Demission of Gabriel (de Vylder) of "Comana" Paris

[Jean-Serge]

Sounds very complex - I am not sure I understand all the tactical moves. I hope at least they stay out of MP's clutches. Have any True Orthodox jurisdictions thought to make overtures to them ? [...]

Well the situation is indeed complex and it is not easy to understand the aims and moves of the players.

Constantinople: I would say it aims at intregrating the Exarchate in its Greek dioceses progressively removing the autonomy. Depriving the exarchate of an Archbishop now, and previously forbidding the nomination of vicar bishop explains everything. In the exarchate, the pro-Russian party may be a minority and the Phanar may be taking advantage of this to suppress the autonomy so that it does not face the risk to see the exarchate run away from him to Moscow.

The exarchate: it is not homogeneous and one ought to remember it is made up with independent associations, the parishes, that can choose their own destiny. There is antirussian group that in no way would come back to Moscow. However, this group has always been very proud of their autonomy. Would they be OK to lose such autonomy? The pro-Russian group is a minority but I guess in some parishes, it is however a majority and such parishes could join Moscow. Moreover, the Phanar 's move has probably upset many Darusian autonomists that may regret Moscow, since Moscow offered a sort of autonomy in 2013.

Moscow: no official declaration now, but I'm sure they are moving their pawns.

Romania: the church of Romania has many parishes in France, among them French-speaking ones, so some could join it to run away from both the Phanar and Moscow

Serbia: it has quite a numerous community of French speaking parishes in the south

True orthodox churches: honestly the probability is scarce. The spirit of Rue Daru is so world orthodox: ultra ecumenist, new calendarist, communion in many places given to the non orthodox spouse, mixed weddings etc. They are hostile to true orthodoxy. If I were a true orthodox church, I would not take the offer simply for the wish of growing. If they are too join a true orthodox church, they should really repent and they are far from this.

[Matthew]

Seigneur prenez pitié!

[m. Evfrosinia]

To clarify:
Jean Serge is right, the spirit of the Russian Exarchate is very ecumenical, and I doubt anyone there will consider joining any True Orthodox group. We (the Lesna Monastery) know many people from the Exarchate, and have old friends amongst them, and they have been sharing their worries and concerns. It's not impossible that some individuals might eventually join True Orthodoxy, but that's about it several people on an individual basis.

[Maria]

To clarify:
Jean Serge is right, the spirit of the Russian Exarchate is very ecumenical, and I doubt anyone there will consider joining any True Orthodox group. We (the Lesna Monastery) know many people from the Exarchate, and have old friends amongst them, and they have been sharing their worries and concerns. It's not impossible that some individuals might eventually join True Orthodoxy, but that's about it several people on an individual basis.

Lord have mercy.

Thanks for your post, M. Evfrosinia.
And welcome to E. Cafe.

[Barbara]

Yes, welcome M. Evfrosinia !

That makes sense what you explained.

I have to return to examine Jean-Serge's detailed account here. Very helpful thank you for your time and careful analysis !

[Jean-Serge]

On March 30th, took place the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Russian Exarchate to discuss the situation and the proposal of the Phanar to postpone the election to better and calmer times. Before this meeting, tensions were growing with different views appearing: those advocating to go on the lectoral process, those willing to accept the patriarchal proposal, those supporting such or such candidate. Until now, we are still waiting for an official statement after the assembly. It is rumored that the assembmy will gather again in November. Meanwhile, Metropolitan Emmanuel should stay at the head of the exarchate as locum tenens; however according to an interpretation of the exarchate's statutes, his mandate would be automatically over on May 8th, i.e 4 months after the resignation of archbishop Gabriel... Up to now, there are no certainties.

[Jean-Serge]

Update : yesterday, the exarchate elected is new Archbishop (or more exactly the candidate proposed to the Phanar) and the winner is Archimandrite Job Getcha:

• 109 votes for the winner
• 33 for Father Bessarion
• 9 for Father Mykhaylo
• 40 people chosed not to vote with non valid votes, which is 20% of electors; that means something

The interesting is the following. The diocese has proposed 3 candidates to the Phanar archimandrites Job; Symeon and Grigorios. Everybody knows that the first one was the man of Bartholomew, the second one was seen closed from the Fraternité, a group of laymen that has had much influence in the exarchate (ruling it) would say the other, and the third one, who could say?

According to the Exarchate statuses as a French association, the exarchate proposes candidates that the Phanar can accept or refuse; but the Phanar cannot propose his own candidate. But yesterday, the Phanar only accepted the candidature of Father Job Getcha, refusing the other two competitors, which is abiding the statuses and proposed two additional candidates, Fathers Bassarion and Mykhaylo, unknown by almost anyone, which is a violation of the statuses. Surprisingly, in spite of such gross violation, the election took place with the 3 candidates of the Phanar, and the one who was meant to win won... Bartholmoew is really cunning...

Some Eulogians who were boasting about their freedom etc must be crying now. The game is over...