+CHURCH NEWS+

[Nathaniel Kapner]

Members -

I have been getting some "negative" feedback on this post
+CHURCH NEWS+ both on and off Lists (I post on other forums
too.)

Since I have numerous contacts throughout the "International
Orthodox Scene," and my ROCOR contacts all over the world, and my
contacts in the "Jewish Press" and of late my connections in
the "American Political Scene" & the more lately the "Russian
Policical Scene," why not keep +CHURCH NEWS+ going as a
weekly post?

Many have been accusing me that I am using this post as a cover
digging up "dirt." One attacker says that this post is really
"+NATIONAL Church INQUIRER+" This attack on me is based on the
"A New Immigrant To Russia - ROCOR Fr Lebedeff's Son Sasha"
why Sasha Lebedeff had to become a permanent resident in
Moscow in the year 2000.

I am not a "rumour mongerer." I detest these "Natitonal Inquirer"
"Tabloids" at supermarket check out lines. My only purpose exposing
Church "dirt" (and it isn't that, rather Church facts is to show
that many of the ROCOR Church "Leaders" may be operating under
a "differet agenda."

"Eyebrows are raised" when seeing for instance how Leaders like
ROCOR Abp Kyrill, Bishop Michael Donzkoff, and now since the
year 2000 Prtprst Alexander Lebedeff, suddenly and radically
change from "ANTI MP" to "PRO MP." And we all know about the
infamous "walk in the park" between "mark of berlin" and "kyril of
san francisco."

"Dirt" is not my agenda. Whether its from the MP camp or from the
ROCOR camp. It is the holiness and purity and above all "the
providing of things honest in the sight of men" of the Church that
is my concern.[Romans 12:17]

"Sight" of men, as St Paul writes, not "dirt" of men is what I wish
to provide before all, to judge whether what all I bring into
"view" can stand the test of "honesty."

Thus I, Subdeacon Nathanael Kapner, for my part, am ready to be held

"accountable" before all.

For The Holy New Martyrs Of Russia,

Subdeacon Nathanael Kapner
The Eleventh Hour

[SouthernOrthodox]

I guess the question I would raise is "why do you care". Correct me if I am wrong, you are not a member of ROCOR, nor are you a member of the MP, so the goings on with-in either, should (would) be of no direct concern to you. If I recall, this month you are in ROAC and again correct me if I am wrong, they broken off all ties with ROCOR and administer unto themselves. So it would lead one to the fact, that all you are doing is in fact "digging up dirt". Or maybe it is that deep down you agree with the tenants of what ROCOR stands for in moving forward. My good friend, folks here would pay you a little more attention if you stuck to being a good example of your jurisdictional beliefs and practiced a little more Orthodoxy. Or is that asking to much based on your animosity to the Synod and dare say the folks in Moscow. I can tell you if it wasn't for the happenings in the early part of the century in Russia, I wouldn't be where I am today, maybe take a moment to ponder that bit of Church News.

[Subdeacon Jerjis]

Dear Southern Orthodoxy and other concerned Orthodox Christians -

The pending ROCOR/MP union is a matter of concern for all
Orthodox Christians transcending all Jurisdictional boundaries.
The MP is nothing less than a tool of the State and has been
since Sergius foisted , (albeit unsuccesfully) his "Declaration"
on his fellow hierarchs.

The MP - stooge of the Soviet State, was officialized by the
"I've got religion" antichrist Joseph Stalin in 1943. And now
Alexy II carries on the conspiracy in his obvious collusion with
Putin and the Russian Federation.

I salute Subdeacon Nathanael Kapner for taking an uncom-
promising stand and publicaly making that stand known to
prevent what can only be the further destruction of the
Church, begun in 1917. Bravo again Subdeacon Nathanael!
Double and triple Bravos!

Sbn Jerjis/Dr Alajaji

[SouthernOrthodox]

I don't question his right to have an opinion or any Orthodox Christians for that matter. I don't agree with the method. I also disagree with the pending union transcending all Jurisdictional boundaries. If I am not mistaken, the handful of Hierarchs who denounced Metropolitan Laurus and took that authority on their own have established churches, and separate from any thing that could be considered a "Mother Church". Stalin to my knowledge is dead and gone along with communism. I guess I see past the "conspiracy theory". Again, I defend anyone's right to have an opinion, but to salute someone who has make believe interviews and who writes such venom is not the poster boy I would look to, to lead the charge to save the church.

I say this with due honor and respect as an unworthy Orthodox Christian.

[Jean-Serge]

I don't question his right to have an opinion or any Orthodox Christians for that matter. I don't agree with the method. I also disagree with the pending union transcending all Jurisdictional boundaries. If I am not mistaken, the handful of Hierarchs who denounced Metropolitan Laurus and took that authority on their own have established churches, and separate from any thing that could be considered a "Mother Church". Stalin to my knowledge is dead and gone along with communism. I guess I see past the "conspiracy theory". Again, I defend anyone's right to have an opinion, but to salute someone who has make believe interviews and who writes such venom is not the poster boy I would look to, to lead the charge to save the church.

I say this with due honor and respect as an unworthy Orthodox Christian.

Well could you have a word about hierarchs who tried to kidapp Metropolitan Vitaly? Not very canonical indeed...

This union is above all Jurisdictionnal boudanries because ROCOR is a myth due to its dogmatical stance... At the contrary, the MP was not so "orthodox". So everybody hoped that with the union the MP should look like ROCOR as regards the defence of the Orthodox faith. This would have had a great impact on all the Orthodox world. Alas, it is not occuring.

Canonically speaking, the word of "mother church" has no meaning and I invite you to read this text by Fr Schmeman. Being orthodox is being faithful to the faith, canons etc and not to depend on such or such Patriarch... This is again a sort of westernization. Saint Maximus severed communion with all "mother churches" and the mother church of Rome is in heresy since centuries.

Please read http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/schmem_canon.aspx

But I agree with you : this fake inteviews and survey do not interest anybody...

[SouthernOrthodox]

Well said and stated. I guess my Americanism kind of came through. Mother Church was maybe not my intent. I agree 100% being faithful to the faith ect. I recall many a conversations with my Baba years ago about what our faith is all about. Times have changed, basic tenants haven't.

I don't believe as you do, that this would have a world over, far reaching effect on the Orthodox world. Speaking of the Russian world maybe, but I don't think so. Canonically speaking if Met. Vitaly, Met Valentine and dare say AchB Gegerory were founded in Cannon a mythical union between ROCOR and the MP would have little concern to those inside. Now, if they were not, then all bets would be off.

Great article, Thanks

[Subdeacon Jerjis]

Jean Serge wrote: "But I agree with you : this fake inteviews
and survey do not interest anybody..."

Dear Jean Serge. Subdeacon Nathaniel Kapner has no "fake
interview" on this post +CHURCH NEWS.+ How could there
be, for there is no "interview" anywhere to be found on this
post!

Second. The survey is quite informative and revealing.
Why do you think that the ROCOR "propogandist" Fr Alexander
Lebedeff is traveling to Australia if there wasn't some
dissension that has attracted the ROCOR bishops attention?
Perhaps some 'arm-twisting' has been ordered from higher up?

Speaking of Fr Alexander Lebedeff and the bullet on him above,
I applaud Subdeacon Nathaniel for disclosing to us that perhaps
the PRO MP leaders in the ROCOR may indeed have "another
agenda" than an "ideological" one.

Third. Subdeacon Nathaniel posted all of his sources on another
List. I have the good pleasure of informing you: Protopriest
Basil Yakimov himself related to Subdeacon Nathaniel the
percentages he quotes in his very fine +Church News.+

Yes - Subdeacon Nathaniel. Very fine indeed! We all look
forward to your next edition of +CHURCH NEWS.+ I am
confident it will be another "BRAVO" post!

Sbn Jerjis/Dr Alajaji