North American Diocese
The Right Reverend STEFAN, Bishop of Trenton and North America
Member of Synod of Bishops of the Russian True Orthodox Church
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You are here:The DioceseA Letter to a Fellow Pastor
A down to earth review of the present state of affairs of the Church Abroad. June 30, 2007
Dear in Christ Father “N”
Because people were waiting to speak to us, we parted leaving up-in-the-air your last expression in reference to the canonical status of Archbishop Tikhon and the RTOC (Catacomb Church). As I recall, you said something in the order of: Perhaps they had autonomy, but they did not process an autocephalous status which would have permitted them to ordain their own bishops independently. Is this the essence of your uncertainty towards the Catacomb Church –you and that of some of the other priests? Let us explore this question, Father: When and from whom did ROCOR receive its autocephalous status? Actually, from no one. The same is true concerning the so-called “Mansonville” Synod.
On what grounds or by which Canons, then, does one claim that the Catacomb Church erred by ordaining bishops without receiving permission from the “autocephalous” Sobor of Metropolitan Vitaly? Even if one considers this to have been necessary, we all know that because of personal hostilities, this Canadian Sobor had no intention of convening to allow any ordination. This would have, by now, left our sister Church in a dire situation –in a state possibly worse than the one it was in when, in blessed memory +Metropolitan Philaret and +Archbishop Leonty put in a lot of effort and prayers to re-establish their hierarchy by the grace of God. I most definitely see the Will of God in this!
The other reason some priests continue to doubt the legitimacy of Archbishop Tikhon is Metropolitan Vitaly’s letter in which he calls the ordinations of Archbishop Lazarus null and void. Historical documents point to the fact that prior to this supposedly legitimate letter Metropolitan Vitaly personally gave his blessing –in his own handwriting – to ordain and establish their Synod in Russia. Let us pause and consider the following: If a hierarch issued his blessing or an Ukaz, which was implemented, does it make sense that he would then rebuke and punish those who followed his directives. Does this not in and of itself show outside pressure or coercion from the side?
What went on over there at this time, we may never know, but the highly confusing edicts point to the chaos in that Canadian establishment, with Vladika Vitaly’s fragile health not being the main factor. For purposes of moving along with this letter, let’s assume that both letters were signed by him without coercion –which effectively cancels them out, leaving us with the original question you posed.
The ROCOR Church never (to my knowledge) asked anyone, nor received its autocephalous status from anyone, surely not from the Byzantine Church. As I recall the Patriarch of Constantinople actually asked the Russian Church Abroad to leave. {Forgive me for possible inaccuracies: I just don’t have the time and energy to look up dates and actual historical documentation concerning this.] The bottom line is: ROCOR was established canonically under St. Patriarch Tikhon’s Ukaz #362 of 1920, with the rights and privileges of an independent church to serve the Russian Orthodox faithful abroad. Likewise, the Catacomb Church had been established in Russia with the same authority as ROCOR based on this UKAZ. If this was not so, does this not mean that in the years prior to Bishop Lazarus’ ordination the Catacomb Church was but an uncanonical group of “samosviyati”?? Many hierarchs have witnessed that RTOC has always been our Sister Church, yet we constantly hear the drum-beat that the Catacomb Church is uncanonical –that they went into raskol (Schism). They continue serve God and maintain the churches that they always maintained. Beyond this, they are humbly asking all not to fracture into factions or micro-synods, but forgive and unite. Consider this: They don’t have to do this. They could easily just ignore all of us with our accusations and continue to serve God in mother Russia. This is giving them nothing but toil and grief. Here’s an example that I would have preferred to ignore: “RTOC’s Appeal to Bishops Agafangel..and Daniel..is calculated to be effective propaganda – look what good Christians we are, we are extending our hand…there should be no talk about unity with RTOC.” http://sobor2006.livejournal.com/285457.html#cutid1 Was it not the righteous Nicodemus who told the Pharisees: “Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?” [?] (John 7:51) Does this not provide fodder for the MP, something for them to gloat about?
“I’m totally right & you’re totally wrong” mentality leads to nowhere. At best it leads to a stalemate, whereby (as in the game of chess) people part with grimaces on their faces. I will not be drawn-in to argue various accusations ‘point-by-point’. In his commentaries concerning my “Appeal to Unity” priest Victor Dobrov questions RTOC’s legitimacy point by point – with the first one being: “In what year did RTOC receive their canonical status as an independent…?” and the second one being: “What was the canonical basis upon which RTOC created its Synod?” –and so forth. (Quotes are from the same website as above.) The answer to these questions and all others is located in the above paragraph. I find it necessary to respond to just one statement: On page five father Victor writes: “You admitted that the canons are on my side”. This is not true. I said no such thing ! In the same sentence he continues: “You said that you personally at the moment are not interested in the canons, for you it is ‘more important’ to save the parish from the MP.” The truth is: During our phone conversation father Victor quoted some canon by number and I replied: “I can not go looking up that particular canon at the moment to see what you are referring to.” […while on the phone (?) My book of canons consists of a three-volume set!] Is it really necessary to lie or manipulate someone’s words to “win points”?
Because of my health I am barely able to cope with my small Trenton Parish, therefore I will not dignify accusations that “I am trying to expand my control over other parishes” –with an answer. -or any other accusations. This hostility must stop! Accusations and mud-slinging towards the so called “Mansonville Synod” have for the most part ceased, but they have actually increased towards the Catacomb Church, as if it’s on someone’s agenda!?
“Is it not time for all of us to stop, close our eyes, compose ourselves, and mentally review the situation? What is the goal of our battle? What are we seeking? What are we placing our hopes on?” These words begin the wonderful essay entitled: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples…” (John 13:35)
http://karlovtchanin.com//index.php?module=pages&act=page&pid=260 [-by Protodeacon Germain Ivanoff-Trinadtzaty]. This is a down to earth, concise (one-and-a-half page) essay examining our present situation. Please read it, Father. Those who are willing to accept any cleric without any regard as to whether he was canonically ordained, including all from the MP –all, that is, except those of the Catacomb Church, have some 1} personal vendetta or 2} personal agenda, or 3} worse – working to further break up the remnants of ROCOR! Anyone who does not fit into any of these three categories would not fear sitting down at a round table discussion, hold a summit (if you will) with Archbishop Tikhon to hammer out the differences that separate us, just as I doubt that Greek and Romanian Church hierarchs would decline to speak and be heard.
At the March meeting of the anti-uniat clergy in Lakewood in the presence of some 25 priests/deacons Bishop Gabriel said: “The situation of the Catacomb Church can be resolved via a ‘POSTANOVLENIE’ (a decree) –it’s not as if they have to be re-ordained.” (Every cleric present at that meeting can verify the validity of this statement.) What reason is there now to shut out the Catacomb Church from any consideration, when not one priest, including Father Valery, spoke out against RTOC? [The entire two hour-plus meeting was devoted to the question of the episcopate and the future of those against the union.]
“Blessed are the peacemakers…” It’s easy to be a peacemaker amongst peaceful people – tough situations, however require ‘PODVIG’ (selfless labor). This has to be a group effort. Every member of the anti-uniat clergy must be a peacemaker, make every effort to reunite all and restore the wholesomeness of our beloved Church Abroad. Sobornost and Grace will not come about if we continue in our aggravated state of nail-biting uncertainty and/or accusations. The prime requirement is humility coupled with forgiveness, economia, and love.
Please forgive me for any staunch words.
Your brother and friend in Christ,
Archpriest Stefan Sabelnik |