OCA Metropolitan Herman Deposed

Pravoslavnik · Post by **Pravoslavnik** » Mon 22 September 2008 12:46 am

I have just recently heard the news from the OCA Synod meeting held in New York earlier this month. I have not been very informed about the longstanding financial scandals in the OCA. Apparently, an investigative report was presented to the Synod on September 3, 2008 which documented widespread financial improprieties within the Synod during the past several years. The report also specifically recommended that Metropolitan Herman be deposed as the chief hierarch of the OCA, and that Metropolitan Theodosious also be formally censured. Metropolitan Herman has now resigned. From their official website, it appears that the OCA will elect a new Metropolitan at their upcoming conference in November of this year. Their locum tenans chief hierarch is now Archbishop Dmitri of Dallas and Southwestern America.

Anastasios · Post by **Anastasios** » Mon 22 September 2008 10:43 am

He was not deposed; he retired. He still has blessings to serve as a bishop.

Pravoslavnik · Post by **Pravoslavnik** » Mon 22 September 2008 10:42 pm

Father A,

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   If you read the investigative report submitted to the OCA Synod on September 3, 2008, it clearly calls for the censure of  Metropolitan Herman for his mismanagement of the longstanding scandal and cover up within the OCA administration.  The Metropolitan's "retirement" and impending back surgery appear to be matters of superficial decorum.  One is reminded of Richard Nixon's phlebitis and eventual pardon by Gerald Ford in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal.  Shouldn't we be as honest as possible here?

Anastasios · Post by **Anastasios** » Tue 23 September 2008 12:56 am

Pravoslavnik wrote:
Father A,
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   If you read the investigative report submitted to the OCA Synod on September 3, 2008, it clearly calls for the censure of  Metropolitan Herman for his mismanagement of the longstanding scandal and cover up within the OCA administration.  The Metropolitan's "retirement" and impending back surgery appear to be matters of superficial decorum.  One is reminded of Richard Nixon's phlebitis and eventual pardon by Gerald Ford in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal.  [b]Shouldn't we be as honest as possible here?[/b][/quote]
Yes, which is why we should not say he was deposed when he was not. Look at the "censure" they gave Met Theodosius; he can't serve anywhere except his home parish. But he can still serve when invited. So he is not even really suspended.

Pravoslavnik · Post by **Pravoslavnik** » Tue 23 September 2008 10:31 pm

Father A,

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   Ours appears to be a semantic disagreement, hinging upon the meaning of the word "deposed."  I was using the word in a general sense to refer to his being removed from office as chief hierarch of the OCA.  I believe that you are using the word in a more narrow, ecclesiological sense.