Comments Posted By Helga
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Extra! Syosset Reports of Deal Struck with Met. Jonah Not True
Totally agree, despondent.
We got a little information about it from Stokoe’s interview with Svetlana Vais, apparently Metropolitan Jonah has been offered various “positions” and rejected them. No comment on the actual feasibility of those positions, or whether the Synod means to put him through the six months of “therapy” in order to take them, or what would happen to his parents in the meantime.
Metropolitan Jonah has no real future in the OCA.
» Posted By Helga On November 24, 2012 @ 9:08 pm
Rod, I noticed that, and that they also took the opportunity to prominently refer to His Beatitude by their scornful and idiotic deprecation of his title.
But I think it is best to ignore their stupidity for now, and grieve for Laurie, and pray for her family.
» Posted By Helga On November 19, 2012 @ 3:37 pm
Fr. James, if I recall correctly, the accident was not even a month after Fr. Michael and Deborah’s wedding and his ordination.
But you are right, the Dahuliches were not at all at fault. It was a horrible accident.
» Posted By Helga On November 14, 2012 @ 7:49 am
Have We Reached The Tipping Point?
Your Grace, thank you for letting us know. May the Lord have mercy on him.
» Posted By Helga On November 8, 2012 @ 11:06 pm
Nikos, I hear you. It’s like a disease – Syosset Syndrome, or Autocephalitis.
They really think God blesses their evil and treacherous behavior. Please, someone put the OCA out of everyone else’s misery.
» Posted By Helga On November 26, 2012 @ 10:49 am
Nikos and Um, look at the picture from Parma council that Fr. Jillions thinks shows Christ “embracing” them.
Christ Pantokrator depicts our Lord as All-Powerful: the Lover of Mankind, but also the Righteous Judge.
God is not mocked.
» Posted By Helga On November 21, 2012 @ 8:57 pm
The parents’ names are Jim and Louise. My heart is broken for the Paffhausens. May Laurie’s memory be eternal. May the love of Christ and hope in the Resurrection be with her parents and brother.
» Posted By Helga On November 18, 2012 @ 5:47 pm
While I agree with the spirit of what Fr. Ted wrote, Fr. Ted’s motives are ugly and as plain as day. Bishop Matthias was rather conservative on certain liturgical matters that really stuck in Fr. Ted’s craw. It is no wonder that Fr. Ted is seizing on Bishop Matthias’ weakness to discredit him entirely. I find Fr. Ted’s statement sickening.
I am disappointed in Bishop Matthias. I thought he was right to remove Stokoe from the Metropolitan Council, and to make the liturgical directives that he made. Yet he willfully participated in this horrendous and wicked persecution of Metropolitan Jonah, culminating in the latter’s forced resignation. Then, despite having taken a vow of celibacy in his monastic tonsure, he tried to romantically pursue a vulnerable woman young enough to be his granddaughter. While those are wildly different sins, the common feature of these moral failings is that they both betray a failure of judgment and discernment.
I believe Bishop Matthias ought to retire, and either stay in a monastery or do desk-type work for the Church. I do not think he should be defrocked unless he persists in chasing women. He seems sincere when he says he believes his intentions were not impure, but he is seriously deluded, in a way I do not think any secularized head shrinker could understand, much less fix.
Bishop Matthias needs kindness and spiritual counsel, preferably from a brother monastic experienced in pastoral counsel. (Hey, I hear Metropolitan Jonah is not so busy these days.) Bishop Matthias does not need the reckless enabling attitude of Syosset, nor the ministrations of someone who will see his desires as “normal” and “healthy” expressions of sexuality that should not be repressed, only acted out privately and with someone more willing than the complainant would have been.
If the OCA were as truly concerned about legal risk as they pretended to be in the Stinkbomb, they would never consider allowing Bishop Matthias to return as a ruling bishop or even be in charge of a parish. The fact that they have explicitly allowed the possibility just throws the lie that was perpetrated against Met. Jonah into sharper relief.
God help us.
» Posted By Helga On November 9, 2012 @ 12:42 pm
Yes, that’s right! And the theme from “Rawhide”, because those were the only country songs they knew.
» Posted By Helga On November 5, 2012 @ 8:51 pm
Fr. Philip, I am so sorry that you suffered such a terrible experience at the hands of an OCA priest. I am glad that the pain of that circumstance has faded for you. You will be in my prayers for your continued healing.
Now for the present case, we first have to consider that Bishop Matthias has not exhibited one shred of cognizance of his sin against this young lady, much less repentance for it. His letter is apologetic, but it proves once again that he does not even recognize why he is being punished. He thinks his supposed “pure” intentions vindicate his cause, showing no apparent recognition that as a vowed celibate he ought not have pursued affections for anyone. Unfortunately, that really limits the amount of mercy in discipline that ought to be extended to him, and makes the Synod’s kid-glove treatment of him that much more mind-boggling.
If Metropolitan Jonah handled a priest in his diocese the way the Synod is handling Bishop Matthias, Metropolitan Jonah would have been strung up in the town square. In fact, Metropolitan Jonah was directly accused of malfeasance and putting the OCA at legal risk, even though we do not know whether or how much repentance the accused parties may have shown to Met. Jonah, and Met. Jonah was not the only decision-maker involved in those cases.
In the case of Bishop Matthias, unfortunately, it is very clear he does not recognize the gravity of his transgressions. Yet he is being extended this very public opportunity for rehabilitation, and anyone who might question this is chastised for not showing forgiveness and willingness to give him a second chance.
Bottom line: the Synod’s condemnation of Met. Jonah now fits their own actions. By all means, let them be measured to the standard they forced Met. Jonah to be held to.
» Posted By Helga On November 5, 2012 @ 2:46 pm
I was picturing the bishops standing behind chicken wire, like the band in the country bar in The Blues Brothers!!
» Posted By Helga On November 5, 2012 @ 12:16 pm
SVS probably can’t afford generators for the whole school or even part of it. There are fuel shortages all around there anyway, how would they keep them running?
If SVS had to cancel classes for two weeks, that was probably their only option. May God protect all of them.
» Posted By Helga On November 3, 2012 @ 12:55 am
94% of Newark, New Jersey is without power. Someone ask Kanye West if this means Obama hates black people.
» Posted By Helga On November 2, 2012 @ 7:41 pm
Unfortunately, people in Manhattan tend not to stock up on things. I think it is the general lack of storage space in apartments coupled with the regular availability of stores that are not only within walking distance, they also deliver groceries to your door.
They did open a Costco and a Target in SpaHa a few years ago, though.
» Posted By Helga On November 2, 2012 @ 2:51 pm
George, at least 150 people are dead from Hurricane Sandy, some in the Caribbean but mostly in the US. Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn and Queens were badly flooded. The Breezy Point neighborhood in Queens, had a fire in the middle of the hurricane and flood that claimed over a hundred homes. Power outages in NYC and New Jersey continue.
The subways and commuter rail have been greatly affected – the South Ferry subway station was flooded to the ceiling. Many people depend on the trains and the MTA has been exerting a truly heroic effort to get NYC moving again. Subway and automobile tunnels crossing the rivers were also flooded, and the power outage has made it difficult to pump out the water.
Both the Syosset chancery and SVS are without power at the moment and suffered downed trees, but thankfully no structural damage.
Hurricane Sandy was not a particularly strong hurricane, but it was the most massive Atlantic hurricane on record, and every warning ahead of the storm about its impact turned out to be completely true. My only hope is that survivors will remember Sandy before accusing the government or media of “hyping” a storm. If you escape a hurricane with little damage, it does not mean the storm was “hype”, it means you dodged a bullet, and you may not be so lucky next time.
I have spent nearly all of my life living in places at risk for tropical cyclones, and could never say enough to make people take these storms seriously.
» Posted By Helga On November 2, 2012 @ 11:13 am
Sons of Job: The Canons Prohibit the Bishops from Voting at Parma
Fr. John, Little Vespers is actually a different office from the Daily Vespers you are describing. Little Vespers is a short version of Vespers that gets served in the early evening when an all-night vigil (Great Vespers + Matins + Liturgy) will be served overnight: one will have Little Vespers, a break, Compline, a break, then the vigil starts with Great Vespers leading directly into the other services.
» Posted By Helga On November 5, 2012 @ 9:51 am
They read to “Student complains of homosexual…” and quit because if “Student” is complaining about homosexuality, he must therefore be a bigot who is out to get gay people.
» Posted By Helga On October 30, 2012 @ 8:56 pm
Just Guessing makes an excellent and necessary point about what the “light” truly is, and what Stokoe mistakes it to be.
However, I see the difference between Stokoe and the Sons of Job being that Stokoe hypocritically exposed the sins of some (and exaggerated a few), while hiding the sins of others. The Sons of Job appear to be trying to bring hypocrisy to light, not simply exploiting others’ sins for the sake of creating scandal or advancing an anti-Christian worldview.
Still, when you look into the abyss, the abyss also looks into you.
» Posted By Helga On October 30, 2012 @ 8:47 pm
How have our DC, NY, and Northeast friends fared through Sandy? Is everyone okay?
» Posted By Helga On October 30, 2012 @ 2:37 pm
Basil, good point. How is it that $70,000 in expenses got racked up in the monastery’s name, then the Abbot is allowed to ditch the monastery and leave the country? Hmmm.
» Posted By Helga On October 30, 2012 @ 9:04 pm
Oh, good, it’s nice to see that the OCA Synod is against slavery. So when do they plan on emancipating Metropolitan Jonah with a canonical release?
They shouldn’t forget to fork over the back pay he’s owed, too.
» Posted By Helga On October 26, 2012 @ 10:51 pm
Metropolitan Jonah has had the same spiritual father for 20 years or so, Bishop Pankratiy of Troitsk.
» Posted By Helga On October 26, 2012 @ 10:30 pm
Absolutely, praying for Met. Jonah is especially important right now. Providentially, October 26th is the feast of St. Demetrius the Myrrh-streamer of Thessalonica, who I understand has been known to intercede for our Met. Jonah. Not only is St. Demetrius a great martyr and wonderworker, he is a great intercessor in battle.
Apolytikion in the Third Tone
The world has found in you a great champion in time of peril, as you emerged the victor in routing the barbarians. For as you brought to naught the boasts of Lyaios, imparting courage to Nestor in the stadium, in like manner, holy one, great Martyr Dimitrios, invoke Christ God for us, that He may grant us His great mercy.Kontakion in the Second Tone
God, who gave you invincible power and with care kept your city invulnerable, royally clothed the Church in purple with the streams of your blood, for you are her strength, O Dimitrios.Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius, intercede for our Metropolitan Jonah and his family!
» Posted By Helga On October 26, 2012 @ 12:25 am
Sons of Job: More Details of the Impending Lawsuit at St. Tikhon’s Seminary
Indeed, happy birthday to our Metropolitan Jonah! Eis polla eti Despota!
» Posted By Helga On October 20, 2012 @ 8:27 pm
I agree, Fr. John. Fr. Atty is an outstanding priest, and his health status was well known prior to his becoming dean. I remember praying for him fervently when he was diagnosed, there was a prayer group about it on Facebook and everything.
It is reprehensible that anyone would dare to use Fr. Atty’s illness as a means to undermine his leadership. They sure didn’t mind Fr. Alexander Schmemann remaining dean of SVS while he was even sicker than Fr. Atty is. Fr. Schmemann was dean of his seminary until the day he reposed in the Lord.
If STS goes under because of this, I hope something good will come out of it, like its conservative influence flowing south to Crestwood.
» Posted By Helga On October 20, 2012 @ 7:46 pm
Your Grace, if that’s the case, why didn’t he sign it “Jonah, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All-America and Canada”? Seems like if he were doing what you said, he would have signed it with his whole title.
» Posted By Helga On October 30, 2012 @ 8:07 pm
Your Grace, what does it mean to you that the Synod accepted Met. Jonah’s resignation as written, with “Archbishop of Washington” under the signature?
» Posted By Helga On October 29, 2012 @ 9:23 pm
Nikos, like so many of the other accusations and insinuations about His Beatitude, it is quite obviously not true. Yes, I am sure it chafes them terribly that despite their best efforts to abuse and demoralize him, he has never slid into chemical dependence, sexual sin, or insanity, and remains coherent, clean, and well-mannered.
I have never seen him show the least amount of distress from vesting or serving, either. It must be all the Eis Pollas.
I’ve met OCA clergy who really do have bad manners and/or poor hygiene, who have real heart conditions and diabetes. If those things concern Stankovich and company so much, why can’t they do something about them?
» Posted By Helga On October 29, 2012 @ 9:10 pm
Stankovich, let me get this straight. So Metropolitan Jonah must be crazy because, like all other Orthodox monastics for the past several hundred years, he wears his hair long and tries to maintain inner stillness.
But if he were to claim he was a woman trapped in a man’s body, while going around wearing dresses and calling himself by a woman’s name, and saying that he wanted to have his body surgically altered to resemble a female’s, you wouldn’t find anything crazy about that!
Let me put it this way: I will be honored when you, the bishops, Fr. Hopko, and SLI all think I’m as “gravely troubled” as Metropolitan Jonah.
» Posted By Helga On October 28, 2012 @ 11:27 pm
«« Back To Stats PageYes, it’s definitely Bishop Mark. I wasn’t aware that he wasn’t telling people about it, since he made a public posting about it online several months ago. He probably is dieting like he said, since it is necessary to adopt healthy eating habits after a stomach stapling. Sorry for outing him, but in his posting he seemed rather pleased and grateful for the results.
I don’t fault Bishop Mark at all for getting the surgery, I am happy he was able to do something about his weight problem and that it apparently works. But people need to stop giving Met. Jonah such a hard time about his weight. What works for one person’s weight loss doesn’t always work for someone else, and suffering from morbid obesity does not automatically mean that person has a lot of choice in the matter.
It’s so strange to me that people like Stankovich would express such supposed concern about Met. Jonah’s cardiac health, but have no qualms at all about wounding and breaking his heart.
» Posted By Helga On October 28, 2012 @ 2:12 pm
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