A representative of Synod of ROCOR(L) Bishop Michael (Donskoff) brought two Ukases to Bishop Agafangel of Odessa
(Vertograd, Odessa)A representative of Synod of ROCOR(L) Bishop Michael (Donskoff) of Geneva and Western Europe visited Odessa Diocese of ROCOR(L) on April 25-28. This Diocese is known for its struggle against the union with Moscow Partiarchate, so that the leadership of MP raised the question of liquidation of this Diocese.
The official reason of the visit of Bishop Michael was the "regulation of the situation with the parishes and clergy at the Ukraine before signing the Act of canonical communion between ROCOR and MP on May 17". However, in fact Bishop Michael presented an ultimatum to Bishop Agafangel by showing him two opposite Ukases of the Synod of Bishops of ROCOR(L). One of them was the unknown before decision to move Bishop Agafangel to Brazil, to the Diocese of South America. Another Ukase was about his suspension in case of his disagreement to be moved to Brazil.
In reply to this Ultimatum the clergy present at the meeting with Bishop Michael applied to be retired.
According to some sourced Bishop Agafangel received the Ukase to be removed to Brasil, where many people of the Diocese of South America do not support the coming unity with MP. In any case because of visa and documentation difficulties Bishop Agafangel will not be able to go to Brazil before May 17. His decision is understood my many as a "time out" before the coming union that will change very much the current situation in ROCOR(L).
A new book has been published on Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky), the third Chief Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad
(Vertograd, Saint Petersburg)"A Pillar of Fire. Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky) and the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (1964–1985)", preparation of texts, commentary and introduction by Nun Kassia ( T.A. Senina): St. Petersburg, "Scriptorium" publications, 2007 (in Russian). 608 pages.
The St. Petersburg publishing house "Scriptorium" has released a book about Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky: 1903–1985), the third Chief Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (1964–1985). The book was prepared by nun Kassia (Senina).
Metropolitan Philaret was the great confessor of Orthodoxy in the twentieth century, the only leader of an Orthodox Church to come forward openly before the whole world to denounce the new heresy of ecumenism — for during the presidency of Metropolitan Philaret, the heresy of ecumenism was synodically anathematized by the Bishops' Sobor of the ROCA in 1983.
This hierarch strove to support the zealots and confessors of Orthodoxy throughout the whole world — both the members of the Catacomb Church in Russia, and of the Old Calendarist Greek jurisdictions. The incorrupt relics of Saint Philaret were recovered in 1998.
This present book contains a "Life" of the Saint, his epistles, letters, selected sermons, church documents and papers, the recollections of his contemporaries, and likewise a description of the glorification of the Saint by the Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church in 2001, together with the service composed in honor of the Saint.
Some of this material is appearing in print for the first time. The book is furnished with 62 photographs.
The book can be obtained from the publisher:
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