TOC-R Bishop Stripped of Title For Practicing “Witchcraft”
Updated (4/23 12 PM) to reflect commentary from Metr Daniel.
The Synod of the Russian TOC of Metropolitan Raphael (Motovilov) of Moscow has deposed Metropolitan Sergei (Moisenko), a retired Bishop of the TOC-R, after disturbing proof that he was in fact practicing “counseling” sessions in a neo-pagan healing center in Moscow.
The “Magic Power” center apparently inspired a reality show called “Battle of the Psychics” (Битва экстрасенсов) and the center’s practitioners claim to be “psychics of the highest caliber”. The front page discusses the high quality of their practitioners, while services include psychic readings, Tarot cards, healing sessions and massage.
And there on the front page in what can best be called the “class picture” section, in the midst of a hodgepodge of witches, warlocks, psychic friends and people who just like crystals… is “Father Sergei“.
According to Metropolitan Daniel, chair of external relations for the TOC-R, Metr Sergei has already been removed and stripped of the title, and withdrew from membership in the True Orthodox Church.
“Such activities are not compatible with the episcopal dignity,” said Metropolitan Daniel in an earlier statement to NFTU, the tone indicating some disgust– adding that it was decided to remove the former Metropolitan at today’s meeting of the Holy Synod of the CPI in Moscow on April 22. The Bishop had more to say later in the day to us: “The truth in the assertion of Christ, “I am the truth” is to be treated as eternal, a Socratic principle. But “They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (Holy Apostle Paul). Therefore, using such treatment– (instead of going to doctors)– as magic, witch doctors, occultists, quacks, astrologers, mediums, spiritualists, witches, wizards, sorcerers, “healers”, fortune-tellers, soothsayers, palm reading, theosophy, heterodox mysticism, Interfaith Theology and esotericism– is considered to be a betrayal of God.
Orthodoxy condemns superstition – beliefs that are not based on knowledge, including knowledge of theology. The whole of Orthodox theology does not limit the love of wisdom and the desire for eternal truth, but rather encourages it.
I didn’t know what Sergei Moyseenko may be engaged: an art show. Art, but in a witchcraft center: it is “dead end” for the Orthodox … Well, it appears to be for the love of chasing after money, because it is no secret that these “centers” pay a lot of money. This activity is not compatible with the episcopal dignity. On the feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, we anathematize non-ecclesial and anti-Christian practices!”
His Eminence, Archbishop Chrysostomos of Etna (Holy Synod in Resistance), was, after entering the monastic life, a professor at Ashland University, and a visiting lecturer at the Ashland Theological Seminary.
Ashland U.: “Founded in 1878…affiliated with the Brethren Church. Judeo-Christian values are the foundation of the educational and social environment of the university.”
A former fellow of the National Endowment for the Humanities, His Eminence was a researcher at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley.
GTU: “Religious traditions represented include Protestant, Catholic, Unitarian Universalist, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist. Curricula amongst the schools includes spirituality and interdisciplinary studies. GTU offers joint Ph.D programs with the university’s Department of Jewish Studies. All degree seeking students at GTU may take any classes offered at the University of California, Berkeley. Constituting Schools: American Baptist Seminary of the West, Church Divinity School of the Pacific (Episcopal), Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Franciscan School of Theology, Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Pacific School of Religion (United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, and United Methodist Church) including the Swedenborgian House of Studies, San Francisco Theological Seminary (Presbyterian Church (USA)), Starr King School for the Ministry (Unitarian Universalist), Zaytuna College (conceived from the imperative to establish centers of Islamic learning for the Muslim-American community in the West). … GTU Research Centers: The Richard S. Dinner Center for Jewish Studies, Institute of Buddhist Studies, Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute, School of Applied Theology.”
(The sort of Theology taught at GTU: Aidan Kelly: “The Rebirth of Witchcraft: Tradition and Creativity in the Gardnerian Reform was submitted to satisfy one of the requirements for my comprehensive examinations at the Graduate Theological Union” Having developed his own branch of the faith, the New Reformed Orthodox Order of the Golden Dawn, during the 1960s, Kelly was also initiated into other traditions, including Gardnerianism and Feri, in subsequent decades. Alongside this, he was also an important figure in the creation of the Covenant of the Goddess.)
From 2002-2003, he was Executive Director of the U.S. Fulbright Commission in Romania for the U.S. Department of State.
Nicholasi,
Can we make this more visible on the Internet? You summarize very well all I wanted to say about His Eminence Doctor Chrysostom.
These people need to be exposed!
Seems like there was a lot of jumping to conclusions to me. Did anyone actually ask the man what he was doing there, or was he removed just on suspicion. I am just curious. Perhaps he was in need of money. I have had Christian ministers as friends and never have I found their having different beliefs from mine to be disturbing. I find interfaith work t be most enjoyable.