Archpriest John Whiteford is a clergyman of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, which is an autonomous Church under the Moscow Patriarchate. Last Sunday he gave a sermon to his parishioners explaining the decision of the ROCOR to break communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate—which means also the Greek Orthodox Diocese of North America, under the Ecumenical Patriarch—and what this means for members of ROCOR.
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10/25/2018
Statement of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
Statement of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
"Those who initiated autocephaly do not want peace in our land"
"Those who initiated autocephaly do not want peace in our land"
Confirmed: Ecumenical Patriarchate removes anathemas, enters into communion with schismatics (+VIDEO)
Confirmed: Ecumenical Patriarchate removes anathemas, enters into communion with schismatics (+VIDEO)
Thank you Fr. Whiteford.
Yet, before the canons, Bishops married and in this context Paul prophesied:
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth…If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” (1 Tim. 4:1-5)
Saint Paul: “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop… must be …the husband of one wife…One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” (1 Timothy 3:1-5)
Thanks for the correction: "affiliate" is not the right word. I agree. What other word to use? OCA is not a "member" under the EP, as you point out.
The OCA has been "playing up" to the EP for decades now, not to ROCOR, since the EP still considers it a schism, while ROCOR does not.
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That said if you are looking for condemnation from the OCA then I think you did not understand Fr. Whiteford's sermon. "The canons are not landmines..." just as the Russian Orthodox Church continues to be in communion with Antioch and Romania, for example who are still in communion with Constantinople.
In the absence of a "Contact Us" link on your website, I must use this comment section:
When I CORRECTLY enter the screening ("captcha") number to submit my message, I have been getting two requests from you to try again.
But when I try the third time, I am told that the comment was already submitted, and that I don't have to repeat it!
What's going on?
(I do have a Mac: could that be the issue?)
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Very good question. I was wondering the same thing myself.
It does appear that, as of right now, several jurisdictions are "straddling the fence", trying to have it both ways, while waiting to see what happens.
The OCA, as both a Russian off-shoot and an EP affiliate, is in a very difficult position.
My sense is that severity of the MP's position and the lack of repentance from the EP mean that a resolution will not occur soon.
In the absence of a General Council (which the MP repeatedly called for), the OCA, with other wait-and-see jurisdictions, will be forced to make a choice.
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Clear, truthful, informative, compassionate. Ecclesiology, not politics.
Please Bless...
Excellent sermon.
But here are just some things that we all (including me) seem to have overlooked earlier:
This "Great Schism of 2018", if not resolvable and therefore permanent, may have the Blessing of focusing us on ----
1) Moscow (MP) as indeed the Third Rome, which is now taking the leadership that it is called to exercise;
2) The era of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is OVER, just as an Orthodox era was over for the Pope of Rome;
3) This crisis was caused by Modernism (including the Calendar) and Disregard for Canons, such that the MP could heal those divergences.
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Father Bless!! As a parishioner in the GOA I can say that I, along with MANY of my brothers and sisters wholeheartedly agree with you.
It pains us tremendously to see this schism and the uncanonical actions of the Ecumenical Patriarch. We are joining our dear brothers and sisters in ROCOR to pray for an end to this madness! So that we may be united again quickly in the Eucharist.
Love to all!