Archbishop GREGORY of Denver and Colorado

[尼古拉前执事]

Dear Seraphim, Welcome Aboard!

Sadly, this is an unfortunate story. The former archbishop, Gregory of Denver and Colorado was once a member of the ROAC. He came to us from the Lamian/Makarian group that broke off from the GOC. In time he was made a bishop of our Church and eventually an archbishop when the ROAC synod decided to ordain a second bishop in America. After a serious of unfortunate incidents, he was suspended. At a synodal spiritual court, which he refused to come to the three times he was summoned , his suspension was made permanent and then he was excommunicated. A few months later after he was excommunicated he write a letter saying he was leaving the ROAC. In America, of those that stayed with him in schism after his leaving the Church, most of them have now left him, realizing the truth of what happened rather than the story he tells.

[Justin Kissel]

The question that bothers me now is the question of where the Orthodox Church can be found, untainted and unchanged.

Unfortunately, it can't be found. Think of it this way. What if you were a Jew in 32AD, and this Jesus came along, and you wanted to be a pious part of the "untainted and unchanged" people of God. You would probably have to say something like:

"Look, it's great that you do miracles and so forth, but you do other stuff like break the Sabbath and sit around with people who the law of Moses expressly says we are to avoid as unclean. I just can't follow someone who is like that, I need something untainted and unchanged."

The point is not to look for unchanged or untainted. The Church has people in it, thus it will always change and it will always have immoral, schismatic, and even heretical acts. This began in the New Testament period, and has continued ever since. All jurisdictions have problems, some larger than others, and some more public than others. But then, all jursidictions also have people who can help you out. If you're at a place where you're being helped, and can't improve the situation, then don't sweat it. God does not hold us responsible for things out of our control.

[CorpusChristi]

I Know it can be found within the Matthewites, and maybe a couple of recluse monastics in unknown areas,caves thruout the world...outside of this it gets shakey ????

[Pravoslavny Seraphim]

Thank you all for your replies. It is true: there is no perfect jurisdiction, though I'm sure we all wish there were one, or at least two.

I must concur with Anastasios; I have not yet been baptised, so I suppose I should put away the idea of being a monk for now. I took such a long time after studying and studying and studying to embrace the Orthodox Church that I am very anxious for reception, but I need the witness of Orthodox Christians who are established in the faith to help me during my catechumenate.

I am attending an Antiochian parish, but plan on visiting a Romanian Episcopate OCA church this Sunday. I will trust God to lead me where He will, and pray for forgivness of sins and communion with God.

Pray for me,
Seraphim

[Priest Siluan]

Greetings in Christ!

I am a convert to the Faith who has been studying Holy Orthodoxy for more than four years now, and am attending an Antiochian parish (yes, it is New Calendar). The question that bothers me now is the question of where the Orthodox Church can be found, untainted and unchanged. Trouble is, it is impractical at the present time to go to an Old Calendar Church, or to move nearer to one. Admittedly, I have been greatly influenced by Russian spirituality, and have sought to find a place in the Russian Church Abroad, but political issues keep me from doing so.

I have recently been in contact with Abp. Gregory of Dormition Skete, and have read his polemics website, which in many cases is very sound. I was planning on arranging a visit to the Skete, to see if the monastic life is for me. I have not yet been officially enrolled as a catechumen at my parish, though I may within a few weeks, and so have not been received into the Church by baptism and Chrismation. If I were to go to Buena Vista, Abp Greogory seems willing to accept me, formally receive me into the Church, and take me on as a novice. Needless to say, I was very excited to hear this news. But I am becoming concerned with all of the political issues and the seeming fraction of both ROAC and ROCOR, and have trouble deciphering where the Church is truly to be found, and where I might grow spiritually in exploring the monastic life. I have also come across some negative things here in this forum regarding Abp Gregory and Dormition Skete. Surely there are two sides to every story, and both can be convincing enough. So how can one sort out his concerns and make a decision?

Please keep in mind that I am pre-catechumenate, and that I am currently attending a parish within a New Calendar jurisdiction. All Orthodox parishes within a 30-50 mile radius are modernist (I live about 60 miles above San Diego, CA). So I already have to drive a ways, as my parish is 30 miles from me, and further distances are currently impractical for me financially.

If you are in search of the truth, I just will tell you that it is very far from Gregory of Denver, he has deceived many ones and he was deceived himself

[joasia]

Orthodoxy is not based on a jurisdiction. It is a will of life....it is the epitomy of worship of Christ. Ask yourself, Seraphim...are you coming to Orthodoxy because it is THE ONLY TRUTH? The faith comes first...then you get messed up with the jurisdictional divisions.

Read the Philokalia. Read the life of St. Seraphim of Sarov. Read many spiritual inspirations. Do you love Christ? Then don't worry so much. He is guiding you. Ask God to send you a spiritual father that will guide you through your difficulties. If you are sincere in your heart...then God will not abandon you. Because you wil be allowing Him into your heart, with your free will.

In Christ,

Joanna

[ultra_sinful]

Pravoslavny Seraphim,

The question that bothers me now is the question of where the Orthodox Church can be found, untainted and unchanged.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8

there you go: http://www.russianorthodoxchurchinexile ... meset.html