ROCOR: No Union with Sergianists
cons...@my-deja.com
of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
30 April/13 May 1998
(By order of the President of the council of Bishops Metropolitan
Vitaly, this letter is to be read the Sunday of the Blind Man, (May
4/17) from the Amvon for all to hear. )
To the Beloved Children of the Church in the Homeland and in the
Diaspora:
Christ is Risen!
Having assembled from all the ends of the world at the Synodal
Cathedral in New York, under the protection of the miraculous
Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, the Council of Bishops greets
you with this salutation, which is eternal, yet ever new. Although we
are scattered throughout the world, and oceans and continents separate
us, the one faith in the true and saving teaching of our Lord Jesus
Christ, which we have received from His holy apostles and their
successors, the holy fathers, unites us.
In these days we are undergoing grievous temptations: in recent times
several of our clergymen have been assaulted, and some even
murdered; our cathedral in Montreal burned down, the cause of the
conflagration being unapparent; the myrrh-streaming Iveron Icon of the
Mother of God disappeared after the murder of its protector, Brother
Joseph, and its location is unknown. The monastery in Hebron, with its
object of holy veneration, the Oak of Mambre, was wrested from us in
the crudest and most violent possible manner, and occupied by the
Moscow Patriarchate. By such a course of action the Moscow
Patriarchate has taken the path of aggression and deepened the rift
which separates us. It is not surprising that these events have troubled
many. But it is more lamentable that they have given rise to the most
incredible rumors and false interpretations, which are harmful to the
Church. The Council of Bishops finds its necessary to make clear that
our Church has never held any negotiations concerning union with the
Moscow Patriarchate -- i.e., meaning the self-abolition of the Russian
Orthodox Church Outside of Russia--and it is understood that it does
not propose to undertake any such negotiations at this time.
As in the past, the-hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of
Russia consider it their duty to minister pastorally to you, their
children, and to stand firm in the Truth of Orthodox doctrine, despite
the fact that many now spurn this. Our refusal to embrace fashionable
doctrines, such as ecumenism and Sergianism, renders us unpopular, and
may even place us in the minority. But this should not disturb us. Amid
all the difficulties we encounter on the path toward the Truth of
Christ, let us remember the words of our divine Teacher: "Fear not,
little flock... [Lk.12: 32] In the world ye shall have tribulation: but
be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" [Jn. 16:33], and the words
of the Apostle: "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our
Faith" [I Jn. 5:4]. May our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ make us
steadfast in this Faith.
With paternal love in Christ,
The Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
[Signatures:]
Metropolitan Vitaly
Archbishop Anthony
Archbishop Laurus
Archbishop Alypius
Archbishop Mark
Archbishop Lazarus
Archbishop Hilarion
Bishop Benjamin
Bishop Eutychius
Bishop Agathangel
Bishop Barnabas
Bishop Cyril
Bishop Ambrose
Bishop Gabriel
Bishop Daniel
Bishop Michael
New York City, Feast of Mid-Pentecost
30 April/13 May 1998
--
Reader Constantine Wright (consta...@hotmail.com)
Joy of All Who Sorrow Church - Atlanta GA
Russian Orthodox Church Abroad
http://constans_wright.tripod.com
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
evagrius
True believers............holding the fort.....spiritual Alamo
fighters......Orthodox Masada fighters..........Orthodox
kamikazes.....fighting for the true faith.
Yes...no compromise.....hold on to those relics, boys! And pass
the ammunition!
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