News To December 31, 2002
November 19, 2002 Flemington,
NJ Courtroom of Judge Mahon
On Tuesday November 19, 2002 (not November 18 as previously reported), the long awaited court case of Bound Brook’s surrogates, “The Concerned Parishioners” against Holy Ascension Church, Clifton, NJ, began in the Flemington, NJ Superior Court of Judge Roger F. Mahon.
This case is actually divided into three parts. The first part “Determination of Standing” was concluded on November 19, 2002 with the second part scheduled for March of 2003 and the final part scheduled for June of 2003.
The “Determination of Standing” was argued by Attorney Michael F. Rehill for the plaintiffs, “Concerned Parishioners” and Attorney Myroslaw Smorodsky for the defendant, Holy Ascension Church, Clifron, NJ. This basically was a presentation of facts to determine whether the action brought to court by the Concerned Parishioners actually has merit. The arguments and facts presented by Mr. Rehill were difficult to understand as to what is the actual complaint of the Concerned Parishioners.
According to the testimony presented, it appears that a group of individuals who did not pay their yearly parish dues to Holy Ascension, Clifton, NJ, were denied voting privileges at an annual parish meeting. This group of “Concerned Parishioners” left Holy Ascension and formed, with the blessing of UOCUSA Consistory, another parish called Holy Ascension of Our Lord Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Liturgical services for these parishioners are performed by Hieromonk Daniel Zelinsky, Editor-in-Chief of Ukrainian Orthodox Word and Public Relations Director for UOCUSA. Hieromonk Daniel testified that he has been a member of UOCUSA for the past two years and before that he was a seminarian at the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
Contrary to the arguments presented by Mr. Rehill, the arguments presented by Attorney Myroslaw Smorodsky were clear and to the point. Parishioners who do not pay their dues in accordance with the parish By-Laws are not permitted to vote. As stated by Mr. Wolodymyr Mohuchy, witness for the defense , “Whether you pay your dues or not all are welcomed at services at Holy Ascension, Clifton, NJ, including the concerned parishioners”.
What
was most interesting about these proceedings was a motion by Mr. Rehill to re-instate
UOCUSA as a Plaintiff in this case. As
a reminder to our readers, on August 29, 2001 Judge Roger F. Mahon, Superior
Court of New Jersey, issued an order dismissing the complaints of Metropolitan
Constantine, Archbishop Antony, UOCUSA and Reverend A. Mironko against Holy Ascension Parish,
Clifton, NJ and their defenses to Holy Ascension’s counter suit were suppressed
with prejudice. Judge Mahon characterized the actions of these individuals as “Conduct That is Intentionally Disruptive and Egregious,
Longstanding, Willful and Deliberate.”
Attorney Myroslaw Smorodsky vigorously objected to this motion. Judge Mahon requested that Mr. Rehill and Mr. Smorodsky prepare brief arguing their positions.
The proceedings were concluded with scheduling January 13, 2003 as the date briefs are due from both attorneys arguing their respective positions. A ruling by Judge Mahon on “Determination of Standing” will be made by end of January 2003.
***********************************************************
LATEST OUTRAGE
At the
last Parish Council meeting of the Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox
Parish in Wilmington, Delaware, Archbishop Antony’s surrogates petitioned to
amend their Church Constitution. The object of their disdain was the word Ukrainian
in the title of the parish. After heated debate and threats
of resignation by heritage conscious parishioners, Archbishop Antony’s
surrogates withdrew their demand to a future date.
This is the
latest thrust from the Greek bishops in Bound Brook to draw our Church into the
universal orthodox melting pot. Yes, we are ALL orthodox
but we would like to remain Ukrainian Orthodox.
The Greek
bishops in Bound Brook should remember that one of the byproducts of a melting
pot is “dross”, a useless waste product
generated by the blazing meltdown. And as can be witnessed by events of recent
years UOC-USA is in a meltdown…. parishioners are revolting, the churches are
empty and parishes are returning to the roots of their Mother Church in
Ukraine. This is the path on which the
misguided Bound Brook leadership is guiding our church: a loss of identity and
wanton disregard of our Ukrainian heritage.
To paraphrase
the title of an article written in "Svoboda", August 27, 1999 by
Metropolitan Council member Dr. A. Lysyj………. "The Ship of Our Church is
Guided by FOOLISH People.."
One
needs to ask: “Where are the other voices of indignation?”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A historic event is scheduled for November 19, 2002 in a
courthouse in Flemington, N.J.
That is the scheduled date to begin the trial between the
"surrogates" of the Greek bishops of Bound Brook (the so-called Concerned
Parishioners) and the legitimate Parish Board of Holy Ascension Church in
Clifton, NJ.
For the past four years preparations have been in progress towards this
date. Hundreds if not thousands of documents, articles, publication, letters
and official statements have been translated, expert witnesses have been found
and are standing by and numerous long time church elders are ready to testify.
The controversy in this case? …The basic tenets of the governance of
our Church.
…Is our Church Sobornopravna
(Councillar) as clearly defined in our Church constitution or
Hiearchial as claimed by the
Bishops in power?
…Is our Church Autocephalic (Independent) in its administrative
structure and not subservient to,
or part of, any other
foreign non-Ukrainian jurisdiction?
…Parishioners rights to self government of their parishes.
…Parishioners rights to parish property.
…Parishioners rights to fire priests found to be incompetent, arrogant
to the needs of the parish,
rejects of other parishes or
confessions, homosexuals or self serving ideologist.
A decision will have far reaching consequences in the life of the
Diaspora UOC-USA parishioners. Will the Church continue on its path of
assimilation into the fabric of American Orthodoxy loosing its ethnic identity
or will it preserve its cultural heritage with a unique Orthodox structure
which had its founding in Kyiv, Ukraine in 1921? Will the UOC-USA parishioners
"kneel and bow" to a ruling hierarch based in Istanbul or commemorate
in their prayers a Patriarch based in Kyiv, Ukraine? These are the questions
that will be decided on November 19, 2002.
May God help us to Save Our Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Resolutions, resolutions
and more resolutions from the Metropolitan Council of UOC-USA
In the September 2002 issue of the Ukrainian Orthodox
Word there is a list of 18 resolutions passed by the Metropolitan Council at
their annual meeting on July 22-23, 2002. This is the annual meeting where 20
people get together, pat each other on the back, and praise themselves on the
great job that they are doing.
Further down on this page we published an e-mail
received from a reader regarding resolution #4 and the “violation” of the 35th
Apostolic Canon attributed to Patriarch Filaret on his recent visit to enthrone
Bishop Stefan in Cooper City, FL.
What in particular we find interesting is the praise
expressed toward Archbishop Antony in resolution #2:
“The Metropolitan Council of the UOC of USA acknowledges with
gratitude the talents employed by His Eminence Archbishop Antony, ( of
Ierapolis ) …….. in matters pertaining to Church Administration and the means
employed by His Eminence to establish proper order and discipline”.
How is it possible that 19, supposedly intelligent,
members of the Metropolitan Council could possibly reach that conclusion
without taking into account the following “talents” of His Eminence Archbishop
Antony…..
1. Initiated a lawsuit against Holy Ascension Church,
Clifton, NJ that is currently in its 4th year.
2. Officially certified a “rogue” Parish Board at St.
Michaels Parish in Uniondale, Long Island New York that lead to a lawsuit by
the parishioners to retain their parish property and parish rights.
3. Officially certified a “president” of the Parish Board
who lost the general election at St. Mary’s Parish in New Haven, Conn. and with Dean Rev. Jakiw Norton proclaiming
the “church to be satanical”.
4. After a lengthy court battle at St. Mary’s Parish in
Rochester, NY installed Fr. Paul Jagnisz as pastor who declared that all
marriges, baptisms and funerals done by his predecessor were all “un-canonical”
and must be done all over again.
5. Within the past 7 years numerous parishes returned to
the jurisdiction of the UOC-KP including the recent defection of St. Mary the
Protectress parish in Phoenix, Arizona.
6. Delegates from 48 out of 107 parishes show up at the
16 Sobor of UOC-USA in October of 2001.
7. And on, and
on…….
“Talents employed……to establish order and discipline”????? At
the above rate of activity in a few more years the only members that will be
left to “discipline” will be the Metropolitan Council members.
Good job Antony,
Archbishop of Ierapolis!!
***************************************************
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
Comments from observers present in South Bound Brook on
Saturday, September 28, 2002 when the Bishops of the Church of Constantinople
were “celebrating” the 50th anniversary of consecration of a
UKRAINIAN property…..
“If
it were not for the cross on top of the golden dome the “gazebo” is a joke”.
“It
is a disgrace. A gazebo with a cross on top?”
“Here
in the center of Ukrainian Orthodoxy, next to a Memorial Church built to honor
the millions that perished during the Soviet era, it is shameful to desecrate
this holy ground with a gazebo with a cross on top”.
“The
most astounding fact that I witnessed was Archbishop Vsevolod of Scopelos
reciting the history of the building of the Ukrainian Center of Orthodoxy.
Patriarch Mstyslav must be turning over in his grave. If Mstyslav were alive
today he would chase Vsevolod out of St. Andrews”.
“The
gazebo will be a nice place for Shirley and Emil Skocypec to sit in the summer
evenings protected from mosquitoes.”
“Where
did they get the money for that silly gazebo and all those wooden crosses in
the cemetery? I thought the Consistory is under a very tight budget.”
*********************************************************
YET ANOTHER ASSAULT
ON OUR INTELLIGENCE AND COMMON
SENSE!
The current
issue of the UOC-USA Consistory Circular once again extols the pivotal role
that Bound Brook is playing in the quest to unite the Orthodox Churches in our
Mother Ukraine.
The
achievements of Archbishop Vsevolod of Scopelos and the continuing “involvement”
of UOC-USA is nothing but a farce and a sad joke being played on the faithful
in Ukraine and a continuing deception of the faithful in the USA.
“ No meeting was
held with representatives of the UOC-KP in light of this jurisdiction’s
negative decisions and actions, which affect the life of our Ukrainian Orthodox
Church of the USA”.
(From UOC-USA, May – 2002 Consistory
Circular, Office of Public Relations)
That is
the pronouncement made by the UOC-USA hierarchs as publicized in the official
Consistory Circular under article titled “Discussions Concerning Church Unity
and Regularization in Ukraine Continue”.
“The
series of scheduled discussions involving the Patriarchate of Constantinople,
the Patriarchate of Moscow, our Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and the
Ukrainian Government continued recently with a meeting in Yalta, Crimea,
Ukraine on 18-20 April. Representing our Church with the Patriarchate of
Constantinople was His Eminence Archbishop Vsevolod……”
Once again
the faith of the Ukrainian Church in Ukraine is being decided WITHOUT the
presence or participation of Ukrainian hierarchs. Representatives from Moscow
were there………..representatives from the Ukrainian government were there…………and
Archbishop Vsevolod of Scopelos, representing both UOC-USA and Constantinople
was also there.
BUT
no one was invited from UOC-KP or UAOC.
It will
warm the cockles of everyone’s heart to know that………….
“Our hierarchs (UOC-USA) have continually
been involved in this process and will not abandon their responsibility for
making the voice of Ukrainian Orthodoxy heard…”
And also……
”The
participants in the Yalta discussions agreed to continue their efforts after
each delegation has had the opportunity to report to its governing body about
the Yalta meeting”.
There have
been meetings in Zurich……in Moscow…in Constantinople……..and now in Yalta.
But
how in heaven’s name can a union take place when those that are being united
are not present at the unification discussions?
Who is kidding
whom??
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Metropolitan Constantine of
Irenopolis admitted into a Hospital
As was conveyed to us over the weekend Metropolitan
Constantine of Irenopolis last week suffered a heart attack. It appears that he
checked himself into a local hospital where by-pass surgery was performed. As
reported he is doing well and seems to be in good spirits. All UOC-USA parishes
were instructed to perform a Moleben Service and to pray for his speedy
recovery.
With this incident we received several e-mails of
concern inquiring as to possible succession scenarios. Some writers were
concerned that under the infamous Points of Agreement, Patriarch Batholomew has
full authority to appoint a successor who may not be from within UOC-USA.
Others writers indicated that Vsevolod of Scopelos, who lately has been a key
figure in world orthodox politics, would seem to be the likely successor
surpassing Antony of Hierapolis.
We do not know what will happen. But this certainly
changes the political landscape of UOC-USA.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ex-KGB Agent Aleksy II Patriarch of Moscow
and All Russia
and
canonical brother of
Constantine
of Irenopolis, Vsevolod of Scopelos and Antony of Hierapolis
Is in complete
charge of Holy Ukrainian Icon!
The
Wonderworking Mother of God Icon of Pochayiew will be in the USA. This is one
of the most important relics of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. During its visit
it will be under the care of the OCA (Orthodox Church of America). The websites
of the UOC-USA and UOC-Canada do not list any visits of this Icon to Ukrainian
Churches in the USA or Canada. If this Icon does not at least visit South Bound
Brook and Winnipeg (actually the minimum should be all Ukrainian Cathedrals in
Canada and USA), then all Ukrainian Orthodox faithful should call for
Metropolitan Constantine of UOC-USA and Metropolitan Wasyly of UOC-Canada to
resign and provide them with one way airfare to Moscow.
Who or What is
OCA (Orthodox Church of America) and what does it stand for?
The OCA was, until 1973, known as the Russian Orthodox Church of America (ROCA). It was clearly and undeniably the
American arm of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Moscow gave the Russian Orthodox Church of America (ROCA) autocephaly (independence) in 1973, and with that, eliminated the word "Russian" from the name, to make it more palatable to other ethnic groups. Today they are known as Orthodox Church of America (OCA) and remain in “close cooperation” with Moscow. They recently opened a church and a representatives office in Moscow. Most of the clergy and hierarchy remain Russian and certainly they are Russophiles and anti-Ukrainian.
On April 24, 2002
Metropolitan Theodosius of OCA notified his flock:
“Through the
gracious blessing of His Holiness, Patriarch ALEKSY II of Moscow and All
Russia, and with the concurrence of His Beatitude, Metropolitan VLADIMIR of
Kiev, we will be privileged to have in our midst the wonder-working icon of Our
Lady of Pochaev. The source of many miracles, this icon of the Mother of God
has been venerated by countless faithful throughout Eastern Europe.”
In response to a written
protest from Protodeacon Larry that the Holy Icon will NOT visit any UOC-USA or
UOC-Canada Cathedrals or Parishes, Bishop Tikhon of OCA wrote the
following:
“If
our “brother bishops of the UOC-USA and Canada" want a visit, they should
send their petition to the Metropolitan of Kiev, Volodymyr (Sabodan), First
Hierarch of the Church of the Ukraine”.
And also the following:
“Perhaps these
"brother bishops of the UOC-USA and Canada" should ask Patriarch
Bartholomew to intercede with the Metropolitan of Kiev or the Patriarch of
Moscow and All Russia on their behalf?”
Attention: UOC-USA
Hierarchs!
You are the “Brother Bishops of Patriarch of Moscow
and All Russia” why are you silent and why are there no protests for return of that
which is Ukrainian and should be in Ukrainian Cathedrals and Churches? Why are
you hiding in Bound Brook with not a whisper or a whimper of protest to this
abomination???
Why are you permitting this
atrocity and denying your Ukrainian Orthodox faithful the honor and privilege
to venerate the Holy Mother of God Icon of the Pochayiew Monastery? Are you too
Greek or Russian and anything Ukrainian is too foreign? Are you afraid to speak
up against Aleksy, the ex-KGB agent, ruler of Moscow and All Russian? Are you again
bowing your heads towards Moscow or have you sold your souls in the name of “canonical
recognition”?
************************************************************************
Канонічні
Яничари
Братаються
21.04.2002.
АРХІЄПИСКОП
ВСЕВОЛОД
ПЕРЕДАВ ОСОБИСТІ
ВІТАННЯ
ВСЕЛЕНСЬКОГО
ПАТРІАРХА ПРЕДСТОЯТЕЛЮ
РУСЬКОЇ
ПРАВОСЛАВНОЇ
ЦЕРКВИ В
УКРАЇНІ.
Член
делегації
Константинопольського
Патріархату
архієпископ
Всеволод
відвідав
Київ. В
Свято-Успенській
Києво-Печерській
Лаврі він мав
зустріч з
Предстоятелем
Руської
Православної
Церкви в
Україні, Блаженнішим
Митрополитом
Київським і
всієї
України
Володимиром.
Під час
зустрічі архієпископ
Всеволод
поздоровив
Предстоятеля
РПЦ з 40-річчя
священицької
хіротонії та
10-річчям
перебування
на Київській
кафедрі та
передав особисті
вітання
Предстоятелю
УПЦ від Вселенського
Патріарха
Варфоломея.
Під час зустрічі
обговорювалися
питання
життя Руської
Православної
Церкви в
Україні та
Української
Православної
Церкви в США, що
перебуває
під омофором
Константинопольського Патріарха. На
знак
братської
любові у
Христі
Блаженніший
Митрополит
Володимир
подарував
архієпископу
Всеволоду
архієрейську
панагію.
Владика
Всеволод
також з
подякою
прийняв
запрошення
прийняти
участь у
ювілейних урочистостях,
що
відбудуться
у Києві у червні
цього року.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Expressions of Brotherly Love
Between
Vsevolod, Archbishop of
Scopelos
and
Metropolitan Volodymyr
(Sabodan)
of Moscow Patriarchate
Kiev, Ukraine…..On April 21, 2002 Vsevolod,
Archbishop of Scopelos extended personal greetings from the Ecumenical
Patriarch to the hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine.
Archbishop Vsevolod of
Scopelos, as a member of a delegation from the Constantinople Patriarch,
visited Kyiv, Ukraine. In the Monastery of the Caves (Pecherska Lavra) a
meeting was held with the hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine,
Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan). During this meeting, Archbishop Vsevolod
extended his salutations to Metropolitan Volodymyr on the occasion of the 40th
anniversary of his ordination and 10th anniversary of his primacy as
hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church in Kiev, Ukraine and extended personal
greetings from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. During the meeting discussions
were held concerning questions of church life of Russian Orthodox Church in
Ukraine and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in USA that is under the omofor of
the Patriarch of Constantinople. As a sign of brotherly love in Christ,
Metropolitan Volodymyr presented a gift of an eparchial panahia to Archbishop
Vsevolod of Scopelos. Archbishop
Vsevolod accepted an invitation to participate in the jubilee celebration that
will take place in Kyiv during May of this year.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Now you see it!
Now you don't!
The "Ecumenical Patriarchate" as part of UOCUSA
Consistory Letterhead.
Doesn't this remind you of
the old shill game? Hiding the pea under a walnut shell and having you guess
where it is? That is exactly what has been happening with the letterhead from
the Consistory of UOCUSA. Prior to the 16th Sobor the "Ecumenical
Patriarchate of Constantinople" mysteriously disappeared from the Consistory
letterhead. And, Glory be to God, it has mysteriously REAPPEARED after
the 16th Sobor. Why? Is Antony, Archbishop of Hierapolis ashamed? Or is it that
he did not want any controversy to reappear at the Sobor? And what about "Diocese"? Right after the signing of
the infamous Points of Agreement in Istanbul the addition to the Consistory
letter was "Diocese of the Ecumenical Church of
Constantinople". But after someone reminded the hierarchs that, according to our
Church constitution, the Church is INDEPENDENT and SOBORNOPRAVNA they removed
the word "Diocese".
Deception
of the faithful continues! The shill game continues!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Metropolitan
Constantine of Eirenopolis Where Are You?
The March issue of the Ukrainian Orthodox Word, the official publication of the UOC of USA, contains 27 photographs related to the various reported events. Antony, Archbishop of Hierapolis, dominates 10 of those photos. There are none of Metropolitan Constantine of Eirenopolis. The April issue also neglects the Metropolitan, but highlights the Archbishop. Why the neglect? Has the Metropolitan become inactive or irrelevant? Is there a de-facto change in the Church leadership – a new order in the scheme of things? Is this part of a public relations campaign to supplant the Metropolitan? Metropolitan Constantine of Eirenopolis where are you????
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LATEST UPDATE…….We have
received word that the $5,750,000.00 lawsuit filed by William and Maria Turchyn
against Rev. Nakonachny et. al. of St. Vladimir Parish, Parma, Ohio has been
withdrawn. The information that we received from our sources indicate that an
amended lawsuit will be resubmitted
shortly.
****************************************************
$5,750,000.00
Lawsuit filed
against Rev. Nakonachny, Fr. Deacon Mahlay, G. Greenleaf and Metropolitan
Constantine, et.al.
by William and Maria
Turchyn, parishioners of St. Vladimir Parish, Parma, Ohio.
In December of 1999 we reported that a member, Mr.
William Turchyn, of St. Vladimir Parish in Parma, Ohio was placed, by Fr.
Nakonachny with approval of Metropolitan Constantine, on Epitimia – a
form of spiritual suspension for the following “transgressions” (actual quotes
from a letter dated November 26, 1999 to the Members of the Board of Trustees)
Fr. Nakonachny writes:
1.
As of
today, a member of the Board of Trustees has been placed on spiritual
suspension.
2.
Two,
possibly three, Board of Trustees members have broken the Oath of Office that
they took before God and their fellow parishioners by their presence at the
recent conference of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyivan Patriarchate – that
was held in Brunswick, Ohio on November 4, 1999.
I believe that our parish constitution was
broken in the following area:
Article
3a: affiliating oneself with a “subversive organization”
I believe that the movement in Brunswick,
with Patriarch Filaret and others, including some of our parishioners, is
subversive and desires to overthrow our right to a “Sobornopravna” church, in
an attempt to claim our Center in South Bound Brook – and our parishes across
the U.S.A. – as their own.
The actions of the Brunswick council to
overthrow our “Sobornopravnist” is very obvious and evident “subversion” and no
Board member of St. Vladimir’s Cathedral should have been present at that
conference.
In another letter dated November 26, 1999 to Mr.
Turchyn Fr. Nakonachny writes:
“Your attempt to change the basic tenet
that our Church is a hierarchical church…”
“… you use your position (as a member of
the Board of Trustees and as president of the Brotherhood) to spread false
teachings regarding the true structure and purpose of the Church…”
“Your secular, un-Orthodox concept of the
Church will damage both the spiritual and physical growth of our St. Vladimir’s
parish”.
“…your infrequent participation in the
Divine Liturgy of our parish, together with your refusal to accept the
teachings of the Church, compounded by your obsession with parish finances….”