προσκυνητής wrote:His Grace, Bishop Nektarii, is a resident and (I think) a native of St. Petersburg, Russia. If you read his "live journal," he writes that he was given the title of a Greek see by our Synod out of respect for Russia's historical autocephaly.
However, many people in Russia do not accept any of the Russian jurisdictions and joined various Greek synods. Our Synod is caring for its flock in Russia as best they can.
Forgive me, I did not mean to single out yours or any other Synod in Greece, I think that any Greek clergy in Russia is problematic or could become so.
Things in Russia, however, have always been confusing during this last century. There have always been questions of, who is what, is this bishop good or not, etc. It is unfortunate, yes, but in the early days of Communism, people stuck with the Russian Church, even when it was most confusing, not jumping ship to the Greeks just because it was easier to know who is who. And for that, many died struggling to preserve the True faith. The other issue is, that the problems in Greece are not the same problems as in Russia, so a Synod of bishops in Greece cannot possibly fully understand how to deal with Russian problems IMO.
At the same time, while I disagree with those in Russia who turn to Greek Synods, I can sympathize with them too a little bit. The last century has really strained the Russian people; may God reward them for their struggles.
PS. I do not believe that the Greeks have ill-intent by being in Russia, I don't believe that at all. I just tend to agree with some Russian clergy who have voiced their concerns recently with Greek clergy being in Russia.
