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"We have concluded that when the principle of phyletism (i.e. ecclesiastical nationalism) is juxtaposed with the teaching of the Gospel and the constant practice of the Church, it is not only foreign to it, but also completely opposed, to it. We decree the following in the Holy Spirit: 1. We reject and condemn racial division, that is, racial differences, national quarrels and disagreements in the Church of Christ, as being contrary to the teaching of the Gospel and the holy canons of our blessed fathers, on which the holy Church is established and which adorn human society and lead it to Divine piety. 2. In accordance with the holy canons, we proclaim that those who accept such division according to races and who dare to base on it hitherto unheard-of racial assemblies are foreign to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and are real schismatics." Constantinople...1872
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    Antiochian Orthodox Christians for Accountability - Facebook

    Posted by from Facebook on 7/29/2009, 7:20 pm

    Antiochian Orthodox Christians for Accountability

    WELCOME:

    Thank you for visiting Antiochian Orthodox Christians for Accountability. Please be sure to read "Recent News" and "Wall Updates" below. We invite you to become a member and we'd love to hear from you.

    PURPOSE:
    The purpose of this group is to help bring awareness to sources of information relative to the crisis in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America and promote true accountability and transparency.

    ABOUT THE CRISIS:
    Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

    Many of you are aware that there has been some controversy in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCA) over the past few months. This controversy began on February 24th when the Holy Synod of Antioch resolved to "normalize" the status of bishops in the Patriarchate to auxiliaries. Some interpreted this resolution to apply to our diocesan bishops in North America. This would have essentially made their enthronements null and void, demoting them to the status of auxiliaries (bishops under the Metropolitan). The resolution brought much confusion for laity and clergy alike. It seemed to say that the "Self-Ruled Antiochian Archdiocese of North America" was no longer ruled by a synod of bishops but by the Metropolitan alone. Shortly after the resolution we began commemorating Metropolitan Philip alone in the Divine Liturgy and not our local bishops.

    Most of us are aware that something has changed, but we are not aware of the sad events that are now occurring (and have been brought to light) in our Archdiocese since the February 24th resolution. As members of one body, we must know what is wrong if we are to be well.

    TIMELINE:
    1. February 24th resolution made public.
    http://ocanews.org/news/TroubleinAntioch3.9.09.html

    2. Several bishops express major concern about the resolution. Metropolitan Philip asks them to sign a document agreeing to his interpretation of the resolution: 3 sign, 3 refuse.
    http://www.antiochian.org/node/19194

    3. Antiochian Board of Trustees ask Chancellors of the Archdiocese to render legal opinion: Chancellors state that the 3 bishops who signed were ill-advised. Calls interpretation of the resolution "folly." Metropolitan Philip berates chancellors. One chancellor resigns.
    http://ocanews.org/news/ChancellorsLetter5.17.09.html

    4. Diocesan Bishops are invited to Damascus to meet with the Patriarch (without Metropolitan Philip). Reports from Bishops Mark & Basil are very positive.
    http://www.antiochian.org/node/19443

    5. The Holy Synod of Antioch meets to discuss and further clarify the February 24th resolution. Several days later the Synod renders a statement on the role of bishops in the Patriarchate. This decision is celebrated by Bishops Mark, Basil, & Alexander:
    http://ocanews.org/news/BishopMarkStatement6.20.09.html

    6. Shortly after the above statement is released antiochian.org posts "alternative" statements said to have come from Damascus which contradict the above bishops' interpretations:
    http://ocanews.org/news/DidthePatriarchReallySayThat6.23.09.html

    7. Patriarch of Antioch says that the "alternative" statements are "not to be considered" (i.e. they are fraudulent):
    http://ocanews.org/news/DamascusSpeaks6.24.09.html

    8. Metropolitan Philip refuses to recognize official statement from the Patriarch and does not reveal that the alternative statements were fraudulent:
    http://ocanews.org/news/PhilipRefusestoAcknowledge6.24.09.html

    9. Archdiocesan Trustee sends threatening emails to dissenting priests and bishops. We learn that the Trustee is a convicted felon:
    http://ocanews.org/news/Khalifeemails7.1.09.html
    http://www.antiochianinfo.org/documents/IntroNAEntourageToDamascus.html#WK

    Other troubling news:

    Bishop Dimitri, former Antiochian Bishop of Midwest & Toledo (who was removed after being convicted of attempted 4th degree sexual misconduct and is a registered sex offender), has been reinstated in Mexico.
    http://ocanews.org/AntiochRomanCatholicScandal3.27.09.html
    http://pokrov.org/display.asp?ds=Person&id=14
    Contact Info
    Website:
    http://tinyurl.com/4accountability

    Link: Click here to visit Facebook

    Responses:

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