Translation of Bp. Gabriel's interview of 25 Aug."06

[Frelias]

Just as the true Church met in catacombs and caves in the early days of Christianity, I firmly believe the true Church will once again meet catacombs and caves in these last days.

[Priest Siluan]

BTW. The official signed document shows that Bp Gabriel made a comment that he disagrees with the decision. Funny, how they don't reproduce that on their type version on the website. They only show the names of the bishops who agreed.

This shows how since some time in ROCOR there is a "official version" that it doesn't coincide with the "real version" of the events

[尼古拉前执事]

Per request I have hosted & posted this with the original signature by Bishop Gabriel saying he does not agree.

http://EuphrosynosCafe.com/etc/BishopGa ... nature.pdf

[尼古拉前执事]

Just as the true Church met in catacombs and caves in the early days of Christianity, I firmly believe the true Church will once again meet catacombs and caves in these last days.

Indeed Father Elias, of the ROAC parishes in Russia, I believe 300-400 are still in the catacombs and not registered with the Russian government. The Church Fathers speak of the last days where there is one government with one official eccumenical religion. When this happens, it will not only be in Russia where the Churches are in Catacombs and persecuted.

[joasia]

Bishop Gabriel made his decision clear. The question now is...what will the seperate groups make. We are many that don't want to join with the Moscow Patriachate. Can we come together, as one, and stand strong?

I appeal to the clergy who are against union with the MP. Can the laymen hope that these clergy will consider a dialogue with those who are in ROCOR who oppose the union?? Can we come together?

Let those who want to go with the MP go. But, can the rest of us, come together?

I make an appeal to the clergy, for the sake of the laymen that should be guided...please talk to each other and let us become one again. Those in ROCOR, who want to go with the MP...let them go, but we must stick together.

In Christ, Joanna

[Priest Siluan]

I hope the whole True Orthodox comes to the unity, I think that we don't need another jurisdiction more but the unity in the True Faith. Regrettably we could not do a much from our position because these "approach" actions are job of the bishops. We should pray so that God may iluminate them

[Priest Siluan]

"We wish to emphasise that we are far from a striving to lord it over whomever it may be. We only want to help those who need help in acquiring a canonical ground for their ecclesiastical existence.

The Russian Orthodox Church is not striving to close in on itself. On the contrary, we desire communion with the True Orthodox Christians of all countries and peoples. We intend to take practical steps to establish full canonical communion with sister True Orthodox Local Churches."

(Address of the 8th Congress of the clergy, monastics and laity of the Suzdal Diocese of the Russian [Rossijskaya] Orthodox Church to all Orthodox Christians in the Fatherland and in the Diaspora)
http://euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6990