An Appeal to the hierarchs, clergy and faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad
We, members of the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, appeal to our Synod of Bishops, the clergy and the faithful.
With deep filial love and respect, we note with sorrow that storms of doubt and confusion assail the Church. We know that these storms are temporary and the Church will remain firm and steadfast.
In order to allay the fears of the clergy and faithful who may feel Isolated and alone in their confession of the Faith, we feel it necessary to voice our concerns. In regard to the proposed union with the Moscow Patriarchate, we have several points that we ask the Synod of Bishops to consider. Firstly, we must state that responsiveness to reconciliation is essential.
There could be no greater joy than that the Orthodox people of Russia and abroad should be united in truth. However, there are major obstacles to reconciliation.
The issues that have always been considerations for the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad are the glorifications of the New Martyrs and the Royal Martyrs, and involvement in the heresies of Ecumenism and Sergianism.
Also of serious consideration is the future role of the American Metropolia, known as the Orthodox Church in America. We are reminded that two resolutions, in 1971 as well as 1990, declare that we do not recognize the legitimacy of the elections, nor the actions, of the patriarchs of Moscow since the time of the betrayal of Metropolitan Sergius. These resolutions have never been rescinded. We do not recognize the Moscow Patriarchate as the “Mother Church” nor the legitimate heir to the Church of St. Tikhon and the New Martyrs.
Some of these issues have been addressed, yet others remain considerable obstacles that would preclude any intercommunion or concelebration.
Prior to intercommunion the process should be genuine and transparent. There must be not even the appearance of one sidedness or even the appearance of machination. Intercommunion is the result of one-mindedness; it does not create one-mindedness. From the Divine Liturgy we are taught to recite the Symbol of Faith before we are able to share in the Divine Body and Blood of Christ.
It would be utterly impossible for us to share in the Eucharistic Mysteries before there is complete unity of Faith, in honesty and fidelity to the legacy of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and Her God-granted mission to preserve the Truth.
Archimandrite Alexis (St. Edward’s Brotherhood)
Mitred Archpriest Vladimir Schlenew
Archpriest Nikita Chemodakov
Archpriest Sergei Okunev
Archpriest George Petrenko
Archpriest John Stukacz
Archpriest Michael Konstantinoff
Archpriest Peter Semovskih
Archpriest Gregory Williams
Archpriest Andrei Alexiev
Archpriest George Lapardin
Archpriest George Lagodich
Archpriest Basil Grisel
Archpriest Wsewolod Dutikov
Hieromonk Theophylact (Clapper-DeWell)
Priest Thomas Maretta
Priest Constantine Bussyguin
Priest Alexis Duncan
Priest George Primak
Priest Nicholas Rabbe
Priest Seraphim Stephens
Priest Vladimir Petrenko
Priest Mark Gilstrap
Priest Vladimir Tsukanov
Priest Anastasy Yatrelis
Priest Victor Dobroff
Priest Peter Baulk
Priest Christo Kralstev
Priest John Moses
Priest Onuphry Keith
Priest Leonid Goferman
Priest Michael Metni
Protodeacon Basil Yakimov
Protodeacon Basil Hadarin
Hierodeacon Sabbas (St. Edward’s Brotherhood)
Deacon Nicholas Chernjavsky
Deacon Nicholas Lukianov
Deacon Eugene Braga
Deacon Kesarii Mortari
Deacon Anthony Bridges
Deacon Vasily Milonov
Subdeacon Joseph Zurhmuehl
Subdeacon Jospeh Brinda
Reader Oleg Rodzianko
Reader Peter Bushunow
Reader John Qualls
Reader Peter Lukianov
Reader Benjamin Popov
Reader John Dunn
Reader Mark Alexiev
To add your name to this appeal, send an email indicating this to: appeal@orthodoxinfo.biz