I Have Resigned the Holy Priesthood
On Tuesday, April 3/16, 2013, the Holy Synod of the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of America heard my petition to resign the Holy Priesthood for personal reasons, and accepted it. I have been returned to the lay state. I realize this will come as a surprise to many of you, but it was not a decision taken lightly or quickly. I remain a member of the Orthodox Church, under my diocesan bishop, His Eminence Metropolitan Pavlos. Please keep me in your prayers.
As far as this website is concerned, I intend to continue using it as an avenue to develop my writing career. I’ve always enjoyed writing, and while I am no longer a priest, hopefully I can still use my writing skills for the glory of God and His Holy Church.
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I mean no disrespect, but I have a question: how can the Orthodox claim the rue mantle of faith, when they have such divisions in the world? Until now, brother in Christ, I have never heard of such a jurisdiction: Holy Synod of the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of America.
Perhaps Rome is correct after all? They have unity in all countries in which the Church resides. God bless you on your journey.
Ben, thanks for writing. I think a proper response requires its own post, so I will be brief here.
Rome’s unity is a false unity. You have Traditional Latin Mass types in communion with Hans Kung types. As long as they are under the Pope, you are ok. The Vatican doesn’t cut heretics off readily enough for fear of rocking the boat. Big tent = good in their view.
Orthodox cut off communion with heretics. So what if the heretics still call themselves Orthodox? I can call myself a Baptist, but that doesn’t make me one. We have to look at who confesses the right faith, based on public confession, and make a decision.
Also, there are plenty of examples in Church history of people breaking communion even with Rome when they felt Rome was in error. For instance, Pope Vigilus signed the condemnation of the Three Chapters at the 5th Ecumenical Council, and the Archbishop of Milan broke communion with him in protest. Obviously back then, there was no notion that “we have to be under Rome to be Catholic” and breaking communion with a heretic was seen as the right course of action (even though in this case, the Archbishop of Milan was wrong).
I will stew over this and write a fuller post sometime after Holy Week. Thanks for writing.
I just learn of this today (July 20. 2013) on your newly discovered blog. May God’s grace lead you into all future endeavors.
Thank you for your kind words and prayers, Nathan.