October 31, 2015
Statement by Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York regarding Letters Disseminated on Eve of General Diocesan Assembly

On October 26-28, the clergy of the Eastern American Diocese gathered at the Diocesan Center in Howell, NJ for the triennial General Diocesan Assembly, during which its participants, led by their Ruling Bishop, would examine the achievements of the past three years and determine the tasks that lie before the Diocese, things that, with God’s help, they hope to resolve in the coming three years. Upon completion of his State of the Diocese address, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York addressed the clergy and delegates with a statement regarding letters that had been disseminated on the eve of the Assembly.

Beloved in the Lord reverend fathers, dear brothers and sisters,

In expressing our gratitude to the diocesan administration, clergy, and laity, who have worthily labored in the parishes of the Diocese for the past three years, I must pause at one unpleasant moment, which in the several weeks before the Assembly disturbed the peaceful spirit of our clergy: specifically, the malicious letters that have been disseminated by e-mail to the Ruling Bishop and diocesan clergy, and have even been discussed in the parishes, scandalizing the hearts and minds of the faithful.

The mission of these letters was to denigrate and discredit diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov, Diocesan Council member Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine, and other members of the Council, who have worked very hard for the benefit of the Diocese for the past three years. The authors of these letters took special delight in each insult, purposefully choosing to clothe them in the words of Holy Scripture, though they themselves forget the words of the Holy Hierarch John Chrysostom, who instructs us that, "To refrain from insulting one’s neighbor is as pleasing to God as offering Him ceaseless praise." It comes as no surprise that these e-mails rightfully elicited a sharp outcry among our diocesan clergy.

We feel that the reason behind the writing of these letters is an exclusively personal grievance and a vengeful spirit the part of their authors. As the Holy Hierarch Ignatius the God-Bearer writes, "Self-love is blind to its own faults, but follows those of another very closely, and judges him critically. This happens because, when a man is enticed by his own righteousness, he elevates himself above others, and sees them as something less than just, if not great sinners outright."

We consider the letters in question to be fallacious and defamatory; we support the diocesan administration and hereby inform the clergy and faithful that all of the actions of this administration are undertaken only with the direct blessing of the Ruling Bishop.

At the same time, as we were commanded by our Chief Shepherd and Savior Jesus Christ, we maintain no animosity or anger toward the authors of these letters, and call on all those here gathered to carry out the Assembly in a spirit of charity and peace, reason and brotherly love, oneness of spirit and mutual support for the benefit of our Diocese, for the benefit of the God-loving flock entrusted to us.

+HILARION
Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese