Question for ROAC Members

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Mon 1 March 2004 2:37 pm

For any who might know the answer to this, I have a question.

In an article titled The Unfortunate Fall of The Athonite Monastery of Esphigmenon, Bp. Gregory expresses his personal "opinion" (as some ROAC members have called it) that the GOC has fallen; and also that the Monastery on Mount Athos who commemorates Archbp. Chrysostomos II of the GOC has also fallen, and because of this fall, the monastery has lost the protection of God and will be expelled from Mount Athos.

Met. Paul has repented before the bishops of the GOC for his past sins, and this is known publically. Met. Paul has also said publically and explicitly in an Encyclical that the GOC does not commune new calendarists. I linked to this Encyclical a couple months ago, though the place I linked to is a dead link now (I saved it to my hard drive, and will post it here tomorrow for any who didn't read it back then). In this Encyclical I saw nothing questionable. So, here is my question: in the hopes of a united traditionalist cause, of a loving reconciliation between brothers of the truth Orthodox Church, when will Bp. Gregory change his "opinion" and accept that Met. Paul has repented? When will this stumbling block to unity be removed from the road? In other words, what must Met. Paul do to prove that he does not believe the things Bp. Gregory apparently still thinks that he believes?

Грешник · Post by **Грешник** » Tue 2 March 2004 2:50 am

Dear Justin,

This is how I understand it as it was esplaainrd to me by Hegumen George of Dormition Skete.

Well they are his opinions and Met. Valentin said he can publicly state his opinions, but the ROAC synod does not take any official position. If communion between the two churches came I think that Bishop Gregory would comply with the wishes of his Synod.

I am not knowledgeable on this topic, although I do have access (direct and indirect and I can do this. I can and will ask Bishop Gregory of this on Siunday after Liturgy. When I receive a response I shall post it here for those interested parties.

I ask for patience with this however, as I know that the season of Lent can be very busy I shall try my best.

Have mercy on me O God according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression.
(From Psalm 50)

Juvenaly

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Wed 3 March 2004 12:41 pm

Thank you, Juvenaly, I look forward to his response.

For anyone interested, I posted the Encyclical that I mentioned in this post on this thread.

尼古拉前执事 · Post by **尼古拉前执事** » Sat 6 March 2004 5:36 pm

Justin, you also might want to see this: http://www.euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/vi ... .php?t=789

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Thu 15 April 2004 1:30 pm

The article about the GOC is still up. Did anyone ask Bp. Gregory about his opinion on this situation these days?

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Thu 15 April 2004 1:51 pm

Not that my thoughts on this matter....

Recently, a sorrowful turn of events occurred in the history of the monastery of Esphigmenon that saddened the rest of the zealot monks of the Holy Mountain Athos.

Some proof of this would be nice...

...the fallen Archbishop Chrysostom II (Kiousis) of Athens, the head of one faction of the Greek Old Calendarists. This hierarch and his synod of bishops fell into the ecumenism espoused by Cyprian of Fili by electing and elevating to the episcopacy the notorious Cyprianite ecumenist, Archimandrite Paul (Stratigeas) of Astoria, NY.

I don't quite see how this logic works; Particularly given that Met. Paul has formally repented! The whole bunch is bad because one is? Now, if the Chrysostomos synod officially and synodally proclaimed ecumenism then fine, but only 1 out of 10 or so, I don't buy it. Still this is all a mute point give that Met. Paul has repented.

Their subsequent acceptance of Paul was the turning point in the history of the monastery’s position as confessing Orthodox Christians. They had accepted ecumenism in the person of Paul and continued to commemorate Chrysostom II Kiousis, and now it seems that they are going to suffer the consequences of their apostasy from the true Faith. The loss of their monastery and the dispersion of their monks seems imminent. May God enlighten them unto their repentance and salvation. Other zealot, non-commemorating monks of the Holy Mountain Athos do not hold communion with the Synod of Archbishop Chrysostom II Kiousis precisely because of his aforementioned and subsequent uncanonical actions.

It's a little bold of Gregory to insinuate that the fathers at Esphig. are being evicted because they commemorate Chyrsostomos, who ordained Paul who supposedly is an ecumenist. Apparently He also has not being keeping tabs on the fathers. All the judges handling the case wind up sick, and last I was told the gonvernment is really persuing the case.

I apologize if this post seems reactionary.