Thursday, February 24, 2005

True Orthodox News: In Suzdal, the First ROAC Priest for Argentina is Ordained

On February 22, Metropolitan Valentine of Suzdal and Vladimir ordained Siluan Dignac to the Holy Priesthood in the Tsar St Constantine Cathedral for the ROAC's mission in Argentina. Fr Siluan was the first cleric ordained by the Free Russian Church for South America.

Father Siluan (Silvio Ergasto) Dignac was born on April 7, 1975, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, into a military family. He learned his Orthodoxy in early childhood from his maternal grandmother, although he was brought up in the Roman Catholic faith. From the age of 17, he began to study the writings of the Holy Fathers and began to attend a ROCOR parish in Buenos Aires from the age of 20. In 1999, he was introduced to ROCOR Bishop Alexander (Mileant) and helped Bishop Alexander develop his missionary website and seminary.

Fr Siluan and his wife were recieved into into the ROAC in March of 2004 by Archbishop Gregory of Denver and were given a blessing to start an Orthodox Mission in honor of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. After Bishop Gregory departed into schism, the mission remained faithful to the Free Russian Orthodox Church.