Suzdal Diocesan Bulletin

[尼古拉前执事]

Suzdal Diocesan Bulletin
#25
August 7, 2005
ROAC Synod of Bishops Meets in Suzdal
(Suzdal)
On July 7/20, 2005, the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox (Autonomous)
Church held a meeting at the Synod's headquarters in Suzdal. Present at the meeting were:
His Eminence Metropolitan Valentine of Suzdal and Vladimir, President of the Synod of
Bishops, Archbishop Theodore of Borisovsk and Otradna, Administrator of the Synod of
Bishops, His Eminence Archbishop Anthony of Yaransk and Vyatka, Bishop Irinarch of Tula
and Bryansk, Bishop Sebastian of Chelyabinsk. The protocols of the meeting were also
reviewed by Bishop Ilarion of Smela, and Bishop Geronty of Sukhodolsk, who also added
their signatures to them.
The Synod of Bishops heard Metropolitan Valentine's account of his archpastoral visit
to the USA,which he undertook earlier this year in May, during which he visited the
Monastery of St. Barbara the Great Martyress and several parishes of the Russian Church,
celebrated services, met with His Grace Bishop Anthony, with clergy and parishioners of
the Russian Orthodox (Autonomous) Church, with representatives of the Orthodox
Palestine Society, and also was present at a reception for the 80th birthday celebration of
Anastasia G. Schatiloff, editor of "Church News."
The Synod of Bishops also examined petitions presented by Metropolitan Valentine
from several "Orthodox bishops" in the USA requesting acceptance into the Russian
Church in their present orders. The Synod of Bishops expressed doubt about the
canonicity of their consecrations, and decided that there was not enough justification for
their acceptance into the ROAC in their present orders.
The Synod of Bishops also heard an accounting from His Eminence Archbishop
Theodore, President of the Synodal Theological Committee, concerning the progress of the
work done in preparation for the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox
(Autonomous) Church. The Synod of Bishops approved the activity of the theological
committee, recognizing the "importance and urgency of the subjects examined." In
connection with the complexity and sheer volume of work associated with preparing for
the council of bishops, the Synod of Bishops has decided to postpone the convocation of
the council from September, 2005, to "a later time." The Synod of Bishops instructed the
theological committee to continue its work in strict accordance with the rules and
regulations of the holy Apostles and Fathers of the Church.
The Synod of Bishops also examined reports and appeals from the clergy, monastics
and laity of the Russian Church, addressed to the Synod, in connection with the activities
of Igumen Gregory Lourye, rector of the Church of St. Elizabeth the Martyress in St.
Petersburg, and namely his dissemination of the heresy of "name worshipping" over the
internet. The authors urgently demand an immediate end to Igumen Gregory's scandalous
activity, and for him to be suspended from serving or even deposed from the priesthood.
The members of the Synod heard the opinions of Archbishop Anthony and other
bishops, and also the explanations of Metropolitan Valentine, ruling bishop of the Suzdal
and Vladimir diocese. After deliberations, the Synod of Bishops resolved to remove Igumen
Gregory (Lourye) from his duties as rector of the Church St. Elizabeth the Martyress, and to
forbid him to serve. In addition, the Synod decided to appoint a special committee with
Archbishop Anthony of Yaransk and Vyatsk at the head to look into the internet activities
of Fr. Gregory, the results of which are to be reported back to the Synod of Bishop in one
month.
Metropolitan Valentine of Suzdal and Vladimir Suspends Rector of St. Petersburg Church
His Eminence Metropolitan Valentine of Suzdal and Vladimir, ruling bishop of the Suzdal-
Vladimir Diocese, by his ukase of July 7/20, 2005, has suspended Fr. Igumen Gregory
(Lourye), rector of the Church of St. Elizabeth the Martyress in St. Petersburg from serving.
Fr. Igumen Gregory was suspended for publishing the work of hieroschemamonk Anthony
(Bulatovich): "Apologetic for Belief in the Name of God and in the Name of Jesus," on the
secular internet web page Portal-Credo.ru in February of this year. The ukase was issued
in accordance with the decision of the ROAC Synod of Bishops on July 7/20 of this year. A
priest of the same parish, Hieromonk Daniel, has been named as new rector for the
church.
New Clergyman for the Borisovsk-Otradna Diocese
On August 7th, in the Tsar Constantine Cathedral in Suzdal, during the Divine Liturgy,
Archbishop Theodore, ruling bishop of the Borisovsk-Otradna Diocese, ordained Alexei
Dronkin, reader in the parish of St. John the Forerunner in the city of Armavir, to the
diaconate. Father deacon Alexei was born in 1972 in the small town of Kurinsky, region of
Apsheronsk, Krasnodar area. He graduated from middle school and received vocational
training. He is married and has four children.