Persecution of the STOC

[Despotovac]

During the second week of October, it was conveyed to us by our acquaintances in the Sopot government that, by order of the official church’s Bishop Jovan of Shumadia, the office of the local governor, Mr. Zika, was occupied by many – more than ten – aggressive priests who insisted that an “illegal” structure at The Paraclete be demolished, and that nothing at all should be permitted to be built there in the future. “These people [i.e., the True Orthodox] must be cleaned out of the place!” rang out their strident demand aimed personally at the local governor. By the way, it is worth mentioning that none of the locals can remember that anything within the governance of Sopot has ever been demolished by order of the government, even though many houses and outbuildings throughout the entire territory are entirely illegal, and no one considers this a matter of any importance.
Read more: http://www.serbiantrueorthodox.org/2012 ... .html#more

[Maria]

Lord have mercy.

[frphoti]

Yes, this is how it is. "Leave the Protestants, the Roman Catholics, and all the other pagan temples of our brothers and sisters and those whom we love.Let us gather with them. But do not speak to or associate nor even allow to exist, those who attempt to keep the Orthodox faith and piety!" How this alienation and persecution of the pious True Orthodox is promoted among the so-called Orthodox should be seen for what it is by all. If people would actually look and listen, our churches would be overflowing.

Let us heed this canon of piety and steadfastness in the faith:
… Troilos and Sergios then posed another question: “Then we are to understand that thou wilt not enter into communion with the throne of Constantinople?” Father Maximos replied, “I will not commune.” They inquired further, asking, “For what reason wilt thou not commune with the patriarchate?” Father Maximos answered them with a serious countenance, saying with a sigh, “On the one hand, there is nothing more onerous than the reproach of one’s conscience; but, on the other hand, there is nothing more desirable than the approval of one’s conscience.” They pressed the holy man to give them an answer for his lack of communion with them. Father Maximos then explained: “I cannot enter into communion with the throne of Constantinople, because the leaders of that patriarchate have rejected the resolutions of the four œcumenical synods. Instead, as their rule, they have accepted the Alexandrian Nine Chapters. Thereafter, they accepted the Ekthesis of Patriarch Sergios and then the Typos, which rejects everything that was proclaimed in the Ekthesis, thereby excommunicating themselves many times over. Together with having excommunicated themselves, they have been deposed and deprived of the priesthood at the Lateran Council held in Rome. What Mysteries can such persons perform? What spirit comes upon what they celebrate or those ordained by them?” The saint’s visitors then asked, “Then thou alone wilt be saved, while everyone else perishes?” Father Maximos said, “When Nebuchadnezzar made a golden image in the province of Babylon, he summoned all those in authority to come to the dedication of the image [Dan. 3:1, 2]. The holy Three Children condemned no one. They did not concern themselves with the practices of others, but looked only to their own business, lest they should fall away from true piety. When Daniel was cast into the lions’ den, he did not condemn those who prayed not to God that they might obey the decree of Darius [Dan. 6:12 ff.]. Instead, he concentrated on his own duty. He preferred to die than to sin against his conscience and transgress God’s law. God forbid that I should judge or condemn anyone or that I should claim that I alone shall be saved! I should much prefer to die than to betray the Faith in any way or go against my conscience. … Were the universe to enter into communion with the patriarch, I should never commune with him. Take heed of the words of the Holy Spirit through the apostle: ‘Even if we, or an angel from out of heaven, should preach a gospel to you besides what Gospel we preached to you, let such a one be anathema [Gal. 1:8].’” The envoys then asked, “Is it truly needful to confess two wills and operations in Christ?” Father Maximos replied, “It is absolutely needful, if we are to remain Orthodox in doctrine. … Though I do not wish to grieve our dutiful emperor who is a good man, yet I fear God’s judgment by keeping silence about those things which God commands us to confess. …”
_from the life of St. Maximus the Confessor

[Matthew]

May God preserve and protect the beloved brethren of the Serbian TOC.

Symeon

[StephenS]

The sad fact is everyone is welcome at the ecumenists' party except those who witness for truth.

[Matthew]

Ain't that the truth. But who wants to party on the brink of destruction? We should be weeping and praying for our sins. So it is just as well that they exclude us, they are doing us a favour.

[Priest Siluan]

May God preserve and protect the beloved brethren of the Serbian TOC.

Symeon

Amen!