Faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, beloved in the Lord!

Just as the holy Apostle Paul addressed an appeal to the Christians of the Church of Corinth, so do we, the archpastors of the Russian Church Abroad, address ourselves to you: "I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (I Cor. 1: 10).

From the Apostle's words it is apparent that the Holy Church of Christ found it necessary from the very beginning to warn the Christians of the danger of divisions and schisms, and to call all to oneness of mind and love.

We, the hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia cannot remain silent when we see part of our beloved children falling under the pernicious influence of sowers of discord. We cannot fail to note how, through the wide dissemination of all manner of distortions and false interpretations -- especially on websites formed for this purpose on the internet, which are full of all manner of slander against the hierarchy of our Church Abroad -- ill-intentioned people are undermining the authority of the archpastors and the highest organ of its administration, the Council of Bishops.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the tumults among part of our flock are not so much arising because of a misunderstanding of the decisions adopted at the most recent Council, but are the result of a carefully planned and organized campaign, which has as its goal an attempt to destroy the unity of our hierarchs and our Church.

Several people of bad conscience have not even been ashamed to try to enlist the respected elderly Metropolitan in the "war" they have started, unconscionably taking advantage of his advanced age and abusing his trust.

Given the complicated circumstances which have developed, we see that it is essential to convoke an extraordinary Council of Bishops, which will meet from October 10th-23rd, 2001, in New York.

The most important act of the extraordinary Council will be the election of a new First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. This has been occasioned by the advanced age and frail health of His Eminence, Metropolitan Vitaly, who at the June 27/July 10 session of the Synod of Bishops requested that he be allowed to retire. The Synod of Bishops received the request of the Metropolitan with sympathy and understanding, and has entrusted to Archbishop Laurus, the First Deputy of the First Hierarch and the Secretary of the Synod, the temporary conduct of the administrative affairs of the ROCOR until the convocation of the extraordinary Council of Bishops.

During the pre-conciliar period, the name of the First Hierarch, Metropolitan Vitaly, must be commemorated at the divine services as before, without change. The name of Archbishop Laurus must be commemorated in all the parishes of the ROCOR after the name of the First Hierarch.

So as to avoid inaccuracy and possible new false interpretations, we, the hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, declare before the whole world:

1) Not one of the hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia is striving for a speedy unification with the Moscow Patriarchate. No "pro-Moscow" faction exists among us.

2) All the bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia categorically condemn the heresy of ecumenism and Sergianism.

3) There was no change of course for the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia at the most recent Council of Bishops. One need only attentively examine the Epistles of preceding Councils to be convinced of this. We advise those who desire to see more extensive extracts from these past Epistles to familiarize themselves with the "Appeal of the Pastoral Conference of the Diocese of Western America & San Francisco." One ought also to familiarize oneself with the explanations of His Grace, Bishop Evtykhy to his flock in connection with the resolutions of the Council.

4) With regard to our relations with the Serbian Orthodox Church, we state that relations between it and our Church are special, conditioned upon our historical closeness to the Church of Serbia, which once took the Russian Church Abroad and a multitude of Russian refugees under its loving wing and cared for us like a loving mother. Now, the Church of Serbia itself is undergoing a grievous trial because of the attacks of global powers on Kosovo and other parts of Serbia. During this difficult time, we cannot turn our back on her.

In connection with the limited participation of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the World Council of Churches, we have more than once addressed to the Patriarch and other Serbian bishops a statement of alarm and fraternal admonitions. One ought to note that the influence of the great theologian, Archimandrite Justin (Popovich), a strict opponent of ecumenism, is very great among the Serbian bishops, and we hope that it will soon bear its own fruit.

5) Accusations are being made against the Synod of Bishops, that it does not endure any criticism of its actions and is raining heavy punishments down upon those who believe differently. We declare that this is a slander originating with the enemies of our Church. The Synod of Bishops is not at all against the statement of other views by the faithful children of the Church Abroad, or even suggestions that it review one or another of the decisions adopted at the most recent Council.

However, when these expressions of disagreement take the form of an open call to rebellion against the Supreme Ecclesiastical Authority or incite the faithful to open schism, the Synod of Bishops is compelled to view this in a different way. When such statements are made by clergymen, who by virtue of their position have a greater influence upon the flock, and who are obligated by their oath, given by them at the time of their ordination, to remain in obedience to their hierarchy, the ruling bishops are forced to act more strictly. If admonition on the part of the ruling bishop does not bring to repentance the clergyman who is acting against his hierarchy, the bishop is obliged to take more decisive measures for the defense of the flock.

Regarding the situation which has developed within part of the Diocese of Western Europe, we state that the suspension imposed upon certain clergymen is not the result of their expressing their personal opinion, but only for their determined refusal to accept the ruling bishop appointed by the Council of Bishops, which is not allowed by Church order and the canons. Moreover, before such canonical suspensions were imposed, a whole series of steps and efforts were undertaken to convince these clergymen, who are waging an open rebellion against their Supreme Ecclesiastical Authority, to reconsider and repent.

6) The statement that the Council of Bishops is supposedly trampling on the concept of collegiality [sobornost'] ,by not taking into consideration the opinions of the "broad masses", has no foundation. We, the bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, always listen attentively to the voice of our faithful clergy and pious laity. However, it must be remembered that the ultimate resolution of questions within the Church falls under the authority of the Council and Synod of Bishops, and not under the authority of public opinion, which is sometimes artificially manipulated by provocateurs. The Church of Christ is not a democracy, and questions of Church life are not decided by a majority vote of the people. To make decisions under the pressure of a vocal minority which is pursuing its own definite objectives would not be collegiality, but force.

7) With regard to the reproaches addressed to the Council of Bishops, that it allegedly accepted too rosy a picture of the Church situation in Russia, we state that all of us know well both the positive and the negative aspects of life in our much-suffering homeland. Many of us have availed ourselves of the opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the situation directly, and all of us correspond with clergy and faithful in the homeland and follow developments occurring in Church life. At the most recent Council of Bishops we listened with attention to a whole series of reports on contemporary life in Russia, which expressed various points of view.

We confirm the decision proclaimed at the Council of 1981, which set forth our approach to the situation in Russia: speaking of events in much-suffering Russia, we do not draw a veil over reality, but speak the truth. We permit ourselves to speak openly of all the negative phenomena observable there. However, we do not confine ourselves exclusively to the negative aspects, which would be utterly unjust, but respond with joy to all the positive aspects. To view reality in our homeland through rose-colored glasses is a mistake; however, it is just as much a mistake to view Russia through dark glasses, seeing only what is negative.

8) As regards the yearning, expressed by the Council of Bishops, for unity in Orthodoxy, one must remember that the Holy Church prays for the unity of all at every service. This yearning for unity is a direct fulfillment of the words of the Savior, Who in His high-priestly prayer, which was directed to God the Father, prayed "that they all may be one" (Jn. 17: 21). This is also said in the Prayer for the Salvation of Russia, which is read at the Divine Liturgy: "that all in harmonious oneness of mind and unceasing love may glorify Thy most holy name..." And in the Prayer to the Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia, confirmed by the Council of Bishops in 1981, we quite openly express the prayerful request "that the schisms within our Church may be abolished."

The Holy Church has always yearned and striven to uproot all schisms and divisions and to establish unity unconditionally--unity in the Truth; for there can be no outward unity if there is no unity in the Truth.

It is for just this kind of unity in the Truth that we are striving. Living in the Church we must be filled with the spirit of the Truth and reject even the least suggestion of the spirit of falsehood.

We will now address some words in particular to our faithful clergy and flock located in our much-suffering native land. We always feel ourselves to be one with you, with all the believing Russian people. During these days of universal apostasy, which, through the pan-heresy of ecumenism, has even infected most of the Local Orthodox Churches, we must stand united, that the enemy of our salvation may not use our divisions to destroy the voice of our confession in the homeland and the Diaspora.

Duty-bound by our conscience, we again address a tearful appeal to the clergy who have departed from obedience to their lawful hierarchy: Forsake your destructive path! May God soften your hearts and give you understanding!

In conclusion, we address again to all of you, our beloved children, the appeal of the Apostle: "I beseech you, brethren, mark those who cause divisions and offences... and avoid them" (Rom. 16: 17).

Pay no attention to the various "Open Letters," "Statements," "Appeals," "Referendums" and "Pages for the Collection of Signatures," which are being disseminated on the internet and by electronic mail by various provocateurs, who sometimes even claim that their activity has received the blessing of the First Hierarch himself. Be careful, as the Apostle warns: "For those who are such... by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Rom. 16: 18).

Be steadfast in our Faith and in loyalty to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and its hierarchy, which has been ordained by God. Our Church has successfully weathered many grievous trials over the eight decades of its existence, at the hands of enemies from without and enemies from within. We are certain that, with the help of God, we will also overcome those we are experiencing today.

We trust in the Lord and in the Mother of God, the guide of the Russian diaspora through her miraculous Kursk-Root Icon of the Sign; and we pray that peace and oneness of mind will again come to dwell among all of our faithful children.

"Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ" (II Cor. 1: 2).

signatures:
Metropolitan Vitaly
President of the Synod of Bishops