NEWS & EVENTS
Feastday of Theophany
January 6/19, 2010, Platonos, Attica,
Greece
Met. Cerycus, Frs. Thomas,
Panteleimon, Andrew and Pedro, and faithful
On 6/19 January, 2009, at
the Church of Our Lady of Soumela, in Acharnae, Attica, His
Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea and Laureotica, presided
over the Divine Liturgy, also attended by Protopresbyter Thomas
Kontogiannis, Hieromonk Panteleimon Vilicic, Presbyters Andrew Sidnev
and Pedro dos Santos, and faithful from throughout
Athens and Attica, including monks from Holy Cross Monastery, and
nuns both from St. Catherine's Convent and also those in residence
at the nearby Panagia Paramythia Convent, which was hosting the feast. After the
Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Cerycus blessed holy water, and
following this the faithful, clad with crosses, hexapteriga, labara,
candles and branches of basil, headed down to the water-font of
Mornou, where the yearly dipping of the Holy Cross into the waters
occurs every year.
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
December 25, 2009/January 7,
2010
Icon of the Nativity of Our Lord God
and Savior Jesus Christ
A Short Nativity Message
from His Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea and Laureotica
of the Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece, President of the Holy
Pan-Orthodox Synod of Bishops:
"Let us
see, O ye faithful, where Christ was born. Let us follow,
wherefore, the path of the star."
I wish to
all those who are close by, as well
as to those afar off, a happy and blessed Nativity! May we be
granted worthy to reach and all remain (guided by the star of
True Faith) united in the Eternal Bethlehem, the True Church of
Christ.
The least
among bishops,
+
Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea and Laureotica
Feastday of St. Spyridon of Trimythus
December 12/25, 2009, Karea, Athens,
Greece
Metropolitan Cerycus, Protopresbyter Thomas and
faithful
On December 12/25, 2009,
the feastday of St. Spyridon of Trimythus, His Eminence,
Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea (of the GOC of Greece), together
with Protopresbyter Thomas Kontogiannis, served the Divine Liturgy
at St. Spyridon's Church in Karea, which was celebrating its patron
feast. The Divine Liturgy was followed by a trapeza with traditional
Greek cuisine, as a gesture of love from the parish members to all
their guests.
Ordination of a Hierodeacon in Cyprus
December 7/20, 2009, Troulli, Larnaca,
Cyprus
Hierodeacon Sozomen receiving
the deacon's orarion
On Sunday December 7/20,
2009, on the feast day of St. Ambrose of Milan, at the Cathedral of
the Holy three Hierarchs in Troulli, His Eminence, Metropolitan
Parthenius of Citium (of the GOC of Cyprus) ordained Schemamonk
Sozomen to the holy deaconate. The ordination of Hierodeacon Sozomen
was witnessed by Protopresbyter Michael Joannou, Presbyter
Agathocles Papadopoulos, Hieromonk Jeremias (Meletiou), as well as
about 450 of the faithful Genuine Orthodox Christians of Cyprus. To
Hierodeacon Sozomen, Axios! Axios! Axios!
Feastday of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called
November 30/December 13, 2009, Menidi,
Attica, Greece
Metropolitans Cerycus and
Seraphim, Frs. Thomas and Luke, and faithful
On November 30/December 13,
2009, the feastday of St. Andrew the Apostle, Their Eminences,
Metropolitans Cerycus of Mesogaea (of the GOC of Greece) and
Seraphim of Kiev (of the GOC of Russia) presided over hierarchical
Divine Liturgy at St. Demetrius Cathedral in Menidi, Attica, Greece.
The Holy Apostle Andrew is of great importance to both Greeks and
Russians alike. He is important to Greeks because it was he who
ordained St. Stachys, the first bishop of Byzantium (later known as
Constantinople), and St. Andrew reposed in Patras, Greece, and
ordained the first bishop of that city as well. He is important to
Russians because ecclesiastical tradition holds that St. Andrew
traveled to what was then known as Scythia and set a large cross on
the site of Kiev, prophesying that the Christian Faith would
flourish there. Holy Apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!
Consecration of a New Chapel in Athens
November 29/December 12, 2009, Menidi,
Attica Greece
Metropolitans Cerycus,
Matthew, Seraphim and Parthenius
On Saturday, November
29/December 12, 2009, His Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea
and Laureotica (of the GOC Greece), President of the Holy
Pan-Orthodox Council, together with Metropolitans Matthew of Kenya
(of the GOC of Africa), Seraphim of Kiev (of the GOC of Russia),
Parthenius of Citium (of the GOC of Cyprus), and clergy and faithful
of the local diocese of Mesogaea, attended the newly-built chapel of
the Paramythia icon of the Mother of God and performed the first
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy there. The chapel was consecrated with
relics and holy chrism, and the consecration was signed by all four
hierarchs present.
Pan-Orthodox Hierarchical Council in Greece
November 25-28/December 8-11, 2009, Koropi,
Attica, Greece
Hierarchs and Clergy assembled for the Holy
Pan-Orthodox Council
Following the feastday of
St. Catherine the Great Martyr, the annual Pan-Orthodox Council was
convened, presided over by Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea (of the
GOC of Greece) and attended by Metropolitans Gerontius of Vrancea
(of the GOC of Romania), Seraphim of Kiev (of the GOC of Russia),
Parthenius of Citium (of the GOC of Cyprus) and Matthew of Kenya (of
the GOC of Africa), as well as several clergy and monastics. Several
issues were discussed, including the current status of the
Nicholaitan Schism, the method by which schismatics are to be
received into the Genuine Orthodox Church, the appeals of various
clergy and parishes in the Diaspora to join the Genuine Orthodox
Church, and various other local issues that were escalated to the
Pan-Orthodox Council for discussion and resolution. The Council also
decided to officially glorify St. Matthew of Bresthena, the New
Confessor; St. Theodosius of Midvodi, the Catacomb Confessor; and
St. John of Chozeva, the Romanian. The official date of the
glorification service has not yet been appointed.
Feastday of St. Catherine the Great Martyr
November 25/December 8, 2009, Koropi,
Attica, Greece
Metropolitans Parthenius of
Citium, Seraphim of Kiev, Cerycus of Mesogaea,
Gerontius of Vrancea, Matthew of Kenya, clergy and faithful outside
the Church
On November 25/December 8,
2009, the feastday of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine the All-Wise
of Alexandria, five hierarchs, six priests, several monastics and
hundreds of faithful gathered to the Church of St. Catherine to
celebrate the patron feast. His Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of
Mesogaea, President of the Synod of Bishops, presided over the
Divine Liturgy. The other four hierarchs serving were Their
Eminences, Metropolitans Parthenius of Citium (of the GOC of
Cyprus), Seraphim of Kiev (of the GOC of Russia), Gerontius of
Vrancea (of the GOC of Romania) and Matthew of Kenya (of the GOC of
Africa). Among the clergy attending were Protopresbyter Thomas (from
Greece), Protopresbyter Michael (from Cyprus), Protopresbyter
Nicholas (from Romania), Hieromonk Amphilochius (from Northern
Greece), Hieromonk Panteleimon (from Croatia) and Presbyter Pedro
(from Brazil). The feastday was followed by an agape trapeza with
traditional Greek cuisine.
Tonsure of a Great Schema Nun in Greece
November 22/December 5, 2009, Menidi,
Attica, Greece
Metropolitan Cerycus tonsuring the new great schema
nun Cyranna
On November 22/December 5,
2009, at the newly-built chapel of the Paramythia icon of the Mother
of God, His Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaeia and
Laureotica tonsured a new nun to the great schema, giving her the
name Cyranna. May the Lord strengthen her and grant to her
salvation and health of soul and body.
Feastday of Holy Archangels Michael & Gabriel
November 8/21, 2009, Agios Mammas,
Limasol, Cyprus
Met. Parthenius, clergy and faithful celebrating the
feast of the Holy Archangels
On November 8/21, 2009, the
feastday of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, His Eminence,
Metropolitan Parthenius of Citium, First-hierarch of the Genuine
Orthodox Church of Cyprus, together with four priests and hundreds
of faithful, concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of
the Holy Forerunner in Agios Mammas, near the Troodos Mountains,
north of Limasol in Cyprus. The feast also marked the nameday of
Protopresbyter Michael Joannou and Presbyter Michael Kourtis. We
therefore extend our best wishes to both: Many years!
Feastday of St. Demetrius the Great Martyr
October 26/December 8, 2009, Menidi,
Athens, Greece
Metropolitan Cerycus, Fr. Andrew, and
faithful outside St. Demetrius Cathedral
On October 26/December 8,
2009, the feastday of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of
Thessalonica, His Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea and
Laureotica, Archpastor of the Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece and
President of the Holy Pan-Orthodox Council, served the Divine
Liturgy at St. Demetrius Cathedral in Menidi (Acharnai), north of
Athens, Greece, together with Fr. Andrew Sidnev, and thousands of
laymen of the local Diocese of Mesogaea. The Mayor of Menidi and
members of the local council also attended the feast. The service
was followed by a trapeza, with traditional Pontian foods served to
the locals and the guests from afar.
Feastday of the Elevation of the Holy Cross
September 14/27, Hymettus, Athens, Greece
Hieromonk Panteleimon and faithful reading the
Akathist to the Holy Cross
On the Evening of 13/26
September, 2009, after Vespers at Koropi, Hieromonk Panteleimon from
Croatia, Stavros from Australia, Theoharis from America, and two
women from Cyprus, drove to the small chapel of St. John the
Theologian on Hymettus Mountain, Athens, Greece, where 84 years
earlier the miraculous appearance of the Cross in the heavens had
taken place. Together they read the Akathist to the Holy Cross
outside in the open air, facing the sky above the mountain where the
Holy Cross was seen on that night in 1925.
Feastday of the Nativity of the Theotokos
September 8/21, 2009, Platanies, Rethymnum, Crete,
Greece
Metropolitan Cerycus, Hieromonk
Panteleimon, Schemamonk Abraamius & parishioners
On Monday, September 8/21,
2009, Metropolitan Cerycus attended the chapel of the Holy Nativity
of the Theotokos in the village of Platanies, Rethymnum, Crete,
where Fr. Panteleimon Vilicic served the Divine Liturgy for the
feast which is the namesake of the chapel. Fr. Panteleimon also
served Divine Liturgy there on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday prior
to the feast which this year fell on a Monday. The great schemamonk,
Fr. Abraamius, served at the choir together with laymen from Athens,
Australia, USA and the members local parish. Fr. Abraamius lives in
a humble Skete nearby, which is without electricity and is lit with
oil lamps and petroleum lamps. The humble way of life lived by this
simple hermit brought much surprise to the visitors, who rarely meet
monks who live without electricity. The members of the parish were
very hospitable to the guests and served several meals during the
weekend visit. Metropolitan Cerycus arrived on Sunday evening in
time for Great Vespers and attended the Divine Liturgy. He did not
serve in hierarchical vestments because the Church has not yet been
consecrated. On the next day, Metropolitan Cerycus visited various
laymen and also the home of a retired Captain, who had been a
long-time spiritual child of the late Archbishop Andrew of Athens
(+2005).
Local Hierarchical Council in Greece
September, 2009, Koropi, Attica, Greece
Left to right: Schemamonk Theodore, Hieromonk
Panteleimon, Protopresbyter
Thomas, Metropolitan Matthew, Metropolitan Cerycus, Metropolitan
Parthenius,
Hieromonk Amphilochius and Schemamonk Barnabas at Koropi, Attica,
Greece
During the first week of
September according to the old calendar, the local council of the
Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece took place, with the participation
of the local 12-member council consisting of 1) Metropolitan Cerycus
of Mesogaea and Laureotica, 2) Hieromonk Amphilochius, 3) Hieromonk
Panteleimon, 4) Protopresbyter Thomas, 5) Presbyter Andrew, 6)
Presbyter Pedro, 7) Schemamonk Barnabas, 8) Schemamonk Abraamius, 9)
Schemamonk Cyril, 10) Schemamonk Naucratius, 11) Schemamonk Luke and
12) Schemamonk Theodore. Due to the lack of local hierarchs in
Greece following the schism of 2005, Metropolitan Matthew of Kenya
and Metropolitan Parthenius of Cyprus took part in the council as
assistant bishops to Metropolitan Cerycus. Among the issues
discussed was the preparation for the Pan-Orthodox Council to take
place three months later.
Ecclesiastical New Year in Crete
September 1/14, 2009, Platanies, Rethymnum, Crete, Greece
Schemamonk Abraamius, Metropolitan Cerycus, Presbyter
Pedro
On September 1/14, 2009,
the Beginning of Indiction (Ecclesiastical New Year) and the feast
of St. Symeon the Stylite, His Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of
Mesogaea and Laureotica, visited the parish of the Nativity of the
Theotokos in Rethymnum, Crete. Divine Liturgy was served by
Presbyter Pedro dos Santos, and was attended by Schemamonk Abraamius
and a few members of the local flock in the village of Platanies,
Rethymnum, Crete.
Feastday of St. Cosmas of Aetolia
August 24/September 6, 2009, Loutsa,
Attica, Greece
Metropolitan Cerycus, Fr. Thomas and faithful outside
St. Cosmas Chapel
On August 24/September 6,
2009, His Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea and Laureotica,
First Hierarch of the Pan-Orthodox Synod of the Genuine Orthodox
Church, celebrated the feastday of St. Cosmas of Aetolia at the
chapel of the same name in the Aegean costal village of Loutsa (Artemida),
in Western Attica, Greece. Protopresbyter Thomas Kontogiannis also
concelebrated, together with the small flock which attends the
chapel whenever it is served. It is hoped that the site of the
chapel will be a future Skete for monks.
Feastday of the Holy Dormition of the Theotokos
15/28 August, 2009, Platonos, Menidi, Attica, Greece
Procession outside Panagia Soumela Monastery
On August 15/28, 2009, His
Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea and Laureotica, First
Hierarch of the Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece, served the Divine
Liturgy commemorating the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos at
the Monastery of Panagia Soumela in the neighbourhood called
Platonos, near the suburb of Menidi (in older times called Acharnae),
in Attica, Greece. Like every year, the Divine Liturgy was followed
by a procession around the block, where Fr. Pedro and Fr. Luke also
took part, along with hundreds of faithful.
Church Youth Camp in Kenya
August, Holy Archangels Monastery,
Kenya
Youth outside Holy Archangels Monastery, Kenya
In August, the youth of the
Holy Metropolis of Kenya gathered for the annual youth camp which is
run under the guidance of His Eminence, Metropolitan Matthew of
Kenya. The camp took place at the newly-built Monastery of the Holy
Archangels, which is also the residence of the hierarch.
Pilgrimage to Mount Sinai
August, 2009, St. Catherine's Monastery,
Sinai
Hierarchs, clergy and laity at St. Catherine's
Monastery, Mt. Sinai
Following the pilgrimage
throughout the Holy Land, their Eminences, Metropolitans Cerycus of
Mesogaea (Greece), Gerontius of Vrancea (Romania) and Parthenius of
Citium (Cyprus), together with the clergy and laity who chose to
accompany the hierarchs on their journey, also headed down to Sinai,
where they viisted St. Catherine's Monastery and the Skete of the
Burning Bush, which is the site where the Prophet and God-seer Moses
received the Ten Commandments. Following this final destination in
their pilgrimage, the hierarchs, clergy and laity returned to their
homelands, taking with them the unique blessings of the Holy Land.
Supplicatory Canon at Mar Sabba Monastery
August, 2009, Mar Sabba Monastery, the
Holy Land
Metropolitan Cerycus leading the
supplicatory canon to the Holy
Theotokos
As chanted every night
during the fourteen-day fast leading up to the Dormition of the Most
Holy Theotokos, Metropolitan Cerycus led the prayers and chanting of
the supplicatory canon following vespers and compline on this calm
evening at Mar Sabba Monastery. This time, the prayer service took
place on the porch of the Monastery, overlooking the adjacent caves
of Mar Sabba and his original synodia of monastics.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
August, 2009, Jerusalem, the Holy Land
Metropolitans Cerycus,
Parthenius and Gerontius, clergy and faithful in Jerusalem
In the first week of
August, Their Eminences, Metropolitans Cerycus of Greece, Parthenius
of Cyprus and Gerontius of Romania, together with Hieromonks
Gymnasius and Panteleimon, Protopresbyter Michael, some monastics,
and over a dozen laity, went on a pilgrimage together to the Holy
Land. There they venerated the Holy Sepulchre, Golgotha, Bethlehem,
Nazareth, the relics of St. Sabbas the Sanctified and St. John the
New Confessor of Chozeva, and also the Monastery of St. Catherine on
Mt. Sinai. They also performed a baptism in the Jordan River, and
thereby received the newly-enlightened Maria into the Genuine
Orthodox Church.
Feastday of the Holy Prophet Elias
July 20 / August 2, 2009,
Holy Prophet Elias Chapel, Loutsa, Attica, Greece
Metropolitan Cerycus, Fr. Peter and faithful outside
Prophet Elias chapel
On Sunday, July 20 / August
2, 2009, His Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea and
Laureotica, together with Fr. Peter dos Santos and a few local
parishioners, celebrated the feastday of the Holy Prophet Elias at
the small chapel at Loutsa (Artemida) in Western Attica, Greece,
which is located on the Aegean coast.
Elevation of Frs. Peter and Panteleimon to Confessors
July 15/28, 2009, Church of St. Catherine, Koropi,
Attica, Greece
Fr. Peter and Fr. Panteleimon kneeling and receiving
their epigonatia
On Tuesday, July 15/28,
2009, His Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea and Laureotica,
First-Hierarch of the Holy Pan-Orthodox Council and Local Hierarch
of Greece, elevated Fr. Peter dos Santos of Brazil and Fr.
Panteleimon Vilicic of Croatia to the rank of confessors. Following
the elevation they were each awarded with a diamond-shaped vestment
called an epigonation, which is characteristic of clergy who
have their hierarch's permission to hear confessions. May God grant
Presbyter Peter and Hieromonk Panteleimon many years!
Feastday of Ss. Cerycus & Julitta
July 15/28, 2009, Church of St. Catherine, Koropi,
Attica, Greece
Left to right: Met. Parthenius, Fr.
Amphilochius, Met. Cerycus, Fr. Andrew,
Fr. Peter, Fr. Panteleimon and Fr. Jeremias during the artoklasia.
On Tuesday, July 15/28,
2009, the feastday of the Holy Martyrs Cerycus and Julitta,
Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea celebrated his nameday at St.
Catherine's Church in Koropi, Attica, Greece. Several clergy and
faithful from throughout Greece as well as visitors from Cyprus and
abroad gathered to wish our beloved Metropolitan many years. May God
grant him strength and wisdom, that by the prayers of Ss. Cerycus
and Julitta, he may guide his local flock in Greece, as well as the
Pan-Orthodox Council, with faith, hope, love, truth, humility,
meekness, and fear of God. May God grant Cerycus, our Most-Eminent
First-Hierarch, many years!
Local Hierarchical Council in Cyprus
July, 2009,
Holy Three Hierarchs Cathedral, Troulli,
Larnaca, Cyprus
Left to right: Fr. Panteleimon, Fr. Agathocles, Fr.
Gymnasius, Metropolitan
Cerycus of Greece, Metropolitan Parthenius of Cyprus, Fr. Michael,
Fr. Jeremias.
In July, 2009, Metropolitan
Parthenius of Citium convened a local council to discuss the various
issues troubling the local Genuine Orthodox Church of Cyprus and the
entire Church as a whole. Metropolitan Parthenius of Citium presided
over the Synod which was also attended by Metropolitan Cerycus of
Mesogaea on behalf of the Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece,
together with local clergy of the Church of Cyprus.
Feastday of the Holy Apostles Peter & Paul
June 29/July 12, 2009, Kapsalos,
Limasol, Cyprus
Metropolitan Parthenius, clergy and faithful
On June 29/July 12, 2009,
the feastday of the Holy Apostles Peter & Paul, His Eminence,
Metropolitan Parthenius of Citium, together with various local
clergy, and hundreds of faithful of the Genuine Orthodox Church of
Cyprus, gathered to the Holy Apostles Church in Kapsalos, Limasol,
for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy marking the patron feast.
The service was followed by a trapeza with traditional Cypriot
cuisine.
Summer Youth Church Camp for Girls
June, 2009, Holy Forerunner Skete, Agios Mammas,
Limasol, Cyprus
Metropolitans Jacob, Cerycus & Parthenius,
Fr. Michael, and youth
In June, 2009, the yearly
Summer Youth Camp for Girls took place at the Holy Skete of St. John
the Forerunner in Agios Mammas, Limasol, Cyprus. Several girls from
throughout the island took part, and various visitors from Greece
and elsewhere also assisted with the necessities for the camp. The
Genuine Orthodox Church of Cyprus makes sure to care for the youth,
for they are indeed the future of the Church. Many thanks to all who
take part and assist with these events on a yearly basis, for they
are truly doing the Church an immeasurable service. Since
Metropolitans Cerycus of Greece and Parthenius of Cyprus were
present, Metropolitan Jacob of Jerusalem visited and met the
hierarchs for the first time in order to discuss the possibility of
entering into communion.
Summer Youth Church Camp for Boys
May, 2009, Holy Forerunner Skete, Agios Mammas,
Limasol, Cyprus
Metropolitans Parthenius,
Fr. Michael and youth
In May, 2009 the yearly
Summer Youth Camp for Boys of the Genuine Orthodox Church of Cyprus
took place at the Holy Skete of St. John the Forerunner near the
village of Agios Mammas in Limasol. Several youth from throughout
the island took part in the camp, at which they studied various
aspects of Orthodoxia and Orthopraxia, as well as issues that
confront the youth trying to live an Orthodox life in the modern
world of apostasy. The camp was also attended by various clergy
including Metropolitans Parthenius and Cerycus, and Frs. Michael,
Agathocles, Jeremias and Panteleimon. Metropolitan Parthenius and
Fr. Michael were also actively involved in the lectures.
Consecration of Holy Archangels Cathedral in Kenya
Sunday of Pentecost, 2009, Rift Valley,
Kenya
Met. Matthew of Kenya, Fr. Photius, Fr. Agatghocles
and laymen
On the Sunday of Pentecost,
2009, His Eminence, Metropolitan Matthew of Kenya performed the
consecration of the Cathedral of the Holy Archangels, together with
Fr. Photius who is a local priest of Kenya, and Fr. Agathocles who
visited from Cyprus specifically for the occasion. Following this,
Metropolitan Matthew also consecrated several other parishes of his
Metropolis, so that he may canonically serve hierarchical Liturgies
there.
Romanian Pilgrimage & Pan-Orthodox Synod
April, 2009, Cernica Convent, Forceni Convent &
Synod at Iasi, Romania
The Holy and Sacred Pan-Orthodox
Council of Genuine Orthodox Churches
Several clergy and faithful
travelled to Romania from various parts of Europe and even Africa
and United States in order to witness the concelebrations of the
hierarchy. During their pilgrimage, the faithful also visited the
historic Cernica Monastery, and venerated the relics of St.
Callinicus. They also walked down to the Monastic Cemetery, where
they venerated the grave of the Holy Confessor Hierarch, Victor (Leu),
Archbishop and Exarch of all Europe from Gibraltar to the Red Sea,
who suffered over a decade imprisonment at the hands of the USSR's
KGB, and after being liberated, returned to Romania where he joined
the Old Calendarists of Romania by Confession of Faith, and
subsequently consecrated bishops for the Genuine Orthodox Church of
Romania, beginning with Nephon and Clement, who in turn consecrated
the two current hierarchs of our Sister Church of Romania,
Metropolitans Cassian and Gerontius. These two hierarchs, together
with the four visiting hierarchs from Greece, Cyprus, Kenya and
Ukraine, gathered together at this year's third session of the Holy
Pan-Orthodox Council of Bishops of the Genuine Orthodox Churches,
and discussed various issues that had arisen, including the
beneficial developments caused by the missionary activity in the
English language, especially the current website, as well as how the
Holy Pan-Orthodox Council desires to fulfil the petitions of some
clergy and communities in various parts of the world who seek refuge
under the protection of the Genuine Orthodox Church, which is the
True Church of Christ during these years of great apostasy caused by
the heresies of the antichrist.
Feastday of the Sunday of Thomas in Romania
April 13/26, 2009, Poduri, Bacau,
Romania
Hierarchs and clergy during the
concelebration on Thomas Sunday
On this most joyous
feastday, the Genuine Orthodox Church celebrates the Psilafysis.
This is when the Apostles had informed Thomas that they had seen the
Resurrected Christ, but he would not believe unless he saw Risen
Lord himself, and saw his wounds and placed his hand upon his
wounds. Thus on the first Sunday after the Resurrection, the Risen
Christ appeared to the Apostles once more, but this time in the
presence of Thomas, who exclaimed "My Lord and my God!" But this
year, this glorious feastday was relived by the Genuine Orthodox
Church more than ever before in its recent history. Whereas almost
all of our hierarchs had concelebrated with one another prior to
this date, one hierarch, his Eminence, Metropolitan Cassian of
Bacau, was unable to attend any of the previous concelebrations due
to illness and old age, which prevent him from travelling. Much like
Thomas, who was unable to witness the united joy of the Apostles a
week earlier, but today was granted that joy to celebrate the
Resurrection of Christ together with the other Apostles, so too,
Metropolitan Cassian was today granted that same joy, the joy of the
Resurrection and the joy of concelebration with his fellow
successors of the Holy Apostles, the holy hierarchs of Greece,
Cyprus, Romania, Russia and Kenya. Thus, for the first time in the
recent history of our Church, six hierarchs from different
countries, made their presence and concelebrated with the Love and
Truth of Christ, and the Hope of the Resurrection and Eternal Life.
The Vespers and Matins on Saturday Evening, and the Hours and Divine
Liturgy on Sunday Morning, were presided over by Their Eminences,
Metropolitans Gerontius of Vrancea (Romania), Cerycus of Mesogaea
(Greece), Parthenius of Citium (Cyprus), Seraphim of Kiev (Ukraine),
Matthew of Nairobi (Kenya), and Cassian of Bacau (Moldavia),
assisted by more than a dozen priests and attended by several
monastics and thousands of faithful from Romania itself, as well as
pilgrims from Greece, Cyprus, Ukraine, Russia, Kenya and the United
States of America.
Feastday of the Life-Giving Spring in Romania
April 11/24, 2009, Movilita, Vrancea,
Romania
Hierarchs, clergy and faithful during
the blessing of Holy Water
As has already become a
custom in the worldwide communion of the Genuine Orthodox Churches,
the feastday of the Life-Giving Spring is celebrated yearly at the
Holy Cathedral of the Life-Giving Spring in the village of Movilita,
in the county of Vrancea, Romania. During Bright Week, the Genuine
Orthodox Christians throughout the world joyously celebrate the
Resurrection of Christ, exclaiming to one another "Christ is Risen!"
with the reply "Truly He is Risen!" This faith is a universal truth
that forms the basis of our own Resurrection and Eternal Life in
Christ. This is the time we celebrate the return of mankind to God
and the union of all in all. But the feast of the Life-Giving
Spring, which falls on Friday of Bright Week, reminds us of the Holy
Virgin Theotokos, the Spring which Sprung Forth the Saviour of our
Souls. In this most joyous season of the Liturgical Year what better
time is there to express the unity of the Church in the Resurrection
and the Life? The feast-day this year had a very special and
symbolic meaning, for it marks the one year anniversary since the
official establishment of full communion between the Genuine
Orthodox Churches of Greece, Cyprus, Russia and Kenya with the
Genuine Orthodox Church of Romania, which took place on Bright
Friday of the Life-Giving Spring in 2008.
CHRIST IS RISEN!
TRULY HE IS RISEN!
The Sunday of Pascha - April 6/19, 2009
The Holy Resurrection of our Lord God
and Savior Jesus Christ
Greek:
Χριστός Ανέστη! Αληθῶς
Ανέστη!
Latin: Christus resurrexit!
Resurrexit vere!
Hebrew: Ha Masheeha houh kam! A ken kam!
Romanian:
Hristos a înviat! Adevărat a
înviat!
Aromanian:
Aromanian - Hristolu unghia! Daleehira unghia!
Tosk: Krishti u ngjall! Vërtet u ngjall!
Italian:
Cristo è
risorto!
È
veramente risorto!
Spanish: Cristo ha
resucitado! Verdaderamente, ha resucitado!
Portugese: Cristo ressuscitou! Verdadeiramente ressuscitou!
French:
Le Christ
est ressuscité!
Vraiment Il est ressuscité!
Magyar: Kriztus
feltàmadott! Valóban feltàmadott!
Finnish: Kristus nousi kuolleista! Totisesti nousi!
Arabic:
Al-Masih-Qam!
Hakkan Qam!
Syriac: Meshiha qam!
Bashrira qam!
Amharic: Kristos Tenestwal! Bergit Tenestwal!
Turkish: Hristós diril-Dí! Hakíkatén diril-Dí!
Georgian:
ქრისტე აღსდგა! ჭეშმარიტად
აღსდგა!
Armenian: Քրիստոս
յարեաւ ի մեռելոց՜ Օրհնեալ է յայտնութիւնն Քրիստոսի՜
Azeri: Isa peyğǝmbǝr yenidǝn dirildi! bu bir hǝqiqǝtdir, o yenidǝvn
dirildi!
Slavonic:
Христос Воскресе! Воистину
Воскресе!
Russian - Христос воскрес! Воистину воскрес!
Ukrainian: Христос воскрес! Воістину воскрес!
Belarusian: Хрыстос уваскрос! Сапраўды ўваскрос!
Serbian:
Христос
васкрсе!
Ваистину васкрсе!
Bulgarian: Христос
възкресе! Наистина възкресе!
Macedonian: Христос воскресе! Навистина воскресе!
Croatian: Krist
uskrsnu! Uistinu uskrsnu!
Croatian:
Krist
uskrsnu!
Uistinu uskrsnu!
Czech: Kristus
zmrtvýchvstal! Opravdu zmrtvýchvstal!
Slovak: Kristus zmŕtvychvstal! Skutočne zmŕtvychvstal!
Polish:
Chrystus
zmartwychwstał!
Prawdziwie
zmartwychwstał!
Latvian: Kristus (ir)
augšāmcēlies! Patiesi viņš ir augšāmcēlies!
Lithuanian: Kristus prisikėlė! Tikrai prisikėlė!
English:
Christ is Risen! Truly he is
risen!
Irish: Tá Críost
éirithe! Go deimhin, tá sé éirithe!
Swedish: Kristus är uppstånden! Ja, Han är verkligen uppstånden!
German:
Christus ist
auferstanden!
Er
ist wahrhaftig auferstanden!
Dutch - Christus is
opgestaan! Hij is waarlijk opgestaan!
Belgian: Christus is verrezen! Hij is waarlijk verrezen!
Mandarin -
基督復活了
他確實復活了
Taiwan: Ya-So Deng Laï
Lô! I ka'-sit Go Deng Laï Lô!
Vietnam: Chúa ki-tô đã phục sinh! Qu̓a thật ngài đã phục sinh!
Japanese:
ハリストス復活！実に復活！
Korean: 그리스도께서
부활하셨습니다! 참으로 부활하셨습니다!
Malaysian: Krist sudah membangun! sesung guhnya dia sudah membangun!
Filipino:
Si Cristo ay nabuhay!
Siya nga ay nabuhay!
Chamorro: La'la'i i
Kristo! Magahet na luma'la' i Kristo!
Indonesian: Kristus sudah bangkit! Dia benar sudah bangkit!
Hindi:
Massih jee uthhā hai!
Vāstav mẽ vo jee uthhā hai!
Malayalam: Christu
uyirthezhunnettu! Theerchayayum uyirthezhunnettu!
Singhal: Kristhus vahanse uttanavu seka! sabavinma unvahanse
uttanavu seka!
Urdu:
Issa Masiha
zinda ho gaya hai!
haan
yakeenan, wo zinda ho gaya hai!
Iran: Issah Ghi-yam kard!
Dar vagheh ou barkhasteh ast!
Pashto: Essa ra zhwanday shaway dey! Bey shaka che zhwandey shaway
dey!
Kikuyu:
Kristo nimuriuku!
Nimuriuku Nama!
Tanzania & Uganda:
Kristu amefufuka! kweli amefufuka!
Lugandan: Kristo Azukkide! Kweli Azukkide!
Swahili:
Kristo Amefufukka!
Kweli Amefufukka!
Samoan: Ua toe tu
le Keriso! Ioe ua toe tu Keriso!
Aleut - Kristus aq ungwektaq! Pichinuq ungwektaq!
Madagascar: Kristy dia nitsangana tamin'ny maty! Eny efa nitsangana
marina tokoa Izy!
Holy Friday and Midnight Pascha Service
Holy Week, 2009, Menidi (Acharnae),
Athens, Greece
Faithful of the Holy Metropolis of
Mesogaea during procession of epitaphios
During Holy Week, the
clergy of the Holy Metropolis of Mesogaea and Laureotica served at
their usual posts. His Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea
and Laureotica, assisted by Presbyter Pedro dos Santos, served at
St. Demetrius Cathedral at Menidi throughout Holy Week. Presbyter
Andew Sidnev served at St. Catherine's Convent at Koropi, while
Protopresbyter Thomas Kontogiannis served at St. Spyridon's Church
at Karea. The Cathedral of St. Demetrius at Menidi, as every year,
was attended by over 2,000 parishioners of the Holy Metropolis and
walked around the entire block for the procession of the Epitaphios.
The next evening at midnight, after the Gospel and proclamation of
Resurrection outdoors, Metropolitan Cerycus read his
2009
Paschal Epistle, which, after also being
translated into English and distributed online, has been
characterized by many recipients as the best Paschal Epistle they
have ever read. This Pascha was a double celebration because of the
recent ordination of Fr. Pedro dos Santos, which was a great joy for
the faithful of the Metropolis.
Ordination of Fr. Pedro to the Priesthood
March 23/April 5, 2009, Menidi (Acharnae),
Athens, Greece
Metropolitan Cerycus vesting Fr.
Pedro with the epitrachilion - Axios!
Over six months ago, Fr.
Pedro Luiz Anacleto dos Santos Junior, discovered our
English-language website and began
reading the many historical documents and their translations, as
well as the articles presented pertaining to the history of the
Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece. Many of these documents had
appeared online for the first time, and the until that time no
English translations had before existed. Upon reading these
documents as well as studying the history of the various schisms,
Fr. Pedro began to realize that the jurisdiction in which he was
"baptized" and "ordained," was nothing more than a schismatic and
graceless parasynagogue. Fr. Pedro was a priest of the self-styled
"Genuine Orthodox Church of America" which was single-handedly
created by the former monk of Holy Transfiguration Monastery of
Boston, Gregory George, who had been consecrated and subsequently
deposed as "Archbishop of Colorado" by the deposed former Sergianist
Moscow Patriarchate priest, and confessed KGB agent, Valentine (Rusantsov)
of Suzdal. Metropolitan Cerycus studied the history of this
newly-created false jurisdiction, as well as the history of its
leader, and presented it to the Holy Pan-Orthodox Council, so that
all the hierarchs could decide the means by which Fr. Pedro and his
wife and daughter were to be received into the Genuine Orthodox
Church. Since Gregory of Colorado and his collaborators are a
self-created false church, which not only lacks a clear Confession
of Faith, but is also very hostile to the Holy Confession of Faith
of St. Matthew of Bresthena, and seeing as though Gregory of
Colorado was suspended by two synods and deposed by
another two (including the one which "consecrated" him), there are
too many grounds of unorthodoxy and uncanonicity in the person of
Gregory of Colorado and his self-created personal "church," for any
form of economia to be applied to him or anyone baptized or ordained
by him. Due to these reasons, the Holy Pan-Orthodox Council,
consisting of hierarchs and clergy of the Genuine Orthodox Churches
of Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Russia and Kenya, unanimously decided to
accept the petition of Fr. Pedro Luiz Anacleto dos Santos Junior,
together with his wife and daughter, by deeming them to have been
"baptized" by a heretical layman, and thus never baptized, and in need of the
saving baptism of the Church. On Saturday, March 15/28, 2009,
Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea baptized and chrismated three new
members of our Church, two adults and one child, giving them the
Christian names of Pedro, Lucia and Ludmilla. On Sunday, March
16/29, he performed the rites of betrothal and matrimony over Pedro
and Lucia. On Friday, March 21/April 3, Pedro was elevated to
subdeacon. On Saturday, March 22/April 4, subdeacon Pedro was
ordained to the deaconate. On Sunday, March 23/April 5, in St.
Demetrius Cathedral at Menidi, just north of Athens, Greece, Fr.
Deacon Pedro was ordained to the holy priesthood by Metropolitan
Cerycus, in the presence of Protopresbyter Thomas Kontogiannis,
Presbyter Andrew Sidnev, Schemamonk Luke, and a full church of
faithful Genuine Orthodox Christians of the Holy Metropolis joyfully
voicing: Axios! Axios! Axios!
Feastday
of the Sunday of Orthodoxy
February 23/March 8, 2009, Menidi (Acharnae),
Athens, Greece
Metropolitan Cerycus, Fr. Luke and
faithful outside St. Demetrius Cathedral
Metropolitan Cerycus of
Mesogaea and Laureotica, performed the Divine Liturgy at St.
Demetrius Cathedral, Menidi, for the feast of the Sunday of
Orthodoxy. Following the Divine Liturgy there was a procession with
the holy icons, after which the faithful gathered inside the Church
for the pronunciations of the "anathemas" upon the heretics and the
"eternal memories" upon the martyrs and confessors of Orthodoxy.
Later in the evening, Metropolitan Cerycus served vespers and
invited all of the clergy, monastics and laymen of the Metropolis to
gather at St. Demetrius Cathedral for a local clergy-laity
conference in which various speeches were made concerning the
importance of Orthodoxy and the Sacred Struggle of the Genuine
Orthodox Christians, past and present. Seated at the main table at
the meeting were His Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea, and
Frs. Thomas, Andrew, Peter, Barnabas, Cyril, Naucratius and Luke. A
wonderful speech was also made by the theologian, Prof. E. Goutzides.
Metropolitan Matthew's Pastoral Visit to Australia
February/March, 2009, Sydney &
Melbourne, Australia
Metropolitan Matthew of Kenya at the
end of Divine Liturgy in Sydney
Following the February
session of the Pan-Orthodox Council in Athens, Metropolitan Cerycus
of Mesogaea and Laureotica, temporary exarch of the Genuine Orthodox
Archdiocese of Australia, sent Metropolitan Matthew of Kenya on his
behalf to fulfill a pastoral visit to the Genuine Orthodox parish of
the Holy Resurrection in Sydney, Australia, and to also attend to
the spiritual needs of the Genuine Orthodox Christians in Melbourne.
In Sydney, Metropolitan Matthew performed several Divine Liturgies
as well as a baptism. He then traveled to Melbourne in order to meet
the community there and to serve Holy Communion to a sick woman who
was in need of spiritual care. Metropolitan Matthew has now returned
to Sydney and will continue to serve there for another week.
Feastday
of the Holy Theophany
6/19 January, 2009, Acharnae, Greece
Blessing of Holy Water in the Holy
Convent of Panagia Soumela
On 6/19 January, 2009, at
the Holy Convent of Our Lady of Soumela, in Acharnae, Attica, His
Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea and Laureotica, presided
over the Divine Liturgy, also attended by Protopresbyter Thomas
Kontogiannis, Presbyter Andrew Sidnev, and faithful from throughout
Athens and Attica, including monks from Holy Cross Monastery, and
nuns both from St. Catherine's Convent and also those in residence
at Panagia Soumela Convent, which was hosting the feast. After the
Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Cerycus blessed holy water, and
following this the faithful, clad with crosses, hexapteriga, labara,
candles and branches of basil, headed down to the water-font of
Mornou, where the yearly dipping of the Holy Cross into the waters
occurs every year. As usual, representatives from the local
government and the press were also present for the event.
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
25 December 2008 / 7 January 2009
Icon of the Nativity of Our Lord God
and Savior Jesus Christ
On 25 December 2008 / 7
January 2009, the Genuine Orthodox Christians throughout the world
celebrated the Nativity of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This joy of this great feast of feasts was celebrated victoriously,
as for another year, Christ was born once more in the hearts of
every pious and Orthodox Christian. His Eminence, Metropolitan
Cerycus celebrated the All-night vigil at St. Demetrius Cathedral in
Menidi, Athens. Metropolitan Cassian celebrated in the Holy Convent
of the Transfiguration in Iasi, while Metropolitan Gerontius
celebrated at the Cathedral of the Life-Giving Spring in Movolitsa,
Romania. Metropolitan Matthew celebrated at the Cathedral of the
Holy Protection in Nairobi, while Metropolitan Seraphim celebrated
at the Cathedral of St. John the Theologian in Kiev. Metropolitan
Parthenius served at the Cathedral of the Holy Three Hierarchs in
Larnaca, Cyprus, while the rest of the clergy and parishes
throughout the world echoed the angelic voices "Glory to God in the
Highest, and on earth peace, good will among men!"
Feastday
of St. Spyridon of Trimythus
12/25 December, 2008, Koropi, Greece
Metropolitan Cerycus, Clergy and
Faithful Outside St. Spyridon's Church
On 12/25 December, the
Feast Day of St. Spyridon of Trimythus, the Church and Parish
Community of St. Spyridon at Karea, Athens, celebrated their
Patronal Feast. The Divine Liturgy was presided over by Metropolitan
Cerycus of Mesogaea and Laureotica, assisted by Archpriest Thomas
Kontogiannis and Priest Andrew Sidnev, and attended by hundreds of
faithful from throughout Athens. In his homily, Metropolitan Cerycus
explained the bold confession of St. Spyridon of Trimythus at the
First Ecumenical Council, and stated that this should be an example
for us all. He also expressed his deep sorrow that upon this very
feast of St. Spyridon, the first concelebration occurred between the
Latins and Latin-minded Orthodox, shortly after the false council of
Florence. For this reason, Metropolitan Cerycus spoke also of the
bold confession of St. Mark of Ephesus, who, together with St.
Spyridon of Trimythus, expressed the correct Orthodox Confession in
the face of the onslaughts of the heresies of their time, and that
we too, must courageously battle the heresies of our time, namely,
Modernism and Ecumenism, and defeat these terrible blasphemies, by
the grace and prayers of Ss. Spyridon of Trimythus and Mark of
Ephesus.
Feastday
of St. Catherine of Alexandria
25 November / 7 December, 2008, Koropi,
Greece
Hierarchs and clergy during the
"blessing of the loaves" (Artoclasia)
On 25 November / 7
December, the Holy Convent of St. Catherine at Koropi, Attica,
Greece, celebrated its patron Feast Day. The Divine Liturgy was
presided over by His Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea and
Laureotica. Metropolitan Parthenius of Citium, First-Hierarch of the
Sister Church of Cyprus, also flew in for the occasion. Among the
clergy in attendance were Archpriest Thomas Kontogiannis and Fr.
Andrew Sidnev. The monks from the neighboring Monastery of the Holy
Cross were also present for the feast. The Divine Liturgy was
followed by an agape meal hosted by the monastic community headed by
Mother Vincentia, who showed excellent hospitality to the guests
from various parts of Greece, Cyprus and abroad.
Feastday
of the Entry of the Mother of God
21 November / 3 December, 2008,
Germasogia, Cyprus
Hierarchs and Clergy Outside Holy
Entry Monastery, Germasogia, Cyprus
On 21 November / 3
December, the Feast Day of the Entry of the Mother of God into the
Temple, was also the patron feast of the Holy Entry Monastery at
Germasogia, Cyprus. Metropolitan Parthenius of Citium presided over
the feast with the attendance of Metropolitan Cerycus from Greece,
and some of the clergy of the Church of Cyprus, namely, Priests
Michael and Agathocles, Hieromonk Panteleimon and Hierodeacon
Jeremias. On this bright and most joyous occasion, the Genuine
Orthodox Christians of Cyprus witnessed many wonderful events.
Firstly, the consecration of the Church in honor of the Entry of the
Mother of God; secondly, the tonsure of Hierodeacon Jeremias as a
rasophore monk; and, thirdly, Hierodeacon Jeremias' ordination to
the holy priesthood by His Eminence, Metropolitan Parthenius of
Citium. Hieromonk Jeremias is the de facto Abbot of Holy
Entry Monastery. Axios! Axios! Axios!
Feastday
of the
Holy New Martyr Catherine
of Mandra
15/28 November, 2008, Athens, Greece
An icon of the Holy New Martyr
Catherine of Mandra
On 15/28 November, the Holy
Metropolis of Mesogaea and Laureotica celebrated the Feast Day of
the Holy New Martyr Catherine (Routis) who was shot by policemen in
1927, in front of the chapel of the Holy Archangels at Mandra of
Megaris, because she was protecting the parish priest from being
arrested for serving according to the old calendar. The Holy Relics
of St. Catherine are kept at the Keratea Convent. The Divine Liturgy
was held at St. Catherine's Convent at Koropi, Attica, and was
celebrated by Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea and Protopresbyer
Thomas Kontogiannis, and attended by the monastic community of the
Convent, as well as several other faithful.
Feastday
of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius
26 October / 8 November, 2008, Athens,
Greece
Clergy & parishioners during the
procession in front of St. Demetrius parish
On 26 October / 8 November,
the Holy Metropolis of Mesogaea and Laureotica celebrated the Feast
Day of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius, in whose honor the Cathedral
of St. Demetrus, Acharnae (Menidi), Athens, Greece, is named. The
Divine Liturgy was presided over by Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea
and Laureotica, First-Hierarch of the Genuine Orthodox Church of
Greece, accompanied by Reverend Presbyter Fr. Andrew Sidnev, and
thousands of faithful Genuine Orthodox Christians, mostly local
parishioners from Menidi's Pontian community, 5,000 of which are
members of St. Demetrius parish.
Feastday of the Holy Apostle Thomas
6/19 October, 2008, Maple Ridge, Canada
The parishioners of St. Thomas
Parish, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada.
St. Thomas parish in Maple
Ridge, British Columbia, was founded in 1998 by pious laymen of the
Genuine Orthodox Church. The parish was joined in 2006 by the
Reverend Presbyter Fr. Mark Smith, who, since then, has served as
parish priest. After nearly 14 months of Divine services in a large
tent, the community of the Holy Apostle Thomas and St. Matthew the
New Confessor, met in their newly renovated chapel for the first
time in April, 2008. Now, on the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, on
6/19 October, 2008, the first patron celebration occurred within the
newly-established chapel. Fr. Mark Smith also operates a home-run
candle-making factory, and the parish of St. Thomas also has its own
website:
www.genuineorthodoxchurch.com.
Through the prayers of the Holy Apostle Thomas and Saint Matthew the
New Confessor, Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, look down and bless and
save Thy servants. Amen.
Meeting
Between the Hierarchs of the Genuine
Orthodox Churches & the Russian Old Rite Church
4/17 October, 2008, Athens, Greece
Hierarchs & Clergy of the Genuine
Orthodox Churches & Russian Old Rite Church
During the meeting of the
Holy Synod on October 17 and 20 (new style), 2008, in the Holy
Metropolis of Mesogaea and Laureotica in Koropi, Athens, an
encounter and conversation also took place with the Old Rite Russian
Orthodox Church. Attending the meeting on the side of the Genuine
Orthodox Church was His Eminence, Metropolitan Cerycus of Mesogaea
and Laureotica, First-Hierarch of the Genuine Orthodox Church of
Greece, and His All-Sacredness, Metropolitan Parthenius of Citium,
First-Hierarch of the Autocephalous Genuine Orthodox Church of
Cyprus. The delegation of the Russian Old Ritualist Church comprised
His Holiness, Patriarch Alexander of Moscow and all Russia, His
Eminence Bishop Sergius of Siberia and Protopresbyter Andrew
Marchenko. The interest of the Genuine Orthodox Church in this Old
Ritualist Synod is, first of all, the origin of its hierarchy from
the founders and outstanding workers of the Catacomb Genuine
Orthodox Church of Russia, namely, Bishop Peter (Ladygin) of Glazov
and Archbishop Andrew of Ufa. In contrast to the lost confession of
faith and apostolic succession in the Sergianistic and Ecumenistic
Moscow Patriarchate and in the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, the
hierarchy of the Old Ritualists never had any contact with the
heretical Ecumenists. During the theological dialogue, the two sides
already came to a common agreement concerning the dogmatic
distinction between Genuine Orthodox Churches with respect to the
contemporary schismato-heresies of New Calendarism, Sergianism and
Ecumenism. Questions of the historical plan remain: the production
of an honest and unprejudiced examination of the separation in the
Russian Orthodox Church in the 17th century, the questions about the
differences between the Greek and Russian rites, and other important
questions. By God's will, and the goodwill from the side of all
participants in the dialogue, it is hoped that these questions will
be finally resolved.
