Bp. Nikolai not headed to Carpatho-Russian diocese

Retired Bishop Nikolai (Soraich) of Alaska, recently of Serbian monasteries in Herzegovina and Australia, was recently rumored to be in consideration for the episcopate of the ACROD. This was met with unanimous outrage on the part of the clergy and laity. Here is a letter clarifying the diocesan position on Bp. Nikolai.

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Office of the Chancellor
312 Garfield St., Johnstown, Pa 15906

July 11, 2011

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Reverend and dear Fathers:

By now all of you have received an e-mail which has been circulating the last several days from an unknown source, self-titled “Concerned ACROD”.

The Consistory wants you to be advised that the suggestive messaging in the anonymous e-mail that Bishop Nikolai Soraich may be a candidate for Bishop of this Diocese is untrue and unfounded. He has not been, and is not a candidate for the vacant Office of Bishop of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese.

Bishop Nikolai has not been interviewed by our Consistory. Nor was he approached by the late + Metropolitan Nicholas in his own search for an auxiliary bishop during the last year of his life when he had interviewed several possible candidates.

Our search is continuing through the Office of Archbishop Demetrios. Please consider the anonymous e-mail as a cowardly attempt to sow dissension, distrust and confusion where there is none.

Thank you once again for your loyalty to our Diocese and your prayers and patience during this difficult time for all of us.

With kind regards, in behalf of the Diocesan Consistory, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,

Very Rev. Protopresbyter Frank P. Miloro
Chancellor

The American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A.
ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLE