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The Orthodox Christian News Service

Published by Stetson University Russia Religion News, December 12, 2003

ROCOR Conference Assesses Church In Soviet Times

SECOND AND THIRD DAYS OF PAN-DIASPORA PASTORAL CONFERENCE OF ROCOR: NEW DETAILS

Portal-credo.ru, 11 December 2003 - On 9 December, the Pan-Diaspora Pastoral Conference of ROCOR, which began the day before, continued its work. After the Divine Liturgy in the church of the Protection in Nyack, in which the conference is being held, reports continued in the auditorium of the parish school and a round table and discussion were held, the official site of ROCOR reports.

The second day of the conference was opened by a report by Archpriest Nikolai Artemov (Germany) on the topic "Sergianism and the condition of the Russian Orthodox church according to decree No. 362." Fr Nikolai called for making nonacceptance of "sergianism" "indulgent and more comprehensible for believers in Russia." In his opinion, it is necessary to take account of differences of understanding of several basic concepts that have developed in order to facilitate correction of contradictions between ROCOR and RPTsMP. A number of older priests called attention to earlier letters from councils of ROCOR on the issue of "sergianism," and to the need for clear determinations on this subject, and they also touched on the question of the illegality of discipline by Metropolitan Sergius against those who disagreed with his position.

At the round table on "The Russian Orthodox church (Moscow patriarchate) in the years of soviet rule" four priests spoke. Fr Andrei Papkov (diocese of Eastern America) spoke of the inhuman conditions of life in the militantly atheist country. Archpriest Mikhail Protopopov (diocese of Australia) confirmed this and also reminded conference participants about the parable of the prodigal son. Archpriest Ioann Shaw (diocese of Chicago) shared his opinion about the appearance of "sergianism" outside of Russia, when many did not agree with such phenomena in church and parish life, but were silent. Archpriest Georgy Mitrofanov (St. Petersburg, RPTsMP) touched on the question of continuity of church authority in Russia after St. Patriarch Tikhon. He spoke of three tendencies among the opposition to Metr. Sergius. In conclusion Fr Georgy pointed out that RPTsMP now "acknowledges the truth of the ecclesiastical path" of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia and the catacomb church (in the person of hierarchs who did not accept the way of Metropolitan Sergius, metropolitans Agafangel, Kirill, and others) and the best evidence of this, he said, is the fact that opponents of the way of Metropolitan Sergius were enrolled in the canon of saints by the Moscow patriarchate. The glorification of these saints in 2000 was a turning point in the ecclesiology of RPTsMP. In the course of discussion, the following questions were touched upon: the juridical "rehabilitation" of new martyrs, the attitude of RPTsMP to the White movement, Russian Liberation Army, and Russian Corps, as well as the trip of the delegation of the Moscow patriarchate to ecumenical worship in Assisi.

After lunch Archpriest Peter Perekrestov (diocese of Western America) presented the views of the holy prelate Ioann, the Shanghai and San Francisco wonder worker, on the Russian church in the 20th century. Fr Peter noted three basic propositions that penetrate the thoughts of St. Ioann with regard to the church in general and the Russian church in particular: 1) the church is universal and one of its main tasks is to spread the faith of Christ among those who do not yet know the truth, 2) the gates of hell will not overcome the church despite all heresies and schisms and despite the unworthiness and apostasy of many of the even most highly places ministers of the church, and 3) the council of the ungodly took possession of Russia but through repentance and renewal it will arise again.

Conference participants went to the synodal cathedral of the Presentation in New York for the all-night vigil on the occasion of the patronal feast in honor of the miracle-working Kursk Mother of God icon. One hundred forty priests greeted Metropolitan Laurus. The vigil was served by Archpresbyter Valery Lukianov. At the time of the polyeleos Metropolitan Laurus exited with a host of archpastors and priests. A song of praise was sung to the Mother of God and to St. Serafim of Sarov. A special icon had been painted for the holiday, the healing of the young Prokhor (the future St. Serafim) before the Kursk icon. Before the veneration of the icons the first hierarch delivered a sermon devoted to the holiday.

On 10 December the liturgy was concelebrated with Metropolitan Laurus by Archbishop of Berlin and Germany Mark, Archbishop of Sidney, Australia and New Zealand Ilarion and bishops Kirill of San Francisco and Western America, Ambrose of Geneva and Western Europe, Evtikhy of Ishim and Siberia, Alexander of Buenos Aires and South American, Gavriil of Manhattan, Mikhail of Boston, Agapit of Stuttgart, and Peter of Cleveland. At the minor entrance the treasurer of the synodal cathedral Fr Andrei Sommer was awarded the rank of archpriest and synodal priest Fr Serafim Gan was awarded a gold pectoral cross.

After the song of prayer to the Mother of God and St. Serafim, a festive meal was held in the hall of the synodal building. At the meal Metropolitan Laurus gave festal greetings to all and reminded all of the words of St. Serafim: "Save yourself and thousands around you will be saved." (tr. by PDS)