Sunday, September 11, 2016

OPEN LETTER to The Astoria Church Council,

Plus, Shared on internetsobor.org: (in a Russian translation and the original English): OPEN LETTER to The Astoria Church Council, from a parish member of Holy Trinity Church in Astoria, New York

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Dan Everiss

<oregdan@hotmail.com>
Fri, Sep 9, 2016 at 10:03 AM


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ПорталНовостиРПЦЗРПЦЗ: Письмо Церковному Совету Троицкой церкви в Астории


РПЦЗ: Письмо Церковному Совету Троицкой церкви в Астории

Автор: Интернет Собор вкл. . Опубликовано в РПЦЗ (Просмотров: 86)
Уважаемые члены Церковного Совета церкви Святой Троицы,
Могли бы вы помочь мне понять, что происходит?
Я пришла в этот приход в 2001 году. Мудрый друг говорил мне, что, оставив Синод в 2007 году, мы создали раскол. Но я твердо верила, что остаюсь в подлинной РПЦЗ, не зависимой от Московской Патриархии.
Сейчас идут разговоры о создании новой церкви. Я не понимаю, какие причины для этого. Никто никогда не объяснял нам, членам прихода, почему это необходимо. Что плохого в старой церкви, церкви отца Всеволода? Что случилось с митрополитом Агафангелом? Даже после прошедших приходских собраний и встреч, люди не знают ответ на эти вопросы. 

Мы узнали из Интернета, что митрополит, якобы, сказал оскорбительные вещи о двух членах Совета. Я очень сожалею об этом. Никто не должен быть оскорблен, но мы должны идти в раскол из-за этого? Должны ли мы, члены прихода, рисковать нашими душами из-за личного конфликта? 

Располагает ли Церковный Совет, который миряне избрали для обслуживания нужд прихода, полномочиями управлять Церковью и требовать изменений в церковной иерархии? Выбирать другого епископа? Отстранять назначенного священника от входа в алтарь и служения литургии? Вызывать митрополита в суд? Запрещать ему входить в церковь? 

И, в конечном счете, позволительно ли мирянам принимать все эти решения в Церкви? Это было в Советской России, но Церкви от этого не было пользы. Если у нас каноны и церковная иерархия не соблюдаются, то мы только компания, корпорация, больше похожая на продуктовый магазин, и не имеем духовной сущности.
Прошу быть любезными ответить на английском языке, потому что есть несколько человек, которые не говорят по-русски. Я являюсь одним из них. 

С уважением, 
Снежана

Оригинал письма на английском языке:
LETTER TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL OF HOLY TRINITY, ASTORIA
To the: Respected Members of the Board of the Church of Holy Trinity,

COULD YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON?

I came to this parish in 2001. A wise friend told me that by leaving the Synod [i.e. the 2007, unionist ROCOR/MP - R.D.]  we were creating a schism. But I firmly believed in staying in the original ROCA and away from the Moscow Patriarchate.

Now there is talk of creating a new church. I don’t understand what the reasons for this are. Nobody has ever explained to us, members of the parish, why this is necessary. What is wrong with the old church, father Wsewolod’s church? What is wrong with Metropolitan Agathangel? Even after going to parish meetings, people don’t know the answers to these questions.

We have learned from the internet that the Metropolitan has said insulting things about two members of the Board. I am very sorry about that. Nobody should be insulted, but do we have to go into schism because of it? Do we, members of this parish, have to risk our souls because of a personal conflict?

Does the Board, who are lay people chosen to do service for the Church, have the right to rule the Church and cause changes in the Church hierarchy? Choose another bishop? Bar the appointed priest from entering the altar and serving liturgy? Take the Metropolitan to court? Forbid him to enter the church?

And ultimately, are lay people allowed to make all these decisions about the Church? It happened in Soviet Russia, but it did not work out well for the Church. If the canons and the Church hierarchy are not respected, then we are only a company, a corporation, more like a grocery store than a spiritual entity.

Would you kindly respond in English, for there are a few people who do not speak Russian; I am one of them.

Respectfully,
Snezana 
Еще на эту тему:
РПЦЗ: Открытое письмо прихожанина Троицкого прихода в Астории (США

Added: 4 hours 52 minutes.. назад Ð?втор: Монахиня Вера #5490 ? Ð sec ago: Nun Vera # 5490
Nun Vera avatar
Ответ Снежане от члена нашей Церкви на английском языке:
A response to  Snezana  from another  member of the Church in the English language:
Dear Snezana,
Your observations and understanding of things are quite correct. Your observations and understanding of things are quite correct. Yes, there are no answers to these questions because the two bishops in question who wish to separate themselves from our church- wish to do so for reasons of a personal basis. Yes, there are no answers to these questions because the two bishops in question who wish to separate themselves from our church- wish to do so for reasons of a personal basis. As that is not realistically possible, (because, as we know- we must be obedient to the Church and to the decisions of the holy councils of bishops which are guided by the Holy Spirit, and not give in to our own desires, our own passions, our own will), they therefore make claims about Bishop Agafangel making some uncanonical actions/decisions, and even accuse him of heresy. As that is not realistically possible, (because, as we know- we must be obedient to the Church and to the decisions of the holy councils of bishops which are guided by the Holy Spirit, and not give in to our own desires, our own passions, our own will), they therefore make claims about Bishop Agafangel making some uncanonical actions / decisions, and even accuse him of heresy. However, they have no facts WHATSOEVER to support their so-called claims. However, they have no facts WHATSOEVER to support their so-called claims. (Whereas Metropolitan Agafangel can back up all of his and the councils' actions with proof.) It is suspected that there are certain people behind the scenes who influence and provoke them, solely to reach their goal of destroying our church, slyly, from within. (Whereas Metropolitan Agafangel can back up all of his and the councils' actions with proof.) It is suspected that there are certain people behind the scenes who influence and provoke them, solely to reach their goal of destroying our church, slyly, from within . Since the tactics (of the former communist regime) of destroying the church from without resulted in producing multitudes of holy martyrs and only increased the strength of the Church, the tactics used nowadays are much more subtle, and from within, through the use of people's weaknesses and passions, with the intent to sow discord between each other, and thus little by little destroying the unity of the church, and creating schism. Since the tactics (of the former communist regime) of destroying the church from without resulted in producing multitudes of holy martyrs and only increased the strength of the Church, the tactics used nowadays are much more subtle, and from within, through the use of people's weaknesses and passions, with the intent to sow discord between each other, and thus little by little destroying the unity of the church, and creating schism. Meanwhile, the schismatics sincerely think they are on the side of the truth, and may even produce wonderful sermons about the truth etc., yet there is nothing to back up their claims and reasons for separating from the Church. Meanwhile, the schismatics sincerely think they are on the side of the truth, and may even produce wonderful sermons about the truth etc., yet there is nothing to back up their claims and reasons for separating from the Church. (Getting insulted and offended, or else not getting what you want, is not a legitimate canonical reason!) In fact, their intention to take the Metropolitan to court and their intent and means of choosing a new leader is wholly uncanonical and even has no logical basis, and the spirit in which it will be done can only produce bad fruits and worse. (Getting insulted and offended, or else not getting what you want, is not a legitimate canonical reason!) In fact, their intention to take the Metropolitan to court and their intent and means of choosing a new leader is wholly uncanonical and even has no logical basis, and the spirit in which it will be done can only produce bad fruits and worse.
All involved, both those who caused and are involved in the temptation and all those who believe the slander against the Metropolitan, should be prayed for, in the hopes that,- God willing- they come to their senses. All involved, both those who caused and are involved in the temptation and all those who believe the slander against the Metropolitan, should be prayed for, in the hopes that, - God willing- they come to their senses. We are called to pray for one another, and to wish for each other's salvation, as the Lord shed His blood for each and every one of us, and because He desires that all come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved. We are called to pray for one another, and to wish for each other's salvation, as the Lord shed His blood for each and every one of us, and because He desires that all come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved. May He forgive us, have mercy on us and save us. May He forgive us, have mercy on us and save us. Amen Amen

P.S.  Be aware that there may be talk about "the truth not being in numbers" (ie that the number of bishops does not always mean that where the majority (of bishops) is, is where the truth is, and thus use St. Maximos the Confessor as an example). PS Be aware that there may be talk about "the truth not being in numbers" (ie that the number of bishops does not always mean that where the majority (of bishops) is, is where the truth is, and thus use St. Maximos the Confessor as an example).
True, QUANTITY means nothing......whether 10 bishops, whether 20, whether 8, 1 or 3...... It is the QUALITY which matters. True, QUANTITY means nothing ...... whether 10 bishops, whether 20, Whether 8, 1 or 3 ...... It is the QUALITY which matters. Meaning, their disposition of soul, the spirit behind their words and deeds.... Meaning, their disposition of soul, the spirit behind their words and deeds. 

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