A RESPONSE TO THE VERTOGRAD ORTHODOX JOURNAL

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Priest Siluan
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A RESPONSE TO THE VERTOGRAD ORTHODOX JOURNAL

Post by Priest Siluan »

A RESPONSE TO THE VERTOGRAD ORTHODOX JOURNAL NEWSLETTER POSTING

In response the recent posting by the VERTOGRAD Orthodox Journal
Newsletter, we take this opportunity to correct the claims that their
newsletter is trying to purport.

First, one must understand that VERTOGRAD is a publication owned,
operated, and controlled by the few followers of Gregory Lourie. This
explains its obvious slant and perspective. Our Synod not only
defrocked Gregory Lourie, but even worse, excommunicated him and those
who pray with him. Today, there are only a handful of people in St.
Petersburg who follow and support him.

Second, Metropolitan Valentine has been (and continues to be)
unequivocally endorsed by the other Bishops of the ROAC Synod. On
numerous occasions, our bishops have not only reaffirmed their vote of
confidence in his wisdom, but have unanimously insisted that he
continue as President of the Synod of Bishops in spite of his ill
health.

Thirdly, one must remember that in Russia, it is nearly impossible for
all the bishops of ROAC to meet at one time. Often, Metropolitan
Valentine has only those hierarchs available who are nearby or those
bishops who are able to travel with short notice. Consequently, it is
not unusual for Metropolitan Valentine to meet with a different set of
bishops when making Synodal decisions.

Additionally, the word in English "synod" can sometimes be confusing
in its use. Often, it denotes an entire group. For example: "one
belongs to our Synod", meaning ROAC in general. In other instances, it
can represent more specifically those particular bishops who have been
chosen to belong to the Ruling Synod of a group for the exclusive
purpose of handling the affairs of the entire Church. At this time
within ROAC, we have not determined which particular bishops comprise
the Ruling Synod and thus any combination (or all of our bishops) can
serve on the Ruling Synod for the purpose of doing the Church's
business.

Fourthly, it is true that Bishop Sebastian of Chelyabinsk did
celebrate with Gregory Lourie who has been previously defrocked and
expelled from our Church. Bishop Sebastian's action was not only
provocative, but mutinous and was dealt with accordingly by our Synod.
Whether or not Gregory Lourie and his few delusional followers have
plans to leave ROAC is a moot point. The fact remains that Gregory
Lourie has been excommunicated from the Church.

Finally, remembering that the Church is instituted by God and is a
tree which is rooted in the Heavens, it does not operate as a
democracy. Hence, its authority flows from the top down (and not from
the reverse direction) as the unity of the Orthodox Church is always
expressed by the harmony of Her bishops, by Her common Faith, common
Law, and common Spiritual life.

In Christ,
Fr. Elias Greer
Chancellor to Bishop Andrei of Pavlovskoye

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