Metropolitan Herman "stuns" OCA council

(OCA News) - Sources in South Canaan have confirmed that Metropolitan Herman left Syosset yesterday, and returned to South Canaan, refusing to attend the joint meeting of the Synod and Metropolitan Council today. Archbishop Dmitri read the request for a medical leave for the absent Metropolitan to the stunned Council this morning. It is not fully clear who will chair the joint meeting in the Metropolitan's absence, although initial reports say that Archbishop Seraphim of Canada (as Secretary of the Synod) will assume that role, assisted by Bishop Nikon of Boston.

In addition to the Metropolitan, Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit did not attend the joint meeting as well. The Archbishop is reported to be in Romania. The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (ROEA), a part of the OCA for the past 38 years, is currently in negotiations with the Romanian Orthodox Church to leave the OCA and enter that jurisdiction.

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In an announcement posted on OCA.org this morning, Metropolitan Herman has requested a "medical leave of absence". The brief announcement reads:

"His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman has submitted a letter to the Holy Synod of Bishops, in which he requests a medical leave of absence. Metropolitan Herman is scheduled for lumbar spine surgery on Tuesday, September 9, 2008.

The Holy Synod will review His Beatitude's request at their session on Thursday, September 4, 2008. Further information will be posted when it becomes available."

The OCA statement is titled: "Impending surgery forces Metropolitan Herman to submit request for medical leave of absence". No mention is made of the forthcoming SIC Report, or as sources have confirmed, the Metropolitan's meeting yesterday afternoon with three of the four officers of the OCA. OCA Chancellor Fr. Alex Garklavs, OCA Treasurer Fr. Michael Tassos and OCA Secretary Fr. Eric Tosi met with the Metropolitan in Syosset and encouraged him to resign. The Metropolitan refused.

The SIC Report is scheduled for presentation to the joint meeting of the Synod and Metropolitan Council this morning.