US: Elpidophoros Decides to Ignore Episcopal Assembly, Consecrate Belya Anyway

On Monday, Archbishop Elpidophoros reiterated his commitment to elevating deposed ROCOR-MP priest Alexander Belya to the episcopate, effectively ignoring the requests of the Assembly of canonical Orthodox hierarchs and the ROCOR. Belya is entrusted by the Ecumenical Patriarchate to lead a “Slavic” Archdiocese, with the goal of taking in Slavic clergy, who don’t want to be with the ROCOR-MP or the Moscow Patriarchate, and placing them directly under the Patriarchate. The truth is whenever they choose it, Belya will likely be made a Bishop of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and despite your heartfelt protests, there is nothing you can do except leave for Bishops who care about the faith, which is your best option anyway.

The full, sorry text is here.

I greet you warmly in the peace and love of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

It has been over a year since the election to the episcopacy by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of His Grace Bishop-Elect Alexander Belya as bishop of Nicopolis. I have heard your concerns expressed to me by way of correspondence and in person. I have welcomed your thoughts and tried to address your concerns with brotherly love and understanding. And I have responded to these concerns during an open and transparent discussion at our Assembly meeting back in January 2023, in Los Angeles, CA. Moreover, in a spirit of consensus, I have postponed the ordination of His Grace searching for ways to create the necessary conditions for a context acceptable to all. However, while respecting your positions, I also have to abide by the decisions of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and proceed with the ordination of our Bishop-Elect.

At the same time, I would like to assure you that I am considering specific actions that, I pray, will facilitate your continued participation in the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA and support a consensus by:

1. Not accepting His Grace Bishop-Elect Alexander of Nicopolis as a member of the Assembly despite article 3, section 1, of the Assembly bylaws;

2. And, subsequently, by not inviting him to participate in any Assembly activities that would put you in any position of discomfort.

It is my sincere hope and earnest prayer that these two suggestions will allow us to continue building a spirit of fraternal collaboration and communion, especially at a time when so many other forces antagonize us. As we read in Scripture: “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.” (Luke 11:17) Our witness to Holy Orthodoxy in this blessed Nation should never submit to the spirit of this world.

May our Lord abundantly pour upon you His rich blessings and continue to guide you as we walk towards the holy feast of the Theotokos’s Dormition. With fraternal love in Christ,

†ELPIDOPHOROS
Archbishop of America

So much for that whole “canonical unity” thing.