Is SCOBA Dying Out?

[Matthew]

I visited what appears to be the official website of the SCOBA, and it seems they have not has a single update or post of any kind since 2011.

If one visits their Official Statements page they had multiple posts for almost every single year from July 8th, 2005 to October 2nd, 2010,
[see: http://www.scoba.us/news/official-statements.html ; and on their Official News page, they had multiple posts per year from April 1st 2003 until June 15th 2011 for a total of 152 articles [see: http://www.scoba.us/news/news.html?start=150 ].

What is the reason for this outstanding inactivity and singular and silence? Is SCOBA dying?

[Priest Antonios]

Hey Symeon it's nice to see you posting again!

If I'm not mistaken, SCOBA no longer exists. I think they now go by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. http://assemblyofbishops.org

Cheers,
Antonios

[Maria]

Hey Symeon it's nice to see you posting again!

If I'm not mistaken, SCOBA no longer exists. I think they now go by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. http://assemblyofbishops.org

Cheers,
Antonios

You are correct, Antonios.

Good to see both of you posting here again. I wish it were under happier circumstances, but we need to come together now in fellowship to strengthen each other especially during these times of persecution by members of World Orthodoxy. I am referring to the True Orthodox Monks on Mt. Athos. Ten years ago, members of the SCOBA jurisdiction were largely supportive of the presence of these True Orthodox monks, now these World Orthodox members are siding with the EP against the monks without asking any questions. World Orthodoxy is now plunging deeper into Ecumenism with friendly overtures to the Vatican. Lord have mercy.

[Matthew]

Thank you Tony for the info and update. The question then is why did they fold the old organisation and build a new one?

Yes, Maria, it is so true. The consciences of these New Calendarists are becoming increasingly seared and cannot tell how calloused they are becoming. I have seen men who forsook the whole world and all its pleasures, ostensibly to pursue the spiritual life and prayer and the virtues (the chief of which is pure and holy love for all men with all humility and gentleness) and yet what have I seen them doing? Fanatical acts of violence with sledge hammers trying to break down the door of the house where the Esphigmenou Fathers live, and a kind of blind rage filling their faces. And now we have this! A bulldozer at the front door! If that fails to achieve their goal, what next? A rocket launcher? A special forces tactical team with orders to shoot to kill? This IS an act of terrorism because all the zealot fathers on athos feel that their time is short and that they could be broken in upon at any time in their humble homes of prayer and dragged away and imprisoned by the state "security" forces.

[Maria]

SCOBA was originally formed to help form a unified hierarchy in the USA. However, the EP was not happy with it as he wanted control of SCOBA so there was friction.

When the new Episcopal Committee was formed, it was largely through the efforts of the Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL), a group of very rich men who are largely of Greek descent and who support the EP. The OCL provided the venue and contributed large sums of money in this endeavor. The OCL are more cultural-political Greeks (Greeks in name only) than deeply spiritual men. Recently the OCL broadened its membership to include prominent Antiochians who are more devout World Orthodox.

When this new Episcopal Committee launched, not surprisingly, the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) was not recognized as it is not recognized by the EP, whereas OCA was recognized in SCOBA. So, yes, there has been a political shift, and not surprisingly, the True Orthodox monastery at Mt. Athos has been under more persecution and is receiving less support from Orthodox Christians in the USA.

It seems that the consensus of World Orthodox in the USA favors being under the EP. They forget their history whereby Alaska and SF had sitting bishops from the Russian Orthodox long before the Greeks. Sadly, the EP is acting more like a Vatican version of a Roman Pope.

[Matthew]

I notice, however, that Metr. Jonah (OCA) is in the group photo featured on their mainpage. Thank you Maria for that informative info. Many of these very rich greeks are Freemasons. All of these organisations are designed to bring all men and all religions to their knees, not to pray to Almighty God, but to worship the AC. Hence, the more they go down the road of Ecumenism and unia the more like the Vatican they tend to be in character.