Clues how to recognize a false elder

November 16, 2014
Pseudo-elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra

 (clues are highlighted in yellow)

See this advertisement for neo-Platina's "Orthodox Word" magazine #296

http://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/product-p/ow296.htm

Issue #296, May-June 2014, Vol. 50, No. 3: Transfigured in the Night

Transfigured in the Night: The Life and Teachings of Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra, 

by Monk Maximos (Constas) & St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood

This issue features an in-depth biography of a major Orthodox elder and author of the late 20th century, Archimandrite Aimilianos of Simonopetra Monastery on Mount Athos. Fr. Aimilianos was one of the elders responsible for the spiritual revival on Mount Athos that began during the 1970s and continues to this day. Several of his books, such as The Authentic Seal, The Way of the Spirit, and The Church at Prayer have been translated into English and are spiritual classics. The author of this biography, Fr. Maximos (Constas), is a monk of Simonopetra and has provided us with the most complete biography of the Elder to date. Fr. Maximos is currently Senior Research Scholar at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, in Brookline, MA.

Why would Mt. Athos need a "spiritual revival"?  Compare this with any of the lives of the Optina Elders.  Next to the sobriety of the Optina elders, this is more the character of charismatics.  None of the Optina elders published their own biographies before their death.  Abbess Thaisia, one very rare case, wrote out her memories in obedience to St. John of Kronstadt.  

Look at the titles of his books....  and the title of the biography.  Transfigured in the Night.  Huh?  What is that supposed to mean?  Was it during his sleep, or, maybe... the "night" of these dark times?  Woo-ooo-ooo!  It this deep or is this deep (sarcasm)?

 It feels like something deliberately chosen to be "esoteric "-sounding.   Sober book titles are direct and simple.  St. John of Kronstadt, for example: "My life in Christ" is an example of direct and simple.  Are these titles supposed to be thought-provoking or suggest some hidden meaning?  Compare these titles with any and all of Fr. Seraphim's titles, or Archbishop Averky's titles of his many writings, or with the titles of St. Philaret of Moscow's homilies.  Immediately you can see a difference.  Being alerted to this, you are exercizing that "discernment muscle"  that will strengthen your ability to detect false elders.

Aside from that "woo-woo" feeling in the book titles, there are some concrete clues.  First of all is the generation — which is the 20th century.  Next, there is only one monastery on Athos that does not commemorate the EP (Esphigmenou.)  All the monasteries are obligated to defend the new calendar, regardless of how they might personally think about it.  Another concrete clue is the Research Scholar in Brookline.  This is a very world-orthodox institution.  Can we imagine a scholar doing a study on the Optina Elder Barsanuphius,, for example?   Can a scholar be qualified to impart the essence of the grace in true eldership?

Lastly is "birds of a feather" — and this elder is associated with the false elder Ephraim Moraitis, as well as others no so commonly exposed, such as Sophrony.  Best to focus on the elders that are not doubted or questioned.  Let that form your mind and your spiritual "receptors" will form naturally.

Loving truth is the best way I know to learn how to detect falsehood.  When we love truth, God knows this, and He can't bear to see us fooled — so He protects truth-lovers from falsehoods.  

"Lord, please do not let me be one of the many who will be fooled."