METROPOLIA REQUIRES ALL BISHOPS TO ATTEND SYNODAL COUNCIL AND BISHOPS' CONSISTORY Evlogia Kyriou! The Blessing of the Lord! The Metropolia has issued a very strong advisement to all bishops of the Syro-Russian Synod that they must all gather together in Duluth Minnesota this August 2007. The advisement was issued first in August 2006 and then announced in the Orthodox Christian Herald in all issues thereafter. His Beatitude also send personal emails to all bishops regarding this matter. The Council and Consistory is scheduled for August 5th – August 15th, 2007. The first two days are not obligatory but all should try to be there. The Bishops of the Synod are: His Beatitude Metropolitan Archbishop Stephen; His Excellency Bishop Timothy of Duluth (MN); His Excellency Bishop John of India; His Grace Bishop Simeon of Cleveland (OH); His Reverence Chorbishop Joseph of Belgium; Bishop-elect Cyril of Nicaragua; and Bishop-elect Samson of Tanzania. Archbishop Jovan (Byelorussian Mission of the Metropolia) is also expected to be present. It is expected that His Beatitude will be making an official announcement this Consistory and is requiring all bishops to here for this. The Metropolitan has declined to give any details of this announcement. He further has requested that all clergy in the United States be present, and those outside of it try to be present if they can obtain visas. June 14, A.D. 2007
ST NICHOLAS CENTER IN SUPERIOR CLOSES [Superior WI] As of June 18th, 2007, St Nicholas Center and Chancery located at 1318 Baxter Avenue, Superior Wisconsin, has closed. The Metropolia decided that the expenses in maintaining both it and St Mary Cathedral were amounting to high costs every month. This also means that His Beatitude will now have to reside at the Cathedral. St Nicholas began operations in December of 2003 and became the official residence of the Protohierarch, but with less donations coming in and the rising cost of living it was decided in February of 2007 to close St Nicholas and merge all offices there with the Cathedral in Duluth. Please begin sending all correspondence to the Archbishop or Chancery to St Mary Cathedral, 5907 Grand Avenue, Duluth Minnesota 55807.
NO UNION BETWEEN COPTS AND ROME By His Beatitude Metropolitan Stephen Recently I heard some Orthodox Christians talking about the Coptic Orthodox Church and their "union" with Rome dating back to 1988. It is a shame that such a misconception and twisting of the facts have been ongoing for so long. There never was a "union" between the Roman Patriarch (Pope) and the Coptic Patriarch (also referred to as "Pope"). On February 12th, 1988, Egyptian Orthodox Copts and Roman Catholics in Egypt officially laid to rest a 1500-year old dispute about the nature of Christ. This was done when representatives of both Churches signed an official "Statement of Accord on Christology." However, this did not constitute any union between the Copts and Rome, and the Copts are still separated from Rome and the Eastern Orthodox to this day. They are referred to as "Oriental Orthodox." The statement signed asserts that Jesus Christ "is perfect in His Divinity and His Humanity." The Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholic Churches both uphold the doctrine that Christ had two natures, i.e., God and Man, in one Person of the Holy Trinity. In the fifth and sixth centuries Coptic Christians and other Monophysites separated from both the Greek East and the Latin West because of a dispute over the Council of Chalcedon's "Christological Definition" (A.D. 451). This Council was attended by 650 bishops and was convoked by Emperor Marcian who refused the Pope of Rome's request to hold it in Italy. This Council combated the heresy that claimed Christ had only a divine nature and not a human one. This Council decreed that there are two distinct natures in Jesus Christ, divine and human. However, this was contested by a large number of non-Greek (Eastern) Orthodox Christians, so-called Monophysites from the Greek word for "one nature" because they taught that the incarnate Christ had only a single nature. The real problem back in A.D.451 was rooted in semantics, a misunderstanding of what the Council was trying to establish as truth and doctrine of the faith. In addition, there were differing philosophical starting points from which was approached the Incarnation. Nationalism and differences in culture and language aggravated the dispute. The Coptic Church of Egypt remained divided from other Eastern Orthodox Churches over Chalcedon until November 1987, when a similar agreement was made between them and Greek, Syrian, and Armenian Orthodox leaders. At that time, Christianity Today asserted that a "reunion" had been effected between the Coptic Orthodox of Egypt and the Roman Catholic Church, but this was not true. They still remain divided and they both have differing theological views on Roman issues such as Purgatory and Papal Supremacy – as do Eastern Orthodox with Rome. In fact, Pope Shenouda III, Coptic Orthodox Patriarch, was upset about the Roman Church'' proselytizing among the Orthodox. In response, the Coptic Pope required that all Roman Catholics converting to Orthodoxy be rebaptized. In 1988 there were approximately 4 million Coptic Orthodox members and about 200,000 Coptic Roman Catholics. The misunderstanding of what actually became doctrine in A.D. 451 is still obvious today. In December 2006, Bishop Timothy of Duluth, and I, were in dialogue with an Ethiopian deacon who believed that the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church both reject the doctrine that Jesus Christ was both God and Man. He actually believed that the separation was the fault of the Eastern Orthodox and not the Ethiopians or Oriental Orthodox Churches. He kept making reference to Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics as teaching that in Christ there were two "persons" instead of using the word "natures." Truly in the Holy Trinity we believe that three "persons" exist in one God. However, in Jesus Christ we believe that two "natures" exist in one Person. It is so easy for some to confuse just exactly what was decreed at the Council of Chalcedon, but many of the Oriental Orthodox are coming closer to what has been decreed and upheld by the Eastern Orthodox Church since it took place in A.D. 451. This was a major disagreement between Metropolitan Timotheos and Patriarch Ignatius Peter III back in 1894-97, the Patriarch holding firm to the non-Chalcedonian beliefs and the Metropolitan remaining faithful to the Council of Chalcedon. Oriental Orthodox are mostly comprised of members of the Armenian, Coptic Church of Egypt, Ethiopian, Malankara Syrian Church (Indian), and the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch. The Eastern Orthodox Christian Church maintains that the Monophysite heresy was and is still anathema and not sound Orthodox teaching.
COUNCIL OF CANONICAL AUTOCEPHALOUS ORTHODOX BISHOPS Change of Date - Notice "The
Council of Canonical Autocephalous Orthodox Bishops will become a shinning example to all others of how true Orthodox Christians should live together in peace and love for the greater glory of God, and the good continuity of
His Holy Church." (Stated by Archbishop Stephen at the announcement of the First Syndesmos). The First Syndesmos (CCAOB) will take place in 2007 from Sunday August 5th -Tuesday August 7th
, 2007
at St Mary Cathedral in Duluth Minnesota. This meeting will be most important for the "structured continuity" of the Council, and for the establishment of future requirements and expectations of new member bishops. At this time, it is planned that those who have been admitted will share in a concelebrated Divine Liturgy on the closing day of the Syndesmos on Tuesday August 7
th, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. at the Cathedral. Meals will be served during the events. His Beatitude announced that in 2008 the CCAOB Syndesmos will be detached from the Synodal Council of the Church, but this year the element
of time has dictated what would work best and give an opportunity for Synodal Bishops to meet those interested in the CCAOB.
By His Beatitude Metropolitan Archbishop Stephen Although the Roman Church does not consist of a plethora of national Churches, e.g., Polish Catholic Church, Hungarian Catholic Church, et cetera, it certainly has many parishes that offer the Liturgy in the vernacular of its parishioners which may be Polish, Hungarian, Romanian, Italian or many others. It is one Catholic Church encompassing many languages and customs. Even the Uniate Byzantine Churches belonging to Rome have maintained its customs but follow one Shepherd. If one travels to Canada or Cuba you will not see signage that shows "St John Canadian Catholic Church" or St Catherine Cuban Catholic Church." They are Roman churches belonging to the Roman Catholic Church in Canada or in Cuba. Unfortunately, this is not the case in Catholic Orthodoxy. Some jurisdictions do exist beyond national origins, e.g., our own Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Church, which has always admitted our Syrian and Russian Apostolic Succession in our Church's name, but we have never been an ethnic Church. As far back as its beginning under Metropolitan Timotheos (Vilathi) in 1892, it has been an "American Church" open to all regardless of color or ethnicity. Metropolitan Timotheos was of French decent but did not name the Archdiocese the French Orthodox Catholic Church. He did not allow himself to cater to the French exclusively, in fact he worked among the Belgians and Italians and Swedes, and then later many others trying to bring them to the faith of Christ God. However, others have maintained a very strong ethnic identity that has hampered the growth of Orthodoxy in years past outside of their national origins. Some of these are the Greek, Serbian, and the Russian Churches. These have maintained their ethnic languages in parish life both in their countries and outside of them. We must realize that in Christ there is neither Greek nor Jew. The same should apply to His Church. When the Holy Apostles went off to spread the faith they went to all people and not just their own. Elsewhere in this edition you will read articles taken from Vertograd newsletter that cover some current schisms within the Russian Orthodox Church that came into existence because of a union between the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia with the Moscow Patriarchate. One might profess that perhaps this union was not meant to be in the first place. One major concern is politics in the Russian Church of the Patriarchate, and another is the fact that the Moscow Patriarchate follows the Gregorian instead of the Julian Calendar, and the ROCOR follows the Julian. In many of the newsletters that we have read concerning this matter we have repeatedly witnessed statements such as "Such an union is good for the Russian people," or "We hope this unity will bring all Russians abroad back into unity with our homeland." The whole idea it seems is to bring Americans of Russian decent back into union with Russia by being in unity with the Moscow Patriarchate. Again, ethnicity plays an important part in this scenario. It is more honorable that all should wish to be in union with Christ God and of one faith with all Orthodoxy. I can recall when I was ordained a Greek Orthodox priest under the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese the number of people who asked how I, an Italian, ever became a Greek priest? Not "Orthodox" but a "Greek" priest. There was one who without a mixture of words said, "If you are not Greek, how can you be a Greek Orthodox priest?" It is a shame that such questions are asked. When a Norwegian is ordained a Roman priest, who asks how such a thing could happen if he is not Roman (Italian)? In the Syro-Russian Church this has never been experienced. Through the years many Polish, Italian, German, Norwegian, Greek, Russian, Lithuanian, Hispanic, and other nationalities have been ordained and never once was ethnicity brought into conversation, only happiness that another Orthodox Catholic priest was ordained. Our Church is a true "American Church" that is first Orthodox, and one that embraces all nationalities just as it did in its beginning. Although our first Metropolitan was consecrated in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and under a Bull issued by the Syrian Patriarch Ignatius Peter III, it has always been an American Church although today it reaches far beyond the boundaries of the United States. In the Greek Orthodox Church all bishops are Greek, in ours there is an Italian, Norwegian, Indian (from India), Hispanic, and African. Truly the Church of Our Lord knows no Greek or Jew. When the ethnic makeup of a jurisdiction comes before the faith itself, there will be disunity among the Orthodox in general. It is good to be proud of our ancestral identity, but as far as traditions and customs, and even language when among others of the same ethnicity, but not to a point when it becomes the basis of faith or the foundation of the Church.
ORDINATION SET FOR ST CLOUD MINNESOTA [St Cloud MN] The Metropolia announced that Father Deacon Steven M Johnson is to be ordained a Priest at St Michael & All Angels (SROC) Parish in St Cloud Minnesota on Saturday, August 18th, 2007. The Ordination Liturgy will take place at 4:30 p.m. with a reception for the new priest after. This will be the first ordination outside the Cathedral since 1990. It is usually the case that ordinations take place at the Cathedral of the Metropolia and Archdiocese, but this is being done so that the Holy Altar and Iconostasis at the parish can also be consecrated (anointed) as well. Father Deacon Steven will then be appointed the first pastor of St Michael's. Father Deacon is married to Presbytera-to-be Jennifer and they reside in St Cloud Minnesota. Assisting His Beatitude at the ordination will be Bishop Timothy of Duluth, and Bishop-elect Cyril of Nicaragua.
DONATIONS TO THE MEOPOLIA "Giving to Glorify God" (Matthew 6: 1-4). The Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Metropolia would like to thank the following for their generosity and love shown to God and His Church. Those wishing their names withheld are shown as "Anonymous." Donation statements upon request. You are asked to consider a donation to help the Metropolia with all its programs to St Nicholas Chancery, 1318 Baxter Avenue, Superior Wisconsin 54880-1762.
CHRIST THE PANTOCRATOR SOVEREIGN ORDER OF CHIVALRY [Kahului HI] The Metropolia has officially blessed and set plans for the First Induction of members into the Christ the Pantocrator Sovereign Order of Chivalry is expected for August 2007. The Metropolia also announced that Father Eric Demetrios Wruck, Kahului Hawaii, has been appointed Prefect and Protector of the Order of Chivalry as of April 12th, 2007. Father Eric, also a chiropractor, has had a long interest and passion for Orders of Chivalry in the Church.
By Bishop Timothy of Duluth (MN) During the pontificate of Metropolitan Timotheos (of Blessed Memory) several of the Syrian Byzantine customs were part of the Church, and several that went dormant for a period of time are now being resurrected with some modification. At this time they are not obligatory for all our parishes but certainly should be considered in the event that they are in the future. In the Syrian Church, during the middle week of Great Lent (usually around the Feast of the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste), after the adoration of the Holy Cross on the 3rd Sunday of Lent, the Golgotha is erected. It is placed in the front middle of the nave in parish churches for the people to venerate. This is a wooden pillar of sorts that is very tall (about 6-7'), and that has a platform on the top upon which stands the Holy Cross. This is done after the veneration of the Holy Cross. It is clad in crimson (reminiscent of He who was clad in crimson garments, Isaiah 63. On the side of the Cross, two candles (one on each side) and the cherubim (fans), and to this may be added the Holy Bible at the foot of the Cross. The pillar itself is veiled in crimson and this is venerated by all when entering and leaving the church, and is incensed during the Creed. This reminds us of the horrific and painful suffering and humiliation endured by Christ as He was whipped at the pillar. This remains until just before the Lamentations on Holy Friday. On the evening of Palm Sunday, Vespers is celebrated for the next day, along with the Litiya. Prior to the clergy entering the Holy Bema to begin Vespers, the chimes are rung constantly until all the clergy have entered and have reverenced the Holy Altar. After the Palm Sunday Liturgy, the main icons (Christ and Holy Theotokos) on the iconostas are veiled in black and remain so covered until just before the Paschal Liturgy. On Holy and Great Friday, during the Holy Gospel, when the words "… at noon there was darkness…" all the lights in the church are turned off except for the candles on the Holy Altar and at the Golgotha. When the portion is read about the "Good Thief" the candle on the left side of the Golgotha (which symbolizes the bad thief) is extinguished and broken. For the burial, the Cross is cleansed with rose water and flowers then wiped with a white linen cloth. It is then wrapped in a white linen sheet and buried upon the Holy Altar under a black cloth. Before the Lamentations, the Golgotha is removed and in place of it is brought the Holy Sepulchre (Tomb) upon which is placed the Epitaphion. The cherubim are placed on either side along with candles on both sides of it, usually one at each corner symbolic of the Four Holy Evangelists. The Metropolia will be issuing a "guideline" regarding this prior to Holy Pascha 2008. It will also be included in a new booklet to be available soon entitled "Traditions of the Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Church."
THE APOSTLES' FAST AND HISTORY IN ENGLAND By Father Aidan Keller Some think that the Apostles' Fast, or the St Peter Fast as called by the Russians, or the Post-Pentecost Fast as Western manuscripts call it, is an Eastern custom. Actually, it is simply one of those many Christian customs which East and West equally shared, in the days before the baneful Schism of 1054. We know that in the Celtic Isles St Theodore of Canterbury clearly spelled out this as one of the Lents of the year, in the 7th century. But some people have imagined that perhaps St Theodore was importing a Greek custom into England, since he was Greek. That would be awfully odd, considering that the Saint's language, liturgy, and even haircut had to be precisely Western since he functioned as a Bishop of the Western Patriarchate. But not only do we have the clear witness of St Theodore's Poenitentiale to the practice in the West of keeping the Apostles' Fast, we also read of it in the Capitularies which were issued by the Church in the Western lands under Charlemagne, in the early 9th century. But did this venerable Western custom disappear after that? Certainly not in England, because we read in the Speculum Sacerdotale (a 15th c. English Book of Sermons for Feasts) that there are four Lents in the year. The first mentioned therein is the Great Lent. Actually what the "Speculum" says is that "some" fast during these days. How astounding that this universal Orthodox custom of the East and West was preserved into the 15 th century in England, long after the Schism from the Church, by many of the pious folk there! So often "strange" customs of the Eastern Orthodox Church are simply a tenacious adherence to universal East-West customs of Catholic Christianity.
2007 COMMISSION CONFERENCE IN AUGUST 2007 [Duluth Minnesota] His Excellency Bishop Timothy of Duluth has announced that the 2007 Commission Conference will take place from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Friday August 10th, and the same on Saturday August 11th, 2007. On Sunday August 12th the day will begin with Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. and the Conference will officially end at approximately 3:00 p.m. The 2006 Commission Conference voted unanimously to change the date from July to August and the Metropolia approved this amendment. The Commission celebrated its 20 th Anniversary in 2006 and all members are urged to make plans to attend the 2007 Conference and start the next twenty years out right.
2007 SYNODAL COUNCIL-BISHOPS' CONSISTORY IN AUGUST 2007 [Duluth Minnesota] The 2007 Synodal Conference and Bishops' Consistory will be held from Friday August 5th until Sunday August 12th, 2007. The Bishops will begin meeting at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday August 5th, 2007 and continue until Sunday August 12th, 2007, and will be joined by all the clergy on Monday August 6th, 2007. The Clergy-Laity Congress begins on Wednesday August 8th, 2007 and ends on Thursday August 9th, 2007. This is all followed by the Commission Conference that begins that same weekend. The Metropolia has agreed to allow lay advisors attendance at the Council on Wednesday and Thursday only instead of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this coming year. Those who can be there on more days are urged to do so. All Bishops and clergy of the Church are expected to be in attendance this coming year, along with the newly elected lay advisors.
MEMBERS WITHOUT A PARISH The Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Church, like other small and smaller Orthodox jurisdictions, realizes that there are members who live far away from the nearest parish to them. In some cases, there exist parishes of other jurisdictions that are in communion with us or in which mutual recognition has been exchanged. In such cases our members may attend these churches until one of ours is opened in their locality. In other cases, there are those living in an area with no parish at all to attend, and for them they may belong to the Pro-Cathedral of St Mary and be on its rolls as a member. Such persons would be allowed to use the Typica Service within their homes on Sunday and Holy Days. Domestic Churches may be established in homes until a parish or mission can be officially established. "Distance Parishioners" would also be allowed to make their 10% tithe to St Mary's uniting them to the parish in good standing. For further information contact Bishop Timothy at . If you are interested in assisting the Archdiocese to establish a mission parish in your area, please write to the same email address..
APPOINTMENTS & ASSIGNMENTS
OFFICIAL FROM METROPOLIA Issue 1. (06.15.07/1): His Beatitude advises all clergy to make certain that their financial responsibilities to the Metropolia and Archdiocese are resolved before the issuance of new charters in September 2007. Issue 2. (06.18.07/1): Father Deacon Steven M Johnson to be ordained a Priest of the Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Church on Saturday August 18th, 2007 (4:00 p.m.) at St Michael & All Angels Church, St Cloud Minnesota, by His Beatitude Metropolitan Stephen. Reprinted. (09.23.06/1): Clerics being ordained deacons or priests must now spend the minimum of three (3) days with their ordaining prelate before the date of ordination. This is in order to take canonical examinations, be appropriately prepared, receive counsel, make a good confession, and complete the review process. There are no exceptions.
PAROCHIAL CHARTERS Established:
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
PRAY FOR THE SICK AND SUFFERING
Note: If you, or someone you know, is sick or suffering, please let us know and you (or they) will be added to the OCH Prayer List. Send full name, address and age. Thank you.
DONATIONS TO THE METROPOLIA
Readers wishing to contribute to towards renovation efforts and the building of three rooms at St Mary Pro-Cathedral in Duluth Minnesota are asked to send their donation to: St Nicholas Chancery, 1318 Baxter Avenue, Superior Wisconsin 54880-1762. The three new rooms in the parish hall will house seminarians who are preparing for the priesthood. Those who wish to donate $1,000.00 toward a room will have a plaque affixed over its door with their name or that of a loved one on it. This can also be in memory of someone. All donations will be listed and a gift will be sent.
POSSIBLE SCHISM IN MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE AND ROCOR(V) [Vertograd Moscow] Bishop Diomid of Chukotka Diocese (MP) and twelve priests of this Diocese, along with some monks and nuns, have issued a second letter to Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexey. This letter asked him to condemn ecumenism and to fix a number of serious problems in the Moscow Patriarchate. This letter released on June 7th is much firmer then the previous letter of Bishop Diomid issued six months ago. The new letter is actually an ultimatum, and it left no way back to Bishop Diomid and his flock. Another hierarch of the MP, Bishop Hippolitus of Husta at the Ukraine, supports Bishop Diomid. A large number of clergy throughout Russia have also joined them in support. In addition, there now seems to be another possible schism within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR(V) that seems to stem from the intended union by some autocephalous Russian dioceses with the Moscow Patriarchate. Bishop Anastasy of Vladivostok and Far East issued a letter on June 10th. The Bishop reminded that the opening of the Sobor of the ROCOR(V) was planned shortly after the Nativity. But now almost a year has passed after the repose of Metropolitan Vitaly, and there was no Sobor and no election of a successor First-Hierarch (equivalent to Protohierarch in the Syro-Russian Church). Bishop Anastasy explained the anti-canonical behavior of Bishop Anthony of Moldova of the same Church, who is trying to seize the power from the Church, and that Father Benjamin Joukoff blocked the possibility of a Sobor. The Russian Patriarchate has experienced many schisms over time, e.g., Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church (later Orthodox Church in America) that was finally granted autocephaly by Moscow; Russian Orthodox Church Abroad; Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia; True Russian Orthodox Church; Russian Orthodox Autocephalic Church; and a few others. Most were the result of political issues and the use of the Gregorian Calendar instead of the Julian Calendar.
CYPRIANITES ISSUE LETTER TO BISHOP AGAFANGEL [Omsk Moscow] Bishops of the Russian True Orthodox Church (RTOC) issued a letter to Bishop Agafangel of Odessa and Bishop Daniel of Erie, two bishops of the ROCOR(L) who did not recognize the union with the Moscow Patriarchate. The letter dated May 7th/20th was isgned by the head of the Synod, Archbishop Tikhon of Omsk and Siberia, his deputy Archbishop Benjamin of the Black Sea and Kuban, and the Secretary of the Synod, Bishop Dionysy of Novgorod and Tver. Archbishop Tikhon and his fellow bishops suggested to Bishops Agafangel and Daniel to start negotiations about the opssible union. They write that the true aim is "the Sobor that will unite all the healthy forces of the former ROCOR that did not take the road of sergianism or of sectarianism. They also specified two things in the Diocese of Archbishop Agathangelos that they found wrong: (1) the presence of the political party of Dmitry Korchinsky in the Church; and (2) the commemoration of civil powers of the Ukraine during the service. Almost on the same day, Bishop Daniel of Erie issued his official letter where he treats the RTOC even worse then the MP. This was elaborated on in his "Declaration of the Right Reverend Daniel on Forming a Provincial Supreme Ecclesiastical Authority of the Church Abroad" dated May 9 th/22nd, 2007 and published in "Vertograd" Newsletter 63, Friday, June 8th, 2007. The group under Metropolitan Cyprian (Old Calendarist) also issued a letter suggesting to form the union together with Bishops Agafangel and Daniel. However, the position of the Cyprianites is counted crypto-ecumenistic because the conception of Metropolitan Cyprian assumes that at certain conditions the heretical communities must preserve the grace of the Church Mysteries.
NIGERIAN ELECTION OF BISHOP RESERVED TO METOPOLIA [Imo State] His Beatitude Metropolitan Stephen, who has already issued several warnings to the Diocese of Nigeria, has advised Father Joseph Okoro, and the interim vice-chancellor, Deacon Anthony, that names and portfolios of eligible candidates will be submitted to the Metropolia. No person will be nominated or elected to succeed Bishop-elect Steven of Nigeria by the Nigerian Diocese due to many problems that have arisen there, but will be at the discretion of the Metropolia and the Synod. The interim vice-chancellor will receive all information on all those eligible and forward this to the Metropolia by August 1st, 2007.
BISHOP-ELECT CYRIL TO BE CONSECRATED [Managua Nicaragua] Bishop-elect Cyril of Nicaragua was elected to the Synod of Bishops unanimously and will be consecrated on Sunday August 5th, 2007, at St Mary the Theotokos Cathedral in Duluth Minnesota. He will be consecrated an Auxiliary Bishop of the Metropolia. He will then be enthroned as the first Bishop (Auxiliary) of the Vicariate of Nicaragua and Dependencies of South and Central America for the Metropolia. The Metropolia has also added Mexico as a dependency.
Advertise in the Herald You can advertise your parish, center, club or other organization in this section for $10.00 plus $.50 (fifty cents) per word. The Orthodox Christian Herald is sent to every diocese, which copies it on to local members. It is read by over 1,000 people and growing. Framed Icon of St Panteleimon, Patron of Healers Available from St Mary's Orthodox Catholic Church, 5907 Grand Avenue, Duluth MN 55807. Suitable for hanging in counseling centers, clinics, and in the home. $40.00, postage and handling included. Commission members are required to have this icon hanging in their offices and clinics. Order yours today. Lest We Forget Handmade nun dolls from the past. Full habits of many orders of nuns from various Churches including Lutheran and Roman. Nostalgia brought to your doorsteps. These are beautifully created and show the exact habits of nuns worn many years ago. The wife of one of our priests makes them. You can write for catalog or additional information to Father Patrick Lemming, St James House, 804 Catlett Road, Sevierville TN 37862. Religious Articles Hand-Made Chalice and Diskos Veils, Aers, Red Communion Cloths, Crosses, Analogia, Wooden Blessing Crosses (for house blessings), and other items for sale and made by Deacon Steven Johnson. All religious items are hand-made to order and inexpensive. For more information and prices please write to: Rev Deacon Steven M Johnson, 1719 South 7th Avenue, St Cloud MN 56301, or call 320-230-2609. Vestments for Sale Greek-style priest's vestments tailor made in 4-5 weeks. Available colors: White, Silver, Purple, Red, Green, Black, and Gold. Set includes Phelon (Chasuble), Epitrachelion (Stole), Cuffs, Zone, Aer and Chalice and Diskos veils. Cost per set: $600.00. For more information write to Chancery Office, 1318 Baxter Avenue, Superior WI 54880-1762; or email to . A Treatise on Chiropathy: The Holistic Healing Ministry is now available from St Nicholas Center, 1318 Baxter Avenue, Superior WI 54880-1762. The cost is $25.00 and includes Postage and Handling. Commission on Religious Counseling and Healing CRCH.RBSOCC.ORG For information write to: Dr Peter Smyth, Pine Valley Medical Center, 4600 Highway 7 #230, Woodbridge ON L4L 4Y7 Canada; or Father Timothy Kjera, Post Office Box 16201, Duluth Minnesota 55816-1612. This is a Licensed Society of Professionals in service to God through the Healing Ministry of the Church. The Companions of St Basil is open to married or single men and women wishing to share in the good works and prayers of the Monastic Community of St Basil. Those interested in the Companions of St Basil should write to: Moderator Dr Audrey Daniel CSB, PO Box 14518, Greenville SC 29610. Monastic Community of St Basil and Companions of St Basil open to those who wish to follow a monastic way of life or who wish to be associated with it in the secular world. Write to: Chancery Office, 1318 Baxter Avenue, Superior WI 54880.. The Community has monastic centers in the African Congo, Nigeria, Nicaragua, and Minnesota (USA)..The Sisters of the Community of St Basil are headquartered in the African Congo and are part of the Monastic Community of St Basil. Holy Mother of God Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Chapel, Chorbishop Joseph Mpongo, Louis Lambert Avenue 32A, 6040 Jumet Belgium. St Luke the Physician Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Mission Parish, VR Father Paul Jensen (Pastor), 339 NE 8th Street, Paris Texas 75450. St Mary the Theotokos Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Cathedral, located at 5907 Grand Avenue, Duluth Minnesota 55807. Clergy: His Excellency Bishop Timothy, Pastor; Deacon Steven M Johnson, Seminarian Mark Afzal, Seminarian Maximus Seipke, Assistants. Phone: 218-624-0202. Sunday Liturgy: 10:30 A.M. St Thomas the Apostle Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Chapel, 1719 South 7th Avenue, St Cloud Minnesota. Deacon Steven M Johnson, Administrator..
Dear Readers: The Department of Education, headed by Dr Basil Gikas of St Dionysios University of Athens Greece, has decided to discontinue including news in the Orthodox Christian Herald in lieu of starting its own newsletter. The newsletter will be sent by mail three times a year beginning in August 2007. This is an effort to provide more room in the OCH for Church news and events. The Metropolia also approved this. The newsletter will be called "St Mark's Messenger." If you are a graduate or student, please be certain to send your name and address to St Mary Cathedral, % St Mark Messenger, 5907 Grand Avenue, Duluth Minnesota 55807, along with your subscription of $15.00 payable to "Romano Byzantine." QUESTIONS Q. What is the "Ethiopian Orthodox Church?" Emmanuel Nnebe (Lagos Nigeria) A. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is part of what we call the "Oriental Orthodox" family and not the "Eastern Orthodox" family. It is a Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox Church that does not accept the definition of the Council of Chalcedon on the two natures of Christ God. Christianity came to Ethiopia in the fourth century and attributed to the early missionaries like Ss Frumentius and Edesius of Tyre. Syrian missionaries came later on in the fifth or sixth centuries, but although it flourished it suffered in time because of the advent of the Islamic faith. During World War II, the Ethiopian Patriarch was forced to abandon ties with the Coptic Church and in 1950 became autocephalous. There exists today a division between the Ethiopian Church and Eastern Orthodox, but this division appears to be shrinking with greater dialogue and understanding between the two. Eastern Orthodox and Romans both believe that in Christ there are two natures, i.e., God and Man (Divine and Human) in the one person of Christ. Oriental Orthodox do not profess this same belief but rather Christ had only a divine nature. This became known as the Heresy of Monophysitism. Q. Who are the Nestorians? John Simonitis (Schererville IN) A. The Nestorians are not Eastern Orthodox as some may think. In fact, they are to Orthodoxy the "Protestants of the East." The Nestorians of today are a very small remnant of the Eastern dioceses that followed Bishop Nestorius who was excommunicated in A.D. 431 because he denied the hypostatic union of the two natures of Christ. In essence, he believed that there were two sons and St Cyril condemned him for this. We refer to them as the "Protestants of the East" because of the following errors that they brought into their Church:
THE SAINTS AND FEASTS St Ignatius of Antioch St Ignatius was the first (enthroned) Bishop of Antioch, one of the five original Patriarchates of Holy Orthodoxy. He wrote eleven letters on the reality of Christ's divine and human natures. He taught that the reality of Christ is continued in the Eucharist and that the unity of the Church is dependent upon one's loyalty to the local bishop. Ignatius wrote seven letters on the three-fold ministry of bishops, priests and deacons. According to Origen, St Ignatius succeeded St Peter as Bishop of Antioch. St Ignatius died in A.D. 107.
|