Russia: Sheep Without a Shepherd (Maria Vishnyak, 1984)
Editor’s Foreword:
I wanted to find some material on so-called “Liberal Orthodox” groups in Russia, this piece was the only short one I could find (I only have a limited amount of time to devote to translation, dear ones). There are minor problems with it (it’s pro-Proddie in tone), and it’s a bit dated (it’s four years old)… but it gives English-speakers valuable information that we Russian-speakers have had for years. The last paragraph is pure GIGO… but the rest is usable. That’s why I believe it was written by a Proddie.
Sadly enough, “Metropolitan” Stefan Linitsky (1934- ) is a very talented painter. I may post a few of his paintings on my art site… in religion, he’s a heretic, no doubt on that score… as a painter, he had real skill. SAD.
BMD
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In 2003, a fundamentally new current arose in so-called “alternative” Russian Orthodoxy, the Renovationist Orthodox Archdiocese of Kiev, Moscow, and all the Russias (POAKM) (Православная Обновленческая Архиепископия Киевская, Московская, и всея Руси). Strictly speaking, the POAKM is an outgrowth of the so-called “Revivalism” (Возрождение) movement in Orthodoxy, being led by “Metropolitan” Stefan Linitsky of Tver and Dmitrovsk, “Protopresbyter” Gleb Yakunin, “Archbishop” Kiriak Timirtsidi of Pyatigorsk and the Caucasus, “Archbishop” Sergei Sarkisov, and “Bishop” Vitaly Kuzhevatov.
The emergence of the POAKM owes much to its founder, Sergei Zhuravlyov, who was a professional artist from an atheistic family. In 1988, it is believed, he studied via correspondence courses from the MDS. In 1991-96, he served in parishes in the dioceses of Ryazan and Bryansk. Many things in Russian Orthodox church life bothered him, such as its authoritarian order, compulsory obedience (обрядоверие), monastic life, the cult of saints, etc. In the mid-90s, he met with fellow priests Gleb Yakunin, Stefan Linitsky, and Kiriak Timirtsidi. Under their influence, he broke with the Orthodox Church and became a priest of the “Revivalist” (Возрождение) Church in Bryansk. Zhuravlyov related that not only local Orthodox activists threatened and attacked him; the authorities in Bryansk pressured him as well. Then, in 1998, he went to the Ukraine.
It was only after this move to the Ukraine that Zhuravlyov definitively formed his views, which led to the founding of a new “church”. During this time in the Ukraine, Zhuravlyov was “ordained” a “bishop” by Stefan Linitsky and Kiriak Timirtsidi, and by 2002, he managed to organise several parishes. These parishes were the basis of the Orthodox Reformed Church (PRTs) (Православной реформаторской церкви). By 2005, there were already more than 20 communities in several cities in the Ukraine. As Zhuravlyov was a believer in the principles of democracy, he participated in the demonstrations at the Maidan in Kiev {pro-Yushchenko riots that formed part of the so-called “Orange Revolution”: editor} and he taught that the Orange Revolution was a gift from God Himself to the Ukrainian people. At the same time, he believed that, in the near future, a Russian analogue to the Orange Revolution was impossible, as he thought that Russia was a much less civilised country, cruel, immoral, and irresponsible. If there were an attempt in Russia today for democratisation, it would only lead to bloodshed and anarchy. The principles of justice and mercy would only be able to gain a foothold there after years of evangelical preaching, he believed.
However, despite the admiration of his Ukrainian flock, Zhuravlyov pined for his Motherland. He returned to Russia in 2003, settled in Tula, and founded congregations all over Russia. By the end of 2006, there were functioning communities in Moscow, Udmurtia, and in Yaroslavl, Sverdlovsk, and Chelyabinsk Oblasts. Russian parishes of the PRTs in the RF were called the POAKM, but it is the same body, only in the RF, it is called the POAKM, and in the Ukraine, PRTs. They operate an “Internet Seminary” (интернет-семинария) centre in Tula and they publish the periodical Обновленец (The Renovationist). In formal terms, the POAKM is an offshoot of the liberal church movement known as “Revivalism”. Zhuravlyov considered it a direct successor of the Renovationist movement of the 1920s and 30s. The POAKM canonised (in POAKM, the saints are pious people from whom we must take example, but the faithful are not allowed to ask for their intercessions) Aleksandr Vvedensky, Antonin Granovsky and other Renovationist figures, including Aleksandr Men. Their worship services primarily use the translation of the liturgy into Modern Russian by Granovsky. However, these ideological links with Renovationism and “Revivalism” may be misleading as to its nature. From Renovationism, POAKM adopted its rejection of the monastic life, and picked up its advocacy of a married episcopate. Zhuravlyov himself is married, with six children. He rejects both Orthodox asceticism and its cult of saints. He is a supporter of the full democratisation of church life, such as the election of bishops and priests and the strengthening of the role of the laity. He said, “Even a Protestant pastor is often a little pope over his community, overwhelming the spiritual freedom of his parishioners”. Zhuravlyov recognises the principle of female ordination to the priesthood in church life. In the Ukraine, there are already female priests; also, there are several Russian female students enrolled in their “seminary”, and they will soon lead congregations.
All of these features of the POAKM fit it into a very liberal niche within the “Orthodox” family, but there are doctrinal peculiarities of the POAKM that do not fit the usual definition of “liberal”. The ideology created by Zhuravlyov has many purely Protestant features such as salvation is possible in any Christian denomination {the branch theory, in other words: editor}, the [Calvinist] doctrine of predestination to salvation, the “second birth” and universal priesthood [of believers], a preference for adult baptism, and the recognition of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including glossolalia. Members of the POAKM recognise the special role of the Jewish people; in some places, they have given assistance to synagogues and helped Jews to move to Israel; they do no missionary work amongst Jews, “only amongst atheists”.
If ideology of the POAKM looks liberal in comparison with traditional Orthodox teachings, then, by comparison with Protestantism, it looks quite conservative. Its church life focuses on Bible studies; the authority of the Scriptures is paramount. POAKM teaches a strict traditional Christian morality, it condemns homosexuality, abortion, sex outside marriage, etc. It’s no wonder that conservative Protestant churches (in Russia and the Ukraine, and in the USA and Germany) saw the Zhuravlyovites as an ally. Protestants are often invited to speak in POAKM churches and seminaries and publish articles in its journals. Most POAKM/ PRTs communities gather on the premises of Protestant churches, who are pleased to provide an opportunity for such people.
When Zhuravlyov told me about his church, I finally asked him, “Why do you call yourself ‘Orthodox’, why don’t you just say that you’re Protestant?” Eagerly, Zhuravlyov started to state to me the superiority of the Orthodox tradition over Protestantism. “Orthodoxy values the liturgy, cultural tradition, and the theological deposit, but in its church life, it neglects the ideology of ‘correct conciliarity’ (соборноправности)”. Zhuravlev was highly appreciative of the legacy left by the Renovationists at the beginning of the 20th century; he considered it an incomparable achievement in Orthodoxy. For him, Renovationism is the true form of Orthodoxy, to which he is faithful. In addition to group around Linitsky, Timirtsidi, and Yakunin, he also runs a so-called Mother of God Centre (Богородичному центру), where he plans to establish contacts and cooperate [with others].
The emergence of the POAKM is a natural phenomenon. No wonder communities of the POAKM grow like mushrooms after rain. This is occurring at a time when the “Revivalism” movement has petered out and has virtually no growth. Evangelical Protestant ideology, since the late 80’s, has successfully won the hearts of many people in Russia. The number of practising Protestants is growing faster than any other religion or Christian denomination. Of course, POAKM is a Protestant Evangelical group in essence, but it is faithful to the Russian spiritual and cultural tradition, drawing its inspiration from the faith of their ancestors.
November 2006
Русский архипелаг (Russian Archipelago)
http://www.archipelag.ru/ru_mir/religio/alternative/dar/
Editor’s Afterword:
This piece tells you the direction that the AOCANA is travelling after its reception of the EOC vagantes, and it indicates where the HOOMies wish to take the OCA. Do not forget that ADS was a passionate defender of Vvedensky and passed on his passion for Renovationism to his students. I recommend that all of you read Fr Michael Pomozansky… and, then, read ADS. Don’t forget… SVS signed an accord with Nashotah House, an institution that prepares women for ordination. John Behr let Rowan Williams write a foreword in SVS’ Popular Patristics series. JP signed the so-called Manhattan Declaration. In short, ADS’ pupils are boiling the frog by degrees.
To keep it focused, the students of ADS, the former EOCers, and the HOOMie cultists want to take over the Church in the name of “democracy”. If that were to occur, the box would be open and Real Orthodoxy would disown them. Look at Again and Road to Emmaus… if that’s what you want… Protestantism with a slight “Orthodox” veneer, do nothing. If you want Real Deal Orthodoxy… that Ol’ Time Religion that was good enough for baba and dede (and for iaia and papou, too!)… jump out of the pot!
Shall the frogs leap out of the pot in time? Only time will tell us. This frog has already jumped out… I may still attend an OCA parish, but I’ve rejected the SVS madness… if they go over the line and Moscow deep-sixes ‘em, I won’t cry. Shall you join me? REE-DEEP! (THIS frog ain’t boiled! It’s nice and cool out here!)
You can stand with the true-blue Martyrs of the Butovo Poligon or you can stand with the overeducated BSers of Nashotah House and SVS… I know where I stand… what about YOU?
BMD
Voices from Russia 
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