'Bro' Nathanael's Flamboyant Behavior

[Matthew]

My 2 cents: I have absolutely no problem whatsoever of going on record as saying the man is a fraud and an opponent of True Orthodox piety. I pray for his repentance and salvation.

Symeon

[Barbara]

Re Joasia's observation, YES ! That jumped out at me, too, in that picture
I am not sure whether Brother Nathanael was wearing a cross like that previously.
It is so terrible !
I forgot to mention it, I am glad you did !

And Icxypion, you are surely right. He has never once that we know of stood up for the True Orthodox in any form
since his "conversion" to the MP in Sept 2007 -

Never a word about Suzdal Churches grabbed by them, or any other topic, including the current 'burning' one of
the Esfigmenou monks' plight.

This means he was perhaps always a fraud, and was not much of a proponent of True Orthodox causes, despite
his articles to that effect.

For who could fail to sympathize with the Esfigmenou monks,especially with his background of 5 or so years at
Dormition Skete ?

My guess : his interest in Orthodoxy is TEPID> after all, it stresses humility and self-effacing behavior.
He wants the entire opposite : to have a following of thousands and tens of thousands.
Only this political expose work could gain him that. He surely believes what he promulgates in that area.
But Orthodoxy, monasticism, obedience to spiritual authorities seem to be shallow concerns of his --- at best. And at worst,
maybe a skeleton framework upon which to rest his legitimacy with the general public out there.

He does not have education or a substantial background to establish his bona fides, after all.
So this is the devious way he chose. In his video called My LIfe As a Monk - or something like that -
he is VERY vague about his own past. He relies on footage of ... Mt Athos, it seems I remember,
but provides little or no pictures and information about his own monastic path.

[Matthew]

Yes, however, this is not the only sign that he is an enemy of true piety and what is right. He also is an anti-semite, even though he claims to be Jewish. He constantly maligns the Jewish people, makes absurd claims that they are taking over the world, love only power and money, and seek the enslavement of Christians and the destruction of Christian society. Rubbish!

Let us never forget that they are STILL the natural olive branches -- according to St Paul. Let us further remain mindful that the Apostles were ALL Jews, as was the Most Holy Theotokos, and the majority of the early Christian Saints, martyrs, clergy, and faithful. We are to regard anyone who attacks the people of Israel with distrust. Christ commands us to love ALL men, including our beloved friends, the Jewish people, the vast majority of whom are simple middle class folk like us, who just want to live simple lives, raising families, and going about their own business peacefully. Hence, we should oppose and vigorously reject any teaching or claims that all Jews are Bolshevik agents, banking elitists that desire global power, and other such absurdities. Are there such men? Probably. But it is absurd to generalise that to "the Jews". Hence, Nathanael Kapner is a fake, a fraud, a foe, and a fearmonger peddling anti-semitic fascism under the guise of an "Orthodox monk". He is an opportunist and little more.

[Matthew]

Here is what the Apostle Paul says HIS attitude towards the Jews is, and hence, what ours should be too!

The Reading is from the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans 9:1-5 . Brethren:

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit, that my grief is great and unceasing pain is in my heart. For I could wish to be an anathema from the Christ on behalf of my brethren, my kinfolk according to the flesh, who are Israelites, of whom are the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the worship, and the promises, of whom are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh,Who is over all, God blessed unto the ages. Amen.

That is from Today's REadings (Saturday). How appropriate that on the same liturgical day the above post was made this is the epistle for the day. Down with the heretic "brother" Nathanael!

[joasia]

Yes, however, this is not the only sign that he is an enemy of true piety and what is right. He also is an anti-semite, even though he claims to be Jewish. He constantly maligns the Jewish people, makes absurd claims that they are taking over the world, love only power and money, and seek the enslavement of Christians and the destruction of Christian society. Rubbish!

Let us never forget that they are STILL the natural olive branches -- according to St Paul. Let us further remain mindful that the Apostles were ALL Jews, as was the Most Holy Theotokos, and the majority of the early Christian Saints, martyrs, clergy, and faithful. We are to regard anyone who attacks the people of Israel with distrust. Christ commands us to love ALL men, including our beloved friends, the Jewish people, the vast majority of whom are simple middle class folk like us, who just want to live simple lives, raising families, and going about their own business peacefully. Hence, we should oppose and vigorously reject any teaching or claims that all Jews are Bolshevik agents, banking elitists that desire global power, and other such absurdities. Are there such men? Probably. But it is absurd to generalise that to "the Jews". Hence, Nathanael Kapner is a fake, a fraud, a foe, and a fearmonger peddling anti-semitic fascism under the guise of an "Orthodox monk". He is an opportunist and little more.

Well, technically the Jews of these days are not the descendants of the Jews of the old or new Testament. The Jews of today (and certainly the Bolsheviks) are convert descendants from a tribe that chose that faith. That was about 1500 years ago. Then they spread out throughout Europe. It would be hard pressed to find an actual lineage of the true Jewish line of the twelve tribes. I'm not saying that they don't exist, but that's a long time to be able to hold onto a pure lineage of Judaism since the time of Christ's Resurrection. And I think that the only authentic Judaic tribe is the tribe of Judah.

BUT, I did read a prophesy that stated that some who live in their Jewish faith will accept Christ in the end times. So there is hope for those who live by the false faiths.

[Barbara]

Icxypion presented a nice case.
But I disagree.
I do agree GENERALLY with Nathanael's line, EXCEPT about his pro-Putin stuff which repels me ; not to mention that it was
180 degree change from his previous stance which, without an accountable explanation, is too suspicious.

However, he is fairly on target with a lot of his material. But he savors the entertainer role so much that he would be
better as a layperson. He could do the same things - the dances to appeal to kids, or whatever his rationale -
as a layman. I hope he will be laicized OR given the chance for priestmonk, so that at least he feels he was given a choice.

His type of personality [elements of narcissism perhaps ? When the person refuses ANY criticism by pouncing on the individual
merely speaking the truth about him or her. This was part of the theme of that post which I mentioned was erased] would
not tolerate being excommunicated and he would simmer away angrily. Even be vindictive, perhaps.
That's how they are.

So if politely and respectfully presented with a choice in the matter, he will find himelf saving face.
I am sure he would never opt for a Priestmonk. But who knows ?

Seems his headgear got smaller, too - does not look Russian Orthodox. Is it recognizable to anyone else here ?!

[TedMann]

I wonder if he will be obedient or not. I contemplate that he may be a Jewish infiltrator trying to make Orthodoxy look racist. He also promotes Vladimir Putin, a man who is not even close to being Orthodox.

Vladimir Putin is a KGB agent and became a Freemason in Germany.

On September 8, 2000, when asked by Larry King whether he believed in God, Vladimir replied: “I
believe in people…”

In reference to Vladimir Putin, George Spruksts writes,
“1) he lights menorahs when he worships at his local synagogue;
“2) he has worshiped the mortal remains of Kin Il Sung in North Korea;
“3) he has worshiped the mortal remains of Mahatma Gandhi;
“4) he ‘believes not in God, but in Man’ (as he himself has stated);
“5) he was initiated into an especially occult form of ‘knighthood’ in Germany;
he has restored the communist anthem.

Monks should not be involved with politics. If Nathanael is not a monk, than he should not wear a cassock, and should not refer to himself as "brother."