Friday, March 24, 2023

What's Greek for shenanigans?

Everything reasonable that one might want to know is available at  https://www.assemblyofbishops.org/directories/parishes/.  What possible good thing could one ascribe to building "reports" on MP/ROCOR/OCA parishes? 


 (romfea) - [computer translated] In an e-mail, Romfea.gr sent a letter by e-mail to the clergy of Ieras, Iersepos, according to information from Romfea.gr. Apostle.

In that letter, Bishop of Medea is said to be asking the clergy for information and information about the action of the Patriarchate of Moscow, of ROCOR and OCA on the outskirts of the Holy Diocese of New Jersey.

The Most Reverend at the beginning of the letter, among other things, emphasizes: "The Archbishop of America, Mr. A hopeful man sent me a letter from the Chief Secretary of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, asking us to present to the Ecumenical Patriarch Mr. Bartholomew report on the presence and work of the Moscow Patriarchate within the Holy Diocese of New Jersey".

The Bishop of Zero then asks the clergy to give the following specific information:

1 ) Russian Orthodox Parishes near your Church and located just below the Moscow Patriarchate or under the jurisdiction of ROCOR

2 ) Please let me know if any of these parishes have any interaction with you or your parishioners.

3) In addition, my personal request is that you also provide me with a report on OCA parishes in your area.

The Most Reverend, who also has the responsibilities for the operation of the Holy Diocese of New Jersey, asks for the transfer of the report to, so that he can prepare the report for His Holiness.

Closing the Bishop of Zero conveys the paternal blessings of the Archbishop of America, Mr. Hopeful, and wishes a good rest of Agia Tessard.

8 comments:

  1. Worth reading just for "Mr. Hopeful" (Elpidophoros)! But unquestionably creepy. Sometimes I think my OCA leans over backwards not to be seen as Russian. Not backwards enough for some people obviously.

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    2. It would be good to read a non-machine translation that resolves some of the more confusing sentences. I have the feeling that this is an explosive situation, but would like to have a better idea of what the letter actually says.

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    3. This is the Chrome translation:
      Written by Romfea.gr. 24/03 10:15

      The Bishop of Medea requests information on the action of the Moscow Patriarchate in I.M. New Jersey.
      By Emilios Polygenis

      According to information from Romfea.gr, a letter was sent via electronic mail (e-mail) to the clergy of the Holy Diocese of New Jersey, by the Bishop of Media, Mr. Apostolos.

      With the letter in question, the Bishop of Media is allegedly asking the clergy for evidence and information regarding the action of the Moscow Patriarchate, ROCOR and the OCA within the boundaries of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey.

      At the beginning of the letter, among other things, His Holiness Theophilastos emphasizes: "The Archbishop of America, Mr. Elpidophoros, forwarded me a letter from the Chief Secretary of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, with which he requests that we present to the Ecumenical Patriarch, Mr. Bartholomew, a report on the presence and work of the Moscow Patriarchate within the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey".

      The Bishop of Medea then asks the clergy to provide the following specific information:

      1) Russian Orthodox Parishes near your Church and located directly under the Moscow Patriarchate or under the jurisdiction of ROCOR

      2) Please let me know if any of these parishes have any interaction with you or your parishioners

      3) In addition, my personal request is that you also provide me with a report on the OCA parishes in your area.

      Theophilastos, who is also responsible for the operation of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey, requests that the report be forwarded as soon as possible, so that he can prepare the report for His Holiness himself.

      In closing, the Bishop of Medea conveys the paternal blessings of the Archbishop of America, Mr. Elpidophoros, and wishes for a good rest of Holy Pentecost.
      https://www.romfea.gr/oikoumeniko-patriarxeio-ts/arxiepiskopi-amerikis/55776-o-episkopos-mideias-zita-plirofories-gia-tin-drasi-tou-patriarxeiou-mosxas-stin-i-m-neas-ierseis

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  3. The "jurisdictional" compromise for NA (and all of historical western Christendom) is under strain. Will this EP be the one to declare it null and void, declaring himself/his synod as the ground of Unam Sanctam (i.e. ecclesial unity - not the famous medieval Papal Bull)? Perhaps. I admit part of me hopes so, as the current situation is just a waystation, really a farce...

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  4. I wonder if this has anything to do with the court case over a Russian Orthodox parish in New Jersey? It was originally an old OCA parish and then joined the ROCOR. A few years ago new immigrants from Russia started coming. The ROCOR wanted to regularize its status by transferring ownership of the parish property from the the Parish Council to the ROCOR. The name of Archimandrite Alexander Belya comes into the picture from I am not sure where he fits in. Bishop Apostolos of Medeia is in GOARCH.

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