How Did We Know He Was A False Elder?

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.Do you remember Fr. Raphael Berestov?

He was the Mt. Athos hieromonk, who, back in 2017, published an open letter calling ROCOR-MP bishops to remember the ROCOR Anathema of 1983 against ecumenism.   He said Pat. Krill Gundychaev was a heretic and refused to commemorate him.   Fr. Raphael was also known for being a disciple of a famous confessor of previous Russian Patriarchs, (Pimen, Alexy I and II). 

In hindsight we can now see he is/was a false elder. 

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F1cYkwNVaQ
1 minute

August 2024

 He surely was a tricky one, wasn't he?  But how could we have known back then?  How should we have known?

One clue we have to false elders is if they fail to condemn the new calendar.  Then we can and should know he is a false elder. 

Now, with Fr. Raphael, we can add yet another clue:  If they try to "work from within," then you know they are false.  The case of Fr. George Calciu should show us clearly that "working from within" is a false path.   Surely it is good to stay inside long enough to see if you can convince some others, like Fr. Raphael does with his open letter...  and like Metr. Philaret did with his Sorrowful Epistles.  Make an effort before giving up completely.  BUT, be realistic about how long to wait for others to come around, and realize when you are up against something too big for you.    

The ROCOR-MP union is an example.  We spent 6+ years trying to convince our friends and family not to do it.  But in the end, May 17, 2007, when they signed that paper — THAT is when it is obvious that you should throw in the towel  — to stick around after that and "work from within" is fooling yourself.  The OCA schism was the same thing.  Many priests, for the sake of their flocks, decided to work from within since they knew their parishioners would never understand... The result?  They themselves sank into darkness.  And they confirmed their parishioners in their folly.  See now how with the ROCOR-MP it is the same thing — 20 years ago ROCOR members NEVER would have allowed the crimes of the Soviet regime to be whitewashed and even praised like Metr. Sergius being applauded for"saving the Church."  

The new calendar might seem like a little thing.  Working from within might seem like a legitimate option.  But it's wrong: "give 'em an inch and they take a mile."  Don't let that "salesman" get his foot in the door!

How did we know Fr. Raphael was a false elder?  Because for all his voice, sense, determination, suffering  — he remained in the false Church.  This betrays everyone: God, family/friend and self.