> Some of the faithful fled the persecution and left Russia for other lands. Under the direction of St. Tikhon the last true Patriarch of Russia, an administrative organization of bishops was setup outside of Russia. This is the origin of what for decades has been called the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, or (ROCOR). Others call this remnant church of Russians who emigrated (ROCA) or the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.
Is this your church?
No, it is not. You must understand, that the vast majority of the groups in the world calling themselves Orthodox are apostates who have fallen away from Holy Church.
The Patriarchates of Constantinople, Russia, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Serbia, Romania, etc. are presently mired in heresy, betraying Christ.
This ought not be surprising to those who are familiar with the oracles, for it is written:
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
So you see, the holy Apostle speaks of those "having a form of godliness" but denying the power thereof.
This is what may be styled as the pseudo-Orthodox. Outwardly they may wear Orthodox vestments, appearing to be ministers of Christ, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. And we are commanded, "from such turn away."
So all true Orthodox Christians with discernment must flee heretical bishops who are not shepherds but wolves.
As we walk the unerring and life-bringing path, let us pluck out the eye that scandalizes us--not the physical eye, but the noetic one. For example, if a bishop or a presbyter, who are the eyes of the Church, conduct themselves in an evil manner and scandalize the people, they must be plucked out. For it is more profitable to gather in a house of prayer without them, than to be cast together with them, as it were with Annas and Caiaphas, into the gehenna of fire --St. Athanasius the Great, the "Father of Orthodoxy"
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves." What then (you say), when he is wicked should we obey? Wicked? In what sense? If indeed in regard to Faith, flee and avoid him; not only if he be a man, but even if he be an angel come down from Heaven; but if in regard to life, be not over-curious. --Holy Hierarch, St. John Chrysostom
Is the shepherd a heretic? Then he is a wolf, and it will be needful to flee and leap away from him, and not be deceived into approaching him, even if he appears to be fawning gently. Avoid communion and intercourse with him as snake’s poison: for fish are caught with hook and bait, while an evil intercourse, which contains the poison of heresy concealed therein, has captured many of the more simpleminded who came close and expected to suffer no harm. Wherefore it is fitting to avoid such men with all our might. Is the shepherd orthodox, does he bear the seal of piety, does he have none of the heretical crew trailing after him? Then submit to him, since he presides in the likeness of Christ. Thou doest honour not to him, if thou doest it with all thy soul: Christ receives it. Do not meddle in other matters. God is their examiner; leave the judgment to Him. Do thou, however, show him obedience and a pure disposition in accordance with thy love of Christ. --Holy Pillar of Orthodoxy, St. Photius The Great
Submit not yourselves to monastics, nor to presbyters, who teach lawless things and evilly propound them. And why do I say only monastics or presbyters? Follow not even after bishops who guilefully exhort you to do and say and believe things that are not profitable. What pious man will keep silence, or who will remain altogether at peace? For silence means consent. Oftentimes war is known to be praiseworthy, and a battle proves to be better than a peace that harms the soul. For it is better to separate ourselves from them who do not believe aright than to follow them in evil concord, and by our union with them separate ourselves from God. --St. Meletius the Confessor
All the teachers of the Church, all the Councils, and all the Divine Scriptures, exhort us to flee those who uphold other doctrines and to separate from communion with them. --Holy Pillar of Orthodoxy, St. Mark of Ephesus |
