St. Andrew's Memorial Church - So.
Bound Brook, New Jersey
St. Andrew’s
Brotherhood Holds Annual
Meeting
Primary Objective of
St. Andrew Brotherhood is defined as the reunification of all UOC-USA parishes
with Kyivan Patriachate under the current leadership of Patriarch Filaret.
On Sunday, November 26,
2005, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church, South
Bound Brook, NJ, held its annual meeting with the V. Rev. Yurij Siwko, Pastor
and spiritual advisor to the Brotherhood, attending and opening the meeting
with a prayer.
The general membership of
the Brotherhood unanimously elected a new Executive Board, with the re-election
of Ihor Sawon as President. The balance of the Executive Board consists of:
·
Roman Hirniak…………..Vice President
·
Frank Beck……………….Treasurer
·
Vitaliy Kurinnyy…………Ukrainian Secretary
·
Raymond Burns, Jr. …….English Secretary
·
Volodymyr Hryhorenko .. Board Member
·
Wasyl Krasnobryzyj …….Board Member
The Auditing Committee
consists of: Oleksij Shevchenko, Anatoly Gorloff and Vinamin Nesenjuk.
The Advisory Committee consists of Victor
Babanskyj, Wasyl Doroshenko and Michael Shulha.
A considerable amount of
time was spent by members of the Brotherhood discussing the recent announcement
from the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul, Turkey concerning the elevation
of Archimandrite Andriy (Peshko), from Chicago, to Bishop and his assignment as
an assistant to Metropolitan Constantine, Primate of the UOC-USA. Concerns of
the Brotherhood centered around the question of why Istanbul is appointing a
Bishop / Assistant within the UOC-USA when the UOC-USA Constitution
specifically vests this responsibility in the Sobor of the UOC-USA. Numerous
questions were also raised concerning who the ultimate authority is on the
elevation of Bishops / Metropolitans and whether the current action of the
Ecumenical Patriarchate reaffirms the UOC-USA status as simply a “Diocese”
within the Church of Constantinople.
It was unanimously agreed
that we are currently not the “masters of our own house” and that all
decision-making powers reside with a foreign church located in Istanbul,
Turkey. Further, considerable dismay was verbalized by the general membership
to the news announcement from Istanbul referencing UOC-USA parishes as
“belonging to the Ecumenical Patriarchate”.
With the above news
announcement from Istanbul. the newly re-elected president, Ihor Sawon, posed a
question to the membership regarding what the Brotherhood’s aims and objectives
should be in the future years.
After considerable
discussion among the general Brotherhood membership and input from the V. Rev.
Yurij Siwko as to the status of the UOC-Canada and UAOC in Europe, the latter
being under the spiritual leadership of Metropolitan Constantine, the
membership unanimously passed a resolution outlining the main objective of the
St. Andrew Brotherhood for the coming years.
The resolution reads as
follows:
“The Brotherhood of
St. Andrew Memorial Church recognizes its primary objective to be the
re-unification of all Ukrainian Orthodox Churches in the United States and in
Ukraine with our Mother Church in Ukraine, under the omofor of the Kyivan
Patriarchate, currently under the leadership of His Holiness Patriarch Filaret,
thereby establishing one “Pomisna” Church which remains forever true to the
patriotic ideals and vision of Patriarch Mstyslav.”
The remainder of the meeting was devoted to
reviewing last year’s accomplishments and outlining plans for implementing the
above resolution in 2006.
South Bound Brook,
NJ
*****************************************************************
“Ecumenical”
desperation in Bound Brook?
The orthodox faithful are
asking why a letter was sent out by Archbishop Antony on the 26th of
March 2005 claiming that President Yushchenko
“ВІДВІДАЄ”, WILL VISIT, Bound
Brook in April, when the entire Diaspora and the world knew weeks in advance
that President Yushchenko’s itinerary would not allow him to do so. Even the
banquet in New York City, which was to be sponsored by UCCA, had to be
cancelled and yet Pastors across the nation were told to read this letter from
the pulpits, which many did. What is behind this announcement and why all the
fanfare?
One answer may be that
there is a sense of Ecumenical desperation in the office of the Consistory
President, Archbishop Antony, for any good news, no matter how far fetched. Let
us review some recent events:
·
Archbishop Vsevolod makes numerous visits to
Ukraine and has two working sessions with Patriarch Filaret.
·
Archbishop Vsevolod relates to President Yushchenko
Patriarch Bartholomew’s edict that the religious annexation of Ukraine in 1686
under Moscow’s Patriarchates’ jurisdiction was not canonical.
·
On March 3rd the UAOC Eparchial Sobor in
Lviv adopts a resolution to commemorate Archbishop Vsevolod in Liturgical Services.
·
On March 16th Archbishop Antony loses
the five-year old parish property court case against the Ukrainian Orthodox
Holy Ascension Parish in Clifton, NJ.
·
March 15-25 Patriarch Filaret DOES NOT receive
Archbishop Antony in Kyiv.
·
Archbishop Antony’s visit with President Yushchenko
was reportedly a 15 minute courtesy visit. What worldly affairs could possibly
have been discussed in that short time?
·
Bound Brook is in dire financial straits due to
fiscal mismanagement and unnecessary travel.
·
On April 1st a letter is distributed by
the Consistory under Hieromonk Daniel’s signature advising the orthodox
faithful that due to “some unforeseen developments” President Yushchenko WILL
NOT visit Bound Brook.
From all of the above and
other recent events it appears that the President of the Consistory is being
bypassed from the mainline efforts in determining the future of the Ukrainian
Orthodox Church in Ukraine. The center stage is aggressively occupied by
Archbishop of Scopelos, Vsevolod. His whirlwind tour in recent months to the
splintered orthodox groups in Ukraine, his two working meetings with Patriarch
Filaret and his declaratory visit with President Yushchenko at least gives an
appearance of positive steps toward unification and possible recognition of a
“Pomisna” National Church.
And while all of this was
going on, Archbishop Antony advises the faithful that President Yushchenko is
coming to Bound Brook, which on April 1 (of all days) is withdrawn by Hieromonk
Daniel?
Looks to us like “Ecumenical” desperation
reigns in Bound Brook.
***************************************************
St. Andrew’s Brotherhood
adopts ORANGE as a signs of unity
with
Ukrainian Orthodox Church -
Kyivan Patriarchate.
On Sunday February 6, 2005 nine members
of the Board of St. Andrew’s Brotherhood took their oath of office at St.
Andrew’s Memorial Church in So. Bound Brook, NJ.
Wearing colorful orange scarves and
orange neckties the nine members of the Board took their solemn oath of office
declaring, in the presence of God, to serve and uphold the teachings and
Commandments of God and to serve His Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The rite of induction was
administered by Fr. Jurij Siwko but the most interesting part was that the oath
of office did NOT include any reference or fealty to UOC-USA or its ruling
hierarchs but only to the “Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church”.
It seems to be a very subtle but
significant difference since St. Andrew’s Brotherhood lately has been extremely
vocal in matters of UOC-USA unity with UOC-KP in Ukraine and the formation of
one, united national Church headquartered in Kyiv. This was evident when the
head of St. Andrew’s Brotherhood, Mr. Ihor Sawon, introduced a resolution
unanimously approved at the 17th Sobor, calling for spiritual unity
between UOC-USA and a united, canonical UOC-KP in Ukraine.
We fully support St. Andrew’s
Brotherhood in their efforts and wish them well in convincing the hierarchs of
UOC-USA that our Mother Church is headquartered in Kyiv and NOT in Istanbul.
************************
St. Andrew’s
Brotherhood, So. Bound Brook, NJ
helps orphans and poor children
at Holy Spirit
Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate
Dniepropetrovsk,
Ukraine
In a letter dated December 19,
2002 from Rev. Mykola Sribniak, Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish UOC-KP in
Dniepropetrovsk, Rev. Mykola expressed his gratitude to St. Andrew’s
Brotherhood for their donation of $500.00 toward the purchase of clothing and
toys for the orphans and poor children of their parish. The donation was
received in time for the parish celebration of St. Nicholas Day on December 19,
2002.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Letter
received January 6, 2002
Brotherhood
of
St. Andrew’s Ukrainian
Orthodox Memorial Church of the USA
Sir:
Our Pastor Rev. Jurij Siwko has brought to
our attention that certain statements on your web site www.saveouruoc.com that
are attributed to him are untrue and are based on hearsay.
In particular Rev. Siwko refers to St.
Andrew’s Memorial Church web page and the statements contained in “Brotherhood receives a
"Heartfelt" thank you for a job well done on Providna Nedilia.”
Althought the work of the Brotherhood was
exemplary during the Providna Nedilia the statements attributed to Rev. Siwko
are untrue.
We are providing a copy of the offending
paragraphs.
Please make a correction to the web page
reflecting the request as expressed by our Pastor Rev. Jurij Siwko.
Sincerely,
St. Andrew’s Brotherhood St. Andrew’s Memorial Church
**************************************************************
Editorial Note:
************************************************************
St. Andrew’s Brotherhood holds Annual
Meeting
On Sunday
December 1, 2002, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew's Memorial Church, So. Bound
Brook, NJ held its annual meeting. For
the first time in more that 3 years Rev. Jurij Siwko, Pastor and spiritual
advisor to the Brotherhood, attended the meeting to say an opening prayer.
The general
membership of the Brotherhood unanimously elected a new Board with Mr. Ihor
Sawon as President. The balance of the Board consists of:
Wasyl
Doroshenko, Vice-President, Wasyl Krasnobryzhyj, Treasurer, Jaroslav Hucul-Housekeeping, Michael Shulha-English Secretary, Vitalij
Kurinnyy-Ukrainian Secretary, and
Wolodymyr Hryhorenko as board member.
The Auditing
Committee consists of: Oleksyj Shevchenko, L. Mazurets and Victor Rosynsky.
The balance of
the meeting was devoted to reviewing last years' accomplishments, preparations
for the Feast Day of St. Andrew, The First Called, scheduled for December 8 and
Brotherhood work plans for year 2003.
*************************************************
On September 28, 2002 Come and Witness a Travesty in South
Bound Brook, NJ
Bishops of the Church of
Constantinople
Celebrating the 50th
Anniversary of Consecrating a
UKRAINIAN PROPERTY
purchased and paid with blood, sweat and
tears
by UKRAINIANS
and originally
CONSECRATED BY UKRAINIAN
BISHOPS
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
28-го Вересня
2002
Прийдіть і
будьте
Свідками
Перекручення!!!!
Єпископи
Константинопольської
Церкви
Святкують
50-ти ліття
Посвячення
Куплено
і Заплатено
Кровю, Потом
і Сльозами
УКРАЇНЦЯМИ!
і
Посвячено
УКРАЇНСЬКИМИ
ЄПИСКОПАМИ
#######################################################
Дорогі
Члени,
Громади і
Парафіяни Св.
Андрія УПЦ в
США
Недаймо
зрадникам
Православної
Автокефалії,
Соборноправности
і всього Українського
дальше
заробляти
гроші, їздити
до Стамбула,
їздити до
Києва і
брататись з
Московським
Сабоданом.
28-го
вересня
прийдім на
Службу
Божу, помолімся
за трагедію
яка
трапилась в 1995
р. коли
ієрархи
нашої УПЦ в
США ДОБРОВІЛЬНО
віддали нашу
Святу Церкву
і
незалежність
і відірвали
нас від
Святого
Престолу
Київського
Патріархату.
А на
обід ліпше
піти до
МакДоналд
чим на “бенкет”
з
Константинопольськими
єпископами.
**********************************************************************
Original or Replica??? Only Bound Brook Knows.
(The
original is at an OCA Monastery while replicas are distributed to Ukrainian
Churches)
Last week we received and e-mail
inquiring as to the authenticity of the Pochaev Icons that are being circulated
within the parishes of UOC-USA. We received confirmation that the icons that
were distributed to various parishes indeed are replicas (and not very good
ones) of the Holy Pochaev Icon and NOT the original.
What is interesting is the method
used by the Bishops of Bound Brook to silence their critics and to make a few
dollars in the process. As was reported (please see our News page), the original Holy Pochaev Icon was (or is still
is) on exhibit at an OCA monastery and would not be permitted to visit any
Ukrainian Orthodox parish in USA or Canada without permission of Metropolitan
Sabodan of Moscow Patriarchate or Patriarch Alexej.
In order to placate the UOC-USA
faithful and to silence their critics, REPLICAS of the Pochaev Icon were
distributed to various parishes WITHOUT any announcement that the icon is NOT
the original. Parishioners who were interested to TAKE HOME the icon for
prayers were instructed to sign up and to pay a “fee”. Clever??? We think so.
*******************************************************************
The current issue of UOC-USA Consistory Circular, May – 2002 Office of
Public Relations, carries a very interesting article titled “Metropolitan
Andrew Kuschak Interred at St. Andrew’s Cemetery”. This is the same
Metropolitan Kuschak who preceded Bishop Vsevolod Majdansky as head of
Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America for whom, of blessed memory Patriarch
Mstyslav, (at that time Metropolitan Mstyslav) had very strong feelings:
“Bishop Vsevolod
(Majdansky) in my church…never.”
There is no doubt that such strong emotional sentiments were also directed
toward Metropolitan Kuschak who is now interred in the cemetery that Patriarch
Mstyslav built.
Patriarch Mstyslav must be turning over in his sarcophagus under the
altar of St. Andrew’s to see all that he has built is now being dismembered
piece by piece by the traitors who pledged loyalty to his principles and to UOC
in USA.
What is most interesting in this article is the revelation of the
generosity of Metropolitan Andrew and that his estate amounted to $1.3 million
dollars. These are not Ukrainian hryvny or Russian rubles or even Greek
drachmas. This is $1.3 million USA dollars.
The obvious question that immediately comes to mind is “How could a man
who had no outside employment accumulate such a fortune?” On the surface it
might seem highly improbable, as can be evidenced from the current clergy,
which, even though supported by a local parish, must still work in order to
support themselves particularly if a family is involved. But how does a
“Bishop” and/or a “Metropolitan” who has no outside jobs for additional income
amass in his lifetime $1.3 million dollars?
Looking at the current examples in Bound Brook we can logically allege
the following………
1)
All expenses paid by the Consistory for Lincoln Town
Cars, SUV’s, pick-up trucks and other vehicles.
2)
Cell Phones at the expense of the Consistory.
3)
Condominiums in Florida financed by whom?
4)
Luxury homes in the New Jersey countryside.
5)
Maintenance for the luxury homes performed by St.
Andrew’s cemetery employees.
6)
Housemaids or houseboys paid for by the Consistory.
7)
All travel expenses paid by the Consistory.
8)
All plane travel on a First Class or Business Class
basis. (Can anyone visualize an Archbishop or a Metropolitan traveling with the
hoi polloi in the tourist class section)?
9)
All trips to Istanbul, Kyiv, Europe, So. America and
Australia paid by the Consistory. (Can anyone visualize an Archbishop or
Metropolitan traveling to these destinations in anything other than First or
Business Class)?
10) All meals, hotels, cars, tips, etc. etc.
etc. paid by the Consistory.
11) Alleged salary of $94,000 per year per
Bishop.
12) Alleged salary of at least $100,000 (and
most probably higher) for Metropolitan.
13) Taxes??? Non-existent on cash “gifts of
love” from visited parishes and for special liturgical services.
14) All bishops’ vestments paid for by
Consistory, Parish Boards or Parish Sisterhoods.
No wonder that the hierarchs in Bound Brook
will fight tooth and nail to remain in their respective positions. But how
about the simple every day priest that serves a small parish of 20 or 30
families that can hardly support him and his family? He must pump gas at Exxon
or work at Wal-Mart while the “Bishops” travel in style.
Do the Bishops
need outside jobs???
Why???
Want to leave a legacy in your
name and be buried in the first row at the cemetery at St. Andrew’s?
Become a
“Bishop” of UOC-USA.
*************************************
“And the messenger came to
bring good tidings”
(with Archbishops
Antony’s rubber stamp)
We
received an interesting account from a reader that was present at the annual
meeting of the Pokrova Sisterhood of St. Andrew’s Memorial Church, South Bound
Brook, NJ.
On April 14, 2002 the Pokrova
Sisterhood of St. Andrew’s Memorial Orthodox Church held their annual meeting
at the small Church hall to elect a new Board. And once again they have shown
that they are an organization without leadership. Before I describe the results
of that annual meeting, some historical background on this “Sisterhood”.
The Pokrova Sisterhood’s main
function at St. Andrew’s Memorial Church complex is to manage the “Funeral
Kitchen” and to be a convenient and consistent “cash cow” for the Consistory of
UOC-USA. The Sisterhood pays the electric and maintenance bills of the small
church hall, maintenance workshop, garage and caretakers house. It is reported
that the cash account of the Sisterhood is substantial and these funds are
alleged to be held in individual Board members names. That is odd! Why would
anyone hold an official Church organization’s funds in a personal account, pay
taxes on the income and limit access to the funds by other Sisterhood Board
members? The rumor is that in the event control of the Board is taken over by
“unfriendlies” to Antony, Archbishop of Hierapolis, the funds can be
immediately transferred to the Consistory.
At this annual meeting it was
readily apparent that most of the members of the Sisterhood were elderly, well
into their 70’s and 80’s. There were only one or two members of the Sisterhood under
60 years of age and maybe one or two under the age of 50. The first question
that comes to mind is why? Why is the Sisterhood membership composed of “senior
citizens” well into their twilight years? The answers were startling… “Who of the
younger generation would want to work in this back-stabbing environment?..….
“Any younger member would be eaten alive by the entrenched bureaucracy that’s
been here for the last 40-50 years …. little old ladies that will smile at you
in Church and will stab you in the back in the church hall.”
On the Board of the Sisterhood
there are 2 or 3 known confirmed individuals who are fanatical supporters of
Antony, Archbishop of Hierapolis. Within the general membership there are 3 or
4 known individual members who will immediately report to the Consistory any
statement made by anyone against the hierarchs of UOC-USA. This has been
confirmed time and time again during many informational meetings of the
hromada. These 6 to 8 members of the Sisterhood who are fanatical in their
purpose and observations. As an example…….immediately after a verbal report to
the general parish membership by the Sisterhood and Brotherhood delegates to
the 16th Sobor, the Consistory knew exactly what was said and by
whom. Sad isn’t it? But isn’t this a Christian organization?
In all fairness there are several
members of the Sisterhood who are dedicated, hardworking individuals committed
to the memory of Patriarch Mstyslav and the principles upon which he built this
Church…..autocephaly, sobornopravnist and Ukrainian nationalism. But
unfortunately this small minority is overwhelmed by the fanaticism of
Archbishop Antony’s supporters.
Well, the annual meeting of the
Pokrova Sisterhood this year was the same as in previous years. This year the
candidates were “blessed” or “confirmed” by Archbishop Antony with the general
membership having nothing to say whatsoever. How so you may ask? Very
simple! Antony, Archbishop of
Hierapolis, not being present at the meeting, sent a letter delivered by his
emissary Fr. Zelinsky, praising the current Board for the “fine work” that they
have accomplished in the past year and that the same Board should be re-elected
for another term. With that “blessing” the Board was re-elected unanimously.
And the Archbishop did not even have to be present to persuade or intimidate.
But the sound of Archbishop Antony’s
rubber stamp was heard loud and clear.
Achbishop Antony of Hierapolis, a
Greek bishop of the Church of Constantinople issued a command to the Ukrainian
Pokrova Sisterhood…. “JUMP”….. and the Sisterhood in South Bound
Brook, N.J. replied…. “HOW HIGH?
Sounds like a repeat of the 16th
Sobor of UOC-USA in October, 2001.
At St. Andrew’s Memorial Church in South
Bound Brook the “Funeral Kitchen” will continue as in the past and the Pokrova
Sisterhood will continue to be a “cash cow”.
And the “milking” by the Consistory
of a “smiling” cash cow will continue as in the past.
Name withheld by request.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
St. Andrew’s Brotherhood
St. Andrew’s Memorial Church, So. Bound Brook, NJ
In more than 20 years St.
Andrew’s Brotherhood receives accreditation from Metropolitan Constantine and
sends a delegate to the 16th Sobor of UOC+USA.
Appeal of St. Andrew’s
Brotherhood to Metropolitan Constantine
and the Metropolitan Council
In accordance
with Archbishop Antony’s letter of October 2, 2001 an appeal was made on
October 9, 2001 by St. Andrew’s Brotherhood to Metropolitan Constantine and the
entire Metropolitan Council to present their case for representing the
parishioners at the upcoming 16th Sobor of UOC-USA. As reported, two
representatives of the Brotherhood, Mr. Ihor Sawon, President and Mr. Victor
Babansky, Vice-President made a personal presentation of the Brotherhood’s
position regarding the traditional and historical facts of the Brotherhood
representing the parishioners of a “Stavropegian” (center or headquarters)
Church at the Sobor. After a lengthy presentation by Mr. Sawon and Mr.
Babansky, Metropolitan Constantine in a personal interview with the Brotherhood
representatives confirmed the Brotherhood’s selection of Mr. Oleksij Shevcheko
(alternate Delegate selected by the Brotherhood), as the official delegate to
the 16th Sobor of UOC-USA. Metropolitan Constantine re-affirmed the
historical uniqueness of church organizations existing on the territory of a
Stavropegian Church and his official status as the spiritual leader and advisor
of these organizations. Further
Metropolitan Constantine re-assured the Brotherhood representatives of his
future greater involvement in the life of the parishioners at St. Andrew’s
Memorial Church complex.
As reported, in
support of the Brotherhood’s position more than 25 parishioners waited
patiently for over 2 hours as the presentation was made to the Metropolitan
Council. Upon hearing Metropolitan Constantine’s decision a great sigh of
relief emanated from the gathering that at long last “We have official
recognition and representation at the Sobor”.
*****************************************************************
Parishioners of St. Andrews Memorial Church, Bound Brook
representation and a voice at the 16th
Sobor of UOC-USA.
Here in Bound Brook, the center of Ukrainian Orthodoxy in
USA, the pantheon of Ukrainian freedom, culture and heritage, Archbishop Antony of Hierapolis denies the
parishioners of St. Andrews Memorial Church representation and a voice at the
16th Sobor of UOC-USA.
In a letter dated October 2, 2001 to Mr. Ihor
Sawon, President of St. Andrew’s Brotherhood, Archbishop Antony took action
against the parishioners based on the following:
(Archbishop Antony’s letter to the Brotherhood can be read
in its entirety, including a Ukrainian translation, by Clicking boundbrook.html. )
“cooperation has not been evidenced” from the
Brotherhood
“a certain few members of the organization have
been permitted to steer the activities of the Brotherhood into direct conflict
with the Consistory and Church leadership”
(The)
Brotherhood is “interfering in matters of absolutely no concern to the
Brotherhood”.
“The Brotherhood has failed to live up to the
agreement made”
“continued antagonistic actions against the
Administration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA”
“attempt to call a meeting of the parishioners of
the Memorial Church”
Therefore
Antony, Archbishop of Hierapolis has decreed:
“Therefore, you are hereby informed that because
of continued antagonistic actions against the Administration of the Ukrainian
Orthodox Church of the USA, as evidenced even now in the attempt to call a
meeting of the parishioners of the Memorial Church – without ANY AUTHORITY WHATSOEVER TO DO
SO – the Brotherhood will not be permitted to
have representation at the upcoming Sixteenth Sobor of our Holy Church”.
That is a slap
in the face and a kick in the behind not only to the Brotherhood but to
all the parishioners of St. Andrews Memorial Church in So. Bound Brook.
What
transgressions did the Brotherhood commit and what does Archbishop Antony of
Hierapolis demand of St.
Andrews Brotherhood “to attain a proper
status within the life of this community”?
1)
Issue a letter of “retraction” of the
August 8, 1999 decision of the Brotherhood in which the Brotherhood opposed the
lawsuit against parishioners of Holy Ascension Parish, Clifton, NJ.
2)
Issue a letter of “apology” to
Archbishop Antony of Hierapolis.
3)
Distribute the letters of retraction
and apology to all parishes of UOC-USA.
4)
Dismiss from the Board of the
Brotherhood several members deemed to be undesirables.
(The Brotherhood letter of August 8, 1999, signed by 29 out of 30 members of the Brotherhood can be read in its entirety by scrolling down to bottom of this page).
(The Brotherhood announcement, in Ukrainian, calling for a general
parishioners meeting can be read by scrolling further down this page).
Parishioners
meeting Sunday October 7, 2001 St. Andrew’s Memorial Church in So. Bound Brook,
N.J.
On Sunday October 7, 2001 due to distributed leaflets and a half page advertisement
in Ukrainian weekly “Svoboda”, and in complete disregard of Archbishop Antony
of Hierapolis prohibition, announced during liturgical services, to hold a
parish meeting over 50 parishioners participated in a parish meeting,
guaranteed by the US Constitution under the “right of assembly” clause.
Several heated and emotional issues were discussed from “Why are we
permitting Greek bishop in a Ukrainian Church “ to “Why can’t we take example
from the Roman Catholics and not interfere or question our hierarchs?” These
and other very inflammatory questions from several individuals received
appropriately heated responses from a unanimous majority of those present. In a
general vote the parishioners unanimously instructed the Board of St. Andrew’s
Brotherhood to make an appeal as outlined in Archbishop Antony’s letter of
October 2, 2001 to the Metropolitan Council and if unsuccessful to make a
further appeal to the Sobor Verification Committee and to the entire Sobor if
necessary. Mr. Ihor Sawon, President of St. Andrews Brotherhood was
instructed that on Monday October 8,
2001 an appointment is made with
Archbishop Antony’s office for a meeting with the Metropolitan Council for
Tuesday October 9, 2001.
Results
of the meeting of October 9, 2001 will be published as soon as they are
available.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=
Archbishop
Antony’s letter to St. Andrews Brotherhood President Mr. Ihor Sawon.
(Please note that nowhere within the body of the letter does the Archbishop refer to Mr. Sawon as head of the Brotherhood.
(Ukrainian translation follows
the original English version)
2 October 2001
Mr. Ihor Sawon
Sommerville, NJ
Dear Mr. Sawon,
ALL GLORY TO OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST
I have waited patiently
--even unto this very last minute—over the past many months since my last
meeting with you for the fulfillment of promises made in terms of cooperation
with the Consistory in all the work that needs to be done here in our
Metropolia Center. However, such cooperation has not been evidenced, except
where your organization is able to raise funds. Since the reinstatement of the
Brotherhood here in St. Andrew Memorial Church a certain few members of the
organization have been permitted to steer the activities of the Brotherhood
into direct conflict with the Consistory and Church leadership – interfering in
matters of absolutely on concern to the Brotherhood.
This a very sad
state of affairs. You and the officers of the Brotherhood before you have been repeatedly
informed about what needs to be accomplished in order for the Brotherhood to
attain a proper status within the life of this community. Unfortunately, the
organization has chosen to ignore those requirements or worst, ridicule them.
The Brotherhood has failed to live up to the agreement made and the
Constitution approved by His Beatitude Metropolitan Constantine and the
Consistory at the time of reorganization.
Therefore, you
are hereby informed that because of continued antagonistic actions against the
Administration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, as evidenced even
now in the attempt to call a meeting of the parishioners of the Memorial Church
– without ANY AUTHORITY WHATSOEVER TO DO SO – the Brotherhood will not
be permitted to have representation at the upcoming Sixteenth Sobor of our Holy
Church.
If you so
desire, an appeal of this decision of the Consistory, to which your
organization is subordinated, may be made at the meeting of the Metropolitan
Council of our Church, which will take place on Tuesday, 9 October 2001, just
prior to the convening of the Regular Church Sobor. Should you decide to
appeal, you must contact my office by telephone on Monday, 8 October and you
will be advised as to a time for the appearance of two Brotherhood
representatives before the Council.
I know, Ihor,
that most of the members of the Brotherhood are sincere in their intensions to
serve our Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church and I don’t have to be convinced of
this. I also know, however, that just a few individuals can hurt an entire
organization. I pray that those who want to serve Christ and fulfill the
mission of His Church, will prevail over the voices of discord and distrust.
In our Lord,
+Antony
By the Grace of God, Archbishop and President of the
Consistory
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2
Жовтень 2001
Пан
Ігор Савон
Sommerville, NJ
Дорогий
п. Савон,
СЛАВА
НАШОМУ
БОГОВІ, ІСУСУ
ХРИСТУ
Я
чекав з
терпеливістю—аж
до цієї
останньої
хвилини—на
протязі пару
місяців
після нашої
останньої
зустрічі з Вами
щоб виконати
обіцянки
дані в дусі
кооперації з
Консисторією
відносно тих
праць що
мають бути
виконані тут
в нашому Центрі
Метрополії.
Сподівана
співпраця Вашої
організації
не
виявилась за
винятком збірки
грошей для
Вашої мети.
Від часу
відновлення
Братства при
Церкві Пам’ятнику,
кілька
членів
Братства дозволило
собі
скерувати
Братство в конфлікт
з
Консисторію
та церковними
провідниками
– втручаючись
в справи які
абсолютно не мають
ніяких
стосунків з
Братством.
Це є
сумне явище.
Ви, як також і
попередні провідники
Братства
були багато
разів повідомлені
про те що
потрібно
здійснити
щоб отримати
відновлений
статус в
житті Нашої громади. На жаль,
Братство
вибрало іґнорувати
або навіть
надсміхатись
над ними. Братство
не
дотрималось
договору
зроблено під
час
відновлення
Братства як
також не
дотрималось
Конституції
затверженої
Метрополитом
Константином
та Консисторією.
Отож,
повідомляєм
як результат
продовження
антагоничних
акцій проти
Адміністрації
УПЦ-США що і
зараз
виявляються
в скликання
зборів парафіян
Церкви- Пам’ятника----БЕЗ
НІЯКОГО
ПРАВА І
АВТОРИТЕТУ—Братство
небуде
дозволено
мати
делегата на 16
Собор нашої
Церкви.
Як що бажаєте зробити апеляцію цього рішення Конси