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Is there a Western Orthodox monastery in America? If not, in what countries? I'd like to visit one sometime, as long as it's not under the ROCOR.

Dear Jeff! I suppose , you can find something in web :www.apostle 1.com and www. odox.net. God bless you.
Fr. Adam

Jeff-

You may want to also check out www.westernorthodox.com [westernorthodox.com]

Columcille

Dear in Christ Jeff,

Saint Hilarion Monastery in Austin, Texas is an Old Calendar Orthodox monastery under the jurisdiction of the Holy Synod of Milan, a "traditionalist" group formed from ROCOR and Old Calendar Greek succession. Despite their lack of "canonical" status and communion with world Orthodoxy, they are very strictly traditional and I consider them quite authentic nonetheless. I should mention that Father Hieromonk Aidan of St. Hilarion's is THE source for traditional Western Orthodoxy (Old Sarum Rite). I have St. Hilarion Press' "Orthodox Prayers of Old England" prayerbook and enjoy it greatly. They publish the "Old Sarum Rite Missal" which is absolutely amazing! Although not a priest, I would love to have a copy of this beautiful and amazing Western Orthodox publication.

One more thing about St. Hilarion's: they only celebrate in the Old Sarum rite on special, festal occasions, and normally use the Byzantine rite in Russian usage. Still, they are a great source for all things relating to Western-rite Orthodoxy. Their website is located at www.odox.net [odox.net] .

In Christ,

Timothy, servant of God

The Synod of Milan is so 'Traditionalist' that it's Metropolitan conducted discussions with the the non-Chalcedonians. Without wishing to cause offence to brothers and sisters who belong to Christian communities usually labelled as monophysite, I would have to question the 'Traditionalist' credentials of this group.

It is inaccurate to say that they have ROCOR origins. their origins are in the True Orthodox Synod of Archbishop Auxentios of Athens. This synod had ROCOR origins, but its Tomos of autonomy to the Milan group was a factor which caused a split with ROCOR. the very existence and course of the Milan Synod has brought division to the Traditionalist Orthodox landscape.

Whilst the present Metropolitan talked with those outside Eastern Orthodoxy - and sought real and actual union with them, the American bishops acted blind, deaf and dumb. Evloghios's final disgrace was to attack those who had left him because of their ORTHODOX consciences.

In Europe these people are treated as a vagante joke!

How can one take a Metropolitan seriously when he suggestes that the Oecumenical Councils were inspired by politics and not the Holy Spirit?

The fault of this group is nothing to do with canonicity or the beautiful Sarum rite, but one of theological pick-and-mix mentality.

In Christ -
Mark, monk and sinner.

Father Mark, bless!

I never heard about some of these things concerning the Milan Synod, but doubtless they would advertise these things to the general public, as it seriously calls into question the credibility of this group and their observance of the Holy Canons. If they are viewed as "vagantes" in Europe, I could see why. If Evloghios' beliefs are as you say--and I do not doubt you--he is a heretic!

Gospodi pomiluy!

In Christ,

Timothy, servant of God

Dear Jeff:

I know you already know this, but it is recommended to be discerning, cause there are a lot of "jurisdictions" and groups offering "western rites" and most of them are not serious and are full of charlatans.

The only canonical western rite is part of the Antiochian Orthodox Church. The ROCOR, as you said, has a smal community which follows a Sarum Liturgy, whcih is quite like an oddity given the anti-western spirit of the ROCOR.

Dear Father Mark:

Yes I found strange that in spite of being Old Calendarist traditionalists, they were in dialogues with the Patriarchate of Antioch (the syriac one, am I right??)

Actually the Milanese Synod had Old Calendar traditionalist tendences, but then they tried to get affiliated with Patriarch Filaret! Was that true?

Another group based in Spain and Portugal, led by Metropolitan Dom Gabriel, which left the Mylan Synod, established communion with the Polish Orthodox Church. I wonder how this was possible, I think there is a canonical problem there I have checked the site of the Polish Church, and the lists of Bishops and parishes and I have never seen anything about this group being in communion with the Polish Church.

It is said that the Ecumenical Patriarchate didn't accept the Milanese Synod because they were in the canonical territory of the Pope!

Dear Remie, the Portuguese people left the Autonomous Orthodox Church of Western Europe and the America's aka Milan Synod. It was then that the primacy passed from Met. Gabriel to Met. Evloghios. Evloghios lost many of his European clergy to the 'Kyiv patriarchate' and one bishop joined the Copts. The American bishops turn a blind eye to all that he does. The whole Milan set up is not only a shambles, but it is spiritually dangerous and destructive. It brings suspicion and discredit to those seeking to uphold traditional Orthodoxy.

Spasi Khristos -
Mark, monk and sinner.