Recently a member of the OrthodoXCircle Group “Orthopaganda” asked, “Is the Milan Synod is canonical”?
My response was:
What do you mean by “canonical”? Does it follow a type of political papism that demands it to be in communion with & recognized by Constantinople or another major modernist compromising Patriarchate? If this is the case, then the answer is no!
This is such a popular yet false notion that has likely crept into mainline Orthodoxy by its adulterous contacts with the anti-Church, anti-Christ spirit of the Ecumenist.
From time to time our Holy Synod engages in dialogue with Patriarchates whose ecclesialogy and adherence to the Holy Traditions and the Orthodox Faith itself is both moderate and traditional. There are not too many out there and so we wait for changes in leadership praying for more faithful and traditional adherence to both Faith & Order. About 10 years ago we almost entered into communion with one ancient Patriarchate until her arms were politically “twisted” by another, though very ecumenist, Pariarchate. The reason for this political arm twisting? She did not want to offend the Church of Rome (with whom She’s been courting for many years) since our Synod has a very visible presence in Italy with both rites but especially Western Rite. As long as we are percieved as being on the fringe, notwithstanding how canonical we may be, the modernists do not worry about our True Witness.
Papa Symeon
Addendum
They following was taken from the website of our Parrocchia dei Santi Nicola e Ambrogio (Parish of Ss. Nicholas and Ambrose), Milan, Italy.
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A Proper Clarification
The apostolic succession of our Metropolia derives from the Russian Orthodox Church in Exile through two consecrations that bishops of that Church (Archbishop Serafim of Chicago and Bishop Theophil) performed to assure the Greek Orthodox Church of the Old Calendar, founder of our Metropolia, the necessary apostolic succession.
Who puts into doubt our apostolic succession goes against the official acts of the below mentioned sister Orthodox Churches that have recognized the sacraments of our Church. These are Churches which have accepted deacons, priests and bishops who had been consecrated in our Metropolia and accepted in their ecclesiastical dignity without any kind of re-ordination.
In Germany, the Exarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, now Bishop of Sabac, accepted Deacon Basil Manfred Danfeld, a resident of Berlin, ordained on the 28th of November 1989 by Metropolitan Evloghios of Milan. Upon the express request of Bishop Lavrentije of the Serbian Church, our Primate Metropolitan Evloghios signed the official letter of canonical release on the 5th of March 1991.
In France, in 1989 two clerics, ordained by Metropolitan Gabriel of Lisbon, were accepted by the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow without re-ordination, just as in the case of Deacon Basil Danfeld. Their names are: Archpriest Gerard de la Garde and Deacon Joseph Fouilleul. The bishop who accepted them was the Exarch Viadimir, now Metropolitan of Kiev of the Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church (of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
Two priests, once again in France, ordained by Metropolitan Gabriel of Lisbon, were incardinated without re-ordination in the Exarchate of the Romanian Orthodox Church by the Exarch, Archbishop Adrian. After his retirement the two priests were presented to the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of France, Jeremiah, who accepted the two priests as members of his clergy. Neither of them were ever re-ordained. Their names are Father Nicolas Lacaille and Father Théodore Niess.
In 1989 Metropolitan Gabriel, together with his two bishops Tiago and Teodoro, requested incardination in the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Poland. They were accepted in their episcopal dignity without re-consecration, as can be proven by the document from the Polish Church and from the personal letter of Metropolitan Gabriel, which specify this fact.
These were written to put an end to the rumors which were circulating according to which the Portuguese bishops had supposedly submitted to re-ordination, which was nothing but pure invention.
In May 2002 two former members of our Holy Metropolitan Synod, bishops Lazar and Varlaam of Canada, were incardinated into the “Orthodox Church in America”.
Therefore, there are six official, canonical sister Orthodox Churches which have accepted deacons, priests and bishops of our Metropolia. These Churches have de facto recognized the validity and authenticity of the sacraments of the Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia of Western Europe and the Americas. These facts are concrete and verifiable.
Related Articles:
Canonicity, Milan Synod & the TOC of Greece
The Milan Synod’s Ecclesiology
The False Notion of Jurisidictional Union
Concerning the Orthodox Prayers for the Union of All and the Prayer in St. John 17
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August 5, 2008 at 4:18 am
Michael Woerl
Correct me if I am mistaken, but I have heard that those who took over the church of Archbishop Auxentios after his death do not consider the Synod of Milan ot be canonocal because Archbishop Auxentios extended the “independent” status on the Church of Portugal without consulting the Holy Synod-as Archbishops of the Orthodox Church are certainlyu not Popes, this would be an anti-canonical act by Abp Auxentios, as, of course, he could not engage on such a course without the consultaiton and approval of the Synod and Council of Bishops of his church.
Also, you mention Archbishop Palladios (Rudenko), who was also (what a coincidence!) a member of an uncanonical (in the extreme!) Ukrainian ecclesiastical organization. This status is debated by NO ONE-”World Orthodoxy” and “Old Calendarist” alike!
Michael Woerl (again!)
August 5, 2008 at 7:21 am
Fr. Stavrophoremonk Symeon
Dear Mr. Woerl,
Thank you for your query as stated above. The Greek Old Calendar Church’s Eparchy of Western Europe (as you refer to it as the “Church of Portugal”) was given a tomos of autonomy by Archbishop Auxentios (of Blessed Memory)in consultation with his Synod of the Old Calendar Orthodox Church of Greece in Sept. 1984 on the Feast of the Elevation of the Most Precious Cross. This was a visionary and evangelical act since there was a desire to witness the True Faith to Western Europeans by Orthodox Western Europeans and not to offer any stumbling-block of Greek ethnocentricism.
It was shortly after Sept 1984 that the Synod of Abp Auxentios imploded due to power struggles and all kinds of unseemly dispositions among such hierarchs. Separate from the Greeks, when the second primate was elected for the *Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia of Western Europe* its headquarters was transferred from Lisbon, Portugal to Milan, Italy. Hence the shorter reference “Holy Synod of Milan”.
Naturally, every Old Calendar Greek Synodal manifestation that appears after Sept. ‘84 is going to try to discredit its European brethren in order to give the appearance of its own legitimacy. To do otherwise would to admit that the Milan Synod is the only genuine and continuous descendant of the once canonical Synod under Abp Auxentios.
One must try not to become ensnared in such intrigue that has woefully stained the Old Calendar Church of Greece’s witness of the True Faith. Rather, let pray for the healing of all who claim the title “True (Genuine) Orthodox Church of Greece” and further for the “mainline” and State Church bodies that they might see their own errors and not to judge her brother’s in Faith. But, rather. to open her arms in true ecumenical dialog with them (all T.O.C.) in the hope for peace and unity within The Body of Christ we call the Orthodox Church.
Respectfully in Christ,
Fr. Stavrophoremonk Symeon
the least of men & monks
August 8, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Fr. Stavrophoremonk Symeon
Dear Mr. Woerl,
As for Archbishop Palladios (Rudenko) who you have referred to, so disrespectfully, as “a member of an uncanonical (in the extreme!) Ukrainian ecclesiastical organization. This status is debated by NO ONE-”World Orthodoxy” and “Old Calendarist” alike!”
I am unaware of what world you inhabit or the circles in which you dwell, but Archbishop Palladios (Rudenko)was one of the co-founders of SCOBA and reposed in grace.
May God forgive the vileness of such people who enjoy slandering Christ’s faithful and anointed servants.
Respectfully in Christ,
Fr. Stavrophoremonk Symeon
the least of men & monks