BISHOP AGAFANGEL MEETS WITH HIS CLERGY IN ASTORIA

[Pravoslavnik]

I have tried to follow the proceedings of Archbishop Agafangel and the ROCOR remnant as closely as possible. Like many people, I feel that the ROCOR has been betrayed by the ROCOR-Laurus Synod, and it is all too easy to lose a sense of Christian charity and concern in these situations. In truth, we should all pray for those who betray and spitefully use us, leaving vengeance to God alone.

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    Father Mark,

         What is the "heresy" of Archbishop Agafangel?  I ask this with sincere naivete.

[GOCPriestMark]

What is the "heresy" of Archbishop Agafangel?

It seems that you haven't read the first page of the thread.
If Bp. Agafangel believes that the MP has grace in its mysteries and is therefore a 'part' (their word) of the Orthodox Church, then this is the same heresy espoused by Met. Kyprianos of Oropos and Fili. Bp. Agafangel calls the three resistor synods "sister churches", so it seems pretty clear that he holds the same kind of heretical position of ailing/heretical members of the Orthodox Church.

Does this sufficiently answer your question?

[GOCPriestMark]

May I ask, dear Father, if you would rather have us go to the MP than follow Bp Agafangel? Would that be a preferable choice?

Are these your only two choices? If you believe that the MP is Orthodox then what is the problem? If you believe it is heretical then, it is not only not preferable, but it is not a choice at all.

It seems that the ones who have been most troubled over this, during the past 7 years, are those who simply refuse to understand that the MP is not and has never been Orthodox.

[stumbler]

Father Mark - Whether or not Bp Agafangel claimed that the MP mysteries have grace - and I have seen nothing to indicate that - what then would you say to St John of San Francisco and Shanghai who did not insist that they were without grace?

[spiridon]

Where did Vladyka Agafangel write about the "MP" having or not Grace ?..
because in the start of this tread, I didnt get that equasion at all...
rather then assuming let us ask the source, and this weekend I will personally ask His Archmandrite Andronik if this is How this new Higher church of the Roca Believes and preaches

[Pravoslavnik]

I would add to the list of those venerable Fathers who did not presume to claim that the MP had no grace the Metropolitan St. Cyril of Kazan, the last Locum Tenans of Patiarch St. Tikhon. As I recall, St. Cyril wrote in his last epistles in the 1930's that this was an issue that could only be clarified by a future, truly free council of the Church. How can we justly accuse Archbishop Agafangel of heresy for espousing the positionof both St. Cyril and St. John (Maximovitch?)

[Грешник]

Most of the Locum Tenens' of Saint Pat. Tikhon held the view of non-judgmental attitudes on the ideas of the graceful or gracelessness of the MP.

In transposing "Russia's Catacomb Saints" the mind of the hierarchs of that time on this is very clear. I do believe that it is best for us to await the voice of the whole Church on this matter.

I know I am only a sinner, but this is my opinion on the matter.