Pat Kirill SKIPS Rocor's Great Luminary Met Philaret !

[jgress]

Why don't the Matthewite consider him a Saint ?
I sometimes don't write that appellation because I figure that outsiders from jurisdictions which have not YET
canonized him may call us fanatics.
Maybe that does not make sense anyway, but I remember a Greek Archdiocese priest dismissing scornfully one
of the TOC glorifications of him [Hocna in that case] as "merely political, to serve their own agenda".
So I have been sensitive to that approach ever since [rightly or wrongly maybe I should not care]
I am hoping that RocorMP will canonize him SOON, so that is whom I have in mind, actually.

The Matthewites think ROCOR was never True Orthodox since they never formally condemned the New Calendarists, so none of them can be saints. At least this may be the "Kirykite" position. We have Matthewite members who can clarify (though we may have to move such discussions private).

Why do you care what ROCOR/MP does about St Philaret? In my opinion, it's in a way better they don't canonize him or certain other Catacomb saints, since it makes it clearer how they are not with us. If they go ahead and rewrite history to such an extent that St Philaret's opposition to the MP is completely forgotten, that can be much more deceptive.

[Barbara]

I am still surprised over this huge lapse in Harbin.To me, it speaks volumes about the hatred of the MP for the true
Rocor after all the fake fanfare died out - right after the 2007 union, probably, if truth were to be told.

Well, I think if Rocor-MP would take that brave step - which surely must be wished for by MANY MANY MANY in their flock ! -
it would signal to the MP that they ARE independent and won't be pushed around.

I am sure that without Met Laurus and a few other sour grape type characters on the scene that Rocor MP would have already
been drawing up plans for a glorification sometime soon.

There seem to be a huge fear of angering Pat Kirill et Cie and perhaps this is a test to see how subservient Rocor-MP really is
to the stepmother church [not a real Mother, after the fog of hype is dispersed].

It is only right that Rocor-MP DO this. After all, the relics are on its property at Jordanville. I see once in awhile a few more sermons
of Met Philaret showing up on the official site [such as a recent one for this year's Lazarus Sat.] which is hopefully a positive sign.
But it could be also the most that that website's editors dare - or wish to - venture in the realm of Metropolitan Philaret memories / life / miracles, etc.

Hopefully the demise of the un=great fifth First Hierarch may open the door to some fresh breezess bringing about a prompt
canonization.
It FEELS right. If he had nothing to do with Rocor, then it wouldn't matter much. But he did lead the pre-union Rocor for 22 or 23 incredibly
pivotal years ! He had to navigate so many difficult storms. It does not feel right that only the TOC's are venerating Met Philaret as a Saint ;
and neither should they have exclusive rights to that ! It should be the domain of all. Think of the silent supporters maybe who still remember him
or heard about him from parents or priests who would love to see that day arrive.

Maybe it will ! Then the tomb beneath the Holy Trinity Church at Jordanville could be opened up much more for the pilgrim who would go.
After all, having an incorrupt Saint on the premises [maybe more than one too =] should be something appreciated by both Rocor-MP and
the many who would like to go and pay their respects. It would stimulate more interest in Rocor in general, too.

[Maria]

Are his remains incorrupt?

Has an official biography been written?

[Barbara]

Of course, they are incorrupt ! It is astounding.
The old Mansonville ROCiE website has the best photos to prove this to all the world.
At least that is where I remember seeing them years ago.
Only one or two people present were able to snatch a few photos before said Met Laurus snapped at them to not do so.
He clapped the lid back on the relics and tried to hush everything up.
A big scandal, in fact, from our TOC point of view, as well as that of many Orthodox faithful from any jurisdiction [after all
Met Philaret has many admirers from all over].

That is likely why you did not catch word about this immense mercy of God and clear sign of His favor on His stellar servant,
Met Philaret.

[Barbara]

Many informal attempts at biographies of Met Philaret of New York have been penned.
But not any official ones as far as I know.
That's a good point : maybe someone should be writing one up to prepare for the wonderful day.
Rocor-MP's glorification I assume would be held on Nov 21 because that was his blessed repose day on Archangel Michael's Day, incredible !

[Maria]

Thanks Barbara.

Could you post the link to the photos of St. Philaret's incorrupt body?

[Priest Antonios]

Does this help?

http://st-sergius.org/Bio/Metp/translation.html

-Antonios