ROCOR's All-Diaspora Pastoral Conference Day One

[尼古拉前执事]

All-Diaspora Pastoral Conference: Day One

On Monday, 8 December, the All-Diaspora Pastoral Conference of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia opened in Nyack, NY. Over 150 clergymen from all dioceses of the Church Abroad gathered, including clergymen from Russia and Ukraine.

After divine liturgy, a service of supplication [moleben] was served at Protection Church before the Protectress of the Russian diaspora, the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, and the icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov.

The first day of the Conference began with a greeting by the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus. Vladyka Laurus reported on his meeting with President V. Putin and on the fact-finding delegation of the Russian Church Abroad to Russia. The First Hierarch spoke of the necessity of spiritual communion with the Russian people, on the improvement of relations with the Church in Russia and that it is necessary to help our brothers and sisters in Russia, at the same time not forgetting care for our own flock. The improvement of relations does not mean the “self-liquidation” of the Church Abroad. Vladyka Laurus called upon the conferees to honestly examine the questions before us and to pray that the Lord, through the prayers of the Mother of God and St. Seraphim of Sarov, would bless the further path of our Church.

The Rector of Protection Church, Protopriest George Larin, gave a word of greeting and called upon the clergymen not to rely on their own reason, but on the conciliar reason of the Church. Fr. George reminded the participants of the Conference that we will be seen as the disciples of Christ by the love that we have amongst ourselves.

The speech by Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany was devoted to the theme of the paths of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the past and the future. Vladyka Mark touched upon a series of questions: the succession of church authority in Russia, the attitude of Metropolitans Anastassy and St. John towards the official Church in Russia, the ecclesiology of St. Kyrill of Kazan the New Martyr and the possibility of the nearing of the two parts of the Russian Church. In conclusion, Archbishop Mark posed the question of the desireability of our Church to be part of the process of the return to health of church life in Russia, and read a prayer to SS Boris and Gleb the Passion-bearers.
After Archbishop Mark’s lecture, a round-table was held on the topic of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia today. Bishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America shared his impressions of his first visit to Russia. He repeated several times that Patriarch Alexy, during his meeting with the delegates of the Russian Church Abroad, emphasized that there can be no talk of any communion until all questions separating the two parts of the Russian Church are resolved. Bishop Gabriel spoke of the spiritual care for the people from Russia, and also that the older generation of our parishioners have difficulty accepting the thought of the possible unification with the Church in Russia. Bishop Peter of Cleveland expressed his personal opinion that Sergianism is not a dogma, but rather a form of behavior. Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov (USA) spoke of the glorious and sometimes thorny path of the Church Abroad, and said that unity of mind with the Church in Russia may be achieved only through the repentance of the whole people in Russia and abroad, and only on the basis of the purity of Orthodoxy. Protopriest Nikolai Artemoff (Germany) spoke of parish life in Bavaria and on the meaning of the two historical conferences held in Hungary (2001) and Moscow (2002). Priest Yaroslav Belikoff shared his thoughts on where the path of ecclesiastical isolationism may lead, and also that our main goal is the nourishment of our flock.

Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov), Prior of Sretensky Monastery in Moscow, gave a speech on the interrelationship of the two parts of the Russian Church. Some of the expressions of today were painful for him, but in many of them he sensed earnestness, the effort not to betray the truth. He thanked the Russian Church Abroad for everything that she had done for Russia and for Orthodoxy, and stressed that the Church Abroad can offer Russia the experience of existence in a pluralistic society, and the Church in Russia can offer those abroad the extreme experience of existing in a godless society. Further, Fr. Tikhon read a decision of the Council of Bishops (Moscow Patriarchate) on the relationship of the Church and state, and also an interview given in 1991 of Patriarch Alexy, in which he spoke of the rejection of Sergianism. In conclusion, Fr. Tikhon read a letter from Patriarch Alexy to the forthcoming Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

The round-table on the topic: “The Church in Russia Today,” was hosted by Bishop Evtikhii of Ishim and Siberia. The clergy of the Siberian Diocese welcomes dialog with the Church in Russia, but only in the spirit of truth. Protopriest Roman Lukianov (Boston), told of his meetings with clergy and laity in Russia, and Protopriest Maxim Kozlov, a teacher from Moscow Theological Academy, spoke of the most fundamental and actual problems faced by pastors in Russia: 1) The great number of baptized but uncatechized people, 2) the introduction of an un-ecclesiastical and secular mind-set in church life, 3) the crisis of church authority. Protopriest Peter Perekrestov (San Francisco), spoke of the complications face in assessing church life in Russia.

After each lecture and presentation at the round-table, a great number of questions and opinions were offered, too many to enumerate here. On one hand, there were opposing opinions, on the other, great attention paid to the words of the lecturers. The first day was very tense in the sense that many conferees did not know what to expect. The author feels that at the beginning of the day, the participants of the conference were somewhat guarded and more interested in expressing their positions and opinions, while towards the end of the day, more were listening and asking questions.

Day Two of the conference will be on Tuesday. That evening, the clergy will participate in the solemn all-night vigil at the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York on the occasion of the feast day of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God.

Most-Holy Mother of God save us!

P.P.

This account is not an official report by the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, but only a brief personal report of one of the participants of the Conference, and so does not pretend to be exhaustive, nor a complete description of the Conference. At the end of the All-Diaspora Pastoral Conference, a Resolution will be posted on our website

[Reader Mark]

thanks for the report for those unfortunate not to have attended!!!!!!

[bogoliubtsy]

I've placed, in bold, what I consider to be a very significant statement.

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All-Diaspora Pastoral Conference, Day Two, and the Feast Day of the Protectress

Day Two of the All-Diaspora Pastoral Conference of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia was on Tuesday, 9 December. After divine liturgy at Protection Church, lectures, a round-table and discussions were held at the church hall.

It is worth noting the organizational aspect of the Conference. Each lecturer is limited to 35 minutes. The time allotted to round-table participants is 8 minutes. After lectures and round-tables, each participant of the Conference is given the chance to express his opinion and ask questions at one of three microphones in the hall. Opinions and questions are limited to three minutes. Specific questions can be asked of one of the presenting clergymen at the round-tables.

Day Two of the Conference opened with a speech by Protopriest Nikolai Artemoff (Germany) on the topic "Sergianism and the Russian Orthodox Church in Accordance with Ukase No. 362." Fr. Nikolai devoted his lecture to the notion that our rejection of "Sergianism" must be accompanied by condescension and be more understandable to the faithful in Russia. It is necessary to take into account the differences that have developed in the perception of some of the basic points in order to facilitate the correction of our contradictions. A series of the more venerable clergymen of the Russian Church Abroad shared their memories of the difficult conditions they lived through in the Soviet Union in the years of World War II. Noted were the previous Epistles of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia on "Sergianism," on the need for clear decisions on this matter, and also the question of the illegitimacy of the suspensions issued by Metropolitan Sergius upon those who disagreed with his positions.

The round-table on "The Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) During the Soviet Era" hosted presentations by four priests. Priest Andre Papkov (Eastern American Diocese) spoke on the inhumane conditions of the militantly atheist state. Protopriest Michael Protopopov (Australian Diocese) confirmed this, and also reminded the participants of the Conference of the Parable of the Wayward Son. Protopriest John Shaw (Chicago Diocese) shared his opinion on the manifestation of "Sergianism" outside of Russia, when many are in disagreement with certain church events and manifestions of parish life, yet remain silent. Protopriest George Mitrofanov (St. Petersburg, ROC-MP), touched upon the question of the succession of ecclesiastical authority in Russia after St. Patriarch Tikhon. He spoke of three currents among the opponents of Met. Sergius. In conclusion, Fr. George said that the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) now admits the validity of the church path of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and the Catacomb Church (in the persons of the hierarchs who did not accept the path of Metropolitan Sergius: Metropolitans Agafangel, Kyrill and others), and the best proof of this is the fact that the opponents of Metropolitan Sergius' path were glorified in Russia and are now set as examples for the faithful. The glorification of these saints in 2000 was a turning point in the ecclesiology of the Church in Russia, although even now there are persons who resist this internally. Over the course of the discusseions, the following topics were touched upon: the "rehabilitation" of the New Martyrs, the attitude of the Church in Russia to the White Movement, the Russian Liberation Army and the Russian Corps, and also the trip of the delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate to to ecumenical prayers in Assisi.

After lunch, Protopriest Peter Perekrestov (Western American Diocese) expounded on the views of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Miracle-worker on the Russian Church in the 20th century. Three fundamental positions which weave throughout the thoughts of St. John on the Church in general, and the Russian Church in particular are:

the Church is universal and one of her main goals is the dissemination of the faith in Christ among those who do not yet know the Truth,
the gates of hell will not prevail over the Church, despite all the heresies, schisms, despite the unworthiness and apostasy of many even highly-placed servants of the Church, and
the council of wicked possessed Russia, but through repentance and renewal, she would rise again.

The Conferees arrived at the Cathedral of the Sign at the Synod in New York for all-night vigil for the feast day of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God. The Metropolitan was greeted by 140 priests. Vigil was served by Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov. During the polyeleos, the First Hierarch Metropolitan Laurus emerged from the altar, along with a host of archpastors and priests. The magnification was sung to the Mother of God and St. Seraphim of Sarov. An icon was painted especially for this holiday: the Healing of Prokhor (later St. Seraphim) before the Kursk-Root Icon. Vladyka Laurus gave a sermon before the veneration of the icons on the holiday and called upon the worshipers to strengthen their prayers.

On 10 December, Metropolitan Laurus officiated at divine liturgy along with Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany, Archbishop Hilarion of Sydney and Australia/New Zealand, Bishops Kyrill of San Franciso and Western America, Ambroise of Geneva and Western Europe, Evtikhii of Ishim and Siberia, Alexander of Buenos Aires and South America, Agapit of Stuttgart and Peter of Cleveland. Synodal administrator Fr. Andrei Sommer was awarded the rank of protopriest during the minor entrance, and Synodal priest Fr. Serafim Gan was given the gold pectoral cross. Some 200 clergymen partook of the Holy Gifts. The worshipers at the Synodal Cathedral this day noted the great spiritual elevation during the services.
After a service of supplication to the Mother of God and St. Seraphim, a festive luncheon was held at a hall near the Synod. During the trapeza, Metropolitan Laurus welcomed everyone and recalled the words of St. Seraphim: "Save yourselves, and thousands around you will be saved."

St. Seraphim, pray to God for us!

On Thursday, the Conference continues in Nyack. It is presumed that the plenary session at the end of the day will begin the drafting of a resolution.

PP

This review is not an official report of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, but only a brief personal account of one of the participants of the Conference, and so does not pretend to be a complete description of the Conference.

[尼古拉前执事]

ROCOR conference assesses church in soviet times SECOND AND THIRD DAYS OF PAN-DIASPORA PASTORAL CONFERENCE OF ROCOR:  NEW DETAILS
Portal-credo.ru, 11 December 2003

On 9 December, the Pan-Diaspora Pastoral Conference of ROCOR, which began the day before, continued its work. After the Divine Liturgy in the church of the Protection in Nyack, in which the conference is being held, reports continued in the auditorium of the parish school and a round table and discussion were held, the official site of ROCOR reports.

The second day of the conference was opened by a report by Archpriest Nikolai Artemov (Germany) on the topic "Sergianism and the condition of the Russian Orthodox church according to decree No. 362." Fr Nikolai called for making nonacceptance of "sergianism" "indulgent and more comprehensible for believers in Russia." In his opinion, it is necessary to take account of differences of understanding of several basic concepts that have developed in order to facilitate correction of contradictions between ROCOR and RPTsMP. A number of older priests called attention to earlier letters from councils of ROCOR on the issue of "sergianism," and to the need for clear determinations on this subject, and they also touched on the question of the illegality of discipline by Metropolitan Sergius against those who disagreed with his position.

At the round table on "The Russian Orthodox church (Moscow patriarchate) in the years of soviet rule" four priests spoke. Fr Andrei Papkov (diocese of Eastern America) spoke of the inhuman conditions of life in the militantly atheist country. Archpriest Mikhail Protopopov (diocese of Australia) confirmed this and also reminded conference participants about the parable of the prodigal son. Archpriest Ioann Shaw (diocese of Chicago) shared his opinion about the appearance of "sergianism" outside of Russia, when many did not agree with such phenomena in church and parish life, but were silent. Archpriest Georgy Mitrofanov (St. Petersburg, RPTsMP) touched on the question of continuity of church authority in Russia after St. Patriarch Tikhon. He spoke of three tendencies among the opposition to Metr. Sergius. In conclusion Fr Georgy pointed out that RPTsMP now "acknowledges the truth of the ecclesiastical path" of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia and the catacomb church (in the person of hierarchs who did not accept the way of Metropolitan Sergius, metropolitans Agafangel, Kirill, and others) and the best evidence of this, he said, is the fact that opponents of the way of Metropolitan Sergius were enrolled in the canon of saints by the Moscow patriarchate. The glorification of these saints in 2000 was a turning point in the ecclesiology of RPTsMP. In the course of discussion, the following questions were touched upon: the juridical "rehabilitation" of new martyrs, the attitude of RPTsMP to the White movement, Russian Liberation Army, and Russian Corps, as well as the trip of the delegation of the Moscow patriarchate to ecumenical worship in Assisi.

After lunch Archpriest Peter Perekrestov (diocese of Western America) presented the views of the holy prelate Ioann, the Shanghai and San Francisco wonder worker, on the Russian church in the 20th century. Fr Peter noted three basic propositions that penetrate the thoughts of St. Ioann with regard to the church in general and the Russian church in particular: 1) the church is universal and one of its main tasks is to spread the faith of Christ among those who do not yet know the truth, 2) the gates of hell will not overcome the church despite all heresies and schisms and despite the unworthiness and apostasy of many of the even most highly places ministers of the church, and 3) the council of the ungodly took possession of Russia but through repentance and renewal it will arise again.

Conference participants went to the synodal cathedral of the Presentation in New York for the all-night vigil on the occasion of the patronal feast in honor of the miracle-working Kursk Mother of God icon. One hundred forty priests greeted Metropolitan Laurus. The vigil was served by Archpresbyter Valery Lukianov. At the time of the polyeleos Metropolitan Laurus exited with a host of archpastors and priests. A song of praise was sung to the Mother of God and to St. Serafim of Sarov. A special icon had been painted for the holiday, the healing of the young Prokhor (the future St. Serafim) before the Kursk icon. Before the veneration of the icons the first hierarch delivered a sermon devoted to the holiday.

On 10 December the liturgy was concelebrated with Metropolitan Laurus by Archbishop of Berlin and Germany Mark, Archbishop of Sidney, Australia and New Zealand Ilarion and bishops Kirill of San Francisco and Western America, Ambrose of Geneva and Western Europe, Evtikhy of Ishim and Siberia, Alexander of Buenos Aires and South American, Gavriil of Manhattan, Mikhail of Boston, Agapit of Stuttgart, and Peter of Cleveland. At the minor entrance the treasurer of the synodal cathedral Fr Andrei Sommer was awarded the rank of archpriest and synodal priest Fr Serafim Gan was awarded a gold pectoral cross.

After the song of prayer to the Mother of God and St. Serafim, a festive meal was held in the hall of the synodal building. At the meal Metropolitan Laurus gave festal greetings to all and reminded all of the words of St. Serafim: "Save yourself and thousands around you will be saved." (tr. by PDS, posted 12 December 2003)

From http://www.stetson.edu/~psteeves/relnews/0312a.html#03

[尼古拉前执事]

All-Diocesan Pastoral Conference; Days Four and Five

The final two days of the All-Diocesan Pastoral Conference began with divine liturgy, as did the first days. All liturgies served at Protection Church were, from the Cherubic Hymn on, sung by the entire host of clergymen.

The first lecture on Thursday, 11 December, was read by the teacher of St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Protopriest George Mitrofanov. The topic was "The Glorification of the New Martyrs of Russia." In the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, the glorification of the New Martyrs was general in character, while in the Church in Russia it was specific, by name. Each glorified New Martyr has a biography, however brief. Fr. George provided horrifying statistics on the persecution of the clergy and faithful. For example, in 1937, 136,000 clerical persons were arrested. Of those, 85,300 were shot. The lecturer gave other examples of the horrors inflicted by the GPU (Soviet Secret Police) on the clergy and their families.

The Council of Bishops of the Moscow Patriarchate of 2000 glorified a host of New Martyrs, including "non-commemorating" clergy. In this way, the Church in Russia not only paid homage to their martyrs, but also placed an unbreachable barrier between the Orthodox Church and communism. In the words of Fr. George, the Orthodox Christian cannot be a communist. In
glorifying the New Martyrs of Russia, the episcopacy of the Church in Russia in fact spoke of its own repentance.

Immediately following the lecture of Protopriest George Mitrofanov, a round-table was held on the topic of the New Martyrs. Protopriest Valerii Alekseev (Odessa) posed the question of the desirability of glorification as a New Martyr (by the Church in Russia) of Boris Talantov and Archbishop Germogen (Golubeff). Archimandrite Luke (Jordanville) spoke of the arguable points relating to some of the glorified individuals, and Protopriest Nikolai Artemoff touched upon several aspects of Ukase No. 362 of St. Patriarch Tikhon.

After the round-table, a series of questions was asked, in part, relating to the opposition of the "Sergianists" and the "Josephites." Protopriest George Mitrofanov noted at least one instance when the NKVD turned out to be a "unifier," Bishop Evgenii (Korbanov, of the "Sergianist" clergy),
Metropolitan Joseph and Metropolitan Kirill were executed together in 1937, on the anniversary of Ukase No. 362.

During the course of the discussions, the new book by S. Fomin on Metropolitan Sergius, "At Guard of the House of the Lord," was mentioned. This book is in decisive opposition to the position of the Council of Bishops of the Moscow Patriarchate of 2000. The following topics were also mentioned: the glorification of Metropolitan Joseph, archival research on the matter of repressed individuals, the glorification of some of the Royal servants, the politics of Stalin, the glorification of Admiral Feodor Ushakov, the Solovetsk prisoners and the problem of verifying oral tradition in regards to the New Martyrs.

On Thursday, after lunch, a round-table on ecumenism was held. Deacon Nikolai Savchenko (St. Petersburg) gave the opening remarks. He said that the Church in Russia, in the form of a significant part of the clergy and faithful, regard ecumenism with extreme opposition, and that prayer with the heterodox is practically non-existent. Still, the membership of the Moscow Patriarchate in the World Council of Churches, and especially in its administrative body, continues to cause grief. The leadership of the WCC includes a bishop and several clergymen of the Moscow Patriarchate. The board includes 8 Protestant women "priests," and, in accordance with its statutes, the administration is obligated to work towards disseminating and promoting ecumenism throughout the world.

Protopriest Alexander Lebedeff (Los Angeles), expressed the thought that the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia must continue to denounce ecumenism, to appeal to the Local Churches with our concerns and to defend those who left the WCC. Protopriest Maxim Kozloff (Moscow Theological Academy) opined that restraint must be observed in the matter of the ecumenical movement. Dialog with the heterodox within a certain framework can be beneficial, and the temptations which exist now must be gradually removed. Archbishop Mark spoke of interrelationships with the heterodox from a pastoral standpoint. Hieromonk Andrei (New York) also participated in the round-table.

At the end of the day, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus thanked the guest lecturers from Russia, Archimandrite Tikhon and Protopriests George Mitrofanov and Maxim Kozloff, for their participation, patience and contribution towards the work of the Conference and blessed them with gift books.

After the departure of the guests from Russia, draft resolutions were considered.

On the final day of the Conference, Friday, 12 December, after liturgy, Protopriest Igor Chitikoff (Florida) read a lecture on the topic "North America as the Canonical Territory of the Russian Church."

Before lunch, various draft resolutions were discussed, and it was decided to issue a pastoral Appeal instead. Every participant was given an opportunity to express himself on the matter of the Appeal and to make proposals. By God's mercy, an Appeal was adopted unanimously. Photo of the Conference participants.

A number of priests thanked the archpastors for the opportunity for all the clergymen to honestly speak their minds and share their concerns. This attests not only to the freedom of spirit in our church life, but also to our conciliarity. The desire was also voiced to have the lectures of the
Conference published in the Church press.

His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus thanked the organizers of the Conference, especially the Rector of Protection Church in Nyack, Protopriest George Larin, and Priest Serafim Gan, and also the Sisterhood for their hospitality, and called upon the clergy to live in peace and love, to
labor for the glory of God and, upon returning to their parishes, to pass along his blessings and tell them about the Conference.

The All-Diaspora Conference was concluded by a service of supplication before two icons: the Miracle-working Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God and the icon of the Healing of the Child Prokhor. The clergymen, tired but encouraged by the communion with and frank discussions of vital ecclesiastical matters, hurried home to share the coming Sundays with
their parishes.

Glory to Thee, O God, our Benefactor forever and ever!