Adunarea din Ligonier: Diferență între versiuni
(Pagină nouă: {{Traducere EN}} right|thumb|400px|Ierarhi membrii [[SCOBA la Adunarea din Ligonier]] {{Ortodoxiaînamerica}} '''Adunarea din Ligonier''' a fost o înt...) |
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===Ulterior=== | ===Ulterior=== | ||
− | + | Documentele care au fost emise de conferinţă nu conţin limbaj negativ la adresa patriarhiilor Lumii Vechi. Într-adevăr, ele erau menţionate destul de pozitiv în contextul originilor bisericilor imigrante de pe teritoriul american. S-a cordat o atenţie deosebită protocolului de exprimare şi nu a fost emisă nici un fel de declaraţie privind formarea unei denominaţiuni religioase separate sau de înfiinţare a unei Biserici Ortodoxe Americane [[autocefalie|autocefale]]. Adunarea poate fi descrisă destul de corect ca o întrunire a episcopilor ortodocşi din America, gândisnd şi vorbind împreună pe o singură voce despre problemele canonice cu care se confruntă propovăduirea lor în America. Michalopoulos and Ham continuă: | |
− | : | + | :Din păcate, Declaraţia de la Ligonier a fost văzută de unele patriarhate ca o "cucerire a puterii" a lui Iakovos, care de atunci încolo a fost acuzat ''sotto voce'' de cultivarea unui "cult al personalităţii." Mulţi se temeau că el este la un pas de a se autoproclama "Patriarh al Americii." Unele patriarhii ale Lumii Vechi erau speriate de pierderea eparhiilor americane pur şi simplu din motive economice. |
− | : | + | :Unul din semnatarii declaraţiei, Mitropolitul Christofer al exarhatului sârb, a admis pe faţă că scopul final al Adunării din Ligonier a fost nu numai unificarea dar şi autocefalia. Faptul că acest interviu (dar şi comentariile lui Christopher) au fost înregistrate pe bandă magnetică şi distribuite tuturor parohiilor din întreaga Americă de Nord demonstrează că nu a existat o agendă ascunsă la Ligonier. În afară de acestea, Ligonier a tulburat nu numai patriarhiile Lumii Vechi ci şi pe unii preoţi şi laici din America, la fel de mult. Nu erau puţini cei fericiţi de starea de ''status quo''. (ibid., 181) |
− | + | Cu toate acestea, ceea ce reiese în mod clar din rapoartele şi documentele conferinţei este că nu a existat nici o agendă de a forţa mutarea unor ortodocşi americani sub păstorirea altor biserici. Toţi ierarhii de vârf au ceva de pierdut în cazul unificării, fie proprietăţi, fie prestigiu, venituri, seminarii, orfelinate sau altele. Concentrarea nu a fost pe "împărţirea locurilor la masă," aşa cum ar avea nevoie ''Biserica Ortodoxă Americană'', ci pe "neregulile canonice care infestează Ortodoxia Americană" (ibid., 182). | |
− | + | În oricare caz, dacă oricare din cei "trei mari" ierarhi—Iakovos ([[Arhiepiscopia Ortodoxă Greacă a Americii|GOA]]), [[Theodosius (Lazor) de Washington|Theodosius]] ([[OCA]]) sau Filip ([[Arhiepiscopia Creştină Ortodoxă Antiohiană din America de Nord|AOA]])—ar fi fost ales ca [[întâistătător]] al Ortodoxiei Americane, păstorirea lor ar fi fost de scurtă durată. Toţi trei erau oameni în vârstă (De atunci, doi s-au şi pensionat). Niciunul din aceşti trei oameni nu ar fi putut fi un "realizator de imperiu," ci doar o "persoană de tranziţie" (ibid., 182). Totuşi, nu a fost nici un fel de încercare de o astfel de mişcare. | |
− | '' | + | ''Biserica Ortodoxă Americană'' consideră că mişcarea de unitate de la Ligonier s-a terminat printr-un eşec: |
− | : | + | :Ceea ce a început ca un pretext pentru sfârşitul divizării, ulterior, a avut ca rezultat exact opusul. De ce a eşuat? În mod clar, opinia că aceasta a fost o tentativă de preluare a puterii de către Iakovos a avut un anumit impact. Se crede că unul din semnatarii Declaraţiei de la Ligonier, Episcopul Vsevolod al arhiepiscopiei ucraineene, i-a spus lui Bartolomeu că Iakovos era pregătit să se autodeclare "Patriarh al Americii." Cu toate că scopul unităţii a fost declarat pe faţă ca oportun în declaraţiile anterioare ale lui Spyridon către arhiepiscopia greacă, reportajul inflamantdespre Adunarea din Ligonier al acestui sus-numit participant l-a făcut pe Bartolomeu să-şi pună întrebări referitor la motivele semnatarilor. De asemenea, este posibil ca anumite forţe care nu doresc unitatea mărturisirii ortodoxe din Statele Unite să fii lucrat în spatele scenei. (ibid., 183) |
− | + | Clopotul de înmormântare al realizărilor de la Ligonier se auzea în fundalul înlocuirii ulterioare a lui Iakovos din scaunul său. Poate că Bartolomeu "se temea de pierderea sprijinul financiar al Americii," sau că "se temea de pierderea protecţiei politice a Americii în faţa turcilor," sau poate a fost "nimic mai mult decât o luptă pentru putere dintre doi oameni mari" (ibid., 184). Nu contează motivul pentru care, în 1997, patriarhul a trimis o delegaţie din partea [[Sfântul Sinod|Sfântului Sinod]] al [[Biserica Ortodoxă a Constantinopolului|Bisericii Constantinopolului]] care l-a obligat pe Iakovos să demisioneze după aproape 40 de ani de păstorire. "În ciuda paşilor greşiţi pe calea extinderii maxime posibile, Iakovos a creat poduri între diviziunile etnice şi a realizat un consens ortodox. Aproape că a reuşit în crearea unei Biserici Ortodoxe Americane" (ibid., 184). | |
− | + | Cu toate acestea, nu toţi comentatorii văd Ligonier ca un eşec. Cu siguranţă, mulţi din ierarhii care s-au întâlnit, ştiu acum mai multe despre fraţii lor în episcopat şi aceasta nu poate fi anulat. Pe lângă acestea, ideea principală a ceea ce s-a întâmplat la Ligonier continuă să trăiască în conştiinţa Ortodoxiei Americane. De aceea, există posibilitatea ca Ligonier să fie văzut ca un eşec al unităţii, ci un pas înainte pe calea spre dobândirea acesteia. Arhiepiscopul [[Nathaniel (Popp) de Detroit]] declară acestea: | |
− | :Ligonier | + | :Ligonier a înţepenit deschisă uşile indiferenţei şi ne-a îndemnat să trecem prin porţile largi ale cooperării, sprijinului reciproc şi slujirii confraţilor noştri, împărtăşindu-ne credinţa şi altora şi extinzând spiritual vieţile noastre în propovăduirea evanghelică către toţi fii lui Dumnezeu. |
− | : | + | :Să ascultăm acum despre roadele care poartă mărturia binecuvântărilor aduse de Ligonier în Biserică şi să ne lăsăm inspiraţi să extindem mărturia noastră pentru unitatea credinţei şi comuniunii noastre în Duhul Sfânt. [http://www.ocl.org/The%20Vision.htm] |
==Documente== | ==Documente== | ||
− | + | La Ligonier au fost emise două declaraţii, una despre Biserica Ortodoxă din America şi una despre misiune şi propovăduire. Conţinutul lor poate fi caracterizat, în general, ca o respingere a noţiunii [[diaspora]] aplicată creştinismului ortodox din America şi astfel divizarea necanonică a ortodoxiei americane trebuie să înceteze. Pe lângă acestea, declaraţia în privinţa propovăduirii spune clar că episcopii ortodocşi americani consideră scopul Bisericii din America unul misionar. | |
*'''[http://www.antiochian.org/1088 Statement on the Church in North America]''' | *'''[http://www.antiochian.org/1088 Statement on the Church in North America]''' | ||
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==Ierarhii participanţi== | ==Ierarhii participanţi== | ||
− | + | Următorii ierarhii au semnat documentele Adunării din Ligonier, cu două excepţii notate. Lista conţine titlurile episcopilor la acea vreme. Indiferent dacă au fost 28 sau 29 de episcopi prezenţi efectiv, în fotografia de grup sunt 28 iar pe documente sunt 28 de semnături diferite. | |
*[[Eparhia Ortodoxă Carpato-Rusă Americană]]: | *[[Eparhia Ortodoxă Carpato-Rusă Americană]]: | ||
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**Arhiepiscop [[Herman (Swaiko) de Washington şi New York|Herman (Swaiko) de Philadelphia]] | **Arhiepiscop [[Herman (Swaiko) de Washington şi New York|Herman (Swaiko) de Philadelphia]] | ||
**Episcop [[Nathaniel (Popp) de Detroit]] | **Episcop [[Nathaniel (Popp) de Detroit]] | ||
− | **Episcop [[Tikhon (Fitzgerald) | + | **Episcop [[Tikhon (Fitzgerald) de San Francisco]] |
**Episcop [[Seraphim (Storheim) de Ottawa]] | **Episcop [[Seraphim (Storheim) de Ottawa]] | ||
**Episcop [[Mark (Forsberg) de Boston]] | **Episcop [[Mark (Forsberg) de Boston]] | ||
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**Mitropolit [[Christopher (Kovacevich) de America Mijlocie de Vest]] | **Mitropolit [[Christopher (Kovacevich) de America Mijlocie de Vest]] | ||
**Mitropolit Irenej | **Mitropolit Irenej | ||
− | **Episcop Mitrofan (''' | + | **Episcop Mitrofan ('''Notă:''' nu a semnat declaraţia privind Biserica din America de Nord) |
*[[Biserica Ortodoxă Ucraineană din SUA]]: | *[[Biserica Ortodoxă Ucraineană din SUA]]: | ||
− | **Episcop Vsevolod (''' | + | **Episcop Vsevolod ('''Notă:''' nu a semnat declaraţia privind Biserica din America de Nord) |
==Comentariile episcopilor== | ==Comentariile episcopilor== | ||
− | + | În numărul din noiembrie 2004 al ''Word Magazine'' [http://www.antiochian.org/assets/asset_manager/3f8eed08ad9e6b6630a2aa285db2936d.pdf] (publicaţia oficială a [[Arhiepiscopia Creştină Ortodoxă Antiohiană din America de Nord|Arhiepiscopiei Antiohiene]]), au fost publicate comentariile episcopilor [[SCOBA]] la a zecea aniversare a adunării din Ligonier (dintre care unii au fost prezenţi acolo iar alţii nu), dintre care prezentăm: | |
− | ===[[ | + | ===[[Întâistătător]]i=== |
− | Mitropolit [[Herman (Swaiko) | + | Mitropolit [[Herman (Swaiko) de Washington and New York]], întâistătător al [[OCA]]: |
:I think of Ligonier as a moment in the history of Orthodoxy in North America when a love for the missionary mandate of the Gospel transcended ethnic and cultural barriers and concerns. Ligonier provided a venue where Orthodox bishops offered words and visions of ecclesial unity. Ten years ago, the prophetic spirit of Ligonier stood opposed to jurisdictional pluralism even when other hierarchs, here and abroad, sought to justify the ''uncanonical'' '''status quo'''. Ten years ago, the bishops of Ligonier expressed a oneness of mind which exposed the falsehood that jurisdictional pluralism does not impede Eucharistic unity when, in fact, the presence of two or more bishops in one city undermines the very reality of ecclesial and, therefore, Eucharistic unity. | :I think of Ligonier as a moment in the history of Orthodoxy in North America when a love for the missionary mandate of the Gospel transcended ethnic and cultural barriers and concerns. Ligonier provided a venue where Orthodox bishops offered words and visions of ecclesial unity. Ten years ago, the prophetic spirit of Ligonier stood opposed to jurisdictional pluralism even when other hierarchs, here and abroad, sought to justify the ''uncanonical'' '''status quo'''. Ten years ago, the bishops of Ligonier expressed a oneness of mind which exposed the falsehood that jurisdictional pluralism does not impede Eucharistic unity when, in fact, the presence of two or more bishops in one city undermines the very reality of ecclesial and, therefore, Eucharistic unity. | ||
:Over the last ten years, the national and international stages have drastically changed. People across North America and the world are divided by religion, race, politics and economics. A divided world needs the unifying voice of Christ. But the voice of Christ, if it is to properly convey its healing power, demands the unity of His Church here and across the globe. The work begun ten years ago must continue and be brought to fruition. As long as there are those who hear and do the word of the Lord in North America, the message of Ligonier will not be silenced. | :Over the last ten years, the national and international stages have drastically changed. People across North America and the world are divided by religion, race, politics and economics. A divided world needs the unifying voice of Christ. But the voice of Christ, if it is to properly convey its healing power, demands the unity of His Church here and across the globe. The work begun ten years ago must continue and be brought to fruition. As long as there are those who hear and do the word of the Lord in North America, the message of Ligonier will not be silenced. | ||
− | Mitropolit [[Philip (Saliba) | + | Mitropolit [[Philip (Saliba) de New York]], primate of the [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America|Antiochian Archdiocese]]: |
:November 30 to December 2, 1994 was the brightest moment in the history of Orthodoxy in North America. For the first time, twenty-nine Orthodox bishops from the United States and Canada gathered at the Antiochian Village to pray together, discuss Orthodox problems together and formulate a common vision for the future. This brotherly and well-meaning meeting caused an unexpected earthquake in some of the ancient Orthodox Patriarchates. Let us hope that the spirit of Ligonier will be born again and our dream for a united Orthodoxy in America will never fade away. | :November 30 to December 2, 1994 was the brightest moment in the history of Orthodoxy in North America. For the first time, twenty-nine Orthodox bishops from the United States and Canada gathered at the Antiochian Village to pray together, discuss Orthodox problems together and formulate a common vision for the future. This brotherly and well-meaning meeting caused an unexpected earthquake in some of the ancient Orthodox Patriarchates. Let us hope that the spirit of Ligonier will be born again and our dream for a united Orthodoxy in America will never fade away. | ||
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:America needs Orthodoxy, without Orthodoxy becoming Americanized. Othodoxy must continue to develop in spirituality and maturity, growing gradually and appropriately toward a developed polity. I am concerned that aggressive attempts toward premature separation from the mother churches of the old lands will result in disarray and schism. Instead, we are called by the Lord to continue in humble growth and obedience to our organic link with the Patriarchates. We hope and pray for the direction of the Holy Spirit in the future life of our church. | :America needs Orthodoxy, without Orthodoxy becoming Americanized. Othodoxy must continue to develop in spirituality and maturity, growing gradually and appropriately toward a developed polity. I am concerned that aggressive attempts toward premature separation from the mother churches of the old lands will result in disarray and schism. Instead, we are called by the Lord to continue in humble growth and obedience to our organic link with the Patriarchates. We hope and pray for the direction of the Holy Spirit in the future life of our church. | ||
− | Mitropolit [[Joseph (Bosakov) | + | Mitropolit [[Joseph (Bosakov) de America and Australia]], [[Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada and Australia]]: |
:What we—the canonical Orthodox bishops—had done 10 years ago was good. But there are no results so far. It is only a good desire. That means—such is God’s will. Without Him we can do nothing. | :What we—the canonical Orthodox bishops—had done 10 years ago was good. But there are no results so far. It is only a good desire. That means—such is God’s will. Without Him we can do nothing. | ||
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:And now it is clear for me, that this prophecy should be fulfilled, but not during my life. I think that all of us, Orthodox bishops, who were born and came to America from the old countries, like me, and now control the jurisdictional eparchies, must die. The Holy Orthodox Church needs new generations of Americans to come after us, who shall fulfill the Lord's instructions and prophecy. Because now, as Fr. Vladimir Berzonsky writes: "Spiritually we are still drinking mother's milk, not yet ready for loftier and deeper experiences of the life reaching out to us from Christ and present through the Holy Spirit within our hearts." | :And now it is clear for me, that this prophecy should be fulfilled, but not during my life. I think that all of us, Orthodox bishops, who were born and came to America from the old countries, like me, and now control the jurisdictional eparchies, must die. The Holy Orthodox Church needs new generations of Americans to come after us, who shall fulfill the Lord's instructions and prophecy. Because now, as Fr. Vladimir Berzonsky writes: "Spiritually we are still drinking mother's milk, not yet ready for loftier and deeper experiences of the life reaching out to us from Christ and present through the Holy Spirit within our hearts." | ||
− | Episcop [[Ilia (Katre) | + | Episcop [[Ilia (Katre) de Philomelion]], [[Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America|Albanian Diocese]]: |
:The time has come for Orthodoxy in America to move beyond simple affirmation of historical, canonical order. It is time to encourage and develop cooperation among churches, which will prove to be a genuine blueprint for greater unity on all fronts. Specific principles need to be articulated and accepted by all jurisdictions in a common commitment to work in consort. Programs of pan-Orthodox endeavor, at the grass roots, should be initiated and supported so that the faithful experience a oneness in purpose and action. Everything is achievable through mutual respect and sensitivity flowing from faith and love in Christ. | :The time has come for Orthodoxy in America to move beyond simple affirmation of historical, canonical order. It is time to encourage and develop cooperation among churches, which will prove to be a genuine blueprint for greater unity on all fronts. Specific principles need to be articulated and accepted by all jurisdictions in a common commitment to work in consort. Programs of pan-Orthodox endeavor, at the grass roots, should be initiated and supported so that the faithful experience a oneness in purpose and action. Everything is achievable through mutual respect and sensitivity flowing from faith and love in Christ. | ||
===Alţi episcopi=== | ===Alţi episcopi=== | ||
− | Arhiepiscop [[Kyrill (Yonchev) | + | Arhiepiscop [[Kyrill (Yonchev) de Pittsburgh]], [[OCA]]: |
:The meeting in Ligonier of Orthodox hierarchs in North America in November, 1994 was extremely encouraging and positive in its decision-making. It concluded that there was need for canonical unity in America among the Orthodox jurisdictions. The gathering offered great hope for the unity of Orthodoxy in America. My vision for the future remains the same—One United Canonical Church in the Americas. | :The meeting in Ligonier of Orthodox hierarchs in North America in November, 1994 was extremely encouraging and positive in its decision-making. It concluded that there was need for canonical unity in America among the Orthodox jurisdictions. The gathering offered great hope for the unity of Orthodoxy in America. My vision for the future remains the same—One United Canonical Church in the Americas. | ||
− | Mitropolit [[Maximos (Aghiorgoussis) | + | Mitropolit [[Maximos (Aghiorgoussis) de Pittsburgh]], [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|Greek Archdiocese]]: |
:Congratulations on the November, 2004 ''The WORD'' issue, commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Ligonier meeting of our Orthodox North American Bishops. Unfortunately, things have not drastically changed since that time. We still hope and pray for complete and visible unity in the Orthodox Diaspora of North America. Let us hope that, as promised to us in Washington, D.C., fourteen years ago, the ranking Orthodox jurisdiction, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, will assume a leadership role in order for this to happen, hopefully during our lifetime. | :Congratulations on the November, 2004 ''The WORD'' issue, commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Ligonier meeting of our Orthodox North American Bishops. Unfortunately, things have not drastically changed since that time. We still hope and pray for complete and visible unity in the Orthodox Diaspora of North America. Let us hope that, as promised to us in Washington, D.C., fourteen years ago, the ranking Orthodox jurisdiction, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, will assume a leadership role in order for this to happen, hopefully during our lifetime. | ||
− | Arhiepiscop [[Peter (L'Huillier) | + | Arhiepiscop [[Peter (L'Huillier) de New York]], [[OCA]]: |
:The Ligonier meeting of the Orthodox bishops in North America was a milestone in the history of Orthodoxy in America. The vision of Orthodoxy that was seen at that meeting is still relevant today, but has yet to be realized. Orthodox jurisdictional unity in North America must be our continued vision; any deviation from this is a contradiction to the order and canons of the Orthodox Church. Let us fervently pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us in making this vision a reality. | :The Ligonier meeting of the Orthodox bishops in North America was a milestone in the history of Orthodoxy in America. The vision of Orthodoxy that was seen at that meeting is still relevant today, but has yet to be realized. Orthodox jurisdictional unity in North America must be our continued vision; any deviation from this is a contradiction to the order and canons of the Orthodox Church. Let us fervently pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us in making this vision a reality. | ||
− | Episcop [[Nikolai (Soraich) | + | Episcop [[Nikolai (Soraich) de Sitka]], [[OCA]]: |
:The Conference at Ligonier was an exciting moment for many of us who were priests serving the faithful at that time. All who read of the meeting and of its call to unity were inspired with high hopes. | :The Conference at Ligonier was an exciting moment for many of us who were priests serving the faithful at that time. All who read of the meeting and of its call to unity were inspired with high hopes. | ||
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:Our prayer and efforts should be for one Holy Orthodox Church in North America, a goal that can only be accomplished in the spirit of cooperation and not division. | :Our prayer and efforts should be for one Holy Orthodox Church in North America, a goal that can only be accomplished in the spirit of cooperation and not division. | ||
− | Arhiepiscop [[Nathaniel (Popp) | + | Arhiepiscop [[Nathaniel (Popp) de Detroit]], [[OCA]]: |
:Orthodox Christians working out their salvation in Canada and the United States of America must separately be united into two local Autocephalous Churches, each pastored by hierarchs synergetically working in two unique Holy Synods, each one headed by its own Patriarch. The long-term goal of one hierarch shepherding one metropolis will, in time, manifest itself through the will of the Holy Spirit inspiring the entire Church. Inasmuch as each "jurisdiction" serves both an ethnic and indigenous flock, it should continue its ministry uninterrupted. Present imperfect "Eucharistic unity" will be perfected because of administrative unity. Temporarily, administrative unity means each jurisdiction will keep its own administrative structures which, nonetheless, are brought into a national unity through representation by each hierarch in his national, Canadian or American, Holy Synod. Each Autocephalous Church must create a single Constitution and By-laws/Statutes to best serve the needs of the native-born and the immigrant. The unity of the hierarchs, in Synodia, would manifest itself in unity of purpose of internal and external evangelization as outlined ten years ago in the two documents born of the Ligonier meeting. This to be achieved through the movement of the Holy Spirit empowering these Orthodox Christians through fasting, prayer and almsgiving to act creatively. | :Orthodox Christians working out their salvation in Canada and the United States of America must separately be united into two local Autocephalous Churches, each pastored by hierarchs synergetically working in two unique Holy Synods, each one headed by its own Patriarch. The long-term goal of one hierarch shepherding one metropolis will, in time, manifest itself through the will of the Holy Spirit inspiring the entire Church. Inasmuch as each "jurisdiction" serves both an ethnic and indigenous flock, it should continue its ministry uninterrupted. Present imperfect "Eucharistic unity" will be perfected because of administrative unity. Temporarily, administrative unity means each jurisdiction will keep its own administrative structures which, nonetheless, are brought into a national unity through representation by each hierarch in his national, Canadian or American, Holy Synod. Each Autocephalous Church must create a single Constitution and By-laws/Statutes to best serve the needs of the native-born and the immigrant. The unity of the hierarchs, in Synodia, would manifest itself in unity of purpose of internal and external evangelization as outlined ten years ago in the two documents born of the Ligonier meeting. This to be achieved through the movement of the Holy Spirit empowering these Orthodox Christians through fasting, prayer and almsgiving to act creatively. | ||
− | Episcop [[Antoun (Khouri) | + | Episcop [[Antoun (Khouri) de Miami]], [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America|Antiochian Archdiocese]]: |
:I honestly thought after Ligonier that we were beginning a new era of cooperation and Orthodox unity on this continent. For the first time since the early years of our presence in the Americas, it seemed there was a common vision, or at least a common goal of working together, not just for the sake of working together, but toward a canonically proper end of a unified Church. For me, the chance to sit down with brother bishops, many of whom I had never met, was a great and awesome experience. What made this experience great and awesome, besides just getting together, was that there was a purpose. Oftentimes we had gotten together in the past, but just for social purposes or anniversaries, celebrations, etc. This time it was for the good of the Church. Unfortunately, what happened in the aftermath of Ligonier left us further apart and more disunited than we were in the years that led up to that historic gathering. | :I honestly thought after Ligonier that we were beginning a new era of cooperation and Orthodox unity on this continent. For the first time since the early years of our presence in the Americas, it seemed there was a common vision, or at least a common goal of working together, not just for the sake of working together, but toward a canonically proper end of a unified Church. For me, the chance to sit down with brother bishops, many of whom I had never met, was a great and awesome experience. What made this experience great and awesome, besides just getting together, was that there was a purpose. Oftentimes we had gotten together in the past, but just for social purposes or anniversaries, celebrations, etc. This time it was for the good of the Church. Unfortunately, what happened in the aftermath of Ligonier left us further apart and more disunited than we were in the years that led up to that historic gathering. | ||
− | Episcop [[Basil (Essey) | + | Episcop [[Basil (Essey) de Wichita]], [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America|Antiochian Archdiocese]]: |
:In 1994 I was a relatively new and young bishop when the now famous Conference of Bishops was convened at the Antiochian Village, and so together with another young bishop, His Grace Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada, I was appointed to the Conference's secretariat. Ligonier '94 was without doubt one of the brightest moments—if not THE brightest moment—in the history of Holy Orthodoxy in the New World. Dozens of bishops met and prayed and deliberated on that Pennsylvania mountain-top, while hundreds of thousands of our young people across the continent prayed and fasted that we might accomplish a good for Holy Orthodoxy. And, by God's grace, a great good was indeed accomplished! The common hope and vision expressed by my brother bishops during those several days and reflected in the two historic documents produced by the Conference caused a refreshing and invigorating breeze to blow across this continent, opening the doors of our Orthodox congregations with hope and joyful anticipation. But sadly and all too quickly, dark storm clouds blew in from the East, causing those doors to be slammed shut once more. Some of those doors were and remained locked to this very day, while others stand ajar, awaiting another refreshing and invigorating breeze to open them once again. May that breeze come quickly! | :In 1994 I was a relatively new and young bishop when the now famous Conference of Bishops was convened at the Antiochian Village, and so together with another young bishop, His Grace Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada, I was appointed to the Conference's secretariat. Ligonier '94 was without doubt one of the brightest moments—if not THE brightest moment—in the history of Holy Orthodoxy in the New World. Dozens of bishops met and prayed and deliberated on that Pennsylvania mountain-top, while hundreds of thousands of our young people across the continent prayed and fasted that we might accomplish a good for Holy Orthodoxy. And, by God's grace, a great good was indeed accomplished! The common hope and vision expressed by my brother bishops during those several days and reflected in the two historic documents produced by the Conference caused a refreshing and invigorating breeze to blow across this continent, opening the doors of our Orthodox congregations with hope and joyful anticipation. But sadly and all too quickly, dark storm clouds blew in from the East, causing those doors to be slammed shut once more. Some of those doors were and remained locked to this very day, while others stand ajar, awaiting another refreshing and invigorating breeze to open them once again. May that breeze come quickly! | ||
− | Episcop [[Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui) | + | Episcop [[Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui) de Los Angeles]], [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America|Antiochian Archdiocese]]: |
:The Orthodox Church offers the spiritual healing so many need as they realize the emptiness of secularism and materialism. The task for us in the Church is to offer true spirituality rather than the empty entertainment that passes for Christianity in the West. We must get beyond duels over the Scripture with fundamentalists and revisionists, and instead challenge people with the evidence we have for the true healing and ''theosis'' found only in the Orthodox Church. | :The Orthodox Church offers the spiritual healing so many need as they realize the emptiness of secularism and materialism. The task for us in the Church is to offer true spirituality rather than the empty entertainment that passes for Christianity in the West. We must get beyond duels over the Scripture with fundamentalists and revisionists, and instead challenge people with the evidence we have for the true healing and ''theosis'' found only in the Orthodox Church. | ||
===Alte comentarii=== | ===Alte comentarii=== | ||
− | Expanding on his remarks published in the November 2004 ''Word Magazine'', Bishop [[Nikolai (Soraich) | + | Expanding on his remarks published in the November 2004 ''Word Magazine'', Bishop [[Nikolai (Soraich) de Sitka]] ([[OCA]]) had this to say in an open letter in the Winter 2005 issue of his diocesan publication, ''The North Star'' (pp. 3-4): |
− | :It says in the [[Akathist]] that St. [[ | + | :It says in the [[Akathist]] that St. [[Gherman de Alaska|Gherman]] envisioned ''"an Episcopal throne in this land." (Ikos 11)'' <nowiki>[</nowiki>[http://dioceseofalaska.org/pdf/liturgical/StHermanAkathist-FullPage.pdf PDF of the Akathist]<nowiki>]</nowiki> It doesn't say anything about multiple thrones, but one—an autocephalous Church in this land—one that came to be in 1970 [i.e., the [[OCA]]]. I look back on those seminary years and years later when there was much hope for a united church in America. There were pan-Orthodox celebrations; Sunday of Orthodoxy gatherings were major events and the spirit of the faithful and clergy was elevated in this gathering of the Church. Now we look back just ten years later and find the gathering of bishops at Ligonier is hailed as the greatest event of American Orthodoxy! I wonder how the canonization of America's first saint is relegated to some lesser place in the life of Orthodoxy in America. Even Ligonier was hopeful to those of us who were serving the churches in multiple jurisdictions. Soon we were disappointed when hierarchs removed their names from the documents that were prepared; one on evangelism and the other on administrative unity. |
:Are we willing to truly pray the Akathist and submit ourselves to the vision of America's most wondrous saint in realizing one Church? We don't need another Ligonier, we need a gathering in Kodiak at the relics of America's first Saint, a prayerful walk on Spruce Island and a willingness to accept the call of Jesus Christ for the sake of Orthodoxy—not disunited, but united! [http://dioceseofalaska.org/pdf/Northstar_winter05.pdf] | :Are we willing to truly pray the Akathist and submit ourselves to the vision of America's most wondrous saint in realizing one Church? We don't need another Ligonier, we need a gathering in Kodiak at the relics of America's first Saint, a prayerful walk on Spruce Island and a willingness to accept the call of Jesus Christ for the sake of Orthodoxy—not disunited, but united! [http://dioceseofalaska.org/pdf/Northstar_winter05.pdf] |
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Acest articol face parte din seria Ortodoxia în America | |
Istoric | |
Ortodoxia în America (cronologie) Ortodoxia în America (bibliografie) Reacția bizantină la autocefalia OCA Adunarea din Ligonier ROCOR şi OCA | |
Oameni | |
Sfinţi - Episcopi - Scriitori | |
Jurisdicţii | |
Antiohiană - Bulgară OCA - Română - a Moscovei | |
Mănăstiri | |
Seminarii Teologice | |
Hristos Mântuitorul Sfânta Cruce Sfânta Treime Sfântul Gherman |
Sfântul Tihon Sfântul Sava Sfânta Sofia Sfântul Vladimir |
Organizaţii | |
AOI - EOCS - IOCC - OCEC OCF - OCL - OCMC - OCLife - OISM - OTSA - SCOBA | |
Grupuri | |
Biserica Catolică Ortodoxă Americană Frăția Sfântului Moise cel Negru Sfântul Ordin al MANS/CSB Societatea preoților de mir Sfântul Vasile | |
Editaţi această casetă |
Adunarea din Ligonier a fost o întâlnire a 28 sau 29 de ierarhi creştini ortodocşi din America de Nord, în special aceia afiliaţi la SCOBA, care a avut loc între 30 noiembrie şi 2 decembrie 1994, în Satul antiohian din Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Episcopii s-au întâlnit (mulţi pentru prima dată), au ţinut sesiuni şi prezentări şi au emis două declaraţii, în special în problema propovăduirii ortodoxiei şi a noţiunii de "diaspora" aplicată creştinilor ortodocşi americani
În sensul strict al cuvântului, nu a fost un conciliu sau sinod per se, dar a avut multe din caracteristicile unui sinod, mai ales particularitatea concilierii sau sobornost care înseamnă o adunare de episcopi egali între ei şi care se consideră o "adunare episcopală". Conferinţa a fost prezidată de Eminenţa Sa Arhiepiscopul Iakovos (Coucouzis) de America, pe atunci Întâistătător al Arhiepiscopiei Ortodoxe Greceşti a Americii şi preşedinte SCOBA.
Cuprins
Istoric
Pregătire
Vreme de câţiva ani, avuseseră loc discuţii în cadrul SCOBA referitoare la o întâlnire generală a tuturor ierarhilor ortodocşi din America, în locul uneia a întâistătătorilor diverselor jurisdicţii, aşa cum se făcea până atunci. Cu toate acestea, după spusele Arhiepiscopului Nathaniel (Popp) de Detroit, ideea iniţială a Adunării din Ligonier a apărut în Sfântul Sinod al Bisericii Ortodoxe din America cu câţiva ani înaintea invitaţiilor din partea SCOBA:
- Propunerea acceptată a fost aceea ca Biserica Ortodoxă din America, biserica autocefală, ar trebui să îi invite pe toţi ierarhii din America de Nord să se adune cu bucurie împreunăpentru a se cunoaşte unul pe altul faţă în faţă. Vor fi invitaţi inclusiv cei care nu sunt membrii SCOBA, ceea ce la acea vreme era Biserica Ucraineeană mare.
- Ceea ce s-a aflat sunt deja de domeniul faptelor istorice şi al şansei. Unii ierarhii considerau că apropiata Celebrare Milenară a evanghelizării ruşilor ar trebui să aibă prioritate în faţa acestei adunării locale, şi astfel, invitaţiile din partea Bisericii Ortodoxe din America au fost amânate. Cu altă ocazie, Sfântul Sinod a repus ideea pe tapet, dar un ierarh anume, nemebru al OCA a solicitat întocmirea întâi a unei agende şi astfel adunarea a fost amânată pentru stabilirea unui scop mai precis decât cel al cunoaşterii reciproce şi al unor discuţii generale despre problemele şi nevoile comune.
- Astfel s-a întâmplat, trebuie să o recunoaştem, că invitaţia a venit din partea SCOBA, care, prin eforturile ei a organizat şi asigurat desfăşurarea acestei adunări în Ligonier. Au fost invitaţi doar ierarhi care aveau reprezentanţi în SCOBA, şi astfel întrunirea neoficială avută în vedere de Biserica Ortodoxă din America a devenit o întâlnire mult mai oficială a acelor ierarhi care erau în comuniune "canonică" reciprocă unii cu ceilalţi. Astfel, unii din ierarhii care acum sunt reprezentaţi în SCOBA, atunci nu au luat parte la întrunire. [1]
Înainte de întâlnirea din 1994, avuseseră loc numeroase şi diverse întâlniri în Chambésy, Elveţia, privind situaţia "diasporei" ortodoxe în lumea întregă, dar în mod special în America de Nord. Aceste întâlniri făceau parte din lucrările comisiei ante-sinodale care pregătea un viitor sinod planificat al tuturor ierarhilor creştini ortodocşi din toată lumea. Aşa cum s-a planificat pentru Ligonier, după spusele Părintelui Nicholas Apostola (care a ajutat la organizarea întâlnirii, a fost secretarul acesteia şi a făcut schiţa versiunilor iniţiale ale declaraţiilor), a fost o decizie premeditată ca principala limbă folosită şi în care a şi fost condusă Adunerea din Ligonier să fie limba folosită la Chambésy.
O problemă majoră cu adunările din Chambésy, după cum spun organizatorii celei din Ligonier, era că acele întâlniri erau prezidate şi se discuta despre "diaspora", toate acestea fără ca vreun reprezentant al bisericilor în cauză să fie prezent.
La Ligonier
În noiembrie 1994, ierarhii invitaţi s-au întâlnit în Satul Antiohian din Ligonier, Pennsylvania, găzduiţi de Mitropolitul Philip al Arhiepiscopiei Antiohiene şi sub prezidiul Arhiepiscopului Iakovos (Coucouzis) de America, pe atunci Întâistătător al Arhiepiscopiei Greceşti şi preşedinte SCOBA (de obicei, preşedintele SCOBA este ales de membrii acesteia, dar cel ales este întotdeauna întâistătătorul eparhiei Bisericii Constantinopolului din America).
Cu cinci luni înainte, Mitropolitul Spiridon (Papageorgiou) al Italiei a ţinut un discurs la a 32-a Conferinţă Cler-Laici Bienală a Arhiepiscopiei Greceşti, în care a afirmat cu tărie că atât el cât şiPatriarhul Constantinopolului, Bartolomeu, doresc desfinţarea "ghetourilor etnice" care divizează Ortodoxia americană. El a denunţat izolarea etnică plătită cu "identitatea noastră spirituală" şi că este timpul să fie tăiat "nodul gordian al naţionalismului." la acea vreme, Spiridon era privit, în general, ca succesorul natural al bătrânului Iakovos şi cuvintele sale îndrăzneţe pentru unitate păreau pretextul perfect pentru ceea ce a răzbătut de la Ligonier (Michalopoulos şi Ham, 180-181).
Cu toate că, oficial, Iakovos a prezidat evenimentul, el "s-a retras cu graţie în umbră deoarece Ligonier era sub jurisdicţia Mitropolitului Filip, care, astfel, a devenit gazda şi principala forţă din spatele conferinţei." Filip a dat cuvântul eiscopilor adunaţi iar Arhiepiscopul Dmitri (Royster) de Dallas a prezentat răspunsul final. "Prin toate argumentele aduse din belşug scopului unităţii şi prieteniei. Episcopii adunaţi împreună au ajuns la o înţelegere şi emit o declaraţie declarând intenţia lor dea forma o Biserică Ortodoxă Americană unită" (ibid., 181).
Ulterior
Documentele care au fost emise de conferinţă nu conţin limbaj negativ la adresa patriarhiilor Lumii Vechi. Într-adevăr, ele erau menţionate destul de pozitiv în contextul originilor bisericilor imigrante de pe teritoriul american. S-a cordat o atenţie deosebită protocolului de exprimare şi nu a fost emisă nici un fel de declaraţie privind formarea unei denominaţiuni religioase separate sau de înfiinţare a unei Biserici Ortodoxe Americane autocefale. Adunarea poate fi descrisă destul de corect ca o întrunire a episcopilor ortodocşi din America, gândisnd şi vorbind împreună pe o singură voce despre problemele canonice cu care se confruntă propovăduirea lor în America. Michalopoulos and Ham continuă:
- Din păcate, Declaraţia de la Ligonier a fost văzută de unele patriarhate ca o "cucerire a puterii" a lui Iakovos, care de atunci încolo a fost acuzat sotto voce de cultivarea unui "cult al personalităţii." Mulţi se temeau că el este la un pas de a se autoproclama "Patriarh al Americii." Unele patriarhii ale Lumii Vechi erau speriate de pierderea eparhiilor americane pur şi simplu din motive economice.
- Unul din semnatarii declaraţiei, Mitropolitul Christofer al exarhatului sârb, a admis pe faţă că scopul final al Adunării din Ligonier a fost nu numai unificarea dar şi autocefalia. Faptul că acest interviu (dar şi comentariile lui Christopher) au fost înregistrate pe bandă magnetică şi distribuite tuturor parohiilor din întreaga Americă de Nord demonstrează că nu a existat o agendă ascunsă la Ligonier. În afară de acestea, Ligonier a tulburat nu numai patriarhiile Lumii Vechi ci şi pe unii preoţi şi laici din America, la fel de mult. Nu erau puţini cei fericiţi de starea de status quo. (ibid., 181)
Cu toate acestea, ceea ce reiese în mod clar din rapoartele şi documentele conferinţei este că nu a existat nici o agendă de a forţa mutarea unor ortodocşi americani sub păstorirea altor biserici. Toţi ierarhii de vârf au ceva de pierdut în cazul unificării, fie proprietăţi, fie prestigiu, venituri, seminarii, orfelinate sau altele. Concentrarea nu a fost pe "împărţirea locurilor la masă," aşa cum ar avea nevoie Biserica Ortodoxă Americană, ci pe "neregulile canonice care infestează Ortodoxia Americană" (ibid., 182).
În oricare caz, dacă oricare din cei "trei mari" ierarhi—Iakovos (GOA), Theodosius (OCA) sau Filip (AOA)—ar fi fost ales ca întâistătător al Ortodoxiei Americane, păstorirea lor ar fi fost de scurtă durată. Toţi trei erau oameni în vârstă (De atunci, doi s-au şi pensionat). Niciunul din aceşti trei oameni nu ar fi putut fi un "realizator de imperiu," ci doar o "persoană de tranziţie" (ibid., 182). Totuşi, nu a fost nici un fel de încercare de o astfel de mişcare.
Biserica Ortodoxă Americană consideră că mişcarea de unitate de la Ligonier s-a terminat printr-un eşec:
- Ceea ce a început ca un pretext pentru sfârşitul divizării, ulterior, a avut ca rezultat exact opusul. De ce a eşuat? În mod clar, opinia că aceasta a fost o tentativă de preluare a puterii de către Iakovos a avut un anumit impact. Se crede că unul din semnatarii Declaraţiei de la Ligonier, Episcopul Vsevolod al arhiepiscopiei ucraineene, i-a spus lui Bartolomeu că Iakovos era pregătit să se autodeclare "Patriarh al Americii." Cu toate că scopul unităţii a fost declarat pe faţă ca oportun în declaraţiile anterioare ale lui Spyridon către arhiepiscopia greacă, reportajul inflamantdespre Adunarea din Ligonier al acestui sus-numit participant l-a făcut pe Bartolomeu să-şi pună întrebări referitor la motivele semnatarilor. De asemenea, este posibil ca anumite forţe care nu doresc unitatea mărturisirii ortodoxe din Statele Unite să fii lucrat în spatele scenei. (ibid., 183)
Clopotul de înmormântare al realizărilor de la Ligonier se auzea în fundalul înlocuirii ulterioare a lui Iakovos din scaunul său. Poate că Bartolomeu "se temea de pierderea sprijinul financiar al Americii," sau că "se temea de pierderea protecţiei politice a Americii în faţa turcilor," sau poate a fost "nimic mai mult decât o luptă pentru putere dintre doi oameni mari" (ibid., 184). Nu contează motivul pentru care, în 1997, patriarhul a trimis o delegaţie din partea Sfântului Sinod al Bisericii Constantinopolului care l-a obligat pe Iakovos să demisioneze după aproape 40 de ani de păstorire. "În ciuda paşilor greşiţi pe calea extinderii maxime posibile, Iakovos a creat poduri între diviziunile etnice şi a realizat un consens ortodox. Aproape că a reuşit în crearea unei Biserici Ortodoxe Americane" (ibid., 184).
Cu toate acestea, nu toţi comentatorii văd Ligonier ca un eşec. Cu siguranţă, mulţi din ierarhii care s-au întâlnit, ştiu acum mai multe despre fraţii lor în episcopat şi aceasta nu poate fi anulat. Pe lângă acestea, ideea principală a ceea ce s-a întâmplat la Ligonier continuă să trăiască în conştiinţa Ortodoxiei Americane. De aceea, există posibilitatea ca Ligonier să fie văzut ca un eşec al unităţii, ci un pas înainte pe calea spre dobândirea acesteia. Arhiepiscopul Nathaniel (Popp) de Detroit declară acestea:
- Ligonier a înţepenit deschisă uşile indiferenţei şi ne-a îndemnat să trecem prin porţile largi ale cooperării, sprijinului reciproc şi slujirii confraţilor noştri, împărtăşindu-ne credinţa şi altora şi extinzând spiritual vieţile noastre în propovăduirea evanghelică către toţi fii lui Dumnezeu.
- Să ascultăm acum despre roadele care poartă mărturia binecuvântărilor aduse de Ligonier în Biserică şi să ne lăsăm inspiraţi să extindem mărturia noastră pentru unitatea credinţei şi comuniunii noastre în Duhul Sfânt. [2]
Documente
La Ligonier au fost emise două declaraţii, una despre Biserica Ortodoxă din America şi una despre misiune şi propovăduire. Conţinutul lor poate fi caracterizat, în general, ca o respingere a noţiunii diaspora aplicată creştinismului ortodox din America şi astfel divizarea necanonică a ortodoxiei americane trebuie să înceteze. Pe lângă acestea, declaraţia în privinţa propovăduirii spune clar că episcopii ortodocşi americani consideră scopul Bisericii din America unul misionar.
Ierarhii participanţi
Următorii ierarhii au semnat documentele Adunării din Ligonier, cu două excepţii notate. Lista conţine titlurile episcopilor la acea vreme. Indiferent dacă au fost 28 sau 29 de episcopi prezenţi efectiv, în fotografia de grup sunt 28 iar pe documente sunt 28 de semnături diferite.
- Arhiepiscopia Creştină Ortodoxă Antiohiană din America de Nord:
- Mitropolit Filip (Saliba) de New York
- Episcop Antoun (Khouri) de Selefkia
- Episcop Basil (Essey) de Enfeh al-Koura
- Eparhia Ortodoxă Răsăriteană Bulgară din SUA, Canada şi Australia:
- Mitropolit Iosif de America, Canada şi Australia
- Arhiepiscopia Ortodoxă Greacă a Americii:
- Arhiepiscop Iakovos (Coucouzis) de America
- Mitropolit Silas (Koskinas) de New Jersey
- Episcop Alexios (Panagiotopoulos) de Astoria
- Episcop Iakovos (Garmatis) de Chicago
- Episcop Methodios (Tournas) de Boston
- Episcop Philip (Koutoufas) de Atlanta
- Episcop Maximos (Aghiorgoussis) de Pittsburgh
- Episcop Anthimos (Draconakis) de Olympos
- Episcop Philotheos (Karamitsos) de Meloa
- Biserica Ortodoxă din America:
- Mitropolit Theodosius (Lazor) de Washington
- Arhiepiscop Dmitri (Royster) de Dallas
- Arhiepiscop Kyrill (Yonchev) de Pittsburgh
- Arhiepiscop Peter (L'Huillier) de New York
- Arhiepiscop Herman (Swaiko) de Philadelphia
- Episcop Nathaniel (Popp) de Detroit
- Episcop Tikhon (Fitzgerald) de San Francisco
- Episcop Seraphim (Storheim) de Ottawa
- Episcop Mark (Forsberg) de Boston
- Arhiepiscopia Ortodoxă Română din America şi Canada:
- Arhiepiscop Victorin (Ursache) de America şi Canada
- Biserica Ortodoxă Sârbă din SUA şi Canada:
- Mitropolit Christopher (Kovacevich) de America Mijlocie de Vest
- Mitropolit Irenej
- Episcop Mitrofan (Notă: nu a semnat declaraţia privind Biserica din America de Nord)
- Biserica Ortodoxă Ucraineană din SUA:
- Episcop Vsevolod (Notă: nu a semnat declaraţia privind Biserica din America de Nord)
Comentariile episcopilor
În numărul din noiembrie 2004 al Word Magazine [3] (publicaţia oficială a Arhiepiscopiei Antiohiene), au fost publicate comentariile episcopilor SCOBA la a zecea aniversare a adunării din Ligonier (dintre care unii au fost prezenţi acolo iar alţii nu), dintre care prezentăm:
Întâistătători
Mitropolit Herman (Swaiko) de Washington and New York, întâistătător al OCA:
- I think of Ligonier as a moment in the history of Orthodoxy in North America when a love for the missionary mandate of the Gospel transcended ethnic and cultural barriers and concerns. Ligonier provided a venue where Orthodox bishops offered words and visions of ecclesial unity. Ten years ago, the prophetic spirit of Ligonier stood opposed to jurisdictional pluralism even when other hierarchs, here and abroad, sought to justify the uncanonical status quo. Ten years ago, the bishops of Ligonier expressed a oneness of mind which exposed the falsehood that jurisdictional pluralism does not impede Eucharistic unity when, in fact, the presence of two or more bishops in one city undermines the very reality of ecclesial and, therefore, Eucharistic unity.
- Over the last ten years, the national and international stages have drastically changed. People across North America and the world are divided by religion, race, politics and economics. A divided world needs the unifying voice of Christ. But the voice of Christ, if it is to properly convey its healing power, demands the unity of His Church here and across the globe. The work begun ten years ago must continue and be brought to fruition. As long as there are those who hear and do the word of the Lord in North America, the message of Ligonier will not be silenced.
Mitropolit Philip (Saliba) de New York, primate of the Antiochian Archdiocese:
- November 30 to December 2, 1994 was the brightest moment in the history of Orthodoxy in North America. For the first time, twenty-nine Orthodox bishops from the United States and Canada gathered at the Antiochian Village to pray together, discuss Orthodox problems together and formulate a common vision for the future. This brotherly and well-meaning meeting caused an unexpected earthquake in some of the ancient Orthodox Patriarchates. Let us hope that the spirit of Ligonier will be born again and our dream for a united Orthodoxy in America will never fade away.
Mitropolit Nicholas (Smisko) of Amissos, bishop of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese:
- America needs Orthodoxy, without Orthodoxy becoming Americanized. Othodoxy must continue to develop in spirituality and maturity, growing gradually and appropriately toward a developed polity. I am concerned that aggressive attempts toward premature separation from the mother churches of the old lands will result in disarray and schism. Instead, we are called by the Lord to continue in humble growth and obedience to our organic link with the Patriarchates. We hope and pray for the direction of the Holy Spirit in the future life of our church.
Mitropolit Joseph (Bosakov) de America and Australia, Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada and Australia:
- What we—the canonical Orthodox bishops—had done 10 years ago was good. But there are no results so far. It is only a good desire. That means—such is God’s will. Without Him we can do nothing.
- Therefore, I beseeched the Lord to teach me His statutes. After my prayer as usual I opened my Bible with closed eyes and put my finger on the right place. For the first time I opened Revelation 1:3—"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." I asked the Lord: "O Lord! What about until then?" And again I opened the Bible, that time on 1 Timothy 1:15—"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." And for the third time I tempted the Lord, saying: "O Lord! I am not an Abraham nor a Jew, I'm a sinner, but involve me to understand Your Will." And then I opened the Book of Sirah—Joshua 24:29-30, where I read in the new American Translation: "Said to myself, I will water my plants, my flower bed I will drench; and suddenly this rivulet of mine became a river, then this stream of mine, a sea. Thus do I send my teaching forth shining like a dawn, to become known afar off. Thus do I pour out instruction like prophecy and bestow it on generations to come."
- And now it is clear for me, that this prophecy should be fulfilled, but not during my life. I think that all of us, Orthodox bishops, who were born and came to America from the old countries, like me, and now control the jurisdictional eparchies, must die. The Holy Orthodox Church needs new generations of Americans to come after us, who shall fulfill the Lord's instructions and prophecy. Because now, as Fr. Vladimir Berzonsky writes: "Spiritually we are still drinking mother's milk, not yet ready for loftier and deeper experiences of the life reaching out to us from Christ and present through the Holy Spirit within our hearts."
Episcop Ilia (Katre) de Philomelion, Albanian Diocese:
- The time has come for Orthodoxy in America to move beyond simple affirmation of historical, canonical order. It is time to encourage and develop cooperation among churches, which will prove to be a genuine blueprint for greater unity on all fronts. Specific principles need to be articulated and accepted by all jurisdictions in a common commitment to work in consort. Programs of pan-Orthodox endeavor, at the grass roots, should be initiated and supported so that the faithful experience a oneness in purpose and action. Everything is achievable through mutual respect and sensitivity flowing from faith and love in Christ.
Alţi episcopi
Arhiepiscop Kyrill (Yonchev) de Pittsburgh, OCA:
- The meeting in Ligonier of Orthodox hierarchs in North America in November, 1994 was extremely encouraging and positive in its decision-making. It concluded that there was need for canonical unity in America among the Orthodox jurisdictions. The gathering offered great hope for the unity of Orthodoxy in America. My vision for the future remains the same—One United Canonical Church in the Americas.
Mitropolit Maximos (Aghiorgoussis) de Pittsburgh, Greek Archdiocese:
- Congratulations on the November, 2004 The WORD issue, commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Ligonier meeting of our Orthodox North American Bishops. Unfortunately, things have not drastically changed since that time. We still hope and pray for complete and visible unity in the Orthodox Diaspora of North America. Let us hope that, as promised to us in Washington, D.C., fourteen years ago, the ranking Orthodox jurisdiction, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, will assume a leadership role in order for this to happen, hopefully during our lifetime.
Arhiepiscop Peter (L'Huillier) de New York, OCA:
- The Ligonier meeting of the Orthodox bishops in North America was a milestone in the history of Orthodoxy in America. The vision of Orthodoxy that was seen at that meeting is still relevant today, but has yet to be realized. Orthodox jurisdictional unity in North America must be our continued vision; any deviation from this is a contradiction to the order and canons of the Orthodox Church. Let us fervently pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us in making this vision a reality.
Episcop Nikolai (Soraich) de Sitka, OCA:
- The Conference at Ligonier was an exciting moment for many of us who were priests serving the faithful at that time. All who read of the meeting and of its call to unity were inspired with high hopes.
- Ten years later, we still note that there is no place in Holy Orthodoxy for the present case of multi-jurisdictionalism in North America and across the globe, as this only impedes the Church's evangelizing efforts. This was reflected in the Mission and Evangelism Statement issued at Ligonier: "We commit ourselves to avoiding the creation of parallel and competitive Orthodox parishes, missions, and mission programs... and to move forward towards a concerted, formal, and united mission program in order to make a real impact on North America through Orthodox mission and evangelism."
- Our prayer and efforts should be for one Holy Orthodox Church in North America, a goal that can only be accomplished in the spirit of cooperation and not division.
Arhiepiscop Nathaniel (Popp) de Detroit, OCA:
- Orthodox Christians working out their salvation in Canada and the United States of America must separately be united into two local Autocephalous Churches, each pastored by hierarchs synergetically working in two unique Holy Synods, each one headed by its own Patriarch. The long-term goal of one hierarch shepherding one metropolis will, in time, manifest itself through the will of the Holy Spirit inspiring the entire Church. Inasmuch as each "jurisdiction" serves both an ethnic and indigenous flock, it should continue its ministry uninterrupted. Present imperfect "Eucharistic unity" will be perfected because of administrative unity. Temporarily, administrative unity means each jurisdiction will keep its own administrative structures which, nonetheless, are brought into a national unity through representation by each hierarch in his national, Canadian or American, Holy Synod. Each Autocephalous Church must create a single Constitution and By-laws/Statutes to best serve the needs of the native-born and the immigrant. The unity of the hierarchs, in Synodia, would manifest itself in unity of purpose of internal and external evangelization as outlined ten years ago in the two documents born of the Ligonier meeting. This to be achieved through the movement of the Holy Spirit empowering these Orthodox Christians through fasting, prayer and almsgiving to act creatively.
Episcop Antoun (Khouri) de Miami, Antiochian Archdiocese:
- I honestly thought after Ligonier that we were beginning a new era of cooperation and Orthodox unity on this continent. For the first time since the early years of our presence in the Americas, it seemed there was a common vision, or at least a common goal of working together, not just for the sake of working together, but toward a canonically proper end of a unified Church. For me, the chance to sit down with brother bishops, many of whom I had never met, was a great and awesome experience. What made this experience great and awesome, besides just getting together, was that there was a purpose. Oftentimes we had gotten together in the past, but just for social purposes or anniversaries, celebrations, etc. This time it was for the good of the Church. Unfortunately, what happened in the aftermath of Ligonier left us further apart and more disunited than we were in the years that led up to that historic gathering.
Episcop Basil (Essey) de Wichita, Antiochian Archdiocese:
- In 1994 I was a relatively new and young bishop when the now famous Conference of Bishops was convened at the Antiochian Village, and so together with another young bishop, His Grace Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada, I was appointed to the Conference's secretariat. Ligonier '94 was without doubt one of the brightest moments—if not THE brightest moment—in the history of Holy Orthodoxy in the New World. Dozens of bishops met and prayed and deliberated on that Pennsylvania mountain-top, while hundreds of thousands of our young people across the continent prayed and fasted that we might accomplish a good for Holy Orthodoxy. And, by God's grace, a great good was indeed accomplished! The common hope and vision expressed by my brother bishops during those several days and reflected in the two historic documents produced by the Conference caused a refreshing and invigorating breeze to blow across this continent, opening the doors of our Orthodox congregations with hope and joyful anticipation. But sadly and all too quickly, dark storm clouds blew in from the East, causing those doors to be slammed shut once more. Some of those doors were and remained locked to this very day, while others stand ajar, awaiting another refreshing and invigorating breeze to open them once again. May that breeze come quickly!
Episcop Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui) de Los Angeles, Antiochian Archdiocese:
- The Orthodox Church offers the spiritual healing so many need as they realize the emptiness of secularism and materialism. The task for us in the Church is to offer true spirituality rather than the empty entertainment that passes for Christianity in the West. We must get beyond duels over the Scripture with fundamentalists and revisionists, and instead challenge people with the evidence we have for the true healing and theosis found only in the Orthodox Church.
Alte comentarii
Expanding on his remarks published in the November 2004 Word Magazine, Bishop Nikolai (Soraich) de Sitka (OCA) had this to say in an open letter in the Winter 2005 issue of his diocesan publication, The North Star (pp. 3-4):
- It says in the Akathist that St. Gherman envisioned "an Episcopal throne in this land." (Ikos 11) [PDF of the Akathist] It doesn't say anything about multiple thrones, but one—an autocephalous Church in this land—one that came to be in 1970 [i.e., the OCA]. I look back on those seminary years and years later when there was much hope for a united church in America. There were pan-Orthodox celebrations; Sunday of Orthodoxy gatherings were major events and the spirit of the faithful and clergy was elevated in this gathering of the Church. Now we look back just ten years later and find the gathering of bishops at Ligonier is hailed as the greatest event of American Orthodoxy! I wonder how the canonization of America's first saint is relegated to some lesser place in the life of Orthodoxy in America. Even Ligonier was hopeful to those of us who were serving the churches in multiple jurisdictions. Soon we were disappointed when hierarchs removed their names from the documents that were prepared; one on evangelism and the other on administrative unity.
- Are we willing to truly pray the Akathist and submit ourselves to the vision of America's most wondrous saint in realizing one Church? We don't need another Ligonier, we need a gathering in Kodiak at the relics of America's first Saint, a prayerful walk on Spruce Island and a willingness to accept the call of Jesus Christ for the sake of Orthodoxy—not disunited, but united! [4]
A reply to his letter was published in February 2005 on the Orthodoxy Today website.
Vezi şi also
Izvoare
- The American Orthodox Church: A History of Its Beginnings, by George C. Michalopulos and Herb Ham (ISBN 1-928653-14-6), pp. 179-184
- The Vision of Ligonier: Inter-Orthodox Cooperation or Ligonier: The Vision and the Reality, by Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) of Detroit
- Word Magazine, November 2004
Legături externe
Surse principale
Documente
- Statement on the Church in North America, including images of the bishops' signatures
- Statement on Mission and Evangelism, also including signatures
Prezentări
- Unity in the Orthodox "Diaspora", by Metropolitan Maximos (Aghiorgoussis) of Pittsburgh
- Mission and Evangelism, by Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) of New York
Articole de presă
- Patriarchate responds to Ligonier meeting, Feb. 8, 1995
- Single-church bid in N. America hits Greek hurdle; Patriarch demands retraction, from the Washington Times
Surse secundare
- "A New Era Begins", a video documentary of the Ligonier Meeting
- Word Magazine, November 2004, focusing mainly on the 10th anniversary of the Ligonier Meeting
- The Vision of Ligonier: Inter-Orthodox Cooperation or Ligonier: The Vision and the Reality, by Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) of Detroit
- The American Orthodox Church: A History of Its Beginnings, a book by George C. Michalopulos and Herb Ham (ISBN 1-928653-14-6); Chapter 11 is entitled "Ligonier and the Challenge to the Old World"
- Ligonier: Ten Years Later, by Dr. Valerie A. Karras