Igumen Nestor Syrotenko (1974- ), named Bishop of Kaffa as vicar bishop for the Diocese of Korsun in western Europe… shall he bring the healthy elements of the Paris group back to Russian Orthodox unity? God willing, he shall!
Recently, in St Petersburg, a session of the Holy Synod decided to name Igumen Nestor Syrotenko, rector of Three Holy Hierarchs Cathedral in Paris, as a vicar bishop for the Diocese of Korsun with the title “of Kaffa”. Kaffa was an ancient Greek settlement in Chersonesos Taurica (modern-day Crimea), near the equally ancient town of Korsun. The minutes of the meeting of the Synod noted that the appointment was made at the suggestion of Archbishop Innokenty Vasiliev of Korsun. This, then, is a manifestation of great closeness in the space and time, and of spiritual continuity. Providence has shown us its generosity… we will cry out “Axios” at the upcoming consecration with love, and we remember the English expression, “the right man for the right chair!” Russian Orthodoxy in France, again, and yet again, is tormented by jurisdictional disputes and fights between those who are faithful to tradition and the supporters of Renovationism. All of this is largely generated by an influx of new converts, linguistic confusion, and a desire to invent a new church structure, divorced from the Mother Church. If you log on the internet and read for only five minutes, the intensity of the mutual and inflamed rejection of the parties in France is horrifying.
Vladyki Nestor does not have any memory of the repercussions of the Soviet terror; he was from a generation that barely remembers their short stay in the already moribund Pioneer organisation. He is from a family of Moscow intellectuals; he grew up at a time when people were not afraid to be openly Orthodox. He’s one of those young people whose call and admission to the theological academy was not a desire to find refuge in the Church from an absurd society, as many used to do. It was his conscious will and choice to serve God. Knowledge of the language led him to Paris to study at St Sergius Institute and to his appointment at Three Hierarchs Cathedral. Fr Nestor knew Vladyki Sergei Konovalov when he was alive, as Fr Nestor was rector of the parish of the Assumption in Asnières for a few years, where he earned the love of the faithful from the EP Exarchate parish. After he became the rector of Three Saints Cathedral, he had to often travel all over France, to serve at parishes that didn’t have a parish priest. As a result, he travelled all throughout the Korsun diocese in France during the ten years that Archbishop Innocent has been in office. This is on top of his pastoral trips to Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
I would have no hesitation in saying that he is the best preacher I have ever heard in my life. Fr Nestor could relate the most complex theological theorems or the most intimate moments of his spiritual life in the form of stories, almost offhand, as unobtrusive instruction. Many people would like to see him publish his sermons in a book. His long experience as rector of Three Hierarchs parish has made him into a reincarnation of St John Chrysostom! His spiritual children are blessed, God willing, he will be able to continue to hear their confessions. “The right man for the right chair”… may the labour of Bishop Nestor hasten the reconciliation amongst Russian Orthodox people in France.
7 June 2010
Nikita Krivoshein
Русская Мысль (Париж) (Russian Thought (Paris))
As quoted in Interfax-Religion
http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=print&div=11471
Editor’s Note:
I was looking to see if there was a news article explaining Fr Lambert’s fearful utterances. Indeed, there was, and here it is. Reflect on this, “Krivoshein” is a name long-associated with both the Exarchate and the OCA/Metropolia. If such people are applauding the coming reunion, this is happy news. It is only a matter of time before the Renovationists fall here too… if I were Bobby or JP, I’d not be overconfident. After Paris is settled, it shall be the turn of America…
BMD
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