$HUR$H HgUS An IndependentPublication of OrthodoxOpinion

February,2003 Vol.14, No 2 (#115) Supportedby the voluntary contributions of its readers. Republicationispermitted upon acknowledgment ofsource.

DECLARATIONOF MOTHEROF ONEACCUSER OF METROPOLITANVALENTIN INTERROGATION REPEATEDDESECRATION OF ST.VLADIMIR CHAPEL ON ZNAMENSKYCEMETARY IN SUZDAL AN OPENLETTER ABOUT "ELDER" JOHN KRESTIANKIN ,.DIPLOMATIC''FEAT OF ARCHBISHOPMARK OF BERLIN UNFORTUNATEFALL OF ATHONITEMONASTERY OF SERBIANCHURCH AND THE CATHOLICS ABOUT"THE ORTHODOXCHURCH IN AMERICA'' KESTONNEWS SERVICE DISGONTINUES ITS EXISTENCE THE EUROPEANUNION AND GOD FLIRTATIONBETWEEN CATHOLICS AND "ORTHODOX'' ROCKCONCERT OFFICIALLY SPONSORED BY THE MOSCOWPATRIARCHATE ABOUT"ORTHODOX CULTURE'' IN RUSSIA BLASPHEMOUSEXHIBIT IN MOSCOW NEWCHARTER OF GREEKARCHDIOCESE IN AMERICA EFFORTSTO INTRODUCEYOGA INTOAMERICAN SCHOOLS FROMTHE UNPUBLISHEDWORKS A NECESSARYDECLARATION

CHURCHNEWS 639 CenterSt. Oradell,NJ 07649 Tef./Fax (201) 967-7684 DECLARATIONOF MOTHEROF ONEACCUSER OF METROPOLITANVALENTIN

to' the Presidiumof the SuoremeCourt of the RussianFederation .___, From:Kutsyk Galina Valerianovna Res.lvanovskaya Region Gavrilo-PosadskyHousing Development 3, SplavnayaSt. Passportserial # |X-SG-#532181 lssuedby OVDSombor Regional Comm. LvovReqion. March 16'n 1982

DECLARATION

l, G. V. Kutsyk,am the motherof EvgenyRomanovich Kutsyk and VeniaminRomanovich Kutsyk, who havestated that they were persecutedby Fr. AndrewOsetrov, Fr. DimitryKrasovsky and SisterSophia Morozova, with whom they livedat one timewhen they worked for the churchin Suzdal;that they demanded my childrengive some testimony and demandedthat they be photographedin a videoagainst Metropolitan Valentin and promisedthem money to buya house andget them jobs. In the beginningthey refused,but then afterwardsquite often some young peoplecame from "NasheDelo" ("Our Cause").When I becameinterested in why werethey comingand whatthey wanted, my son Evgenyanswered that this is hishit-guard who promisedto buy hima house. I advisedmy son Evgeny Kutsykto refuseand to do nothingof the sort, but my son Evgeny Kutsyksaid that if he refuses,they might "pin him down". Then they several times transported him and I againadvised him notto haveanything to do with them; maybea mother'sheart felt this wouldcome to no good end, but he repliedthat they constantlythreaten him and he is frightenedfor himself.I stronglyadvise the SupremeCourt not to acceptthe falsetestimonies of my son EvgenyKutsyk and notto includehis testimony in the case,as it was givenunder strong pressure and threatson the part of investigatorYegorov as well as on the partof youngmen from"Nashe Delo". This is my declarationand request,made without any pressurefrom the victimor by lawyers,to which I do testifywith my handwriting. December10'n,2002 . City of Suzdal, Vladimirregion, December twenty third, year two thousandand two, Galina ValerievnaKutsvk

INTERROGATION

Moscow Septemberg'n 2002 by me, legal counselfor JudicialConsultation # 71 lnterregionalAssociation of Lawyersto assistcitizens and employers,Ryzhov Vladimir Vasilievich, in concordancewith the paragraph9 "on lawyer'sactivities and the professionof a barrister"of the RussianFederation of citizenGalina Valerievna Kutsyk registered as residingin lvanovskayaRegion, Gavrolo-PosadskyRegion, 3, SplavnayaSt. Profession:unemployed. The interrogationproceeded with my approval. 1. Hasyour son Veniaminrelated to you that MetropolltanValentin proposed that he enterinto sexual relations? Answer:This I did not hearfrom my sonVeniamin and he did notrelate that to me. 2. Haveyou readthe minutesof the interrogationconducted by the investigatorYegorov? Answer:I have not readthe minutes. 3. Did investigatorYegorov read the textof the minutesof you interrogationvocally? Answer:No, the investigatorYegorovhas not read aloud such minutes. 4. Didinvestigator Yegorov write the minutesby handor printthem on a computer? Answer:Yegorov wrote them by hand. 5. Whatdid your son Veniamin say aboutwhy he gavetestimony against Metropolitan Valentin? Answer:He was threatenedthat he wouldbe sentto a mentalinstitution: the threatswere from Yegorov. 6. Didyour son Evgenytell you of threatson the partof investigatorYegorov? Answer:Yes, the sameas withVeniamin, that he was frightenedthat he wouldbe put intoa mentalinstitution. 7. Didthey indicate,and if so in whatform, that the representativesof "NashDelo" put pressureon them? Answer:Yes. They threatened my son Veniamin,the threatswere in form of pressurewarning them aboutcriminal responsibilityfor changingtestimony. \J B. Didthe Membersof "NasheDelo" promise material rewards for testimony against Metropolitan Valentin and in what manner? Answer:Yes. They promisedto buy my son Evgenya housein Suzdal,find work for him as a guardand fromtime to time give Him monetaryrewards for smallexpenses. 9. DidEvgeny say that he hasa guard? Answer:Yes. He did and they came to us in the Petrovskydevelopment. 5 10.Did the membersof "NasheDelo" often come to pickup Evgeny,and did they take him with them and for how long? AnJwer:A weekbefore the court hearing in August, 2002, they took Evgeny and he livedwith them. That is why they membersof "NasheDelo" for sometimes two days, rarely three' !-/ . cameand he livedwith the | can onlyadd and pleadthat the courtnot accept the testimonyof my son Evgeny,but it be compassionate becausehsis mentallyilland is registeredwith a mentalhospital. I have read this and have no objections' Herewitht testifythat the abovetext is a transcriptionfrom the hand-writtentext intoprint.

Note:Attention should be paidin thisinterrogation to thefact that one of the brothers,Veniamin, despite pressure and threatson partof the "mighty,"firmly rescinded his earlier testimony against Metropolitan Valentin, while his sick brother Evgenycontinues to befully jn thehands of the organization "Nashe Delo", which is forcing him to continuethe slander. Also:we have a copy of the Declarationby MetropolitanValentin to the EuropeanCourt for HumanRights in Strasbourg,France. Accordingto informationwe havereceived, this court has sentVladyka Metropolitan verification that his appealwas receivedand was also assigned a case number. This is proofthat the Court intends to hearthis case.

REPEATEDDESECRATION OF ST. VLADIMIR GHAPEL ON ZNAMENSKY CEMETARY IN SUZDAL

Accordingto Internetinformation from Vertograd/Razsylk a # 343 of January30th, criminals have again on JanuaryZTth desecratedthe chapelbuilt by the FirstHierarCh of the ROACMetropolitan Valentin in ZnamenskyCemetery in Suzdal. Assistantsof thedefrocked A. Osetrovalready have previously desecrated this chapel. Accordingto thisreport "The blasphemers this time used liquid tar to paintinscriptions offensive to thefaithful children of theRussian which was delivered to thecemetery by truck.ls quiteobvious that this is nota prank,supposedly playedby children,as the Suzdalmilitia wants to representit, but an act carefullyprepared by adults.The indirect parlcipationin suchwild crimes by the leadershipof theSuzdal administration is seen in thefact that numerous cases of desecrationof sanctuariesof the ROAC,acts of violenceagainst her clergyand lay people,and stubbornrefusal to investigatethese cases, puts them in unfavorablelight' As iI statesfurther "the reaction of the lawenforcement authorities to multiplecases of monstrousoutrage upon the Orthodoxtesti1es that they have placed the ROACoutside of lawand have deprived her of the rightsguaranteed by the . . Constitutionand the international obligations of Russia to rightsand liberty". AN OPENLETTER ABOUT "ELDER" JOHN KRESTIANKIN

We havereceived through the Internetan openletter addressed to an MP priestwho recentlyvisited Pechory, the residenceof JohnKrestiant

VenerableFr. Georgel In 1976lwas a novicein the Dormition Pskovo-Pechorsky Monastery, towhich lwas invitedby Fr.John Krestiankin, w-t-rose own brother lhelped to buryin thespring of 1976atthe GermanCemetery in Lefortovo,and so,for 26 yearsI haveknown Fr. John and Fr. Adrian Kirsanov. Besides them, there are two other elders in the MP:Fr. Naumin the -Sergius Lavra and Fr. Cyril, also renown in theLavra. Oneshould noi forg6tthat FathersJohn and Adrian were also tonsured in the Trinity-SergiusLavra; they are highly moralpersons, but their "" is questionableand this is why: 1. you willhave no problemsln tinOing the magazine "Continenl'#97 of 1998.In it therenown Archimandrite Zinon is "Pskovo- interviewedby the editorVinogradov, stat-ng that he himselfsaw that Fr. Johnand otherrespected pechorskyelders" receive com-munion with i Catholicpriest in the san_ctuaryof the DormitionPskov-Pechorsky Monastery.lt is alsostated that secretly from the people,in theTrinity-sergius Monastery, in the churchin honor of the Smolensklcon of the Theotokosan ecumenistCatholic church is established,and that serviceswith Catholicsalso are held in the EcclesiasticalAcademy. 2. lnformationverifying concelebrations with Catholics in the"Journal of the MoscowPatriarchate" # 11 of 1978'The reasoningof the BenedictineMonk (Priest) Boniface Titel (Austria, with a degreefrom the LeningradEcclesiastical AcademY,P. 18-20). 3. Herewe havethe "Journalof theMoscow " #2, 1983with photographs on p. 51:On May191h His Holinesspatriarch of EthiopiaAbuna Tekle Haimanot participated in the riteof Panagiaafter the endof the Divine Liturqyin the pskovo-pechorskyMonastery". The EthiopianMonophysite, coming out of the St. MichaelChurch is OfesJiirgthe peoplewith the cross; in frontgoes Priest-monk Pimen with the chalice; later.he left the monastery in havedone. the inscriptionof the leftis significanf 6th.at the invitationof the the same*"y as manyothers 'Religigus ."May preliminaryInternational Committee for the WorldConference of activistsfor the preservationof the sacredgift of lifefrom nuclear catastrophe' which was held on May10-14. Representatives of the Ethiopianchurch arrivedin Moscowheaded by HisHoliness Patriarch Abuna Tekle Haimanot. He was accompanied by Archbishop 4 GabrielAbba, Bishop Abba Garima(Volde Selentant Kirkos), Archimandrite Elias (Teke Selintant Elias Abebe), and DeaconAbebau ligzau. Fromthe 16thto 17ththe esteemedguests visited ancient Pskov, Pushkin Mountains, the villageof Trigorskoyewhere they visitedA. S. Pushkin'sgrave in the SviatorogskyMonastery, as well as Pskov-PecherskyMonastery in whichthey prayed .- ./' in St. MichaelCathedraL. Afterthe service,the guestswere greetedby the DeputyArchimandrite Gabriel. In a response,His HolinessEthiopian Patriarch Abuna Tekle Heimanotexpressed his deep gratitudeto Patriarch Pimen and to the hospitableowners of the community.From the St. MichaelCathedral the guests proceededto the monastery'srefectory, where after dinner "many years" was proclaimedfor the representativesof the EthiopianChurch". Pleasenote, honoredFr. George,that in Pskov there are many empty churcheswhich are fallingapart. Two such churchesare in lsborsk in the Pechoraregion. Why would not the authoritieshand these churchesover to Suzdal's MetropolitanValentin so that to the 1100 year jubilee of Pskovwould be beautifuland nicefor the public? I will tell you why. BecauseMetropolitan Valentin and his flockare beingpersecuted for theirfaithfulness to Orthodoxy, namely,for faithfulnessto the 85 ApostolicCanons and the so-calledelders with high moralsno one persecutesbecause these"elders" help the authoritiesconvert Orthodox Russia to the faithof antichrist;maybe they do not want to help,but theyare madeto understandthat if so, theywill not ableto cometo the cavesthey will be chasedout intothe openfields. And regardingthe illnessof Fr. John:the very closespiritual daughter to Fr. Adrian,who has easy accessto Fr. John's cell,related that Fr. Johnfell into senility and now no one may see him;he is hiddenfrom the public.She saidthat even very close cell attendantsof Fr. John are scandalouslythrown out of his cell. This servant of God, the virgin Goustovarova,resides in Pechory,Sennaya St. #4. She also relatedthat some of daughtersof Fr. Adrianhave become mentallyill. Liuda Uzelkova was takento the mentalhospital, so the others. RecentlyGoustovarova was workingas a podriasnikironer close to Fr. John'scell and couldsee how he was going senile.I saw it too.To get closeto Fr.John's cell is impossible,due to the numerousguards and manyvideo-cameras on the roof.Honored Fr. George, please let me knowyour address, last name and where you serve?By the way, Fr.John is taken by wheelchair,according to Goustovarova,and this contradictsyour statementthat he goes for walks.lt has been noticedthat the Pechoraneuropathologist, Dr.Axenova, often visits the monastery. Respectfully,S. of God, GeorgeFedotov, Pechory, Vokzalnaya St. 14-33. January21"', 2003.

Fromanother repori from the same Mr. Fedotov:"On the stateof healthof ArchimandriteJohn Krestiankin"of the same , date,it is reportedthat physicianshave established that Fr. John is sufferingfrom Alzheimer's disease. ChurchTradition witnesses that no matterhow old the genuineGrace-bearing elders got, they neverfell into senility and retainedtheir clarity of mind untilthe lastmoments of theirlifel

..DIPLOMATIC''FEAT OF ARCHBISHOPMARK OF BERLIN

Accordingto informationpublished overthe Internet by the parishof ThreeSaints in Garfield,NJ on Sunday,February 9, ArchbishopMark of Berlinserved an early liturgyand after that at the invitationof GermanPresident Johannes Rau went to a meetingheld in the state theater.The informationstates that it wasn't easy for ArchbishopMark to devotea Sundayto such an activity,but he did it feelingthat it is necessaryto use the opportunityto representthe interestsof ROCORI A meetingtook place in the concert hall and was opened by a speech of the German Presidentabout cultural connectionsbetween Germany and Russiaand then, the Presidentof the RF Putinspoke on the sametheme. At the followingreception Archbishop Mark had the opportunityto personallyconverse with both presidents,besides whom 2 MP bishopswere also present:Longin and Theophan.With the latterArchbishop Mark had severalmeetings dedicatedto unitingthe MP andthe ROCOR.Mr. Putin was gladto seethese three hierarchs present. ArchbishopMark pointedout to PresidentPutin that such a meetingwas possibleonly in Germanybecause of the insurmountableobstacles in other places.But is not it ratherbecause very few of the faithfulwill find out about such a meetingthere? lf such a meetingwere to have happened,let us say in New York, it would have createda widespread scandal.Archbishop Mark also pointedout that in the relationsbetween the MP and the ROCORcertain difficulties exist (mostcertainly, Archbishop Mark had in mind only these 2 partsof the RussianChurch, totally ignoring the existenceof the CatacombChurch) and proposedPutin take the initiativein the matterof unification,since in this case the interestsof the Churchand the stateare the same. Putinliked the ideaand said he willthink about how to accomplishit. It is self evidentthat the "thoughts"of PresidentPutin will coincidewith those of the Moscow Patriarchateand this meansthat their pressure upon the RussianAutonomous Church will becomelaw and will be considerablyfortified.

UNFORTUNATEFALL OF ATHONITEMONASTERY OF ESPHIGMENOU

Recentlythe monasteryof Esphigmenouhas experienceda new period of persecution.In previoustimes during persecutionol the monastery,the monks were defiant in their defense of the true Faith, being groundedupon the principlesof OrthodoxyThe last attemptto evict the non-commemoratingmonks of Esphigmenouwas in Septemberof 1g74. Atthat time, they draped the monasterywith a black bannerthat read "Orthodoxyor Death."The attackers eventuallydispersed and leftthe monksin peaceuntil the presenttime. As we have seen in the historyof Orthodoxy(even in the Old Testament)when the true Faith is not upheld,God's protectiondoes not rest upon those who do not upholdthe Faith.Unhappily, it seems that we shall see this confirmed anew in the upcomingexpulsion of the monksof Esphigmenoufrom the Holy MountainAthos. Recently, a sorrowfulturn of eventsoccurred in the historyof the monasteryof Esphigmenouthat saddenedthe other zealot monks of the Holy Mountain.The leadersof the monastery(the synaxis) elected to remainwith the fallenArchbishop Chrysostom ll (Kiousis) of Athens,the head of one fractionof the GreekOld Calendarists.This hierarchand his synodof bishopshave fallen into the ecumenismespoused by Cyprian of Fili by electing and elevatingto the episcopacythe notoriousCyprianite ecumenist,Archimandrite Paul (Stratigeas)of Astoria, NY. Paul was "consecrated"despite a history of ecumenist activitiesand statementsof which he had neverformally repented. Here is a samplingof his statementsmade while a memberof the GreekOrthodox Old Calendaristsand contraryto theirconfession of Faith: 1. "Bartholomew,of course...is the presidinghierarch of Orthodoxy"! 2. "AtSt. Markella's(a churchunder Paul) thousands of our Greekpeople attend services. But I am havinga problem of consciencebecause they are spiritualchildren of Bartholomew,all of them. They belongto the Churchof Bartholomew.I belong to the Church of Chrysostomwho has specificallystated that we do not providethe Mysteriesto thosewho followthe New Calendar.Yet I providethe Mysteriesto the followersof the New Calendar". 3. "We needhumility, repentance, and to returnto the MotherChurch". 4. "ln my conscienceI belongto the EcumenicalPatriarchate and to the EcumenicalPatriarch Bartholomew... I identifymyself with his course,and I am awarethat thesewords shall cost me. But it doesn'tconcern me, because I believein the truth". [These quotations were taken from an interview given to Theodore Kalmoukas of the "National Herald," which was printed in that paper's issue of Tuesday,May 24'n,1994.1 Paul'shistory of ecumenismdid not end in 1994.Because of ArchimandritePaul's statements and actions,the synodof Chrysostomll Kiousishesitated to ordainhim a bishop.In 1994,Chrysostom ll brokecommunion with the ROCAbecause of its unionwith Cyprianof Fili.At that time,Paul, in his insatiabledesire to be ordainedto the episcopacy,joined the ROCA.When MetropolitanVitaly hesitated to ordainhim, Pauljoined the Synodof Cyprianof Filifor a shorttime, hoping to be ordainedthere. At thattime, he grievouslyinsulted his former synod and president(Chrysostom ll Kiousis)with the followingpublicly printed statements: 1. "ArchbishopChrysostom Kiousis and his...bishops proceeded with the depositionof the righteousMetropolitan '', Cyprianand his bishops,who neverjoined the new synodunder Kiousus, for on groundsthat, like ArchbishopPeter, (an uncleof Paul,"Ch. N") they considered the NewCalendarists to havegrace". 2. "Becauseof the extremistcourse that is beingfollowed by ArchbishopChrysostom Kiousis, we saw no recourse but to returnto the churchwhich gave Archbishop Peter his episcopacyand whichhas an ecclesiologysimilar to hisown, that of recognizingGrace among the ailingNew Calendarist and modernists." 3. "...(S)tandup firmlyand in truthagainst the extremists(Archbishop Chrysostom and hisSynod) who todaywish, for personalreasons, to divideus traditionalists.They are hatefulpeople with foultongues and the tacticsof politicians and propagandists" 4. "ArchbishopChrysostom and all his bishops...(have) adopted a baselesstheology, ecclesiology". 5. "...(S)implyreflecting on the fact that MetropolitanCyprian and his bishops...were deposedby Archbishop Chrysostomand his synod,and that for'ecumenism', that is believingthat the New Calendaristshave Grace. This is not the act of competentindividuals, if you will forgiveme. And where incompetencerules in mattersof proper order,how can one lookfor authoritativecompetence?" 6. "While the New Calendaristsand Ecumenistshave deviatedfrom the correct belief...they have not wholly succumbedto heresy...." 7. "Andwe considerit our dutyto ministerto thosewho are...caught in the trapsof Modernismand Ecumenism...." lf we are condemnedfor this,than we are condemnedwith the ChurchFathers and greatCouncils, the Russian OrthodoxChurch Abroad, MetropolitanCyprian and his bishops,and the Bulgarianand RomanianOld Calendarists" 'Pravoslavnaya above quotations are taken from an interview by the editorialstaff of the Russian periodical [The 'Orthodox Rus',which is publishedby the ROCA,Jordanville, New York. The articleis printedin Tradition'vol.8# 1,1996,pp.10-171 He has maintainedthe aboveCyprianite ecclesiology even to thisday. The Synodof Chrysostomll Kiousisaccepted him backand even endorsedhim by publishinga statementin theirofficial periodical affirming that he is "a very righteous '1998. man" and "the only hope for Orthodoxyin America"! His ""by Kiousistook place on February26'n, When ArchimandritePaul was consecrated,the monks of Esphigmenoumade no protestand even receivedhim as a lawfulOrthodox bishop in their monastery.This was in directopposition to the formerabbot's initial reaction. When he (Abbot Evfimios)heard that Paul was to be ordained,he notifiedChrysostom ll Kiousisthat if this happened,his monasterywould cease commemoration the archbishop. Their subsequentacceptance of Paul was the turningpointing the historyof the monastery'sposition as confessing OrthodoxChristians. They had acceptedEcumenism in the personof Pauland continuedto commemorateChrysostom ll 6 Kiousus,and now it seemsthat they are goingto sufferthe consequencesof theirapostasy from the true Falth.The loss of theirmonastery and the dispersionof theirmonks seems immanent. May God enlightenthem untotheir repentance and salvation.Other zealot, non-commemorating monks of the HolyMountain are not in communionwith the Synodof Archbishopll Kiousisprecisely because of hisaforementioned subsequent uncanonical actions. + BishopGregory of Denverand Colorado

"The NewYork Times" on February8'n has devotedalmost a full pageto the Esphigmenoumonastery. As is known,it was demandedthat the monksleave the monasterybefore the deadlineof January2B'n, however, they havecategorically refused to obey and havenot left. The persecutionof this monasteryon part of the New Calendaristsalmost caused an internationalsensation and the Greekgovernment is afraidof loosingthe reputationof beinga democraticstate. Therefore, not daringto applyforce, the policewatches from a distance,so that no one can enter the monasteryand also was ordered not to let any of the Esphigmenoumonks, who might be outsidethe monasteryborders, to return.A numberof representativesof other Mt. Athosmonasteries have declared that they vowed to "getrid of them by hook,crook or judicialfiat". However,Fr. loannis,the chief secretaryof the councilof monasteryrepresentatives, said: "We don't intendto shoot them or use forceagainst them or evengive them the pleasureof makingthem look like martyrs"and added:"They have to understandthat they cannot be the Taliban." At the sametime, the monastery'sleader Fr. Methodius said, that they also have "300 bullets" and liftedhis weapons - a prayerrope of 300 knots. Accordingto a reporter,despite the restrictionof the transportof food and medicine,the monasterymay survivefor quitesome time,up to two years.Most of the monkseat only once a day and even that is not everyday. The monastery neverhad electricity, mirrors, warm water for washingand in generalany of the conveniencesof moderncivilization. The roadsin the monasteryregion also are not paved. Meanwhile,the neighboringmonasteries long ago not only havethe above-mentionedconveniences, but telephones andeven computers. An Esphigmenoumonk Neophit rightly noted, "these things do not benefita monasticlife". Accordingto Internetinformation, whose source is the EsphigmenouMonastery, the firstvictim of the New Calendarist persecutionwas a 24 year old monk Tryphon.On February8'n he wantedto bring back the monastery'stractor, which was left 2 milesaway beforethe policeblockade that beganthe week before.At the policecheckpoint, he was denied accessto returnto the monastery,so Fr. Tryphontook an alternativepath along a perilousmountain precipice. In the poor weatherconditions the tractorrolled off the pathdown the mountainside,fatally injuring Fr. Tryphon. Accordingto the bulletin"Ecumenical News International"of February5'n, according to a decree of Greek Emperor Constantineof 1060women were forbiddento enter the Mt. Athos,however, we have learnedthat "the council which administrates Mt. Athos aqreed last summer to allow women onto the mountain as far as Zvgos, a ruined monastery located iust inside the border of the territory". One wouldthink that such informationwould create an internationalsensation, but we findabout it aftermany months and at that -- onlyfrom an Ecumenistbulletin which is receivedby veryfew people! Humanrights activists are alreadydiscussing the rightsof womento visitMt. Athoson the levelof the EuropeanUnion. It is consideredthat "the prohibitionwas adoptedthousand years ago, in the epochof the dark MiddleAges in Europe" and"nowadays when equal rights for menand women are officially recognized, the prohibitioncan not be validany more". "Badmisfortune is the beginning,"says a Russianproverb.

SERBIANCHURCH AND THE CATHOLICS

The newspaperof the SerbianChurch in America,published in Serbianand Englishlanguages for Februaryhas reportedthat the Serbian"" in a few days are leavingfor the Vatican,where they will spend 6 days in order to improvetheir relations with the RomanCatholics. Probably,not to scare their flock with such an event,the delegationis describedby the newspaperas consistingof clergy,while in fact it is headedby MetropolitanAmfilohije and Bishopslrinej and Lavrentije. The newspaperexplains that the relationsof SerbianChurch and Catholics became worse under the ruleof communist SlobodanMilosovich and that the currentPope has madeimprovement of relationswith Orthodoxa goal of his pontificate. DuringMay of the lastyear CardinalKasper visited Belgrade. The Serbiandelegation will be receivedby the Popeand numerousVatican officials. It seemsthat the effortsto improvethe relationswith Catholicshave sufficiently disturbed the OrthodoxSerbs, because the Churchwas forcedto officiallydeny accusations that it had steppedon the roadof servilityto the HolySee. As it is reportedin the denial,the purposefor travelto Vaticanis "an exchangeof views,with mutualrespect, about manyissues about which we may even disagree".At the end of this denialthere is madea "calming"declaration that supposedly"our delegation is certainlynot going to Rometo just passivelylisten". The memoryof the Serbianhierarchy must have considerably weakened and theyhave forgotten that in the 1940'son order of their fanaticalCatholic president Pavelich and with the knowledgeof Pope Pius Xll the Croat Catholics slaughterednearly 800,000 Serbs only becausethey were Orthodox.The Catholicsbaptized Orthodox by forceand those who would not consentto betravtheir Faithwere herded into churcheswith the doors and windows lockedand were / burnedto death.At thattime, even the hugeshipping river Danube had to stopall navigationsfor severaldays, because of the numerousfloating bodies!

ABOUT"THE ORTHODOXCHURCH IN AMERICA''

From the circlesof the "OrthodoxChurch in America"we have receivedinformation that "ArchbishopLazar" Puhalo and BishopVarlaam Novokashonov have appealed to this Synodto be admittedinto their hierarchy. On may 24'nof the past year the Synod in principleagreed to acceptthem, but at that time did not formalizetheir status. Uponreviewing the presenteddocumentation the Synodhas acceptedboth men as retiredhierarchs of the OCA. DeaconLev Puhalo("Archbishop Lazarus" by the decreeof the ROCORof early80s was defrockedfor spreadinghis own heresy about "soul-sleep"of those deceased.We have no informationon the personalityof Bishop Varlaam Novakshonov.However, the acceptanceof a person who was defrockedfor preachingheresy demonstratesthe undemandingpolicy of the OCA!

KESTONNEWS SERVICE DISCONTINUES ITS EXISTENCE

Accordingto informationof newspaper"The ChristianNews" of February241h agency Keston News Service,known world-widefor defendingthe rightsof thosepersecuted for theirreligrous convictions, on January28' was forcedto close downbecause of lackof funds,which were provided by donations. The agencywas establishedin 1970and was very usefulin casesof persecutionof religionin the USSRand other countries.As the newspaperwrites, "without KNS, an importanttool for politicalpressure and valuableinformation will be lost" Membersof the persecutedRussian Orthodox Autonomous Church will acutely feel the closingof thisagencyl

THEEUROPEAN UNION AND GOD

"TheNew York Times" on January5'h has publishedan articlewith the title"Europe Debates Where to AdmitGod to Union",about a conferenceof the EuropeanUnion, which besidesthe mattersof financialdeficits has establisheda committeeof 13 memberswhich was to makea draftof a charterabout... the relationshipto God. The committeeis to studyvarious proposals which describe the "spiritualheritage of Europe"and also "God as the sourceof truth".After that, the committeeis to composea draft of a text that is to becomethe secondarticle of the Constitutionand in whichwill become a declarationabout the "values"of Europe. The RomanCatholics are the mostinterested in thesenegotiations, for theywant the nameof God mentionedin the constitution,while Jews, Muslims and Protestantsare "more muted in theiropinions on the matter". The representativesof Poland,ltaly, Czechoslovakia and Germanycame forwardin supportof the necessityof mentioningthe nameof God,who haveoffered the following text: "The Union values include those who believein God as the sourceof truth,justice, good and beautyas wellas of thosewho do not sharesuch belief but respectthose universal valuesarising from other sources". The majorityof the opponentsof thisformula believe that such a declarationmight be dangerousfor separatingpeople intogroups of believersand non-believers-- rnclude delegates from France, Holland Spain and the Scandinaviannaiions. In the opinionof the delegatesthe "matterof God"is the mostcontroversial on thisgathering. ln the articleit is statedthat "debates about God are unfamiliarterrain for the EuropeanUnion which arose only half a centuryago withthe specificpriority of cooperationin coal and steelproduction". John Bruton,former Premier of lrelandsaid that he believesthat "there's an embarrassmentto admittingto religious beliefsin our modernculture." FormerPremier of France,Valery Giscard d'Estaing, at a meetingwith the Pope,who has lobbiedfor mentioningGod, saidthat in his opinion"a referenceto God does not seem appropriate". At presentthe conventionconsists of 15 members,who represent10 statesof the EuropeanUnion, is expectedto meetagainin May ot2004and than itwill be joined by Bulgaria,Rumania and Turkey. The charterof thisorganization, made in 1999in a Germanversion speaks of a "religiousheritage" and in Frenchof a "spiritualheritage". Thereis no doubtthat the formerlyChristian Europe over the lasthalf century has becomeclearly godless. lt seems, that the opinion,once expressedby Khomiakoff,that the debatesbetween Roman Catholics and Protestantseventually willlead them to atheismin ourdays looks like a prophecy. ln connectionwith these outrageous debates of the representativeof the EuropeanUnion, an unexpectedlyvery correct open lettercame from MetropolitanKirill of the MP ForeignRelations Department, who pointedout that "The Russian OrthodoxChurch expressed its opinionin a specialstatement on the work of the Conventionand also throughthe Conferenceof EuropeanChurches, being its permanentmember". Thefulltext of thisletter is publishedbv the parishof ThreeHierarchs in Garfield,N-. 8 The very same agencyhas also reportedin their newsthat on February25'n the Archbishopof AthensChristodoulos has metwitn CiscarOd'Estaing and has informedhim thatthe GreekChurch is followingwith keen interestthe work of the Conventionand believesthat the questionsraised by it have great importance.He said that he hopesthat "the correct expressionsbe foundwhich will correspondto the spiritualand culturaltraditions of Europe,that is, the Christianroots of its peoples". ArchbishopChristodoulos informed d'Estaing that the Greek Church has plannedfor the beginningof May an internationalConvention on "ThePrinciples and Values in the Creationof Europe"and hasinvited him to participate.

FLIRTATIONBETWEEN CATHOLICS AND "ORTHODOX''

Officially,between Catholics and Orthodoxstrained relations exist, but actuallythe basicdisagreements in the majority of cases are not over mattersof faith, but presenta politicalgame, behindwhich stand plainlymaterial interests as is obviouswith the MoscowPatriarchate and the Vatican. Internetinformation from the parishof ThreeSaints in Garfield,NJ, of February12'n relates that Athens'Archbishop Christodouloshas proposedthe Popesend his delegation to Greeceas a returnvisit for his"historic" stay in Romeduring March of last year. At that time the Pope said to the Greeksthat "the Churcheshave the task to act accordingto the modelof GoodSamaritan. They mustforget their common sufferings, heal the wounds,and promotethat purificationof memoryfrom whichwill arisesincere forgiveness and fraternalcollaboration". At the same time, Fr. JosephMay, an officialof the PontificalCouncil for PromotingChristian Unity and who is in chargeof the relationswith the OrthodoxSlavs, said. "l am convincedthat we are alreadyin a processof clarificationthat willcontinue over the nextfew months". Despitewide spread informationof protestsfrom the MP becausethe Catholicshave establishedseveral of their diocesesin Russia,May reportedon the "beautifulletter" of PatriarchAlexis ll congratulatingthe Popewith Christmas in whichthere is alsothe followingsentence: "Let us takeup againrelations of fraternityand charity".He alsosaid that the Popewould be delightedif he couldvisit Russia

ROCKCONCERT OFFICIALLY SPONSORED BY THE MOSCOWPATRIARCHATE '16'n The lnternetversion of the newspaper"Kommersant-Daily" of January 2003reported that in St. Petersburg"for the firsttime a concertof the Russianpillars of rocktook place, officially sponsored by the RussianOrthodox Church," which was namedby the organizers"RoKnebu" (Rock to Heaven)! The largestconcert site in the city was selectedfor the performanceand "the concertwas for charityand collected fundsto be transferredfor the benefitof Orthodoxchurches attached to St. Petersburg'suntversities"! Furtherit was reportedthat the rnitiatorof this "splendididea" was a leaderof the youth departmentof the St. petersburgdiocese, Artemy Skripkin.The inspirersof this were the church-scientificcenter of the MoscowPatriarchate "The OrthodoxEncyclopedias" and the "Committeefor youth of Smolny,which by the way is connectedwith the youth departmentof the St. PetersburgDiocese of the ROC". Numerouspersons participated in the concert.The "prominentpublicist and TV speakerFr. Andrew Kurayev made the openingspeech. The gist of the speechwas that rock music is capableof awakeninoelevated impulses, faith and heavenlvqrace in the heart"?! The diocesereported that 14,000tickets were sold at the cost of 140to 400 rubles,although present were some 7 of B thousandpersons. Forthose who see and hearrock music, it is quiteobvious ihat it has absolutelynothing to do withfaith and heavenly grace.

ABOUT"ORTHODOX CULTURE'' IN RUSSIA

Overthe pastyear the EducationDepartment of Russiahas ordered that in the schoolcurricula a courseof "basicsof Orthodoxculture" would be introduced.This decisionimmediately evoked reactions for and against.lt is obviousthat numerousatheists in Russiawere against. Some woman,Alla Borodina,has compileda textbookfor the "basicsof Orthodoxculture", but very quicklythis textbookwas accusedof being"guilty of stirringup nationalenmity and xenophobia". The so-called"Pan-Russian movement for humanrights" in Juneof lastyear filed a complaintto the prosecutorsafter the publishingcompany "Pokrov" printed 10,000 copies of the book,as a "guidefor elementaryand seniorschools for generaleducltion, lyceums and highschools". The "coordinatingcouncil of ihe EducationalDepartment and the Moscow Patriarchate"recommended the textbook. The atheistdefenders of humanrights "complain about the clericalpropaganda and violationof the secularcharacter of the stateand even...the antidemocraticprinciple of collectiveguilt of a wholenation". lt turnsout that in the textbook on '114 'page thereis the question:"Why did the Jews crucify Christ and cannot accept the Kingdomof Heaven?" An lnternetpublication gazeta.rulprint of January13th reported that the "defendersof rights"have discoveredin this textbookalso attacks on otherreligions. 9 September Theoenerat prosecutors office has received the firstsuit, but transferred it to the officeof Ostankino.On was appealedby 4,r,';00:2,il" r,igtn"r publicprosecutor refused to hearthe caseabout the textbook, but this decision theplaintiffs in theMeshchansky court. bookas well as TheMeshchansky court has iuled the "denial was unlawful and baseless". As a result,the author of the agalnstthem on theprnii.n"i".d distributorsof this book are in dangerof beingput in jail because a suitmight be filed groundsof "stirring up of differencesamong the nation"' that"the Thedeputy of ihe'centralspiritual admiiistration of Muslims in Russia,Mufti Farid Salaman, correctly stated, provocation,which inevitably effortsto correctthe faith of any religionin the spiritof so-called"political correctness" is a bringsforth the responseof mockingreligious feelings". procurator RF VladimirOustinov has T"heAgency of PoliticalNews of January21" has reportedthe General of "receivedthe apPealbv rePresen Eva who are disgustedbY the persecutionof the textbook. the resignationof the Accordingto anotheragency "Megaphone" of December16, 2002,atheists even demanded it as the Ministerof Education,VtJdimlr Filippov over the textbook"Orthodox Culture" because he recommended preferredform of studythat violates Russian constitution. officiallywill not The Moscowpatrrarchate believes that the textbookin no way promotesnational differences, but interferein this controversy. by Borodinais It wouldbe interestingio 1nd out whom is the MP tryingto pleaseand, if it believesthat the text book correct,why does it keePsilent?

BLASPHEMOUSEXHIBIT IN MOSCOW

Herald")reported that on January14'n in the publicCenter of Andrew The newspaper,,RusskiiVestnik" ("Russian '' Sakharovthere was openedan exhibitof "actualart" named "Beware, Religion that he was an The openingof such an exhibitSakharov center is not surprising,since it was commonknowledge atheist,although not a militantone andof Jewishorigin, whose real name was Zuckermann anarchists".The It is reportedthat the exhibithas "drawn not trivialhilitant atheists, but rathermilitant blasphemers and youngman is depictedsitting on newspaperpublished several photographs of thisblasphemous exhibit. In one of thema open book,looking like the a throne,but with no beard1a par6oyof the Christicon "The GreatHierarch") holding an inscription"This is my Gospel.Next to it hangsa placardwith tfre Coca Cola Company logo with head of the Saviorand blood"l a placardof a The exhibithad many blasphemousobjects, for example,a crucifixon whichhung various sausages, purelypornographic pictures. nakedwoman, suppor"ity crucified, blasphemous pictures of the Motherof Godand a lotof similardiabolical In the hall there *ere iun pornographicfilms, films with torturedand slaughteredanimals and perversrons. .1gth "pogrom" severalof on Friday,January a groupof 6 outragedyoung men starteda againstthis exhibit, spraying faith,while in no way the blasphemous"pictur"r" *ltf' parnt The poticewere calledbut arrestedthe defendersof the touchingthe provocateurs. declaredthat such It is characteristicto the Mp that MetropolitanKirill gave no supportto the zealousOrthodox, but of oth It is methodsare unacceptablefor believers. "We rd the feeli nces"!The deputyof MetropolitanKirill, a renown that this was archpnestof the MP, VsevolodChaplin, also supported his bossstoacertaindeqree,saVinqthatthiswas..unapprovedto a certaindegree, saying violence"against the exhibit. prosecutionl The defe-ndersof the Faithdeserve honor and praise,but are threatenedwith criminal

NEWCHARTER OF GREEKARCHDIOCESE IN AMERICA pretextshas The Greekdiocese under the jurisdictionof the EcumenicalPatriarchate for a longtime and undervarious lakovoswas the goal of demandedautocephality for itseli.lt seemsthat the main reasonfor the retirementof Archbishop actuallysupports ,which he ratheropenly supported. The very richdiocese of the EcumenicalPatriarchate promisesto continuesupporting the the latter and thereforeall efforts on her part to gain autocephaly(even with conferences' patriarchate)always resulted in refusalsto approvethe decisionsof the diocesancouncil of clergyand laity heldthe battlefield' The strugglefor autocephalyhas lastedfor 8'yearsand this time too, the EcumenicalPatriarchate for January,after long Accordingto the n"*rpup", of the Creet

EFFORTSTO INTRODUCEYOGA INTOAMERICAN SCHOOLS

The Newyork Timesof Februarygth reported that in the cityof Aspen,Colorado, some parentsand religiousleaders haveobjected to the introductionof yoga in two Aspenschools: one publicand anotherprivate, which have startedyoga classes.The protestersclaim that thisviolates the law of separationof churchand state,since yoga is a religion. The supportersof this paganisminsist that it is not a religion,but that contemporarychildren suffer from attention deficiencyand cannotconcentrate for longerthan a TV commercial. 12 familieshave declared that they will not permittheir children to participate.Judging from this information,it seems that the paganscleverly change terminology, ustng a more neutralone. For example,instead of the Sanskritword "namaste;'whichtranslates as "Thelight in you is the lightin me"- childrenare to useword "peace". Accordingto the newspaper,sucn programs exist already from California to Floridato Ohio.Children are told that yoga isjust a combinationof gymnasticsand meditation.Thus they to imaginethat they are .. bananas.Children are told to lie on theirgym mattresses,stretch out their hands overhead and lifttheir legs. As th6'yoga instructorssay, yoga consistsof three main aspects:exercise, breathing and meditation.This pagan practicehad its beginningin Hinduism,Buddhism and the similar.The Cathollcsof Aspenhave protested already.

FROMTHE UNPUBLISHEDWORKS (a letter by Bishop Gregoryto Archb. Anthony of San Francisco{?} June 15t2gth,1gg4l

YourEminence, dear Vladykol Thankyou for the letterof May3'1.'/June 13"'. The factthat we havenot demonstratedthe abilityto rulethe regionsin Russiayet so manyparishes have developed there,successfully growing to morethan a hundred,persuades me thatwe shouldaccept them as a giftof God and to givethem possiOiiityof furthergrowth and development,and not bindthem with our convictionthat onlywhat is doneby [ommandof the Metropolitanis good.lf, underthe presentunfavorable circumstances, they can numbermore than a hundred,then it is necessarynot io killthem by ordersfrom those who haveno knowledgeof theircircumstances and to whom they are strange.God Himselfhas shown us where life is possible.lt is necessaryto rejectself-delusion and to helpdevelop what God hasgiven, even if someare not to ourtaste. We are all awarethat the openingof evenone parishis not a simpletask. lt is clearto me that if, despiteour inability, the numberof parisheshas grownio be more than hundred,this meansthat there are blessedworkers, who even may notbe to our liking,but who are not risingup againstthe canons. Willnot the Lordpunish the inattentivenessto the parishes(human souls)? Willnot unacceptanceof the God-givenukaze of St. PatriarchTikhon be punishedby destructionof whateverwe have andwhat has potential for growthin Russia?And we willanswer before God for it.What do youthink about such ideas? I am verysorry that the circumstancesare suchthat we are not to meetpersonally. lf you want,you couldcall me by telephone.i am sendingthis letter to SanFrancisco, and notto Germanyin the hopethat in thisway youwill get it sooner. Askingfor yourholy prayers I remainyour brother in Christ + BishopGregory

Letterof Bishop Gregoryto ArchbishopAnthony of San Franciscoof July 24thlAugust6tn, 1994

YourEminence, dear VladYko! I writethis to youwith much sadness because of the spreadof unlawfulnessin ourChurch. BishooHilarion has returnedfrom the Council,and beforeleaving for San Francisco,promised to giveme the,minutes. I haveseen him and he told me thathe is forbiddento giveme informationabout decisions of the Council.He wouldnot give me any explanationfor such a decisionof Metropolitan.I could not even get informationwhether my reportshave been readand what was decidedabout them. No explanationfor deprivingme of the elementaryrights of a bishopwere givenme. It seems that the reasonfor all this is that I understandthe significanceof the Regulationof November7120, 1920, differenlyfrom the Metropolitanwho interpretsit only as a basisfor our existenceabroad, which is not mentionedtherein. And he hasno ideathattheRegulation of theAll-RussianEcclesiasticalAdministration, presided overbythe St. Patriarch just Tikhonprovides for the contemporarysituation. Our Synodat that time had not establisheditself and had arrived abroad. 11 uponthe certainlyI will submita protestand will giveevidence, but let it not happenagain, that a reportb-ased st. confessorwill decisionof the supremeotg"n of Adminislrationof our church,and indeedpresided over by the wholecontinues' continueto be ignoredbecaule of the Metropolitan'serror? And this reorganization of the Church as a accordingto law,due to a wholeseries of hiserrors. -, it for It is a greaterror on our partto ignorethis legislative document. lt is absolutelynecessary to respectit and use very instruction.Despite the faci that M-etropolitanand maybeothers do not likeVladyka Valentin, he has achieved work.Even if one believesthat he did somethingwrong, we shouldnot be overlycritical in evaluatingthe constructive parallel greatwork of openingand annexingparishes in Russia.The mainthing is we haveto unite,and not create goal.By the way, it 5rganizations.the tat6stordination [Bishop Evtikhy, "Chj N--'] produces exactly this and has this as its wjs performedin NewYork, but I wis noteven informed of it,although I live close to theSynod. Askingfor your holy prayers, I remain your loving brother in Christ + BishoPGregory

A NECESSARY DECLARATION

Becauseof thespread of rumorsthat Bishop Gregory (Grabbe) allegedly took with him a substantialamount of the to be archivesof theROCA Synod of Bishopswhen he waJfoiced to retirein 1986,I categoricallydeclare these rumors viciousslander against a deceasedperson. personalities BishopGregory took from his own office only his personal correspondence with some hierarchs and public the towhich he hada legalright. Almost all this was handed over by me to StanfordUniversity in Californiaand is open to public. "petition" Whenit becameknown that Bishop Gregory, at MetropolitanVitaly's demand, had to presenta for retlrement, Synodoffice vtanageifor Byears, also immediately resigned my position with the Synod. l, beingat that time the - Conlideringit necessaryto returnthe doiuments, which at thattime were in ouroffices, as soonas possible | loaded or myselfwith numerous folders and went to thearchive room. However I discovered that... without letting Bishop Gregory myselfknow, Bishop Hilarion had replaced the lock! At thattime we bothconsidered this action extremely insulting and lnsteadof a customarytransfer of maitersfrom one administrator to another, it wassuggested that all the documents Bishop thereference books bLlonging to theSynod be piledup in oneplace and, we were told by Archbishop Laurus and ,,we question either Hilarion, willlook into it taief'.The new administrators ofthe Synod of Bishopsdid not ask a single of BishopGregory or meregarding the piled up documents! rne sam! tino of transferwas alsoforeseen regarding the SynodBookstore established by me 10 yearsbefore. to Fearingthat in thefuture accusations of stealingfund! and property might be raisedagainst me, I categoricallyrefused is in relinquishcontrol without making a detailedinvlntory of thestore. The acceptance note, signed by BishopHilarion myarchive. permitting Donot the rumors being circulated come from those who allowed a literalrobbery of theSynod archives by not unKnownpersons to "work"in it includingeven an employeeof the MoscowPatriarchate archives, and arethey spreadin order to cover up their own guilt in thehistory of the Russian Outside of Russia? Atthe same time via the Internet have been made for nearly 2 yearsstatements that supposedly the Council of Bishops hasnever issued an anathemaagainst the Ecumenistheresy, but that Bishop Gregory (Grabbe) supposedly endlessly manipulatedMetropolitan philaret and, without knowledge of the Councilin orderto pleasethe BostonTransfiguration Monastery,introduced the text of the into the Council's dectsions. It seemsthat this slander was started by ArchbishopLazarus (Zhurbenko) when he announcedthis at theVoronezh clergyconference which took place in 2001.Now the sameis beingrepeated in lnternetpolemics mainly by Archpriests JohnShaw and Alexander Lebedev. 17 In contrastto thesestatements, the Synodof Bishopsand the Councilhave twice repeated this anathema even yearsafter the repose of MetropolitanPhilaret and 7 yearsafter that of BishopGregory. Feast Thetext, supposedly "never approved by the Bishop's Council," up to 2002was regularly proclaimed during the anathemaby of Orthodoxy.However, according to an audiocassette I have receivedof the proclamationof the protodeaconEugene Burbelo, for ine pasttwo yearsit has beenslightly altered and this could not butwater down its formerlyexact definition. FormerOffice Manager of the Synod of Bishops,A. G.Schatiloff, (nee Countess Grabbe) Januaryzst^lFebruary 7tn, 2oo3