Archimandrite George wrote:I logged into the Euphrosynos Cafe from Bulgaria and I learned of the lengthy discussion about the announcement from Metropolitan Valentine concerning our Archbishop Gregory. Needless to say, this was very shocking to us all, that the Metropolitan would dare to post something to the public about an ecclesiastical matter which Archbishop Gregory first put before the Holy Synod. Archbishop Gregory was waiting for a decision from the Holy Synod concerning a matter of deep importance which he submitted before them and our Metropolitan revealed this to the lower clergy in Colorado. We had hoped that this would just remain a ROAC affair, until the Holy Synod made its decision.
The Metropolitan's announcement has caused great scandal and his motives for doing this are yet to be determined. I hope his motives are not in retaliation to him being placed under accusation to the Holy Synod by Archbishop Gregory. Many have known Archbishop Gregory to be one of the great confessing hierarchs of our time. Do you really think that he would be found wanting in an ecclesiastical controversy and moreso knowing that he would have to answer before the throne of God? Therefore I suggest that since no one knows yet all the facts of this controversy that we refrain from any acts or statements until such time as the Synod makes a decision. Then the righteous shall shine forth and those in error will be corrected. Archbishop Gregory has refrained from speaking about any of this because this matter is before the Holy Synod. Therefore, how can we who know nothing of this matter make any judgments or decisions? Needless to say, Archbishop Gregory is not suspended and not forbidden to serve and to perform any ecclesiastical acts.
George, archimandrite
As the designer of the news site for the St John the Russian Parish and the man who placed the news item online, I take the responsibility for the publication of that posting.
The decision on the part of the administration to place the information concerning the removal of Archbishop Gregory (but not the publication of the Ukaze, which was done through some illegal means unknown to us) was done for the protection of the faithful due to the uncanonical actions taken at Dormition Skete.
The adjuration of Abp Gregory is indeed warranted by the canons, as the Metropolitan was acting as representative of the Synod. However, the early draft of the Ukaze, as I understand it, was incorrectly administered in certain areas. That the draft made it outside the bounds of the ROAC is inexcusable. However, the grounds in which it is based are valid. Archbishop Gregory cannot be retired. However, he is being admonished to do so: the adminition is justified, and the Synod will decide.
Joseph Suaiden
