old, old pictures of Patriarch Alexey II

[AndyHolland]

Only the monks can be bishops, but a widower or divorced man could take the monastic life and this way then became bishop, this is well according to the tradition of the Church.

A man does not have to be a monastic to be a Bishop. A man can be married and become a Bishop, but must be celibate. His wife does not have to be sent to a monastary either, but must be taken care of according to the canon and Holy Tradition.

The usual practice is for a Bishop to be a monastic, but there are many examples of monastics who became Bishops and Bishops who became monastics after being Bishops.

Married Bishops was a practice of the Orthodox Church in communist Russia.

andy holland
sinner

[Priest Siluan]

Married Bishops was a practice of the Orthodox Church in communist Russia.

andy holland
sinner

Are you speaking about Renovasionist "Living Chuch" and its succesor MP or about True Russian Orthodox Church (Catacomb Church)?

[spiridon]

Father I dont want to cross any boundaries, but you must remember that no Man, Bishop or not has to repent to us men, there is only one He and us all have to repent to, and that is our Heavenly Father Above...Too many people put so much emphasis on other peoples sins, and I remind you its not for us to judge, Christ Our God and Saviour is all powerful and will Bless or cut off...let us rejoice as we come upon the 3rd finding of the Head of Our Forerunner...

[AndyHolland]

Married Bishops was a practice of the Orthodox Church in communist Russia.

andy holland
sinner

Are you speaking about Renovasionist "Living Chuch" and its succesor MP or about True Russian Orthodox Church (Catacomb Church)?

I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. The Catholic Church is Universal - therefore, what is true was true and ever will be true. Or did the catacomb Church change the Canon? If so, on what basis did they change the Orthodox Church canon and teaching?

God chose St. Peter - do you question Jesus Christ the Lord's choice of a married man to be the first among equals? Let God be God and let God arise and judge the Earth, for to Him belong the nations!

Why imply scandal to a man who like St. Peter is married? If he teaches something that is ungodly - talk to him about that, and then if he won't listen, talk to others in the Church, and if he still won't listen - then leave him alone.

Isn't that what the fathers and the Gospels teach?

The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is truly Apostolic - and the Apostles are witnesses to the truth. If some of them were married, the Church canon properly reflects the fact that a married man can be a Bishop and properly reflects Holy Tradition. Local practice and exceptions have always been part of the Church history - including those who demanded lifelong Celibacy and those who, for practical reasons, allowed married Bishops who promised to be celibate and take care of their wives.

andy holland - Antiochian
sinner

[Priest Siluan]

I don't doubt this, but the Catacomb Church is part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ, the renovacionists are not, they were very well-known to consecrate married bishops (they also had heretical ideas)

this group was absorbed by the MP and many of the first MP Bishops was of this "Church"... The Holy Patriarch Tikhon condemns to the renovacionism.

[Priest Siluan]

andy holland - Antiochian
sinner

Are you a member of Antiochian Patriarchate?

[AndyHolland]

Yes, but not under the Patriarchate but in America in the self-governing Antiochian Church (autonomous).

You certainly may have good issues with the MP - I honestly don't know, but condemning them for married Bishops is certainly not one of them because:

1. The ancient Canon permits this.

2. Holy Tradition is filled with married Bishops - St. Gregory Nanzianzen the Elder is a Saint, a Bishop and the biological father of St. Gregory the Theologian! [Also, St. Gregory the Elder was a heretic for awhile, but he repented. Shouldn't we therefore forgive?]

3. Holy Scripture - the Holy Gospel, refers to the most famous St. Peter who was indeed married. Jesus chose at least one married man!

4. Holy Scripture in Timothy and Titus written by St. Paul explicitly states the qualifications for Bishop, and being married with one wife is part of that specification.

It is one thing to call attention to what people do wrong, and another to condemn them for what the Church has always taught as One Holy Catholic and Apostolic. If you condemn people for following ancient Holy Tradition, could it be you are condemning for other reasons that are not correct?

Jesus Christ is Lord - and we are all sinners. Let us forgive and love one another as Christ taught, and put away false teachings!

andy holland
sinner