Metropolitan Philip Responds To Questions

Metropolitan PHILIP writes:
March 4, 2009
Beloved Hierarchs and Clergy, Members of the Board of Trustees of the Archdiocese, Parish Councils and Faithful of this God-Protected Archdiocese:
Greetings and blessings during this Holy Lenten Season!
There have been some questions raised regarding the February 24th decision of the Holy Synod of Antioch which addressed the status of bishops across the entire See of Antioch. The purpose of this letter is to try to answer these questions so that confusion may be avoided.
The first question deals with whether or not I am supportive of the decision of the Holy Synod of Antioch which was taken on February 24, 2009. I am supportive of this decision, for a simple reason. I am convinced that the institutional structure of our Archdiocese here requires it at this time. One of the greatest assets that we have been blessed with in this Archdiocese is our strong unity. We cannot take any chance that disunity would occur in the Antiochian Archdiocese. I believe that this decision supports maximum unity and guards against any fracture in the future. I approved the decision of the Holy Synod based on my background and personal experience. I came to this country in 1956 from a divided nation. I found in North America a divided Antiochian family: first between "Russy" and "Antaki", and second between New York and Toledo. I worked very hard to unite this family at the cost of blood and tears. I will guard this unity with my life and I will leave to our future generations a strong and unified Antiochian family in North America. If we do not learn from the mistakes of history, we will be condemned to repeat the same mistakes. In my judgement, the models of other Orthodox jurisdictions simply do not work, and the examples are numerous. Most importantly, I do not see the action of the Holy Synod of Antioch as making that much practical change in the way we operate. Most of the auxiliary bishops will remain where they are. The auxiliary bishops will administer the dioceses on behalf of the Metropolitan. It is now clear that in the few instances in which the Metropolitan disagrees with the action of a bishop, that the Metropolitan has the authority to reverse that decision. While we have vacancies in some of the dioceses, it is important that the Metropolitan have the flexibility of moving a bishop to a place where the best interests of the Archdiocese can be served.
The second question deals with the exact status of our bishops. The decision makes it very clear that our bishops within this Archdiocese will now be considered Auxiliary Bishops. But we need to focus on the practical application of that change, and not just a title. in due time we will begin the work of editing the "Manual of Hierarchical Duties and Responsibilities" so that these changes will be clear. The Archpastoral Directive of March 3, 2009 made it clear that the Metropolitan is to be commemorated in all divine services. The auxiliary bishop will be commemorated only in the case that he is present at the divine service.
The third question deals with the impact of this decision on the provisions of our Self-Rule as well as certain articles of our Pittsburgh Constitution.
Our Self-Rule status remains in effect with regard to the relationship of this Archdiocese to the Holy Synod of Antioch. The decision of the Holy Synod is a narrow administrative decision, addressing only the standing of bishops across the See of Antioch. As we know from church history, administrative structures come and go as the needs of the church change over time. As you are all aware, there are still some differences that exist between the Archdiocese Constitution that was approved in Pittsburgh, and the constitution that was proposed by the Holy Synod of Antioch as an alternative. These differences will be addressed with the Patriarch, myself, and the Holy Synod in due time.
I pray that you will all have a blessed Journey to the Empty Tomb.
Yours in Christ,

Metropolitan Philip: Where Have All The Bishops Gone...And Why?

Biography of the Right Reverend Bishop ALEXANDER
Diocese of Ottawa, Eastern Canada and Upstate New York
Ottawa Chancery
10820 Rue Laverdure
Montreal, QC H3L 2L9 CANADA


Right Reverend Bishop MARK
Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest
Toledo Chancery
2656 Pemberton Dr.
Toledo, OH 43606-2903
Montreal, QC H3L 2L9 CANADA


Right Reverend Bishop THOMAS
Diocese of Charleston, Oakland and the Mid-Atlantic
Charleston WV Chancery
4407 Kanawha Ave., S.E.
Charleston, WV 25304


Right Reverend Bishop BASIL
Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America
Wichita Chancery
1559 N. Woodlawn
Wichita, KS 67208-2429


Right Reverend Bishop ANTOUN
Diocese of Miami and the Southeast
358 Mountain Road
P.O. Box 5238
Englewood, NJ 07631-5238


Right Reverend Bishop JOSEPH
Diocese of Los Angeles and the West
Los Angeles Chancery
454 S. Lorraine Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90020-4730


For Information on the status of your Bishop contact them directly or contact the Metropolitan at the Contact info below:

Phone Number

Phone - (201) 871-1355

Fax Number

Fax - (201) 871-7954

Postal Address

For prompt delivery, please address all correspondence to His Eminence or the Archdiocese office as follows:
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese
PO Box 5238
Englewood, NJ 07631-5238
Please note: It is important that all official correspondence with the Archdiocese must be conducted in writing by postal mail.
Unfortunately there is no direct e-mail for the Metropolitan's office and my past attempts at communication by letter have gone unanswered. Some would fault BLOGs of this type as an inappropriate place to discuss such matters, but until parishioners of the Antiochian Diocese know that their one remaining Bishop has an ear for their concerns, it will have to do.

Douglas Cramer, the Editor of the Antiochian.org website, does have an email address. One might inquire to him as to why no explanation on the matter has been posted on OUR website.
editor@Antiochian.org

All Antiochian Bishops Demoted To Auxiliary Status

The confusion over the recent unexpected and unexplained cryptic decision by the Holy Synod of the Antiochian Orthodox Church continues. According to the letter released by the Archbishop's office March 3, 2009, priests are inquiring as to what the decision means. I was curious that in the Sunday Liturgy at our own church, our former Bishiop Antoun was commemorated as has been the practice even though he was no longer our Bishop. According to the following letter, only Metropolitan Philip's name will be mentioned from this point on unless an Auxiliary Bishop is physically present.

Metropolitan PHILIP writes:

To all clergy of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America:

We greet you in the spirit of this Great Lent.

Some of our clergy have inquired about hierarchical commemorations in the divine services. In order to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding, we would like to direct your attention to the following:

On February 24^th, 2009 the Holy Synod of Antioch amended Chapter VI of the by-laws of the Patriarchate, which now reads:

Article 76

The Metropolitan is the point of reference of all bishops in his Archdiocese and they are under his authority.

Article 77

All bishops within the Antiochian See are auxiliary bishops and are directly under their spiritual authority.

Article 78

The Metropolitan defines the responsibilities of the bishops and the place where they should serve. The bishop does not do anything contrary to the will of the Metropolitan.

Therefore, in accordance with the decision of the Holy Synod of Antioch, the following is the proper order for the commemoration of hierarchs in the divine services:

• The clergy should commemorate the Metropolitan in all divine services.
• The clergy should commemorate the auxiliary bishop when he is present at the divine service.

It is expected that all clergy will strictly adhere to this directive. May the journey to the Empty Tomb bring you all the joy of the Glorious Resurrection.

Your father in Christ,

It seems it would be prudent for the Metropolitan to inform those under his care as to the reason and purpose of the change and what the people of North America may expect from his point on. Anything other seems cryptic.

The Qur'an Challenge

The End Of "Self Rule"?

On Tuesday February 24, 2009, the Holy Synod of the Antiochian Orthodox Church made a major decision concerning the Bishops and Dioceses in North America. The Decision? There will be no more Bishops and Dioceses in North America. In a meeting called to discuss this single issue, the Synod delegated all authority and pastorate to the office of Metropolitan, in effect reverting all existing Diocesan Bishops to the role of Auxiliary Bishops and eliminating their oversight of each Diocese.

This is a major departure from the 2002 Synod ruling that created the existence of the Self Ruled elements of the North American Antiochian jurisdiction allowing Bishops and the Metropolitan to oversee the flock. Now, there is only one sole ruling Bishop in North America, the Metropolitan himself, and he answers directly to the Patriarch in all matters. The questions remain: Why this change and does this in all practicality eliminate the status of Self Rule from North American Antiochian Church? Does this also eliminate the Local Synod and the method of governance? No reason or explanation has been given for the restructuring and no advanced notice.

The 2002 Self Rule decision states:

1. Self Rule and Jurisdiction The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America is and shall remain self-ruled within its present jurisdiction (The United States of America and Canada) and shall constitute one unified ecclesiastical Antiochian entity.

2. Governance
The Archdiocese is governed by the Holy Scripture, the Sacred Tradition, the Holy Canons, the Constitution of the Church of Antioch and this Synodical resolution and by its Constitution and Bylaws.

3. Recognition of Auxiliary Bishops as Diocesan Bishops and Local Synod
Upon adoption of this resolution, the Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese shall become Diocesan Bishops and bear their given titles. The Diocesan Bishops will constitute under the Metropolitan the Local Synod of the Archdiocese which will be its governing authority. The Local Synod shall determine the number of dioceses and their boundaries.

According to OrthoxWiki, an Auxiliary Bishop is a bishop with no territorial authority and is technically uncanonical due to the fact that they are given a title within the jurisdiction of another Bishop. The being true, the future of the six former Bishops are in question.

The new Synod Ruling states,

THE DECISION REGARDING THE AMENDING OF ARTICLES CONCERNING BISHOPS ACCORDING TO THE BY-LAWS OF THE PATRIARCH

Chapter VI, The Bishop

Article 75 The Patriarch is the reference point of all Bishops in Damascus, Patriarchal Monasteries and Vicariates; and they are under his authority.

Article 76 The Metropolitan is the point of reference of all bishops in his Archdiocese and they are under his authority.

Article 77 All Bishops within the Antiochian See are auxiliary Bishops and are directly under their spiritual authority.

Article 78 The Metropolitan defines the responsibilities of the Bishop and the place where they should serve. The Bishop does not do anything contrary to the will of the Metropolitan.

Article 79 The aforementioned article 75,76,77,78 are applied in all Antiochian Archdiocese and whatever contradicts these articles is null and void.

The notification of the change will come in the form of a letter from Metropolitan Philip which will be required to be read in all parishes on Sunday February 26, 2009.

Metropolitan PHILIP writes:

Esteemed Members of the Board of Trustees of the Archdiocese,
Beloved Clergy and Parish Councils and all Faithful of our God-Protected Archdiocese,

Greetings and blessings to all of you in the spirit of this Holy and Great Lent.

Enclosed, please find two copies of the Holy Synod decision regarding all bishops within the Holy See of Antioch. This decision was adopted by the Holy Synod of Antioch which was convened at the Patriarchate in Damascus, February 24^th, 2009. The Patriarch and the Holy Synod are the highest authority in our Antiochian Church. You will find enclosed the Arabic text and the English translation which is mine. Since this was a special Synod meeting with only one item on the agenda concerning the bishops, the proposed text of this decision was sent to the members of the Holy Synod, who were not present, for their approval.

We take this opportunity to wish you the blessings and spiritual rewards of this Great Lent which was described by St. John Chrysostom as the "springtime of souls."

Your Father in Christ,

We can only hope that the Antiochian leadership will be forthcoming about the reasons that such a major restructuring has been so abruptly implemented. The heart and soul of the Orthodox faith is that we are all accountable to one another as seen by the fact that all, even Laymen, are considered Priests. With a stroke of a pen our Bishops are gone and with a stroke of a pen the future of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Christian Archdioesese of North America is in question. This change is too major to simply expect parishioners to accept without question.

Directions To The East-For My Baptist Friends

West is the opposite direction from East, but if you keep going and keep your eyes open you'll eventually hit East again. Starting East, as we all have, find Martin Luther Highway. Get off on the Zwingli exit. That will take you to Ana-baptist Blvd. Drive through the Sola Scriptura community and take a left at Calvinist lane (where the pretty TULIPS are), you don't stay on it too long before coming to John Smythe Circle.There is a Lifeway Bookstore on the corner. Circle around the Baptismal fountain in the middle until you get tired or you run out of crackers and grape juice, then do a Google Earth search to see where you are in comparison to from where you've come. You get a much better perspective when you pull way back and see the whole picture rather than the journey in microcosm. When you find the East, start heading back. It will be a totally different route. I have included some directions:
http://audio.ancientfaith.com/eastwest/iew_2009-01-07.mp3

Pray For Australia

Pray for our Orthodox family and for the many citizens of Australia who have been affected by the most devastating brush fires in the country's history. Over 108 lives lost and hundreds of homes and towns devastated.

CyVan Syndrome

Regarding the dialogue on the current state of affairs in Gaza; I respect the sincere comments I have received regarding my strong request for a balanced response on the issue from Metropolitan Philip. I understand that the subject is so volatile that it is difficult to wade through the emotions. If one leans even partially to one side he is lumped in totality to that side and afforded all of its prejudices. This is hardly fair but there seems to be no black and white on this subject. I have endeavored to be balanced and at the same time speak clearly and firmly in language that is not easily mistaken. But people have the tendency to be Cyclops Readers, that is, they only read with one eye. The equivalent is Van Gogh Listeners who only hear with one ear. This condition prevents a person from considering the total of what has been said. They are selective in what they see or hear and react only to the part they have internalized. They suffer from CyVan Syndrome. Unfortunately, this condition does not allow for an adequate or factual response. For instance, I have commended the Archdiocese and the Metropolitan for their pastorate and good works toward converts and their heart for the suffering in the Arab lands but that gets lost in the controversy and my strong comment on “bias”.

I do not mind dialoging with those having CyVan Syndrome for perhaps I can glean from what they have seen with their one eye or heard with their one ear. For instance, a JTO reader just sent me a book called “Blood Brothers, The Unforgettable Story of a Palestinian Christian Working For Peace In Israel”. I am reading it with great interest and am gleaning. There is a false presumption on the reader’s part, however, that I am not knowledgeable of Zionism, its history, its aggression and the plight of Christian Arabs in the Middle East region. This is Cyclops and Van Gogh. I am aware of the existence of the alleged Talmudic Judaism conspiracies and of the tenants of the Zionist movement and am researching for an article on the subject. I have also taken a respectful hit from a Dispensationalist-leaning Orthodox brother who falsely presumed I was anti-Semetic when I pointed out the existence of 911 conspiracies. Further, I have posted one article which defends the Archdiocese from accusations of Anti-Semitism and acknowledged the existence of Jews Against Zionism organizations. I am also Orthodox in my view that the Church is Israel and not the nation and to assume, as some have asserted, that I must be a “Zionist Christian”, is further evidence of the CyVan Syndrome. That accusation is easily refuted by reading other posts on this blog, where I refute Evangelical Dispensationalism. It may be the CyVan effect that causes some to miss these facts and respond with inaccurate and extreme verbiage such as:

 

Heretical 

1.One who holds to a heresy; one who believes some doctrine contrary to the established faith or prevailing religion.  

2.One who having made a profession of Christian belief, deliberately and pertinaciously refuses to believe one or more of the articles of faith "determined by the authority of the universal church. 

(No doctrines have been discussed here much less the straying from foundational truth. I believe some use this serious word too flippantly.)

 Hatred

Strong aversion; intense dislike; hate; an affection of the mind awakened by something regarded as evil.

Syn: Odium; ill will; enmity; hate; animosity; malevolence; rancor; malignity; detestation; loathing; abhorrence; repugnance; antipathy.

(Re-reading the post with two eyes will allow anyone to see that there is no hatred in any of the JTO posts. Strong verbal exhortation to right conduct is not hatred of the recipient of the words.)

Spite

1. To be angry at; to hate. [Obs.]

2. To treat maliciously; to try to injure or thwart.

(There is a difference between anger and righteous indignation. Righteous indignation does not have as its motive to maliciously try to injure or thwart. Jesus’ use of the whip in the Temple is example of this. Those at the end of the whip were still none too happy with Him, I am sure.)

Self-Professed Christian

There is no dictionary definition for this hyphenated word, but it is self-explanatory. To make commentary in the way of indicting a person’s salvation is un-Orthodox and, if I might add, a fearful thing to do.

Terrorist

To use this word in any way, shape or form in relation to any JTO post is to lose credibility in the dialogue.  One objector to the "balance" post even equated me to Cain, asserting that, as a Convert, I am hating my older brother. I can only presume that this included the assumption that Converts are second class Christians whose offerings are not as readily received by God. To apply the illustration correctly, however, wouldn't it be the older brother who kills the younger? Regardless, this scriptural analogy is not applicable here. Christianity is not a club or an organization whereby membership status is granted by seniority or by certified proof of genealogy. Are Arabic Orthodox the real Christians, the rest of us just tag-alongs? According to the parable of Christ, we are all converts and all have the same reward no matter how long we have worked in the vineyard. "The last shall be first and the first shall be last"( Matt. 20). In any case, I do not hate anyone and I have not murdered anyone, especially not my brother. I sometimes take issue with some of my Orthodox Brothers and submit refutation comments on their blogs, which they graciously post. I will also occasionally write an article provoked by something I have seen or heard from those with whom I have had precious discourse, but I have never used any of the words or phrases such as the above in any of my posts and have been fearfully aware that I am speaking of things concerning the activities of the leadership of our church under whose pastorate I dwell.

Setting aside the argument on who is right or wrong in the Gaza situation, and yes, it can be set aside, unless your name is "Cy" or "Van", here is the argument in brief:

Given that Israel has stolen the land and terrorized a people, can someone at least say,

"Brother Arabs, go ahead and attack the evil empire, get your land back, drive the invaders into the sea, but stop using your own women and children as shields, firing rockets from your own neighborhoods assuring retaliation, and stop firing rockets indiscriminately, hitting non-military targets which kills Israeli women and children, Jews, Arabs and Gentiles"?

My desire and heart of compassion is for all peoples, even our Christian brothers in Israel. In my deploring of all atrocities, I have focused on the absence of rebuke from our Church toward the inhuman practices of the Palestinian militants. It is only Cy and Van who could muddy the waters of my clearly worded posts. Surely, as Christians, we can't succumb to "the means justify the end" attitude that Palestinians can do no wrong because the Israelis do no good. I would like to think that in private conference our Bishops are addressing this part of the complex issue, but I believe it would be of great benefit for the world and for Orthodox believers to see that this is an equal opportunity Church where sin and deplorable actions are equally disdained. It is this that is at the heart of my exhortation to the Metropolitan to not be biased. We have a Church and brothers in Palestine, Israel and America alike, and the Church must speak to the concerns of all. The Metropolitan is the voice of the Church in North America. It is some of those North American Orthodox priests and deacons who reportedly verbally and vehemently protested at the last Clergy Symposium, as an Orthodox Academic presented his opinion that Islam is friendly to Christians and Christians fair well under their domination while Israel is oppressive to Christians and Christians fair poorly under Jewish domination. According to several attenders of the Symposium, nearly 250 clergy stood to their feet and shouted "no!", in what one observer called, "a near insurrection." It is this same imbalanced, biased, ethnic demagoguery that is at issue in the Palestinian/Israeli debate and the vast majority of Antiochian Orthodox Christians of North America have little tolerance for such, even from His Eminence.

I will continue to commend the Orthodox Faith, especially the Antiochian Arch-Diocese, to others as the Faith of our Fathers and the place where we all should be quick to confess our sins and faithful to magnify the Holy Trinity. God be merciful to me a sinner, but I will also continue to pray for and dialogue with our Bishops, who guard our souls, that they will remain outside of the political fray and promote only the Faith as found in the Scriptures and Holy Tradition.

UPDATE: See http://journeytoorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2009/06/why-we-leftwhere-we-went.html 
for an update on why I can no longer commend the Antiochian Diocese.

Inventor of Television- Our Orthodox Brother?

"Vladimir Zworykin (1889-1982), American physicist and electronic engineer, known for his developmental work in television. Vladimir Kosma Zworykin was born in Murom, Russia, and educated at the Institute of Technology in Saint Petersburg, the Collège de France, and, after his immigration to the United States in 1919, at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He became an American citizen in 1924. In 1929 he became director of the Electronic Research Laboratory of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) at Princeton, New Jersey. Important contributions were made by Zworykin to both the transmission and the reception of television. He was largely responsible for the development, during the 1920s and '30s, of the television camera and picture tube." From MSM Encarta

So why is it, after all of these years, the Orthodox Church hasn't picked up the mantle developed by our brother Vladimir? Why are there no Orthodox broadcast or satellite networks? Why are we just now discovering the Internet and radio? "Going into all the world" used to mean walking miles and miles of dusty trails. Today, we can reach the world instantly. Metropolitan Philip welcomed the EOC converts in the eighties by challenging them to "show us how to evangelize."

It is very simple- Television. The eye to the world. It is a shame indeed to continue to proclaim Orthodoxy as "the best kept secret". So what is the secret? That the Church exists? There are still less than 500,000 Orthodox Christians in America. Do you want converts to show you how to evangelize? Then realize that using modern technology is not the ruination of the "Orthodox Way", it is the salvation of millions who would not otherwise hear. God give us leaders with a fresh vision for the salvation of humanity. The JTO challenge: Put your money and vision where your mouth is-

DEVELOP ORTHODOX TELEVISION STATIONS AND NETWORKS

As a television and film producer, I understand the valid disdain for much of what is called "Christian TV". I also understand that true Orthodoxy is caught, not taught. But we still write books. We allow churches to have websites. We produce videos, radio programs, podcasts and the like. Then, why doubt that television can be an even greater tool to draw those seekers, who will come, to experience the Liturgy and the Sacraments? The visual is still the most powerful tool to the human psyche. Surely we believe this. Surely we believe that God sanctifies the physical for spiritual means. Surely, we can see how the masses are moved, influenced and motivated by what they see and hear on television. Then, why are we Orthodox so late? Why are we so neglectful in this area? Why have not put the many educated and talented media professionals within the Church to work for the sake of the Kingdom of God? Brother Vladimir Zworykin pray for us.

Mutli Billionare Mogel of Alcohol and Tobacco Installed as Patriarch of Moscow

"Patriarch Kirill, 62, becomes first new leader of the church since the fall of communism, and the first enthroned in the Cathedral since it was rebuilt at the end of the 1990s." CNN


Click Here To Read the CNN Article