One Little Suitcase

.

     You may have noticed that Fr. Seraphim's Orthodox Word magazine did not copy articles from other English magazines, such as Orthodox Life magazine.  With one rare exception: Metr. Philaret's "Sorrowful Epistles," because these were so important.  Fr. Herman's Platina kept this policy after Fr. Seraphim died, to include the Tree of Life magazine that was published by the HOOM cult that Fr. Herman was then leading into (vagante) Orthodoxy.   I threw out all my Tree of Life magazines when I found Orthodoxy, never realizing that some of the stories would be lost to me forever.  

     One such story I've missed all these years is the story, "One Little Suitcase."  But now I have found it on a Russian website.  We know that Fr. Seraphim also sent materials to Russia, and apparently a biography of St. John was sent to Russia with information that we never had in English, except maybe in bits & pieces such as in the Tree of Life magazine.  

     Lesna nun Zinaida Yulem (Julem) wrote her memories of St. John while she was confined to a hospital bed.  Probably in the 1980s.  Copied below is her memory of the "one little suitcase."  I  have filled in a most important line I remember well, that did not come through in this Russian website version:  "...not even one little suitcase."

https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Serafim_Rouz/blazhennyj-svjatitel-ioann-chudotvorets/1_12

. . .  Later, we had to endure much sorrow and grief.  Even the atmosphere in the church seemed to dim. A new priest was appointed who had evidently been instructed not to trust Blessed John.

  One fine day, we received joyful news from Father Mitrofan.  He wrote that our dear Blessed John was planning to visit and wished to stay in the cell he loved so much.  I began preparing for his arrival, and soon everything was ready.  We eagerly awaited his visit, however brief it might be.  Finally, he arrived, and I ran to him to receive his blessing.  He headed toward the altar, while I hurried to help carry his belongings up to his cell.   Later, he came out of the altar and wanted to go up to his room. 

  I asked, "Your Eminence, I am about to make some coffee.  Shall I bring it to you?" 

  "No, Zina, don't trouble yourself.  I will come down and have it with you all.  Call me when it’s ready."

  Ten minutes later, everything was ready.  I went up the stairs from the kitchen, passed through the corridor between the staircase and the church, and called out to the Archbishop.  He came out and began to descend.  At that moment, the newly appointed superior also emerged from his cell upstairs and started coming down, but he stopped three steps from the bottom.  Glaring sternly at me, he said, "His Eminence will have his coffee in his cell."

  I immediately objected, pointing out that His Eminence had specifically expressed a wish to have his coffee downstairs.  But the superior repeated, even more sternly, "I am telling you that he will have his coffee in his cell.  I am in charge here; I give the orders!"

  These words hit me like a knife, I covered my face with my hands and froze, unable to look at either Blessed John or the abbot.  Finally, I looked at my dear blessed John.  He stood with his hands and head down.  A few seconds later he began to slowly climb the steps, entered his cell and locked himself.  I went to the kitchen, prepared everything, put it on a tray and brought it upstairs.  Since I couldn’t go in to see him, I left everything on the table in the next room.  After that, I immediately rushed home:  I couldn’t stand it anymore.  About an hour later I returned to the temple, opened the door and immediately stepped back: in the corridor and throughout the temple it was dark and cold, like a tomb.  My heart sank and the thought immediately flashed: grace has left us!

  I rushed upstairs and opened the door to his cell without knocking.  It was empty!  Tearfully, I sank to the floor and began to pray, asking God for Blessed John’s return.  Then I began to sob aloud: "Oh, my dear Bishop!  Why did you leave me?! Why did you leave me?!  Why have I been left with nothing of yours?  Not even one little suitcase."

  I lay on the floor in that state for a long time.  Finally, I stood up, walked out of the room mechanically, and stopped when I reached the stairs.  Suddenly, I heard the door below opening slowly; Blessed John entered — his head bowed again, as if in guilt, a small suitcase in his hand.  He climbed the stairs and entered his cell.  I followed him in silence; he set the suitcase on the floor and said, "Here, I have brought a little suitcase for you!"

  And at that very moment, everything within me grew bright!  It was as if he had never left us.  Oh Lord, there was my dear one!  He had returned — having sensed in spirit that I was weeping — wearing an expression of such contrition, as if to say he felt terrible about having caused anyone pain.  It is a terrible thing to wound a man of God.  When he had departed, grace had left the church; but once he forgave everything, grace returned.  True, he never stayed with us again after that; instead, he would stay with a priest of the French Orthodox Church whose wife was gravely ill at the time.  

  She had a malignant brain tumor, and Blessed John prayed for her recovery, and she was healed. He lived in Paris for a time then—this was his final visit to us, in 1965—and the following year, 1966, he left us for good. As for that rector, he later regretted his actions and publicly repented that he hated Blessed John at the suggestion of the enemy.  But it was already too late.

_____________

 I do not know when Zinaida died.  Probably circa 1990.  Certainly her soul would delight in being commemorated at true ROCOR altar (Agafangel) or a Sister Church.  Please do not do her the disservice of having her commemorated at a world-Orthodox altar, or in the ROCOR-MP, which is now in world-Orthodoxy whether they realize it or not.

Vladyka Agafangle on AI

Metropolitan Agafangel: Artificial or Super-Intelligence?
Author: Metropolitan Agafangel. Publication date: October 1, 2026. Category: Author's column.
http://internetsobor.org/index.php/stati/avtorskaya-kolonka/mitropolit-agafangel-iskusstvennyj-ili-sverkh-intellekt

Nowadays, artificial intelligence (AI) has effectively become a kind of virtual personality with whom one can communicate productively—an entity that not only possesses vast amounts of information but is also capable of writing dissertations, musical compositions, and literary works; generating images; creating computer programs and games; handling accounting, record-keeping, and monitoring tasks; and much more.  It can also assist in drafting formal complaints to government agencies and advise people on appropriate courses of action in various situations.  Moreover, AI is already "intellectually" superior to the intellect of an "average" person, and this is merely the beginning of its development.  It has been suggested that we stop calling it "artificial intelligence" (a term that supposedly fails to reflect its true capabilities) and instead refer to it as "superior intelligence" or "super-intelligence"—essentially, a form of "higher intelligence."

Thus, suddenly and unexpectedly, we find ourselves facing the fact that something more intelligent than even the human race itself has appeared in our midst (!).

AI is actively displacing humans from the workforce; indeed, human intelligence itself may soon prove entirely superfluous and useless.  People are becoming redundant—and it is not just people: strong, sovereign nation-states have long since fallen out of favor (replaced now by blocs or groups of states united by "shared interests"), and high-quality primary and higher education has become obsolete, having long been supplanted everywhere by mere "training."  Further degradation seems inevitable, with the notorious "remote learning" model likely to become a permanent fixture for future generations—affecting not necessarily every subject, but certainly a great many of them.

The fierce competition in the field of AI (for instance, between the US and China) suggests the emergence of distinct AI systems competing against one another—systems owned by different entities—a rivalry that is currently intensifying.  This mirrors the global systems that have long competed for dominance: the Masonic, Communist, Soviet (currently in the Russian Federation), and Islamist movements, among others.  Clearly, AI could actively enter this fray by embedding itself within these existing global systems.

Today, vast numbers of people are gripped by compulsive gaming and computer game addiction. Yet, the time may well be fast approaching when professional software programs take the place of games—and make everyone dependent on them.

Life on this earth requires only a small, select group of people to control AI—people who are already preparing their offspring for the future of earthly existence.

Clearly, the distant future awaiting us consists of AI combined with robots performing all physical labor, overseen by a group of people in control of it all.  This will represent a new, "revolutionary" form of human existence.  However, the immediate challenge lies in suppressing the masses (to prevent rebellion—the very cause of current wars across the globe) and bringing them under total control—a feat that will soon be achievable through AI.  Thus, the aspirations of a small number of Jews to truly rise above all other nations could well be realized; the combination of the Antichrist and AI is perfectly suited to aid them in this endeavor.

Overpopulation is probably the greatest obstacle to the "progress" and prosperity of the "elite" today; more precisely, the critical issue is the question of what to do with the vast number of "surplus" people.

******

Artificial intelligence is the product of a sophisticated machine—a computer—into which vast amounts of information and the capability to process that information are programmed.  From the very outset of its design, this field of development had a specific objective; one should not assume it emerged naturally "in the course of scientific progress"—as if it somehow created itself.  The obvious rationale behind the current, incredibly rapid development of the AI ​​project is the race to be the first to devise a mechanism for dominating humanity—a scenario strikingly similar to the race to build the atomic bomb.  Today, this constitutes an invisible yet genuine war for survival, dominance, and supremacy.  The subjugation of the masses is a traditional goal of all globalists (echoing the old slogan: "We shall achieve the victory of communism worldwide").

The very creation of an artificial "superintelligence" implies that this "superintelligence" must inevitably absorb and subjugate lesser forms of intelligence.  It is much like the dynamic between humans: when two people are together, the one with the higher intellect will naturally dominate the less intelligent one.

We all face a genuine threat of becoming dependent on AI.  As you know, Soviet ideology, for instance, is known to be contagious—so much so that one should not even interact with its adherents (in accordance with the wise counsel of Saint Anastassy, ​​First Hierarch of the ROCOR).  Similarly, interacting with AI is dangerous, as such contact carries the long-term risk of human enslavement by a "superior intellect" and the development of a dependency upon it.

New types of controllable "mutants" are currently emerging everywhere—such as the modern post-Soviet individual, an unnatural hybrid of communism, Soviet propaganda, and pseudo-Orthodoxy—while total biometric control and the dominance of Artificial Intelligence loom on the horizon.  What might result from a blend of all this?  There is now a real danger of the emergence of yet another new historical entity: a people living in a "computer concentration camp" ("e-camp")—a population ideologically and intellectually enslaved by Artificial Intelligence, combined with dictatorship and globalist ideology (whether Soviet or otherwise).  Virtually every country is currently attempting to advance in the field of AI, to the extent that its capabilities allow.  It is quite likely that such a people—fully controllable half-humans, half-robots—will first appear in China, in conjunction with communism (or perhaps they have already appeared, given the development of AI within that dictatorship).

AI is a mechanical mind—an intellect without a soul—that can become a real weapon capable of killing the living human soul.

******

What should be the Orthodox perspective on this entirely unexpected phenomenon?  One thing is clear—and this is what matters most to us—AI is utterly incapable of actions proper to God; it cannot forgive a person’s sins or save their soul.  In other words, it is not God, nor is it even a living organism.  So, what is it?  AI does not exist in isolation; lacking a soul, it exists inseparably from its material carrier—meaning it is the final product of a material construct.  It depends on the human being who controls this material infrastructure and can switch it off at will (even a simple power outage would halt AI’s operation).  Yet, by being embedded in countless material devices (every smartphone and computer), AI can exert immense influence over entire nations—naturally, in the interests of the group controlling its material infrastructure.

Machines and AI have no need for God; and since AI cannot exist without a material substrate, this is a completely—100%—material and materialistic world.  The visible embodiment of the "thought" of that immoral communist idol—consciousness, thinking (the mind)—is merely a form of the existence of matter.  No matter, no mind—this applies unequivocally and precisely to AI.

******

It is known that under the Antichrist there will be a "second beast" that performs miracles and establishes the authority of the Antichrist (i.e., the first beast) (Rev. 13:11–15).  It is quite plausible to assume that this second beast is AI, or the person controlling AI.

It is obvious that AI is a very convenient tool for suppressing and enslaving peoples and all of humanity.  Whoever has the most powerful and advanced AI will, as some argue, own the entire world.  The question of whether AI can become autonomous and independent, and lead the world order, seems to me rhetorical - even if AI becomes completely autonomous, it, by itself, will simply not need the world order, its autonomy will be enough for it.  Power over the world is needed, of course, not by machines, but by “selected” groups of people and the evil spirit that chooses these people - Satan.  Satan, having at his disposal an artificial and controlled “higher mind,” may well try (and is already trying) to realize his original plan (his will) - to become a god for people, instead of God.

To ensure that contact with AI cannot be avoided, it will likely be positioned between ordinary people and the "elite"—all inquiries from the general public to any authority or institution will pass through the AI, which will make decisions on them and provide the responses.  In other words, in the not-too-distant future, every individual may find themselves completely dependent on AI, with no hope of avoiding interaction with it.

******

To summarize what has been said, one can conclude that we must approach artificial intelligence with caution to avoid becoming dependent on it.  We should strive to use our own minds whenever possible and remember that our greatest value lies in the soul; life is given to us so that we may draw closer to salvation—the Kingdom of Heaven—through repentance before God for our sins.  And on this path, artificial intelligence is of no help to us whatsoever.

+ Митрополит Агафангел
1 октября 2026 года

Original Russian:
Митрополит Агафангел: Искусственный или сверх — интеллект?
Автор: Митрополит Агафангел. Дата публикации: 01 октября 2026. Категория: Авторская колонка.
     В наши дни Искусственный интеллект (ИИ), вполне уже стал некоей виртуальной личностью, с которой можно продуктивно общаться, которая не только владеет огромными объёмами информации, но и способна писать диссертации, музыкальные и литературные произведения, генерировать изображения, составлять компьютерные программы и игры, вести бухгалтерию, учёт, контроль, и многое другое. Также может помогать составлять жалобы в госорганы и рекомендовать людям совершать те или иные действия в различных ситуациях. Причём ИИ уже сейчас "интеллектуально" выше интеллекта "обычного" человека, и это только самое начало его развития. Предлагается называть его уже не искусственным интеллектом (название, якобы, не соответствует его способностям), а "превосходящим интеллектом", "сверх интеллектом", то есть, почти что "высшим разумом".
     Таким образом, вдруг и неожиданно, мы оказались перед фактом, что рядом с нами появилось нечто более разумное, чем, даже, наш род человеческий (!)
     ИИ активно вытесняет человека с рабочих мест — то есть, интеллект человеческий, возможно, в ближайшем будущем, может оказаться вовсе невостребованным и бесполезным. Люди становятся лишними и ненужными, и, кстати, не только люди — давно уже не нужны сильные и самостоятельные народные государства (вместо них сейчас объединения, группы государств "по интересам"), бесполезным стало качественное школьное и институтское образование, которое уже давно и везде подменено обучением — похоже, что грядёт его дальнейшая деградация, и пресловутая "дистанционка" закрепиться навсегда в будущих поколениях, пусть даже это будет касаться не всех предметов, но очень многих.
     Начавшаяся острая конкуренция в области ИИ (например, США и Китая) говорит о том, что могут быть разные ИИ, конкурирующие друг с другом (то есть, принадлежащие разным владельцам), и такая конкуренция в наши дни активно развивается. Это похоже на конкурирующие по сей день глобальные системы — масонскую, коммунистическую, советскую (сейчас в РФ), исламистскую и проч. Очевидно, что ИИ может активно включиться в эту борьбу, войдя внутрь существующих глобальных систем.
       Сегодня огромное число людей охвачено игроманией и зависимостью от компьютерных игр. Но, возможно, совсем рядом время, когда профессиональные программы займут место игр и сделают всех людей зависимыми от себя.
Для жизни на этой земле достаточно небольшого числа избранных, которые будут контролировать ИИ, и которые уже готовят своё потомство для земной жизни в будущем.
     Очевидно, что ИИ плюс роботы, выполняющие любую физическую работу, и группа людей, в составе контролирующих всё это — есть отдалённое будущее, которое нас ждёт. Это будет новая, "революционная" форма существования человечества. Но проблема ближайшего времени — подавить огромные массы людей (чтобы не бунтовали — именно за это сейчас идут войны по всей земле) и взять их под полный контроль, что будет возможно сделать в недалёком будущем, тоже с помощью ИИ. Таким образом, вполне могут исполниться надежды относительно небольшого числа иудеев — реально возвыситься над всеми прочими народами — Антихрист + ИИ — вполне им в помощь в этом направлении.
      Перенаселённость земли сейчас, наверное, наибольшая проблема, препятствующая "прогрессу" и благополучию "элиты" — точнее, очень серьёзная проблема заключена в вопросе, что делать с огромным количеством "лишних" людей?  ******
     Искусственный интеллект — продукт деятельности совершенной машины, компьютера, в который закладываются огромные объёмы информации и возможности этой информацией оперировать. Изначально, с начала проектирования, такое направление должно иметь цель своей разработки, — не следует думать, что оно появилась естественно, "в ходе научного прогресса", — как бы, самосоздалось. Очевидный смысл нынешнего невероятно ускоренного развития проекта ИИ — успеть разработать первым механизм доминирования над человечеством (что очень похоже на гонку, бывшую при создании атомной бомбы) — сегодня это невидимая война, настоящая, за выживание, доминирование и господство. Порабощение основной массы людей — традиционная цель всех глобалистов ("мы придём к победе коммунизма во всём мире").
     Из самого факта создания искусственного "сверхразума" вытекает то, что этот "сверхразум" должен поглотить и подавить более низший разум. Это как среди людей — когда рядом два человека, то тот, у кого интеллект выше, будет естественно доминировать над более глупым.
     Существует для всех нас реальная угроза впадения в зависимость от ИИ. Как известно, советская, к примеру, идеология заразна, и с её носителями нельзя даже контактировать (по мудрому завещанию святителя Анастасия, Первоиерарха РПЦЗ). Также, аналогично, опасно общаться с ИИ, поскольку такой контакт со временем грозит порабощением человека "высшим интеллектом", и впадением в зависимость от него.
     Сейчас повсеместно формируются новые типы управляемых "мутантов" в виде, например, современных пост-советских людей — неестественный гибрид коммунизма, советской пропаганды и лже-православия — ещё на подходе полный биометрический контроль и доминирование Искусственного интеллекта. Что может получиться от смешения всего этого? Теперь существует реальная опасность появления очередной новой исторической общности — народа, пребывающего в "компьютерном концлагере" ("Е-сamp") — народа, идеологически и интеллектуально порабощённого Искусственным интеллектом, причём, в сочетании с диктатурой, а также глобалистской идеологией — советской, или любой иной. Сейчас чуть ли не каждая страна пытается продвинуться в области ИИ, в зависимости от своих возможностей. Вполне вероятно, такой народ — полностью управляемые полу-люди, полу-роботы, впервые появятся, например, в Китае в сочетании с коммунизмом (или, уже появился? — с учётом развития ИИ в этой диктатуре).
     ИИ — это механический разум, ум без души, который может стать реальным оружием для убийства живой души человека.  ******
     Каким должно быть православное отношение к этому, совершенно неожиданному, явлению? Ясно одно, и это для нас главное — ИИ совершенно неспособен к действиям, свойственным Богу — он не может простить грехи человека и спасти его душу. То есть, он не Бог, и, даже, не одушевлённый организм. Тогда кто или что он? ИИ не существует сам по себе, и, поскольку у него нет души, — существует нераздельно со своим материальным носителем, то есть, это конечная, завершающая форма (продукт) материальной конструкции. Он зависим от человека, который этой материальной базой распоряжается и, при желании, может её отключить (даже простое отсутствие электричества остановит работу ИИ). Но, будучи насаждён на безчисленных материальных носителях (на каждом смартфоне и компьютере), ИИ может оказывать огромное влияние на целые народы, причём, естественно, в интересах группы людей, управляющих его материальной базой.
     Для машин и ИИ — Бог не нужен, и, поскольку ИИ не может существовать без материального носителя, — это полностью, на 100%, материальный и материалистический мир. Зримое воплощение "мысли" безнравственного коммунистического идола — сознание, мышление (ум) — это, всего лишь, форма существования материи. Нет материи, нет и ума — это однозначно и точно об ИИ.  ******
     Известно, что при Антихристе будет "второй зверь", который будет творить чудеса и утверждать власть Антихриста (т.е., первого зверя) (Откр 13.11-15). Вполне возможно допустить, что этот второй зверь и есть ИИ, или человек, контролирующий ИИ.
      Очевидно то, что ИИ — это очень удобный инструмент для подавления и порабощения народов и всего человечества. Кто будет обладать самым мощным и совершенным ИИ, тот, как утверждают некоторые, будет владеть всем миром. Вопрос, может ли ИИ стать автономным и самостоятельным, и возглавить мировой порядок, мне представляется риторическим — даже если ИИ станет полностью автономным, ему, самому по себе, мировой порядок будет просто не нужен, ему будет достаточно своей автономности. Власть над миром нужна, конечно, не машинам, а "избранным" группам людей и тому злому духу, который этих людей избирает — Сатане. Сатана, имея в своём распоряжении искусственный и подконтрольный "высший разум", вполне может попытаться (и уже пытается) реализовать свой изначальный замысел (свою волю) — стать богом для людей, вместо Бога.
     Чтобы нельзя было уклониться от контактов с ИИ, его, вероятно, поставят между обычными людьми и "элитой" — все обращения простых людей в любые органы и инстанции, будут проходить через ИИ, и он будут принимать по ним решения и на эти обращения отвечать. То есть, каждый человек, возможно, в недалёком будущем окажется в полной зависимости от ИИ, без надежды на уклонение от контактов с ним.  ******
     В качестве вывода из сказанного, можно сделать краткое заключение, что к Искусственному интеллекту надо относится с осторожностью, чтобы не попасть в зависимость от него. Стараться, по возможности, пользоваться собственным умом, и помнить, что главная ценность в нас — это душа, и жизнь нам дана для того, чтобы мы приблизились к своему спасению — Небесному Царству, через покаяние перед Богом в своих грехах. А на этом пути, Искусственный интеллект нам никак не помощник.  + Митрополит Агафангел  1 октября 2026 года

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Meaning of the Russian Diaspora

Important Review of Old Document
  

The Meaning of the Russian Diaspora
Report to the All-Diaspora Sobor 1938
by Archbishop John Maximovitch

The Russian people as a whole has performed great sins which are the cause of the present misfortunes: the specific sins are oath-breaking and regicide.  The public and military leaders renounced their obedience and loyalty to the Tsar even before his abdication, forcing this latter from the Tsar, who did not desire bloodshed within the country; and the people openly and noisily greeted this deed, and nowhere did it loudly express its lack of agreement with it.  At the same time there was made here a violation of the oath given to the Sovereign and his lawful heirs; and besides this, upon the heads of those who performed this crime fell the curse of their ancestors—the Zemsky Sobor* of 1613, whose decrees it sealed with the cursing of those who would violate them.

Those guilty of the sin of regicide are not only those who physically performed it, but the whole people which rejoiced on the occasion of the overthrow of the Tsar and allowed his abasement, arrest, and exile, leaving him defenseless in the hands of the criminals, which fact in itself already predetermined the end.

Thus, the catastrophe which has come upon Russia is the direct consequence of terrible sins, and the rebirth of Russia is possible only after cleansing from them.  However, up to this time there has been no genuine repentance, the crimes that have been performed have clearly not been condemned, and many active participants in the Revolution continue even now to affirm that at that time it was not possible to act in any other way.

Can't we say this very same thing about MP not repenting of Sergianism?  They have never shown any genuine repentance.  Instead they say Sergius did what he had to do and "saved" the Church. 

In not expressing a direct condemnation of the February Revolution, the uprising against the Anointed of God, the Russian people continue to participate in the sin, especially when they defend the fruits of the Revolution, for, in the words of the Apostle Paul, especially sinful are those who, knowing that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but consent with them that do them (Rom. 1:32).

MP refuses to condemn Sergianism.  Instead MP praises Sergius and erects statues of him and paints icons of him and wants to canonize him.

But in chastising, the Lord at the same time also shows the Russian people the way to salvation by making it a preacher of Orthodoxy in the whole world.  The Russian Diaspora has made all the ends of the world familiar with Orthodoxy, for the mass of Russian exiles, for the most part, is unconsciously a preacher of Orthodoxy.  Everywhere that Russians live there are built small exile churches, or even magnificent churches, and often there are services in buildings which have been adapted for this purpose.

A consequence of the fall of the Russian State was the arising of the Russian Diaspora.  More than a million people were forced to leave their homeland and be scattered about the whole face of the earth.

A significant part of the Russians who went abroad belonged to that intellectual class which in recent times has lived by the ideas of the West.  While belonging to the Orthodox Church and confessing themselves to be Orthodox, the people of this class in their world outlook significantly departed from Orthodoxy.  The chief sin of people of this class was that they did not build their convictions and way of life on the teaching of the Orthodox faith, but rather strove to make the rules and teaching of the Orthodox Church conform to their own habits and desires.  Therefore, on the one hand they were but very little interested in the essence of Orthodox teaching, often even considering the dogmatic teaching of the Church as being completely unimportant; and on the other hand they fulfilled the demands and rites of the Orthodox Church, but only in so far as this did not interfere with their more European than Russian way of life.  From this comes their disdainful attitude towards fasting, their visiting of churches only for a short time, and this rather more for the satisfaction of aesthetic than religious feeling, and their complete lack of understanding of religion as the chief foundation of the spiritual life of man.

In the public realm this class likewise lived by the ideas of the West.  Without giving any place at all for the influence of the Church, it strove to reconstruct the whole life of Russia, especially in the realm of State government, according to Western models.  For this reason, in recent times an especially fierce battle was waged against State authority, and at the same time the necessity for liberal reforms and a democratic organization of Russia became as it were a new faith, not to confess which signified that one was behind the times.  Making use in their battle with the monarchy of a slander against the Imperial Family which was widely spread throughout Russia, and likewise being possessed by a thirst for power, the intellectual class led Imperial Russia to its fall and prepared the way for the Communist power.

After the coming to power of Communism, the intellectual class was partially annihilated, and partially it fled abroad, saving its own life.  At the same time the Communists showed their true face, and besides the intellectual class a multitude of Russians of other classes was forced to leave Russia, in part in order to save their own lives, and in part for ideological reasons, as they did not desire to serve Communists.  Finding themselves abroad, the Russian people suffered great spiritual shocks.  In the souls of a majority there occurred a significant crisis which was marked by a mass return of the intellectual class to the Church.

However, this positive manifestation also had its negative side.  By no means all of those who returned to faith accepted it in all the fullness of Orthodox teaching.  The proud mind could not agree that up to now it had stood on a false path.  There arose strivings to make Christian teaching agree with the previous views and ideas of the converts.  Therefore there was a whole series of new religious-philosophical currents, often completely foreign to Church teaching.  Of these currents, especially widespread was Sophiology, which is founded on the recognition of the value of man in himself and expresses the psychology of the intellectual class.

Sophiology as a doctrine is known to a comparatively small group of people, and very few actually subscribe to it openly.  But a significant part of the Intellectual class of the emigration is spiritually akin to it, for the psychology of Sophiology is the worship of man, who is no longer the humble slave of God, but is himself a small god who has no need to be blindly submissive to the Lord God.  A feeling of refined pride bound up with faith in the possibility for a man to live by his own wisdom, is very characteristic of many people who are “cultural” in the modern sense, who place above everything else the conclusions of their own minds and do not desire to be in everything submissive to the teaching of the Church, looking upon it favorably in a condescending way.  Thanks to this the Russian Church Abroad has been struck by a series of schisms which have caused it harm up until now and have drawn away into themselves even a part of the hierarchy.

In the future life the judgment will be most severe for those Russians who, being educated in superb colleges, become the fiercest enemies of Russia.  One is forced to foresee already that in the future the Diaspora will give many conscious workers against Orthodox Russia, who will strive to make it Catholic or spread various sects, and likewise those who, while remaining outwardly Orthodox and Russian, will secretly work against Russia.

But Russia was founded on and grew through Orthodoxy, and only Orthodoxy will save Russia.

To the Russians abroad it has been granted to shine in the whole world with the light of Orthodoxy, so that other peoples, seeing their good deeds, might glorify our Father Who is in Heaven, and thus obtain salvation for themselves.  But if it does not perform this purpose, and even abases Orthodoxy by its life, the Diaspora will have before itself two paths: either to be converted to the path of repentance and, having acquired forgiveness for itself through prayer to God and through being reborn spiritually, to become capable also of giving rebirth to our suffering homeland; or else to be finally rejected by God and to remain in banishment, persecuted by everyone, until gradually it will degenerate and disappear from the face of the earth.

In light of the psychology of the western pride St. John describes above, is it any surprise that ROCOR is first disappearing in the "west" — in America and Europe?  where the western-sickness is now so advanced, beyond any hope?  We converts, being born here, are so deeply steeped in the very air of this western mentality, we can't expect ever to be free from it while in this life.  Even with great conscious effort.  Except maybe for a miraculous moment or two.  

And what of the Russian fatherland?  Blessed are you, O Russian land, being purified by the fire of suffering.  You have gone through the water of baptism, and now you are going through the fire of suffering, and you will yet enter into your repose.  At one time Christians gathered with reverence sand from the Colosseum which was drenched with the blood of martyrs.  The place of the sufferings and death of the martyrs became sacred and especially revered.  And now the whole of Russia is an arena of passion-bearers.  Her earth has been sanctified by their blood, her air by the ascent of their souls to heaven.  Yea, sacred are you, O Russia.  The ancient writer was correct who said that you are the Third Rome, and there will be no fourth.  You have surpassed the ancient Rome by the multitude of exploits of your martyrs, you have surpassed also the Rome which baptized you [Constantinople] by your standing in Orthodoxy, and you will remain unsurpassed to the end of the world.  Only the land which was sanctified by the sufferings and the earthly life of the God-man is holier than you in the eyes of Orthodox Christians.

And look what St. John says here.  Russia may be disappeared, but Russia's holiness remains until the end of time, even if she is disappeared.  And further he says Russia's place surpasses her god-parent.  Ahem, Greeks, -- I'm referring to the GOC that has swallowed up the remnants of ROCOR in America...  even their metropolitan tells them to acknowledge that is was the ROCOR that planted holiness in America.  See his 2023 video titled: "The Light of ROCOR."  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaQeq4VVtzM

Shake away the sleep of despondency and sloth, O sons of Russia!  Behold the glory of her sufferings and be purified; wash yourselves from your sins!  Be strengthened in the Orthodox faith, so as to be worthy to dwell in the dwelling of the Lord and to settle in His holy mountain!  Leap up, leap up, arise, O Russia, you who from the Lord’s hands have drunk the cup of His wrath!  When your sufferings shall have ended, your righteousness shall go with you and the glory of the Lord shall accompany you.  The peoples shall come to your light, and kings to the shining which shall rise upon you.  Then Lift up your eyes and see: behold, your children come to you from the West and the North and the Sea and the East, blessing in you Christ forever.  Amen.  

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*About the Zemsky Sobor of 1613
     Since the time of the holy Tsar Ivan the Terrible, 1547-1584, Zemsky Sobors have convened to resolve the most important and fateful issues for the life of the Church and the state.  In 1613, after a difficult period of captivity, civil strife and unrest, the Russian people gathered at the Zemsky Sobor in Moscow to elect a Russian tsar.  Mikhail Feodorovich Romanov was elected to the throne.  To confirm this election, the people swore a great oath (a concordat vow) of allegiance to the autocratic tsars elected to the throne, the Anointed by God, the House of Romanov, until the 2nd Coming of the Lord.  The ratifying charter stated:

     “The Lord God sent His Holy Spirit into the hearts of all Orthodox Christians, as with one voice they cried out that in Vladimir and Moscow and in all the States of the Russian Kingdom, the Sovereign, Tsar and Grand Prince of All Russia, the Autocrat, should be You, the Great Sovereign Mikhail Feodorovich.
     They kissed the Life-giving Cross and the Lord-God, that for the Great Sovereign, honored by God, and chosen by God and beloved by God, Tsar and Grand Duke Mikhail Feodorovich,  Autocrat of all Russia, and for His Blessed Queen and Grand Duchess, and for Their Royal Children, whom God will henceforth give to Them, the Sovereigns, to lay down their souls and heads, and to serve Them, our Sovereigns, in truth and in truth, with all their souls and heads.
     It is ordained that the Chosen One of God, Tsar Mikhail Feodorovich Romanov, shall be the Progenitor of Rulers in Russia from generation to generation, responsible for his deeds before the One Heavenly King.  And whoever shall go against this Council Decree—whether Tsar, Patriarch, or any man— let him be cursed in this age and in the next, for he shall be excommunicated from the Holy Trinity ...  And whoever shall refuse to obey this Council Code, which God has willed, and shall begin to speak otherwise and stir up gossip among the people, then such a one, whether of the clergy, or of the boyars of the Tsar's senate and military, or of any other common people, of whatever rank he may be; "according to the sacred canons of the Holy Apostles, and the Seven Ecumenical Councils of the Holy Fathers, and Local; and according to this Council Code, he will be deposed, and excommunicated from the Church of God , and will not receive the Holy Mysteries of Christ, as a schismer of the Church of God and all Orthodox Christianity, a rebellion and destroyer of the Law of God, and according to the Royal Law he will receive vengeance; and our humility and the blessing of this entire sacred Council will not be upon him from now on and forever.  May it be firm and indestructible in the years to come, throughout generations and generations, and not a single line of what is written in it will pass away."

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Dishonor thy father

Archpriest Gregory Williams, 2016† September 28

 buried at 1180 Orthodox Way, Liberty Tennessee, local cult-parish church Annunciation 

  August 15, 2024 traitor ROCOR-MP priest Matthew, son of Archpriest Fr. Gregory Williams, served a memorial service at the gravesite of his father, with his mother present and an unidentified cameraman present.

  Traitor ROCOR-MP priest Matthew includes ROCOR-MP newly departeds in his list of commemorations.  Fr. Gregory NEVER would have agreed to be included in such a list — of departeds who submitted to the ROCOR-MP union or anyone else in world-orthodoxy.

Then, next, the video was uploaded to the "ROCOR Studies" website.  This is more demonic gloating; MP confiscated Fr. Gregory's son and causes him to betray his father.... (betrayal is not the first thing, nor the worst thing).    The  ROCOR Studies website was created in the first place for the purpose of rewriting ROCOR history, and for stealing — claiming the beauty of the true ROCA as its own, pretending it was theirs all along. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpR5TB_HT_g

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Before he died, Fr. Gregory confided in several of his trusted parishioners that he did not trust his matushka to stay in the ROCOR if she survived him.  And truly in 2017 she would have gone into the ROCANA schism with defrocked bishop Andronik, if certain parishioners would have allowed it. 

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The "Religion of the Future" is here now

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An evil faith and a false Church is arising."  

St. Theophan the Recluse
(often quoted by Archbishop Averky)

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Vladyka Agafangel Homily on Nativity of Theotokos

ROCOR: Patronal Feast at the Convent
Author: Metropolitan Agafangel. Date of publication: September 8/21, 2026. Category: ROCOR.
http://internetsobor.org/index.php/novosti/rptsz/rptsz-khramovyj-prazdnik-v-zhenskom-monastyre

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The Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos marks the patronal feast day of the convent (Abbess Alexandra). On this day, Metropolitan Agafangel celebrated the Divine Liturgy there, concelebrated by Hieromonk Iakov and Deacon Georgy Kucherenko. Following the service, a festive monastic meal was held.

A celebration of the spiritual dawn breaking over our land. A sermon by Metropolitan Agafangel delivered during the patronal feast of the convent in the village of Egorovka, near Odessa (Abbess Alexandra). The Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, September 8/21, 2026.

Nativity of Theotokos Homily
Vladyka Agafangel
2026

The Church praises the Mother of God, singing: "From you shone forth the Light to the world—Christ our God."  That is to say,

If Christ is often compared to the sun, then today’s feast can be compared to the dawn.  This is the first feast of the church year.  And the entire circle of our life begins with the dawn — at the moment the Mother of God was born. At last, the human race had awaited the one who would be worthy, so that Christ might be born of her.  Christ, of course, is the true sun—the spiritual sun.

We know that in the heavenly kingdom there will be no celestial luminaries.  The only light there will be the light of Christ.  That is to say, Christ will illuminate everything.  As for the present time, right now... the day has already passed, and the spiritual darkness of sin, apostasy, and unbelief is already thickening around us.

These are likely the final days — for given how faith has waned and sin has multiplied on earth, surely nothing like this has ever happened in history.  May God grant us the strength to withstand this darkness surrounding us.  

And that is why we must earnestly pray to the Mother of God, the Mother of Light, so that she will help us stand firm  ...so that the light of Christ may remain in our souls until our very last breath.  

May the Lord protect you all.  Amen.

Sermon taken from You Tube transcript and put through the Google machine translator.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up6dWkk8rzk

Note from Joanna:
     Just the opposite of world-orthodoxy, to which ROCOR-MP now clearly belongs, the historic true ROCOR has always obeyed Christ's command to watch.   Our ROCOR Fathers have always been keenly aware of the signs of the times, and never neglect to encourage us to be mindful of the times.  This is so unlike world-orthodoxy that not only neglects end times teachings, but even will ridicule you if you express an interest in it.   Once I pointed out something that Archbishop Averky had said about the end times to a newly-submitted ROCOR-MP priest.  He silenced me by abruptly scolding me, "Worry about your own end."  Apparently, ROCOR-MP Abp. Kyrill, Western Diocese, had instructed his priests to immediately squelch any interest in end times with this reminder.  Soon later, from a different newly-submitted ROCOR-MP priest, I found out the hard way that it is not ok to say anything that might imply questioning of the new calendar. 
     It was not a kindly explanation that since now we are in communion with new calendarists that we must be careful not to disparage the new calendar and to be "Christian" about it.  Rather, he yelled at me: WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE NEW CALENDAR?!  THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE NEW CALENDAR!!  And everyone in the room also learned not to ever again dare say anything disapproving of the new calendar. 
     How comforting it is! how fortunate we are! to be in the historic ROCOR with our trusted Fathers, such as Archbishop Averky and Fr. Michael Pomazansky and Fr. Seraphim Rose.  

Update in Joanna's Shared Library

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UPDATE TO 

Joanna's Shared Library 

In David's folder, the pdf of Journey Beyond Death has been updated in a 2nd version to include the last page which was missing in the 1st version

Another way to find updates is when you are in Shared Library, click on UPLOADED having the little arrow point down.  The most recent uploads are on then on the top of the list.