Orthodox and Catholics Intend to Develop Unified Strategy in Building Dialogue with the EU

Last Tuesday, in Brussels, the first working meeting between the heads of mission of the Orthodox churches in the EU and Fr Peter Mazurkiewicz, the General Secretary of the Commission of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (COMECE) took place. “Both parties noted the importance of the historical moment associated with the promulgation of Article 17 of the Lisbon Treaty. As that mandates the regular dialogue of EU institutions with churches and religious communities, we decided to begin preparations for a joint position to provide us with guidance in dealing with the EU”, one of the meeting’s participants, Fr Antony Ilyin, the Acting Representative of the MP to the EU, told our Interfax-Religion correspondent on Thursday.

Rev Mazurkiewicz briefed Orthodox representatives with project proposals prepared by COMECE. “During the discussion, the participants stressed the importance of harmonising the voices of the Christian churches in the EU in structuring an institutional dialogue with the EU, highlighting the importance of the joint testimony of the Orthodox and Catholic churches, as we have a common ground on the most topical issues”, he said. He told us that the parties agreed that the establishment of a “common framework for future dialogue should not exclude the possibility for each of the churches to build their own relationship with the EU institutions on a bilateral basis”.

As Fr Antony noted, “Any consultation with the inter-Christian NGO based in Brussels should take into account the fact that the position of such an organisation cannot replace the individual position of each member church or denomination. However, a common approach to dialogue with the EU will be effective and legitimate only if a multilateral format of interaction exists between all the missions of the various churches active in Brussels”. In addition, he continued, those at the meeting expressed the hope that the registration of religious missions to the EU institutions should take into account the identity of churches precisely as religious communities, who give a special contribution to European society (as reflected in Article 17 of the Lisbon Treaty). Therefore, he said, “To equate churches with lobbying organisations or interest groups is incorrect”. Following the meeting, the participants decided to hold joint consultations annually each December on a regular basis.

26 November 2009

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=33094

Editor’s Note:

The above is NOT an example of ecumenism, nor is it an indication that relations between Orthodox and papists have suddenly thawed. It’s a case of inter-religious cooperation; it’s gone on for centuries. There is no theology involved at all; it’s a matter of coordinating a common approach to a shared political problem. Of course, the usual cast of suspects is going to crow about “improving relations” between the Vatican and us, but, saner heads know that framing a common position on political cooperation is not the same as coming to agreement on theological disputes. The papists are not going to abandon any of their distinctive positions, and, frankly, neither are we. Let’s be blunt, fences make for good neighbours. Forthright people have fewer disagreements than do the mealy-mouthed and syncretistic. Honestly, there are many differences separating papists and Orthodox, and they are not minor. Indeed, we show disrespect for our neighbour if we minimise such. I take the position one should assume that a member of a particular group agrees with the stance of that organisation… otherwise, why be a member? Therefore, I tend not to bring up such differences in personal communication (which this is not). If I read a papist article saying that we Orthodox are schismatical, it bothers me not in the least. It’s their viewpoint, after all. You were expecting otherwise? People get on much better if they admit their differences… then, there’s fewer toes stepped on and fewer bruised egos.

Barbara-Marie Drezhlo

Saturday 28 November 2009

Albany NY

Patriarch Kirill Opposed the Decision of the Strasbourg Court to Ban Crucifixes from Italian schools

Patriarch Kirill Gundyaev (1946- ) of Moscow and all the Russias

Patriarch Kirill Gundyaev of Moscow and all the Russias expressed his solidarity with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in regards to his opposition to a recent court ban on the display of crucifixes in Italian schools. “The Christian heritage of Italy and other European countries should not become a subject of dispute in European human rights institutions”, the letter of Patriarch Kirill to Signore Berlusconi stated, as published on the official website of the MP. This was the official response of the MP to the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights on 3 November on a suit brought by an Italian citizen, which argued that the presence of crucifixes in public schools violated her human rights.

“The presence of Christian religious symbols in European public places is part of a pan-European identity. Why, if they were gone, we could not conceive of either the past or the present or the future of the continent. We should not install an anti-religious ideology using as a pretext the secular nature of the state. That explicitly violates societal tranquillity by discriminating against the religious majority in Europe… who are Christian”, Patriarch Kirill said. He declared his “full and unconditional support” of the Italian government’s intention to appeal this decision to the Large Chamber of the European Court. “European democracy should not encourage Christianophobia, imitating theomachistic regimes of the past”, His Holiness emphasised. In addition, he said that the MP intends, in cooperation with the Catholics, to bring to the attention of the European and world public its “categorical rejection of such decisions”, as well as “to stimulate discussion of the practises of the European Court of Human Rights in various venues”.

26 November 2009

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=33093

The Russian Army Announced the Introduction of Military Chaplains

Get in shape, Batushka! Don’t mess with the best!

Before the end of 2009, chaplains will be assigned to foreign bases and with the Russian forces in the North Caucasus, and, in 2010, military chaplains will be introduced throughout the RF Armed Forces. On Wednesday, State Secretary Nikolai Pankov, the RF Deputy Defence Minister, announced this new development in the Russian forces during a Roundtable entitled “The Task of Public Service Expenditures in Forming a New Image of the Armed Forces”, which took place at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. Mr Pankov noted that the decision to introduce the military chaplains was taken after lengthy discussion, RIA-Novosti reported.

25 November 2009

Voice of Russia World Service

http://rus.ruvr.ru/2009/11/25/2410733.html

On Euthanasia and Crosses in the EU

Socialist Deputy Manuel Valls (1962- ) (centre) of the French Assemblée Nationale (the lower house of the legislature), sponsor of pro-euthanasia legislation in France.

Deputies of the French Assemblée Nationale rejected a bill proposed by Socialist deputy Manuel Valls, which advocated the establishment of “medical care for those wishing to die with dignity”, that is, the legalisation of euthanasia. 326 Deputies voted against the bill and 202 voted in favour of the legislation. “Every adult person with serious conditions may seek medical help to die with dignity”, the bill stated. Today, euthanasia is legal in some European countries, in particular, the Benelux countries and Switzerland.

The Spanish government intends to ban Christian symbols in schools, hospitals, prisons, and barracks. Spanish media reported that ministers of the government would no longer take their oaths of office using the Bible and the crucifix. Currently, the government is considering appropriate amendments to the Law on Freedom of Conscience. In 2008, the City Court of Valladolid, in response to a lawsuit of a group of parents, ruled that a private school had to remove all crucifixes from its classrooms. This decision provoked criticism from the Vatican and Catholic clergy in Spain.

The Spanish Constitution, adopted in 1978, guarantees freedom of religion with the stipulation that “no religion can have the status of a state religion”. However, it declares that the government must “take into account the religious beliefs of Spanish society and to cooperate with the Catholic Church and other religions”. In September, a survey showed that nearly 75 percent of Spaniards consider themselves Catholic, although only 15 percent attend Mass every Sunday, and 55 percent “almost never” do so. 20 percent of Spaniards identify themselves as atheists.

On 3 November, the European Court of Human Rights prohibited the display of crucifixes in Italian public schools in response to a suit filed by Soile Lautsi. She complained that Christian symbols in schools where her children attended prevented them from receiving a secular education. The government of Italy announced its intention to appeal the verdict of the court.

25 November 2009

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=33057

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=33066

The Word and the Bullet: A Priest was Shot in the Church

Mourners at St Thomas church in Moscow paying their last respects to Fr Daniil Sysoev.

Last Thursday, Moscow priest Fr Daniil Sysoev was killed in St Thomas church in the south of the capital. The thirty-five-year-old priest was shot in front of the altar.

Overcast skies poured a lachrymal drizzle on the ground as a couple of young people with a bunch of bloody-coloured carnations left the Kantemirovskaya metro station. I asked them, “Excuse me for asking, but, are you going to pay your respects to the murdered priest?” They responded with an affirmative nod of the head. The onion dome atop the little wooden church of St Thomas rested on the low sky; a police cordon in the courtyard channelled a crowd of people clutching armfuls of flowers to the entrance to the church. A loudspeaker carried the soft voice of a priest serving a Pannikhida for the murdered Fr Daniil. The church was so packed with people that there was no room to move. “We’ve come to say goodbye to our Batushka”, softly murmured a young woman in a black shawl.

Investigators have already established that on 19 November 2009, at 22.40 MSK, a young man wearing a surgical mask over his face entered the church. At this late hour, only the rector, Fr Daniil Sysoev, and Choir Director Vladimir Strelbitsky were in the church. “Where’s Sysoev?” the killer asked with a marked Caucasian accent. Fr Daniil stepped forward, the intruder fired and hit him in the neck, and he fell to the floor near the iconostas. The killer fired again, seriously injuring the choir director, then, he quickly left the church.

Many believe that Fr Daniil’s vigorous missionary activity was a motive for the murder. Everybody knows that he preached amongst Muslims and that he went on missionary visits to Muslim areas. Fr Daniel actively posted on the Internet; he had a blog where he wrote frankly about his life, doing his best to express his thoughts, feelings, and experiences. “I have news for you, today. You’ll laugh, but, they threatened to kill me, yet again. This time, it was over the phone. Well, I’m tired of it. This was the fourteenth time. I’ve become used to it, but, the sooner it’s all over, the better. So, I ask you all to please pray…” This is from the slain priest’s blog, which he posted on his online journal on 19 October.

Damir Gizatullin, the Deputy Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of European Russia, said, “This murder and the fact that Muslims convert to Christianity are in no way connected. In Russia, there are twenty-five million Muslims {Editor’s note: The correct figure is ten million, some 7 percent of the population of the RF per Professor Roman Silantyev.}, and the eighty people who were baptised by Fr Daniil are a drop in the ocean”.

Patriarch Kirill Gundyaev of Moscow and all the Russias instantly responded to the murder of a priest (in a strange coincidence, it happened on his birthday), saying, “Any lawless taking of a human life is a grave sin. However, the murder of a priest in the church is also a challenge to God’s Commandments; it is a desecration of the Lord’s shrine. This sin will not remain without divine vengeance. I also hope that the perpetrator shall face man’s justice. However, as long as the perpetrators are unknown, I ask everyone to refrain from any hasty accusations and harsh judgments against any other persons or groups”.

Mother Olga Gobzeva, Chairman of the Coordinating Council of women’s charitable organisations of the MP, said, “Those who hate priests are like those who hate the motherland. Very often, our priests stand at the forefront of our lives. The murder of Fr Daniil confirms once again the strength and loftiness of our church. Indeed, fear not those who kill the body; rather, be afraid of losing your soul. He was killed because he carried his word beyond the walls of the temple, for which he paid for with his life. We always seem to stymie ourselves and box ourselves into a corner, but, nothing can smother God’s sovereignty and the human spirit”.

The Investigative Committee of the RF Procurator’s Office is examining the facts surrounding the crime. Vladimir Markin, the Head of the Department for Interaction with the Media of the Investigative Committee, said, “We’ve put our best people to work on this case. Investigators are studying footage from CCTV cameras on the buildings near the church. Perhaps, we’ll find something that will help the investigation. Detectives are checking every possible lead in this murder”.

They shoot the Word… his enemies hated his strength and truth. Apparently, the testimony of Fr Daniil Sysoev and his missionary activities were stronger than the darkness. Once again, apparently, the darkness tried to spit in the face of society.

A Short C.V.

Fr Daniel Sysoev was born in 1974 in Moscow; his father was Russian, his mother Tatar. In 1991, after graduating from secondary school, he entered the Moscow Theological Seminary. In 1995, he became a deacon; in 2000, after graduating from the Moscow Theological Academy with a kandidatura {Editor’s note: Equivalent to the Western PhD, but more rigorous.} in theology, he was ordained a priest. Fr Daniil is the author of over thirty books and booklets against creationism and sectarianism. A widow and three young daughters survive Fr Daniel.

23 November 2009

Aleksandr Yaroshenko

Rossiyskaya Gazeta (The Russian Newspaper)

As quoted in Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=print&div=10658

He Wasn’t Afraid: Rector of the Parish was Shot Dead after 14 Threats

Fr Daniil Sysoev (1974-2009)

Yesterday, St Thomas church in south Moscow was open so that people could pay their last respects to the rector of the parish, Fr Daniil Sysoev. On Thursday evening, an unidentified offender shot him dead right inside the church. According to the most common story circulating, religious hatred motivated his murder. Fr Daniil, well known for his uncompromising attitude towards Islam and sectarianism, repeatedly received threats.

The attack on 35-year-old Fr Daniil occurred at about 22.40 MSK (19.40 UTC 14.40 EST 11.40 PST) at St Thomas church on Moskvorechie Street, where he was rector. Evening services had ended, and only a few people remained in the church. According to eyewitnesses, a young man entered the church wearing a surgical mask, a fashion now adopted by many Muscovites. Taking out his gun, the unknown assailant went to one of those present and loudly asked (with a Caucasian accent), “Where’s Sysoev?” The priest was at the altar where he was receiving the confession of a parishioner, and when he heard the noise, he came out from behind the screen.

Directly, the intruder opened fire. He shot Fr Daniil in the neck, and shot Choir Director Vladimir Strelbitsky (who was standing next to him) in the head. The killer walked calmly over to the fallen men on the floor, and, once again, asked loudly, “Where’s Sysoev?” He then shot Fr Daniil in the head. Then, he turned on his heel, walked rapidly to the door, and disappeared.

Parishioners at the church carried the wounded men out to the street and hailed a passing ambulance, which took them to City Hospital No 12. Fr Daniel, without regaining consciousness, died two hours later. Mr Strelbitsky received an emergency operation, and, according to doctors, his life is out of danger.

According to preliminary data, police found four spent 9 mm cartridges and two deformed slugs in the church. Experts believe that the murderer used a semi-automatic Makarov pistol, as shown by the spent ammunition. Because the perp wore a mask, none of the witnesses could really describe his appearance. In this case, as it turned out, the church was not equipped with cameras.

Almost immediately, the SKP said that the most probable scenario is that it’s a murder motivated by religious hatred. Fr Daniil was active in missionary activities amongst Muslims, and, according to his associates, he was one of the most effective and active clergymen of the MP in this regard.

Eighteen months ago, he kicked off Orthodox missionary courses at his parish, and, later, initiated them in several other Russian cities. Repeatedly, Fr Daniil participated in religious debates with Muslims and published a booklet that strongly opposed many Islamic teachings. He opposed sectarianism just as strongly; he spoke against the pagan so-called Slavic Neo-Pagan movement.

As he said shortly before his death, Fr Daniil received death threats from Muslims by phone and e-mail at least 14 times. The first time it happened was about five years ago, after a public debate with Ali (Vyacheslav) Polosin, a former Orthodox priest who converted to Islam. The most recent death threat to Fr Daniil came in a phone call on 9 October from an unknown “defender of Islam” who promised to kill the priest if he continued to speak about Islam as he had been doing.

“I’m not afraid anymore. Five years ago, I was. Now, I’m just used to living under constant threat. After all, it’s not only the authorities and me, but, also, Muslims themselves, that attest to these threats. Everything’s in the hands of God. If that’s so, I’ll immediately go to heaven without tribulations. That’s great!” Fr Daniel wrote in his Internet blog on 9 October. In a recent interview, Fr Daniel explained that, a year ago, the FSB told him that they thwarted an attempt against his life, one that he himself didn’t know about.

Spokesmen of all religious faiths condemned the murder of Daniil Sysoev and it has stimulated a loud public outcry. “I strongly condemn the tragic death of Fr Daniil Sysoev at the hands of murderers. However, as long as the perpetrators are unknown, I ask everyone to refrain from any hasty accusations and harsh judgments against any other persons or groups”, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all the Russias said. “Fr Daniil was a zealous pastor, who laboured in the field of education and who gave himself to the service of God and mankind. Many Orthodox Christians flocked to him with love, seeking spiritual guidance, inspiration in the faith, and teaching on the right path to take in life”, said Vladimir Legoida, the Director of the Information Department of the MP.

“Islam or pious Muslims had nothing to do with this heinous crime. We believe that the murder of even only one person is the same as if you murdered all of mankind. We oppose all forms of terrorism and extremism; Islam condemns terrorism in the most absolute terms. On the behalf of the Muslim clergy, I wish to express my condolences to the Sysoev family and its friends, and to the members of the Russian Orthodox Church, in connection with this tragedy”, said Mufti Ravil Gainutdin, the Chairman of the Council of Muftis in Russia.

“We are outraged by the fact that this heinous crime occurred in the holy temple, and this abominable blasphemy casts a shadow over all honest people. There is nothing more ungodly than the murder of a priest in the temple, as there is no excuse for this crime, not in the eyes of the people, nor before the Almighty Creator. The fact that this premeditated murder occurred on a festival day, your birthday, indicates that it is a crime of provocation, a challenge for the Moscow Patriarchate, those who serve as priests, and all those who want to see the spiritual space of Russia free and who wish the recovery of the roots of its traditional beliefs”, Mufti Talgat Tazhduddin, President of the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia (TsDUMR) wrote in a letter to Patriarch Kirill.

The ceremony of the Last Farewell for Daniil Sysoev happened yesterday at St Thomas church. Hundreds of people came to give him their last respects. His funeral begins today (Monday 23 November) at 10.00 MSK at the Ss Peter and Paul church in Yasenevo, where his father, Fr Aleksei Sysoev, serves as rector. Patriarch Kirill shall attend at least part of the ceremony. The burial of Fr Daniil, who left a wife and three small children, will be at Kuntsevo Cemetery.

23 November 2009

Anatoly Karavaev

Vremya Novostei (News Time)

As quoted in Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=print&div=10657

Editor’s Note:

People queued up outside St Thomas church to pay their last respects to Fr Daniil.

There has been much irresponsible talk by some so-called Orthodox pinning the blame for this crime on Muslims without any evidence to back their accusations. Let’s look at the bare facts. A young man wearing a dark jacket and jeans with a surgical mask over his face walked into St Thomas church. The mask caused no particular notice because many people are wearing them because of the present flu epidemic. He shouted, “Where’s Sysoev?” Fr Daniil came forward (probably from the area of the kliros, for reports say that he stepped out from behind a screen), and the perp fired quickly without aiming carefully. Then, the perp walked calmly to the fallen priest, asked, “Where’s Sysoev?” again, and fired another shot (a coup de grâce?). He then left the church rapidly, but, without hurry. No one knows anything further.

There is no indication of what faith the killer held, if any. We do know that witness reports indicate that he had a “Caucasian” accent… Chechens and Georgians have distinctive accents (often used by Russian humorists for comedic effect, by the way). The only things that we know definitively are that the killer wore a mask, that he used a Makarov PM pistol (due to ballistics tests run on the bullets found at the scene), that he appeared to be in his 20s, and that he wore dark clothing. He wasn’t agitated, he didn’t run off in a panic, and he didn’t fire wildly. It appeared to have happened in a flash. The whole incident, start to finish, took less than 30 seconds, I’d say. The people were stunned, and, by the time they recovered, he was gone. It’s now a week after the crime, and one notes that the police have announced nothing publicly.

This is not the way of it in a “normal” murder, according to an acquaintance of mine in the NY State Police. He says that murderers are usually family or friends of the victim, or they are criminals who kill in the commission of another crime. “Cold killings” are very, very rare, according to him, and I believe it. He also thinks that either the detectives are close to finding the killer or they have hit a roadblock. Look at the facts given above. There’s not much to go on, is there?

St Thomas church is near a metro stop on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line, Kantemirovskaya. It is also located in the midst of a residential area with apartment blocks all around, as is evident from photographs. The murder took place at a time when third-shift workers are out getting ready to go to work. Anyone dressed in a nondescript fashion, as was the killer, would go unnoticed, either on the street or on the metro platform. Kantemirovskaya station is only five stops from the Paveletskaya metro stop, which has connections to Paveletskaya railway station. This station has departures for both electrichka service to the suburbs and long-distance trains to the Volga region, the Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. It also has an express train that runs to Domodedovo Airport. In short, the killer could have gone a very long distance from Moscow in very short order. Add to this the fact that there are dumps for construction debris near the church (a handy place to chuck the gun, I would say); the cops have their work cut out for them.

So… do we have ANY solid information that a Muslim killed Fr Daniil? NONE. In fact, the above information leads one to believe that this was a pro hit. Cui bono? Who benefits, indeed! All those screaming for Muslim blood had best shut their mouths until solid facts emerge. As for those who won’t shut up (if you don’t like rude words, please, avert your eyes from the following sentence… there’s no other way of saying it, I’m afraid, excuse me)…

EAT SHIT AND DIE, YOU IGNORAMUSES.

(You may start reading, again. I apologise for the rudeness.)

It’s time for all decent folk of every background and faith (or, of no faith at all) to bury the dead, comfort the grieving, and aid the widow and her children. All others may most sincerely go to hell.

Barbara-Marie Drezhlo

Wednesday 25 November 2009

Albany NY

Shot as a Result of the Missionary Project of the Church: The Exacerbation of Sectarian Strife with the Increasing Clericalisation of Russia

Fr Daniil Sysoev (1974-2009) at a recent pro-life rally in Moscow.

Editor’s Foreword:

I don’t particularly agree with Mr Melnikov’s thesis… however, I am not presenting hagiography. Read it… it stimulates thought. In any case, this is not available in English, so, I had a DUTY to present it. In any case, the antics of so-called Orthodox screaming for Muslim blood on the internet and calling all who oppose them “dhimmis” is reprehensible, nasty, and not Christian in the least. It makes all decent people hurl in disgust. I am not afraid to speak my mind on this (I’m a figure of obloquy of that lot, any road… see if I care, punks).

Barbara-Marie Drezhlo

Wednesday 25 November 2009

Albany NY

******

Today was the funeral of Fr Daniil Sysoev, who was killed by an unknown assassin on Thursday evening. During the past few days since the murder, people made numerous judgements and comments about the tragedy. After the first emotional remarks, one heard statements from religious leaders and politicians, which clearly tells us that very different forces would like to use this tragedy to their advantage.

The Council of Muftis of Russia asked us not to link the murder with the Muslim community. RF Gosduma Deputy Vera Lekareva urged the Government to strengthen measures to counter so-called new religious movements, what she called “sects”. Vladimir Zhirinovsky said that the murder was a reaction to the recent decision to abolish the death penalty by the RF Constitutional Court.

Of course, Patriarch Kirill remarked on this crime. The Patriarch said that this tragedy couldn’t be more painful, and not just because it happened on his birthday. Fr Daniil Sysoev was one of the most active and committed representatives of that wing of the MP that sees active missionary work as the most critical task facing the Church. This group of hierarchs and priests receive special support from the current First Hierarch of the MP.

Over the past few years, many priests of the MP were killed in Russia at the hands of burglars and other intruders. There have been many arson attacks on Orthodox churches; it appears that members of Russian neo-Nazi and neo-heathen groups were responsible. The death of Daniil Sysoeva could ignite a much more dangerous conflict between the two largest religions that would be perilous to both our society and the state. It’s no accident that Patriarch Kirill urged people to refrain from making hasty accusations against individuals or groups in connection with the murder of Fr Daniil.

Perhaps, we shouldn’t focus on stereotypical accusations against mythical “Satanists”, which the missionary media of the MP usually resorts to in such cases, followed by the repetition of the same by some of the TV channels immediately after the tragedy. Everyone who is familiar with church life knows the scope of the missionary intent of the murdered priest. He publicly declared that he sought to convert Muslims to Russian Orthodoxy. He baptised Tatars, and debated practising Muslims, both personally and through the forum in his missionary blog.

I must say that the actions of Daniil Sysoev evoked the fury of a certain segment of Muslims. A female Muslim journalist initiated a lawsuit against the priest. Several Islamist internet news portals led a media campaign against him. Some Russian Muslim public figures and journalists stated that the tenor of his activities is hostile, and that they oppose such so-called “Islamophobia”. The writings of Muslim intellectuals in Europe inspire them in this debate. “Jihad” against alleged violations of the rights of Muslims in the Old Continent has become the background against which minarets multiply and Christian churches close in European capitals.

Islamic radicals would like to transplant the acute disputatiousness that one observes in some Muslims resident in Europe to Russia, deepening conflict with every little incident. Such efforts by Islamists made the missionary activity of Daniil Sysoev much easier.

Of course, not only Sysoev aggravated and irritated the Islamists. Some circles in the Church share his ideas for the evangelisation of the followers of the Prophet Muhammad. Thus, one of the prominent figures of the Church declared not so long ago that Kyrgyzstan should become an outpost for the mission of the MP in Central Asia.

“We must firmly keep in mind and know that the way to serve Christ and His Church is always associated with confession and even martyrdom. The tragic death of Fr Daniil should not turn our hearts to fear and cowardice or weaken our zeal in doing the work of God”, said the statement on the death of Daniil Sysoev by Patriarch Kirill.

I am sure that the appeal of the Patriarch shall have an effect. Orthodox public organisations known for their uncompromising attitude and fighting spirit in missionary work announced today they would organise a procession… rather, a flash-mob protest against the killing of a priest.

In future, I wouldn’t like to report similar cases of “martyrdom” for the glory of whatever faith. As everybody knows all too well, the memory of religious violence gives rise to a desire for revenge. I don’t want to see the tragic death of a priest, whoever was responsible for it, to end in irregular militias standing guard in the churches and mosques, and Russian cities divided into Christian and Muslim enclaves resembling modern Beirut.

23 November 2009

Andrei Melnikov

Nezavisimaya Gazeta (The Independent Newspaper)

As quoted in Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/cis.php?act=print&div=10656

A Biography of Fr Daniil Alekseyevich Sysoev

Fr Daniil Sysoev (1974-2009) speaking at a public gathering

Born: 12 January 1974 Moscow

Died: 20 November 2009 Moscow

Biography

In his own words, he is “half Russian, half Tatar”. His father is a priest, Fr Aleksei Sysoev. Fr Aleksei is rector of the church of St John the Divine at the Yasenevo Orthodox classical gymnasium and a clergyman of the Ss Peter and Paul church in Yasenevo. His mother, Anna Midhatovna Amirov, teaches Orthodox catechism at the same school.

He graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy in 2000 with a Kandidatura in Theology. {Editor’s note: Literally, a kandidat is a “candidate member of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, equivalent to a Western PhD, but, perhaps, a bit more stringent in requirements and more rigorous.} His thesis was entitled, The Anthropology of the Seventh Day Adventists and the Watchtower Society and its Analysis.

His career as a cleric began in 1994, when he became a reader. In 1995, he received ordination as a deacon, and in 2001, as a priest. He is married and has three daughters. Fr Daniil Sysoev actively engaged in missionary work among Muslims, and converted many to the Orthodox faith. He held a conservative stance towards yoga exercises, karate, Latin American dance, and belly dancing, urging Christians not to attend these classes. Rev Sysoev was critical of the Darwinian theory of evolution

Fr Daniil was the rector of St Thomas parish; he developed an active missionary movement, which included training Orthodox “street missionaries”, whose task was to attract people to Orthodoxy by appealing to passers-by on the street.

On 19 November 2009, D. A. Sysoev was mortally wounded in St Thomas church by two shots from a pistol (other sources say that four shots were fired). The masked assailant managed to escape. At 00.20 Moscow Standard Time on 20 November 2009 (21.20 UTC 16.20 EST 13.20 PST, all of these 19 November), Fr Daniil died on the operating table.

At present, detectives believe that the most plausible explanation for the crime is that the murderer had a religious motivation for the killing. Earlier, members of various extremist groups repeatedly threatened Rev Sysoev. “Fr Daniil was a prominent figure amongst the Moscow clergy, creative and vigorous, and a true preacher and missionary. I think that he was murdered because of his strong views”, said Fr Vladimir Vigilyansky, a spokesman for the MP. Indeed, Rev Sysoev himself stated that he had received death threats on 14 separate occasions.

Church of the Apostle Thomas

In 2005, the Moscow city government allocated the community led by Fr Daniil Sysoev 0.5 hectares (a little under 1.25 acres) of land near the Kantemirovskaya metro stop on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line for the construction of a stone church dedicated to the prophet Daniel. By November 2006, the parishioners had cleared all of the undergrowth and debris on the site and erected a temporary wooden church dedicated to the Apostle Thomas. The parish runs missionary courses, singing lessons, iconography classes, and a scout group. In 2009, four years after the allocation of land, the Moscow City Department of Environmental Management believed that the community was in violation of environmental legislation, although many use the floodplain of the Chertanovka River as a dump for construction debris. The Department stated that the land at this location should be a park and nature reserve, and the construction of a church would result in irreparable harm to the unique natural habitat. In August 2009, deputy prefect of YuVAO stated he approved in principle for the construction of a church in Kantemirov district, and, during public hearings on the new Master Plan of Moscow, residents demanded that a church be part of the draft General Plan.

Criticism

In 2007, Mufti Nafigulla Ashirov, Co-chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia, sued in court [against Fr Daniil] for his book Marriage to a Muslim, which, he said, contained expressions offensive to Muslims. Journalist Khalida Khamidulina accused Fr Daniil of inciting hatred of Islam in his publications and filed a suit in court against him. At the same time, Neo-Nazi groups expressed their displeasure with the Fr Daniil’s views and ultra-rightwing Orthodox publications criticised him for his anti-monarchist position. In addition, some spokesmen for Old Ritualists {Editor’s note: These are mistakenly called “Old Believers” in Western circles… all too many of them are nothing but Protestants in Orthodox drag.} expressed a negative assessment of D. A. Sysoev. They believed that he attacked their faith, considering his publications on Old Ritualists as “slander against the Old Orthodox Church”. {Editor’s note: The so-called Old Orthodox Church is not in communion with any of the recognised Orthodox Local Churches. It is a sect of popovtsy (“priested”) Old Ritualists, in opposition to the sort known as bezpopovtsy (“unpriested”). The latter are literally what their Russian name indicates… they are priestless. The former have a hierarchy ordained by a renegade Orthodox bishop in the old Hapsburg Empire. Neither group is in the Church, as I said above, no Local Church considers them Orthodox. Neophytes should best avoid both sorts. Don’t be fooled by their icons and chanting… they are nothing but Protestants who reject the Church.} They accused him of poor reasoning, faulty judgement, and distortion of historical facts.

Works

1. Прогулка протестанта по православному храму (A Walk from the Protestant to the Orthodox Church) (Moscow, 2003, 144 pages) ISBN 5-94264-009-2 {Editor’s note: “Church” in this case is khram, not tserk, so, the meaning is “church building”, not “Church”.}
2. Брак с мусульманином (Marriage to a Muslim) (Moscow, 2006) ISBN 5-98988-007-3

Wikipedia (in Russian)

http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%94%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B8%D0%BB_%D0%A1%D1%8B%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B5%D0%B2

I’ll be Home for Christmas!

A Christmas Homecoming (Norman Rockwell, 1948). This is an interesting painting. The people who Mr Rockwell used as his models were his familiars; in fact, the fellow with a pipe facing the embracing couple is the artist himself! On the left, the elderly woman in the old-fashioned dress is Anna Moses (“Grandma Moses”) (1860-1961), the famous American naïve-folk artist. Mr Rockwell and Ms Moses lived close to one another, she in Hoosick Falls, NY and he is Stockbridge MA, both towns are in the Berkshires (they are both close to my home in Albany and Nicky and I have motored through both more than once).

I’ll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents by the tree

Christmas eve will find you
Where the love light gleams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

I’ll be Home for Christmas

Jordin Sparks

God bless us, every one!

Tiny Tim Crachit

Let’s begin by looking at a dispatch from Interfax. The full text follows below.

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British Bishops Fear that the New Equality Act will Ban the Public Celebration of Christmas

British Catholics are seriously concerned that the new Equality Act’s adoption will lead to a ban on public celebrations of Christmas, so it doesn’t offend members of other religions. According to the Conference of Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, the bill, supported by MP Harriet Harman, the deputy leader of the Labour Party and the Minister for Equality, would have “dire consequences” for freedom of religion. The Equality Bill obliges all public bodies to ensure equal treatment of all and fight discrimination, writes the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph.

“Today, under existing legislation… local authorities urge people not to display Christmas lights, so as not to offend Muslim neighbours, and refrain from using the word ‘Christmas’… If the new law is really designed to ensure equality, we must do everything possible to avoid dire consequences for the freedom of religion”, read the appeal of the British Catholic Bishops to Parliament. The Catholic bishops also expressed concern that the law would oblige church day-care centres for the elderly to remove crucifixes from the walls, so as not to offend atheist employees. Recently, such a case occurred in a British hospital.

19 November 2009

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=32949

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We saw that some uppity judges are trying to ban crucifixes in Italian schools. Here, we have a multi-culti PC punk attempting to abolish any public manifestation of Christianity “so as not to offend Muslim neighbours”. These people are determined and serious in their intent to root out the public expression of Christianity. Firstly, let’s get our rage out of our system so that we think clearly.

*&@% You!!

Now, we all feel better after expressing our frustrations; let’s get down to business. If public expressions of Christianity offend certain Muslims (who are not the majority of that group, I must add), I suggest that they move to those Islamic countries that ban such exercises. I say to such sorts, “If you live in a country where the majority is Christian, you must keep your mouth shut when the majority publicly celebrates the holidays of its faith. Our ancestors died in battle against Islam to secure our right to practise our faith and we aren’t going to bow the knee to a loud and unrepresentative minority. If you wish to stay here because you earn more money than you would in your homeland… you must also accept that this place is Christian and you must accept the consequences of that. If not… Leave! Don’t let the door hit you in the arse as you leave!”

In short, “good riddance to bad rubbish”. The courts and their sycophantic apologists are forever mooning about the rights of this-or-that minority. I agree with Archbishop Ieronymos Liapis, “Majorities also have rights”. You tell ‘em, Vladyki! It’s time for real Orthodox to link arms with all other real people of good will. However… we have quislings in our ranks. Such sorts as SVS and their fellow-travellers elsewhere mewl their modernist rot… it’s nothing but the materialist mantra in religious drag. They don’t wish to miss the next conference, seminar, or “workshop”, don’t you see.

By their fruits, ye shall know them… indeed! Reflect on that the next time you hear some pseudo-intellectual (religious or secular, it doesn’t matter) yapping about the “rights” of some minority against society. It’s because they hate Christendom (the public display and exercise of Christianity) and wish to kill it! Ponder that some of those doing such yapping are so-called “Christians” (they are found mostly amongst seminary faculty… a feckless and dreary lot in all confessions)… it’s a meaty question to consider, isn’t it?

I’ll be home for Christmas…

CHRIST IS BORN!

KHRISTOS ROZHDAYETSYA!

GLORIFY HIM!

SLAVITE YEGO!

That’s what I have to say on the matter. I don’t think that offended anyone. If it did… nuts to you. I am a Christian, no one is going to tell me otherwise… and I’m not going to be quiet either!

Stand tall… and remember… He’s making a list and checking it twice (and I DON’T mean Santa). Which side are you on?

Barbara-Marie Drezhlo

Thursday 19 November 2009

Albany NY

‘Taint Necessarily So…

I believe the cats… however… do you believe the OCA’s lawyers? Hmm…

The OCA’s lawyers have given us an interesting point to ponder. Look at the quote below…

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Key documents in the Koumentakos case (read about that story here) were posted on the internet on Friday, September 18th, just a day after it was reported that Fr Raymond Velencia, one of the major figures in the case, was elected to the OCA’s Metropolitan Council as the clergy representative from the Diocese of Washington. The documents include the OCA’s motion for Summary Judgement, and three affidavits from the key players in the lawsuit: Metropolitan Herman (in his capacity as Diocesan Bishop), Fr Joseph Lickwar, Chancellor of the then-Diocese of Washington-New York (and current Chancellor of the Diocese of New York-New Jersey), and Fr Constantine White, then-Dean of the Washington Deanery (newly-appointed as Chancellor of the Diocese of Washington).

The motion for summary judgement by the OCA’s attorney, John McAuliffe, states that as the OCA, as a matter of law, “did not employ Fr Velencia, nor have authority to hire, fire, retain, supervise, or control Father Velencia’s daily work activities”,  the OCA should be released from the Koumentakos lawsuit.  The motion argues on the well-known basis of In Jones v. Wolf (1979) decision of the US Supreme Court that “the First Amendment to the Constitution prohibits civil courts from resolving disputes on the basis of religious doctrine and practice”. Arguing that the “First Amendment further requires that civil courts defer to the resolution of issues of religious doctrine or polity by the highest court of a hierarchical church organization”. The lawyer argues that to the extent Koumentakos seeks to impose some type of religious or moral duty on the OCA to investigate these matters at issue, the Plaintiffs have wrongfully sought to “impose some type of religious or moral duty on the OCA”.

The judge agreed on the basis of this religious exception, and released the OCA from this case.

What has raised eyebrows, however, are some of the assertions in the motion.  “As set forth above,” McAuliffe writes, “(the) OCA is a New York corporation created by New York statute. It does not operate in the State of Maryland. Various dioceses around the country choose to adhere to the moral and canonical doctrine adopted and propounded by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America. However, each diocese is a separate legal entity. (The) OCA has no more authority to regulate the diocese than it has to regulate Microsoft”.

The legal point may be accurate, but, where is the moral integrity behind such a statement? One can claim, perhaps accurately, that these are just the words of a non-Orthodox lawyer, not an ecclesiological statement, but, public words matter.  Is the OCA really only a collection of autocephalous dioceses? By allowing such statements, the OCA may win a battle, but, we risk losing the war.

Equally disturbing are the affidavits of Metropolitan Herman, [and] Frs Lickwar and White. If the OCA could accurately claim from a legal standpoint it did not have responsibility over the pastoral actions of Fr Velencia, that such matters were the responsibility of the Diocese,  one wonders how, in good conscience,  Metropolitan Herman, the Diocesan Bishop, Fr Lickwar, the Chancellor, or Fr White, the Dean, could then make the same claim?  Nevertheless, Daniel Shea, the lawyer for the Deanery and Diocese writes in his motions for summary judgement “….here as demonstrated by the supporting affidavits of record, these defendants have never expressly or impliedly consented to a relationship whereby either had a right to control the actions of Fr Velencia… in so far as defendant Velencia’s conduct in maintaining confidence as a counsellor or confessor”. What? Are there not 1,500 years of canons relating to the relationship of priest to bishop, to pastoral responsibilities, and to the relationship of penitent to pastor? Once again, where is the moral integrity?

The Diocese and the Deanery have all been released from the case, on precisely the same grounds as the OCA. The courts will not adjudicate matters of Church discipline. At present, only Fr Velencia and St Matthew’s House remain in litigation with Ms Koumentakos. The real question is will the Church even adjudicate these matters of Church discipline… or, is, as the affidavits would seem to suggest, no one is really responsible for anything.

All the documents of the Koumentakos case referred above may be found here.

Mark Stokoe

22 September 2009

Orthodox Christians for Accountability

http://www.ocanews.org/news/News9.22.09.html

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There one has it… “….here as demonstrated by the supporting affidavits of record, these defendants have never expressly or impliedly consented to a relationship whereby either had a right to control the actions of Fr Velencia… in so far as defendant Velencia’s conduct in maintaining confidence as a counsellor or confessor”.

Perhaps, I am an idiot… a drooling and incoherent babbling idiot… I had the baroque notion that priests were responsible to their bishops, that priests were creatures of the bishop and dependent upon him. It IS correct that the Chancellor and Dean (not real canonical offices, in any case) were not responsible for Raymond Velencia. Of course not! They, like Mr Velencia, were nothing but ordinary priests… they were not and are not bishops (who DO have responsibility for their priests).

Chukcha is really shaking his head over this one… “However… I thought that the bishop of the diocese ran things and that all the priests reported to him?” “Well, Chuk, that is what all the rest of us think!” “However… if that bishop is not responsible… which one is?”

GOOD QUESTION!

This seems to say that priests in the OCA are independent contractors, responsible to no bishop for their actions; therefore, no bishop is responsible for their actions. Great, huh? The OCA is only a corporation in the State of New York; it doesn’t exist in the rest of the country! Wanna bet that if a parish said that it was not sending an assessment to a body with no legal standing in their state or province, they would receive a rocket by UPS Overnight Delivery the very next day? “Send the money now, you bastards! We got bills here in Syosset! You know it’s a high-cost area and we need the dough! Legalism be damned”.

Good question… it not only stumps Chukcha… it stumps me… it stumps all of us. Now, you see it… now, you don’t. We’re a legal body when it comes to taking money; we’re not a legal body when it comes to taking responsibility. The RCs were rooked by their lawyers… they should have hired the OCA legal eagles… However… if the RCs had used such a defence, they would have been CRUCIFIED. Could you have seen Cardinal Law using such logic? OUCH! They would have thrown him to the wolves.

Let’s call out Kojack to find out the truth! WHO is responsible? Perspiring minds want to know!

Now imagine that the late Telly Savalas (as the inimitable Kojack) is standing in front of the OCA Synod of Bishops. “Who luvs ya, baby? If Herman isn’t responsible, who is? Is it Jonas Paffhausen? He replaced Herman. Is it Dmitri Royster? He’s the oldest bishop. If all the bishops are independent, why did you adopt the Brum Doctrine saying that the Metropolitan is the top banana? What gives?”

If no one is responsible… then, there are no real bishops… if there are no real bishops… well, there is no real Church, either.

Congratulations, OCA… your lawyers have admitted in open court that you are a bunch of Protestants… rather nasty (and unrepresentative) Prodies at that. The bishops do not have the right to control the actions of priests as counsellors and confessors. That is breath-taking! Lutheran bishops have this right. Catholic bishops have this right. Anglican bishops have this right. Silly old me! I thought that Orthodox bishops had this right, as well. The OCA told me, didn’t they? OCA bishops (I wonder what the other bishops in this country think!) don’t have the right to control their priests, at least in the case of confessions and counselling. Their lawyers said so.

WELCOME TO PROTESTANTISM, OCA!

(I hasten to add that most decent Protestant people and clergy are just as aghast as I am concerning this. If I have offended you, I sincerely apologise. However… Chukcha would tell you that Orthodoxy is not Protestantism, and that Orthodox should act like Orthodox, not (badly-behaving) Protestants. Why doesn’t the OCA just bite the bullet the way the Episcopalians did? If there is corrupt clergy or staff… put ‘em in prison orange!)

This is disgusting. It strikes at the very core of what it means to be “Church”. If the bishop is not responsible… well, it means that there is no real bishop. If there is no real bishop… there is no Church.

P.U.! I smell something rotten in the room!

I BEG YOUR PARDON!

I stand for the Church… pure and simple. You can’t have it both ways. Either stand up and take responsibility for your minion’s actions, Jonas Paffhausen, or, stand exposed to the entire world as a fancily-dressed Prodie (I’ll take a real Prodie, any road… they’re bona fide and decent, at least!).

FOR SHAME, OCA!

Barbara-Marie Drezhlo

Wednesday 23 September 2009

Albany NY