Exclusive: MP-ROCOR takes in entire vagante jurisdiction!

[Suaidan]

Are the new “ROCOR Western Rite” receptions an official shift in policy towards ecumenism?

On Tuesday, November 9 (NS) it was announced on a number of email lists that the membership of an entire vagante “church” was being received in by Metropolitan Hilarion, following the admittance of a Fr Allyne Lev Smith last month. With these receptions, ROCOR-MP finally has “street credibility” with the ecumenists.

The announcement of the mass reception of the “The Holy Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church of America, part of the Former Exarchate of The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria in the Americas”, appeared online on a Yahoo!group covering Western Rite issues under the auspices of a priestmonk of ROCOR-MP. The full text of the announcement follows this article.

The group, headed by soi-disant Archbishops Anthony Bondi and Bishop Michael Kinsfather is, according to their website, composed “primarily of house churches,” so property was not a motivating factor; yet it appears ROCOR-MP is also not catechizing the new clergy, as they had only been in discussions for a year. Further, until 2008, one of the two Bishops in question being made an “Archimandrite” (per the announcement below) was in fact a happily married “Bishop”!

This author had a horrendous discussion with Archbishop Bondi after a number of his public statements indicated he held ecumenistic beliefs. An essay coming out of those discussions was here.

It was noted on the same email list on Wednesday from a person who speaks regularly with the authorities of ROCOR-MP (and whom another ROCOR-MP priest, Hieromonk Ambrose of New Zealand, identified as a clergyman of same) that “Metropolitan Hilarion referred to the group of Parishes as "Anglican" - I have the testimony of one Priest and one Hieromonk who were present. In his email to me Bishop Jerome said that he had been characterising them as "Anglican" for simplicities sake. Congratulations Archbishop Anthony - you know you have been in my prayers and our conversations over the long period have been an encouragement to me.”

In fact, these two men were ordained by-- and remained in communion with at least until 2008-- the “Orthodox American Church”, a theosophical vagante group which claimed its succession not from the Anglicans, but none other than the mysterious Archbishop James R. Toombs, who had come to ROCOR from a theosophical-mystical Ofieshite sect run by the infamous Stanislaus DeWitow known as the Societas Rosicruciana Republicae Americae, for which the "Holy Orthodox Church in America" remained effectively as a cover group (membership in Freemasonry having been required for all leaders). A quick look at the “Orthodox American Church” website should therefore be of no surprise when the writings of Berdayev and references to the “tree of light” are found on it.

Certainly we can't say that Bishop Jerome is completely ignorant of the spotty history of Archbishop Toombs, having written in 2008 that "When Bishop James (Toombs) of Manhattan was exposed as belonging to a Masonic lodge, it led to his downfall." (Orthodox-Tradition list, August 28, 2008). Thus, we can understand why Metr Hilarion and Bp Jerome are calling these men “Anglicans” (even though we can assume that one-- or likelier, both-- of them knows the truth). If the authorities of ROCOR-MP were simply doing their missionary duty, then why-- per the admission of their own clergy-- would they, for "simplicity's sake", change the religious affiliation of the leaders of same in their public announcements?

Full Text of Announcement

Dear Brothers in Christ,

It is with great pleasure that I announce to you that the Archdiocese of New York of The Holy Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church of America, the Former Exarchate of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria has petitioned The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia to be received into its fold.

It was our intention to do this quietly, without fanfare, until all the clergy were received and ordained. The post made here unfortunately preempted that.

This is the culmination of a long journey, many prayers, and great patience. It will also require the humility of our bishops, priests and deacons to bow their heads for ordination in the Russian Church which we do with great joy for the sake of the unity of the Church. We have accepted the use of the Julian Calendar as we were already on it for the Paschalion and most of us have been greatly disturbed by the commercialization of Christmas. We will also be able to keep our Liturgy which is based on the Dom Augustine Liturgy. We will also be able to continue our practice of gathering each year in the Fall for a Conference/Retreat and now open it up to other Western Rite Clergy. The 2011 Conference will be held at St Mary's Villa, Sloatsburg NY, Tuesday October 25th to Friday October 28th.

So that we are clear, the parishes being received were non-canonical Orthodox, not Anglican. Most of us come from the Roman Church though some of us have spent time in the Anglican Church, Episcopal, Continuing, or Charismatic Episcopal. We all became Western Rite Orthodox.

Archbishop Anthony and Bishop Michael will resign the episcopacy and be ordained and elevated to be Archimandrites and His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion has asked former Archbishop Anthony to be Vicar/Dean of his group of Western Rite parishes. The historic significance of this is that the Orthodox Western Rite will have almost ten new parishes and, when all are received about 18 more clergy. We will have an informal group called The Fraternity of St Gregory.

Those clergy who have already been received into the Russian Church have experienced the warm welcome and generous kindness of Metropolitan Hilarion and Vladyka Jerome who have been paragons of patience in doing all of the required ordinations for us. The Russian clergy surrounding them have been most welcoming to their new Orthodox brothers who will be using the Western Rite.

Some have commented on the humility that it has taken for me and Bishop Michael to give up the episcopacy. Anyone who knows our history also knows that we did what we had to do to keep our group together and to offer a place for those who wanted to be Orthodox Western Rite as we awaited the time God would appoint for our entrance into the Russian Church. Conversations were being held with Moscow through Fr Daniil Sosoyev (RIP) who through his martyric death has accomplish what he could not finish in this life.

We wish to thank Father James of Christminster who urged us for years constantly to hope and pray, Fr Ambrose (NZ) who continued to fast and pray for us all and who encouraged us, Fr Michael for his encouragement, Fr David (FL) and Fr Ambrose (GOA) for their prayers. We wish also to acknowledge the ongoing novena to St John of Shanghai and San Francisco for the past 9 years and the maternal graces secured for us by the Holy Mother of God.

Finally, we remember the words of the old Western prayer: "O Lord Jesus Christ, who for the accomplishment of Thy greatest works, has chosen the weak vessel of the world that no flesh may glory in Thy sight...." may we who have been called to the work of bringing the West to Orthodoxy have the strength and grace to perform it by your prayers.

Archbishop Anthony
New York

[joasia]

Does this mean that they will incorporate Western traditions into the Orthodox services? The Russian Church has always had struggles with innovations from the West...due mainly to bishops that were sympathetic and friendly with the Pope. When reading the history of the Russian Church, I was profoundy disappointed to see how they were so influenced by the West and rejected the Greeks. They even rejected St. Maximos the Confessor because he was Greek. He tried to correct their Church books. But, at one point, later in history, they did come back to embrace their Orthodox spirituality which they recognized in the Greek Orthodox Church spiritual teachings of the holy fathers. And now they left it again.

There is a prophesy that says there will be a final Tsar of Russian who will clean out the Church and erradicate all those opposed to God's truth (amongst the hierarchs). That's what we need now. Because it's getting worse. And this article is an example.

Joanna

[nyc_xenia]

Does this mean that they will incorporate Western traditions into the Orthodox services?

Well...That depends what you call "Western". If by "western" you mean ancient western Orthodox traditions, well, I somehow doubt that, since they don't seem to be too concerned with preserving the ancient west, as much as they seek worldly recognition. But that's just my 2 cents and well, I threw them in there for good measure.

The Russian Church has always had struggles with innovations from the West...due mainly to bishops that were sympathetic and friendly with the Pope.

The Russian Church came later on in the history of the Church, but ok... I will direct my response to the innovations after the schism of course, as it is what I am sure you meant.
The innovations, modernizations and ecumenism have been a problem not only to the Russians and Greeks but to all men of all Nations who hold struggle to adhere to follow the True Faith. It is an error to believe that any Nationality upholds the Truth above another, no? That said, Russia has in the past occasionally (for some reason) followed after the fallen west however, so has Greece, or is the calender change forgotten? You see, there is a greater evil at work amongst us, one which has been foretold by the Holy Fathers of our Church, it is a simple tale really. It is the fact that evil dwells amongst us and it is our task to stay away from evil and cling with all of our hearts, our strength and our might towards the Truth and our holy traditions. Whether our traditions originate in the west or the east matters not, what matters in that they originate and stem from the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church before the schism.

When reading the history of the Russian Church, I was profoundy disappointed to see how they were so influenced by the West and rejected the Greeks. They even rejected St. Maximos the Confessor because he was Greek. He tried to correct their Church books. But, at one point, later in history, they did come back to embrace their Orthodox spirituality which they recognized in the Greek Orthodox Church spiritual teachings of the holy fathers. And now they left it again.

Forgive me Joanna, but being Greek in and of itself does not make one an "Orthodox" pillar of truth.

There is a prophesy that says there will be a final Tsar of Russian who will clean out the Church and erradicate all those opposed to God's truth (amongst the hierarchs).

Here's a quote for you Joanna, beware of Russian "prophesy", Greek "prophesy" too, if it has some National propaganda as its "moral lesson".

That's what we need now. Because it's getting worse. And this article is an example.

No, I disagree, what we need know is a call for a certainty of FAITH. I guess you could call it a "chase" after the words of the Holy Fathers and of the Apostles who taught us. We need to go back and review what heresies have been proclaimed heresies, what new teachings are actually old anathemas...AND then, WE will have a people worthy of Salvation, even though the world should crumble down around us. Maybe then, we could in one voice say, "AMEN".

Joanna[/quote]

[nyc_xenia]

Are the new “ROCOR Western Rite” receptions an official shift in policy towards ecumenism?

Hey, what is the "Title" about anyways? "vagante jurisdiction!" ? REALLY is that what you want to "represent" with your post?

[joasia]

The innovations, modernizations and ecumenism have been a problem not only to the Russians and Greeks but to all men of all Nations who hold struggle to adhere to follow the True Faith. It is an error to believe that any Nationality upholds the Truth above another, no?

I disagree. God blessed certain nations to be wholly Orthodox. It was their foundation as Christians. They were given the truth in order to uphold the true teachings of Christ above other non-Orthodox nations (who refused to accept Christ). The hierarchs of Greece and Russian were those nations. I'm only mentioning these two because that is the focus of my comments. But, I know that Bulgaria provided the church books to the Russians back when they became Orthodox. They were translated from Bulgarian. But, of course, anybody who is Orthodox is not bound by a nationality. I'm the first to admit that...being Polish. But, look at the history of how God spread His word to the people. There's a reason that certain nations were completely Orthodox. But, then evil set in and they turned from God as Adam did.

That said, Russia has in the past occasionally (for some reason) followed after the fallen west however, so has Greece, or is the calender change forgotten?

My comments are based on events going back to the 12th to 16th century. And the "for some reason" part is because there were Russian bishops who leaned towards the West, including some Russian kings.

When reading the history of the Russian Church, I was profoundly disappointed to see how they were so influenced by the West and rejected the Greeks. They even rejected St. Maximos the Confessor because he was Greek. He tried to correct their Church books. But, at one point, later in history, they did come back to embrace their Orthodox spirituality which they recognized in the Greek Orthodox Church spiritual teachings of the holy fathers. And now they left it again.

Forgive me Joanna, but being Greek in and of itself does not make one an "Orthodox" pillar of truth.

No, it doesn't. But, being St. Maximos the Confessor who was one of the pillars of Orthodoxy does. Was I referring to a common Greek? My point was that, at that time, the Russians, who were influenced by the West, rejected his input about correcting the Church books because they started feeling that the Greeks had no place in their culture. And that's where the evil one separated the brothers of faith. They never let him go back to Mt. Athos.

But, of course, I do believe that we converts have as much right to inherit God's Kingdom as anyone else who was baptised, from a baby, into Orthodoxy.

I wrote: There is a prophesy that says there will be a final Tsar of Russian who will clean out the Church and eradicate all those opposed to God's truth (amongst the hierarchs).

You wrote: Here's a quote for you Joanna, beware of Russian "prophesy", Greek "prophesy" too, if it has some National propaganda as its "moral lesson".

Whose quote is that? I didn't see a reference. The prophesies came from the saints. It has nothing to do with national propaganda.

I wrote: That's what we need now. Because it's getting worse. And this article is an example.

You wrote: No, I disagree, what we need know is a call for a certainty of FAITH. I guess you could call it a "chase" after the words of the Holy Fathers and of the Apostles who taught us. We need to go back and review what heresies have been proclaimed heresies, what new teachings are actually old anathemas...AND then, WE will have a people worthy of Salvation, even though the world should crumble down around us. Maybe then, we could in one voice say, "AMEN".

No. The only way to salvation is repentance. Don't you get it? If these hierarchs of all our jurisdictions would sincerely repent to God, then they would all come to the same conclusions and embrace each other with love in Christ...for they would all be living within the same will with God. But, now they are all living their own separate wills and we, the flock, are suffering for it.

Joanna

[nyc_xenia]

I disagree. God blessed certain nations to be wholly Orthodox. It was their foundation as Christians. They were given the truth in order to uphold the true teachings of Christ above other non-Orthodox nations (who refused to accept Christ). The hierarchs of Greece and Russian were those nations. I'm only mentioning these two because that is the focus of my comments. But, I know that Bulgaria provided the church books to the Russians back when they became Orthodox. They were translated from Bulgarian. But, of course, anybody who is Orthodox is not bound by a nationality. I'm the first to admit that...being Polish. But, look at the history of how God spread His word to the people. There's a reason that certain nations were completely Orthodox. But, then evil set in and they turned from God as Adam did.

Ok, as long as we are dealing honestly and not some form of misplaced nostalgia. I mean after all, looking back at the history of the Church before the great schism there were countries in the West that knew Orthodoxy well before Russia or Bulgaria. But as long as we covered the fact that Nations can rise and fall or come the knowledge of Christ and then apostatize, I guess the topic is pretty much covered.

No. The only way to salvation is repentance. Don't you get it? If these hierarchs of all our jurisdictions would sincerely repent to God, then they would all come to the same conclusions and embrace each other with love in Christ...for they would all be living within the same will with God. But, now they are all living their own separate wills and we, the flock, are suffering for it.

I really don't think it is a matter of "wills" or repentance. Although I attribute some of the separations that exist to pride and the desire for administrative control, I also tend to believe what the Holy Fathers said concerning the end times. In essence, they say that the Church is going to go through a very strange time, one of apostasy and that the majority of "hierarchs" will be blind men that will basically blindfold it's flock so that they fall into a pit. Ultimately they defined the end as chaos, to the point that we are warned not to enter church buildings due to the blasphemy which will be proclaimed in them. Being placed in such chaos, I believe that we are doing rather well and I applaud those hiearchs that still have eyes to see and are able to lead souls towards salvation, regardless of administrative disagreements.

[Pravoslavnik]

Indeed, Britain embraced Orthodox Christianity more than 500 years before the baptism of the Rus. As I recall, St. John of San Francisco venerated the Western European Orthodox saints, and also encouraged canonical Western Rite Orthodox parishes in Europe and North America during his episcopacy.

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    Before moving to the ROCOR, I was first introduced to Orthodox theology through a Western Rite (Antiochian) parish.  Even that was a leap for me, a former agnostic, raised as a "liberal" Protestant.  I eventually learned enough about Orthodox tradition and praxis to realize that something seemed to be "missing" at my former Western Rite parish, but, in retrospect, I am grateful to God for my early years there.

     Also, on the subject of Russia and Western Rite Orthodoxy, I believe that St. Tikhon, himself, approved a Western Rite Orthodox missal adapted from Anglican tradition.