Regarding Patriarchs

From the Rudder (Canons)

What is said of the Patriarchs in existance (at the time the Canons were written) is also true of the independent Patriarch's, then and now, that is to say, the Autocephalous Patriarch's.

Due to the continued attacks on the members of the first Synod of the Church, the lack of Christian compassion and love for their fellow man by those older established orthodox jurisdictions who decided they did not want to recognize the canonically established Church in the New World and did want to profit from the wealth found in America the Patriarch has issued the following Declaration;

On Feb. 2nd, 1927 our Mother Church was established by the Russian Orthodox Synod of Bishops in North America (Moscow Patriarchate) as an Autonomous and Autocephalous Church. The reasons were clear that an independent American jurisdicion was needed to be the Anchor of Orthodoxy in the New World. Instead of accepting the American Church the old world ethnic jurisdictions, following the lead of the Ecumenical Patriarch, created a Schism in American Orthodoxy thus separating themselves from the Body of Christ and the Sacred and Divine Canons. They remain in Schism today.

Archbishop Ofiesh of the Syrian Mission who was a member of the Russian Orthodox Synod was appointed to head this new Church. This new Church was established, in part, due to the turmoil in Russia.

In 1933 Archbishop Ofiesh stated publicly in the newspapers that "God told me to Marry" and he did. This upset many clergy from the various Orthodox jurisdictions. They Orthodox Synods failed to demand he appear at a Tribunal so his marriage was in fact the return to an old Orthodox tradition - Married Bishops - which was allowed in the early Church. Since no Tribunal was ever called no Orthodox Synod could depose or excommunicate Abp. Ofiesh canonically and no one bishop could canonically remove another bishop.

What has been overlooked intentionally by all who attack Abp. Ofiesh and this Church regarding his mariage is the simple fact that the Church "does not recognize civil marriage" and Abp. Ofiesh was married in a civil ceremony. These so called ethnic clergy will recognize his civil marriage as long as they can use it to benefit their church and to attack, defame and insult a canonical bishops memory over 40 years after his death. While he was alive no synod ever called a tribunal so he died a canonical bishop. But he was treated in an unchristian manner by so called good orthodox christian clergy. SCHISMATIC CLERGY!

Some members of the independent movement have claimed that Bp. Sophronius removed Abp. Ofiesh as well as Bp. Ignatius from the Synod but that could not legally and canonically be done.

Some also claim that Afimios retired and turned the Church leadership over to Bp. Sophronius but there are no records of this. Bp. Sophronius came East to assist the Archbishop who placed himself in a semi-retired position while awaiting a Tribunal - which never came about.

Records are somewhat confusing at some points. Some claim Sophronius died in 1934, which is mentioned in the Biography written by Marion Ofiesh. Others claim he died in 1940 and some will claim he was consecrator of Christopher Contogeorge. The document we saw for Contogeorge's consecration was on the Letterhead of Theophan Noli and bears the signature of (a) Sophronius which could indicate a co-consecrator or a witness. What is plain is that only 2 bishops were party to this ordination contrary to the canons of the Orthodox Church. We could find no proof showing a Mandate was issued by this Synod for this Ordination either.

The Church has received a letter from a Roman Catholic diocese that our clergy may offer communion within our liturgy to Catholics and our clergy have been asked to concelebrate the liturgy with Roman Catholic clergy. Other documents are also in our archives showing Catholic recognition.

The Synod has attempted to establish communication with other traditional Orthodox Churches. We have acted to end non-traditional activities within the Church such as the varied liturgies previously used. Under our present leadership the Synod has approved the use of the Western Rite St. Andrew Service Book of the Antiochian Christian Archdiocese. This is the only canonically approved Western Rite for use in the USA at this time. The ROCOR rite is also being considered. We use the Byzantine Uniate Eastern Liturgy also.

Due to the unchristian actions of clergy of the OCA and Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese we have no interest in any communication with the ethnic or scoba jurisdictions who violate the canons and attempt to usurp our authority and who continue to attack our first Synod members, who have been dead for over 40 years, in an attempt to put us down as not being canonical or who we are so they can claim they are the American Church, which is a lie!

We seek former Catholic and Orthodox seminary students and clergy, as well as other qualified individuals for Holy Orders.

If you have any questions about anyone claiming to be a member or clergyman of this Church do not hesitate to e-mail us at the address at the bottom of this page.

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