Serbia and ROCOR

[Savva24]

Dear Justin,
First of all, to end your confusion, Fr. Justin Popovich is NOT A SAINT. He was not canonized as such, and therefore he is not "St. Justin" - but simply the late +Archimandrite Justin Popovic.
Secondly, the ROC abroad or in exile is not a recognized canonical church. The Serbian Orthodox Church is in commuinon with the canonical Russian Ortodox Church of Russia. It is hoped that the ROC abroad return to the bosom of their Mother Church which is long overdue. True, we maintain friendly relations in the trust that they will do the right thing in the sight of God and return to their canonical churdh and cease attempt to inflict wounds upon the body of Christ - the long suffering Russian Orthodox Church which the gates of hades of atheistic communism could not prevail against! Instead of rejoicing in the fact that the Church has prevailed and survived, they chose to villify Her! Why? Fortunately many of them, including several illustrious hierarchs are carrying out a dialogue with their suffering martyred Mother Church. Others seem to wish to persist in cold-hearted vilification - conveniently forgetting that they had escaped and did not share in the suffering and martyrdom of their Church - and from safe havvens continue to hold themselves out as "super-Orthodox" not realizing that they make a mockerry of Holy Orthodoxy by their disgraceful behvior.

Depressing
Why is there always a different answer accourding to who you ask in the Serbian Church?

P.S. I thought that St. Justin was canonized by the Serbian Church. What is he talking about, perhaps personal wishful thinking.

[Justin Kissel]

After a bit of investigating, I've discovered that it was apparently none other than His Grace, Metropolitan Christopher (Kovacevich) of the Serbian Church who responded to me. (I knew the name before, but I didn't know he was the Metropolitan--as seen in the above quote, he left no signature or name at the end of his response). I guess that explains some things (like why he felt he could speak so authoritatively). On the other hand, it muddies the waters a great deal on some issues. Wouldn't a bishop know if someone was a saint in his Church? Wouldn't he know the position of his Church? If I don't get any other emails back I am going to make some phone calls for information.

[尼古拉前执事]

I think he is only a local saint, in his diocese or something like that. Such harsh words the Serbian Metropolitan had!

[Natasha]

This perfectly illustrates how difficult it is for people to search out the truth, and how the truth seems to change depending on whom you are talking to at the time!

[fserafim]

Dear Friends in Christ,

On another list I was tempted to reply to a question concerning relations between ROCOR, JP and Synod of Met Cyprian. It was a temptation as now I have seemed to have opened a pandora's box. Mea culpa! Until there is an official statement to the contrary - the JP does recognize, I believe from what I am told ROCOR. According to Orthodox Tradition (Etna), Met Cyprian maintained friendly relations with the late Patriarch Diodoros. The latter however was not permitted to serve although he did visit Fili, i.e. HQ of Etna in Greece. Again until there is an official statement from the top - Etna does still does not recognize JP, although it is in full communion with ROCOR. My statement on the other list was to point out that it does not logically follow that one is in communion by association as far as some hierarch's are concerned. At one time I was told by a ROCOR hierarch that communion with the Serbian Church as an error. I don't think this is the official position, although I am not in a position to comment on this.

Yours in Christ,
Fr Serafim

[Alpha Omega]

Dear Friends in Christ,

Until there is an official statement to the contrary - the JP does recognize, I believe from what I am told ROCOR. According to Orthodox Tradition (Etna), Met Cyprian maintained friendly relations with the late Patriarch Diodoros. The latter however was not permitted to serve although he did visit Fili, i.e. HQ of Etna in Greece. Again until there is an official statement from the top - Etna does still does not recognize JP, although it is in full communion with ROCOR. My statement on the other list was to point out that it does not logically follow that one is in communion by association as far as some hierarch's are concerned. At one time I was told by a ROCOR hierarch that communion with the Serbian Church as an error. I don't think this is the official position, although I am not in a position to comment on this.

Yours in Christ,
Fr Serafim

Fr Bless,

What about the cover story on http://www.russianorthodoxchurch.org.ws showing the Patriarch of Jerusalem at the parish feastday of the Gethsemane Convent of St Mary of Magdalene? Concelebrating with Arcbhishop Mark, no less. Seems like a pretty clear message to me.

Although, if you believe some of the people out there, Archbishop Mark is an ecumenist who should've been reprimanded by the Synod. Of course, that's a bit like calling Jesse Jackson a nazi, but hey, it takes all sorts to make this sinful world tick.

With love in Christ,

a o

[Anastasios]

1) Months ago I sent emails to the diocesan centers of several Serbian dioceses and I got a response for the Western American diocese. I would be happy to forward it when I get home. Basically it says "yes we are in communion with ROCOR, and we like them a lot."

2) ROCOR Fr. Hieromonk Ambrose (formerly Fr. Alexy Young) concelebrated the panakhida with Serbian priests at the 20th aniv. of the repose of Fr. Seraphim Rose. Interestingly enough, Fr. Thomas Hopko of St. Vlad's did the memorial liturgy and had positive things to say about Fr. Seraphim (check out a recent issue of the Orthodox Word for that). Fr. Ambrose did not concelebrate with Fr. Tom.

3) A Serbian student was sent by his bishop to Jordanville two or three years ago. Last year he came to St. Vladimir's to study. I know St. Vlad's will let anyone study there (like me!) but I doubt Jordanville would admit people not in communion with them to study there...?

So that reply seems strange, Justin. Maybe he disagrees with the other Metropolitan of Serbs in the US? (there are two I think owing to the split that was recently healed).

anastasios