After the announcement of Metropolitan Jonah’s resignation there has now been appointed a number of interim roles in the OCA as published on their website.

“The Holy Synod has appointed the senior hierarch of the Holy Synod, His Eminence, the Most Reverend Nathaniel, Archbishop of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate, as the Locum Tenens of the Orthodox Church in America.”

“The Holy Synod has appointed His Grace, the Right Reverend Michael, Bishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, as the Administrator of the Orthodox Church in America.”

and further:

“The Holy Synod has appointed His Grace, the Right Reverend Alexander, Bishop of Toledo and the Bulgarian Archdiocese, as the Locum Tenens of the Archdiocese of Washington.”

There is not a great deal of information on the why’s and wherefore’s which does provide for a more peaceful look at the turn of events. As I mentioned in my previous post, this is a time we should pray for the Hierarchs of the OCA. Pray that they will listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit and not anything of human origin.

The statement is also available in PDF format here.

Very recently posted on the website of the Orthodox Church of America is news of the resignation of it’s First Hierarch, Metropolitan Jonah. The text of the letter I have pasted below and there is a link to a scanned of the original on their site also.

Not being that close to the OCA I can’t comment about his pros and cons as a Hierarch. Most of his positions, statements and comments publicly felt quite refreshing to me personally. I have heard several talks both before and after he was consecrated to the episcopate and never felt the slightest wobbly in the belly as my “eek-ometer” went off.

But some in the US have told me he was a little less conciliar than desired, and there has been obvious amounts of public slanging over the last few years. Things seemed a little quiet over there lately. No doubt there will be more comment early and waffle over the coming days.

He, and indeed the OCA, need our prayers at this time.

Text of the letter:

“To the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America,

“Brothers,

“As per your unanimous request, as conveyed to me by Chancellor Fr. John Jillions, I hereby tender my resignation as Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, and humbly request another Episcopal assignment.

“I had come to the realization long ago that that I have neither the personality nor the temperament for the position of Primate, a position I never sought nor desired.

“It is my hope that due consideration will be made for my financial situation, both in any interim and in consideration for any future position. I am the main financial support for both my parents and my sister, beyond my own needs.

“I will appreciate your consideration in this, and beg forgiveness for however I have offended you, and for whatever difficulties have arisen from my own inadequacies and mistakes in judgment.

“Asking your prayers, I remain faithfully yours,

“Metropolitan Jonah, Archbishop of Washington”