One person's problem choosing a church

11/26/2015 

updated 12/15/2024

from Joanna's note pad:

Someone said that someone said:

"I had seriously considered the GOC-K last year (2014) but the more I read the pompous and disturbing writings of this new Bishop of Etna and Portland and his cohort, Met. Chrysostomos, the more I backed away"

I do believe that someone said that.  I'm actually very familiar with this – whatever you want to call it.  Actually, this is a very good description of Etna: "pompous" + disturbing"

We in ROCA are not permitted to publicly criticize our hierarchs, which would include the hierarchs in our Sister Churches.  But conscience does not allow me to ignore this observation made by a potential convert, a newcomer to Orthodoxy.  So let me say this:

(please read between the lines...)

Etna is not all of the GOC-K.  Etna is not an accurate representative of the whole of the GOC-K.  Etna is Etna and Etna has been Etna for a long long time (since 1982).  Etna was separate from the GOC-K until 2014.   Etna bishops now have a voice in the GOC-K Synod, but they do not rule the Synod, and they have to answer to the Synod.  

 

Recently an Etna edict was imposed on a priest who then appealed to the Synod, and the Synod ruled in favor of the priest.  No GOC-K bishops, including the Etna bishops, go completely unchecked.  But caution is still advisable.  If it is not possible to join the GOC-K without going directly through Etna, then do not let that prevent you from seeking membership in a Royal Path jurisdiction.  (Contact me privately for help in avoiding conflict with Etna.  Basically, you have to lay low.  Never confront an Etna bishop with a contradiction, even in the form of a question — or else you risk being black-balled.  If you must ask a question, bend over backwards to show that you will accept their answer — no matter what it is — as coming straight from the mouth of God.

No matter where you are in the Church there will be problems.   We live in a fallen world, and the Church Militant is in the fallen world.  Problems are inevitable wherever you go, but you are better off in a Royal Path jurisdiction where there is at least a fighting chance against the wiles of the demons.  The Royal Path Churches have the grace, but you will soon see that not every member is promised to receive that grace.

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update Sept 2023:  

There is some hope that Etna will be cleansed as the right people in the GOC become more and more involved with the seminary.  But, I see so much horror also being added, more intellectuals (even from the GOC bishops) and more of similar spirit of Bp. Auxentios (fake humility)... so I don't know yet...   

The one good thing is that Bp. Auxentios does not have a clone, like Bp. Chrysostomos had a a clone...  But there are many who bow before Bp. Auxentios, and if these folks come into power, then there is nothing good ahead for Etna. 

Check to see if Etna is still teaching a "Christian Evolution" or if they have repented and embraced the Holy Fathers as Fr. Seraphim Rose teaches in his Genesis, Creation, and Early Man

https://genesiscreationandearlyman.blogspot.com

https://app.box.com/file/538138705817?s=gkbgi6nq16q5a3y1q1mlpxxdma4b7hlj

Also check to see if Etna repents from thinking Harry Potter books have a Christian theme.

https://app.box.com/folder/131942401053?s=388gxsa386y8v1p0pqrovwpzcxqfttqg

Do your research discreetly.

I speak as an insider who partakes of the same Cup as Etna.  Etna is part of the GOC, and ROCOR is in communion with the GOC.  Our God permits these things to happen inside the Church.  All of Church history in the Lives of the Saints shows this garbage happens.  The question for each of us is how do we respond? Do we buy into it?  Do we risk being black-balled for opposing it?

~jh (the black-balled)  

 p.s.   It's ok that I'm black balled.  I'm 75 years old.  I have nothing to lose.  Etna can not hurt me.  But Etna could cause much grief for somebody younger, especially if they have a family, and/or if they are stuck in Etna's diocese.   So my advice is to be careful.  Stay hidden.