Why isn't the ROAC a patriarchate?

[strastnaya]

Maybe one of the ROAC people can answer this.
If the ROAC is "The Russian Orthodox Church" then why isn't Met. Valentine the Patriarch?
A few years ago he became a Metropolitan I guess because all the groups which claim some sort of realtionship to Ukaz 362 from Pat. Tikhon have always been headed by a Metropolitan.
But the only reason ROCOR was headed by a Metropolitan is because Met. Anthony was one. Likewise, Met. Vitaly and the ROCIE. so i never really understood Valentine taking the white klobuk except that for some political or symbolic reason.
Anyway, what is the reason ROAC do not take this step and if not for some reason, are they waiting for the current MP to repent more and change more before they do what ROCOR is currently doing, that is, acknowledging the MP as such.
Thnak-you,
Deaocn John

[尼古拉前执事]

Dear Father John,

Notice also that the GOC has not elevated their first-hierarch to the rank of patriarch either. As for why we do not do it, it actually is a good reason, thank you for asking. It is because we are not the end all be all of THE Russian Orthodox Church. We are only part. Perhaps a large part, but still only part. There are Catacombniks that are not currently in communion with us, and it is not right to elect a Patriarch unless it was an All-Russian Council. Until that day comes, we have a first-hierarch, but do not need a patriarch as of yet. We do pray for the unity of all traditionalists and our reaching out to others to make this happen has only been hampered by persecutions where our clergy are attacked, churches stolen, false lawsuits filed, etc.

[strastnaya]

Thank-you Fr. Dcn. Nikolai.
Todays NY times had a nice story on Suzdal Russia
http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/09/17/t ... rneys.html

In Christ,
Dcn. John