RTOC consecrated a Bishop for Serbian TOC

[Tryphon]

Due to your administrative constructive criticism on the above statements . I should rephrase and state that some of the sisterhood certainly is isolated from all.
If it is necessary and possible You can transfer the comments to the recipient as a PM. I probably should have done so myself to begin with and not have it pointed out .
Sorry for any caused problems on my part. Thank You for your support.

[Priest Siluan]

Photo report (in Serbian) about the Consecration:

http://sipp-bg.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_19.html

[Cyprian]

I would like to state up front that I have never met nor had any personal contact with any of the main personalities (within the GOC or the TOC of Serbia) mentioned in this thread. Nevertheless, I feel I have a few unique observations to offer, which some may or may not find useful.

1) I seem to recall reading here on the Cafe, (perhaps it was an article by Vladimir Moss someone had posted?) that many (or most?) of the bishops of the GOC synod were originally in favor of uniting with the RTOC, but it was said that Kallinikos was the lone holdout who threatened a schism and ultimately derailed the union. Do I have this correct? I seem to recall that was the position of V. Moss.

2) If this is correct, this begs a second question. Naturally, one would think that some of the bishops who were in favor of union with the RTOC would harbor some resentment over the fact that the union was allegedly derailed by Kallinikos. If this was the case, then why would they agree to elect him as their president, knowing that he presents an obstacle to union with another TOC? This doesn't make sense.

3) Not a few people are now bemoaning the fact that this action by the RTOC to consecrate hieromonk Akakije has severely damaged any chances for possibility of union between the RTOC and the GOC. Does anyone really believe that the RTOC did not consider the repercussions that would result from their actions? I think it is quite apparent that the RTOC harbored very little hope of uniting with the GOC, and that's why they went ahead and pursued this consecration. They must have felt all other options had been exhausted. If they were close to uniting with the GOC, they had to have known that this would drive a wedge between any possible union. So, the only logical conclusion one could draw, is that the RTOC considered Abp. Kallinikos to be an obstacle to union, and not a goodwill partner.

4) I noticed that priest Siluan now lists his jurisdiction as RTOC, when for years I understood him to be under Met. Valentine and the ROAC. When did he and his parish leave the ROAC, and join the RTOC? I guess I totally missed this. Was there any press release made? I still see priest Siluan listed as a clergyman on a certain ROAC site. Was priest Siluan given a canonical transfer, or did he leave because of matters of the faith, or...? Does priest Siluan care to share with us when and why he switched from the ROAC to the RTOC?

Warm regards to all,

Cyprian

[Priest Siluan]

4) I noticed that priest Siluan now lists his jurisdiction as RTOC, when for years I understood him to be under Met. Valentine and the ROAC. When did he and his parish leave the ROAC, and join the RTOC? I guess I totally missed this. Was there any press release made? I still see priest Siluan listed as a clergyman on a certain ROAC site. Was priest Siluan given a canonical transfer, or did he leave because of matters of the faith, or...? Does priest Siluan care to share with us when and why he switched from the ROAC to the RTOC?

We (our mission) left ROAC for pastoral and "administrative-canonical" questions, it is/was public knowledge.

[Jean-Serge]

In the history of True Orthodox churches, there have been made unworthy individuals made bishop and the result was catastrophical : Euloge of Milan; Gregory of Colorado etc. So let's wait and see the fruits...

[jgress]

Cyprian, I think there is usually a lot more going on among the hierarchy than you could ever find out from your web research. Met Pavlos I know greatly admires Abp Callinicus; yet he also admires the RTOC and especially their bishop in America, Stefan of Trenton, and dearly wants to unite with them. Instead of looking for a contradiction, perhaps you could consider that there may be other things about Abp Callinicus that are good for the GOC. I understand, for instance, that he has been instrumental in getting the GOC a favorable profile in the Greek media, which has been hugely important in their evangelizing work among the new calendarists, and in gaining sympathy for the GOC and for the Zealot Fathers on Mt Athos among many conservative NCists. This is not something you'd ever hear by reading Vladimir Moss, for instance, who has an extremely selective knowledge and negative impression of Abp Callinicus based on his personal experiences. I am not saying Moss' views should not be heard, but that they should be taken in context.

If you only rely on certain web sources, you will end up with a highly skewed understanding of things. I know that you are isolated from True Orthodox churches where you are (although not so much now that Met Moses of Portland has come over to us), so I am not surprised that you get most if not all of your information from online research. However, to get a fuller picture you must go to a TOC church, get to know people and find out what their point of view is and what's really going on, without the filter you will get by only reading from a few sources.

[Priest Siluan]

Dear Jean-Serge and Jonathan.

Thank you for yours opinions

I share some thoughts with both of you.