A RTOC Brief Account of the Event
The Synod of the Russian True Orthodox Church (RTOC) has been negotiating with the Synod of the Greek True Orthodox Church (TGOC) for over 3 years. Two years ago, there was almost a concelebration of the two synods. Met. Kallinikos stopped the event by threatening to withdraw from the TGOC Synod. Now, the former Metropolitan Kallinikos has been elected Archbishop and first-hierarch of the TGOC. Last February (2011) in Odessa, the two synods again came to what was viewed again as an agreement. Then, in the spring of this year, the TGOC Synod sent the Russian hierarchs 3 more questions. These questions ranged from inquiring regarding the RTOC’s position on Met. Anthony's Dogma on Redemption, to "does the RTOC Synod consider a person to be baptized if he merely thinks he was baptized, but actually was never physically baptized?" Between themselves, the RTOC bishops expressed their exhaustion with this process, and promised to send the TGOC questions of their own. It would be safe to say that RTOC Synod began to question the sincerity of the TGOC Synod.
The Serbs approached the Greek Synod (TGOC) for help some 15 years ago, with the intent of restoring the True Serbian Orthodox Church (TSOC). They received help through the ordination of a number of priests. The Greeks considered these priests as belonging to their Synod. The Greek Synod has now stated that it considersits act of help as an investment in a "mission," which is not ready to become independent. In a letter to Hieromonk Akakij, Metropolitan Pavlos of Astoria further revealed the Greek Synod’s intention for the Serbian Church by stating that the Archbishop of Athens is the locum tenens of the Serbian Patriarchal Throne.
The Serbs do not recognize their "mission status," nor do they recognize Archbishop Kallinikos as the locum tenens of the Patriarch of Serbia. They see themselves (for the last 15 years) as restoring the Serbian Church. There are several priests who support and wish to stay with the TGOC. The rest say that the overall relationship has become over-drawn, and that they doubt the sincerity of the Greek Synod's stated intention to allow a Serbian Church to form. Basing their position on unfortunate historical precedents, the Serbs see the Greeks as scheming toward absorbing the Serbian Church. After 15 years, the Serbs want their independent bishop. Hence, they have applied to the RTOC for help in this matter.
Since the Serbian Church is historically local and autocephalous, the RTOC had decided to help the TSOC by consecrating a bishop for them. Because of its respect for the TGOC Synod, the RTOC decided to send a delegation to the TGOC Synod in order to convey this decision in a brotherly manner. The delegation consisted of Bishop Germogen and Protopresbyter Victor Melehov. Hieromonk Akakij, the Serbian bishop-elect, was asked to accompany the delegation. The delegation left France for Greece on Thursday, Aug. 11 – 07/29, 2011. Arriving in Athens, the delegation was well received. B. Photios, of the TGOC, met the delegation and then the group drove to Archbishop Kallinikos' monastery in Corinth. On Friday, Aug. 12- 07/30, 2011, in the presence of A. Kallinikos, B. Photios, and B. Chrysostom, the delegation explained the RTOC’s position and decision stating that the Serbian Church was a local church and could not be considered a mission of the Greek Church. Furthermore, because the Serbian Church appealed to the Russian Church for assistance, the Synod of the RTOC felt obliged to help them. The RTOC delegation underscored the fact that in consecrating a bishop for the Serbian Church, the Russian Church would continue to view the Serbian Church as an independent and local church. The STOC would not be under the jurisdiction of the RTOC. Finally, the delegation stated that the RTOC Synod does not view this decision as one that should impede discussions leading to union with the TGOC in terms of recognizing each other as sister churches.
Unfortunately, the three Greeks bishops did not agree. They accused the RTOC of meddling in the TGOC's affairs, of "climbing over into their garden," of "stealing their daughter," of "creating a schism in the Serbian Church.” In the presence of Fr. Akakij, they declared that he was not ready to be a bishop, that he was desirous of the position at any cost. When B. Germogen asked A. Kallinikos to present any impediments that he might know regarding Fr. Akakij's candidacy, A. Kallinikos could only say that Fr. Akakij was not ready. Although B. Germogen was respectfully given the time to state the RTOC's position (some 30 minutes), the rest of the time (some 2-1/2 hrs.) was primarily consumed by the Greek bishops’ rebuttal.
The meeting was concluded by B. Germogen announcing that the RTOC delegation would take the comments of the Greek bishops under advisement, and present them to the RTOC Synod. All parted on cordial terms. The RTOC delegation returned to France in the evening of the same day (Aug. 12- 07/30, 2011).
After discussing this visit, the RTOC Synod stated that it regretted the inability of the TGOC to understand its brotherly gesture to them, coupled with its historical and brotherly obligation to hearken to the needs of the Serbian Church. The RTOC Synod decided to proceed with the consecration of Hieromonk Akakij to bishop, and to once more (with brotherly love and concern) to inform the TGOC Synod of the RTOC's decision. Protopresbyter Victor Melehov was assigned to deliver this news with a phone call.
On Sunday, 08/01-14/2011, B. Photios was informed of the RTOC’s decision. B. Photios refused to receive the information as an action of brotherly love. He refused to accept the decision of the RTOC Synod as an action of brotherly obligation. He called this decision a crime, and repeated the same position and statements made by A. Kallinikos, B. Chrysostom, and himself in Corinth. He further stated that the talks between the TGOC and the RTOC were over, and that there was no possibility of union.
On Monday, 08/02-15/2011, during Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Tikhon, Archbishop Benjamin, and Bishop Germogen (of the RTOC) consecrated Bishop Akakij for Serbia.
