21 July 2008. Out and About…

Russian expert warns about growing illegal arms trade

According to some estimates, the annual turnover of smuggled arms exceeds 1 billion dollars (23.187 billion roubles. 627.6 million euros. 499.3 million UK pounds). The US, for example, is very active in this lucrative business, supplying weapons to illegal armed groups in Asia and Africa. To stop this, the leading arms producers could sign an agreement providing special measures aimed at preventing illegal arms trading, Viktor Mizin, the head of the Russian Institute of Strategic Studies, believes. In an interview with of Russia, Mr Mizin noted that such measures should first of all be taken in the conflict areas and in the countries with totalitarian political regimes.

20 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29909&cid=47&p=20.07.2008 (in English)

Russian social development level remain high

The levels of social development in Russia in the first half of 2008 remained high. Real incomes of Russians have increased by 8.1 percent (adjusted for inflation). As of June, average salaries increased by 28.6 percent, the state statistics service reported. There was also registered a rise in retail trade turnover. The number of unemployed workers dropped 100,000.

21 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29929&cid=46&p=21.07.2008 (in English)

Russian foreign trade rises

Russian foreign trade in the opening five months was 47 percent up on the same period in 2007 to over 303 billion US dollars (7.025 trillion roubles. 190.163 million euros. 151.288 million UK pounds). Significantly, exports grew significantly faster than imports. The national debt is now down to 44 billion US dollars (1.02 trillion roubles. 27.636 billion euros. 21.98 billion UK pounds), which is almost 9 percent less than in January. The first half-year investment figure is up 17 percent. The numbers are from National Statistics.

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29954&cid=46&p=21.07.2008 (in English)

Brzezinski says that US troop surge in Afghanistan may damage America’s international image

Former White House national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski believes a proposed troop surge in Afghanistan would further damage America’s international image whilst doing nothing to defeat terrorism. He said this to The Financial Times in an interview Monday. His opinion comes one day after Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama backed proposals to deploy two more US brigades to Afghanistan.

21 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29956&cid=45&p=21.07.2008 (in English)

Voice of Russia World Service

Latvian emergency workers catch alligator in public pond

“Will you be my neighbour?”

Latvian firemen and veterinary workers caught an alligator in a small pond in the suburbs of the capital, local emergency services said on Monday. The five-foot-long reptile gave residents a fright in a small community near Riga, who immediately called emergency services. The crocodile was caught with a net, transported to a local zoo, and examined by medical personnel. Police are still unsure how the animal ended up in the pond, but, they suspect it could have been kept by a nearby resident as a household pet, and escaped. Cases of alligators being kept as pets are extremely rare. Even in the United States, where there are reportedly eight million pet reptiles, only a few are alligators or crocodiles.

21 July 2008

http://en.rian.ru/world/20080721/114560984.html (in English)

RIA-Novosti

Festival “Baltic Seasons”: Our Favourite Time of the Year

Denis Matsuyev (1975- ), pianist, honoured artist of Russia, winner of the 1998 Chaikovsky Competition

The Arts Festival “Baltic Seasons” is one of our favourite times of the year. Most people in Kaliningrad, the westernmost city in Russia, would agree. For the fifth time, this regional arts festival, the largest in the country, is being held, and it shall run through October. Due to its historical connections, this Russian enclave on the Baltic coast centred on the city of Kaliningrad (formerly, the Prussian/German city of Königsberg) has more and durable cultural contacts with Western Europe than it does with metropolitan Russia. This festival, “Baltic Seasons”, helps to fill this cultural gap, presenting to audiences in Kaliningrad oblast the stars of Russian art and music. This year is noted by the presence of many young performers, typified by the pianist Denis Matsuyev. He is a true virtuoso, one of the most acclaimed musicians on the contemporary world stage, and he has gathered about himself a veritable host of the brightest stars of classical music.

Mr Matsuyev asserted, “There are many artists who bring lustre to Russian performing arts throughout the world, but, unfortunately, the Russian public doesn’t always have the chance to hear them. In a very real sense, we fill that niche here. When we started the “Baltic Seasons” festival, we were able to introduce the people here to not only the best musicians, but, also to the best actors. Besides showcasing the leading lights from the finest theatres of Moscow, St Petersburg, and other large Russian cities, by the second season of the festival we were also highlighting the stars of the future, the students from the theatrical institutes throughout Russia”.

This year, the fifth season of the “Baltic Seasons” opened with appearances by renowned musicians, the Virtuosos of Moscow Chamber Orchestra directed by Maestro Vladimir Spivakov and the folk-instrument quarter Terem from St Pertersburg.    

18 July 2008

Yekaterina Andrusenko

Voice of Russia World Service

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=rus&q=77477&cid=24&p=18.07.2008 (in Russian)

Former Air Force Commander says that Russia needs bombers in Cuba due to NATO expansion

Tupolev Tu-95 strategic bomber, of the same vintage as and equal to the US B-52, both the Buff and the Bear have more mileage in them yet

The possible deployment of Russian strategic bombers in Cuba may be an effective response to the placement of NATO bases near Russia’s borders, a former Air Force commander said on Monday. The Russian newspaper Izvestiya earlier on Monday cited a senior Russian military source as saying that Russian strategic bombers could be stationed again in Cuba, only 90 miles (145 kilometres) from the US coast, in response to the US missile shield in Europe.

“If these plans are being considered, it would be a good response to the attempts to place NATO bases near the Russian borders”, General of the Army Pyotr Deinekin told RIA-Novosti. “I do not see anything wrong with it because nobody listens to our objections when they place airbases and electronic monitoring and surveillance stations near our borders”, he said. However, General Deinekin said the possibility of Russian bombers being stationed in Cuba is largely hypothetical, because Russian Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic bombers are both capable of reaching the US coast, patrolling the area for about 1.5 hours, and returning to airbases in Russia with mid-air refuelling.

Russia resumed strategic bomber patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans last August, following an order signed by former President Vladimir Putin. Russian bombers have since carried out over 80 strategic patrol flights and are often been escorted by NATO planes. General Deinekin suggested that Cuba could be used as a refuelling stopover for Russian aircraft rather than as a permanent base, because the Russian political and military leadership would be unlikely to take such a drastic step under current global political conditions.

In October 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the US and the USSR to the brink of nuclear war when Soviet missiles were stationed in Cuba. The crisis was resolved after 12 days when the Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev, backed down and ordered the missiles removed. Moscow had a military presence on Cuba for almost four decades after that, maintaining an electronic listening post at Lourdes, about 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) from Havana, to monitor US military moves and communications. Russia paid 200 million dollars (4.643 billion roubles. 125.52 million euros. 99.8 million UK pounds) a year to lease the base, which it closed down in January 2002.

21 July 2008

RIA-Novosti

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080721/114527149.html (in English)

21 July 2008. A Shot of Culture, if you please…

Griboyedov Festival in Smolensk oblast

Aleksandr Griboyedov (1795-1829), Russian diplomat and playwright

An all-Russian Griboyedov Festival will be held in the Khemelita museum-reserve in Smolensk oblast on Saturday. Among its participants shall be poets, writers, scholars, actors, and admirers of the Great Russian writer and diplomat, Aleksandr Griboyedov, the author of the comedy Woe from Wit. Khemelita is the estate of Griboyedovs. It was built by the grandfather of the playwright, Fyodor Griboyedov in the 18th century.

19 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29895&cid=51&p=19.07.2008 (in English)

“Baltic Seasons” Festival in Kaliningrad

Königsberger Dom

The Russian Academic Symphony Orchestra of St Petersburg, directed by Maestro Yuri Temirkanov, performed in the city of Kaliningrad on Saturday to mark the beginning of the 5th “Baltic Seasons” Festival. The company will give a few more concerts as a part of the festival. The audience will listen to music of Chaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Khachaturyan. The Baltic Seasons Festival in Kaliningrad, which traditionally brings together leading theatre and musical groups from all over Russia, will last until November.

20 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29901&cid=51&p=20.07.2008 (in English)

Renowned Russian film director turns 70

Aleksei German (1938- ), honoured film director

The renowned Russian film director Aleksei German is celebrating his 70th birthday. Each of his films was a major cultural and social event. In Soviet times, German’s films Chekpoint and My Friend Ivan Lapshin were banned as ideologically harmful. At present, he is working on the adaptation of the Strugatskis’ novel It’s Hard to Be a God. The son of a popular Soviet-era writer, German pursues themes explored by his father.

20 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29915&cid=51&p=20.07.2008 (in English)

Moscow Circus in Japan

This “look” translated from “Tiger”: “Hello, Food!”

The Moscow Circus presented a performance of 17 Amur tigers and tightrope-walking bears in Tokyo as a part of the Festival of Russian Culture, which was a joint project of the Russian and Japanese governments. It brought together prominent Russian actors and performers of different genres. 

21 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29926&cid=87&p=21.07.2008 (in Englsh)

Chinese and Russian filmmakers to cooperate on film

Town scene in Yunnan

The local officials of the Chinese city of Xishuangbanna in south-western Yunnan province want to remake the film A Path Through the Jungle, produced by Chinese and Soviet film makers in 1959. Currently, they are negotiating the terms of a contract with Russia. The new film will narrate the history of the Chinese region, located on the Laos-Burma border. 

21 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29926&cid=87&p=21.07.2008 (in English)

Ronnie Wood leaves Russian fiancée to return to wife

Ronnie Wood (1947- ), rock guitarist, member of the Rolling Stones

Ronnie Wood, 61, guitarist of the legendary Rolling Stones rock band, hopes to reconcile with his spouse after a love affair with 19-year-old Russian Katia Ivanova. Currently, Wood is again seeking help for his battle with alcoholism in a rehabilitation centre. 

21 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29926&cid=87&p=21.07.2008 (in English)

Moscow to host Eurovision-2009

Moscow won the right to host the next Eurovision Song Contest in 2009. According to Prime Minister Putin, this was possible after the city radically improved its infrastructure and Russian singer Dima Bilan won the top prize at Eurovision-2008 in Belgrade. An expected 25,000 spectators will watch performers from 43 nations compete in the main arena of the Olympic Stadium in the Russian capital. The international television audience may amount to 100 million. The figures are from Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Zhukov. 

21 July 2008                                                             

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29958&cid=51&p=21.07.2008 (in English)

Voice of Russia World Service

Russian Golden Ring town opens Cucumber Festival

The eighth international Cucumber Festival opened on Saturday in Suzdal, one of the historical Golden Ring towns to the northeast of Moscow. Guests at the festival will be offered a variety of cucumber dishes, and even cucumber jam. The event includes competitions for the best cucumber meal and the best cucumber-style costume. A Scandinavian folk group from Finland will perform on behalf of a similar vegetable-themed event, the Kerava Garlic Festival traditionally held in August. The Finish town near Helsinki has been hosting garlic parties for 20 years. Swedish and Danish visitors, as well as folk groups from throughout Russia are also taking part in the Suzdal festival. The author of Suzdal’s first chronicle described the town, founded 984 years ago, as the most favourable place for planting cucumbers, which were first brought to Russia from India in the 13th century.

19 July 2008

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080719/114420453.html (in English)

Moscow to host next year’s Eurovision song contest

Luzhniki Olympic Stadium, the venue for the next Eurovision Song Competition in 2009

Moscow has been chosen ahead of other Russian cities bidding to host the 2009 Eurovision song context, Prime Minister Putin said on Monday. Mr Putin made the announcement at a meeting of the Russian inner Cabinet. Several Russian cities applied to host the event after Dima Bilan won this year’s contest in Belgrade. Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Zhukov said the strongest rival bid came from St Petersburg. Mr Zhukov, charged with overseeing preparations for the event, said Moscow’s Olimpisky sports complex would be the likely venue. Contestants representing 43 countries will take part in the contest. Its final is scheduled for Saturday, 16 May next year. Dima Bilan won the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest on 24 May, beating 24 contestants to claim his country’s first win in the event with his heartfelt ballad I Believe. Bilan received 272 points from telephone voters for his stage show that also featured Hungarian violinist Edvin Marton and famous Russian Olympic figure skating champion Yevgeny Plyushchenko.

21 July 2008

Monument to spaghetti to go up in Russia

A monument to spaghetti is to be unveiled in a village near Borovsk, a city south-west of Moscow, the project organiser said on Monday. The three-meter (9.8 feet) metallic sculpture portrays two pieces of pasta, one shaped like a smile, the other coloured red. A man and a woman sit on the edge of the “smile” eating pasta. The monument, designed by Ukrainian sculptors, will be unveiled on Saturday. Yevgeny Yegorov, the organiser of the project and also a keen spaghetti eater, said the Italian dish symbolises worldwide unity. The ceremony dedicated to the opening of the monument coincides with the start of a local food festival, “The world of spaghetti”. During the festival, a total of 15,000 visitors will be able to try different kinds of spaghetti.

21 July 2008

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080721/114528168.html (in English)

RIA-Novosti

21 July 2008. A Day at the Races…

Russians and Chinese in joint swim meet across Amur River

An international swim meet involving Russian and Chinese swimmers across the River Amur will be held in the Amur oblast on Saturday. The event is devoted to the Beijing Olympic Games. 75 athletes from each country will take part in the Druzhba swimming meet, an event held since 2001. Russian swimmers start from the bank of Amur in Blagoveshensk, whilst the Chinese hit the water on the opposite bank near the city of Heihe. In fact, business, cultural, and sport ties between Blagoveshensk and Heihe have developed greatly in the past few years.

19 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29896&cid=52&p=19.07.2008 (in English)

Povetkin beats Taurus Sykes from US

Aleksandr Povetkin (1979- ), Russian heavyweight boxing contender (left)

Russian boxer Alexander Povetkin, who many see as the leading contender in professional boxing’s heavyweight division, beat Taurus Sykes from the US during a bout Sunday in the town of Chekhov, Moscow oblast. Now, Povetkin is preparing for a fight with Vladimir Klichko in the autumn.

20 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29902&cid=52&p=20.07.2008 (in English)

Pallada is in Guinness Book of World Records as world’s fastest tallship

The Russian sailing vessel Pallada is now in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s fastest tallship. It won the entry after posting 18.7 knots while under sail across the East China Sea to Shanghai. The ship is in the ninth month of a circumnavigation around the globe. The starting point was Vladivostok on the Russian coast of the Sea of Japan.

21 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29953&cid=52&p=21.07.2008 (in English)

Voice of Russia World Service

EP Hopes for a Local Church in the Ukraine

Bobrok Volynsky, Hero of the Battle of Kulikovo (Viktor Matorin, no date (2000s?)). If the following is true (please, God, let it not be so!), this is what the treacherous Phanariots of the EP face. We shall hold the banner of Christ high!

Moscow, 21 July 2008 (Interfax):

The EP is optimistic that a Local Church shall be created in the Ukraine (that is, uncanonically abolishing the canonical MP church: editor’s note). “Patience and faith shall find their reward, for there shall be a united Local Church created in the Ukraine, for all true Christians and patriots who love their country are striving for this”, according to a statement of the EP published on the official website of Ukrainian President Yushchenko. It noted that “the long and complicated chronicle of Ukrainian Christianity is ambiguous from a historical viewpoint, for frequently events did not evolve in a manner favourable to Constantinople and Kiev”.

The authors of the document continually speak of the Church in the Ukraine as the “Kiev Metropolia”, and “our spiritual daughter”, and although they recognised that “there were misunderstandings”, they emphasised that, over the entire millennium of its existence, the Ukrainian Church never “renounced its connection to its Mother Church, the EP. Kiev always showed a proper obedience to the patriarchal throne, it heeded its orders; it did nothing to injure the Orthodox pleroma. Even in the confused situation we see today, when Ukrainian Orthodoxy is divided into three branches (only the MP body is canonical, as the authors of this document know right well: editor’s note), those who revive and restore Ukrainian traditions do not manifest stupid intolerance and aggressiveness to brothers united in the faith”, the statement said.

It must be noted that the statement made above, “Ukrainian Orthodoxy is divided into three branches” implies that there is no difference between the canonical Ukrainian Autonomous Orthodox Church of the MP and the uncanonical schismatic “Patriarchate of Kiev” and the “Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church”.

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=25583 (in Russian)

Editor’s Note:

I fervently hope that the above is a sleazy fiction ginned up by a Uniate or schismatic crony of Yushchenko. The EP must denounce this immediately and absolutely. Otherwise, it is an open declaration of war on the truth, let alone an assault on the MP on its legitimate canonical territory. This is reprehensible, vile, and totally in league with the Evil One and his designs. The EP is not the “Universal Patriarch”, a designation condemned by the late Archpastoral Council in Moscow. If it comes to that, we must stand firm for Orthodoxy, and fight for it, if we must. Please, God, let the EP withdraw this satanic document, or, it shall come to that, I fear.

Orangies may ban Rock Concert to Celebrate the 1,020th Anniversary of the Baptism of Russia

A rat listens to His Master’s Voice… Yushchenko waits for the latest tune from Bush and Rice

Kiev, 21 July 2008 (Interfax):

Vasili Gorbal, a deputy from the Party of Regions and organiser of the gala rock concert to take place in Kiev during the celebration of the 1,020^th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia, featuring such popular as DDT, Bratya Karamazovy, and SKAI, fears that the event may be banned by the pro-Western Orange government. Speaking to our Interfax correspondent, Mr Gorbal stated that the installation of the stage on Independence Square should begin on Tuesday. However, he said, “Odd problems with the delivery of the necessary documentation occurred”.

Mr Gorbal noted that the organisers of the concert asked permission from state security to hold the event on Friday. At the same time, Yuri Bogutsky, the deputy of the secretariat of the President of the Ukraine and deputy head of the committee for the celebration of the 1,020^th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia, suddenly “suggested” that Mr Gorbal either select another date for the concert or change the venue. Mr Gorbal emphasised that this proposal was “not justified under any circumstance”. He said that the authorities did not give or deny permission for the concert. “This answer bewilders me”, Mr Gorbal added.

The stage on Independence Square shall be used after the concert for the official ceremonial send-off of the Ukrainian Olympic team to Beijing. In Mr Gorbal’s opinion, if the concert is banned, and the stage is not set up on the Square, it shall disrupt the planned festivities for the Ukrainian Olympians. A tour of rock musicians supported by the Church started on 29 April, and it is scheduled to end on 26 July in Kiev.

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=25578 (in Russian)

Editor’s Note:

Why do I smell a schismatic or Uniate in all of this? If Yushchenko listens to “His Master’s Voice” (Bush/Rice), it shall be a blow to the already-shaky relations with Russia. His position is so weak that it could bring the Orangies down. For his own preservation, Yushchenko should think again…

Hieromonk Agafangel in Anadyr Finds that the “Anathema” of Bishop against Patriarch Aleksei is Nonsense

OMONovtsy, “black berets”, Russian élite combined SWAT police/Special Ops force under the MVD

Moscow 21 July 2008 (Interfax):

Sources in the MP say that Bishop Diomid of Anadyr and Chukotka, who recently placed Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and all Russia under an “anathema”, should be considered to have denied both his baptism and his ordination to the clergy. “No one can give a straight answer to the following question. If Diomid anathematised the patriarch and all of his predecessors since 1918, and he said that his spiritual enlightenment over the years has led to a gradual understanding that the MP is heretical, then, was he not baptised and ordained in a ‘heretical association?’”, Hieromonk Agafangel Belykh, the rector of the Cathedral of the Transfiguration in Anadyr (where Bishop Diomid previously served), posted on his internet-site. Fr Agafangel also denied rumours reported in various media outlets that when Archbishop Mark of Khabarovsk and Priamursky arrived in Anadyr at the beginning of July he was accompanied by the OMON (élite paramilitary security police under the MVD, the “black berets”: editor’s note). “Some wrote that allegedly I said, ‘The OMON came with us from Khabarovsk, as we feared what the local believers would do’. That is utter rot. I came from Moscow, not Khabarovsk, and I can tell you that no OMON came with me”, he wrote.      

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=25562 (in Russian)

Editor’s Note:

An interesting question from Fr Agafangel… If the MP was graceless, then Diomid was not baptised, nor was he ordained. Ergo, he was no clergyman, not even an Orthodox Christian, he was only a loud Protestant layman dressed up in Orthodox finery, according to his own reasoning! The logic is inescapable. The heretics ALWAYS catch themselves in their own nets! As for the OMON… there is no doubt that there is an OMON detachment in Anadyr, and they were ready to rumble if some of Diomid’s more rabid supporters tried something funny. No doubt, the “word” was passed on “the street”, and no one tried any games as a result. Sanity prevails…

World Conference of Anglican Bishops Opening in Britain is Likely to Result in a Schism amongst Anglicans

Archbishop Peter Akinola (1944- ), Anglican primate of Nigeria, a true hero standing against indifferentism

London, 20 July 2008 (Interfax):

This weekend, in Canterbury in England, Anglican bishops from throughout the world gathered for the Lambeth Conference, an event held every ten years. About 200 bishops are boycotting the forum as a protest against the increasingly liberal tendencies of the Anglican Community. Rt Rev Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, opened the meeting, and he greeted participants and observers from the Roman Catholic Church, Local Orthodox Churches, and various Protestant denominations. 

Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and all Russia sent a message to the forum. He said that its participants “bear an enormous historical responsibility”, as they have to “decide between a traditional and Biblical interpretation of Christian morals and a tendency that mistakes sin and permissiveness for demonstrations of love and tolerance”. In his opinion, the decisions of the Lambeth conference “are extremely important for the entire Christian world, as further relations between the various Christian Churches and the Anglican Communion largely depend on them”. The outcome of the Lambeth Conference shall be especially meaningful for the MP, he said, as the history of Russian contacts with Anglicans dates back to the 16th century and “was traditionally warm and full of mutual understanding”.

Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev (1966- ), Bishop of Vienna and Austria, MP Representative the European International Organisations, MP Observer at the Lambeth Conference

The Lambeth Conference runs until 4 August and observers believe it can result in a schism within the Anglican Church. “The Anglican Communion is on the verge of a schism. In fact, a schism is virtually in place, and the absence of 200 bishops is an eloquent testimony of such”, Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev of Vienna and Austria, an MP observer at the Lambeth Conference, told our Interfax-Religion correspondent. He informed us that many Anglican bishops from Africa are absent from the conclave in Canterbury, including the entire Nigerian episcopate, who decided to boycott the Lambeth Conference as a sign of protest against the increasingly liberal tendencies found in the Anglican Church. “The Anglican schism reflects the situation found today in the whole Christian world. The polarisation between traditional and liberal visions of Christianity is more explicit, and, today, the Anglican Church must choose which of these two options to embrace”, Bishop Hilarion said. He concluded by saying, “Unfortunately, however, a choice has been made already, and the recent resolution of the Anglican General Synod to ordain female bishops, in particular, is evidence of that”. 

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=dujour&div=245 (in Russian)

Editor’s Note:

This is a sad outcome for Lambeth. I fear that the only voices most Anglicans are going to hear on this issue from Orthodoxy are ex-Anglican neophytes (anyone of less than ten-years-standing is a neophyte) and they are not going to hear the true voice of the Church. I bow before all my Anglican friends and ask your forgiveness. Such people should have been muzzled, but, they were not, especially not amongst the so-called Antiochians (which has led to the witticism “Angliochians” amongst grounded Orthodox).

The most reprehensible thing that these people have brought in is a Protestant-style proselytism that is not Orthodox as all. Intriguingly, the true story of some of this lot is even loopier than the worst fears of grounded Orthodox. Take the so-called EOC (“Evangelical Orthodox Church”), a group unwisely accepted by AOCANA in the late 80s. This group called themselves Evangelicals, but, in reality, they were nothing but a squiffy lot of vagante Old Catholics, with no ties to the Apostolic Church at all. Indeed, the self-consecration of their “bishops” was nothing but an abuse similar to that of the Ukrainian samosvyatsy.

So, I warn my Anglican friends, not all who call themselves “Orthodox” are truly such and you should be suspicious of any so-called Orthodox who hangs about Anglican forums. In most cases, they are crass proselytisers and best avoided. Indeed, something that most grounded Orthodox have noticed is that most of these folks claimed to be “conservative” Anglicans, and, now, they support the radical liberal wing of Orthodoxy. Therefore, I believe that they are perpetual malcontents, and I do daresay that most Anglicans have said, “good riddance to bad rubbish”, and if we tried giving them back, you would say, “no, thank you very much, you CAN keep them (as far away from me as possible)”.