Comments Posted By Jane Rachel
Displaying 61 To 90 Of 1,100 Comments
Another Response to Myself (Wink, Wink)
Henry, thanks also for the link to Swift’s piece. Yow. Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” is not out of date, because humanity doesn’t change, nor are we any less, or more, moral than we have ever been. Same old problems, nothing new here, folks. For some reason, while reading Swift’s essay, the image that came to mind was Beyonce’s half-time Super Bowl performance, complete with the bedazzled, adoring crowd’s reaction. And I was foolish enough to watch it. So glad I don’t have young children. They might have been devoured too, after watching that greedy insanity.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On February 6, 2013 @ 3:32 pm
Henry Chinaski, Thank you for suggesting we read Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant.” I did, and I see what you mean. .
» Posted By Jane Rachel On February 6, 2013 @ 2:54 pm
The allegations stated in the second paragraph, together with the fact that these allegations are connected directly to a priest in good standing who posts here regularly using his full name, along with a named parish of members who are stated to be well-informed, should, if evidence is given to back up the claims, be enough to dissolve the membership of the Holy Synod of the OCA . Or at least make Carl wonder.
More questions. Please explain:
Why would an investigation into these allegations be easier said than done? I’m asking. Why can’t other Orthodox leaders outside the OCA step in? Where is the investigation? How do these parish members know so much? Did they ask for evidence and was it provided, or are they basing their decision to leave the OCA on what they’ve read on the internet?
» Posted By Jane Rachel On February 6, 2013 @ 11:10 am
3) the people were very informed and wanted to leave the OCA, because of the corruption of our Synod (uncanonically conspiring to oust Metropolitan JONAH by financial blackmail, publishing false and outrageous slander against +JONAH before the world press, allowing bishops to keep large caches of sodomy videos, firing whistleblowers of priestly sexual misconduct and deviancy, saying we have a “zero tolerance” for sexual misconduct but bringing back a bishop perpetrating such, allowing an archdeacon to serve despite his marrying another man, bishops propositioning priests for homosexual sin, ruining priests’ reputations and setting up sham spiritual courts, allowing conflict of interest in financial dealings with seminaries, silencing disagreement, bullying and intimidation as the means of pastoral care, etc.) and various injustices perpetrated and/or covered up by our bishops (e.g., against +JONAH, against Fr Zacchaeus, against Fr Ray Valencia, against Fr Vacille Susan, against Fr Gregory Jensen, etc.).
Please explain:
What do you mean when you say that the Synod uncanonically conspired to oust Metropolitan JONAH by financial blackmail?
Do you know what “Madam” (a member of Met. Jonah’s family) meant when he or she wrote that Metropolitan Jonah was “forced to resign under threat of instant removal”?
» Posted By Jane Rachel On February 6, 2013 @ 8:54 am
Lessons from the Enthronement of Metroplitan [sic] Tikhon
Wait a sec.
Why should he have to live on donations?
I would like to know what the standard procedure is for releasing an Orthodox bishop when a request for release has been submitted. As far as I know, no one has answered that question here. I would also like to know the circumstances under which a bishop would not be released after he requests a release. Who decides and on what basis do they make their decisions?
» Posted By Jane Rachel On February 4, 2013 @ 6:28 pm
What Yours Truly presents makes sense, if you think about it. It stands to reason because it’s the right thing to do, that Metropolitan Jonah would not be abandoned by his brothers, especially after having been pressured to step down by them. And they are very public, high-ranking religious leaders of an Orthodox Church – THE CHURCH. After all, it would be the right thing to do. We know that the high-ranking ROCOR leaders stated publicly that they hoped Metropolitan Jonah would be treated fairly. If the Synod releases him, he can start working again. If they don’t release him, he can’t. If they want to pressure him into staying in the OCA, that’s unethical. So, no matter which way you slice it, we can see from the facts we know, even without told by people who say they were there, that the Holy Synod is not being fair to Metropolitan Jonah. If you are wondering about a person, it’s sometimes helpful to see whether they have a track record in that area. They do. We also have testimony from a retired OCA bishop that Archbishop Benjamin stated Bishop Nikolai would be released “Over my dead body.” Anybody see how unChristian that is? It’s a control pattern. Stop condemning the messengers and start looking at the facts. Sheesh!
We know that Metropolitan Jonah has not been released from the OCA. Leaders who were doing the right thing by their brother would release him. You can cut away at “Yours Truly” but can you justify the actions of the Holy Synod? It stands to reason that the ROCOR bishops would ask Metropolitan Tikhon to take care of Metropolitan Jonah. It stands to reason that the Holy Synod would tell those ROCOR leaders they would treat him fairly. Yet nothing has happened.
Metropolitan Jonah doesn’t have a paycheck.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On February 3, 2013 @ 8:23 am
+Jonah’s Release Requested More Than a Month Ago
Father Eric Tosi helped me out in a big way when I really, like really really, needed it. Thank you, Father Eric. I’ve never forgotten your kindness.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 28, 2013 @ 6:28 pm
Perfect!
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 22, 2013 @ 10:38 am
If Metropolitan Jonah’s paychecks stopped at the end of 2012, then he has had 28 days without a paycheck. Perhaps one of the items on the agenda of the Holy Synod meeting today is to decide where he is to go when they release him. It doesn’t make the whole situation better, and it doesn’t justify their treatment of HB, but it’s possible they have been waiting until the enthronement and the meeting today to grant the release. The most important thing is that he needs to start working and getting paid again so he can make a living. You can’t survive without money.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 28, 2013 @ 12:47 pm
I want to know the answer to this question: “WHAT IS GOING ON?”
If Metropolitan Jonah did not ask the OCA for a release at all, then several someones are lying (including, according to the honorable Lola J. Lee Beno, Metropolitan Jonah himself). If he did not ask the OCA for a release to ROCOR (or anywhere at all), then somebody, or more than one somebody, is missing something. If we reread all the comments made here regarding the release request made by Met. Jonah from those who say they know, we do see them stating that he did request a release from the OCA. However, I don’t see anywhere in those comments the idea that Metropolitan Jonah requested from the OCA that he be released to ROCOR. We read only that he requested he be released from the OCA:
Lola J. Lee Beno says:
January 20, 2013 at 8:03 pm
Yes, I have heard from him, in presence of others as well, that he has requested that the Holy Synod release him from OCA. I’m still waiting for them to make up their mind about the release request.colette says:
January 20, 2013 at 8:17 pm
Yes-He has requested the synod release him from the OCA!!! The ball is in the OCA synod court.Nikos:
Dear All,
I think it would be good for the OCA synod to hear from us who post here how we would feel if the synod refused to let +Jonah be released to the MP/ROCOR? What would be our reaction?
I offer this because it looks like Metropolitan TIkhon’s promise to release him is going to be scuttled by +Benjamin, and +Nathaniel who are leading the charge to continue the abuse of +Jonah and his internal exile.
Will this action finally be the breaking point in the relations between the ROC and the OCA? What should be our reactions as members of the OCA?
» Posted By Nikos On January 24, 2013 @ 8:28 am
“Interested Bystander:
+Jonah provided a request for release to the OCA and another request for ROCOR/+Kyrill to accept him; +Hilirian communicated with +Kyrill; +Kyrill sent a letter to Hilarian requesting +Jonah go to ROCOR; +Hilarian (ROCOR) requested the OCA Synod to release +Jonah to him…then nothing!!! NOTHING!!! This was months ago!!!
This was ALL done by letters with traceable numbers on them. How do I know? I was in the office of +Hilarian when the deal was set!!! He and I spoke of the letters – the actual letters – that exist.
Questions I have: I do believe Metropolitan Jonah asked to be released, because I believe (especially her) that Lola J. Lee Beno is not lying when she says she heard it from Met. Jonah himself. But does is matter if he asked to be released specifically to ROCOR? Even though it seems ROCOR asked the OCA that he be released to ROCOR, did Met. Jonah specifically request release to ROCOR? It seems he did request from ROCOR that ROCOR receive him. Then I think, well, maybe the OCA Holy Synod does want or need to hear from Metropolitan Jonah where he will be released before they will release him? On the other hand, they are … well… not exactly getting Blue Ribbons in the sterling reputation department.
Finally, I would like to ask Bishop Tikhon whether Bishop Nikolai has been granted a release by the Holy Synod from the OCA to the Serbian Orthodox Church, as you state below that he has requested, and if not, can anything be done about that? Do they have the canonical right to deny his request?
“Metropolitan Jonah stated that Archbishop Nathaniel and Archbishop Benjamin, when queried about granting Bishop Nikolai’s written request to be released, each stated, “Over my dead body.”
Bishop Nikolai has never been cited or accused of any canonical or legal crimes. He has served honorably and well in Serbian Churches around Australia and around Serbia over the past few years even while going difficult, long-term therapy for cancer, and the Serbian Church has requested he be released to It in accordance with his own request and after receiving Metropolitan Jonah’s assurance that there is no canonical impediment to his release.”» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 27, 2013 @ 4:33 pm
Dear Interested Bystander,
I’m quite sure you are telling things as you see it, and the fact that you are close to the situation so you can report what you saw makes a big difference. There’s no reason to believe you are fabricating stories. What you have written makes far more sense to me than to dismiss and discredit you just because you won’t use your real name. I have been struggling for seven years now over the past corruption in high places in the OCA leadership. A change happened within myself when I read your comments. I think now that it’s too late for them. They have had years and years to do what’s right, and they are only getting worse. They know the truth. That is so sad. After all, King David repented publicly, (and I’ll bet THAT was embarrassing!), but he was a man after God’s own heart.
Based on what I’ve been able to gather online from the man himself and those who know him, Metropolitan Jonah has integrity and prays constantly. He’s not vindictive. Even though they are afraid because he has the “goods” on them, he’s not going to use THEIR tactics to try to destroy and smear them the way they tried to destroy him. I believe he will do his best to do the right thing, not for his own sake, but for their sake, and for the sake of the Church.
Looking forward, all I can say to them now is, “Let Metropolitan Jonah go and get on with your business.”
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 25, 2013 @ 10:17 am
We’re too immature to get it like he does, don’tcha know.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 22, 2013 @ 5:00 pm
Here is a delightful ninth-century cat poem by an Irish monk/scribe:
Pangur Bán
(translated by Robin Flowers)I and Pangur Ban my cat,
‘Tis a like task we are at:
Hunting mice is his delight,
Hunting words I sit all night.Better far than praise of men
‘Tis to sit with book and pen;
Pangur bears me no ill-will,
He too plies his simple skill.‘Tis a merry task to see
At our tasks how glad are we,
When at home we sit and find
Entertainment to our mind.Oftentimes a mouse will stray
In the hero Pangur’s way;
Oftentimes my keen thought set
Takes a meaning in its net.‘Gainst the wall he sets his eye
Full and fierce and sharp and sly;
‘Gainst the wall of knowledge I
All my little wisdom try.When a mouse darts from its den,
O how glad is Pangur then!
O what gladness do I prove
When I solve the doubts I love!So in peace our task we ply,
Pangur Ban, my cat, and I;
In our arts we find our bliss,
I have mine and he has his.Practice every day has made
Pangur perfect in his trade;
I get wisdom day and night
Turning darkness into light.» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 21, 2013 @ 11:41 pm
Fr. George wrote:
Friends, let’s get one thing straight. It isn’t a game. It is Christians trying to figure out how to do the work of God in their time and place, and making *LOTS* of mistakes along the way.
In the time and place of the Galatians, for example, the Church was trying to figure out how much the fledgling Church was supposed to “borrow” from the version of OT Judaism being practiced at the time. The more energetic participants got so mean with each other that the apostles had to call a council at Jerusalem and St. Paul had to write a stiff epistle full of warnings like “if you bite and devour one another, look out lest you get gobbled up.”
Is not the same. Sure, some comments here are mean. Welcome to humanity. Sure, leaders make mistakes. These are not just “mistakes.” These bishops are KNOWN (not gossip knowing, but real knowing) to be doing, and to have done, far more damage to the Church and Holy Tradition than simply making mistakes. How many times do we have to read all about it? Should we link yet again to the facts?
Do you think St. Paul or St. Peter or any of the early Church Saints would want these men to continue leading as if nothing is wrong and nothing needs to be made right before the Church can heal?.”Abstain from all appearance of evil,” says St. Paul.
Anyone who has been reading about the OCA or experiencing it personally for the past seven years knows, or should know, that the early Church problems are not the same as what is going on here; that there is no way to compare the likes of the bishops on the OCA Holy Synod with the leaders of the early Church. Saints don’t steal, lie, cover-up, have illicit sexual relationships, look at porn, have to have their stomachs stapled, write provocative emails to young women, write letters in the guise of “wise leadership” that make no sense but are intended only to destroy, abandon their abbots, have shadows and skeletons in their closets, support and allow clergy to live in homosexual or any other kind of unbiblical relationships, look the other way when their fellow bishops are caught in criminal (yep, it looks like “criminal” fits some of those shoes) acts.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 21, 2013 @ 1:46 pm
It is TERRIBLE that he has no food or money and nowhere to live. Your anger is justified and I’m sorry to have contributed to it.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 20, 2013 @ 10:45 pm
Hello.
Q. What do Max and Metropolitan Jonah have in common? says:
“, the truth is he has no food, he has no shelter and still owns his used vestments and ecclesiastical headgear but must move these used articles somewhere.”
That is TERRIBLE!
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 20, 2013 @ 10:39 pm
He has food, shelter, clothing, etc. Able to teach. Serving at the ROCOR altar as their guest. Right? He’s okay, right? Things are hard, people were mean to him, but he’s okay. Not exiled to another country, not thrown in jail,not physically harmed, not defrocked, or stoned, or threatened, not hated by all the people, time is passing, he will be all right, things will work out. I am most sorry for him and his family and what they’ve been through because of the recent death of his beloved sister. I am sorry for their loss and I know how hard it must be.
As long as he’s serving and teaching, has support from friends, is not alone, and not on the streets penniless, and hasn’t lost his faith, then he’s probably thanking God every day for all the blessings (and even the hardships?) God has given him.
But if he isn’t being released to ROCOR (and therefore doesn’t have any way of earning a living) because the Synod/Syosset/People In Control are being stubborn or unwise, then of course, they need to get unstubborn and wise up. It certainly isn’t helping their reputation.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 20, 2013 @ 3:15 pm
American History According to Andrew Cuomo
WONDERFUL! Thank you!
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 16, 2013 @ 9:29 pm
Cynthia, You know a lot more than I do in some areas, and I always read your posts. Your comments are interesting even with the typos. Thinking outside the box is good. One of my favorite people in the world, and a great inspiration to me, is Temple Grandin. I hope you’ve read about her and watched the movie “Temple,” which is about her life and her great accomplishments.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 15, 2013 @ 7:40 am
Jonah the Prophet: Muzzling Military Chaplains
You’re right, George, of course, and your point is well taken. I did not mean Romney was a polygamist, but that Romney is a Mormon and therefore, perhaps, also not of the “Western Cultural Tradition.” (Speaking of the early Mormons, my Great-Great-Great Grandpa, Nathaniel Riggs, was one of the original 200 men of Zion’s Camp. Cool, huh?)
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 29, 2013 @ 12:08 am
George M. wrote:
“well, since polygamy..[was] NEVER present in the Western cultural tradition (not that they didn’t happen, they just never had any sanction), ”
Until Romney?
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 28, 2013 @ 11:54 am
How Far is St Nick’s from the National Cathedral?
Father John Jillions wrote in his diary today:
With a vision so compelling and a continent so huge, why are we so small? What do we need to do to retool ourselves, our parishes, our clergy, our seminaries to bring the Orthodox Christian Gospel more effectively to North America?
Perhaps the leaders of the OCA who sincerely wish to do God’s will for the sake of the Church should consider taking a clue from the Antiochians and their leaders. Lately the phrase that comes to my mind when pondering the OCA problems has been, “What would Metropolitan Philip do?”
All the best to Metropolitan Tikhon.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 16, 2013 @ 1:33 am
Are these things true?
If Archbishop Benjamin recently chrismated a transvestite couple; if Chancellor Jillions is in favor of communing practicing homosexuals in the Orthodox Church; if Protodeacon Eric Wheeler, who led the original charge, is also in favor of the same; if Mark Stokoe, a gay man who calls his partner his wife, and who led the Orthodox people of the OCA against many, including Metropolitan Jonah; if a retired OCA bishop is allowed to this day to live with his male lover, a practicing deacon in the OCA (whether they are practicing homosexuality or not doesn’t matter because it is not appropriate in any case); if other bishops, reposed or not, were or are homosexuals, if Archbishop Benjamin is guilty of staring for hundreds of hours on company time at pornography; if a man got so drunk in Archbishop Benjamin’s basement that he DIED; if Father Kondratick is innocent of the allegations of which he was accused and then condemned by most of the Holy Synod of the OCA; then why should the Orthodox people continue to support and respect these men? Why are the people, who have a clear, unedited voice on Monomakhos, accused of gossip by Father Jillions? That is an old, worn out tactic. A bunch of hooey.
If Metropolitan Jonah signed the document as a unilateral action because he knew many of his fellow OCA leaders were in favor of changing the Orthodox Church to accept communing practicing homosexuals regularly, and allowing their bishops to remain in office as homosexuals; then we may have a valid reason behind his signature. Would the Holy Synod at the time have approved his signature? If not, why not? Perhaps it would have been good for him to have asked them for a public statement, and if they disapproved, asked them why they disapprove. Men say one thing publicly but their lives belie what they say. It’s hypocritical.
As for the speech, I was surprised he would ask “the Ecumenical Patriarch to leave Istanbul and move to Washington, D.C. or New York City and head a united Orthodox Church in this hemisphere” without consulting anyone. What’s up with that?
Very strange.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 14, 2013 @ 12:01 pm
Madam,
Was Metropolitan Jonah actually “forced” to resign? I’m not doubting you, but would like to understand. Did he have any choice and if so, did he want to say no to the pressure, and if so, was he threatened? Could he have refused? What do you mean by “instant removal” (if that is what you mean)?
Thanks.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On January 19, 2013 @ 7:07 pm
Nate and George,
I lived in South Africa and Namibia for several months in 1986-1987. By a strange coincidence, I happened to be on the last plane allowed to fly out of New York bound for South Africa before sanctions were imposed. I traveled throughout both South Africa and Namibia, stayed in several homes, and interacted with many people, including some influential religious leaders, and many very, very poor people (none of them white) – people representing all the skin colors there (Dutch Reformed Afrikaaner whites, Anglican English whites, Zulus, Sotho, Xhosas, East Indian, Colored, and American transplants.) Some whites were clueless about the shameful way they treated their “boys” and “girls” who tended their large gardens, washed and cleaned their houses, and kept the country from collapse, even though they were doing it on their knees, staggering under the weight of the whites who kept them in their place. Others, especially young people, were working towards change and wanted it desperately.
What Nate has written is the truth. I couldn’t agree more. No point in passing judgment to bolster your political views, unless you have walked with the people, lived, and eaten and talked with them. While in Cape Town my hosts took me to see the sights. I have never been to a more beautiful city. They pointed across the water to Robben Island and said, “Nelson Mandela is in prison on that island.” He was released only a few weeks after I returned to the United States.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On December 30, 2012 @ 5:02 pm
The Apostolic Mission of Bishops: A Short Reflection
George, the Holy Synod, including Metropolitan Jonah, should have heartburn over this mess. (I include Metropolitan Jonah because he made a public statement that the OCA was “raped,” and we all know what he meant.) What is the tactic called when the blame is shifted from the culprit to the person who protests? The Holy Synod caused the mess, didn’t they? King David cleaned up the mess he caused, so why aren’t they following his example? Much truth has been said here on Monomakhos. Several people who comment here know what happened, and who was lying, and why they were lying. I am convinced Father Kondratick is not guilty of the accusations made against him. I suppose that wrong will never be made right. And he is not the only one to have been thrown under the bus to protect the Almighty Image.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On December 30, 2012 @ 8:44 am
Laurie Paffhausen, May Her Memory Be Eternal
I am grateful for what Bishop Tikhon has written here about His Beatitude, Metropolitan Theodosius. Two photos of His Beatitude always come to mind whenever I remember him. The first is a photo that was taken just after the attack on the Twin Towers. Metropolitan Thedosius is finding his way along an avenue through the rubble and smoke. He is carrying an icon, which, I believe (if I remember correctly), survived when the OCA church located in the shadows of the Two Towers was destroyed. In the other photo, Metropolitan Theodosius is blessing an Altar. He is concentrating on the surface of the Altar and touching it with his hands as if nothing else in the world exists.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On February 16, 2013 @ 10:26 pm
Have We Reached The Tipping Point?
Basil, I believe Bishop Tikhon celebrated his 80th birthday yesterday! (?) Maybe he was busy eating cake?
In any case, may God grant him many more years!
» Posted By Jane Rachel On November 12, 2012 @ 7:06 pm
Guest Editorial: Dysfunction in the OCA
Monk James wrote:
How about forgiveness for Fr Robert Kondratick, including his reinstatement as an OCA priest in good standing?
After all, his innocence was proved in civil court.
Father Kondratick’s innocence was proved in civil court.
Is there something that can be done to get him reinstated, or do we have to wait for the OCA Holy Synod of to act?
The mess started with the Big Lie and the waters won’t begin to clear until this issue with Father Robert is dealt with. I never believed he was guilty, because the whole thing, from beginning to end, just smelled too fishy. Are Monk James, Father Martin, Nikos, Bishop Tikhon, and Amos liars? Of course not. Father Kondratick was cleared in civil court. The SIC report is full of errors. People who were interviewed for the report changed their story when questioned under oath. Look who headed up the SICs: Archbishop Job and Archbiship Benjamin. The allegations are false.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On November 6, 2012 @ 3:03 pm
«« Back To Stats PageFather Martin, I believe your eyewitness accounts and am hoping others will begin to realize that what really went on behind the scenes is not what the people were hoodwinked into believing. Yes, it is important.
Your testimony here is not hearsay, but what we read here is what you saw with your own eyes and heard with your own ears. (Based on what others who knew what was going on behind the scenes have written, it seems Archbishop Job had a pattern of acting in the way you describe. This further confirms for me that what you are saying happened, really happened.)
Archbishop Job begged forgiveness from fellow bishops more than once. Why? Why was he “shaking like a leaf” ? Was it fear? Why was he afraid? What wasn’t supposed to “go this far”? What was his part in it?
You wrote:
During the 90th Anniversary celebration of St. Nicholas Church in Mogadore, Ohio, I asked Archbishop Job what sin has Metropolitan Herman committed, what has he done wrong that has made you work against him. His reply was that “Metropolitan Herman had committed no sin but was in the wrong place at the wrong time” I asked him what he meant by that and he repeated the same thing. I received information that this same question was asked of Archbishop Job in the Midwest Diocese and they too received the same answer.
Wow. These are Archbishop Job’s own words! And it’s not the first time we see Archbishop Job saying someone was “in the wrong place at the wrong time,” as I remember. Does this mean he could justify “working against” his brother in order to do damage control, or to protect himself? And if the priests in the Midwest Diocese heard him say that, they must have come to the conclusion that a person who “had committed no sin” was being taken down “because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time”! Christlike? No, of course not. Shouldn’t that knowledge make those Midwest priests disgusted with themselves for supporting their bishop so strongly and adoringly? Doesn’t that make them responsible in some way for what happened to Metropolitan Herman?
Metropolitan Herman was not the only one to say he hoped Archbishop Job had “repented of all his sins” and was “tormented” in his soul. We can also read what Bishop Nikolai said about Archbishop Job to Father Joseph Fester in the emails and phone conversations stolen by Bishop Mark Maymon and published by Mark Stokoe.
» Posted By Jane Rachel On November 3, 2012 @ 9:42 am
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