STOC Hieromonk Maxim beaten by Patriarchate thugs

[Fr. Steven Allen]

Just received this news from Serbia:

"Dear brother,

Matushka Efrosinija blessed me to tell you that this evening, two hours ago, father Maximus was attacked by the unknown three man, sended by the officials to burn Uteshiteljevo down.

He is badly wounded, with broken leg.

Mafia guys from SPC also tried to burn the church down by throwing home made petrol bomb but with the miracle of God, flame didn't spread. It is great miracle because as you know, it is made from wood and isolation material.

They beat him metal staffs, and they also brought with them riffles with rubber bullets.

Pray for us and be joyful, because this event will open spiritual eyes of many people in the official Spc."

Will pass on more news as it becomes available. For the background to this attack, please see the Serbian True Orthodox blog, post in English dated 17 November 2012.

[Barbara]

Oh my goodness ! How terrible. I was getting a feeling about Fire, but i couldn't imagine where or what.
This is clearly the fire hazard.

Hieromonk Maxim beaten with metal? How ferocious are these thugs.

What a nightmare. The poor brave STOC...we MUST pray for them!!!

[Maria]

Lord have mercy.

[StephenS]

Very sadly this is all too often the response by those who would betray Orthodoxy in both the Russian Federation and Serbia. If you lead your flocks into the arms of the ungodly you are feted, but if you seek to witness against betrayal this is your likely reward.

[Maria]

http://nftu.net/serbian-true-orthodox-p ... ox+News%29

How history repeats itself.

Remember the story of St. Moses who as a youth was a thug and a leader of thieves, but who after his repentance died years later in his monastery by the hands of thugs?

Hieromonk Maximos tried to firebomb the police station in his youth, but after his repentance, years later Father Maximos finds that his own church has been firebombed by thugs, but the flames are miraculously extinguished.

Prayers for Father Maximos' recovery and for his ministry, that the numbers of parishioners may increase.

[Barbara]

Nice comment, StephenS.

Wow, I am really amazed at the story of events coming full circle that Maria related !

Why did the young Maxim want to firebomb a police station ??
Was he a wild kid, rebellious, or angry,
or for a political statement ? If so, what ?

He should be interviewed by various people and a complete story assembled for True Orthodox readers.

Some lessons could be learned for some of the youth of today perhaps in Serbia and elsewhere.

I agree, let's hope that spiritual loss is turned to spiritual profit by attracting attention to this story
and the righteousness of the STOC vis a vis the Serbian Patriarchate. That several thousand from the latter
will join the STOC. This will teach the MP and Serbian Patriarchate to STOP these tactics, for they only backfire.

[Matthew]

Lord have mercy!

I lived with Father Maxym for 5 months at the Monastery in Vrdnik. He is a gentle monk. He told me that he firebombed the police station simply because he was a wild, rebellious youth.

Symeon