Moderator: Mark Templet
seraphim reeves wrote:I have to wonder why on earth he was given said title so shortly beforehand.
I just wanted to point out here, as Archbishop Gregory has himself done so in the past, that the UKAZ elevating then-Bishop Gregory to Archbishop was a decision made by the synod well in advance of Metropolitan Valentine's visit to America. The Metropolitan cannot rescind a Synodal Ukase on his own and is bound to it as are all of the bishops.
Deacon Nikolai wrote:seraphim reeves wrote:I have to wonder why on earth he was given said title so shortly beforehand.
I just wanted to point out here, as Archbishop Gregory has himself done so in the past, that the UKAZ elevating then-Bishop Gregory to Archbishop was a decision made by the synod well in advance of Metropolitan Valentine's visit to America. The Metropolitan cannot rescind a Synodal Ukase on his own and is bound to it as are all of the bishops.
Exactly. Imagine if he could though!...
AlaskanOrthodox wrote:Glory to Jesus Christ!
Lord, Bless.
Dear God; well I want to hear Archbishop Gregory's response. This Ukase seems to be very retributive in a sense. I wonder the intent behind it. There is no doubt H.E. Gregory will need to leave ROAC to preserve his episcopate. I think this is all garbage; what a line....
(Edited)
Are you serious??? You wonder the "intent" behind it!? "Since you are violating canons, are crazy and are trying to bribe me to do what you say, I think you need to be retired" has an ulterior motive?????
Some late June ordinations in Bulgaria are found on one of the ROAC sites:
http://www.russianorthodoxautonomouschu ... hotos.html
By the way, is Trikia Dikia some language's way of saying what we call Dikiri and Trikiri, or dikirotrikera? Or is that a reference to Richard Nixon?
Dear in Christ Faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church,
The people who are defending Bishop Gregory were not witness to the events that happened in my home. I find it incredible and sad that a man can be so venerated (Bishop Gregory) that he tells people something and they believe his word without any proof. I have been this unfortunate in the past, but I pray that God will protect me from this error in the future.
I want to make it clear that we have always loved and defended Bishop Gregory. We never believed the incidents told to us by others.
We were under the ROAC Synod before Bishop Gregory came and the first time we met him, he asked us to come to his synod which we did not because we had no reason. Then only a couple of months later, when my husband was ordained a priest in ROAC, Bishop Gregory began contacting him. Many other people contacted Fr. Dionysi to warn him of the character of Bishop Gregory. We listened to these people but did not form any opinions without knowing him ourselves. He has always been very cordial and kind to us as was everyone at Dormition Skete.
After he was received much trouble started to happen. People told me that he would use my husband's friendship as a stepping stone to become a bishop. Also people became upset about the way Bishop Gregory was receiving people. These are two examples. One by one, many people left ROAC because they had been mistreated by Bishop Gregory. They called myself and many others to get help and Bishop Gregory, and those with him have always stated that each person or family is crazy or has depression or is possessed and counseled me and others not to speak with them. I very much believed Bishop Gregory.
Before we moved here we were told by Bishop Gregory about certain flaws of people who lived in Co. and warned to watch out for these people. The Bishop himself told me many behaviors of people and how he, and the brotherhood, could not stand to be around this or that person. This greatly scandalized me, but I attributed it to human nature. Bishop Gregory is a man as well as a bishop and this is normal for man to sin. I understand this. We all fall short and only God is perfect.
What really caused me great sadness was to be present when Bishop Gregory would insult the Metropolitan. This happened before any of this so called "monk stealing" happened. Bishop Gregory would tell me he could not stand that "old man", and couldn't "wait for him to go back to Russia." I must admit that I confessed to him that it was hard for me to be a good hostess because I have many responsibilities. I heard no comfort from Bishop Gregory, but only agreement. I received other council that helped me to understand that a representative of Christ was in my home. That I was able to be like Martha and Mary and that my labors were a blessing and after this realization I became very ashamed at my thoughts. I realized what a short time my family would be able to spend with the Metropolitan and I began to treasure each moment that he sat with us and instructed us in the True Faith, which was many times while we were cleaning or preparing food together.
I heard the conversations between Bishop Gregory and the Met. through Fr. Andrei's interpretation and I was shocked and removed myself from hearing as not to hear any further.
My own children were present when some of these things were said and they could not understand how Bishop Gregory could be so unkind.
What I am trying to say is that everyone is defending what they have not witnessed. Reader Jerjis, Father John Claypool, and all the "Yes, me to ,I think Bishop Gregory is nice" people out there are all guilty of this. They believe that if Bishop Gregory said it then it is the truth. And now that we are not, "yes men" we are all snubbed for following the church and accused of worshipping a man. Well, it seems to me that the people saying this are the ones worshipping a man. They are even so bold to say they will only follow the church if it makes the decision they like.
I sincerely apologize for not taking heed of all the people in the past who warned me about Bp Gregory. Truly I had to find out the hard way. Since I have been in CO Bishop Gregory has lied to me and asked me to lie to others and he has even revealed others confessions. I have talked to people who were labeled one thing or another by Bp Gregory and they were shocked and informed me that they were told the same about me by Bishop Gregory. He has a way of keeping people apart from one another by saying "so and so said this about you" and saying the same thing to the other person. This alone has caused me grief, but I have kept silent until this episode with the Metropolitan.
I have everything to gain by being an obedient "yes man" to Bp Gregory, but much to lose by remaining faithful to the Church of Christ. We are losing our home, our church building and many friends. I believe in the Church not in a man. No matter how much someone has helped me in the past, financially, spiritually, or emotionally, I do not owe my soul to them. I will do what is right. I will remain in the true church and accept the outcome of the Synod of Bishops.
Please, all of you who were not involved firsthand with these events, talk to many people and hear both sides before making decisions about what is right to do. Many men are kind and nice, but that is not what we should follow them for. What are their fruits? Beware of wolves in sheep clothing.
In Christ,
Matushka Christina
Tom,
There are many people who's lives have been greatly effected and troubled - spiritually and physically. It would be greatly appreciated by them as well as me if everyone could demonstrate charity. We have all had our share of personal disasters, and the last thing we needed in those times was a peanut gallery. 
