More from the Sons of Job: the Case of Fr Zacchaeus Wood

extra-news-boyMonomakhos has not taken an issue pro or con on the case of Fr Zacchaeus Wood except on this point: like so many other cases involving the OCA, there is a real fear that due process is not been followed, nor will be followed. We’ll know if Syosset is serious if they allow a vigorous cross-examination. My guess is they won’t. The reader will see why in the petition put out by Wood’s supporters and the serious allegations they bring up (which I have highlighted and you can read for yourself).

I have learned to trust the Sons of Job however. If nothing else, I admire their tenacity and loyalty to the late Archbishop Job Osacky of Chicago. A flawed man to be sure, but perhaps the only bishop who caused the nut of Syosset corruption to break in the first place. There must have been something about that man which inspired such great confidence in him and his legacy. Being a member of the Diocese of the South, I can appreciate that loyalty.

All that aside, the red flags of suspicion have been raised indicating to me at least that the sacking of Wood and his subsequent spiritual court have all the markings of a typical Syosset hatchet-job. Please take the time to read the petitions addressed to Syosset. If these allegations are true, then the case against Wood doesn’t pass the smell test.

On Sunday, June 1, 2014, Atty. Vladimir Berezansky wrote to the OCA Metropolitan Council:

Dear Metropolitan Council Member

Well, it just doesn’t get more clear-cut than the attached petition, folks. Lest you think that the parishioners of St. Catherine’s Representational Church here in Moscow are becoming less restive and perhaps tolerant of Father Leonid Kishkovsky’s imposed new order, the attached petition was sent to Metropolitan Tikhon and the OCA Synod of Bishops just last week.

All four of the petition’s named signatories, members of the St. Catherine’s Parish Consultative Committee as described therein, have painstakingly revealed the full extent of the debased situation at St. Catherine’s OCA Representational Church. This message is delivered as bluntly as words in any language can possibly convey: ‘The person upon whose information the OCA Holy Synod relies with such persistence is a liar and a thief.’ That ˜person’ is, of course, one Mr. Sergei Alikov, Deputy Warden of St. Catherine’s and personal confidant of Father Leonid Kishkovsky.

Let me be clear: This dysfunctional circus, the exclusive handiwork of Father Leonid Kishkovsky, is pretty much all that the Moscow Patriarchate has heard about the OCA for the past three years. If I had the misfortune of being a ˜current member in good standing’ of the OCA, I don’t think I could remain passively silent while Father Kishkovsky continues to use the OCA Central Administration as his personal fiefdom and toy to be manipulated and abused as he pleases.

The first and most obvious order of business is a thorough, root and branch audit of the St. Catherine’s parish ledgers beginning on the fateful day in July 2011 when Father Zacchaeus was ambushed by Father Kishkovsky and defamed on the OCA’s official web site. Please rest assured that all Big Four auditing / consulting firms have sizeable, long-established offices here in Moscow. Any one of them could easily conduct a complete forensic audit to IFRS standards and recommend potential avenues for seeking recovery of embezzled funds as well as other options for recourse.

Having lived in Russia for the past two decades, I can assure you that this is no longer the Wild East of the unstable Yeltsin years. An actionable conclusion by credible third party forensic auditors such as Ernst & Young or PriceWaterhouseCoopers would be taken most seriously by the appropriate criminal investigative authorities here in Moscow. Clearly there is a specific, freestanding residential property in suburban Moscow that could be attached for a court authorised auction, the proceeds from which could then be recovered by the St. Catherine’s Representational Church. This is an entirely routine and reliable procedure, just as it would be in the United States or Western Europe.

I look forward to direct contact from Ms. Melanie Ringa on this matter at her earliest convenience, by return e-mail. The contact coordinates of the St. Catherine’s Consultative Committee are indicated in the Russian original (also attached) of their petition to Metropolitan Tikhon and to the OCA Synod of Bishops. I’d be happy to organise and help facilitate written exchanges and/or telephone conference calls between them and the OCA Audit Committee.

Awaiting contact from you on this egregious and politically delicate matter, I remain

Yours faithfully,

Vladimir Berezansky, Jr.

————

The following letter explaining who is behind the attacks on Fr Zacchaeus is from members of St Catherine’s:

To His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon
Archbishop of Washington, D.C.
Metropolitan of All America and Canada

Copy to: Members of the Holy Synod
Orthodox Church in America

Bless, Master!

The members of the parish Consultative Committee of the Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr now appeal to you.

Our Committee was created in 2009 with the blessing of Metropolitan Jonah at the initiative of Archimandrite Zacchaeus in order to assist our Dean in addressing financial and administrative matters.

We learned, with profound sorrow, of the [decision to] convene a repeat spiritual court to try our former Dean, Archimandrite Zacchaeus. This occurred during the salvific period of Great Lent. It also became clear that the basis for the allegations made [against Father Zacchaeus] was the ‘evidence’ offered by S.A. Alikov, the parish head of administration. We wish to assure you, Your Beatitude, of the non-objective, prejudicial and simply false nature of such ‘evidence.’

As previously indicated, the Committee was created in order to assist Archimandrite Zacchaeus make the parish’s financial and administrative activities more transparent and under tighter control. Please believe us, this was our sincerest desire: to help our Dean and his head of parish administration resolve complex financial questions for the parish community. And there was no shortage of problems: [payments on] utilities in arrears, current [recurring] expenses, and re-initiation of work on the temple’s restoration. Several Committee members even made personal contributions in significant amounts in order to meet the parish’s current utility expenses.

As soon as it became clear to Mr. Alikov that from hereon in, he alone answered for financial questions to the Dean and Consultative Committee, he assumed an extremely hard-line oppositionist position. Any question relating to parish finances caused him great irritation. So we began to consider the possible causes for such behaviour. And this soon became clear.

Mr. Alikov has only one place of employment – the Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr – for which he received at the time a monthly salary of 25,000 roubles (recently increased to 30,000 roubles) [NB: RUR30,000 = >USD1,000]. It was soon brought to the Committee’s attention that in 2010 a parcel of property situated just beyond the Moscow City boundaries was purchased by Alikov, and that a suburban home was being built on it. This transaction was evaluated at several million roubles! If needed, we can provide corroborating documentation. This purchase seemed to coincide oddly with completion of the first phase of work on our temple’s restoration.

It is no secret that various premises of our parish property are rented out. By the blessing of our Dean, rental payments realised from these relationships should be rendered to the parish as donations. In accordance with a corresponding administrative Act, the coffer [cash box] for this income is opened once monthly by the Dean, the parish Bookkeeper, and Alikov. It was soon clarified that rental payments were brought directly to the head of parish administration, and he then placed these rental payments into the parish coffers.

Everything became clear in 2012. Archimandrite Zacchaeus, already removed from his position, happened to meet with [then] Bishop Zinoviy of Elista, Head of the Shchigrov Brotherhood, which was renting several of the parish premises. Not having learned of Father Zacchaeus’ removal from his position, Bishop Zinoviy began to complain that their rent had been increased significantly and without justification. Archimandrite Zacchaeus was shocked to hear that for almost a year the Shchigrov Brotherhood had been paying 350,000 roubles per month, whereas Alikov had been entering rental payments into the parish’s books of 240,000 roubles monthly. We wish to remind you that the financial statements are rendered once each month. It was then discovered that another occupant of parish premises, instead of paying 14,000 roubles monthly, pays 30,000 roubles. And a master jeweller’s shop was not even listed among the parish’s [rent paying] occupants! Cash proceeds from these rental arrangements were going (and probably still are, at present) directly to Alikov.

If these differences [between recorded and actually collected rents] are multiplied by even a few months, the take is quite significant. And this [situation] has maintained for several years. We wish to assert our claim before you that the person upon whose information the [OCA] Holy Synod relies with such persistence is a liar and a thief. In the Russian Orthodox Church, there is a specific designation for this crime: ‘sacrilegious or blaspheming’ theft (in Russian, «святотатство» derived from «тать», the Ancient Slavonic word for ‘thief’).

The motivation for such a mass of lies heaped by Alikov upon Archimandrite Zacchaeus, our most worthy [«достойнейший», a superlative of «достойный» = meet & right, worthy] and Christian Pastor, is clear – money! Money and the fear of punishment and answerability for his guilty conduct. That he will be answerable before the Almighty for his actions, Alikov clearly shows no concern – either that, or greed suppresses his fear of God’s wrath.

In conclusion, we wish to convey the following: Our suspicions of Alikov’s dishonesty arose back when Father Zacchaeus was still our Dean. We approached Father Zacchaeus and asked him to take appropriate measures with regard to the parish’s deputy warden. Your Beatitude, do you know how Father Zacchaeus responded to us? ‘It’s not necessary to do anything. I believe that Sergei will repent of his ways.’ That’s how much love he holds! Father Zacchaeus is ready to forgive this person, to whom he has acted as a father, and who subsequently betrayed him so horribly and thoroughly.

We ask your blessing and your holy prayers.

Igor Zakharov
Alexander Zhurkin
Alexey Koshchenko
Elena Koshchenko

Great books! http://stores.lulu.com/elijahpublications

Comments

  1. Tom Florentine says

    What people have to understand is that there were many issues with Wood. First, he never had any serious Orthodox theological education while in the U.S. He was + Job’s “fair-haird boy” in New England. Mysteriously, RSK pushed Wood into the St. Catherine’s position. Wood then maneuvered to obtain a theological degree in Russia. St. Catherine’s which was a very English-oriented church frequented by U.S. embassy staff and ex-patriots, became a very Russian oriented parish non-distinguishable from any other ROC. There were accusations about Wood’s escapades and not of financial manner. Finally, when serious accusations came forward from Russia regarding Wood’s activities, he had to be relieved. Not a big deal since priests are rotated in and out of parishes all the time. The investigation then began to see what was true and not true regarding Wood’s time in Moscow.

    • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

      True!

    • Amazed in the Midwest says

      Tom,

      Kudos for an excellent Stokoe style reply. Complete with words like:

      “fair-haird boy”
      “Mysteriously”
      ” pushed”
      “maneuvered”

      Typical OCA tactics and another sad chapter in a dying jurisdiction. Tom, you try and make a case against this priest, but what about all the other ignored situations in the OCA? An Archdeacon in Miami who married another man, then returned to his long-time partner (a fact not an accusation). How about the mentor priest of Chancellor Jillions who has long lived a life as a gay man with his lover (a fact not an accusation.)

      Shall we talk about the double-books used by every priest at St. Catherine’s including Daniel Hubiak? Should he be investigated too?

      What this case, whether true or not, reveals is the total hypocrisy of the OCA. It punishes her enemies and gives a wink and a nod to her friends. Nothing has changed in Syosset, just more layers of bureaucracy to cover the usual corruption.

      Wood will not go “quietly into the night” because he knows where all the bodies are buried. He is no angel but he is also not the devil that Kishkovsky is working so hard to bury. He is in fact a good example of what the OCA has produced, just like Kishkovsky.
      Another dirty day in the OCA.

  2. Michael Kinsey says

    I know you won’t post this, but I am still gonna set you straight. The victim here, is the people who champion this doormat priest. Having the means to protect Christ’s Church and Christ people from an obvious money changer in the temple, turning it into his den of thievery. Of course, Jesus Christ was not acting in love , when He took a whip and drove the money changers out of His Father’s Church, he was a brutal, inhuman, un-loving, raging terrorist, disrupting the legal commerce approved by Rome and the (sic) priests of the temple. This poser priest is a doormat, refusing to address the harm done to his flock, by this dirtbag thief. The writer says this is so much love, guiding all to be cheated, with no effective recourse allowed because it not spiritual enough, not loving enough. Your your a bunch of damned idiots. Like the situation the Christ faced in God’s house, this chimp of psudo piety needs to defend his flock and the boot that sleaze ball mafia clone the hell out of God’s church. You silly dip shit gutless cowards, only having the guts to to do the evil things. Stand up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Father Mark Hodges says

      Father Zacchaeus is not a “money changer in the temple,” Michael, and you should repent of saying this. If you actually knew Father Zacchaeus as I do (and as St Catherine’s does), you would see how opposite your words are from his character. Father Zacchaeus gave his life for St Catherine’s, defending monies both for the building of St Catherine’s and designated for charitable causes –even risking his priesthood to make sure the money got where it was intended to go –videotapes prove this. You falsely accuse Father Zacchaeus of “thievery,” while the evidence shows that another man, the warden of the parish, is the one who both bought himself an expensive house on the church offerings and for that reason was part of the cabal that ousted Father Zacchaeus.

      Please read the documents before you jump to errant conclusions –Father Zacchaeus worked to both expose the embezzlement of Bob Kondratick and of Sergei, his parish warden, and worked for their repentance. He was hardly a doormat –risking himself to stop the stealing. He is a hero.

      You misunderstand Father Zacchaeus’ comment at the end of the letter, as well as the way in which St Catherine’s presents Father Zacchaeus’ comment. Working to stop the thief, and wishing him well (and praying for him) are not antithetical, but Christlike. Father Zacchaeus did not “guide all to be cheated,” but fought the corruption rather boldly, while hoping for his salvation.

      You condemn the wrong man, Michael.

      • Michael Kinsey says

        Read my post again, I was not referring to the priest, only the thief. The priest I accuse of poser piety.

  3. Monk James says

    The ‘Sons of Job’ are not at all related by name to Abp Job Osacky. Rather, they take their title from the long-suffering prophet Job.

    Now that we’ve clarified that point, we need to remember that Abp Job and Archimandrite Zacchaeus Wood go WAY back together, and several of FrZW’s troubles are directly attributable to that relationship. It is for THOSE problems, going back a dozen years or so and culminating in serious embarrassments in Russia and final disobedience to his superiors, that FrZW was first required to appear before a Spiritual Court.

    While it may be true that FrZW is not culpable in this instance, this latest business involving Alikov appears to be no more than a red herring designed to make us forget about all that other misbehavior. But this particular herring is probably not equal to the task.

    Let’s hope and pray that the OCA’s processes will go forward properly and for the spiritual benefit of both FrZW and the entire church.

    • Karen Menounos says

      By spiritual benefit Monk, do you mean the Archimandrite’s destruction? If any of this skata was about spiritual benefit, he would not have been hung out in public as the latest in the OCA’s exhibits of filth. Are you a plain monk or are you just using that as a screen name? Which monastery are you in?

      Thanks,

  4. Sean Richardson says

    This seems to be a very muddled situation. My prayer is that the truth is revealed so that Christ’s Church may grow. It is obvious that there are two sides to this story and there must be appropriate discernment as to the heart of the matter. No one should be found guilty without an opportunity to defend themself and present the truth of the matter (it would be ideal if no one would ever be falsely accused, but we live within a fallen world where lies and deceit are the ways of the world). I just have to say, my prayers are with Fr. Wood and also with those who will make the decision, that our Lord, the Father of Truth, will be manifest.

  5. M. Stankovich says

    Mr. Michalopulos,

    You might also consider this:

    Late-life cynical distrust, risk of incident dementia, and mortality in a population-based cohort

    A high level of cynical distrust — for example, believing that no one cares much what happens to you and that it’s safer not to trust anybody — is associated with a higher risk for dementia, and the association is not entirely explained by depressive symptoms, a new study shows.

    Although researchers also found a link between cynical distrust and mortality, this was nonsignificant after adjustment for behavioral factors, self-reported health status, and especially socioeconomic background.

    Along with previous evidence, the current results suggest that life view and personality can affect a person’s health.

    “The findings of this study propose that psychosocial and behavioral risk factors may be modifiable targets for prevention of dementia,” the researchers, with senior author Anna-Maija Tolppanen, PhD, Department of Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, conclude. “It may thus be possible to improve life quality by attempting to change people’s attitudes to a more positive direction.”

    The study, with first author Elisa Neuvonen, also with the Department of Neurology at the same institution, was published online May 28, 2014 in the journal Neurology.

    Mr. Florentine writes, “There were accusations about Wood’s escapades and not of financial manner.” Holy Cow! Could it be, Mr. Michalopulos, that you have been duped as to what the real deal might actually be by your jackass buddies, the Sons of Job? “Serious accusations came forward,” notes Mr. Florentine. The soon-to-be Mr. Wood is desperately blowing smoke and pulling the fire alarm. If, perchance, you are being involuntarily held in abeyance by the Sons of Job, Mr. Michalopulos, send me a discreet message and I shall form a posse PRONTO to the rescue. I promise!

    • Roberto Obelanta says

      It seems to me that this priest lost his job in Moscow. He is a monk. Why drag his name through the mud? I think it would be better to send him to a monastery where he can work out his salvation, like all of us are called to be doing. Why is it necessary for this Church to punish people like this? It is most unbecoming and appears to just compound the situation. Just my two cents.

      • Jim of Olym says

        Roberto sez:
        I think it would be better to send him to a monastery where he can work out his salvation, like all of us are called to be doing.

        I think it would take a pretty big monastery to hold all the guys and als that would work out their salvations there.
        Good luck on the money to build such!

      • Karen Menounos says

        Vengeance is mine saith Syosset!

  6. More of the same says

    Wow. Corruption and financial mismanagement and embezzlement at high levels in the OCA.
    Who would’ve thought?

  7. Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

    I admit it was difficult to read through all that stuff from Father Zacchaeus’s four former cronies in Moscow without hip-boots. These shenanigans, which do no one any credit, often embody the time-worn karmic maxim, ‘What goes around, comes around.”
    My only other comment is that I have nothing personal against “bromances.” I’m thankful the Archimandrite is home in America, away from Vodkaville.

  8. Father Mark Hodges says

    Tom,
    Christ is ascended with a shout!
    I encourage you to read the background articles explaining the case of Father Zacchaeus:

    http://www.boetheus.org/2014/03/22/an-appeal-for-reason-and-charity-in-the-case-of-fr-zacchaeus-wood-part-one/

    and

    http://www.boetheus.org/2014/04/27/an-appeal-for-reason-and-charity-in-the-case-of-fr-zacchaeus-wood-part-two/

    In these well-documented articles, the authors (the “Sons of Job”) refute your first sentence, that “there were many issues with Wood”:

    “…to be fair, a court should be called to address one accusation at a time. The original sexual misconduct allegation should have been addressed, and Father Zacchaeus exonerated or at least given a conclusion of ‘unfounded.’ Then, if necessary, a court could be convened to hear charges of ‘insubordination,’ and Father Zacchaeus given a chance to explain his circumstances/reasons, his ‘side’ of the story. If there are other concerns, they should be properly brought and a court convened to give Father Zacchaeus a chance to defend himself. Instead, throughout this ordeal, charges have changed –or been threatened with little but rumor for evidence. We feel this further confirms that this was not a case of genuine concern over the validity of an allegation, but a campaign to ‘get’ Father Zacchaeus using any allegation (or just rumors) to remove him from St. Catherine’s (and now, to depose him from the priesthood).”

    In other words, it is not fair to call someone to court for false charges of sexual misconduct, then depose him for something else. If there are other “issues with Wood,” let them come before a spiritual court.

    Also, with respect, your word choices betray bias: calling Fr Zacchaeus “+Job’s ‘fair-haired boy” is either to denegrade both he and Archbishop Job, or worse; RSK did not “push,” either “mysteriously” or otherwise, Fr Zacchaeus to St Catherine’s; it is not “maneuvering” to get a theological education; etc.

    Additionally, my understanding of St Catherine’s, admittedly through friends who were/are members there, is one of genuine harmony between East and West, in English, where both Americans temporarily or permanently in Moscow worshiped, and where Russians themselves freely and gladly chose to attend. This understanding is backed up by the several letters the congregation wrote over the last few years to ecclesial authorities in support of Fr Zacchaeus.

    Again, whatever your unstated “accusations about Wood’s escapades,” they are irrelevant to the case currently before our bishops, which is a demonstrably false accusation of sexual misconduct.

    Having read the above cited articles by the Sons of Job, I am very concerned that a grave injustice is being committed against Fr Zacchaeus, with his defrocking scheduled for June 17th, and the responses I’ve gotten from leaders I’ve spoken with about it, like your ambiguous comment, have not allayed my concerns.

    V. Rev. Mark Hodges
    +

    • Karen Menounos says

      I have to say that i am sickened by what i have found in my research and investigation into this matter. In the cases of most adversarial situations be they corporate, civil or criminal settlements are used as a tool to bring cases to a if not satisfactory conclusion then one that both parties accept as a matter of convenience. The fact the the OCA administration is holding so fast to a program of character assassination tells us one thing, that they have reached their verdict. That fact tells us that due process and justice has been abandoned.
      I hope and i will say i pray, this all ends up in a public civil trial.

      • Karen Menounos says

        Amen to that! Drag them all through the courts!

        • Fr. George Washburn says

          Dear Karen:

          A series of questions that I believe you will have difficulty answering cogently.

          How much experience do you have with Christians going to court with one another, and of what kind? Does that experience or anything else overcome St. Paul’s strong advice to the church in Corinth not to resort to secular courts against fellow Christians?

          What benefits and detriments have you actually witnessed as a general rule from such litigation? How willing are state or federal courts to entertain such disputes? If the final outcome of the Church court system is the decision of a ruling Primate with essentially absolute and unchecked power over Church personnel and property according to the long established principles and practice of Orthodox ecclesiology, which provisions of law will secular courts be willing to use to overturn the result?

          What benefits would flow from the case(s) you envision that would outweigh the foreseeable downside?

          On what basis do you believe that a public clamor on the internet for or against Fr. Zacchaeus is liable to result in wise sifting of the evidence and online discovery of the truth?

          And last but not least, on what basis, do you assert that the normal standards and procedures of modern, secular American civil jurisprudence do, or ought, to apply in any Orthodox spiritual courts?

          I see you making a lot of assumptions about things which my 35 years of experience in civil litigation, some Christian v. Christian cases, does not bear out.

          inquisitively,

          Fr. George

          • Karen Menounos says

            Father Washburn,

            Ive just seen this, i will answer next week if i may. Thanks for writing. Karen

            • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

              Counting the days….

              • Karen Menounos says

                The Mummy Counts! Another Hammer classic!

                • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

                  Is that IT? The big reply?

                  • Karen Menounos says

                    Fr. Washburn,

                    I have a question before we start this conversation. Are you currently a member of the bar in the US?

                    If so, i am willing to have a professional conversation with you but under strict conditions, and off of this forum.

                    I really do not think there is any value in discussing this level of material in a public forum that suffers from public commentary by unique and esoteric individuals.

                    Your questions are well thought out and interesting, i think some of my answers might be of interest to you, as your thoughts and commentary back would be to me.

                  • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

                    Talk about private language! What in the world is an ESOTERIC INDIVIDUAL?”
                    i KNEW “Karen Menounos” could not produce what she said she would!

                    ‘…….suffers (sic) from public commentary by unique (sic) and esoteric (??????) individuals. ”

                    If that isn’t a total cop-out…..

                    What Father George wrote bears repeating:

                    “Dear Karen:

                    A series of questions that I believe you will have difficulty answering cogently.
                    How much experience do you have with Christians going to court with one another, and of what kind? Does that experience or anything else overcome St. Paul’s strong advice to the church in Corinth not to resort to secular courts against fellow Christians?
                    What benefits and detriments have you actually witnessed as a general rule from such litigation? How willing are state or federal courts to entertain such disputes? If the final outcome of the Church court system is the decision of a ruling Primate with essentially absolute and unchecked power over Church personnel and property according to the long established principles and practice of Orthodox ecclesiology, which provisions of law will secular courts be willing to use to overturn the result?

                    What benefits would flow from the case(s) you envision that would outweigh the foreseeable downside?
                    On what basis do you believe that a public clamor on the internet for or against Fr. Zacchaeus is liable to result in wise sifting of the evidence and online discovery of the truth?
                    And last but not least, on what basis, do you assert that the normal standards and procedures of modern, secular American civil jurisprudence do, or ought, to apply in any Orthodox spiritual courts?
                    I see you making a lot of assumptions about things which my 35 years of experience in civil litigation, some Christian v. Christian cases, does not bear out.

                    inquisitively,

                    Fr. George

                  • Karen Menounos says

                    If you and the “Dr.” Stankovich are not the personification of an esoteric individual, i do not know to whom else that label would apply.

                    Would you get a grip! Get some help man! Go see a shrink!

      • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

        I have no interest in tarnishing anyone’s reputation through public reference to his alcoholism. I DID report asking our First Hierarch why he was leaving Archimandrite Zacchaeus in Moscow, since it would seem to be contraindicated by his notorious public alcoholism, and Metropolitan Herman opined that ‘His doctor said that is all taken care of, no? ” And an Archbishop notorious for succumbing to alcoholic blackouts himself, from his first days in New England to his last in a motel parking lot, replied ‘Yes,” to Metropolitan Herman.
        I think no means should be rejected in order to steer the Archimandrite towards real help.
        I’m ready to be sued for libel if that will get him into a program, Mr. Panos.
        By the way, Mr. Panos, alcoholism is a disease, not a moral failing nor disgrace. Didn’t you know that? Where have you been? Admittedly, it has been used as a crutch or justification for degraded or even criminal behavior, but in itself it could hardly be considered libellous.
        Some might WANT these matters to come out in the open, so to speak…witnesses, evidence, you know… Get Him Help!!!!!!!

        • Karen Menounos says

          I think we need to get you some help too. Are you really a bishop?

          • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

            I’ll take all the help I can get, Ms. Menounos! Thanks!
            I don’t like making myself the subject of anything, but since you asked if I am really a bishop, i’ll, embarrassed no end, give you the bare-boned outline of who I am. I apologize for this and recommend anyone not concerned as Ms. Menounos, not to read any further!
            I was born in 1932 in Detroit and baptized a (German) Lutheran soon thereafter. I am the great grandson of a German missionary pastor, Friedrich Kaeding, who came over to America with Bishop Stefan and Rev. Johann Walther. I was confirmed as a teenager and also matriculated for two years at a (Norwegian) Lutheran College, Saint Olaf, in Northfield, Minn. I enlisted and served in the U.S. Army for the years 1954-57. I was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force in September 1960 and received in the (Russian) Orthodox Church (“Metropolia”) at Lackland AFB the next month. I served at a SAC base in Labrador and a classified ordinance site of the Defense Atomic Support Agency from 1961-65 and began to attend St. Seraphim Church, Dallas in 1961 (the GOA parish in Shreveport inspired antipathy) but got a release from active duty in order to matriculate for one full academic year at SVS, but in May 1965, I informed Fr. Meyendorff that I was going to request to be called back to active duty. I was recalled and assigned for a couple of months to Columbus AFB, Miss, but was jerked out of their by a letter from the Chief of Personnel at HQ USAF, transferrring me to the Pentagon, where I was to serve as Deputy Chief, Personnel Security Group, HQSUSAF (Air Staff) until I once again requested release from active duty, which came in May 1971. In December, 1971, on St. Nicholas’ Feast, I was ordained a Deacon by the Bishop of Washington Bishop Dmitri. Archpriest Dimitri Gisetti of Los Angeles invited me to transfer there, and Metropolitan Ireney did so. I served there as Deacon and then Protodeacon until 1978, when Father Dimitri and the Parish Council asked me to become a Priest. Bishop Gregory Afonsky ordained me to the Priesthood. that year. A year or so later, Father Dimitri retired with Huntington’s Chorea, and he and the parish council petitioned that I would become the Rector. I served as Priest and Rector until 1987. My first assistant was Fr. Alexander Liaenko. In 1987 a diocesan election was held to nominate to the Holy Synod our candidate to be ruling Bishop. i and Fr. Alexander Golitizin, also a Priest in the Diocese were the two candidates. The Assembly delegates elected me, to my utter astonishment and, I admit, a little disappointment. As ruling bishop, I remained the active Rector of the L.A. parish, and I served as such until my retirement. I am grateful to God for those years. Personally, my greatest pleasure was the consecration of new temples. I got to consecrate a beautiful white Church of St. Sergius, built and maintained for the monks of St. John Monastery by the tireless and devout Faithful of the Bay Area. I also was blessed to consecrate new temples in Poway, CA, Santa Rosa, CA, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. ( FAther Jonah (Paffhausen was able to escape the monastery provided for him by the Diocese only after I retired, when he got the new ruling bishop to sell the property, knock down the St. Sergius Church, and move to a location more accessible to the world in Manton. by also borrowing money interest free from the diocese.) I published many “Letters of Instruction’ on liturgical and other matters for the benefit of diocesan clergy and I also translated and compiled the “Offficium” or Chinovnik/Arkhieratikon for the use of our bishops, and some of them may stlll be using it. Two hierarchs from other jurisdictions also requested and got copies of that from my ‘home printing department.”
            Although I was given a magnificent diocesan retirement send/off by the Diocese, I must admit that the last months of my active episcopate were saddened by the shenanigans that went on qt Syosset under the moral omophoria of Metropolitan Herman and EVER-MEMORABLE Archbishop Job, who were guided and assisted by Protodeacon Eric Wheeler and Mark Stokoe in the destruction of the church life of Protopresbyter and MRS. Rodion S. Kondratick which continues even now. The Archimandrite canonized on these pages as a Holy Martyr, also played his PART in that number.

            Now, Karen, just what kind of help are you intent on giving me? I can always use some more money; who can’t? But I am not needy financially, having my OCA pension and Social Security.
            I”d appreciate your help in getting the alcoholic clergyman into a program! Thanks.

            • Karen Menounos The Stankovich Troll says

              Your Grace,

              I agree with you about the consecration of churches, it is a favorite service of mine. It is always a day of optimism and joy. I have been fortunate to attend three. My first was the OCA church in New Haven, CT., i think it is Transfiguration Church, but i am not sure about that, the other two were parishes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

              As for canonizing the Archimandrite, i do not think anyone is really doing that. I think that those of us who speak in his favor hope he gets treated fairly, and in my case, if not, i hope he drags the OCA through the mud.

              Oh and its Mrs, but Ms is ok too.

              Your background makes interesting reading, and thanks for sharing it.

              Karen

              • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

                The Archimandrite and his cohort have ALREADY dragged the OCA through the mud, Mme. Menoounos. Some are now crying “Karma!” in his case, but, of course, I NEVER could!
                Didn’t you know that the tapes made by the clandestine video-taping apparatus that the Archimandrite got his friends in the “organs” to allow him to install in the “church” office in Moscow, played (appropriately edited and censored, of course) a great part in the pogrom against the Kondraticks.
                The innocent youngster hunched over his secret tapes and insuring they got into the hands of those that needed them the most and could be trusted to hold on to them without releasing them!

                • Daniel E Fall says

                  Everytime a priest seems to get evidence about another priest’s wrongdoings, it seems like a sort of Get out of Jail Free card.

                  Are you all not sure a bunch of these cards have been getting recalled lately?

                  Just sayin…

                  Leveraging self righteousness seems to be meeting an end in the OCA.

                  • Daniel E Fall says

                    And if you get evidence about a bishop’s wrongdoings, that is a Money Card! I think those got recalled, too.

        • George Michalopulos says

          Respectfully, Your Grace, I must disagree. As someone in the medical field, I have long been alarmed at the use of the word “disease” and how it has been bandied about needlessly. At best, alcoholism is a disorder that may have some genetic predisposing factors. But truth be told, the word “disorder” has now become a catch-all: little boys who fidget are said to have Attention Deficit Disorder, etc.

          As someone who has tipped a bottle or two in my life, I can honestly say that drunkenness is very much a character flaw, as is gluttony, sloth, avarice, etc.

          • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

            George. As “someone in the medical field,” do you not find many workers and even doctors in that medical field referring to alcoholism as a disease? Have you published an officially accepted definition and list of the ailments that may be called “diseases?”
            YOU, George, not I, ever, call alcoholism (do you admit it even exists?) a ‘disorder”: and then try to empty that term of any value.
            As “someone in the medical field,” George, do you think that drunkenness and alcoholism are equivalents? I don’t, but I’m s layman medically speaking.. I thought that there are a lot of chronic drunkards that are not alcoholics and a lot that are But what do I know, right? Please note, too, that I have never referred to Archimandrite Zacchaeus as a drunk or drunkard, but as an alcoholic in need of help.

        • West Coast says

          Your grace, you appear to have good writing skills, why don’t you change the course of your contributions to the Orthodox Church and the people to spiritually edifying writings. The internet is not a good venue for someone of your intellectual capabilities and I am sure that you have something good to say to help all of us grow in the Lord Jesus Christ.

          I remember being at Fort Ross in 2002 and you had the then Economos of the Point Reyes Monastery, Father Jonah, preach a homily. He talked about living a Christian life and reaching out to those around us and when he was done, you said “Well, you heard what he said, now do it.” I respected you for that statement . . .

          It would be nice to see you become a Tikhon the Recluse in your retirement and we would all benefit.

          Please pray for me, a sinner.

          • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

            The only way, apparently, to reach faithful, discerning Orthodox Christians like you, “West Coast,” is in sewers like this one, because you are drawn to them like alcoholics to their beverages.
            I’m glad to learn what you consider to be “nice.” Does nice mean good? And you don’t get to see recluses at all. Be patient! I’m eighty-one+.

            Oh, and “Well, you heard what he said, now do it,” was something i was wont to utter after any sermon not given by me. There are several such conventionally hierarchical slogans. The only one i absolutely rejected was thanking a choir and, in the process, saying they sang like true angels. That one I never uttered, ever.
            And I decided long ago that however slimey and dirty and diseased the Internet, it is a forum that the hierarchy snub to their own peril and that of the Mission. It’s taken a while, and a few have joined on this campaign; metropolitan Savas, bishop Jerome, and bishop George. In my day, most members of the hierarchy thought the internet was the Bogeyman and computers were the devil’s instruments. Instead of rebuking me, why not encourage the hierarchs who are more of a light to you to get away from their home analogia and get onto their keyboards?

            • George Michalopulos says

              Totally off-topic Your Grace but I wanted to respond to your correction of my characterization of those countries which slipped into tyranny.

              When I make a howler, it’s a beaut. Germany of course was a bourgeois country. However given the fact that it, Italy, Greece, and others had only acquired nationhood in the previous century, I suppose a case could be made that they succumbed to tyranny and/or civil war far easier than those nations that had a long established state conditions.

              Plus, the sufferering of the German people under the Weimar Republic was conducive to the rise of a tyrant.

  9. There were numerous rumors about Fr. Zacchaeus being an alcoholic around the time that Metropolitan Jonah was elected. It was also rumored that Fr. Zacchaeus was favored by Metropolitan Jonah and that Metropolitan Jonah looked the other way regarding a number of complaints. In one instance it was said that Fr. Zacchaeus was found stone drunk on the streets of Moscow.

    It is not my intention to malign Fr. Zacchaeus and I have absolutely no idea whether these rumors are true or not, — in fact, for Fr. Zacchaeus’ sake, I hope it isn’t true — but as George said, it’s a pretty good bet that any investigation was botched. When Metropolitan Jonah was in Moscow he should have set the record straight then and there, but of course he didn’t deal with the situation and now you have the gun slinging new sheriff, Chancellor Jillions who just wants to clean house of the whole affair.

    In truth, the whole investigation and the charges leveled against Fr. Zacchaeus don’t make a bit of sense. If the OCA wants to drum Fr. Zacchaeus out because he has/had a drinking problem then just say it. Why is it necessary to beat around the bush and speak about “insubordination.” It’s just stupid.

    I hope and pray that Fr. Zacchaeus gets his day in spiritual court and that the truth of whatever has happened with him and with the parish sees the light of day.

    • Father Mark Hodges says

      Nick, while you begin your comment like a gossip sheet, your conclusions are correct. I agree with you when you say, “I have absolutely no idea whether these rumors are true”; you don’t, and so you should not repeat them. I also agree with you when you say, “If the OCA wants to drum Fr. Zacchaeus out because he has/had a drinking problem then just say it.” I think that’s the point of the Sons of Job article: it is unfair to depose a priest for a false accusation of sexual misconduct when the real reason is other rumors against him. As you say, “It doesn’t make a bit of sense,” and, “It’s just stupid.” I, too, hope Father Zacchaeus gets justice.

      • False Accusations says

        Which reminds me, concerning false accusations of sexual misconduct, where is the retraction by the Holy Synod of the OCA concerning sexual misconduct and enabling sexual misconduct for which Metropolitan Jonah was accused? Where are the retractions to major news sources that repeated the Holy Synod’s false conclusion?

    • Karen Menounos says

      What about the arrest of the OCA’s bishop for drinking and driving? That was not a problem for Syosset? It seems that if the Archimandrite has or has had such a problem AA is the answer not defrocking.

      K. Menounos

      • Interesting point.

        • Karen Menounos says

          Im not suggesting punishing the bishop, im suggesting that if these bishops want their sins forgiven, maybe they might try being a little kinder to the Archimandrite.

    • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

      Nick, there have been indeed,numerous reports over the years of Archimandrite Zacchaeus’s drunkenness. Some time before I retired, I stated to Metropolitan Herman at a meeting of the Holy Synod that it was foolish and also unkind to leave someone like him, a notorious alcoholic, known as such to many of the Moscow clergy and police, in Moscow, in Russia where Vodka and opportunities for drinking are ubiquitous. You’re not given a shot glass, but either a large tumbler or a bottle. Metropolitan Herman turned immediately and looked at Archbishop Job and said, ‘But I understand that he has that all under control. Isn’t that what his doctor told us?” Archbishop Job said “Yes.”
      That is a little more than gossip in my book.
      Gossip is what almost every American/OCA visitor to Moscow used to report: “He may be little, but he drank Me under the table again.’ and so on.
      Someone refers defensively to Archbishop Benjamin’s arrest and confinement to the drunk tank as significant and and so they are.. However, Archbishop Benjamin was sent, and went willingly, to rehab. I found it almost cruel and sadistic to leave the Archimandrite in that vast saloon called Moscow. Noone considered what effect this might have on his poor mother either. Many demanded that Archbishop Benjamin be sent to a monastery. Where are these loud mouths in the case of Archimandrite Zacchaeus? I realize that this would involve kicking and screaming and angry outbursts from a lawyer friend, but what’s so horrible about monastery life for an Archimandrite?
      In my lifetime, the only thing more egregious than leaving Archimandrite Zacchaeus in Moscow all this time was allowing then Father Benjamin Peterson to bring the notorious and admitted alcoholic, Gregory Solak,l all the way to Alaska to direct the choir and die of alcoholism in cohabitation with Fr. Benjamin in Anchorage.
      If I were of a more Macchiavellian cast of mind I might opine that the OCA Synod and the rest of that establishment were afraid that if they did not treat Archimandrite Zacchaeus in accordance with his desires and those of his advisor, he might reveal the “other side” of his tapes, etc., that allowed Metropolitan Herman, Archbishop Job, Protodeacon E. Wheeler and Mark Stokoe to put the blame for all crimes and misdemeanors of their own entirely on Protopresbyter Rodion S. Kondratick, The Scapegoat in Person.

  10. jacksson says

    Interesting post, Mr Florentine; you accuse Archimandrite Zacchaeus of:
    1. This first accusation is so terrible, he has never completed the jump through the hoops coursework at a ‘serious’ Orthodox institution. Such as?
    2. Next you report that he was Bp Job’s fair-haired ‘boy’ in New England; actually that is probably an asset, but you make it sound bad, one should never be a fair-haired boy.
    3. Then he was pushed into the St. Catherine’s position by RSK.
    4. He then tried to correct problem #1 by taking course work for a theological degree; is ‘maneuvered’ a derogatory word or do you just make it sound that way?
    5. Somehow St Catherine’s became Russian-oriented rather than English-oriented ??? and ‘non-distinguishable from any other ROC’ – is St Catherine an ROC church? If, as you say, the church is ROC, then I would expect an ROC orientation.
    6. Then you say ‘Wood’ (shouldn’t that be Archimandrite or Father) committed escapades. More horrors, thou shall not commit escapades.
    7. Then came serious accusations from ??? perhaps the same bunch of achichincles that railroaded the best Metropolitan the OCA ever had out of office with a bunch of fabrications and outright filthy lies, Metropolitan Jonah.
    8.And then the investigation began about ‘Woods time in Moscow’, did he or did he not commit escapades?

    But one thing has to be said that is good about Archimandrite Zacchaeus, he, to date hasn’t been accused of financial ‘escapades’. Seems to me, from the above letter by parishioners and the attorney that Mr Alikov is the one who needs to be investigated.

    Sounds to me like Archimandrite Zachaeus is guilty of something, maybe of love as the parishioners reported: “how Father Zacchaeus responded to us? ‘It’s not necessary to do anything. I believe that Sergei will repent of his ways.’ That’s how much love he holds! Father Zacchaeus is ready to forgive this person, to whom he has acted as a father, and who subsequently betrayed him so horribly and thoroughly.”

    • The “ROC Orientation” is probably part of the problem … An iconostas? No pews? Oh, my! And an “ROC Orientation” on the part of Father Zacchaeus would be seen as high treason by the “Administrators.”

  11. M. Stankovich says

    Fr. Mark,

    Are you serious? Are you actually asking anyone to rely on the authority of individuals who are so confident of their argument, so implicitly confident of the “innocence” of Zacchaeus Wood that they lack the fundamental integrity to reveal their own names? This same group who, derived from an “authority” founded in arrogance and personal insolence, in a moronic and foolish self-created interpretation of the Ancient Canons, disqualified the Holy Synod from electing a new Metropolitan – holding the Orthodox Church “in abeyance,” all ten of them – have “piqued” your sense of injustice? And you would lead all of us to “read and contemplate” the website dedicated to their continued perversion and insolence of our ecclesiological order and what? Sign a petition to “influence” the Holy Synod? Threaten and coerce them with what you have determined is “demonstrably false accusation” because you read it on a website? Set up an 800 number and we’ll all vote like Dancing With the Stars?

    Shame on you, Fr. Mark for entertaining and condoning those who subvert and openly defy the ecclesiological order, “For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception,” (Titus 1:10) and who mock the directives of St. Paul: “Let all things be done decently and in order. (1 Cor. 14:40) for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Cor. 14:33) If I were your bishop, you would be at St. Tikhon’s Monastery serving the daily Liturgy until you understood the difference between the internet and obedience to your bishop who loves you and yearns for your salvation.

    • Father Mark Hodges says

      M.S.,
      Yes, I am seriously concerned. The articles are well-documented and raise valid issues regarding both the process and the motivation behind Father Zacchaeus’ defrocking, to take place at Syosset on June 17th. All your diatribe does not take away from the facts these articles relate:

      http://www.boetheus.org/2014/03/22/an-appeal-for-reason-and-charity-in-the-case-of-fr-zacchaeus-wood-part-one/

      and

      http://www.boetheus.org/2014/04/27/an-appeal-for-reason-and-charity-in-the-case-of-fr-zacchaeus-wood-part-two/

      This isn’t about your bias against the Sons of Job, but about the facts which their articles raise. It’s not about a website, or a petition (I don’t know of any petition, which you refer to), and of course it’s not about an 800 number. That’s all verbal diversion. It’s about valid concerns that a brother is being railroaded, as the articles chronologically demonstrate.

      You seek to “shame” me, as you say, but it is the very ecclesialogical order you refer to that is being twisted to destroy a hieromonk’s character and priesthood. I, too, can quote scriptures, but I don’t think you’re listening. With respect, you only confirm my suspicion that you’re not really listening by making comments against me like “If I were your bishop…” What you would do if you were my bishop is irrelevant to the injustices currently being done against Father Zacchaeus. Have you actually read the two articles in their entirety?

      Wishing you Pentecostal joy and every blessing under heaven,
      Fr Mark

      • M. Stankovich says

        Fr. Mark,

        Let’s set aside your insult that I would comment without reading, or that my “diatribe” is founded in bias. Those you admire are “founded in arrogance and personal insolence” or they are not. My observation is this: you stand in open, defiant and arrogant accusation of your Bishop and Metropolitan of willfully and callously perpetrating injustice against an Orthodox priest and monastic, before the face of men and before the face of Almighty God Himself. And how have you reached this conclusion? By reading information proffered by individuals who, despite the fact that their “testimony” means the difference between justice and injustice, and the very priesthood of a man they claim to be defending, refuse to reveal their identity and testify on his behalf. Several times, I have read letters from Zacchaeus Wood himself stating that he acted pursuant to the direction of Met. Jonah Paufhausen. Where in heaven’s name is Met. Jonah to exonerate this man when he needs him the most? A word, a phone call, a letter? Nothing.

        I ask you to your face, Fr. Mark: From where could you possibly draw such confidence? Do you grasp the full portent of the fact that the “Sons of Job” will allow Zacchaeus Wood, who they claim to be a wrongly accused innocent man to be defrocked from the Holy Priesthood because they are more concerned about themselves than him? And you are, what, “annoyed” that I would attempt to “shame” you, Fr. Mark? Is it possible you imagine these creeps wish to win this matter with truth and righteousness? Seriously? They hope to prevail by coercion, intimidation, and false “outrage”; any means that can be accomplished without revealing themselves. They claimed “hundreds” before the Council in Parma, and they were liars. You keep reading that website, Fr. Mark, and if we ever cross paths, you remember I am the one who told you aligned yourself with a very dark element for absolutely nothing.

        • Father Mark Hodges says

          Wow. Such verbal venom! Yet you still haven’t answered my question: did you read both articles in full?

          The Sons of Job are not “founded in arrogance and personal insolence,” but have proven themselves in the midst of scandal to be speakers of truth and seekers of justice.

          I am not “in defiance” or “accusatory,” since I’m merely asking people to read the articles, because I think any truly objective person reading the articles would have concerns about the coming depositon Fr Zacchaeus. But again, this is a diversion. The issue at hand is not what you think of me, but the concerns raised by the articles.

          I haven’t said, and the Sons of Job articles don’t even speak, of any “conclusion.” Their concerns are valid, I believe, and I share their concerns:

          Publicly humiliating Fr Zacchaeus and defaming his character on the OCA international website, in unprecedented announcements about an ongoing investigation.

          The alleged “statement” from the woman claiming sexual misconduct in 2009 was unsigned, unverified, and untestified to –so it is unknown who actually wrote the testimony against Fr Zacchaeus.

          The charge against Fr Zacchaeus kept changing over the two years from the time Syosset began the campaign against him. This is not only unfair, but allows a state of affairs where the actual charges never need to be verified or decided upon, while a seemingly vast list of unanswered allegations give the impression of validity to the case against him.

          The court pre-admitted into evidence documents that were not relevant to the disobedience charge –exhibits even contained out‑of‑court statements which were irrelevant to the charges, made by people who were not present to verify their statements– all of which unduly prejudiced and confused the court’s voting members.

          The court “judge” denied Met. Jonah the opportunity to testify, even though the charges were disobedience to Father Zacchaeus’ bishop, Met. Jonah.

          Even though Father Zacchaeus was denied the assistance of counsel in court, the OCA’s attorney attended, sat next to the Accuser, and assisted the Accuser throughout the proceedings. (The court actually turned to the Accuser for guidance on how to proceed!)

          Despite requesting a copy of the accusations seventeen times, Father Zacchaeus was not given access to the actual accusations until the day before the Church Court, when he received the entire packet of exhibits he was required to answer for, which were *previously* mailed to each Court member;

          The court judge also denied Vladimir Berezonsky the opportunity to testify, for instance, that indeed Fr Zacchaeus was in the hospital and couldn’t come to the states –even though the court allowed Bp Melchisedek to testify that Fr Zacchaeus disobeyed by not coming to the states.

          They didn’t even allow Met. Jonah’s letter stating that Fr Zacchaeus had been obedient to him in all things.

          Father Zacchaeus was not allowed to provide an evidentiary answer to Bp Mechisedek’s testimony.

          The court even refused to call Fr Meletios Webber, the only remaining defense witness, who would have explained Father Zacchaeus’ leaving the Manton monastery to provide the Syosset-requested response to allegations.

          The “independent” court’s recommendations were issued by the Holy Synod, and yet some on the Holy Synod were witnesses against the accused.

          Besides the above (and much more), the articles mention many petty things done against Fr Zacchaeus, such as never reimbursing him for expensive travel to the U.S. from Moscow –even though he was promised reimbursement and even though it was Syosset’s demand that he make the trips; sending Fr Zacchaeus letters not to his address but to the church where they had kicked him out of (so that his enemy the warden could open his mail?); taking away his salary and healthcare coverage prematurely; telling Met Jonah not to be in contact with Fr Zacchaeus and then accusing Fr Zacchaeus of disobedience by not being in contact with Met Jonah; disallowing Fr Zacchaeus his OCA Policy-allowed support person and disallowing him to tape the proceedings or even take notes(!); sending copies of confidential documents to others not on the court; never giving Fr Zacchaeus the actual allegation against him after requesting it dozens of times –then only the day before the court where he had to answer the charges; disallowing him to travel to interview witnesses and compile his defense; demanding he appear at Syosset but then have no one there; writing unsigned letters and emails “from Met. Jonah” which were not from Met. Jonah at all (even Met. Jonah confirmed this!); cropping Fr Zacchaeus out of pictures of past celebrations at St Catherine’s; etc. The list goes on and on.

          Relatedly, it seems telling that no investigation has been made about the substantiated allegations of Parish Warden Sergei’s embezzlement.

          Again, this is not about me, or about the Sons of Job, but is about valid concerns regarding the planned defrocking of Hieromonk Zacchaeus. I encourage you, and anyone else in the OCA, to read the articles:

          http://www.boetheus.org/2014/03/22/an-appeal-for-reason-and-charity-in-the-case-of-fr-zacchaeus-wood-part-one/

          and

          http://www.boetheus.org/2014/04/27/an-appeal-for-reason-and-charity-in-the-case-of-fr-zacchaeus-wood-part-two/

          Wishing you peace and all good things,
          Fr Mark

          • M. Stankovich says

            Fr. Mark,

            It IS about YOU and I call you out on the Feast of the Spirit of TRUTH. You are defending the “integrity” of demonstrated LIARS, who in the period leading up to All-American Council attempted to coerce and manipulate those entrusted with casting ballots within the context of the single highest authority of the Church, in Council; misrepresenting their “ever-increasing numbers and influence” daily, suggesting those who “voted their conscience” would be cast out by the “laity’s real desire.” The ENTIRE history of that period is archived on this very site. You cannot deny it occurred. This is not “venom.” It is the truth. I read everything on the website when it was first published, Fr. Mark, and it is self-serving, one-sided information published by known liars who will allow an “innocent” man to be defrocked rather than reveal themselves. Defend the integrity of that, Fr. Mark. I’m listening.

            Secondly, I have no idea where you went to seminary, but you obviously missed significant lessons in regard to our eccesiology. Fortunately, on this very site is archived a piece of brilliance written by Fr. Alexey Karlgut on February 15, 2013. I suggest you not only read it, but print it and give careful consideration. While it was intended as a commentary on the Strategic Plan of the OCA, his comments on governance, conciliarity, Sobornost, catholicity, authority, and “democracy” should be taken to heart. And why do I mention this? Because you have done what those anonymous creeps lack the courage to do: stand in open, defiant and arrogant accusation of your Bishop and Metropolitan of willfully and callously perpetrating injustice against an Orthodox priest and monastic, before the face of men and before the face of Almighty God Himself. Flip a coin and hope the Synod of Bishops does not have information and accusers that the Sons of Job and Ms. Menounos are not privy to.

            • Father Mark Hodges says

              MS,
              You still have not given a straight answer regarding my request to read both of the following articles in full:

              http://www.boetheus.org/2014/03/22/an-appeal-for-reason-and-charity-in-the-case-of-fr-zacchaeus-wood-part-one/

              and

              http://www.boetheus.org/2014/04/27/an-appeal-for-reason-and-charity-in-the-case-of-fr-zacchaeus-wood-part-two/

              My “bottom line” answer to you remains:
              Think what you will about me, and falsely slander the “Sons of Job” anonymous group of whistleblowers, but I share with them valid concerns about the defrocking of Father Zacchaeus. That’s the point.

              There are dozens of serious concerns about this case, but I think there’s enough for concern even if we consider just one:
              The charge against Fr Zacchaues has been changed, seemingly to suit whatever might “stick” against the Hieromonk. It went from an accusation of misconduct –which is completely unfounded and untestified to, to insubordination against Met. Jonah –who testifies that the hieromonk was obedient in all things. Now, if I understand the current state of affairs correctly, it’s back to the misconduct accusation simply on the basis that someone personally “believes” it. No witness, no verification, nothing. Not even an accuser.

              OCA “Policy stresses that ‘the work and ministries of clergy…must not be impaired by unfounded accusations.’” The obvious danger, if one person’s accusation is validated by Church leaders, is that anyone with a grudge –or someone simply being naively mischievous– can literally destroy a priest and his family, and ruin Christ’s ministry through him.

              But it’s not just OCA Policy which disallows uncorroborated accusations. Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ Himself, teaching about wrongdoing between brethren, commanded that if a dispute arises, to “confirm every word by the evidence of two or three witnesses” (Matthew 18:16). This principle of “two or three witnesses” comes from the Old Testament Law (Deuteronomy 19:15‑19, “A single witness shall not prevail against a man for any crime or for any wrong… only on the evidence of two or three witnesses shall a charge be sustained. If a malicious witness rises against any man to accuse him of wrongdoing, then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who…shall inquire diligently, and if the witness has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother; so you shall purge the evil from the midst of you.”)

              In the United States, an accused man is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But the Canon of holy Scripture goes much further: God’s Word says no solitary accuser’s charge is to be considered. This principle is in both the Old and New Testaments. In Second Corinthians 13:1, the holy Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, instructs the Church, “Any charge must be sustained by the evidence of two or three witnesses.” First Timothy 5:19 is irrefutably explicit: “Never admit any charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.”

              Scripturally, whether a leader “believes” it or not, an unfounded accusation is not to be admitted. The accusation against Father Zacchaeus was by one person without corroboration, without even correct descriptions of the place or the accused, and she didn’t even sign her alleged statement, or verify the statement that Syosset finally (after two years of witholding it from him) let Fr Zacchaeus see, or even verify her allegation in spiritual court.

              (The above is from the articles I encourage you to read.)

              So, just looking at one of the literally dozens of concerns raised about this case, I think there is reason for concern. And considering such a tainted attempt, why not simply grant the Ukrainians’ request for the Archimandrite? All he’s hoping for is to be transferred.

              Wishing you peace,
              Fr Mark

            • Dr. Stankovich –

              What in the articles Fr. Mark refers to is untrue?

              Some of the statements seem so shockingly contrary to canons, church statute and common sense that I think a service would be given for all if untrue portions of the articles were pointed out.

              If the statements are true, especially about being denied counsel or the ability to present witnesses, being presented the evidence a day before the proceeding, this just seem unreal and I can understand Fr. Mark’s passion about this.

              • M. Stankovich says

                Rdr. Mark,

                I don’t know who you are or where you are, but I owe you a coffee! You have cut to the chase of the issue. I do not have a clue what is true and what is false in the two articles, BUT, neither does Fr. Mark Hodges. And that, Rdr. Mark, is my entire point. I have insisted that no one should be willing to accept “evidence” from anyone who refuses to identify themselves. Fr. Mark continues to insist, “It is well-documented.” By whom? The same self-serving anonymous sources that provided the “evidence.” And worse is the fact that those who proffer the “evidence” are known and demonstrated liars. I repeat myself: I do not have a clue what is true and what is false in the two articles, but Fr. Mark Hodges is asking for a suspension of prudence, reasonableness, logic, and a simple flip-of-the-coin probability.

                I hope you looked at the document written by Fr. Alexey Karlgut in the link I provided for Fr. Mark. The Church is not a “democracy,” and the internet has emboldened anonymous creeps who would attempt to intimidate and influence by shaming the internal ecclesiastical workings of the church itself. What should the faithful conclude every time “desperate” letters posted to anonymous websites – with the latest WordPress plugins and IP address “grabbers” and trackers – have become the “norm” for the aggrieved, the slighted, the outraged, the “We Don’t Like Our /Metropolitan/Bishop/Priest/Deacon Because…” seeking justice? Again and again the issue arises, “Of what significance could it possibly be that posters post anonymously?” As I wrote here three years ago, the threshold for truth will continually fall. And so it has, and so it goes…

                • Fr. George Washburn says

                  The standards of truth don’t actually fall, but the reliability of what people will swallow in the belief that truth is what they’re ingesting is certainly falling.

                  • That certainly is true, but we can’t agree on who it is that is being easily swayed.

                    • Fr. George Washburn says

                      Hi friends:

                      I think this reply touches on one of the biggest pitfalls of this kind of pseudo-dialogue: the tendency to come at it from very settled, not to say, myopic points of view on religio-political (or politico-religious) matters. I see Colette’s comment as implying the guys on her side of the questions aren’t being swayed and the people on the other side are.

                      I tend to think that as long as that is one’s hidden assumption, even if only partially, the likelihood of swallowing something else instead of truth and wisdom will be much higher. We ought to be able to agree on several things that should raise our eyebrows and even red flags.

                      Such as believing in general the percentage of grace and truth is likely to decrease the more:

                      -anonymous the poster
                      -hot the issue
                      -instantaneous the response
                      -heated the language
                      -personal the exchange between two people
                      -people think that the courts or any other arm of government will provide a solution
                      -fact intensive, but impossible for us to investigate (such as financial manipulations in Moscow)
                      -enmeshed the poster is with the issue or person under discussion
                      -fear or anger is being expressed
                      -opaque the question is to lay opinion (such as medical, legal, or ancient Canon interpretation and application)
                      -an anonymous poster seems to be asking us to rely on his supposed behind the scenes knowledge
                      -ideological I tend to be about the issue or person in question

                      Seen from this perspective I believe being swayed is an equal opportunity pitfall for us all.

                      love,

                      Fr. G

                    • Hmm. What’s really interesting is that is not the post my comment goes to . . . . That’s happened once before-George?

                • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

                  I think you’re right in that. M. Stankovich.

                  • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

                    Father George, I feel it’s ironic that most of the people posting here that hide their identity are against the burqa! What are their pseudonyms if not burqas?
                    Along that line, one might opine that it is only a dominant, or “Alpha” male that can go about without a burqa.

    • Karen Menounos says

      I think we can all be grateful Michael is not a bishop, though his passion for the Church might be a welcome addition. But the 800 number brings up another interesting point, what is all this, here and elsewhere online, how does it benefit the Archimandrite or the Church? Is this site a laboratory for discussion, or are there practical ways even now at the eleventh hour in which the Archimandrite can be assisted by all of us?

      • Father Mark Hodges says

        I think that simply speaking about our concerns, respectfully but insistently and as strongly as we can (among Orthodox only, of course), could expose any misdealings (Eph 5:11) enough to pressure at least another delay in defrocking Fr Zacchaeus. After all, keep in mind that all Fr Zacchaeus is asking is to be transferred to the Ukrainians, who have been asking for him. He deserves complete exoneration, but he gave up on that long ago. As the articles note, he is merely asking to be transferred. (Sound familiar?)

        • Karen Menounos says

          I have seen all the papers from the Ukraine. The reputation of the OCA has already been severely damaged over their mishandling of this matter.

      • All OCA-ers could write their bishops and let their voice be known. That hasn’t always worked in the past, but at least there it is in writing- that the bishops ignored the laity’s desire.

  12. Karen Menounos says

    This priest is being railroaded, any third year law student let along a practicing attorney will tell you this proceeding does not pass any smell test. I suspect there is a violation of civil rights here and I would hope the Archimandrite speaks to the ACLU and the right kind of attorney here.

    I have spent some time in my secular work looking into the sexual problems of the OCA and in particular the diocese of New England. There is a long history there, from the massive mess in Cumberland RI to other settlements and issues that span the diocese from Boston up and down the coast. In all these cases action was taken by the victims and litigation and or the threat of it ensued. To this day when certain names are mentioned in public, and there are a few…… The diocese goes into legal lockdown. In only one case was a cleric punished, and not for what happened in New England. In all these cases substantial proof was presented.

    In this case, there is no evidence of a substantial nature and it seems the under current of a fiscal mess and fraud on the part of another has the conviction and testimony of at least four others and possibly more.

    Those of us outside the OCA are watching this with great interest, this has become a loveless Church, and where there is no love, there is not The Church.

    It is instructive that while sex is being used as a pretext to destroy and crush this so scary Archimandrite, big surprise since they could not nail him on money, the sexual antics of OCA bishops past and present are not part of any conversation save the Canadian idiot that got his privates caught in a jam. This is a book yet to be written, and it goes back to their vicar in S America, two former bishops of New England, dear ole Boris Bishop and others in the midwest and a list too numerous to mention. Hierarchs that live in glass cells. . .

    The documentation online and in private hands in support of the Archimandrite is so extensive that the OCA’s has left itself open to years of civil rights, employment rights, slander and other litigation. Has anyone asked the question what do his supporters in Russia have to gain in any substantial way? It seems they are acting out a sense of justice and love.

    Out of what motivation is the OCA acting?

    K. Menounos
    GOA USA
    If it is required you may publish my e-mail address.

    • Father Mark Hodges says

      Karen,
      Thank God! Finally, someone who actually read the two articles, instead of all I’ve been hearing, giving an ambiguous, knee-jerk reaction without even reading the articles’ concerns.

      “Any third year law student let along a practicing attorney will tell you this proceeding does not pass any smell test” — I agree. It seems to me that anyone with objectivity, if s/he reads what has transpired against Fr Zacchaeus, would at least have some concerns about both the process and the motivation behind his defrocking.

      “In this case, there is no evidence of a substantial nature and it seems the under current of a fiscal mess and fraud on the part of another has the conviction and testimony of at least four others and possibly more” — There are many letters of testimony, one signed by most of the membership of St Catherine’s. As far as the original allegation is concerned, the accusation of sexual misconduct apparently was not even varified by the woman bringing it, not documented, her Syosset-written statement not signed by her, and she didn’t even testify. This should raise concerns in any clergyman. The articles explain:

      The articles state, OCA “Policy stresses that ‘the work and ministries of clergy…must not be impaired by unfounded accusations.’” The obvious danger, if one person’s accusation is validated by Church leaders, is that anyone with a grudge –or someone simply being naively mischievous– can literally destroy a priest and his family, and ruin Christ’s ministry through him.

      But it’s not just OCA Policy which disallows uncorroborated accusations. Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ Himself, teaching about wrongdoing between brethren, commanded that if a dispute arises, to “confirm every word by the evidence of two or three witnesses” (Matthew 18:16). This principle of “two or three witnesses” comes from the Old Testament Law (Deuteronomy 19:15‑19, “A single witness shall not prevail against a man for any crime or for any wrong… only on the evidence of two or three witnesses shall a charge be sustained. If a malicious witness rises against any man to accuse him of wrongdoing, then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who…shall inquire diligently, and if the witness has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother; so you shall purge the evil from the midst of you.”)

      In the United States, an accused man is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But the Canon of holy Scripture goes much further: God’s Word says no solitary accuser’s charge is to be considered. This principle is in both the Old and New Testaments. In Second Corinthians 13:1, the holy Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, instructs the Church, “Any charge must be sustained by the evidence of two or three witnesses.” First Timothy 5:19 is irrefutably explicit: “Never admit any charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.”

      Scripturally, whether a leader “believes” it or not, an unfounded accusation is not to be admitted. The accusation against Father Zacchaeus was by one person without corroboration, without even correct descriptions of the place or the harasser, and she didn’t even sign her alleged statement or verify the statement or her allegation in spiritual court.

      Thank you, Karen, for your outside, objective comments. You sadden me, however, when you conclude, “Those of us outside the OCA are watching this with great interest, this has become a loveless Church, and where there is no love, there is not The Church.” I wouldn’t broadbrush the OCA so, just because of the corruption of some leaders. The church has always had some wolves. In fact, to me, it seems the greater scandal –even greater than the incarnation– that Christ-God would entrust His Body to fallible men He knew would misrepresent Him and even turn most people away from salvation by their misdealings.

      While what you state is true that “the documentation online and in private hands in support of the Archimandrite is so extensive that the OCA’s has left itself open to…litigation,” I never believe the world’s courts is ever the answer (I Corinthians 5:12-6:8). What I think is needed, is not giving up on the OCA, but those with concerns need to raise them, speak up, and pray fervently for Father Zacchaeus.

    • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

      Ms. Menounos. I am relatively acquainted with what one might call the public and private histories of the OCA, but not with the public and private histories of the GOA. You refer to ” sexual antics of OCA bishops past and present” and go on to mention a Vicar Bishop in South America. I can think of only one METROPOLIA (but NOT OCA) vicar bishop in South America: one who was deposed by the Metropolia; Bishop Michael (Diky). If you know of an OCA bishop, vicar in South America, please, let me know his name. Check with your source in the OCA and double-check whatever he or she pretends to give you as ‘inside news.”
      You also gave us a fetid pile of gossip about the Diocese of New England, full of nudges and winks, but no facts. If I were a partisan gossip and know-it-all about the GOA, I’d ask you about “The Black Prince of the Church”, the GOA Bishop accused of horrible acts (in TIME magazine) involving the daughter of one of his own clergy, who recalled listening to the jingle, jingle of the little bells on the Bishop’s Saccos which had been spread out beforehand on the bed whereon the “prince of the Church” enjoyed himself atop her. I think that bishop is still around out here in the West some place, last I heard, “footloose and fancy-free.”
      I feel that anyone who loves Archimandrite Zacchaeus (Wood) should be primarily concerned to insure he is in AA or some other program enabling recovery from alcoholism, and assigned by his Bishop to a less stressful position than at the OCA Representation Church in Moscow. But I’m afraId some wiseacres are so anxious to be perceived as “right”, that they would only shed crocodile tears if something horrible happened in his life related to acute alcoholism.

      • Isa Almisry says

        “I think that bishop is still around out here in the West some place”
        I thought he was down under, where Abp. Stylianos prides himself on maintaining Hellenism.

        • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

          Isa, you are probably right—my information is sadly outdated. Bishop Anthimos used to be sheltered out here by Bishop Anthony of the Dardanelles/San Francisco after the days of the Time article and its subject.
          Nothing helps in these matters more than having a bank account.

      • Karen Menounos says

        The vicar was a priest, and you should know his name. Fr. Cyril.

        • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

          Karen Menounos, who is “Fr. Cyril,” and don’t you know that there are no priest vicars in our Orthodox Church?
          In the Church of England, priests are sometimes called “vicars.’ Also, Roman Dioceses (and the diocese of former “Greek Catholics”, called Carpatho-Russian may have a Priest with a title ‘Vicar General.” As for having priests misbehaving in South America, that would likelyapply to all Churches having priests there, no? Hardly worthy of note.

          • Karen Menounos says

            Look at the records and history of your own jurisdiction.

            I posted something earlier naming names of another thread, and it was not published here, so it should be easy for a scholar and all around all knowing smarty like yourself to figure out who this is, he was indeed vicar too. His name is listed in a number of directories. If the moderators want, i will publish the name.

            But rather than getting into a pissing contest with you, i suggest you know all to well who it is.

            “Hardly worthy of note ” ????? Shame on you, you reprobate!

            But this is about the Archimandrite, not about the many many perverts of the OCA and its illegitimate Metropolia.

      • Karen Menounos says

        The OCA is the Metropolia in the emperor’s new clothes. It did not start out that way, but that ole time Metropolia sludge like cream, rose to the top.

        All Orthodox Christians of good will wanted the initial OCA to grow, but its dead. You and yours killed it. What an oder of spiritual fragrance you all turned out to be! A job well done.

        We in the GOA have our problems too, and none of us like or approve of that either.

  13. M. Stankovich says

    Ms. Menounos,

    You very carefully do not claim to be a lawyer, but speak with the authority of a lawyer. Perhaps you might clarify this.

    It seems to me that any dumbass third year law student would know better than to conclude that “there is no evidence of a substantial nature” unless they were privy to all all evidence under submission to the Synod of Bishops. Now, while I’m not a betting man, there is a certain reasonableness to my conclusion that you do not possess such a privilege. Secondly, it would probably take the ACLU all of 90-minutes to discover the previous unanimous court opinions (e.g. Mayfield, PA) regarding the sufficiency of Orthodox Canon Law and ecclesiastical statute to preclude intervention by the civil courts.

    Finally – and I am forcing myself to stop because I keep humming the chorus to Marvin Gaye’s classic, Sexual Healing – I find despicable your hypocrisy in referring to the “loveless church,” while devoting an entire paragraph to maligning the characters – and failures to which we are all subject – of bishops specifically as what? “Mitigation” for Zaccheus Wood? And let’s state the obvious here, Ms. Menounos: what is your motivation?

    • Karen Menounos says

      My motivation is, professional.

    • Another anonymous brother at arms says

      Mr. Stankovich,

      Just exactly what part of “We have ceased fighting anything and anyone” do you not understand??

  14. Michael Kinsey says

    I will not back down, especially concerning Fr. Gerasim of Platina.. All of you put together can make me do it.. I got free will.

  15. Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

    I posted on this topic yesterday, and my post is still awaiting moderation, while several posts TODAY in the same thread have been moderated. I’d like to know if there is a legal problem with my posting or if we’re trying to come up with a reply to it, but failing.

    “Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says:
    June 6, 2014 at 8:34 pm
    Your comment is awaiting moderation.”

  16. M. Woerl says

    I met Father Zacchaeus in the early 1990s. I visited Fr Zacchaeus in Chicago several times, at the Bishop’s House in Oak Park, and the Holy Trinity and St George Cathedrals in Chicago. I am a convert to Orthodoxy, having been baptized in ROCOR in 1985. Father Zacchaeus accompanied my children and myself to the Glorification of St Jonah of Hankow in our Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines. He arranged for a small group of us from the ROCOR Parish in Cincinnati to be able to venerate the Holy Wonderworking Tikhvin Icon in Chicago. I worked every summer at our Diocesan Summer Camp-where my 4 children attended-and two years in a row, Fr Zacchaeus arranged for a young boy in the Chicago OCA Parish of Christ the Savior (the new Bishop’s residence across from the Moody Bible Institute) to attend our Camp. My children and I helped at a cleanup day at the church in downtown Chicago after Fr Zacchaeus asked our help. At that time, institutional relations between ROCOR and the OCA were at somewhat of a “low.” A photo of my children and I helping at the cleanup day was printed in an OCA Chicago Diocese newsletter of some sort. The priest then serving at our Cathedral in Des Plaines took me to task (I was on our Diocesan Council at that time), with, something like, “Oh? You’re in the OCA now?” I told him I was not, and I also told him that my good friend, Fr Zacchaeus, had asked me to help, so I did. I have not seen Fr Zacchaeus since he departed for Russia, and have kept in touch only a bit. I personally do not know of any “sexual misconduct” on the part of Fr Zacchaeus, nor would I suspect such. Most unfortunately, the Orthodox clergy in the US at some points seems a sort of “last refuge of scoundrels.” We in ROCOR have also, most unfortunately, seen more than our “fair share” of this. From the wacko, to outright charlatans, to criminal in the extreme. Also, perhaps unfortunately, perhaps not, I have had the dubious “privilege” of “interacting” with some of these unsavoury characters. Due to past experiences, which may or may not be a “good thing,” it seems I am able to spot “problems.” Suspecting several, but without saying anything, my instincts proved correct on more occasions than I care to remember. My friend Fr Zacchaeus did not do anything to give me any rise to “suspicion.” To this day, I value him as a friend, and am very glad to have known him. And, the nature of unfounded accusations being hurled about, allowing access to documents and allowing testimony to only “certain parties,” is quite a “testimony” in itself that Fr Zacchaeus is most probably being railroaded. Also, it is proper for Orthodox clergy to be addressed by their baptismal or monastic names, with their proper ecclesiastic title preceeding those names. As this kangaroo court has not yet “defrocked” Father Archimandrite Zacchaeus (and, even if these “allegations” can be proven to have even a modicum of veracity, it is quite evident that the process described here is, indeed, a kangaroo court) as of this date, referring to Fr Zacchaeus by his monastic name only, or his surname, is not only rude, but denigrating to the dignity of the priesthood. I might also say, in some regards, I am shocked at the extremely rude way in which Fr Mark has been addressed here. In other regards, however, having followed the various recent OCA scandals, and knowing well its history and instances of historical revisionism, I am not surprised or shocked at all.

    • M. Woerl says

      I might add that while no man is without sin, “airing clergy laundry” in public is extremely distasteful. All I see here is such “solid evidence” as an unsubstantiated and unsigned allegation, “everybody knows,” “it is well known,” “he (they) said …” Or “I was told …” Apparently gossip and hearsay are “admissible?” After the financial scandals with Metropolitan Herman and his retinue, after the disastrous dumping of Metropolitan Jonah, after such venomous treatment of clergy, without proof, evidently, in this case, after the non-starter of “autocephaly,” after the novelties of the Paris “theologians,” after the Franciscan monastery that “became Orthodox,” yet was allowed to keep displaying “icons” of “Saints Francis and Clare” in their “monastery,” because these heretical “saints” were “part of their journey,” (what if Shiva & Vishnu had been “part of their journey?”), after accepting defrocked clergy, “consecrated” to the “episcopate” by extremely questionable supposed “bishops” as a Bishop … Need I go on? WHY would anyone want to join the OCA?

      • Karen Menounos says

        Well, no one wants to join the OCA. Look at the real numbers, better look at posted pictures, no one is in the churches. It is a dead jurisdictiion, the legacy of the Leontities. At least our Archbishop left us a solvent ship. The anger directed against the Archimandrite is nothing more then the personal self loathing of the OCA bishops acting out and harming others. I pray this festering puss filled boil of Orthodoxy is lanced in the US courts.

      • Isa Almisry says

        “WHY would anyone want to join the OCA?”
        Anyone in North America wanting to join and build the local Church.

        • Karen Menounos says

          That sinking ship went down long ago. There will be no local Church here for another 50 – 100 years, and not without the permission of the Patriarchates. And bravo for that, the OCA missed the mark.

          • Isa Almisry says

            LOL.

            The Patriarch of Moscow gave his permission in 1970. Did you miss that? Or is “Patriarchs” plural a front for the so-called “First without equal”-he’s just one Turkish election away from extinction, and would do well to worry about his own house rather than clutching the coattails of the Vatican and politicians and promoting Ultramarism.

            “And bravo for that, the OCA missed the mark.”
            That it did-why I think the Tomos of 1970 had divine favor, as the OCA’s hierarchy would have otherwise destroyed it by now otherwise. And which Patriachate is going to throw the first stone at the OCA?’;)

            I’m sure the enemies of the Church applaud your “bravo.”

            • Karen Menounos says

              ROFLOL.

              The OCA is the enemy. What was, was good. What is, is trash. To quote my Metropolitan.

              • Isa Almisry says

                “The OCA is the enemy.”
                So the Phanariots say. You among their number?

                • Karen Menounos says

                  Not really, no. I think that all Orthodox Christians applauded the OCA of years ago. The spirit of the past OCA, if you wish the ghost of OCA past. The new OCA is a danger. At this point, i do prefer the rule of the assorted Patriarchates, and i would accept any one of them as top dog here.

                  • “The OCA is the enemy.”

                    Although Karen Menounos statement may be “over the top” to some it does reveal a reality about Orthodoxy in America.

                    At one time many regarded the OCA as a “hope” a “vision” a “possibility” a “path forward” in the USA. The halcyon days of Fr Alexander, Meyendorff, the golden days of SVS. At one time the OCA was at the center of cooperation between Orthodox jurisdictions even if the Greeks and others didn’t recognize their self-governing status. At one time the OCA and the Antiochians moved to coordinate their respective church departments as a step toward greater unity between the two churches. Granted the OCA back then had its issues, but the sister Church relations between the OCA and the Russian Orthodox Church was one of respect and visible examples of love and support. When the ROC was throwing off the shackles of Communism and re-establishing itself in society, the OCA was there helping, often behind the scenes to provide assistance to ailing clergy, struggling monasteries and orphanages. The friendship was bonded not just with words but with deeds.

                    The OCA primates routinely visited the ROC at the invitation of Pat. Alexsy. The OCA was invited to visit other Orthodox Churches, even Constantinople.

                    Today, that simply isn’t the case. The OCA actions, not that they dismissed their Primates Herman and Jonah, but HOW they did it was not ignored by other Orthodox Churches here and abroad. Maybe Herman and Jonah needed to be retired, I will leave that for time and history to sort out, however the disrespectful manner in which the OCA Synod removed Jonah continues to be a reason why the ROC has kept her distance from the OCA. Of course the ROC doesn’t need the OCA because it now has ROCOR here in America. Where once the ROC would consult with the OCA today they simply work with ROCOR to advance their mission here in America.

                    Where once the OCA had leadership that was respected by Constantinople, Russia, Jerusalem, Antioch, Poland, the Czech Lands and Slovakia, Finland, to name a few, when phone calls would be made and accepted on the other end when the OCA called, that is not the de facto reality today.

                    The Antiochian Archdiocese has eclipsed the OCA in membership and good order. Their process to nominate their next Metropolitan is being done with respect and dignity, not so for the OCA. Yes, +Tikhon was elected in Parma but it was not without a stifling attempt to insure the result which was that +Tikhon would be elected by the Synod no matter who the people of the OCA wanted. Yes, that is the right of the Synod but this was the same Synod who elected Jonah then worked to undermine him. One should hope that the OCA has learned its lesson and will leave +Tikhon alone.

                    At one time the OCA was a path to possible unity, but today, and this is where Karen’s use of “enemy” is close to correct, the OCA is now not part of the solution but part of the problem which is hindering administrative unity. The OCA has squandered its gift here and is now just a small Orthodox jurisdiction, living off its past laurels.

                    Very sad and tragic.

                    • Isa Almisry says

                      “The OCA has squandered its gift here and is now just a small Orthodox jurisdiction, living off its past laurels.”
                      LOL.

                      Here, see a tiny Orthodox jurisdiction living off its past laurels-
                      http://www.patriarchate.org/

                    • Karen Menounos says

                      We can thank you for such a clear and cogent posting.

                      And we can thank Protoptesbyter Rodion Kondratick for those relations, the advancement and the help to Russia. The administrative success was his, not the primates.

                  • Isa Almisry says

                    “At this point, i do prefer the rule of the assorted Patriarchates, and i would accept any one of them as top dog here.”
                    Ah, Sacred Canons be damned. Got it.

                    I don’t recall the Church sweeping Constantinople under the rug when it killed St. John Chrysostom. Nor when it gave Nestorius a throne from which to throw the whole Church into division. Did I miss something?

                    • Roman K. says

                      Isa Almisry,

                      I am happy for you that you consider the OCA to be in greater world Orthodox standing than the Patriarchate of Constantinople. However, I would venture to guess that you could fill a phone booth with people who would agree with you.

                    • Isa Almisry says

                      “I am happy for you that you consider the OCA to be in greater world Orthodox standing than the Patriarchate of Constantinople. However, I would venture to guess that you could fill a phone booth with people who would agree with you.”
                      LOL. I’ve been to the Phanar-a few phone booths could contain it.

                      As for the straw man you agree with, watch the matches.

                    • Karen Menounos says

                      Your comedic treatment of the EP and the current situation of The Great Church is unworthy, and sad. This is exactly why the OC does not present a unified global voice on social and moral issues like Rome does. We have far too many know it all pontificating poops! Shame on you. Why are so many people here so angry at everything and everyone?

                    • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

                      Oh, Roman, Roman! Fill a ;phone booth. From what planet did you drop down to us? Don’t you know that you’ve tempted the perennial, undying, and even tiresome argument about St. Mark of Ephesus into the room?

            • Johann Sebastian says

              With all due respect, despite all the rhetoric we hear to the contrary, the MP has been doing a fair job of cozying up to the Vatican, even with the recent events in Ukraine:

              Quoting His Grace, Met. Hilarion:

              “Today once again it has been all the more obvious what the Orthodox knew – that the Unia was and, unfortunately, remains a special project of the Catholic Church aimed at undermining canonical Orthodoxy. It was here, in the country of Byelorussia, that the notorious ‘the Union of Brest’ of 1596 was concluded and which brought untold suffering to the Orthodox population of these lands.”

              Amen to that. This fact can’t be stressed enough.

              However, he goes on to say:

              “Allow me to use this platform to appeal to all our partners in the Orthodox-Catholic dialogue to do all that is possible to cool down the ‘hotheads’ among the Uniates, to halt the actions of the Greek Catholics in making the crisis in the Ukraine worse.

              Today one part of the Catholic Church is employing all her strength, talents and resources in strengthening Orthodox-Catholic interaction, while another (even though it enjoys autonomous status) is doing everything possible, as in former unfortunate times, to drive the wedge of distrust and enmity between Orthodox and Catholics.

              Say, what?

              Unia was conceived as an instrument to undermine the Orthodox Church by the Vatican. Instead of blaming the victims–the Greek Catholics–of that false and overwhelmingly involuntary union, we should be calling its instigators–the Roman Catholics–out onto the carpet. All we are doing by approaching the situation in this fashion is driving ourselves closer to a modern-day Unia while making the possibility of reconciling our closest relatives in faith and praxis ever more unlikely, a situation that would bring to fulfillment the original spirit of 1596 (or 1646 or 1439, or any number of other dates for that matter).

              On the bright side, where these churches exist in the United States, they appear to be the route many Catholic seekers take on their journey to Orthodoxy rather than the other way around.

        • M. Woerl says

          To be perfectly honest, looking at the situation here, I do not understand why anyone would want to do that, either! And the way things are going now, if a “local North American Church” does become a reality, the OCA won’t have much to do with it. Of course, if you see the seemingly crumbling organization that is the current OCA as “the local North American Church,” well … On paper only! And that “paper” is certainly not “currency” that is universally accepted. And I suppose that “all of the above” (the short list I posted prior to asking why anyone would want to join the OCA) should simply be “disregarded?” Birth pangs? Historical circumstances? Maybe we can try not to let the inept and corrupt run the show? Or … What?

          • Isa Almisry says

            “To be perfectly honest, looking at the situation here, I do not understand why anyone would want to do that, either! ”

            As if the word of Christ is only suitable for the Old World and not for the entire world! As if the Church of Christ is not “Catholic”! As if the Orthodox Faith did not “establish the universe”!

            • Karen Menounos says

              No, it is for the entire world, we just do not have a native Church here yet that can handle it. It will come in time. Meantime we can all go forth and preach, love one another and convert people. Sad to say that more of the US Church will die before we can rise.

              • Isa Almisry says

                “No, it is for the entire world, we just do not have a native Church here yet that can handle it.”
                Either it can handle it everywhere, or it can’t handle it anywhere.
                Cat-holic “according-to-the-whole.”

                “It will come in time.”
                The time has come. If you want to live in the Ottoman era, take it elsewhere.

            • M. Wowrl says

              As if you could read what anyone else writes! No one said “only the Old World is suitable for the Word of Christ,” except you! Is the Word of Christ NOT preached here now? Despite the existence of an “American Church?” One that is recognized as such by all who would be involved … yeh, yeh, you’ll say it is! Let’s say recognized to the extent that all the Orthodox would join it!

        • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

          You’re right, Isa Almisry, and Ms. Menounos is not; however, she mostly knows what Archimandrite Zacchaeus and those with him tell her. She’s a charter member of the very popular ‘The Sky Is Falling” school of modern Orthodoxy in America. She opines that the OCA is somehow failing. Has she ever visited Saint Andrew’s Church in Delta, Colorado? Holy Epiphany Church in Colorado Springs? Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Denver/’ St. Seraphim/Holy Protection Cburch in Santa Rosa, CA? Saint Nicholas Church in San Anselmo, CA? St. Nicholas Church in Saratoga, CA? Nativity of the Virgin Church in Menlo Park, CA? I think Ms. Menounas knows absolutely ‘diddly” about the OCA out West and whatever that “diddly” might be, it all comes from Archimandrite Zacchaeus. There are problematic parishes, seemingly going nowhere and shepherded by ecclesiastical pessimists… they may be found, I believe, connected to “The Orthodox Forum” mostly.
          All this “poisoning of the wells’ helps no one, especially Archimandrite Zacchaeus and Metropolitan Jonah. If there are ANY canonical irregularities in any proceeding involving Archimandrite Zacchaeus and they bother others, I ask “Where were you when Protopresbyter Rodion S. Kondratick when he was ‘tried’ before a sham kangaroo court where, tellingly, MINUTES WERE FORBIDDEN? ‘What goes around, comes around.”

          • Karen Menounos says

            I personally, have never spoken to the Archimandrite. Is this the diocese of the west that gave rise to Pokrov.org?

            Is this the diocese of the West that spawned a certain abuser now a homosexual fraudulent bishop? The former OCA priest David Black and now a ” Bishop Sergios ”

            Is this the diocese of the west with at least one abuser currently under investigation?

            Is this the diocese of the west of BIshop Tikhon.

            Yes, it is. Thanks for clearing that up Your Excellency.

            • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

              Karen, it’s the very same diocese. Thanks for rehearsing its failures. I don’t want to exaggerate its excellence,, either. You continue to do what everybody does most enthusiastically: consecrate on the worst in others and, here, even in dioceses!
              Please, answer my question: “Has she ever visited Saint Andrew’s Church in Delta, Colorado? Holy Epiphany Church in Colorado Springs? Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Denver/’ St. Seraphim/Holy Protection Cburch in Santa Rosa, CA? Saint Nicholas Church in San Anselmo, CA? St. Nicholas Church in Saratoga, CA? Nativity of the Virgin Church in Menlo Park, CA?”

              I ask, Karen, because those parishes are the Church, they are the OCA, they are the Diocese of the West. If you insist on judging, RAThER, on the basis of persons, it’s a free country. By the way, Bishop Sergios (formerly David Black) was not “spawned” in the Diocese of the West, but in New England. He went to Yale and SVS. I suppose one might opine he was “spawned” as an Orthodox Christian by SVS and Frs. Schmeman and Meyendorff, both of whom loved him very much.
              What in the world is a fraudulent bishop, I wonder? Does Karen imagine that Archbishop Benjamin was NOT consecrated a bishop by the Holy Spirit through the hands of existing bishops?
              KAREN! I was pastor of a rather large OCA parish for around thirty years. I can assure you that there are sinners of even greater moment and magnitude than those whose names you squeezed out of your tight little soul. I don’t mean to single you out in that. There is no shortage of tight lttle souls here on Monomakhos. The diocese of the West did not give birth to Pokrov, although it was conceived and given birth within the diocesan boundaries. It has no connection whatsoever with the OCA or the Diocese of the West, but it might have with any Association of Tight Little Souls.

              • Karen Menounos The Stankovich Troll says

                To be clear i was NOT labeling Bishop Benjamin a fraud. It is the false Sergios that I apply that title. I have never been to Santa Rosa and would not go. The priest was Black’s roommate and the church was painted with icons by Black’s wife. When Black was in the diocese of New England, every priest signed a letter asking for his removal, all except for the father of the rector of Santa Rosa. Black was a dangerous homosexual a dishonest man, an abuser and thief. After he raped New England he ran back to California and the diocese of the west, later, with either your help or Bishop Benjamin’s he was allowed to escape to the OCA Bulgarians after which he ran off to join the homosexual cabal at Holy Transfiguration Monastery, see pokrov.org.

                As for dear Fr. Alexander Schmemman I went with two others to see him in November of 1979 and the words he used to describe Black, were far from loving. Black has a long California history going back to before New England from where he ran from after he was accused of sexual abuse.

                I have been to Delta and Saratoga, and both are like paradise you are right to mention them. Im surprised you brought up San Anselmo, should i recount that history? My sister’s husband is from that parish.

                As for Pokrov, I think their history is either well known or easy to find. San Francisco OCA Cathedral and a cult abuser?! Is not that church part of your diocese?

                Let me be clear I was never referring to Bishop Benjamin, only to Black.

                • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

                  The person posting here as ‘Karen Menounas The Stankovich Troll”, has born false witness against me and, I believe, Bishop Sergios of Loch Lomond a hierarch in one of the more respectable Greek Old Calendarist jurisdictions in the U.S.
                  He did not rape New England. He was invited by Archbishop John (Shahovskoy) to serve in the Diocese of the West for a time. Father George Benigsen said that Vladyka called then Fr. David Black a “hot-house flower!” Vladyka liked such figures of speech. Once at a Diocesan Council meeting, he heard a report that Fr. John Meyendorff would be visiting. He exclaimed ‘Ah the Father Meyendorff is the good Burgundy wine amng theologians, just as the Father Schmeman is the champagne!” I asked (making trouble even then, right?), ‘What about Father Thomas Hopko, Vladyka?” He didn’t miss a beat, and answered, “Ah, he is the CocA ColA!” it brought the house down as they say.
                  You repeat and further a gross lie about both me and about Archbishop Benjamin. As ruling Bishop, I clashed with Father David and made life uncomfortable enough so that he fled to Archbishop Kyrill and began a Bulgarian mission in Berkeley under the latter’s omophorion. i don’t know if Archbishop Benjamin had ANY contact with Father David Black except when Archbishop Benjamin was my Deacon Vincent, and he may have heard us quarrel loudly in Santa Rosa once or twice. When Archbishop Kyrill heard that Black had offended some wealthy Bulgarians (one of the biggest no-no’s possible for any Bulgarian Priest), he began to make noises about suspension, and Father Black fled to the Old Calendarists. I don’t present Father David’s side because I don’t know it. I, (LIKE KAREN) really don’t KNOW anything substantial about Father Black’s time in New England. I know he had a conflict with some of the parish leadership in the Boston Cathedral where he was assigned, because he kept removing the chairs!!!! He is said to have complained about the then newly ordained Bishop Job as being unqualified and having only audited courses at St. Tikhon’s. I believe that sexuallly he was a very non-active person, but that he was what some used to call “Queer-Bait.” Father Alexander enjoyed this, because seminarians who would never have been “outed’ were so outed when they tried to get a rise out of Black. I myself remember how one young seminarian, V., from the Midwest,(now a doughty old Archpriest in New England) a “pre-theological” student, became positively obsessed with Black. It got so bad that one evening, V., the pre-theological student, came into the ‘old-main” dormitory and started up the stairs towards Black’s room. Leonid Kishkovsky and a couple of us were B.S.ing.in the hallway when V. came and tried to squeeze past us Kishkovsky said, ‘V. where do you think you’re going? ” “I’m going up there to see DAVID,” he cried. Kishkovsky said, “Oh no you are not!” Whereupon V. tried to slip past and Kishkovsky DECKED him and he fell down the stairs. V. is the seminarian of whom I previously reported—the one that finished off a mutual prostration at Forgiveness Vespers by sticking his tongue in my mouth. These matters became known to Frs. Schmeman and Meyendorff and I was assured that V. would be asked not to come back the next school year, but go home and “grow up” Another venerable Archpriest, now in Alaska, like V. married with a family now, also had a big “thing” for Black, back in the day. While I do not admire him, i must grudgingly ;admit that he had a genuine charismatic gift where college students were concerned wherever he was assigned. Most of the very negative stuff that bothers Karen is, unbeknownst to her, coming from this or that person who had sexual aspirations or hopes towards Black, to which Black frustratingly did not respond or responded negatively.. Just saying. As far as I know, he never betrayed or went “:state’s evidence” against any of his failed suitors in Riassas. Did he never serve in Dallas or elsewhere in the South.
                  Yes, as a seminarian, the Seminary sent him to Los Angeles as a parish intern one summer, although he was born and raised (by a single mother, I believe) in New England. That summer was before I moved to California, during the time of Fr. Hilary Madison (check with Pokrov on that one) He graduated from Yale with a major in (classical) Greek, I believe and was also a wrestler.

                  If Father David was ever a monk or priest of the Holy Transfiguration Monastery, it’s news to me, though possible, of course.. His closest associate in the hierarchy now is a Metropolitan Moses.
                  The retired (full colonel) Archpriest, Michael Margitich and his son, Archpriest Lawrence Margitich are the energetic, devout, and widely loved and respected Priests at the St. Seraphim/Holy Protection Church in Santa Rosa. Anyone who would like a BALANCED rather than hysterical view of fhem should inquire of ANY of the Orthodox Clergy in the area, Greek, Antiochene, ROCOR, to learn of their character r4putation, and good works. A long-time associate and well-known Iconographer, Monk Patrick Doolan (sp?) has been working for years and year on the spectacularly beautiful wall frescoes at that Church, which are being done by the ancient and authentic “wet fresco’ or “wet plaster’ method.. Brother Patrick won the international competition sponsored by the French government to design a new commemorative medal of St. Genevieve. After winning he became a student of Leonid Ouspensky’s. STudents of iconography come from all over the world to observe Brother Patrick at work i believe that his iconography may also be seen on greeting cards coming from a Greek Old Calendarist monastery. They are astonishingly beautiful and canonical.

                  Karen did not have to declare primly that she has never been to Santa Rosa. It’s so obvious!!! I suggest she get some new spiritual counsellors. What she has shown here is knowledge of a kind of Orthodox pornography of Gossip.
                  Karen, if you agree with me about Delta and Saratoga why don’t you casually mention Santa Rosa and the Fathers Margitich to Father Daniel Jones and/or Basil Rhodes. Tell them you call Brother Patrick Doolan Bishop Sergios’s wife!!!

                  I think Bishop Sergios has posted here. George would know. You may find the excellent FAther Lawrence Margitich and lots of photos of the superb Church and its iconogrqphy on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/lawrence.margitich?fref=ts

                  I’m praying Karen’ll be able to visit Santa Rosa and learn the truth for HERSELF.

                  • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

                    Errata: I’ve been corrected and must admit that it was not Archbishop John that invited and received then Father David Black into the Diocese of the West. It was Bishop Basil (Rodzianko) Further, David Black did not matriculate at Yale, but at another New England college and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
                    Still further, Father David Black was indeed accused of interfering in the pastoral life of Father ARIDA’s parish. (that name is familiar here, no?) by clergy, not all, of that Boston Deanery.
                    So, K.M.’s trawling has somehow turned up a fact or two, for the first time!!!
                    I got four thumbs-downs already. I must be doing something right!

                  • jerome wilson says

                    BT – you are clearly out of it- Sergios David Black is another in a long lime of imposters. Your thumbs down is not an indication of your correctness, just your foolishness. If the OCA had any integrity left, they would muzzle you.

                    • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

                      How does it go, “jerome”? The curses of heretics are blessings? Something like that..
                      I repeat, it was Bishop Basi (Rodzianko) who brought Father David Black into the Diocese of the West, not Archbishop John Shahovskoy.
                      And far from “raping” New England (somebody has been over-influenced by then Bishop Jonah’s incontinent attack against other sinners at an AAC), it was only interfering with Father ARida’s ministry that caused some, but not all, members of the Boston Deanery to ask that Black be censured. Is the name Arida not known here?
                      I know many wonderful Priests and Deacons and unordained Faithful Orthodox Christians i the OCA, and, in my opinion, the OCA has as much integrity as any other Local Church, including the Church of Antioch, the Church of Constantinople, and the Church of Russia, for example. What do you mean by “muzzling?” Mrs. Fitzgerald’s son is eighty-one (81) years old PLUS. I’d like to see someone try to muzzle him. Why not come and visit me and give it a try?

                    • Karen Menounos says

                      There have been numerous reports of BLACK slithering in and out of the Boston area, no surprise there though, it is fertile ground in the OCA for affirming stinking…Thanks to all the OCA bishops that made him possible.

                • Anna Gribowsky says

                  Karen,
                  I see that Bp. T. Fitzgerald did not challenge you about San Anselmo in his very long reply. What happened in San Anselmo?

                  • Karen Menounos The Stankovich Troll says

                    I wish someone would get the fool back on his meds. He is wrong on so many levels that i cant even respond, or at least will not waste my time. I have every written and printed document on these matters and will publish them in an upcoming book.

                    Give me a week or so and i will write on San Anselmo. Right now i am working on another matter that i cannot drop.

                    Thanks for asking.

                    • Anna Gribowsky says

                      Karen,
                      What can I say–you go, girl kyria!
                      And if you ever have the chance to write about San Anselmo, that would be great. Thank you!

                  • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

                    What was there to challenge about San Anselmo, Anna Gribowsky? Was something evil said by the Sewage Patrol, sorry, Sewage Troll about Saint Nicholas Church of San Anselmo? Gosh, do you think she has something that’ll get the mucilage in those old veins of yours flowing again as her false witness about the Fathers Margitich did?

                    • Anna Gribowsky says

                      On June 12, 2014, at 8:06 am, Karen Menounos wrote (in her third paragraph):
                      “Im (sic) surprised you brought up San Anselmo, should I recount that history?”
                      And I noticed that you didn’t challenge that statement, that’s all.

                    • Karen Menounos The Stankovich Troll says

                      I replied on the 16th, but my comment is still awaiting moderation.

                    • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

                      Anna Gribowsky, her question was repulsive. Who would want to hear anything more about anyone or anything from that ill-informed bearer of false witness and other miscellaneous sewage? And, by the way, she made no STATEMENT to challenge, but tried to ask a rhetorical question. One doesn’t challenge questions where I went to school, Anna.

                    • Karen Menounos The Stankovich Troll says

                      Sewage Troll!? Wow, Stankovich move over, a new word-master has arrived. Webster is dead long live Tikhon, the OED is gone make way for OCD!

                      I just checked Amazon, apparently Mucilage is no longer for sale, sad like so many things that are extinct. Mucilage, The OCA, Bishop Tikhon.

                      Do not fret, more details in the coming weeks and months. Long live the Archimandrite! Down with the liberal syosset demographic.

                    • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

                      I feel so embarrassed when anyone shows any kind of unfamiliarity with life or that they don’t get out much! Here is Karen, capitalizing mucilage and looking for it on Amazon! She must think it’s a brand name or the like and not know it’s a word that’s been around in English since medieval times for a gelatinous ( mucilaginous) substance you can find in a clump of seaweed. Anybody know the name of the state where he or she went to school?

                      “I just checked Amazon, apparently Mucilage is no longer for sale,” Embarrassing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                    • Johann Sebastian says

                      Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald said:

                      “Here is Karen, capitalizing mucilage and looking for it on Amazon! She must think it’s a brand name…Anybody know the name of the state where he or she went to school?”

                      I made the mistake of taking a sip of coffee as I was reading this bit about mucilage. Down the wrong pipe and back out. What a mess it made!

                      I used to feel that “mucilage” and “mucilaginous” among other words were of tremendous descriptive value, however, realizing that those born after ca. 1965 (and therefore the product of a progressive liberal school system) tend not to understand multisyllabic Latinate words, I now make use of the the more proletarian and onomatopoeic “goo” and “gloppy”. These also lend themselves well 2 txtmsgng n don’t require too much bandwidth to transmit.

                    • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

                      Johann Sebastian!!!! You said something rather disagreeable:
                      You said:

                      “realizing that those born after ca. 1965 (and therefore the product of a progressive liberal school system) tend not to understand multisyllabic Latinate words,”

                      In 1949-1950, my senior year in high school in suburban Detroit (Ferndale), I had a very close relationship with a classmate who was also the daughter of the superintendent of our school system. I went with her once to an exciting school board meeting (open to the public of course) because her father, like our school system, was under attack from right wingers of the day carrying placards; “Down With Progressive Education.” Oddly, I feel I got a very good education in that school system. We learned solfeggio in the sixth grade as well as how to read music, while in high school i learned Latin, although Spanish was also offered as an elective. We graduated in January 1950. I could go on about what was taught and what was learned, but what came later, with the “Why Johnny Can’t Read” movement (something like birthers) is what screwed up the education system in those years. But I’m not sure when you came on the scene and began to observe…

                    • Johann Sebastian says

                      Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says:

                      “Oddly, I feel I got a very good education in that school system. We learned solfeggio in the sixth grade as well as how to read music, while in high school i learned Latin, although Spanish was also offered as an elective. We graduated in January 1950. I could go on about what was taught and what was learned, but what came later, with the “Why Johnny Can’t Read” movement (something like birthers) is what screwed up the education system in those years. But I’m not sure when you came on the scene and began to observe…”

                      Your generation produced. Mine consumes.

                      Latinam quid est?

      • Abbouna Michel says

        So, you’re comparing Sts. Francis and Clare to Shiva and Vishnu? Gee, I can’t imagine why some non-Orthodox think we’re all a nest of nutters!

        • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

          Oh, Abbouns Michel. I don’t know where you’ve been or where you were educated, but such comparisons are older than Methuselah or bleached white flour. Why, some scholars studying areas of the world where “abbounas” are as abundant as popcorn, long ago opined that Esther and Mordecai were just disguises in a story about Astarte and Mordecai in a celestial territory!!!
          Why, Mr. Chris Banescu compares himself to St. John the Baptist, and Mr. Michalopoulos calls himself “One Who Fights Alone.’ Do you imagine that comparing Francis of Assisi and Clare to Shiva and Vishnu are somehow MORE likely to cause non-Orthodox to “think we’re all a nest of nutters?”

          • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

            Errata (with apology): I refer to Astarte and Mordecai above. I meant to refer to Astarte and MARDUK as the prototypes of Esther and Mordecai. Sorry.

        • M. Woerl says

          People all over the world (on this train)
          Join in (ride the train)
          Start a love train, love train (ride the train, y’all)
          People all over the world (come on)
          Join hands (you can ride or stand, yeah)
          Start a love train, love train (makin’ love)
          People all over the world (’round the world, y’all)
          Join hands (come on)
          Start a love train, love train
          -now boarding! get your tickets for Rome here! the answer to your situation as a “deficient church!” Get on board, y’all!

    • Karen Menounos says

      Bravo! May the Lord direct our steps.

    • Karen Menounos says

      Bravo.

    • Isa Almisry says

      “I met Father Zacchaeus in the early 1990s. I visited Fr Zacchaeus in Chicago several times, at the Bishop’s House in Oak Park, and the Holy Trinity and St George Cathedrals in Chicago.”
      Our paths must have crossed in person at some point.

    • M. Stankovich says

      M. Worel,

      I have spent years of my professional life attempting to determine veracity from criminals without the benefit of corroborative evidence: working as a research associate in the development of instruments to be administered to measure “malingering,” developing the “investigative interview,” developing “lying scales” to be inserted into other scales to test if a respondent is being honest generally, etc. I will tell you that this is a daunting task, and I have been conned misled, and duped by the best. So I am amused at the similar arguments both you and Fr. Mark Hodges are making.

      You make the point that, “I personally do not know of any “sexual misconduct” on the part of Fr Zacchaeus, nor would I suspect such.” I would suspect that Fr. Mark would say exactly the same thing. As a matter of fact, I’ll bet we could get 250 people to agree to the same point. What does it tell us about his proclivity or practice of sexual misconduct? Absolutely nothing. You and 249 others are not aware and therefore had no reason to be suspicious. There are rarely, if ever, witnesses to sexual abuse, and because of the fear of not being believed or being blamed, sexual abuse is rarely reported and evidence is lost. And if it is not reported immediately – for whatever reason, fear, shame, family objections, and so on – it will be the focus of any defense, to humiliate the individual for “fabrication.”

      My greatest exception, however,, M. Woerl, is that by your significantly faulty reasoning and logic, you have somehow assumed this as a leap to conclude “Fr Zacchaeus is most probably being railroaded” – a conclusion probably dumber than your initial conclusion – and “and, even if these “allegations” can be proven to have even a modicum of veracity, it is quite evident that the process described here is, indeed, a kangaroo court.” Really? So, even if the accusations are found to be true, they are what? Illegitimately reached? Of no consequence?

      Let me offer you some kind, brotherly advice: you have said more than enough about the OCA and have reached a point of embarrassing yourself. Much of which you are now writing is because you are grossly unqualified by your ignorance of history and a theological education to be ranting. By this empty, uninformed disparaging of “Parisian Renovationists,” you have ignorantly cut yourself off from the greatest formative minds of American Orthodoxy. I recommend you download and read Fr. Alexander Schmemann’s Problems With Orthodoxy in America. There is no better, no concise, no more insightful document available. The saturation point for your sarcasm and insult has been reached. Now is the time to be quiet and learn.

      • M. Woerl says

        Not interested. Also not interested in the Official Revised Version of historical
        facts. I’m guilty of disagreeing with you. As charged. When’s the execution? Will it be by firing
        squad, or you’ll tie me to a chair, and talk until you bore me to death? If execution it is, I’d
        greatly prefer the former. I would also disagree as to who it is that’s “embarrassing oneself.”

  17. Karen Menounos says

    Someone suggested that one avenue for remedy was for us to call our OCA bishops to register disgust. Since i am GOA, yesterday i called my Metropolitan whom i know well from my work on and he went on and on, turns out he know Fr. Archimandrite and he says that several GOA bishops have discussed this and are watching the OCA and how they are handling this matter. He had high praise for the Archimandrite and praise for only one OC A bishop.

    • M. Stankovich says

      Ms. Menounons,

      With your permission, and in the interest of truth and integrity, I would appreciate you leaving the name of your Metropolitan, phone number, and the date and time of your phone call at my web site http://www.mstankovich.com via “Contact Me” or as a comment to any post so that I may corroborate your statement. By either method, I am the only one who will see this information.

      • Karen Menounos says

        Are you joking. Lol, what makes you think that i would violate the confidential relationship with my Metropolitan for an OCA person I have never met and do not know?

        But, i will do this, next Friday I hope to met with him on another matter. I will show him this thread of messages and your post, if he allows it I will indeed provide you with the information. I will send through your site my phone number and you can call me.

        Fair?

        • M. Stankovich says

          LOL, are you joking? What makes you think I want to speak to you? Did you catch the words “corroborate” and “in the interest of truth and integrity?”

          You have come to this site making, in my estimation, outrageous claims as to the statements of others – notably hierarchs of other Orthodox jurisdictions – spread what the Holy Fathers refer to as “murderous gossip” in reference to heirarchs of the Orthodox Church, living and departed, disparaging the authority of autocephalous Churches to act according to their statutory right, attempting to undermine the evidenciary process of a matter which is absolutely none of your concern, and mocking and scorning those who uphold the Holy Scripture, the Patristic Fathers, the Ancient Canons, and the Holy Traditions. And you will pardon me for my observation, but by vocabulary and basic fund of information – and I am qualified to make such a determination – you seem to lack the intelligence to enter into anything but a most cursory discussion of these matters. Bearing all of this in mind, Ms. Menounos, I believe it quite reasonable to conclude that you are not honest here in all your claims, and I would like you to provide me with a means of independent corroboration, or I am asking you to shut up. Fair?

          • Karen Menounos says

            What i suggested in my post was that if my Metropolitan gave permission, i would send you my phone and you could call me and i would then pass you on to His Eminence.

            From your latest rant, i can only conclude your just another entitled angry man, probably angry at women.

            You have no way of knowing who i am or my involvement, if any at all. Frankly it really is not any of your business, i thought your request to verify information reasonable, but now i will have nothing to do with you, you are well spoken and clearly intelligent, you are passionate but do not persuade. There is an urgent and violent quality to your writings which i do not understand. There are things happening that it is clear you have no knowledge of, and i see no reason why you should. Pontificate if you wish, the facts lie where they are.

            My claims as you call them are all documented on paper, and i assure you many of these matters are my concern and the concern of other involved parties.

            Good luck to you.

            • M. Stankovich says

              Ms. Menounos,

              You are correct that I do not, in fact, know who you are. But I do know this: You are a troll – nothing more, nothing less. I am well trained and very experienced, and I knew it from your first post. You are a purveyor of what the the Holy Fathers refer to as “murderous gossip.” Why “murderous?” Because it destroys the souls of all those who participate and love the filthy details, albeit every detail may be true. You deliver, you encourage, and you instigate others to join you. And you picked the wrong person to extend the trite, “your (sic) just another entitled angry man, probably angry at women.” I stand by my integrity, and you know it. You need to go away.

              • Karen Menounos says

                The Troll says take a deep breath and a time out, you have earned it.

                You are right about one thing, i do invite and encourage others to believe in the goodness and cause of the Archimandrite.

                Have a nice day.

              • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

                M. Stankovich! You think “Karen Menounas” is a real name or another Burqa?

            • Centurion says

              The accurate word that describes the spirits of pride, self-centered pedantry and hatred permeating many of the posts from M. Stankovich (and Bishop “How Thin Can I Slice the Ḥalāl Baloney” Tikhon) is LEGION. There’s no other way to put it.

      • What breathtaking chuzpah you exhibit, Mr. Stankovich!

        You will corroborate Karen’s statement in the comments regarding her conversation with her Metropolitan, and then what? Provide absolution?? Issue a press release? What makes her, or anyone on this board, accountable solely to you?

        WHO exactly provided you with the the title of Be-All, End-All, Master-of-the-Universe who would get to the bottom of every assertion? You have, by your own admission, been “conned, misled, and duped by the best.” Has it occurred to you that you could have been led on this little detour from the truth by the Accusers in this kangaroo court?

        Karen, Father Mark, and the Sons of Job seem to be making the largely reasonable request that Fr Zacchaeus have a chance to answer the charges against him in some kind of good order, in some alignment with the Canons, and perhaps with some spirit of getting to the facts rather than being sacrificed to someone’s political agenda.

        They have also indicated that other jurisdictions are watching this episode. Your response to this statement is to demand proof that other jurisdictions are watching, and have an opinion on these proceedings. You go on to accuse Karen of both lying and lack of intelligence. Morover, when she attempts to meet your arrogant request halfway – you distain talking with her – no, only a conversation with her Metropolitan will do – so you can be the arbiter of her truthtelling???

        You have an amazing opinion of yourself. Based on what I see of your comments here, I do not share it. Not that my opinion makes a single iota of difference, but you have been quite rude and IMNSHO, owe Karen an apology at minimum.

        What a piece of work!

        • Karen Menounos says

          I appreciate the SONS OF JOB and although i do not know who they are, i am willing to believe them, and agree for the most part.

          As for Mr. Stankovich, I am worried, if this isn’t an angry man then maybe he is off meds or on something. Something is wrong.

          As i have tried to point out this IS about the Archimandrite, not me or the Venerable Stankovich. The Archimadrite is well loved around the world, has offers of safety from MANY legitimate Autocephalous Churches, and testimony ( some of which is public) from many people whom are legitimate witnesses in a future action against the OCA. What does the OCA have? An unknown accuser? Its own compromised hierarchy? Syosset hangmen? Stankovich?????

          Gimmie a break!

          The reasonable tone of your post invites reasonable conversation, others, should be given a time out and sent to the corner to sulk.

          Best wishes!

          • Karen Menounos The Stankovich Troll says

            There is also a practical and economic dimension to all this. If this all goes south and the Archimandrite goes to court, what gives these bishops the right to spend the hard contributed dollars of the laity to the Church, to defend themselves priests and bishops alike from civil prosecution and liability?

            Imagine the New York lunch counter owner, the 83 year old Pennsylvania miner, the Chicago factory worker, or the LA convert, finding out that their contributions went to defend these Syosset priests and the bishops in civil court ?

            Maybe they should be required to pay for their own attorneys like the Archimandrite?

          • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

            To the person calling himself or herself Karen Menounas; ”
            If a spiritual, i.e., ecclesiastical court has been held, and I believe it has been so held, such a court is appointed by the Diocesan Bishop of an accused, and it is the diocesan bishop who must be the Accuser in the official proceedings.

            The civil courts usually respect the decisions of ecclesiastical courts, especially of hierarchical Churches, and do not interfere Why are you speaking of a civil law suit?

            You started out by saying “There is also a practical and economic dimension to all this”
            But then you said nothing in an economic or practical dimension at all! In fact, you simple launched out into a bunch of “What ifs’ and “Imagine if?” There’s something missing there. Synapses misfiring? In fact, instead of stating anything plausible you asked three questions! Get out much?

        • M. Stankovich says

          really?

          What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty! In form and moving how express and admirable! In action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god! The beauty of the world. The paragon of animals.” In case you’re wondering, that would be Hamlet, Act II, Scene II. I mean seriously, pal, exactly how often are you get set up to use a quote like that? Ha! I owe you. Made my day. Oh, and it’s “Dr. Stankovich.”

          So, let me just verbalize the concept to be sure we are clear as to the issue: you have gone all righteous on me because I have questioned the integrity, honesty, and intellectual capacity of Ms. Menounos – and for the record, like you, s/he could be anyone – and believe I owe her an apology for my arrogance and rudeness. Please correct me if I am wrong. While I have no explanation as to why the conclusions I reached are not clearly evident, I can simplify.

          First, this site is owned and moderated by Mr. Michalopulos, a most gracious and tolerant host; anyone may “object,” but he alone determines what is posted here. As near as I can tell, Ms. Menounos does not appear to be impeded from posting anything. Obviously, the corollary is that Mr. Michalopulos entitles me to my opinion.

          As to your assertion that Ms. Menounos et al. advocate for Fr Zacchaeus, blah, blah, blah, what do I care? I simply have the right to disagree, no? I believe I exercized this with Fr. Mark Hodges. End of story. But I will not tolerate without comment her flood of vicious, degrading, moronic, mean-spirited comments regarding the Church and its God-chosen hierarchs. I have no control over her posts – and I seriously question Mr. Michalopulos in allowing this endless stream of troll viciousness – and it is unimaginable to me that those who post here frequently watch and say nothing. Further, it is for exactly the viciousness and crudeness of her posts that I do not believe she has relationships with Metropolitans who give her “inside” information. It’s “troll bait.” My comments regarding vocabulary & basic fund of information are from Kaplan & Sadock’s Concise Textbook of Clinical Psychiatry.

          Finally, really?, I know nothing about Fr Zacchaeus; I have never met him and I have no vested interest in him one way or another. You ask, “Has it occurred to you that you could have been led on this little detour from the truth by the Accusers in this kangaroo court?” and my response to you is a very simple one I learned from a mentor who was the director of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Columbia Presbyterian Medical in Manhattan: “They only way you’ll get duped is with half the story.” That was in 1990, and he has never been wrong. Not once.

          • I would agree with your mentor. You consistently get duped with half the story.

          • Johann Sebastian says

            M. Stankovich says:

            Oh, and it’s “Dr. Stankovich.”

            Here we go again…

  18. Fr. George Washburn says

    Hi friends:

    I tend to doubt that this poster KMTST really wants to consider the actual likelihoods, practicalities and economics of the situation. Doubt, fear and confusion seem to be of much greater interest to him/her.

    Truth # 1 – It is extremely difficult to successfully challenge the disciplinary decisions or non-decisions of the Orthodox Church in an American civil court. I do not know of any reported appellate cases documenting a success, although I have not made a recent search.

    Truth # 2 – Bishops rule this Church, and it is corporation under civil law as I recall. Therefore when the Church is sued by anyone, its governing authorities decide how to respond. KMSTS’s question implies that s/he would be more comfortable with a church which is not so governed. There are plenty to choose from, all with dispute resolution and governing structures and inherent strengths and weaknesses., none of them perfect.

    Truth # 3 – If a) the Church proceedings do not end to Fr. ZW’s satisfaction, b) he is willing to take his chances in court, and c) there is a lawyer who is ready to roll the dice with him, (3 ifs) they will be faced with a decision: to sue for money damages and invalidate the decision, or just to invalidate the decision. If it is the former, and it usually is, then it is likely there will be insurance coverage which pays for much if not all the defense. If the latter, then there is no big financial risk to the Church ….and seldom, if ever, insurance defense money to defend or settle the case.

    Truth # 4 – If there should be a money damages claim against the Church it would be seeking to compensate Fr. ZW ***from the tgifts of those imaginary donors mentioned in this post***. So in all likelihood it would be insurance money paying to defend those people’s contributions from Fr. ZW, a very different picture from the one that KMTST was trying to paint … and sell us.

    This is by no means descriptive of anything and everything that could happen, but it covers the normal pretty well.

    sincerely,

    Fr. George

    • Father George,

      You know, I often disagree with your postings, but I think your enumeration of the truths here is spot on.

      The OCA can probably run their spiritual court however they want. They can discipline their clergy however they want. There is significant legal precedent that indicates that any civil proceedings Archimandrite Z would undertake as a result of Synod findings would have an outside chance of success.

      This issue here is this: will this man will be given fair access to the evidence against him, and will the evidence be judged impartially? It is a matter of right and wrong.

      Just because the OCA can get away with ruining a man, doesn’t mean it should do so. But they seem to get a lot of practice at it

      This does not cover them with glory.

  19. Karen Menounos The Stankovich Troll says

    Fr. George makes a few good points, but there are also other legal remedies open to the Archimandrite. Doubt and fear are not part of my vocabulary, always enjoy your posts! Thanks again.

  20. Father Mark Hodges says

    Several here have slandered Fr Zacchaeus by publicly diagnosing him as an alcoholic. Not only is this untrue, but, more importantly, it is not the point in the issue of his unjust treatment.

    According to the Sons of Job articles, Fr Zacchaeus was accused by an unsubstantiated and unverified charge of sexual misconduct. If he is guilty of this, then depose him. But because he is not guilty of this false charge, the subsequent accusations of “disobedience” were raised against him, and his deposition continued. This is fundamentally unfair.

    With Met. JONAH saying Fr Zacchaeus obeyed him “in all things” and the conflicting messages from Syosset being falsely attributed to Met. JONAH, the second charge, that of disobedience, is quite weak, to say the least, and exposed as a facade, at best a manipulative technicality used for attacking the hieromonk.

    Now, with unsubstantiated and unreasonable charges exposed for what they are, leading OCA clergy simply say to ignore the injustice, because –although they’ve never seen him drunk– they have heard that he was an alcoholic.

    I think the point of the Sons of Job articles is that Fr Zacchaeus should be deposed or exonerated on one charge at a time. It’s fundamentally unfair to do otherwise.

    So, if you think he drinks too much, then bring charges, witnesses, and call a spiritual court. If Fr Zacchaeus is guilty, so be it: depose him for drunkenness. I have absolutely no problem with that. But that is not what Fr Zacchaeus is on trial for.

    I think the whole point of the Sons of Job articles is this: that to entertain unverified charges, and then when the charges do not hold muster to create the conditions upon which additional, unrelated charges can be made, and then try him on whatever charges might make it past the attention of the faithful, is wrong.

    As the articles state, “The charge against Fr Zacchaeus kept changing… This allow(ed) a state of affairs where the actual charges never need to be verified or decided upon, while a seemingly vast list of unanswered allegations give the impression of validity to the case against him… The court pre-admitted into evidence documents that were not relevant to the disobedience charge –exhibits even contained out‑of‑court statements which were irrelevant to the charges, made by people who were not present to verify their statements…”

    The list of concerns in this case are overwhelming.

    And, by the way, although again it is not the point of injustice concerns, there are several recent testimonies which support Fr Zacchaeus’ sobriety.

    Fr Meletios Webber, then-abbot of the Manton monastery where Fr Zacchaeus was sent while awaiting trial by Syosset, was informed before Fr Zacchaeus’ arrival that he (Fr Z) was an “out of control alcoholic.” Fr Meletios found quite the contrary, and he (Fr Meletios) wrote an official letter to then-Bishop Matthias (his “judge” in the spiritual court), stating that

    “Father Zacchaeus turned out to be exemplary… One generally notices little signals in people who are addicts, particularly over time, but not once did he show that he was an alcoholic or an addict of any kind, or even that he had a problem with drinking.”

    Fr Meletios went on in his official letter:

    “…as a clinician in the field of mental health, including alcohol and drug dependence, it is my opinion that Father Zacchaeus is not an alcoholic.”

    The abbot continues:

    “If my opinion is of any value, this means that while Archimandrite Zacchaeus may, on any number of occasions, have misused alcohol, he is not a person whose life is destined for ruin by his drinking… I do not see in him someone whose life is out of control.”

    And Father Meletios concludes:

    “I humbly ask the Court to take the subject of this letter into consideration when coming to a just outcome of this process.”

    The monk Innocent, the current abbot of the Manton monastery, also wrote, supporting Fr Zacchaeus.

    And the monk Martin, who lived with Fr Zacchaeus while at the monastery, and who was the monastery “Blagochienne,” which means he ran all its daily affairs and managed monks’ obediences (second only to the abbot), also wrote a letter to the spiritual court, stating:

    “It has come to my attention that yet another spiritual court is being called in an attempt to discredit Archimandrite Zacchaeus… We had been warned before his coming that the accused archimandrite was a completely ‘out-of-control alcoholic’… During his rather lengthy stay with us, Archimandrite Zacchaeus did not exhibit ANY of the usual signs of an addictive personality… He demonstrated complete mental and emotional stability—in spite of the pain of being accused, suspended and undergoing investigation… I spoke with both Fr. Meletios and Fr. Cosmas during his stay and neither of them saw in him any sign of alcoholism or any other addictive or maladaptive personality issues.”

    Fr Martin concluded,

    “What I witness to is what I can witness to: his character. In him, I saw nothing but a sincere Father in Christ, a monastic struggler and a man anointed the Grace of Ordination, with true dedication to the services of the Church and to his spiritual children.”

    Can you guess if these letters were admitted in Fr Zacchaeus’ spiritual court?

    Nevertheless, the point of the Sons of Job articles, and I’ve received from more than one source numerous documents which verify their facts, is that Fr Zacchaeus is scheduled to be deposed for false charges. That’s the injustice.

    On this, the day before his scheduled deposing, let us pray for Fr Zacchaeus, and that reason would prevail.

    I again encourage those concerned to read in full the articles on this mistreatment of Fr Zacchaeus:

    http://www.boetheus.org/2014/03/22/an-appeal-for-reason-and-charity-in-the-case-of-fr-zacchaeus-wood-part-one/

    and

    http://www.boetheus.org/2014/04/27/an-appeal-for-reason-and-charity-in-the-case-of-fr-zacchaeus-wood-part-two/

    Fr Mark Hodges

    • Karen Menounos The Stankovich Troll says

      Fr Archimandrite is a righteous man and a good pastor. Can the same be said of the OCA hierarcy? No. Can the Admin-priests of Syosset claim the same? No. Do hierarchs world wide speak well of the Archimandrite? Yes. Do hierarchs around the world speak well of the OCA? No. The OCA is a bathroom joke. Is the Archimandrite welcomed around the world to serve? Yes. OCA bishops? With strained politeness. Are there scores of laity that vouch for and love the Archimandrite? Yes. Syosset? No. Who is being sued on multiple levels? The OCA. Will they continue to be sued? Yes. Who is the habitual liar? The OCA.

      If you have cause, sue the OCA.

      Syosset destroys, the people canonize!

      May God protect the Archimandrite. Our prayers go with you. Fr Archimandrite, pray for us!

      Syosset, we are watching you.

      • Karen Menounos The Stankovich Troll says

        What i find instructive is the total lack of love and care by the OCA establishment for one of its own priests. “By their ‘fruits’ they shall be known”

        They are the destructors!

    • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

      Father Mark Hodges is obviously an Orthodox Priest who considers alcoholism to be a crime and possibly a sin!!!!!!
      I, on the other hand, do not!! I think that the Archimandrite SUFFERS from Alcoholism, and I pray that he will somehow be given help for it. Sue me.

  21. Tina Hovsky says

    The reality is that Wood was removed because he had a problem or problems. Simple. No vendetta from Syosset or any group of people; like + Jonah. These people brought on their own demise with their own actions. Next case! Hey, Wood can always go to ROCOR. They seem to be picking up all the “DEAD WOOD” lately.

    • Tina, the number of unsupported assertions you cram into a few short sentences is mind boggling!! I would bet that you are promptly excused from any jury selection process you might engage in.

  22. Karen Menounos The Stankovich Troll says

    Today is zero hour for the Archimandrite. I hope everyone here on any side of opinion will pray for him.

  23. Father Mark Hodges says

    After Father Zacchaeus presented some material to the spiritual Court on Tuesday (the 17th), the Court decided it needed more time to review and therefore took another recess.

    The Court will reconvene in August.

    I am hoping this is a good sign, with February’s deposition delayed and now June’s. Pray for those on the Court!

    Please keep praying for Father Zacchaeus!

    Fr Mark

    • M. Wowrl says

      They’re probably hoping that the more time that goes by, the more this will all be forgotten, and they can do the deed with no fuss and muss …

  24. Karen Menounos says

    Anyone see that oca website, the synod in Canada, like its about anything other Seraphim!

  25. Karen Menounos says

    Parse my super cute hellenic butt!

    • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

      Is anybody else down there? “Super Butt? ”

      I apologize, but I just have to repeat Mark Twain another time:

      “Noise proves nothing. Often a hen after merely laying an egg will cackle as if she had lain an asteroid!”

  26. M. Wowrl says

    I saw an OCA website in Canada (not the Diocese) and was surprised they have a “Russian Orthodox Church!” Only allowed in Canada? For the “American Church,” isn’t that just short of heresy??? Especially without an “ethnic diocese?” “Russian?” Oh, my!

  27. Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

    M. Wowrl (or Woerl):
    Canada’s a mosaic, America’s a melting pot. Get it? Ever been to Waterloo Ontario; Moscow, Idaho; or Paris, Texas? Germantown, PA?

    There are, though, to be sure, INSECURE and FRAGILE Americans that tend to go all to pieces if the Orthodox Church they go to calls itself or is incorporated as ‘Russian Orthodox” or the like.

    I had a Great Grandfather, a German pastor, who, when required to start reading at least the Gospel in English, started to do so, but then stopped closed the Gospel and declared “That’s not the Gospel (Evangelium); that’s English!”

  28. Fr. George Washburn says

    My CA Bar # has been 88282 since late 1979.

    • Karen Menounos says

      Great. I am actually looking forward to a back and forth on this with you. In the next few days ( i have just moved ) i will provide my contact info to the webmaster here and ask that he or she, pass it on to you. I will wait to hear from you.

      • Fr. George Washburn says

        My e-mail is public info: kentgwashburn@cs.com

        • Karen Menounos says

          I woke up a 5 this morning and im getting ready for work, just came on here to have a look. Fr. Washburn posted his email address in the open, and someone has given him a negative 1 rating!!!!???? Really??!!

          Fr. Washburn, thank you, and i will be writing you in the coming few days.

        • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

          I’ll add my thanks to Father George, too. We understand that rather than sticking her neck out here, Karen now has the opportunity to be straightened out off-line and we no longer should expect hearing from her on those particular problems of hers.

          • Karen Menounos says

            ROFLOL! Another dud from that Thespota of Mirth, that preacher of truth and the gospel, Bishop Tikhon. Man, how do look yourself in the mirror. Has your entire ministry been this excrement-al?

            Happy 4th of July everyone! Drive safely.

            • Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

              I gave her another no doubt welcome reason for delay in replying to Father George Washburn’s points. My “ministry” has been consistent, however, it has picked up some of the material to which that old trawler referred…. through contact. I’ll get over it, but will she? Stay tuned. Maybe she’ll refer to her butt yet again, rather than to excrement. Which is worse? You be the judge.

              IF only I could figure out a way for her (or ANYONE) to drag out the old ‘holier than thou” accusation. I’m working on it. I think if the Old Trawler and that other guy that writes only about me put their heads together they can come up with something really pungent.

    • Tim R. Mortiss says

      ’79? Just a kid…..;-)

  29. Bishop Tikhon Fitzgerald says

    From the July 3rd official statement of the Council of Hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia:

    “The Council confirmed the Synod of Bishops’ decision to receive His Grace Bishop Nikolai (Soraich), former Bishop of Alaska of the Orthodox Church in America, as a retired bishop. Deliberating on the request to receive His Eminence Metropolitan Jonah, former Primate of the OCA, the Council expressed the willingness to receive him as a retired bishop on condition that he receive a canonical release. Should future requests for the reception of bishops from other Local Orthodox Churches be received, the President of the Synod of Bishops will first request the opinions of all the members of the Council of Bishops of ROCOR, and then send a corresponding request to His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia for blessing.”

    This statement was issued iin conjunction with the festivities on the occasion of the Feast of our Father among the Saints, John, Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco, the Wonderworker, which was celebrated at the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco. Almost the entire episcopate of ROCOR attended and participated in the Feast, the consecration of a new Bishop, Nikolai (Olhovsky), and the meetings of the Council of Bishops. Interested people can read of it in Russian or English at http://www.synod.com

    • Archpriest Alexander F. C. Webster, PhD says

      Vladyka, what precisely is your point in quoting the ROCOR hierarchical statement on 3 July 2014 concerning Metropolitan Jonah?