ROAC, GOC, And Everyone Else

[Daniel]

Justin,

Since the repose of four of our Hierarchs within the past few years (Petros of Astoria, Kalliopios of Pentapolis, Antonios of Attiki, and Matthew of Enoe), the strength of the Holy Synod had diminished severely, and the immediate election of new Hierarchs was imperative. It must be noted that, despite the new elections which were made, there are still vacant dioceses (e.g., Fthiotida, Larissa, Eastern Macedonia & Thrace, The Cyclades, The Dodecanese, Crete, Central & Western Europe) which must be filled as soon as capable and suitable candidates can be found.

It sounds like that is why so many.

I can only guess as why the ages. May the ages were just a matter of consequence?

[Justin Kissel]

Daniel,

Well, I understand that you would want to elevate new hierarchs when old ones died, it just seemed that there were extreme circumstances (4 bishops under 35 years old, which is I believe the canonical age for becoming a bishop, but I could be wrong on that*), so maybe they should have held off at least a few years until perhaps more experienced or matured (and, yes, older) cadidates could be found. But then, I don't know the situation (other than some dying and some very young ones being elevated), hence the reason I asked.

Justin

• I'm not of course saying that the canons can't be eased... I believe Athanasius was below canonical age when he became bishop (I think he wrote one of his more famous treatises when he was 21 (!) ), and as I mentioned in the other thread on King Josiah, the Fathers often quoted the example of Josiah when the subject of young leaders/rulers/bishops came up. Still, I'm just very confused... the need must have been very great to rush so many young men into office, putting their very salvation at risk by placing such an unimaginably heavy burden on their shoulders.

[Justin Kissel]

Nicholas,

Ok, got ya. Also, thanks for contacting the priest that you contacted (Fr. Dionysi I presume?).

[Daniel]

I can only really speculate at the circumstances surrounding their elevation. It is something that I have been curious/confused about as well. I've been somewhat reluctant to bring it, not wanting to seem divisive.

I'm sure OOD know something about it...

[Joe Zollars]

I believe ROAC is also in Communion with the Latvian Orthodox Autonomous Church. Of course I say such without having vast and extensive experience in the area at question.

Joe Zollars

[Mor Ephrem]

In America, Greece & Mount Athos, the Lamian GOC and ROAC are close.

Dear Nik,

When you mention Mt. Athos here, do you mean to say that there are monasteries there that are definitely under this GOC and/or ROAC?

[尼古拉前执事]

Yes, there is a Monastery on Mount Athos under the Lamian GOC Synod and one under OOD's GOC Synod of Chrysostomos II. The later is the one the EP is trying to kick off this year, Esphigneou.