Suzdal: ROAC First Hierarch and Bishop Irinarkh Taken for Questioning by FSB
The search that began in the afternoon of September 6 in the Synodal building of the Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church (ROAC) in Suzdal is still ongoing, reports a correspondent for “Portal.Credo.Ru.” During the search, computer equipment was seized from the Synodal building, a protocol was drawn up, and the ROAC First Hierarch, Metropolitan Theodore, and Bishop Irinarkh (Nonchin) of Tula and Bryansk were detained and taken, according to preliminary reports, to the regional department of the FSB [Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation].
The “Monavista” news agency, citing “reliable sources,” has disseminated the version of the “security forces” with some explanation for what is taking place in Suzdal. According to the agency, the law enforcement officers suspect ROAC of the “involvement of its adherents in committing acts of an extremist nature.”
The Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church has suffered many outrages from the authorities over the years. Eighteen of their church buildings in the city of Suzdal have been confiscated by the government and handed over to the Moscow Patriarchate. As if this were not enough, the authorities have even confiscated holy relics that were in the possession of ROAC! And when their hierarch in Unites States, Archbishop Andrei of Pavlovskoe and Rockland (who is resident in New Jersey), publicly raised his voice against such injustices, he was permanently banned from entering Russia.
In today’s incident, the ROAC Synodal house was raided by the security services, their computers, books and documents confiscated, and two bishops forcibly taken for interrogation.
Astonishingly, this latest wave of persecution seems to have been triggered, at least in part, by Metropolitan Theodore’s friendship with our Synod. I personally know Metropolitan Theodore. In fact, this past July, I had the honor of hosting him in Georgia, along with two other bishops of his Synod, in order to become better acquainted with each other and slowly to advance the friendship between our Churches. During the interrogation by the authorities, Metropolitan Theodore was even asked about our meeting in Georgia and about “his friendship with that church in America” — i.e., HOCNA — thus outrageously suggesting that his friendship with us somehow made him an “American spy”!
This injustice cannot pass unnoticed. That is why I intend to contact the State Department, as well as various human rights organizations, to bring to their attention this unacceptable violation of a basic right of every man, the right to freedom of conscience, and to ask them to use pressure on the Russian authorities to stop this persecution.
I appeal to you to do the same, by contacting your Senators and Representatives to urge them to raise their voices and do whatever is in their power to help end this injustice.
Above all, let us all pray for our persecuted brethren in Russia.
May our Saviour, the Theotokos, and all the Saints of Russia cover and protect them. Amen.
Your fervent supplicant unto Christ,
- Gregory, Metropolitan of Boston
President of the Holy Synod
Holy Orthodox Church in North AmericaHoly Orthodox Metropolis of Boston
http://www.homb.org
http://www.facebook.com/HOMBoston
SHOCKING ! I had strangely just thought about ROAC today. I was going to do an internet search to see if there was any news. Thank God for our Euphrosynos Café ! The news we need is all here.
Not that it is welcome news. It's absolutely outrageous.
As far as Hocna is concerned, if they will exert their best influence to secure the release of the 2 ROAC Hierarchs, then the Name-Worshipping heresy problem fades away for the moment in the face of what needs to be a united front of TOC's or similar jurisdictions against the MP.
It is urgent that the US government take action. For they are the only party who can apply pressure. Individuals, no matter how influential, can not.
Though the US complaints about Putin and his policies are shrill, way over - exaggerated and blatantly politically motivated to try to remove any competition from a powerful counterforce to US control of the world, still this is a favorable time for such a campaign. The State Dept and various US envoys are more likely to raise a fuss than at other times because it backs up their party line citing how lawless the putin regime is. If these officials will protest and demand the immediate release of these 2 Hierarchs, that would make a difference, as the RF usually acts with a keen eye turned toward world opinion.
If no action is taken, the persecution could spread to other ROAC hierarchs as well.
This development is highly alarming.
