Has Dallas a Saint? The late Archbishop Dmitri

[Maria]

Rod Dreher is no OCA insider. He is an RC convert who has railed against the OCA hierarchy often for good reason He is however a devout follower of Abp. Dmitri. Regardless, the whole thing shows a very poor understanding of sainthood. And as aptly pointed out, for the True Orthodox it would simply not be possible for the Archbishop to be recognized as a saint, regardless of whatever redeeming personal qualities he had.

Indeed. Even if a Roman Pope, Anglican leader, or OCA bishop were found to be incorrupt, it does not mean that they are saints as soil type, temperature, lack of humidity, lack of oxygen, permafrost, and other variables can prevent decay of human remains. Some writers are even suggesting that the dry soil in parched Texas could have preserved the body of Archbishop Dmitri. Even the devil can work "miracles" to deceive even the elect.

And yes, credit must be given to Rod Dreher who has written quite a few good articles that fearlessly put the current OCA hierarchy to shame.

Maybe, just maybe, if there were more hierarchs who had the character of Archbishop Dmitri, there would be less problems in the OCA. As it is, I have met quite a few devout converts to True Orthodoxy from the OCA who grew increasingly alarmed and disenchanted with (1) the members and actions of the OCA Synod, (2) their treatment of the forcibly retired Met. Jonah who is now with the ROCOR, (3) their overtures to Rome, (4) the overt homosexuality in the clergy, and (5) their use of the modern vernacular in the Divine Liturgy, especially those petitions used when the last metropolitan was elected to replace Met. Jonah. All these five topics mentioned above should be reserved for another thread.

[Barbara]

OK< i stand corrected about Rod Dreher. I don't keep up with the OCA's doings, but I recognized his name, so I figured he must be one of the pillars of power there. I am glad he has been outspoken in denouncing the problem there.
Where might his articles be found ?

That rings true about the dry Texan soil as having been a factor. This phenomenon occurs in dry deserts around the world, with antiquities preserved for thousands of years due to the climatic conditions.

I guess Abp Dimitri has now been reinterred in the Cathedral he founded, St Seraphim.
I glimpsed a comment online by an OCA parishioner that the Cathedral's patron, St. Seraphim of Sarov himself was not incorrupt, so why to use that quality as an index for sainthood ? This seems to be an ongoing controversy about St Seraphim, but nonetheless, Abp Dimtri seems to be more of a model for some in his jurisdiction than a bona fide Saint.

[Maria]

St. Nectarios of Aegina's remains were incorrupt for many years. It has been said that St. Nectarios begged God to allow his flesh to dissolve so that his holy bones could be spread across the globe. This has been done. As a result, I was able to venerate a large rib being held at the shrine of St. Nectarios in Covina, California (under GOARCH-EP).

Incidentally, St. Matthew the New Confessor had as his confessor, St. Nectarios while he was alive.

Here is an interesting sermon from St. Anastasios of Sinai regarding miracles and prophecies, which occur outside of True Orthodoxy.

http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2016/04 ... k.html?m=1

Various signs and miracles and prophecies oftentimes take place by those who are unworthy,
according to some need or condescension, as with Barlaam and the Ventriloquist. And elsewhere
the Apostles, when they found a certain unbeliever "casting out demons in the name of Christ," and
they prevented him and reported him to Christ, Christ told them: "Do not stop him, for the one who is
not against you is for you" (Luke 9:50). ...