Tag Archives: Metropolitan Jonah resigns

pray for the OCA

Posted on by

Coming up in November the Orthodox Church in America is gathering to, among other things, elect a new Metropolitan and First Hierarch. As I mentioned in this post around the time of Metropolitan Jonah’s resignation, intense prayer is needed in times of intense struggle.

I cannot fathom how the faithful must feel after so many years of internal issues but I am fairly sure they are ready for some peace. As such a large jurisdiction in the US there needs to be some solid direction, wise leadership, and loving advancement in their future workings. It not only impacts the OCA alone, but all other Orthodox when scandals hit the newstands. There is also I feel an air of instability or at least confusion. Witness the following during commemoration in the divine liturgy in Moscow recently when Patriarch Kyrill stumbled upon remembrance of the Firsts Hierarch of America ( around 6 mins 34 seconds in this video ).

Not only this but all areas of the diaspora are working solidly towards dealing with the issues of the dispersion from traditional Orthodox motherlands; a strong and respected leadership of the OCA is needed I think to reduce impediments to the process in the USA.

I think all Orthodox Christians should pray for this upcoming council, for interest the information can be found here including a well put together delegate handbook here. This handbook sets out well a process of prayer and preparation for the council delegates and has all the details.

Furthermore prayers have been published for use at OCA divine services leading up to the event:

Furthermore we pray You, O Lord our Almighty and Eternal God, Source of all wisdom and understanding, be with us as we prepare to gather in Council so that in our striving to serve and glorify You, we may be enlightened with right judgment and good purpose to the building up of Your Holy Church and to Your eternal glory, we pray You, hear us and have mercy…

Again we pray You, O Lord our God, giver of every good gift, look with favor upon Your Church and bless and guide our minds and hearts, and grant us by the grace of Your All-holy Spirit an increase in faith and understanding, so that in vigilance, fasting and prayer we are prepared for the holy work of this Electoral Council, we pray You, hear us and have mercy…

Furthermore we pray You, O Lord our God, send down Your Holy Spirit upon us and guide our minds and hearts so that, inspired by Your gifts of discernment and understanding, we may know and do Your holy will in the election of a Metropolitan for our Holy Church in North America, we pray You, hear us and have mercy…

Again we pray You, O Lord our God, in Your holy and providential care for us, call forth for us a Metropolitan of wisdom, understanding, and sanctity to cooperate in working with the Holy Synod, the pastors and faithful of our Holy Church, so that together we may be that light on the lampstand and the salt of the earth working together in loving service to Christ our God and thus to one another, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

As mentioned before, we should all pray for this upcoming council, the preparation and the outcomes.

An Explanation for Metropolitan Jonah's Resignation

Posted on by

Reblogged from Fr. Ted's Blog:

Click to visit the original post
  • Click to visit the original post

His Grace, Bishop Matthias has sent out a letter (the OCA Synod Statement on the resignation as adopted by the Synod of Bishops) offering an explanation about the events surrounding the recent resignation of Metropolitan Jonah as Primate of the OCA.  Bishop Matthias' letter is also available on the Diocesan Webpage at Archpastoral Letter.

July 16, 2012
Hieromartyr Athenogenes…

Read more… 1,536 more words

Some more detailed explanations behind Metropolitan Jonah's resignation

as things are fuzzy, prayer is needed

Posted on by

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.

A Hierarch Resigns

Posted on by

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”