Comments Posted By Helga

Displaying 211 To 240 Of 2,002 Comments

Ineptocracy, Continued

If I were Abbot Gerasim, I’d be running and screaming back to Platina.

» Posted By Helga On October 17, 2012 @ 6:33 pm

The “Outcast” or The Shape of Things to Come?

Of course they are, Charles… but not by their phenotype. Fr. John was incorrect.

» Posted By Helga On October 18, 2012 @ 7:17 pm

It’s not that simple, Fr. John. Sometimes a female is born with X and Y chromosomes: it’s a condition called Swyer Syndrome. She will be a woman, with female genitalia, and a uterus, but she will not have functioning female gonads and will therefore be sterile.

Also, males can have two X chromosomes, which is de la Chapelle Syndrome. They are men, but they too will be sterile.

» Posted By Helga On October 18, 2012 @ 2:12 pm

Guest Editorial: “Sons of Job” Call for New Leadership in the OCA

Mark, don’t forget the “highly confidential” SMPAC memorandum, which found its way to Pokrov at the same time.

Met. Jonah was loudly accused of leaking that, to one person, possibly. If he did, whomever it was kept the report in confidence. But since Pokrov posted it where anybody can see it and download it, it’s all quiet on the Syosset front. Also, much of the substance of the report, including names, was on OCAN long ago. We didn’t hear a peep from Syosset about that, either.

Not like it did Syosset a lot of good to leak it: now everyone can see how the prejudice against Metropolitan Jonah and attempts to undermine his leadership were well in motion before Santa Fe.

» Posted By Helga On October 19, 2012 @ 2:56 pm

AG, dude(tte), we know where “a city on a hill” comes from. Stokoe was plagiarizing some of the other stuff he said. He took it from some peace activist who is an ordained minister in the “Unity” weirdo cult.

» Posted By Helga On October 19, 2012 @ 2:50 pm

It’s more like Mrs. Paffhausen is biting the hand that beats her son.

» Posted By Helga On October 18, 2012 @ 10:52 pm

Herc, hey, that phrase is the exact opposite of “loyal young men”, isn’t it? And how aptly it describes what Met. Jonah had to work with. Met. Jonah is actually the one I got it from: he once described show-monastics as “old queens in Byzantine drag”, and somehow it popped into my head.

I find it atrocious that some people would read a perverted meaning into what he said, but I guess that’s where a warped mind goes.

When Met. Jonah talks about “obedience” and “loyalty”, he means cooperation out of love and respect, and wanting to have people around who are willing to do that. Pity nobody in Syosset has a clue what any of that means.

» Posted By Helga On October 15, 2012 @ 12:12 am

Amen, Fr. Ambrose. I am sick and tired of people telling us that we have to stick with the OCA out of a need for an “American” church.

First, it is phyletism to demand a bishop must be the same ethnicity or nationality as oneself.

Second, one harboring the desire to eventually have one united autocephalous church in North America does not mean that one has to support the current administrative constitution of the OCA. In fact, I think that fulfilling the desire for the former demands giving up on the latter.

» Posted By Helga On October 14, 2012 @ 7:22 pm

Well, surrounding Met. Jonah with backstabbing old queens sure didn’t work out very well…

» Posted By Helga On October 14, 2012 @ 2:05 pm

*euphemism

» Posted By Helga On October 13, 2012 @ 1:33 pm

Get out your Alka-Seltzer, Svetlana Vais has interviewed Mark Stokoe and put it on Portal-Credo.ru. It’s in Russian, but Google Translate’s take on it is passable reading, at least until you get to this part. Warning, the following may cause extreme projectile vomiting in sensitive individuals:

Ms Vais asks, “Do you think that could ever fulfill the dream of Patriarch Tikhon of Local Orthodox Church of America? Or our national and cultural roots will never allow us to do so? As is the case today. But, perhaps, it is for the benefit of American Orthodoxy?”

Stookey’s reply: “This dream has come true! This is called the OCA. This is the local Orthodox Church in America, even if it is not recognized as such by other local Orthodox Churches.”

He is right about one thing, though: “There is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed, and hid, that shall not be known.”

» Posted By Helga On October 13, 2012 @ 9:56 am

Herc, I actually wonder if that is aimed at “clarifying” pastor-parishioner relationships.

With new guidelines in place, that poor old confused Bishop Matthias can be safely returned to his see. And really, what other way would Syosset deal with something like this? They are bureaucrats: any and every problem can be solved by throwing a guidebook at it!

» Posted By Helga On October 13, 2012 @ 9:30 am

Text Messages Reveal Extent of Bp. Matthias’ Misbehavior

I don’t think there’s something innately wrong with a bishop having friends, even female friends. When he starts preferring a particular female over others, he’s getting into the danger zone and must carefully guard his thoughts, if not distance himself from her. If he feels himself attracted to her, alarm bells should go off in his head and he needs to distance himself immediately. But I would see nothing wrong or improper about a bishop simply having a female friend, although it would be best if his female friends were mature women or committed to celibacy.

Bishops who suffer from same-sex attraction would have a much harder time because they wouldn’t have male friends to fall back on, they would be the ones they are attracted to. They couldn’t get close to women either because that would at least foster rumor and innuendo, and he might find himself drawn to them, too. I’m not sure that people with same-sex attraction should be ordained at all.

» Posted By Helga On October 16, 2012 @ 11:05 am

o Hamartolos, he who calls himself “Xenia” is in a state of sinful delusion, according to his own testimony, and has mutilated himself to serve his delusions. It is not clear whether or not “Susanne” is also in this state of delusion and is in fact a man, or if she? is truly a woman but in a pseudo-lesbian relationship with this man.

I would hope no one is in favor of excluding them from the Church forever, but they are in a gravely sinful relationship and a travesty of marriage. Before they were chrismated, they should have been counseled to heal from the mutilation as much as possible, and live as God intended. Entering the Church is about repentance and being healed from our diseases. Instead, these two were driven further into the disease.

They need prayer. They have been horribly betrayed by people who were appointed by God to help them out of this sick delusion.

Thank God for the Manton monks who fled to safety rather than participate in this blasphemy.

» Posted By Helga On October 12, 2012 @ 12:03 am

Christine, I think a lot of people just don’t want to acknowledge that there is a problem. And it’s a HUGE problem. It’s a lot easier to just scapegoat the guy who’s already been identified as “The Problem”, right?

» Posted By Helga On October 11, 2012 @ 4:57 pm

Everyone keeps crediting Bishop Matthias with the Stinkbomb. He did not write it, he was merely the first to publish it with his signature.

The Stinkbomb was actually written by the Crisis Manufacturing Management Committee of the Metropolitan Council, headed by Archbishop Benjamin and Dmitri Solodow.

(Interestingly, Dmitri Solodow resigned from the MC after an argument with Fr. John Jillions, though I don’t know any more about it than that.)

As for this case, it is important to note that this is Bishop Matthias’s own behavior on the record. Syosset’s lovely interpretation of due process may have affected how it was investigated or how Bishop Matthias will be treated in the future, but nobody got Bishop Matthias in trouble except Bishop Matthias.

» Posted By Helga On October 10, 2012 @ 10:12 pm

Good grief! Anybody can be sexually harassed or assaulted, no matter what they look like! Attacking the victim is terrible!

And unfortunately, Bishop Matthias did look like a predator in that exchange. This is classic grooming behavior: going out of his way to treat her specially, gifts, having her in his home late at night and unchaperoned. One thing alone would not raise red flags, but the combination shows very bad judgment and an escalating situation that I am thankful the girl had the wherewithal to put a stop to before something even worse would happen.

I don’t care what his supposedly traditional views are, or how he got rid of Mark Stokoe. His behavior is COMPLETELY out of line for a pastor, a monk, or a bishop, and he is supposed to be all three! The last thing we need is another “traditional values” hypocrite!

» Posted By Helga On October 10, 2012 @ 8:32 pm

If it had been ONE questionable comment from the bishop that was quickly backed off from, I could see giving him the benefit of the doubt and advising him to be more careful in the future. If he’d apologized and explained himself immediately, I could see letting it go.

But this is SEVERAL comments, over the course of days. He only apologizes once trouble is afoot, and even then, he was trying to lay a guilt trip on her for thinking his texts were inappropriate, with the bit about not being able to be friends.

I applaud the complainant for coming forward. This would be unsettling enough if it were merely unrequited flirtation from a layman, but there is a power differential between a bishop and a laywoman. I was her age not long ago, and I know I would be terrified by this behavior from an older man, especially from a bishop who is supposed to be celibate.

If he knew as a widower priest that he had this weakness, I wish he would have either secluded himself in a monastery to minimize temptation until he could regain self-control, or else requested to be laicized and sought another wife. Nobody forced him to take monastic vows, nor accept consecration to the episcopacy.

» Posted By Helga On October 9, 2012 @ 4:03 pm

OCA Investigation Petition

Too many OCA bishops put the “sin” in Synod. I wish Metropolitan Jonah would tear up his resignation! He may not be perfect, but at least he can take a vow of celibacy and keep it.

» Posted By Helga On October 13, 2012 @ 7:26 pm

I think you nailed it, justagoodoleboy. We got a Metropolitan who actually wanted to act like a Metropolitan, but the administrators kept wanting to play Whack-A-Klobuk.

» Posted By Helga On October 13, 2012 @ 6:56 pm

Thanks, Loh, but that akathist is for a different St. Jonah. Met. Jonah’s patron reposed in 1461.

I have found that October 5th was the Synaxis of the Holy Hierarchs of Moscow, including St. Jonah of Moscow. Let us beseech their prayers for their daughter church in America.

I have also found an archived link to a service for those who have departed into error. Perhaps we would find this helpful. It contains the following Scripture readings:

Romans 16:17-20

Brethren, I beseech you, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Matthew 18:10-18

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if h e neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

And these prayers:

O Most High God, Master and Maker of every creature, that fillest all things with Thy majesty, and upholdest them by Thy might! To Thee our all-gifted Lord do we, who are unworthy, bring thanks, for Thou turnest not away from us on account of our iniquities, but all the more Thou goest before us with Thy compassions. Thou didst send Thine Only-Begotten Son for our deliverance, and didst preach the good tidings of Thine immeasurable condescension to the race of man: for with desire dost Thou desire and await, that we should turn to Thee and be saved: condescending to the weakness of our nature Thou dost strengthen us by the all-powerful grace of Thy Holy Spirit, and comfortest us with the saving faith and perfect hope of eternal blessings, and guiding Thine elect unto the Sion above, Thou dost keep us as the apple of Thine eye. We confess, O Lord, Thy great and invincible love for mankind and loving kindness.

But seeing the feeble impulses of many, fervently we pray Thee, O all-good Lord: look upon Thy Church and see, that although we have received Thy saving Gospel with gladness, nevertheless the tares of vanity and passions have made it bear little fruit in some, and in others no fruit, and through the multiplication of iniquities some by heresies, others by schism, in opposing the truth of Thy Gospel, apostatize from Thine inheritance, reject Thy grace, and subject themselves to the judgement of Thy most-holy Word. O Most compassionate and all-powerful, be not angry to the end, O Lord! Be merciful, Thy Church prayeth Thee, setting before Thee the author and finisher of our salvation, Jesus Christ, be merciful to us, strengthen us in Thy right faith by Thy might, and unto those that are deceived do Thou enlighten the eyes of their reason by Thy divine light, that they may understand Thy truth: soften their bitterness and open their hearing, that they may know Thy voice and turn to Thee our Saviour.

Correct, O Lord, the corruptions of others and the life not in accordance with Christian piety: make us all to live holy and undefiled, and so let the saving faith take root in our hearts and remain ever fruitful. Turn not Thy face away from us, O Lord, give us the joy of Thy salvation: and grant, O Lord, to the pastors of Thy Church holy zeal, and dissolve their cares for the salvation and conversion of them that are deceived, with the spirit of Thy Gospel: That all being thus guided may, we attain to where there is the perfection of faith, the fulfilment of hope, and true love: and there with the choirs of the most pure heavenly hosts may we glorify Thee our Lord, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages.

» Posted By Helga On October 9, 2012 @ 12:03 pm

I got multiple thumbs down below just for asking people to pray for the Metropolitan. It’s not something to take too personally.

» Posted By Helga On October 9, 2012 @ 11:18 am

Fr. Vincent, I’d be able to accept a correction if you were actually correcting me. But All in the Family said “As others have said here, saving Orthodoxy here is the goal, not the OCA.”

Let’s break it down:

“As others have said here” – All in the Family is agreeing with previous commenters

“saving Orthodoxy here is the goal” – the intention is to preserve existence of Orthodoxy here, meaning “in America”.

“not the OCA” – it is not necessary to preserve the institutional existence of the OCA itself in order to preserve the existence of Orthodoxy here in America.

At no point is the fullness of the Church referenced as being in any way vulnerable to extinction, whether All in the Family would be arguing for or against that idea.

You are getting a lot of thumbs down because you are both incorrect, and being somewhat belligerent in your incorrectness. Most people don’t care for that. Correct your facts and your attitude, and you may find more thumbs up in the future.

» Posted By Helga On October 9, 2012 @ 8:29 am

Everybody,

Please remember to pray for Metropolitan Jonah tonight, tomorrow, and for the duration of the Synod fall meeting. This is where the Synod intends to decide His Beatitude’s fate. It will be a crossroads for us all.

Please pray for Metropolitan Jonah, his parents, James and Louise, and his sister, Laurie, for their health and well-being.

Please pray for Archbishops Nathaniel, Nikon, Tikhon, Benjamin, Alejo, and Bishops Melchisedek, Michael, Matthias, and Alexander, that they will take the necessary steps to save their souls.

The 9th is both Archbishop Nikon’s birthday and Archbishop Tikhon’s nameday.

Order for Reading Canons and Akathists Alone

Akathist to our Lord Jesus Christ, Light to those in Darkness

Akathist to the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos

Akathist to St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco

Although I have not found an akathist to this saint, it would also be fitting to also ask the supplications of St. Jonah of Moscow (also known as St. Jonah of Kiev). You could say St. Jonah was the original “Metropolitan Jonah”, for he was the Metropolitan of the Church of Russia at the inception of its autocephaly. St. Jonah not only knew the burden of primatial leadership, he also knew the pain of being wrongfully deprived of his see.

» Posted By Helga On October 8, 2012 @ 8:53 pm

Fr. Vincent, while the fullness of the Orthodox faith is found in the OCA, it is by no means the entire Orthodox Church, and it absolutely can fall away from Orthodoxy. This does not mean the Church itself will die, but this one can wither on the vine and be cut off.

If we said that each Local Church would not fall on the basis of Christ’s promise to St. Peter, we would be liars. There was a Local Church so important, so distinguished, that it was once listed *first* in the diptychs. It was founded on martyred Apostles. Yet it fell away from the Church entirely. Does the OCA think it is more infallible than the old Church of Rome?

» Posted By Helga On October 8, 2012 @ 5:51 pm

Charles Demetrios, no one is suggesting that the Church (as a whole) will not survive this. You’re arguing against something nobody is even saying.

While yes, we need to be concerned about our own personal salvation rather than judging others, the one we saw beaten and left for dead is not a stranger to us, but our own beloved Metropolitan! Are we all to be priests and Levites, passing by on the other side? Will foreigners be the only ones to take him up and tend to his wounds?

And what about the others? How Christian is it to consign them to the last judgment and eternal damnation? It would be better for them to face the dread judgment seat as repentant laymen, than to take their priesthood or episcopacy to hell with them.

» Posted By Helga On October 8, 2012 @ 12:53 pm

Charles Demetrios, that is a fan page run by someone else. Metropolitan Jonah has nothing to do with its contents.

» Posted By Helga On October 8, 2012 @ 12:04 pm

Today it’s “Met. Hilarion Shmilarion”, tomorrow it’ll become “Patriarch Kirill Shmirill”. Then maybe the OCA’s autocephaly shmautocephaly will become a dead letter shmetter when they are not added back to Moscow’s diptychs shmiptychs.

» Posted By Helga On October 7, 2012 @ 6:49 pm

Veronica, is Metropolitan Hilarion scheduled to get a copy of the petition?

» Posted By Helga On October 6, 2012 @ 9:12 pm

We may not be able to hold them accountable. But somebody has to try, dammit.

» Posted By Helga On October 6, 2012 @ 4:14 pm