WARNING

NOT EVERYTHING THAT

CALLS ITSELF ORTHODOX IS

TRULY ORTHODOX


The above warning was given to me when I first met Orthodoxy in 1986. Today [2009] it is even more perilous, even more difficult to find the Royal Path. For one thing there is a far greater abundance of misinformation. And many materials are missing, and other materials are being rapidly rewritten. For another thing there are fewer than ever guides remaining on the Royal Path, especially who speak English. Hopefully this website will be a place where Newcomers to the Faith can keep at least one foot on solid ground, while they are "exploring."


blog owner: Joanna Higginbotham

joannahigginbotham@runbox.com

jurisdiction: ROCA under Vladyka Agafangel

who did not submit to the RocorMP union in 2007

DISCLAIMER



January 13, 2016

Orthodox America

BOOK REVIEW 

Website Review

update  2024


Orthodox America 

Fr. Alexey Young



Orthodox America



archived back issues
https://roca.org

Very good material.  Especially the older issues, pre-90's.
 We are glad to have this.


Be aware that the editor [Fr. Alexy Young], although he was a spiritual son of Fr. Seraphim Rose and should have known better, fell into world orthodoxy soon after Fr. Seraphim's repose in 1982.  

And be aware that MP (Moscow Patriarch) Fr. Dimitri Dudko was an MP priest [sincere] trying to work from within and he was not successful.  He was arrested by the Soviets, tortured, and ended up making a public "confession" forced out of him by his torturers.


Starting with issue #165 and later, October, 2000, BEWARE of propaganda, because Orthodox America went into the pro-ROCOR-MP union camp.  St. James Parish of the GOC, who now maintains the Orthodox America archives, is not pro-union.  The years leading up to the union in 2007 was a very confusing time, so it is understandable why such confusing articles would appear -- newcomers should be alerted not to pay attention to pro-union materials.  

Pro-union article October 2000
Orthodox America Magazine
     This most recent epistle of the Synod of Bishops of the ROCOR should be greeted with joy by all those who sincerely pray for "the good estate of the holy churches of God and the union of all." Unfortunately, it has also been met with some objections from those who read in it a sign that the ROCOR has suddenly changed course. A more sober reading, however, would reveal that the Epistle's intent  is simply to acknowledge positive developments within the Moscow Patriarchate: the recent glorification of the Royal Family and other New Martyrs; its strong statements concerning abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia, drug addiction and other social issues; and its affirmation that the Church cannot and will not submit to any godless and unethical decrees of the government (effectively annulling the principle of Sergianism). At the same time the MP's continuing participation in the ecumenical movement and its attempts to seize church property of the ROCOR are duly noted and remain major stumbling blocks in ROCOR/MP relations.
     In support of their objections, critics have been circulating on the Internet writings of various  bishops, clergy and other members of the ROCOR, writings that stand in contradiction to the present Epistle. However, these are expressions of personal opinion (to which everyone is entitled), and they were written when the changes that have recently taken place in Russia were quite unforeseeable, while this Epistle is a conciliar statement reflecting the present state of church life in Russia, and it bears the signatures of all the bishops (including four from Russia and Ukraine), none of whom would sign against his conscience. It is the fruit of careful and considerable deliberation and of much prayer, and it should inspire our confidence.
     We should continue to submit ourselves to those who have the rule over us (Heb. 13:17), and pray for our hierarchs that they continue to guide us, "rightly dividing the word of Truth." 
http://www.roca.org/OA/165/165d.htm    
    page is the same, but the link is renamed:
https://www.roca.org/oa/volume-xix/issue-165/epistle-of-the-council-of-bishops-of-the-russian-orthodox-church-outside-of-russia-to-the-beloved-children-of-the-church-in-the-homeland-and-in-the-diaspora/