Letter to Proto-priest Anatoly Trepachko

39/04/M

25 June/8 July 2004
Virgin-Martyr Fevronia

Your Blessedness!

The Synod of Bishops has received a report to the effect that you have distorted Orthodox doctrine by stating the heretical opinion that "Freemasons, Roman Catholics, Protestants, Baptists and other heterodox are Christians who have found their own truth, and that they are undeniably on the path of salvation."  Do you confirm this?


You are also charged with the following:

1. Your support of your female parishioner Larisa Gumerova, who openly preaches the heretical opinion that "ethics is the science of Man and for Man, first of all, and that Judaism and Christianity laid the groundwork for the Era of Enlightenment, but were unable to resolve the problem of the global transformation of the world and the enlightenment of human nature.  There is an invaluable grain of Truth present in any religious Doctrine.  Islam is a great world religion, which has yielded a unique culture and so many true luminaries of wisdom."

2. Your refusal to accept the decisions of the Synod of Bishops regarding the retirement of Archbishop Varnava and your continuing to commemorate his name during the Divine Service.

3. Your inviting Archbishop Varnava with the aim of serving and having him carry out ordinations without the blessing of Metropolitan Vitaly, the ruling hierarch of the Eastern American and New York eparchy, to which you belong.

4. Your public insult to Mitred Proto-priest Benjamin Joukoff, the Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, and your refusal to accept the annulment, by the Synod of Bishops, of the illegitimate ban imposed upon him by Archbishop Varnava.

5. Your pressing for dialogue with the uncanonical Lazarite group, contrary to the decrees of our Church.

The above-cited violations of canonical and church order demand sincere repentance on your part, which the Synod of Bishops proposes that you offer within a month's time.  Otherwise, you will be subject to appropriate action.

+Metropolitan Vitaly

+Bishop Sergii

+Bishop Vladimir

+Bishop Varfolomey

Mitred Proto-priest Benjamim Joukoff, Secretary of the ROCA Synod of Bishops

38/04/M

25 June/8 July 2004

RESOLUTION
concerning Proto-Deacon German Ivanov-Trinadsaty

We heard: The report concerning the incessant statements made by Proto-Deacon German in favour of the Lazarite group; concerning his ignoring of Synodal decrees; concerning his refusal to recognize the episcopal hierotonias carried out in June 2003 and his continuing to commemorate Archbishop Varnava during the Divine Service, as well as his inciting the parishioners of the Western European eparchy to distrust the members of the Synod, by way of spreading disinformation, which introduces discord into the parishes.

We resolved: In view of the fact that admonition ¦ 14/03/л, which was directed at Proto-Deacon German during the 15/28 November 2003 session of the Synod, has been ignored, and his pernicious actions have not ceased, he should be banned from carrying out sacred rites.

However, desiring the conversion of Proto-Deacon German to humble behaviour in the Church, the Synod has decided to allow him a month's time to repent.

Otherwise, he will be issued an Ukaz banning him from carrying out sacred rites.

+Metropolitan Vitaly

+Bishop Sergii

+Bishop Vladimir

+Bishop Varfolomey

Mitred Proto-priest Benjamin Joukoff, Secretary of the ROCA Synod of Bishops