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Autumnal
Session of the Synod of Bishops
The Synod of Bishops Issues 2 Documents:
Appeal to the Flock and Appeal to the Clergy of the Western
European Diocese
Autumnal Session of the Synod of Bishops
From 5-10 November, the 75th anniversary of the Cathedral
of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in
San Francisco, and the 50th anniversary of the Church of All
Russian Saints in Burlingame, were celebrated in the Western
American Diocese. The celebrations were joined by the eminent
members of the Synod of Bishops, headed by the First Hierarch
of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Metropolitan
Laurus.
The services coincided with the regular session of the Synod
of Bishops, which addressed current matters of the dioceses
and of church life. The participants of the sessions issued
two Appeals. The first was to the clergy of the Western European
Diocese, and the second to all of the children of the Russian
Orthodox Church Outside of Russia:
Appeal to the Clergy of the Western European Diocese
Reverend Fathers and Brothers in Christ!
We greet you and thank you for your filial love and devotion
to your archpastor, and for your care for the peace and well-being
of your diocese. Bishop Ambroise reported to the Synod of
Bishops on the unrest amongst the clergy of the Western European
Diocese over the discord arising from the anti-Church activities
of troublemakers who have wrought rebellion and schism.
We fully share your concern.
At the same time, the Synod of Bishops, fulfilling its obligation
in its care for the Church, finds it necessary to express
patient condescension to those who have falled into schism,
and through this condescension, the Synod has not violated
the fundamental Law of our life and faith--Gospel Law. For
this reason we ask you, as loyal children of our Church, to
also have condescension to the apostates. The deception of
schism is becoming more and more apparent even to these self-same
rebels, and so we do not wish to block the path back to truth
and repentance for those who may not immediately have recognized
the error of their blunder, yet still reject the schismatics
and turn to us. Is it not for us who stand on the solid rock
of the Church to "bear the burden of the weak?"
In the name of conversion and salvation of our brethren who
have fallen into schism, "Bear ye another's burdens and
so fulfill the Law of Christ."
May the Grace of God and the Peace of Christ be with you forever.
Amen.
PRESIDENT of the Synod of Bishops,
Ü Metropolitan Laurus
Ü Archbishop Mark
Ü Bishop Kyrill
Ü Bishop Ambroise
Ü Bishop Evtikhii
Ü Bishop Alexander
Ü Bishop Gabriel
Ü Bishop Michael
Appeal to the Flock on the 20th anniversary of the
Myrrh-streaming Iveron Icon of the Mother of God of Montreal
Sunday, 11/24 November, will mark the 20th anniversary of
the the Myrrh-streaming Iveron Icon of the Mother of God of
Montreal. This icon, which abundantly streamed miracle-working
myrrh for 15 years, consoled our Russian Orthodox Church Outside
of Russia, a visible and tangible symbol of the mercy of the
intercession of the Mother of God for us sinners.
But now almost 5 years have passed since the day of the murder
of the devoted caretaker of the icon, Brother Joseph, and
of the disappearance of the Icon of the Mother of God. Did
we act in a worthy manner during the presence in our Church
of this Icon, which clearly performed miracles? Did we put
to good use this visitation of the Mother of Our Lord for
our souls, and is it not our collective sin of having grown
cold towards this holy Icon and in our prayers, cold to the
works of charity and witness to the Orthodox faith, that was
the reason for its disappearance, through God's will?
May this holiday of the Miracle-working Icon serve to encourage
us to humble our pride, for pride distances man from God's
grace. May it serve as a reminder for us to correct our earthly
paths, to subject our ways to the will of God.
Brothers and sisters! With tremulous gratitude we prayerfully
recall the arrival of this wondrous myrrh-streaming Icon in
our Church, and with repentance we pray to the Most-Holy Mother
of God for the forgiveness of our transgressions, for peace
to reign in our Orthodox Church. We deem it appropriate for
all the churches to conduct a service of supplication [moleben]
before the icon of the Mother of God after Divine Liturgy
on this day.
Most-Holy Mother of God save us!
PRESIDENT of the Synod of Bishops,
Ü Metropolitan Laurus
Ü Archbishop Mark
Ü Bishop Kyrill
Ü Bishop Ambroise
Ü Bishop Evtikhii
Ü Bishop Alexander
Ü Bishop Gabriel
Ü Bishop Michael
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