www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News questionable ordination in Alaska

Unfortunately, Bishop Nikolai is not being cooperative according this account, but rather defiant. I fear that it is only going to become much worse.

Bishop Nikolai refuses to leave [ocanews.org]

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

I hope that we can all make a special effort to pray for the folks in the OCA in this trying time. I don't have "a dog in this fight" and have done my level best to avoid dealing with the details of it - if you asked me what is at the heart of all this, I could not tell you except to say that we know who scandal and division pleases... And that isn't the one any of us are trying to keep happy.

Since today is forgiveness Sunday, the best news would be to hear that Bishop Nikolai has asked for forgiveness from his flock first and the rest of the Church.
It has been suggested on other forums that Bishop Nikolai retire to Hilander on Mt. Athos because of his Serbian roots.

Is Bishop Nikolai correct that proper procedures are not being followed?

Hospodi Pomiluj! Hospodi Pomiluj! Hospodi Pomiluj!

No Bishop Nikolai is not correct. Check out the OCA Statute online.
The Holy Synod of Bishops met to deal with the issue and reached an unanimous decision. Bishop Nikolai was then informed in writing by Metr. Herman.

The one point in this regard on which Bishop Nikolai was correct related to the composition of the investigative body. It was originally indicated that it would include hierarchs, lesser clergy, and a layperson. Bishop Nikolai demurred, stating that the actions of a bishop were only to be subjected to review by others of hierarchical rank.

His Beatitude Herman conceded that to be the proper composition of such an investigative body and stated that such would be the case.

Many years,

Neil

In marked contrast to St. Nektarios.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

I may be the only one giving a counter position, but here goes:

I remember talking to the OCA priest in Alaska who Chrismated me, a year after Vladyka Nikolai was installed as ruling hierarch. This priest was upset Vladyka was making the him use the Russian typikon; he being a convert from Anglicanism also was not in favor of using Native languages--only English. But, it is well known that the previous ruling hierarch, Bishop Innocent, left the diocese in ruin with great moral problems in the priesthood and in the people--such as alcoholism, abuse (sexual and otherwise), and sexual immorality--not to mention His Grace left the OCA before his death.

I talked on the phone a few years ago with Vladyka Nikolai, and although I never worked for him, His Grace seemed like a strong personality and of good character. Coming from Alaska I know of a fact that there are many problems in the Alaskan Church that existed way before Vladyka. And the diocese was set in its ways before Bishop Nikolai came and did not like an outsider coming in telling the people and clergy to get their act together--and this is what +Nikolai attempted as many will attest with a measure of success. Many people over at Orthodox Accountability, citing a few handpicked priests and laity, will say that Vladyka was too hard on the priests and laity--and the faithful were frightened of His Grace. I remember having a supervisor who was like +Nikolai once. His standards were high and he was very demanding. But, he wanted us to be the best at what we were doing. Sure, we complained about him, but we knew that if he was not strict the business would collapse. Some may argue for a more collaborative leadership style or for +Nikola to act like St. Herman, but the reality is God made +Nikolai for a special mission--like every hierarch in the Church. Now, not everything His Grace has done, I am sure, is perfect, but do Orthodox or Byzantine Catholics have the right to act like Protestants and vote out their leaders? Nonsense. But that is the American mentality. The Diocese of Alaska needed leadership with integrity and strength. And he was not strict all the time, but he was sharp and on top of things--that is my picture of +Nikolai. The Church in Alaska needed a bishop like +Nikolai to raise the standard of Orthodoxy--not the weak ecumenist Alaskan orthodoxy being forced on the Native people. I have Native American background and often Native leaders and priests use the "traditional" religion as a way to ignore the standards of Christianity and the practice of the Orthodox religion. Father Michael Oleksa, for example, is fond of supporting a synergistic Orthodoxy mixed with the spiritual teachings of Native traditional religion. The Orthodox missionaries did not tell the Native people their spirits were good or led them to God. Especially among the Eskimos, who practice Native occultism and divination, their spirits are demonic and oppress the people.

Another issue is the size of the Diocese of Alaska. The only other church that has a diocese that covers the whole of Alaska is the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska. And having talked with Episcopal priests their former Bishop Mark had a very hard time managing the whole diocese and worked hard to cover the hundreds of thousands of miles of land to visit parishes once annually. Can we imagine the work it takes one hierach to manage a diocese that large? Would anyone dare criticize any bishop who had to minister there--and if our criticisms are valid--would we say it to His Grace's face? What I am saying is controversial, but my question is why is everyone blaming His Grace? Strictness, exact services, Russian typikon, discipline--these are the reasons His Grace is being maligned? Interesting. So does economia mean that laxity, immorality, synergism, and abuse is to be tolerated amongst the clergy and laity in the Diocese of Alaska? Since Vladyka Herman has "replaced" Nikolai with an Administrator, how long will it be before His Beatitude is "replaced?" Do these head hunters not also want ++Herman on a stick? Is there any credibility in Headquarters to "replace" anyone? Get ready for schism in Alaska--and this only makes it Open Season for fringe Old Calendar "Russian" Churches or vagantes to claim the pick-ins--is that not the main reason why Headquarters is trying to do damage control? The loss of property and the standing of the OCA in Alaska would be devastating to the National Church--and now is the time for other Jurisdictions to do the harvesting--now that this mass hysteria about Vladyka Nikolai has swept the Diocese.

What a shame! This has got my Hungarian temper going! God save and help the Orthodox Diocese of Alaska!

In Christ,


Robert

*The Above is a Minority Position. I wrote this after great pangs of conscience--it was not easy. I hope that can be respected. The main issue for me is that Vladyka have a side in this media debacle. I have chosen to defend His Grace, because in my heart I find no fault in His Grace after all Vladyka helped do in Alaska. Thank you.

Metr. Herman has replied to Bishop Nikolai's letter. Please note that the Holy Synod of Bishops of the OCA was unanimous in their decision to depose him:

In a written response, the Metropolitan Herman agreed � somewhat.

"I agree that how we respond to these complaints will send a clear
message to all," he wrote. "We must ensure that the message sent to the church at large is that all Christians, no matter what their position in the church, are subject to the authority of the
Scriptures, our traditions, and the Holy Canons. You are required to leave the diocese immediately."
http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=5934

see also www.ocanews.org [ocanews.org] and www.oca.org [oca.org]

Unsuitable bushops have been removed in the past so this is nothing new in the history of the Orthodox Church.

Slava Isusu Christu!

For the record Vladyka was NOT deposed or suspended he was told to leave the diocese temporarily. Being deposed is much different than leave. And name one instance Vladyka violated the Canons of the Holy Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church which makes His Grace deposable. I am sure application of the Canons with strictness would depose all modern hierarchs, i.e. entering the temples of heretics and non-Christians, BUT we don't read them that way do we? Hmmm.

Why the anger over Vladyka's situation? Are you a gossip hound?

Do you like the smell of blood, because that is all I get from your post?

Just some thoughts?

Robert

IC XC

His Grace has just posted the 'riot act' to members of the Synod and the diocese that have caused such confusion within the Diocese: http://dioceseofalaska.org/pdf/03102008_letter.pdf

My personal opinion is that this is the beginning of a schism in the Alaskan Church and in the OCA. Syosset will probably have Vladyka suspended and illegally deposed without trial. He will find brother bishops in the OCA to create a new Synod and there you go--the diocese will be split down the middle and the money hungry lawyers will go to work. The reality is when Vladyka appeals to the ancient Canons--SVS trained canonists laugh. They will say Vladyka lacks historical consciousness and does not understand the context that the canons were written in, in order to apply them--which basically calls into judgement His Grace's ability to interpret and rule as ikon of the Great Teacher. This is the problem between Traditional Orthodox and so-called Modernist Orthodox--there is a different hermeneutical model used to view everything within the Tradition, including Canonical Law. Vladyka seems to be cut from a different cloth than most of the OCA hierarchs--perhaps he will ask to come under Patriarch Alexei's omophor--but I don't think the political system in Syosett will allow that--since they hold the Tomos of Autocephaly. This issue is very important ecclesiological subject and is vital for Orthodox Christians in America: what is the proper interpretation of the ancient Canons contra contemporary Synodical decrees and is the form of Church governance in the OCA canonical?

I believe Vladyka was honestly trying to raise the bar in the Diocese and he is being shot down by a *few, like Father Michael Oleksa and others who pulled some strings in Syosett to get him out of there. The OCA reminds me of an old Western movie--it's around high noon which bishop is goin' down. Lord have mercy. Sometimes I think I should have stayed in the Ruthenian Church, but alas I have chosen my lot. However, in my spirituality I am still Rusyn and still consider myself Ruthenian. This is probably one matter me and Vladyka would disagree, but I think Byzantine Catholics and Orthodox should be able to share people and priests without jumping ship--like they did in the Old country. And I didn't become OCA because I was changing religions, but because in Ketchikan there were no Byzantine Churches and I needed the Mysteries. I didn't renounce anything--no Isabel Hapgood. So I see myself as being in both worlds, probably like many Eastern Christians. This is off subject, but I tend to do that:)

I fully believe that the reason I am defending Vladyka and probably why I would defend any hierach before His Grace had a trial--is that justice requires it. And I didn't like everyone slamming Vladyka when His Grace basically helped transform the Diocese from a dilapidated old shack to a vibrant community and the people are crucifying Vladyka now because they want their Last Frontier Church with no interference. And ++Herman placing an already overworked Metropolia Chancellor as Administrator of the Diocese of Alaska will only make things worse and +Nikolai knows this. I mean who in the heck overworks a man like that--sheesh--poor Chancellor.

I know the Lord will work this out--in time.

In Christ,


Robert, Chief Among Sinners

From one with absolutely no fish to fry in this situation.

We do not know all the facts of the case , nor were we at the discussions about it.

What we all do know is that the First Hierarch of the OCA , having consulted with the rest of the Bishops, asked Bishop Nikolai to leave the Diocese whilst the matters were investigated. This was a request and I feel it was probably a reasonable one.

Once Bishop Nikolai refused the request, he was told that he was to leave the Diocese - this time it was not a request but an order.

Bishop Nikolai has refused to obey .

Now he has to face the consequences of this action.

Prayers for the members of the OCA in Alaska - they are the ones who are suffering in this

ICXC
NIKA

Than would that assertion not also invalidate your opinion in this matter? When Christians are effected by the actions of their leaders--they have a right to work out the issues in their own minds and hearts-even during the Most Holy Season of Great Lent. I believe my context within the Alaskan Church and one who commemorates Vladyka in my prayers everyday before the Ikon Corner--gives me suffiecient authority to form an opinion in this matter. Vladyka is my bishop and I support His Grace--no one else seems to support Vlayka vocally right now (?)--therefore, I will continue to support His Grace. In the last 10 years the internet has become the most powerful media to make people famous or destroy lives. I am doing a positive thing, by supporting Vladyka as innocent before being PROVEN guilty and by basically telling people that Christians don't go around destroying the good name of anyone, most especially their High Priests. Basic Christian behavior of even priests and bishops isn't being demonstrated anymore. And laity are acting like the Demos or Mob and lynching people without-facts ala your statement. Every Christian has a right according to Divine Law to know their leaders represent the True and Complete Faith. We are also obligated to be subject to the proper authority until it has been determined that they have lost jurisdiction.

In Christ,

Robert, Chief Sinner

Robert - no one is asking you not to support your Bishop.

You are in the area - we are not.

I'm sure we all realise that there are two sides to this dispute .

But since we do not know all the facts of the case we have to rely on the Hierarchs to make decisions - and they have.