/06/truth-about-suzdal-schism.html
Related Post: A Tribute To Archpriest Lev Lebedeff
http://rocorrefugees.blogspot.com/2008/09/tribute-archpriest-lev-lebedeff.html
May 24, 2009
Stickies
New comment on old post
ROCOR(MP) Priests Will Be Replaced 10/10/08
http://rocorrefugees.blogspot.com/2008/10/rocor-mp-priests-will-be-replaced.html
exp. 6/29
New post on Cyprianism blog
MIRACLE IN MOSCOW
http://cyprianites.blogspot.com/2009/05/miracle-in-moscow.html
exp. 6/24
ROCOR(MP) Priests Will Be Replaced 10/10/08
http://rocorrefugees.blogspot.com/2008/10/rocor-mp-priests-will-be-replaced.html
exp. 6/29
New post on Cyprianism blog
MIRACLE IN MOSCOW
http://cyprianites.blogspot.com/2009/05/miracle-in-moscow.html
exp. 6/24
May 23, 2009
Medvedev Rewriting History
President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered the creation of a “presidential commission against efforts to falsify history to harm the interests of Russia.”
"Russia, they say, is a country with an unpredictable past. In fact, it's harder to predict our past than it is to foresee the future."
Radio Free Europe, May 23, 2009
http://www.rferl.org/content/Medvedevs_Terrifying_Order/1736554.html
"Russia, they say, is a country with an unpredictable past. In fact, it's harder to predict our past than it is to foresee the future."
Radio Free Europe, May 23, 2009
http://www.rferl.org/content/Medvedevs_Terrifying_Order/1736554.html
May 21, 2009
Loyalties
After they escaped getting killed by the Reds, many of the Whites came to America and a large number of them went to work for the US government. In those days the government was more careful about who worked for them, so most of the Whites ended up in compartmentalized departments, away from the main offices and all the big secrets. Later on, after they proved themselves, and the US became more politically correct, they were able to move up in the ranks and be trusted.
Before that, you should have heard the screams from these émigrés; “How dare they question our loyalty?!! Our fathers and grandfathers fought the communists, we narrowly escaped getting killed by them ourselves, we are 110% opposed to them! Our loyalties are with our new homeland and we will fight the Soviet threat with all our might!” Now, sad to say, those US officials were right. Many of these same people quietly stand in the churches of ROCOR-MP, first commemorating Pat. Alexy (KGB file name – Drozdov), now Pat. Kirill (KGB file name – Mikahylov), and welcoming other senior MP metropolitans and bishops, who also have various codenames from their years of collaborating with the KGB and the Soviet government.
They hide behind fig leafs that Russia and the Church are free now, meanwhile not a single one of these MP clerics has ever asked for forgiveness for their work for the KGB. Instead, who knows what they’re really up to. Instead, ROCOR-MP members dream up fiction like the kind one priest offered, “The Patriarch prays in his private chapel every single day. That way he atones for all his past actions.” So now, the ROCOR-MP clerics can even see into the soul of the MP bishops!
To be fair, there are many that refuse to attend ROCOR-MP churches, because they realize the Putin government and its intelligence services cannot be trusted and because the changes in the MP are only superficial and that the MP remains a tool of the Russian government. They also stay away, because they have a true patriotic duty and gratitude to the country that took them or their parents in, with only a suitcase or two. Took them in and allowed them to create a wonderful, comfortable life for themselves and their children, with some of them even becoming quite prosperous.
Shame on the others!
Before that, you should have heard the screams from these émigrés; “How dare they question our loyalty?!! Our fathers and grandfathers fought the communists, we narrowly escaped getting killed by them ourselves, we are 110% opposed to them! Our loyalties are with our new homeland and we will fight the Soviet threat with all our might!” Now, sad to say, those US officials were right. Many of these same people quietly stand in the churches of ROCOR-MP, first commemorating Pat. Alexy (KGB file name – Drozdov), now Pat. Kirill (KGB file name – Mikahylov), and welcoming other senior MP metropolitans and bishops, who also have various codenames from their years of collaborating with the KGB and the Soviet government.
They hide behind fig leafs that Russia and the Church are free now, meanwhile not a single one of these MP clerics has ever asked for forgiveness for their work for the KGB. Instead, who knows what they’re really up to. Instead, ROCOR-MP members dream up fiction like the kind one priest offered, “The Patriarch prays in his private chapel every single day. That way he atones for all his past actions.” So now, the ROCOR-MP clerics can even see into the soul of the MP bishops!
To be fair, there are many that refuse to attend ROCOR-MP churches, because they realize the Putin government and its intelligence services cannot be trusted and because the changes in the MP are only superficial and that the MP remains a tool of the Russian government. They also stay away, because they have a true patriotic duty and gratitude to the country that took them or their parents in, with only a suitcase or two. Took them in and allowed them to create a wonderful, comfortable life for themselves and their children, with some of them even becoming quite prosperous.
Shame on the others!
A story you won't see on the ROCOR-MP website...
News from the Christ the Savior Monastery, a western-rite church in Hamilton, Ontario, accepted into ROCOR-MP:
On Sunday, 1 March/16 February 2009, notice was received from Metropolitan Hilarion of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, that the monastery and mission of Christminster and Our Lady of Glastonbury Orthodox Church, in Hamilton, Ontario, would henceforth be directly under the archpastoral oversight of the Metropolitan himself, assisted by his Vicar Bishop Jerome, Bishop of Manhattan. Bishop Gabriel, the ruling Bishop of Canada, had requested this change in light of his own lack of familiarity with the Orthodox western rite and its usages.
Bishop Jerome, the former Father John Shaw, is a long-time friend of Christminster and a scholar deeply learned in western liturgics.
We are grateful to each of these hierarchs for their pastoral concern for the well-being of our mission and work.
May 19, 2009
Strength in numbers?
Strength in numbers? The larger part is right, while the smaller part is wrong? Maybe in the old days, when people were strong in the faith and stood on principles. Not anymore. Now, in this age of narcissism, the serpent whispers sweet nothings into the ears of people and leads them and societies to their destruction; “You’re so smart, so enlightened, so modern, so progressive. You know better.” He plays on their pride and they believe themselves more knowledgeable than all the saints, ascetics, and thinkers that came before them. He also plays on their sense of Christian charity; “How can you judge others?!! That’s not Christian.” People pride themselves on their tolerance and how they can see all sides of an issue, but they end up blind to the truth.
People in the diaspora have tunnel vision and only focus on events in their church. Many don’t read newspapers, magazines and don’t know what is happening elsewhere. They don’t see that this phenomenon of a larger part turning its back on tradition is occurring in other churches and throughout societies. Many in the Episcopalian and Anglican churches, who support female priests and homosexual bishops, are aghast that a small part of their flock doesn’t agree with them and calls them schismatics. The Catholic Church battles with its members, who seek excuses for abortion and other failings of the modern age. The Greek church has embraced many modernist principles and considers those who disagree to be throwbacks to a bygone era. Societies also pride themselves on being evolved, more modern and are becoming more secular all the time.
Those in ROCOR-MP who turned their back on traditions take comfort in that there are so many of them, but their clerics don’t have the spiritual discernment of their predecessors and don’t realize they have strayed from the path and are in danger of losing their way. Compromise after compromise takes them further away from the teachings of the fathers of the church. Flush with pride at how tolerant and accommodating they have become to the MP and other religious organizations that bear only a superficial resemblance to Orthodoxy, they grow more and more blind to their deviations. Meanwhile, the hoopla surrounding their union with the MP is dying down, and with the new Patriarch in power, they will remain in existence as long as it suits their new masters. After that, they will be snuffed out.
For now they take comfort in being part of an even larger body, the MP, but what does the MP stand for? About the only position you could call traditional is their opposition to homosexuality, but it’s not based on religious teachings, but the raging homophobia that marked the Soviet Union and continues today. Soviet society was always very chauvinistic and had no respect for women or the weaker members of its society. Other than that, anything goes. Their opposition to abortion is very faint, because abortions are a fact of life in the Soviet Union\Russia. Many women of all social levels have had abortions and the MP even created an icon for those who had one, to pray to.
With their puffed-up pride, the ROCOR-MP clerics thought they could change the MP through their spiritual strength, but after they surrendered all their principles, they lost that strength. As a result, instead of changing them, the MP has changed ROCOR-MP, which has become a pale imitation of its new host. ROCOR-MP has been silenced, just like the MP remained silent during the Soviet era and now under Putin. For now, they busy themselves with services, celebrations, anniversaries, various events, but it rings hollow. It’s like the orchestra playing while the Titanic sank.
People in the diaspora have tunnel vision and only focus on events in their church. Many don’t read newspapers, magazines and don’t know what is happening elsewhere. They don’t see that this phenomenon of a larger part turning its back on tradition is occurring in other churches and throughout societies. Many in the Episcopalian and Anglican churches, who support female priests and homosexual bishops, are aghast that a small part of their flock doesn’t agree with them and calls them schismatics. The Catholic Church battles with its members, who seek excuses for abortion and other failings of the modern age. The Greek church has embraced many modernist principles and considers those who disagree to be throwbacks to a bygone era. Societies also pride themselves on being evolved, more modern and are becoming more secular all the time.
Those in ROCOR-MP who turned their back on traditions take comfort in that there are so many of them, but their clerics don’t have the spiritual discernment of their predecessors and don’t realize they have strayed from the path and are in danger of losing their way. Compromise after compromise takes them further away from the teachings of the fathers of the church. Flush with pride at how tolerant and accommodating they have become to the MP and other religious organizations that bear only a superficial resemblance to Orthodoxy, they grow more and more blind to their deviations. Meanwhile, the hoopla surrounding their union with the MP is dying down, and with the new Patriarch in power, they will remain in existence as long as it suits their new masters. After that, they will be snuffed out.
For now they take comfort in being part of an even larger body, the MP, but what does the MP stand for? About the only position you could call traditional is their opposition to homosexuality, but it’s not based on religious teachings, but the raging homophobia that marked the Soviet Union and continues today. Soviet society was always very chauvinistic and had no respect for women or the weaker members of its society. Other than that, anything goes. Their opposition to abortion is very faint, because abortions are a fact of life in the Soviet Union\Russia. Many women of all social levels have had abortions and the MP even created an icon for those who had one, to pray to.
With their puffed-up pride, the ROCOR-MP clerics thought they could change the MP through their spiritual strength, but after they surrendered all their principles, they lost that strength. As a result, instead of changing them, the MP has changed ROCOR-MP, which has become a pale imitation of its new host. ROCOR-MP has been silenced, just like the MP remained silent during the Soviet era and now under Putin. For now, they busy themselves with services, celebrations, anniversaries, various events, but it rings hollow. It’s like the orchestra playing while the Titanic sank.
May 15, 2009
The Mountain And The Dream
This post is dedicated to the memory of our precious and beloved ROCOR which was delivered to Pilate on May 17, 2007. -jh
SELECTED PAGES FROM A JOURNAL OF A SISTER IN CHRIST
Part 1: The Mountain
Part 2: The Dream
Part 3: The Letters
Part 4: The Interpretation
Part 1: The Mountain 1994
When I was on the Mount of Temptations
A little story:
Once upon a time, I was beset with many temptations and thought to leave the convent where I had been living at for a few years. I was (at that time) in a bit of a frenzy, being tempted by many thoughts.
During that time, I approached the head mistress at the school (at Bethany, where I was a house mother) and I told her that I "had to leave". Beset by myself, I had come to the conclusion that "that" was not where God willed for me to be. So, self-willed that I am, I thought that it would be best of me to go where I had planned to go and to be "polite" and at least let her know where I was going (so as not to let her worry by my being gone).
No...for real.
"I have to go," I said to her, "to the 40 day mount; I believe I will get peace there." Poor me, not knowing that the only place that peace could be found was within myself...Though I suppose it hadn't hit me, that peace comes down from above, from the Father of lights and that He would grant it to me if I would have just been still and warded off the enemy through prayer, instead of flight.
Anyway...I said that my stay at the convent was over, and (I remained steadfast in my self will) told her that no matter what I was walking to Jericho.
LOL, from Bethany, mind you, let's just say that that's a pretty nice hike!
She was just about to be tonsured a full monastic and with only a few days left for her tonsure, she hadn't written her full life confession yet. So patient that she was, she agreed to drive me to the Mount, where she had the chance to reflect on her list and prepare for confession.
I, on the other hand...stubborn that I am, I didn't even take the road up --
No...Far be it for me to make things simple. I took the back road up, the rocks and the cliffs for me!
Why? Well, because the church which is there only goes half way up the mount and I wanted to go ALL the WAY UP! To the very TOP!
Why? Well, because that is where I would "fight" my temptation. At least that's what I thought.
Besides, I had tried to see if I could go through the church to the top, but there was nobody there at the time.
:P
So, I roughed it through the back, tripping on my dress and falling onto the rocks every now and then. I went passed the church on the mount (which is half way up) then at last, I made it up to the top, where the remains of an old church could be seen.
To the side there were rooms where people had scratched in graffiti into the rocks, including the three temptations of Christ.
I sat there in silence and thought about all the things that the world had to offer and how I had fled those things hoping to find salvation in monastic life.
But I see something now, it is not our "will" that saves us, it is our submitting to Gods will that saves us. Yet I, like Israel of old was stubborn and stiff-necked and I continued to seek an "external place" where I would be able to find "peace".
I had done my best to see every road, to touch every stone, every tree, every mount where my Lord had been in the "Holy Land". Seeking earnestly a trace of grace for me...But in the end I stood at the edge of the cliff of the 40 day mount and I cried aloud, "How or where O Lord, IS MY SALVATION TO BE FOUND?"
So, many years later, in a moment of reflection, I found some stillness once again, and then I heard the answer:
"Silly....It's inside of me."
There, "The Kingdom", is to be found.
In Christ,
___N.___
(click photo to enlarge)
Here is a picture I took of the 40 day Mount about a decade and a half ago.
AKA: "The Mount of Temptations", is where Christ was tempted by the devil. The Greek Orthodox Church can be seen carved along the side of the Mount.
Part 2: The Dream 2004
A strange dream I had I wrote on an old blog dated 2004, with a few interesting things to follow in 2007...
The rush to embrace(?)
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
I had a very strange dream last night. I am not one to pay much attention to dreams, but this dream was so clear and there was so much symbolism in it. I can't help but write it out, maybe it's meaning (if any) will be clearer for me if I write it out. I'd almost classify it a nightmare, except it was one of those dreams that there was no skin off *my* nose. I guess it was just more dark or eerie in nature than anything else.
Ok, here goes....
As far as I recall, the dream begins with me wandering about on the grounds at the Mount of Olives, in Jerusalem. Then, I am on my way to church for the feast of the Ascension. I get to the entrance of the church and there are people all over, rushing around this way and that. I stopped and looked at the people around the entrance to the Church of the Ascension and I stood there wondering who they were. I started to think that they were pilgrims, then my eyes wandered from the crowd, to the door (the entrance of the church) then to the top of the church and I looked at the cross. I cringed back because I was expecting to see a gold cross, but instead it was black and dripping with pitch.
I then looked back down away from the cross and ended up looking at the entrance to the church, and it too was also made black with pitch. I got really upset at this and exclaimed "What's going on here?!" And one of the nuns passing by said to me, "Oh that, it is our new church." I wanted to ask what she meant but she hurried off even as she spoke. Many people were rushing around on the convent grounds, they looked like repair men with all types of tools. They all hurried along saying "We must gild the cupolas it is almost time". They passed by me and bumped me as they rushed on their way.
I was beginning to feel a little in a rush myself, so I left.
I found myself at Gethsemane where even greater amounts of people hurried around. "But their gold cupolas are already finished", I said to myself (as I thought that they were going to work on gilding).
Suddenly I heard someone say, "No, no! That is not enough, we will need more pitch!"
I turned to see what they were doing and they were applying pitch to the door and crosses. I asked aloud, "Who are all these people?" and someone said "They are here to prepare the way and get things ready."
"We must hurry, it is almost time!" they said one to the other. "We are almost done with the preparations." said one of the work men as they bumped the nuns out their way. I stood in amazement as the cross they had taken down and were beginning to put back up again, but that time it was all black and dripping with pitch.
My mouth dropped open and I said aloud, "Oh, how awful, they have ruined the cross!"
I didn't know what to do, I looked around for someone to say something, someone to disagree with what was happening but no one protested, no one said anything aloud at all, except for me and none of the workmen seemed to hear me.
At best, some of the nuns seemed hesitant to continue in their tasks. They hurried past the church and each of them would glance up at the black crosses with troublesome faces. They then turned their heads quickly back down towards the ground and continued on their way to complete their tasks.
I stood there in the one spot, looking this way and that, not figuring out what was going on, nor why all the fuss.
Finally, one of the nuns approached me on my left side and leaning towards my ear (in a soft pleasant, almost hypnotic voice) said, "It is the new Church...We have a *NEW* Way."
I almost fell over, it was as if her saying that to me took my strength away. I felt suddenly weak and sick, I turned quickly to see who spoke to me but on turning my head no one was there; that was one of the eeriest parts of the whole dream.
As I stood in front of the church I heard some of the nuns talking behind me, I turned around to see who it was and I saw the former abbess from Gethsemane walking towards the church. She was speaking to one of the sisters who walked with her. Then I saw the abbess from the Mount of Olives also walking on her (other) side (Mother Moses) and as they walked together, the present abbess of Gethsemane (Mother Elizabeth) came out and they continued walking passed the church, with no troubled looks at all.
The former abbess said "We must be obedient, that is it. We have to trust and follow our hierarchs." When she said this, the nuns that were doing their chores almost hidden and in hesitation came out and their faces changed, they then took confidence and continued uplifted.
All of the nuns then flocked together and followed her, they continued walking behind her until she drew near a small house that was prepared and ready to receive a seemingly very special guest, the guest whom all the preparations where made for. To be honest though, I have no idea who the guest was.
I turned once again to see the doors to the entrance of Saint Mary Magdalene and the last few buckets of pitch were poured and slopped on them.
"Ah", said one workman "It is done, we are ready."
***THAT'S THE END OF THE DREAM.
Part 3: The Letters 2007
http://www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws/synod/eng2007/5enholyland.html
JERUSALEM: May 16, 2007
The Situation in the Holy Land (statement by the Abbesses of Ascension and Gethsemane Convents)
During Great Lent, the nuns of both Convents, on the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane, more and more frequently came to hear alarming reports of the impending departure of their spiritual father, Hegumen Andronik, Deputy Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission. We had all hoped that these were no more than rumors. Alas, after Pascha, from the lips of Fr Andronik himself, along with the joyful greeting “Christ is Risen,” we heard “I am leaving. It is decided. I entrust you to the Mother of God!”
How many tears were shed, how the nuns pleaded! Fr Andronik had served his obedience in Jerusalem for over twenty years. He enjoyed universal love and respect. For us this is a harsh blow and a terrible loss. Despite the fact that we in the monasteries had already known of the impending departure of Fr Andronik, the hierarchy, in the persons of His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus and Archbishop Mark, Overseer of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, was not informed. Only the recent visit by Bishop Agapit of Stuttgart shed light on the matter. Hegumen Andronik, in a conversation with Bishop Agapit, declared that he is not in agreement with the decision of the Synod and the forthcoming signing of the Act of Canonical Communion.
On the basis of this declaration, it was decided to relieve Fr Andronik from his duties as Deputy Chief of the REM, while allowing him to continue to conduct divine services until his departure for America after Ascension. The Abbesses and the nuns many times tried to prevent Fr Andronik from making this step, but he remained determined.
We hope and pray that the day comes when Fr Andronik realizes that this is not the right path, but a departure from the Church, and, coming to his senses, will return to his home at the Convent on the Mount of Olives, to the universal joy of all the residents of our Convents.
Mother Moisseia and the sisters.
Mother Elizabeth and the sisters.
--------Another Letter---------
His Grace, Bishop Agafangel
As a consequence of the integration of part of ROCOR on the recent feast of Holy Ascension including the current First Hierarch and members of the Synod into the structure of the Moscow Patriarchate, I must inform my flock as well as all the faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia of the following:
Because the long awaited repentance of the Moscow Patriarchate in the sins of Sergianism and Ecumenism to this very day has not occurred I find it premature the establishment between our churches of Eucharistic and Administrative union. I also find it unacceptable the rejection by ROCOR of its spiritual inheritance which, according to my own personal conviction, will be impossible to secure in its fullness under the terms outlined in the Act of Canonical Union.
For this reason I remain faithful to the original stance of ROCOR - until the complete resolution of the obstacles for our entire Church. I continue to consider for myself the directives and all other examples of Church authority by the Moscow Patriarchate to be without canonical basis.
Bishop Agafangel
Odessa 4/17 May 2007
Ascension of Our Lord
Part 4: The Interpretation
It was only after having read the two letters above that I came to understand what everything in my dream meant, that happened yesterday. I saw the page of St. Xenia where I found that excerpt from Bishop Agafangel, when I saw the "Feast of the Ascension" signed below his name; all of a sudden I remembered my dream. Because in my dream, it all took place on that Feast. I had to look my dream up on an old blog from 2004 and put together with the letter from Mother Moses and Mother Elizabeth, it all became self- explanatory.
The dream was a glimpse at the new union with the MP, the former Abbess appearing in the dream represented Bishop Andronik who also ended up leaving, yet for no longer being 'obedient'.
My feeling sick and weak, was the split that would continue in ROCOR as a result of the union. The nuns and workmen represented the faithful and their part in avoiding the reality and atrocity of what was going on around them without protest.
The guest was Bishop Agapit of Stuttgart who as stated in the letter above, "shed light on the matter" of Fr. Andronik.
Mothers Moses and Elizabeth represented themselves as they later proved, by co-signing the letter above.
Finally, in the end someone did speak out against the "pitch being slopped onto the crosses" on that very same Feast day a few years later, that was Bishop Agafangel.
That said, I should add that I lived in the Holy Land for 3 years in the early '90's. Btw, there are two references which probably stuck in my mind. The Prophetic Vision of St. John of Kronstadt where he said that the candles were made of tar and again where he said, "A priest stood before the altar with face like pitch ..."
One more Holy Father comes to mind, Elder Lavrety and article called the Prophetic gift: "The time will come," said Fr. Lavrenty, "when they will renovate even the closed churches, and fix them up not only outside but also inside. They wilt gild the cupolas of both churches and belfries. But when this is finished, it will usher in the reign of antichrist. Pray that the Lord grant us an extension of time that we might strengthen ourselves, because a frightful time awaits us. Do you see how craftily everything is being prepared? All the churches will be absolutely magnificent, as never before, but one must not go into those churches. Antichrist will be crowned like a king in a grand cathedral in Jerusalem, with the participation of the clergy and the Patriarch."
Again, "Do you see how craftily everything is being prepared?" That to me, is the key phrase that needs to be examined.
†
Our Sister in Christ has not put her name to this post at this time. She is not anonymous to us, only to scoffers and blasphemers.
This post is not intended to convince anyone the union is wrong. It is only to offer a consolation to those who mourn. -jh
SELECTED PAGES FROM A JOURNAL OF A SISTER IN CHRIST
Part 1: The Mountain
Part 2: The Dream
Part 3: The Letters
Part 4: The Interpretation
Part 1: The Mountain 1994
When I was on the Mount of Temptations
A little story:
Once upon a time, I was beset with many temptations and thought to leave the convent where I had been living at for a few years. I was (at that time) in a bit of a frenzy, being tempted by many thoughts.
During that time, I approached the head mistress at the school (at Bethany, where I was a house mother) and I told her that I "had to leave". Beset by myself, I had come to the conclusion that "that" was not where God willed for me to be. So, self-willed that I am, I thought that it would be best of me to go where I had planned to go and to be "polite" and at least let her know where I was going (so as not to let her worry by my being gone).
No...for real.
"I have to go," I said to her, "to the 40 day mount; I believe I will get peace there." Poor me, not knowing that the only place that peace could be found was within myself...Though I suppose it hadn't hit me, that peace comes down from above, from the Father of lights and that He would grant it to me if I would have just been still and warded off the enemy through prayer, instead of flight.
Anyway...I said that my stay at the convent was over, and (I remained steadfast in my self will) told her that no matter what I was walking to Jericho.
LOL, from Bethany, mind you, let's just say that that's a pretty nice hike!
She was just about to be tonsured a full monastic and with only a few days left for her tonsure, she hadn't written her full life confession yet. So patient that she was, she agreed to drive me to the Mount, where she had the chance to reflect on her list and prepare for confession.
I, on the other hand...stubborn that I am, I didn't even take the road up --
No...Far be it for me to make things simple. I took the back road up, the rocks and the cliffs for me!
Why? Well, because the church which is there only goes half way up the mount and I wanted to go ALL the WAY UP! To the very TOP!
Why? Well, because that is where I would "fight" my temptation. At least that's what I thought.
Besides, I had tried to see if I could go through the church to the top, but there was nobody there at the time.
:P
So, I roughed it through the back, tripping on my dress and falling onto the rocks every now and then. I went passed the church on the mount (which is half way up) then at last, I made it up to the top, where the remains of an old church could be seen.
To the side there were rooms where people had scratched in graffiti into the rocks, including the three temptations of Christ.
I sat there in silence and thought about all the things that the world had to offer and how I had fled those things hoping to find salvation in monastic life.
But I see something now, it is not our "will" that saves us, it is our submitting to Gods will that saves us. Yet I, like Israel of old was stubborn and stiff-necked and I continued to seek an "external place" where I would be able to find "peace".
I had done my best to see every road, to touch every stone, every tree, every mount where my Lord had been in the "Holy Land". Seeking earnestly a trace of grace for me...But in the end I stood at the edge of the cliff of the 40 day mount and I cried aloud, "How or where O Lord, IS MY SALVATION TO BE FOUND?"
So, many years later, in a moment of reflection, I found some stillness once again, and then I heard the answer:
"Silly....It's inside of me."
There, "The Kingdom", is to be found.
In Christ,
___N.___
(click photo to enlarge)Here is a picture I took of the 40 day Mount about a decade and a half ago.
AKA: "The Mount of Temptations", is where Christ was tempted by the devil. The Greek Orthodox Church can be seen carved along the side of the Mount.
Part 2: The Dream 2004
A strange dream I had I wrote on an old blog dated 2004, with a few interesting things to follow in 2007...
The rush to embrace(?)
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
I had a very strange dream last night. I am not one to pay much attention to dreams, but this dream was so clear and there was so much symbolism in it. I can't help but write it out, maybe it's meaning (if any) will be clearer for me if I write it out. I'd almost classify it a nightmare, except it was one of those dreams that there was no skin off *my* nose. I guess it was just more dark or eerie in nature than anything else.
Ok, here goes....
As far as I recall, the dream begins with me wandering about on the grounds at the Mount of Olives, in Jerusalem. Then, I am on my way to church for the feast of the Ascension. I get to the entrance of the church and there are people all over, rushing around this way and that. I stopped and looked at the people around the entrance to the Church of the Ascension and I stood there wondering who they were. I started to think that they were pilgrims, then my eyes wandered from the crowd, to the door (the entrance of the church) then to the top of the church and I looked at the cross. I cringed back because I was expecting to see a gold cross, but instead it was black and dripping with pitch.
I then looked back down away from the cross and ended up looking at the entrance to the church, and it too was also made black with pitch. I got really upset at this and exclaimed "What's going on here?!" And one of the nuns passing by said to me, "Oh that, it is our new church." I wanted to ask what she meant but she hurried off even as she spoke. Many people were rushing around on the convent grounds, they looked like repair men with all types of tools. They all hurried along saying "We must gild the cupolas it is almost time". They passed by me and bumped me as they rushed on their way.
I was beginning to feel a little in a rush myself, so I left.
I found myself at Gethsemane where even greater amounts of people hurried around. "But their gold cupolas are already finished", I said to myself (as I thought that they were going to work on gilding).
Suddenly I heard someone say, "No, no! That is not enough, we will need more pitch!"
I turned to see what they were doing and they were applying pitch to the door and crosses. I asked aloud, "Who are all these people?" and someone said "They are here to prepare the way and get things ready."
"We must hurry, it is almost time!" they said one to the other. "We are almost done with the preparations." said one of the work men as they bumped the nuns out their way. I stood in amazement as the cross they had taken down and were beginning to put back up again, but that time it was all black and dripping with pitch.
My mouth dropped open and I said aloud, "Oh, how awful, they have ruined the cross!"
I didn't know what to do, I looked around for someone to say something, someone to disagree with what was happening but no one protested, no one said anything aloud at all, except for me and none of the workmen seemed to hear me.
At best, some of the nuns seemed hesitant to continue in their tasks. They hurried past the church and each of them would glance up at the black crosses with troublesome faces. They then turned their heads quickly back down towards the ground and continued on their way to complete their tasks.
I stood there in the one spot, looking this way and that, not figuring out what was going on, nor why all the fuss.
Finally, one of the nuns approached me on my left side and leaning towards my ear (in a soft pleasant, almost hypnotic voice) said, "It is the new Church...We have a *NEW* Way."
I almost fell over, it was as if her saying that to me took my strength away. I felt suddenly weak and sick, I turned quickly to see who spoke to me but on turning my head no one was there; that was one of the eeriest parts of the whole dream.
As I stood in front of the church I heard some of the nuns talking behind me, I turned around to see who it was and I saw the former abbess from Gethsemane walking towards the church. She was speaking to one of the sisters who walked with her. Then I saw the abbess from the Mount of Olives also walking on her (other) side (Mother Moses) and as they walked together, the present abbess of Gethsemane (Mother Elizabeth) came out and they continued walking passed the church, with no troubled looks at all.
The former abbess said "We must be obedient, that is it. We have to trust and follow our hierarchs." When she said this, the nuns that were doing their chores almost hidden and in hesitation came out and their faces changed, they then took confidence and continued uplifted.
All of the nuns then flocked together and followed her, they continued walking behind her until she drew near a small house that was prepared and ready to receive a seemingly very special guest, the guest whom all the preparations where made for. To be honest though, I have no idea who the guest was.
I turned once again to see the doors to the entrance of Saint Mary Magdalene and the last few buckets of pitch were poured and slopped on them.
"Ah", said one workman "It is done, we are ready."
***THAT'S THE END OF THE DREAM.
Part 3: The Letters 2007
http://www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws/synod/eng2007/5enholyland.html
JERUSALEM: May 16, 2007
The Situation in the Holy Land (statement by the Abbesses of Ascension and Gethsemane Convents)
During Great Lent, the nuns of both Convents, on the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane, more and more frequently came to hear alarming reports of the impending departure of their spiritual father, Hegumen Andronik, Deputy Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission. We had all hoped that these were no more than rumors. Alas, after Pascha, from the lips of Fr Andronik himself, along with the joyful greeting “Christ is Risen,” we heard “I am leaving. It is decided. I entrust you to the Mother of God!”
How many tears were shed, how the nuns pleaded! Fr Andronik had served his obedience in Jerusalem for over twenty years. He enjoyed universal love and respect. For us this is a harsh blow and a terrible loss. Despite the fact that we in the monasteries had already known of the impending departure of Fr Andronik, the hierarchy, in the persons of His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus and Archbishop Mark, Overseer of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, was not informed. Only the recent visit by Bishop Agapit of Stuttgart shed light on the matter. Hegumen Andronik, in a conversation with Bishop Agapit, declared that he is not in agreement with the decision of the Synod and the forthcoming signing of the Act of Canonical Communion.
On the basis of this declaration, it was decided to relieve Fr Andronik from his duties as Deputy Chief of the REM, while allowing him to continue to conduct divine services until his departure for America after Ascension. The Abbesses and the nuns many times tried to prevent Fr Andronik from making this step, but he remained determined.
We hope and pray that the day comes when Fr Andronik realizes that this is not the right path, but a departure from the Church, and, coming to his senses, will return to his home at the Convent on the Mount of Olives, to the universal joy of all the residents of our Convents.
Mother Moisseia and the sisters.
Mother Elizabeth and the sisters.
--------Another Letter---------
His Grace, Bishop Agafangel
As a consequence of the integration of part of ROCOR on the recent feast of Holy Ascension including the current First Hierarch and members of the Synod into the structure of the Moscow Patriarchate, I must inform my flock as well as all the faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia of the following:
Because the long awaited repentance of the Moscow Patriarchate in the sins of Sergianism and Ecumenism to this very day has not occurred I find it premature the establishment between our churches of Eucharistic and Administrative union. I also find it unacceptable the rejection by ROCOR of its spiritual inheritance which, according to my own personal conviction, will be impossible to secure in its fullness under the terms outlined in the Act of Canonical Union.
For this reason I remain faithful to the original stance of ROCOR - until the complete resolution of the obstacles for our entire Church. I continue to consider for myself the directives and all other examples of Church authority by the Moscow Patriarchate to be without canonical basis.
Bishop Agafangel
Odessa 4/17 May 2007
Ascension of Our Lord
Part 4: The Interpretation
It was only after having read the two letters above that I came to understand what everything in my dream meant, that happened yesterday. I saw the page of St. Xenia where I found that excerpt from Bishop Agafangel, when I saw the "Feast of the Ascension" signed below his name; all of a sudden I remembered my dream. Because in my dream, it all took place on that Feast. I had to look my dream up on an old blog from 2004 and put together with the letter from Mother Moses and Mother Elizabeth, it all became self- explanatory.
The dream was a glimpse at the new union with the MP, the former Abbess appearing in the dream represented Bishop Andronik who also ended up leaving, yet for no longer being 'obedient'.
My feeling sick and weak, was the split that would continue in ROCOR as a result of the union. The nuns and workmen represented the faithful and their part in avoiding the reality and atrocity of what was going on around them without protest.
The guest was Bishop Agapit of Stuttgart who as stated in the letter above, "shed light on the matter" of Fr. Andronik.
Mothers Moses and Elizabeth represented themselves as they later proved, by co-signing the letter above.
Finally, in the end someone did speak out against the "pitch being slopped onto the crosses" on that very same Feast day a few years later, that was Bishop Agafangel.
That said, I should add that I lived in the Holy Land for 3 years in the early '90's. Btw, there are two references which probably stuck in my mind. The Prophetic Vision of St. John of Kronstadt where he said that the candles were made of tar and again where he said, "A priest stood before the altar with face like pitch ..."
One more Holy Father comes to mind, Elder Lavrety and article called the Prophetic gift: "The time will come," said Fr. Lavrenty, "when they will renovate even the closed churches, and fix them up not only outside but also inside. They wilt gild the cupolas of both churches and belfries. But when this is finished, it will usher in the reign of antichrist. Pray that the Lord grant us an extension of time that we might strengthen ourselves, because a frightful time awaits us. Do you see how craftily everything is being prepared? All the churches will be absolutely magnificent, as never before, but one must not go into those churches. Antichrist will be crowned like a king in a grand cathedral in Jerusalem, with the participation of the clergy and the Patriarch."
Again, "Do you see how craftily everything is being prepared?" That to me, is the key phrase that needs to be examined.
†
Our Sister in Christ has not put her name to this post at this time. She is not anonymous to us, only to scoffers and blasphemers.
This post is not intended to convince anyone the union is wrong. It is only to offer a consolation to those who mourn. -jh
Memorial Of ROCOR - sticky
√ Even though it is in Google English, the message still comes through.
A post on guest_2 :
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fguest-2.livejournal.com%2F&sl=ru&tl=en&history_state0=
√ This machine translation describing the ROCOR(MP) schism is FUNNY even tho' it is so sadly TRUE:
A post on guest_2 :
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fguest-2.livejournal.com%2F&sl=ru&tl=en&history_state0=
√ This machine translation describing the ROCOR(MP) schism is FUNNY even tho' it is so sadly TRUE:
Amputation May 17, 2007 from Mr. Grace and the Church of Christ its own Catholic anathema 1983 samoanfematstvovannye heretics-ekumenisty RPTSZ (MP) under the leadership of irrepressible Gabriel Chemodakova, retiring from the Church Abroad in sergiansky split MP, talk about God and the hierarchy of who abides in the church wall, and who is not!
-from Daily Courier 4/26/09
May 13, 2009
ROCOR(MP) In Communion With Jerusalem
JERUSALEM TODAY, OCA TOMORROW
On this day we remember St. James son of Zebedee, brother of St. John the Theologion, the Enlightener of Spain. Later he returned to Jersusalem and was killed there with a sword. St. James (Santiago in Spanish) is a great western saint who is much neglected in the eastern church.
+++
Here is an excerpt from a recent ROCOR(MP) report:
...In his report, Archbishop Mark, Overseer of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, thanked the Synod of Bishops for appointing Archimandrite Joasaph (MacLellan) as the Head of the Mission in Jerusalem, stating that full ecclesiastical communion has been reestablished with the Jerusalem Patriarchate. On May 5 of this year, this fact was solidified by a concelebration at the Life-bearing Tomb of the Lord by His Eminence Metropolitan Aristarchos, Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Jerusalem Patriarchate and His Grace Bishop Agapit of Stuttgart, Vicar of the German Diocese.
It was also decided to form a commission to study the relationship with the Orthodox Church in America and to hold joint meetings to discuss the sources of the division between the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and the American Metropoliate. Included in this commission are Bishop George, President; Archimandrite Luke (Murianka); Protopriest Alexander Lebedeff, Secretary; Protopriest David Moser and Priest Peter Jackson. The commission is to study and present findings on the reasons for the division and to evaluate the mutual accusations, and propose methods of healing the separation...
www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws/synod/eng2009/5ensynodmeeting.html
On this day we remember St. James son of Zebedee, brother of St. John the Theologion, the Enlightener of Spain. Later he returned to Jersusalem and was killed there with a sword. St. James (Santiago in Spanish) is a great western saint who is much neglected in the eastern church.
+++
Here is an excerpt from a recent ROCOR(MP) report:
...In his report, Archbishop Mark, Overseer of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, thanked the Synod of Bishops for appointing Archimandrite Joasaph (MacLellan) as the Head of the Mission in Jerusalem, stating that full ecclesiastical communion has been reestablished with the Jerusalem Patriarchate. On May 5 of this year, this fact was solidified by a concelebration at the Life-bearing Tomb of the Lord by His Eminence Metropolitan Aristarchos, Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Jerusalem Patriarchate and His Grace Bishop Agapit of Stuttgart, Vicar of the German Diocese.
It was also decided to form a commission to study the relationship with the Orthodox Church in America and to hold joint meetings to discuss the sources of the division between the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and the American Metropoliate. Included in this commission are Bishop George, President; Archimandrite Luke (Murianka); Protopriest Alexander Lebedeff, Secretary; Protopriest David Moser and Priest Peter Jackson. The commission is to study and present findings on the reasons for the division and to evaluate the mutual accusations, and propose methods of healing the separation...
www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws/synod/eng2009/5ensynodmeeting.html
May 11, 2009
Sticky
Holy Trinity in Astoria invites us to see their photo album.
Arxiereiskiy Sobor May 10 2009
May 10, 2009
To see the photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/astoriaholytrinity/ArxiereiskiySoborMay102009?authkey=Gv1sRgCOmy7PHivfabcg&feat=email
To see the slide show:
http://picasaweb.google.com/astoriaholytrinity/ArxiereiskiySoborMay102009?authkey=Gv1sRgCOmy7PHivfabcg&feat=email#slideshow
Arxiereiskiy Sobor May 10 2009
May 10, 2009
To see the photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/astoriaholytrinity/ArxiereiskiySoborMay102009?authkey=Gv1sRgCOmy7PHivfabcg&feat=email
To see the slide show:
http://picasaweb.google.com/astoriaholytrinity/ArxiereiskiySoborMay102009?authkey=Gv1sRgCOmy7PHivfabcg&feat=email#slideshow
May 10, 2009
Good Friends Get Together!
On May 5, 2009, in Russia, the official organ of the MP, 'Patriarchia.ru' conducted an interview with the newly elected OCA Metropolitan, Jonah (Paffhausen) upon his cordial visit with his dear friend, MP-Pat. Kyrill (KGB special agent, Michael-Gundaev). One can read this....interesting...interview in Russian or in English: In Russian: http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/print/637172.html
English: http://www.ocanews.org/news/SecondRussianInterview5.08.09.html>
Why should we anti-MP traditionalist Orthodox care at all, about the entire OCA or it's new head and his, very cozy attitudes towards his 'sister church,' or whatever he calls it currently, his MP?
Well, for many reasons, not the least, to see....what happens when one calls the KGB-MP one's 'friend'. This OCA, in it's historic origins in the once-part-of-THE Russian Church's North American Metropolia (before the revolution), later on, when it was a full canonical part of the canonical jurisdiction of The Russian Church Abroad, went into schism from that church, lead by schismatic, 'Met. Platon (Rozdesvensky)'. Then, later on, in 1970, under much behind the scenes deceitfulness, their leadership, unknown to the average lay people, abruptly announced as an accomplished done-deal, before any could protest!...it's foolishly submitting to the Stalin-created MP, and to it's supposide 'authority' as it's 'mother church', and they, 'accepted autocephaly' from that KGB department., thereby de facto, recognizing the MP as the Official Russian Church!....a great propaganda victory for the communists. (But, how can those who serve Satan, give any ...blessings?) Over these ensuing years since 1970, if one examines OCA life and actions carefully, one can see a steady errosion and infiltration of Moscow...into the internal affairs and attitudes of the OCA., plus the growing modernism and poisons of ecumenism in it's ranks, from the top to the bottom of it's church-life. Read this interview, and....be seated when you do, as some of the idiotic
things which Jonah Paffhausen says, will floor you! For one surprise, he wishes for... a bishop from the MP "to sit with our bishops!" (...to help the OCA rule itself?). Gadzukes!!!
Is this not the same course that the newly betrayed ROCOR-MP is also on?
It fits the old Russian saying, which describes any difficult task: ..."It can be accomplished.....little by little (malo-po-malo)". And we already know how very patient are the KGB/FSB and their gang.
"Autocephaly" means, 'Independence", for what any word's dictionary meaning, has to do with communist machinations? They are the masters of deceit and of false-promises. SURPRISE! Folks...Wake up, before you cannot even escape at all. Leave your ROCOR-MP and come to the canonical & lawful real ROCA, the continued-ROCOR, under Vladyka Metropolitan Agafangel (Pashkovsky).. ROCOR-MP's 'act of union' says, 'Autonomous'...which we can clearly see, means simply, in hard reality! that our former clergy and fellow laymen are, truly, subservient to the MP, an inferior/slavish PART of the MP. Years ago, when the MP's exarch in America, bull-in-the-china-shop chubby, Bp. Mercury, a big mouth loose-cannon type, said, upon first setting foot in New York: 'I can't stand America, I'd rather be back in Russia!'....and...."We are not happy with the OCA, they are not Russian enough, they are not adequately ministering to Russian immigrants,....and our tomos of Autocephaly granting them autocephaly, is 'ONLY A PIECE OF PAPER, WHICH WE...CAN TEAR UP AT ANY TIME!...Whenever WE want to!"
Oh well, isn't it wonderful to have friends!? We too, in ROCA could have these same KGB-MP 'friends' if we too, like the OCA and ROCOR-MP submitted to it's authority!
Beware! our former ROCOR brothers and sisters who have so foolishly given your trust to the KGB. You are now in their tender clutches, whether you yet can see it with your eyes, or not.
Just my thoughts.......
Reader Daniel in USA
English: http://www.ocanews.org/news/SecondRussianInterview5.08.09.html>
Why should we anti-MP traditionalist Orthodox care at all, about the entire OCA or it's new head and his, very cozy attitudes towards his 'sister church,' or whatever he calls it currently, his MP?
Well, for many reasons, not the least, to see....what happens when one calls the KGB-MP one's 'friend'. This OCA, in it's historic origins in the once-part-of-THE Russian Church's North American Metropolia (before the revolution), later on, when it was a full canonical part of the canonical jurisdiction of The Russian Church Abroad, went into schism from that church, lead by schismatic, 'Met. Platon (Rozdesvensky)'. Then, later on, in 1970, under much behind the scenes deceitfulness, their leadership, unknown to the average lay people, abruptly announced as an accomplished done-deal, before any could protest!...it's foolishly submitting to the Stalin-created MP, and to it's supposide 'authority' as it's 'mother church', and they, 'accepted autocephaly' from that KGB department., thereby de facto, recognizing the MP as the Official Russian Church!....a great propaganda victory for the communists. (But, how can those who serve Satan, give any ...blessings?) Over these ensuing years since 1970, if one examines OCA life and actions carefully, one can see a steady errosion and infiltration of Moscow...into the internal affairs and attitudes of the OCA., plus the growing modernism and poisons of ecumenism in it's ranks, from the top to the bottom of it's church-life. Read this interview, and....be seated when you do, as some of the idiotic
things which Jonah Paffhausen says, will floor you! For one surprise, he wishes for... a bishop from the MP "to sit with our bishops!" (...to help the OCA rule itself?). Gadzukes!!!
Is this not the same course that the newly betrayed ROCOR-MP is also on?
It fits the old Russian saying, which describes any difficult task: ..."It can be accomplished.....little by little (malo-po-malo)". And we already know how very patient are the KGB/FSB and their gang.
"Autocephaly" means, 'Independence", for what any word's dictionary meaning, has to do with communist machinations? They are the masters of deceit and of false-promises. SURPRISE! Folks...Wake up, before you cannot even escape at all. Leave your ROCOR-MP and come to the canonical & lawful real ROCA, the continued-ROCOR, under Vladyka Metropolitan Agafangel (Pashkovsky).. ROCOR-MP's 'act of union' says, 'Autonomous'...which we can clearly see, means simply, in hard reality! that our former clergy and fellow laymen are, truly, subservient to the MP, an inferior/slavish PART of the MP. Years ago, when the MP's exarch in America, bull-in-the-china-shop chubby, Bp. Mercury, a big mouth loose-cannon type, said, upon first setting foot in New York: 'I can't stand America, I'd rather be back in Russia!'....and...."We are not happy with the OCA, they are not Russian enough, they are not adequately ministering to Russian immigrants,....and our tomos of Autocephaly granting them autocephaly, is 'ONLY A PIECE OF PAPER, WHICH WE...CAN TEAR UP AT ANY TIME!...Whenever WE want to!"
Oh well, isn't it wonderful to have friends!? We too, in ROCA could have these same KGB-MP 'friends' if we too, like the OCA and ROCOR-MP submitted to it's authority!
Beware! our former ROCOR brothers and sisters who have so foolishly given your trust to the KGB. You are now in their tender clutches, whether you yet can see it with your eyes, or not.
Just my thoughts.......
Reader Daniel in USA
May 7, 2009
Fr. Gregory Explains ROCA To Orthodox West Forum
Joseph Suaiden, editor of NFTU, is a participant on a forum named Orthodox West (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrthodoxWest/). Recently he found himself defending ROCA(A) against certain hostile accusations from Comrade Ambrose of ROCOR(MP) in New Zealand. Joseph & Xenia, his wife, do a brilliant job of defending ROCA(A), but as they are from the Milan Synod, Joseph decided to ask for help from somebody actually in ROCA(A). Nobody he asked seems willing to enter into the debate, but Fr. Gregory Williams offers this statement:
Christ is risen! Joseph asked me, not a member of the OrthodoxWest list (I simply don't have time & energy for such things), to respond to a couple of posts from Fr. Ambrose (with whom I am not personally acquainted, but with whom I have communicated in the distant past), and to the broader issues they raise. I explicitly give permission for the posting of this response on that list, if he so chooses, and for further distribution if anyone so desires. What I have to say is not in any sense "secret" or "privileged".
So who am I to speak? Ordained in ROCOR in 1980 by Bp. Gregory (Grabbe) under the primacy of St. Philaret (who had intended to ordain me himself but was too ill to do so), I've thus served nearly 30 years in ROCOR. I was appointed by act of the Synod of Bishops administrator of the Church's missions in Haiti in 1999. After the submission of Met. Laurus & those with him to the Moscow Patriarchate in 2007, that appointment was reaffirmed by the Council of the PSEA of the continuing ROCOR and expanded to include non-Slavonic/Russian missions in general, as part of the Department of Missions (interestingly, the All-Russian Sobor of 1917 authorized the establishment of such a department, but neither the Soviet church nor the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad had ever done so). I am 68 years old (relevance later on) and have since 1979 been editor, publisher, clerk & chief bottle-washer of the St. John of Kronstadt Press. So much for that.
Ground rules: Facts are best. Informed speculation or guesses not inadmissible, but also not very useful. Wild speculations, rumors and gossip (which account for about 90% of all internet traffic) are completely useless and often destructive. Personal attacks are completely out of bounds. Numbers in and of themselves don't mean much (one man and the Truth constitute a majority), but falsehoods about numbers can be seriously misleading.
Position: Prior to May 17, 2007, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia had maintained a consistent stance for some 80 years (though with several shifts in organization), witness to the true Tradition of the Church, repeatedly rejecting and denouncing the activities of the Soviet-created, inspired and controlled Moscow Patriarchate. From the late 70s, the issues broadened, with the growing ecumenist activities of the MP and its cohorts in "world Orthodoxy". It has now become apparent that at least as early as the early 90s there was a "worm within" engineering what finally revealed itself as the determination to submit to the MP, totally abandoning ROCOR's historic tradition. By this action, those who submitted CEASED to be ROCOR in any meaningful sense, becoming instead a department of the MP. As such, they are no longer of much interest to us.
Some went along with this submission enthusiastically, vast numbers of others impassively (as long as they could continue being "Russian" and maintain their properties and positions), and not a few kicking and screaming up until the last minute, finally falling silent for reasons known only to themselves. BUT there were others (of which more below) whose consciences would not permit such an action and who simply remained in place, continuing the existence, albeit diminished in numbers, of ROCOR as it had so long been.
Shortly after, Fr. Andrew Phillips (one of the enthusiastic ones) characterized those who refused to submit as "a few eccentric old men", or words to that effect. Fr. Ambrose characterizes us as a "few clergy (who) have chosen to go into schism."
The only components of these allegations which are entirely accurate are "men" (insofar as clergy only are concerned) and "clergy". I'll swallow "eccentric" for myself, and I suppose for most of the rest of us -- if "eccentric" means being at odds with "the establishment" (as redefined by the proponents of submission).
I would certainly, I suppose, qualify as "old", as would Fr. Vsevelod Dutikow (even older, but astoundingly spry). But unless I'm mistaken we are amongst the oldest of our clergy (certainly in the US & Canda). It occurred to me at the Vth Sobor last November to look around the delegates (by no means all our clergy were present, of course). My rough estimate of the average age of the delegates was less than 50. "Old"?
"Few" is the most misleading term in these allegations. Shortly after the submission I met for one last time with my former bishop, Bp. Gabriel. His count of the number of clergy (bishops, priests & deacons) who had refused to submit was 75+ (not, I think, counting any of those lost to the premature schisms well before the submission, a considerable number in itself). My rough estimate (at least somewhat authoritative, as the publisher of the semi-official Directory up until 2005 and maintainer of the supporting database) of the total number of clergy prior to the submission was about 225. In other words -- about 1/3 of ROCOR clergy refused the submission. "Few"?
As to ROCOR now, as of the November 2008 Sobor, it counts some 75 clergy, nearly all of whom (excepting a few recently ordained) were ROCOR clergy prior to the submission of May 07. The bulk of the parishes (and clergy, I think) are in Ukraine, but there are a significant number of parishes in the US & Canada, South America & Australia (I suppose more or less invisible from New Zealand).
"There is no division within the Russian Church Abroad," writes Fr. Ambrose. I fully agree (we just don't agree as to where is ROCA). There are those who have remained within it, those who out of fear of the impending betrayal long before went into schism, those who, faced with the imminent submission, chose other paths (the Synod in Resistance, the synod of Met. Chrysostomos, the "Tikhonites", primarily), and those who chose, actively or by default, to be swallowed up by the MP (which, by the way, blatantly continues its Segianist and ecumenist path, powerfully affirmed by its selection of its latest "patriarch").
"No canonical measures have been taken against most of them." Actually, not any, so far as I know. But if so, so what? None of us have ever been clergy of the Moscow Patriarchate, and if it (or its subordinates) took such action it would have no more significance than being "suspended" or "deposed" by the papacy.
"Naturally one would expect that there would be dissent. There would have been dissent from the other direction if we had NOT united with the Church of Russia. There were clergy who were ready to do so independently if we had not made the move as a body."
Well, of course. But, as previously demonstrated, "we" did NOT "make the move as a body", but only PART of a body. It is certainly arguable (if relevant; now time for informed speculation) as to whether "more" would have submitted to the MP "independently" than refused in fact to submit. I strongly suspect that the answer would be decisively the opposite of what Fr. Ambrose implies, though I'm quite certain there would have been a significant number (if, that is, the MP would have had them on any other terms than the abject submission of the "body").
Personally, though I am deeply grieved by the loss of sacramental communion with many of my brother clergy with whom I thought I stood on common ground, to say nothing of all the remaining Orthodox members of my own family (apart from Matushka), I am profoundly relieved no longer to have to deal with the constant ambiguities and ambivalence of being in sacramental communion with clergy who were blatant propagandists for the MP and who egregiously violated the policies of their own hierarchy (perhaps with tacit consent) with respect to intercommunion with ecumenists and modernists. They have "gone home" and I live much more peacefully with them out of "my home".
If I can be helpful to anyone who reads this who seriously seeks clarification and enlightenment, I'm willing. But I am not willing to spend time and energy on endless debate, and do not wish to wear out my delete key disposing of quarrelsome and tiresome messages (maybe that's "cranky", but so be it).
In Christ Jesus,
Fr. Gregory+
related post: http://rocorrefugees.blogspot.com/2008/03/fr-gregorys-open-letter-of-december.html
related post: http://rocorrefugees.blogspot.com/2008/04/sirs-attitude-towards-union.html
Christ is risen! Joseph asked me, not a member of the OrthodoxWest list (I simply don't have time & energy for such things), to respond to a couple of posts from Fr. Ambrose (with whom I am not personally acquainted, but with whom I have communicated in the distant past), and to the broader issues they raise. I explicitly give permission for the posting of this response on that list, if he so chooses, and for further distribution if anyone so desires. What I have to say is not in any sense "secret" or "privileged".
So who am I to speak? Ordained in ROCOR in 1980 by Bp. Gregory (Grabbe) under the primacy of St. Philaret (who had intended to ordain me himself but was too ill to do so), I've thus served nearly 30 years in ROCOR. I was appointed by act of the Synod of Bishops administrator of the Church's missions in Haiti in 1999. After the submission of Met. Laurus & those with him to the Moscow Patriarchate in 2007, that appointment was reaffirmed by the Council of the PSEA of the continuing ROCOR and expanded to include non-Slavonic/Russian missions in general, as part of the Department of Missions (interestingly, the All-Russian Sobor of 1917 authorized the establishment of such a department, but neither the Soviet church nor the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad had ever done so). I am 68 years old (relevance later on) and have since 1979 been editor, publisher, clerk & chief bottle-washer of the St. John of Kronstadt Press. So much for that.
Ground rules: Facts are best. Informed speculation or guesses not inadmissible, but also not very useful. Wild speculations, rumors and gossip (which account for about 90% of all internet traffic) are completely useless and often destructive. Personal attacks are completely out of bounds. Numbers in and of themselves don't mean much (one man and the Truth constitute a majority), but falsehoods about numbers can be seriously misleading.
Position: Prior to May 17, 2007, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia had maintained a consistent stance for some 80 years (though with several shifts in organization), witness to the true Tradition of the Church, repeatedly rejecting and denouncing the activities of the Soviet-created, inspired and controlled Moscow Patriarchate. From the late 70s, the issues broadened, with the growing ecumenist activities of the MP and its cohorts in "world Orthodoxy". It has now become apparent that at least as early as the early 90s there was a "worm within" engineering what finally revealed itself as the determination to submit to the MP, totally abandoning ROCOR's historic tradition. By this action, those who submitted CEASED to be ROCOR in any meaningful sense, becoming instead a department of the MP. As such, they are no longer of much interest to us.
Some went along with this submission enthusiastically, vast numbers of others impassively (as long as they could continue being "Russian" and maintain their properties and positions), and not a few kicking and screaming up until the last minute, finally falling silent for reasons known only to themselves. BUT there were others (of which more below) whose consciences would not permit such an action and who simply remained in place, continuing the existence, albeit diminished in numbers, of ROCOR as it had so long been.
Shortly after, Fr. Andrew Phillips (one of the enthusiastic ones) characterized those who refused to submit as "a few eccentric old men", or words to that effect. Fr. Ambrose characterizes us as a "few clergy (who) have chosen to go into schism."
The only components of these allegations which are entirely accurate are "men" (insofar as clergy only are concerned) and "clergy". I'll swallow "eccentric" for myself, and I suppose for most of the rest of us -- if "eccentric" means being at odds with "the establishment" (as redefined by the proponents of submission).
I would certainly, I suppose, qualify as "old", as would Fr. Vsevelod Dutikow (even older, but astoundingly spry). But unless I'm mistaken we are amongst the oldest of our clergy (certainly in the US & Canda). It occurred to me at the Vth Sobor last November to look around the delegates (by no means all our clergy were present, of course). My rough estimate of the average age of the delegates was less than 50. "Old"?
"Few" is the most misleading term in these allegations. Shortly after the submission I met for one last time with my former bishop, Bp. Gabriel. His count of the number of clergy (bishops, priests & deacons) who had refused to submit was 75+ (not, I think, counting any of those lost to the premature schisms well before the submission, a considerable number in itself). My rough estimate (at least somewhat authoritative, as the publisher of the semi-official Directory up until 2005 and maintainer of the supporting database) of the total number of clergy prior to the submission was about 225. In other words -- about 1/3 of ROCOR clergy refused the submission. "Few"?
As to ROCOR now, as of the November 2008 Sobor, it counts some 75 clergy, nearly all of whom (excepting a few recently ordained) were ROCOR clergy prior to the submission of May 07. The bulk of the parishes (and clergy, I think) are in Ukraine, but there are a significant number of parishes in the US & Canada, South America & Australia (I suppose more or less invisible from New Zealand).
"There is no division within the Russian Church Abroad," writes Fr. Ambrose. I fully agree (we just don't agree as to where is ROCA). There are those who have remained within it, those who out of fear of the impending betrayal long before went into schism, those who, faced with the imminent submission, chose other paths (the Synod in Resistance, the synod of Met. Chrysostomos, the "Tikhonites", primarily), and those who chose, actively or by default, to be swallowed up by the MP (which, by the way, blatantly continues its Segianist and ecumenist path, powerfully affirmed by its selection of its latest "patriarch").
"No canonical measures have been taken against most of them." Actually, not any, so far as I know. But if so, so what? None of us have ever been clergy of the Moscow Patriarchate, and if it (or its subordinates) took such action it would have no more significance than being "suspended" or "deposed" by the papacy.
"Naturally one would expect that there would be dissent. There would have been dissent from the other direction if we had NOT united with the Church of Russia. There were clergy who were ready to do so independently if we had not made the move as a body."
Well, of course. But, as previously demonstrated, "we" did NOT "make the move as a body", but only PART of a body. It is certainly arguable (if relevant; now time for informed speculation) as to whether "more" would have submitted to the MP "independently" than refused in fact to submit. I strongly suspect that the answer would be decisively the opposite of what Fr. Ambrose implies, though I'm quite certain there would have been a significant number (if, that is, the MP would have had them on any other terms than the abject submission of the "body").
Personally, though I am deeply grieved by the loss of sacramental communion with many of my brother clergy with whom I thought I stood on common ground, to say nothing of all the remaining Orthodox members of my own family (apart from Matushka), I am profoundly relieved no longer to have to deal with the constant ambiguities and ambivalence of being in sacramental communion with clergy who were blatant propagandists for the MP and who egregiously violated the policies of their own hierarchy (perhaps with tacit consent) with respect to intercommunion with ecumenists and modernists. They have "gone home" and I live much more peacefully with them out of "my home".
If I can be helpful to anyone who reads this who seriously seeks clarification and enlightenment, I'm willing. But I am not willing to spend time and energy on endless debate, and do not wish to wear out my delete key disposing of quarrelsome and tiresome messages (maybe that's "cranky", but so be it).
In Christ Jesus,
Fr. Gregory+
related post: http://rocorrefugees.blogspot.com/2008/03/fr-gregorys-open-letter-of-december.html
related post: http://rocorrefugees.blogspot.com/2008/04/sirs-attitude-towards-union.html
Who's got Grace?
Before Easter, ROCOR-MP Bishop Gabriel and the diocese in Canada put out a statement and ended it by saying ROCA has no Grace. (Poor B. Gabriel has to say something every so often from his exile to show he's still on their team and maybe try to get back in the game. Very unlikely. Once you're suspect, the KGB will keep you on the blacklist.) First of all, when Met. Philaret and others raised the possibility of the MP not having Grace, everyone screamed such people were intolerant and who are they to decide whether a church has Grace or not. (I'll take Met. Philaret's word over a lot of other people, but that's a different matter.) After all if they wear vestments and serve in the ancient churches of Russia, they must be a church and they must be THE Russian Orthodox Church. Sure, and Hamas represents the true wishes of the Pzalestinian people.
But now everyone is an expert and can clearly see that ROCA has no Grace. Well, let's take a look; ROCA continues all the teachings of the historic Church Abroad, reveres its founding hierarchs, recognizes all the New Russian Martyrs, maintains relations with other Old Calendar churches that resist ecumenism and modernism, and practises all the other teachings and beliefs of Orthodoxy. But our Grace just evaporated.
So if we had gone along with the union and joined with the MP, a church founded in schism, which collaborates with an atheistic government, bends Orthodox teachings to serve its earthly needs, engages in ecumenism and concelebrates with other faiths, we would still have Grace? Hmm...Someone should sit down and think about that one a little longer...
But now everyone is an expert and can clearly see that ROCA has no Grace. Well, let's take a look; ROCA continues all the teachings of the historic Church Abroad, reveres its founding hierarchs, recognizes all the New Russian Martyrs, maintains relations with other Old Calendar churches that resist ecumenism and modernism, and practises all the other teachings and beliefs of Orthodoxy. But our Grace just evaporated.
So if we had gone along with the union and joined with the MP, a church founded in schism, which collaborates with an atheistic government, bends Orthodox teachings to serve its earthly needs, engages in ecumenism and concelebrates with other faiths, we would still have Grace? Hmm...Someone should sit down and think about that one a little longer...
May 6, 2009
Bandits In Cassocks
NFTU posted this report:
ROCOR-A: "Bandits in Cassocks"
Posted by Reader Joseph Wednesday, April 29, 2009
According to the website of Bishop George of Bolgrad (ROCOR-A) it appears that MP priests along with the help of authorities are threatening Vologda parishioners due to their engagement in legal proceedings concerning their existence. Apparently authorities are working with a Father Alexei Mokievsky of the Goritskiy monastery, in silencing complaints; one parishioner of the ROCOR-A was threatened with the loss of her children by the priest, and the next day a city custodian, who had previously shown no interest in the "welfare" of the family, came by to interrogate her on religious matters. NFTU
A machine translation of the entry in Bishop George's online journal:
"Herald"
Journal of Bishop George Bolgradskogo and Belgorod Dnestrovsky, RPTSZ.
News from Vologda. Bandits in ryasah.
Posted on 2009.04.29 at 10:52
In connection with the filing in court for all the vilification against us PRKTS (autonomous part RPTSZ), increased pressure from the MP and some public services Kirillova city and its region. So the author «Catacombs or schism?» Priest Goritskii monastery Vologda diocese MP Alexei Mokievsky threatened our parishioner, a woman from the village of Ferapontov Kseniya Nazarova, that if she would participate in the court, her husband, and deprive the parents' rights, and children will select. The day after the night threatening phone call (about 15.00) to a committee of city department custody Kirillova, led by Galina nachalnitsey department, which was not shown earlier (within 6 years of age, and so much Xenia and her family live in Ferapontov!) any interest, and now no longer asked about the financial status of the family, but about matters of religion! Not every bandit, not to mention the priest will take for the dastardly work.
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Figym-n.livejournal.com%2F103633.html&sl=ru&tl=en&history_state0=
ROCOR-A: "Bandits in Cassocks"
Posted by Reader Joseph Wednesday, April 29, 2009
According to the website of Bishop George of Bolgrad (ROCOR-A) it appears that MP priests along with the help of authorities are threatening Vologda parishioners due to their engagement in legal proceedings concerning their existence. Apparently authorities are working with a Father Alexei Mokievsky of the Goritskiy monastery, in silencing complaints; one parishioner of the ROCOR-A was threatened with the loss of her children by the priest, and the next day a city custodian, who had previously shown no interest in the "welfare" of the family, came by to interrogate her on religious matters. NFTU
A machine translation of the entry in Bishop George's online journal:
"Herald"
Journal of Bishop George Bolgradskogo and Belgorod Dnestrovsky, RPTSZ.
News from Vologda. Bandits in ryasah.
Posted on 2009.04.29 at 10:52
In connection with the filing in court for all the vilification against us PRKTS (autonomous part RPTSZ), increased pressure from the MP and some public services Kirillova city and its region. So the author «Catacombs or schism?» Priest Goritskii monastery Vologda diocese MP Alexei Mokievsky threatened our parishioner, a woman from the village of Ferapontov Kseniya Nazarova, that if she would participate in the court, her husband, and deprive the parents' rights, and children will select. The day after the night threatening phone call (about 15.00) to a committee of city department custody Kirillova, led by Galina nachalnitsey department, which was not shown earlier (within 6 years of age, and so much Xenia and her family live in Ferapontov!) any interest, and now no longer asked about the financial status of the family, but about matters of religion! Not every bandit, not to mention the priest will take for the dastardly work.
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Figym-n.livejournal.com%2F103633.html&sl=ru&tl=en&history_state0=
May 4, 2009
Stickies
√ ROAC Statement About Soviet Tactics Used Today *CLICK*
√ May issue of The Shepherd is now online. *CLICK*
ROCOR(MP) parishioners in UK try to have Abp. Mark removed. (see page 7)
√ New-to-this-blog NEWS link in the side bar. Russian Religious News from Stetson University. Check out the article about the current governmental persecution of religion in the Russian Federation.... http://www.stetson.edu/%7Epsteeves/relnews/0904b.html#09
√ May issue of The Shepherd is now online. *CLICK*
ROCOR(MP) parishioners in UK try to have Abp. Mark removed. (see page 7)
√ New-to-this-blog NEWS link in the side bar. Russian Religious News from Stetson University. Check out the article about the current governmental persecution of religion in the Russian Federation.... http://www.stetson.edu/%7Epsteeves/relnews/0904b.html#09
May 1, 2009
ROAC Suzdal News
Go to NFTU to keep up with the news of what is happening in Suzdal.
Link in left side bar.
Also the English section of portal-credo.ru
Link in left side bar.
Excerpt from April 30 report by Paul Goble:
Aleksandr Khramov, a religious affairs writer, in a commentary published yesterday on Portal-credo, says that
Link in left side bar.
Also the English section of portal-credo.ru
Link in left side bar.
Excerpt from April 30 report by Paul Goble:
Aleksandr Khramov, a religious affairs writer, in a commentary published yesterday on Portal-credo, says that
... the entire process of going after independent believers “suddenly accelerated after Kirill became the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate,” an indication of his influence with the government generally and President and Mrs. Medvedev in particular.
Thus what is happening in Suzdal sets a precedent that is likely to be used elsewhere in the Russian Federation soon: The Moscow Patriarchate will enlist the power of the state to go after its enemies and even after those believers who seek only the right to worship in their own way independently of Kirill and his “power vertical” inside the church.
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