Letter to the Holy Synod

[Catherine5]

This is not in direct reply to the above, though I understand Georgians would fear the inclusion of Russians. But the Georgian parishes would hopefully understand that Russian TOCs are not the same as the MP or official Moscow line at all, but in staunch opposition. Just as the country of Georgia has bravely stood up and spoken out against neo-Russian/neo-Soviet hegemony.

I was going to ask who may have any news for us about this Hieromonk Akaky's serious illness?
I was thinking he would be a great candidate for the episcopacy but now wondering if this is a temporary or life-threatening problem?
I hope it's not that he felt discouraged by the lack of progress after pouring so much effort into the communion process.

Maybe molebens could be served for him by clergy who feel sympathetic ?

We must not forget him suffering over there in Serbia with that isolated monastery and community. Maybe emails of support and good wishes could be sent to them?
Sometimes just knowing that the outside world is thinking of them may be the catalyst for a great improvement in morale with a consequent fast recovery!

[Jean-Serge]

I think the Georgian parishes doubted about RTOC canonicity... I doubt it too... There may be a second problem. Some churches of Russia still have not realised that the suppression of Georgian autocephaly in the 19th century after Russian illegal annexation of the country (illegal because Georgia with the Georgievsk treaty remained independent in all internal affairs but with no foreign policy against a protection from Russia; the whole text is available online) was uncanonical and imposed by Russian political power. So in 1917, the Georgian bishops simply retook what had been stolen to them proclaiming their autocephaly. But some churches of Russia think Georgia is also their territory... which is really laughable since Georgian autocephaly was given by Antioch long ago maybe in the 10th century.

The synod must take the decision about making bishops or not. But is it necessary for such a tiny community? I heard there were 4 parishes in Serbia only?

[Catherine5]

Good for you, Jean-Serge! That's my approach too! The aggressive Russian imperialism in the last few centuries was a real bane to so many peoples in countries surrounding Russia. No one can blame them for wanting to regain every bit of their autonomy and rights, whether cultural or religious. I always pray for them to retrieve their own national qualities and confidence, and be able to move forward unhampered by an angry bear to the North, and get extra blessings from Heaven to make up for what they unjustly suffered.
The Georgians are an especially proud people who have never forgotten the suppression during those two centuries. I think many Russians have considered the country as little but a southern haven of wines, pleasant climate, their exclusive play yard!
This demeaning attitude is so insulting to Georgians, who were, after all, the second nation in the whole world to become Christian, in the 300s! Almost none can rival such an ancient past in the Church.
While I'm a great fan of monarchies and empires, one has to be honest: the Russian treatment of Georgia, the Caucasus, Central Asia Emirates was ruthless and plain terrible.

About a Serbian Bishop, of course, it's for their Synod to determine. From watching those videos, however, it's very clear that at least the main St John the Baptist one is growing rapidly. Look at the number of cars and people for the trapeza at the recent gathering shown when a Greek Bishop came to ordain a priest there, wasn't that why? The parishes probably will grow like wildfire as the TOC message gets out, I suspect. Plus they probably want a Serb to oversee their jurisdiction, as he would much better be able to handle their affairs on location.