#Orthodoxy

[the-light-of-truth-world]

[orthodoxydaily]

NEWS: Arrest of Metropolitan Arseny, Abbot of the Holy Dormition of the Svyatogorsk Lavra, Ukraine

On April 24, 2024, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted a search in the Holy Dormition Svyatogorsk Lavra of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, detained the abbot of the Lavra, Metropolitan Arseniy, and informed him that he is suspected of disseminating information about the movement or location of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which is punishable by up to 8 years in prison. The accusation is based on the fact that in September 2023, during a sermon in the church, Vladyka allegedly told the faithful about the locations of checkpoints of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near the Lavra and thus disseminated information of a military nature.(1)

After that, Vladyka Arseny was taken by the SBU to the city of Slavyansk, and then to the city of Dnipro.

That very night, the night of April 24-25, 2024, the Oktyabrsky District Court in the city of Dnipro fully upheld the prosecutor's petition and chose a measure of restraint for Metropolitan Arseny in the form of detention for a period of 60 days. The court ignored the defense's petition for house arrest and the possibility of applying bail. At about three o'clock in the morning, Vladyka was sent  immediately from the courtroom to the Dnipro pre-trial detention center.

Metropolitan Arseny suffers from serious illnesses and therefore requires constant medical supervision and treatment, which cannot be provided in the conditions of the pre-trial detention center. The arrest of Vladyka is a blatant violation of human rights and is aimed at forcibly removing Metropolitan Arseny from fulfilling the obedience of the abbot of the Svyatogorsk Lavra, which is one of the main spiritual centers of Ukraine, and isolating him.

The brethren of the Svyatogorsk Lavra prayerfully support Metropolitan Arseny, await his speedy release from arrest, and consider the accusations against Vladyka artificial and far-fetched. Despite the large-scale destruction of the monastery, with the support of Vladyka Arseny, divine services are held in the Lavra to this day, and the brethren of the monastery continue to carry out their monastic podvig every day. Also, a large number of people who lost their own homes as a result of hostilities live in the Lavra.

Metropolitan Arseny is, as it were, the heart of the Lavra, without him it is impossible to imagine the Svyatogorsk monastery. For all of us living in the Lavra, Vladyka Arseny is an indispensable spiritual mentor, administrator, and man of prayer. Therefore, the isolation of Vladyka is a heavy blow for all of us.

We thank all of you, dear brothers and sisters, for your prayers and words of support for the Holy Dormition Svyatogorsk Lavra of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

(1) WHAT MOTIVATED THE ARREST OF THE MOST REVEREND METROPOLITAN ARSENY?

The checkpoint Vladyka mentioned in that sermon was explicitly set up in the neighboring village to block pilgrims from coming to the celebration of the Synaxis of the Saints of the Svyatogorsk Lavra last fall.  It functioned for only one or two days  - for that particular purpose. Vladyka lamented that people were being prevented from coming to worship at the Lavra and from bringing the monks and refugees badly-needed humanitarian aid. Busloads of people from far away, including families with children, were held up and turned away.

[cedarofgod]

Saint Elias Monastery in Hadchit, North Lebanon.

[divinum-pacis]

October 20, 2023: Greek Orthodox Archbishop Alexios holds a funeral prayer for Palestinians who were killed in Israeli airstrikes that hit a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza City. (AP Photo/Abed Khaled)

[mioritic]

Detail from a diagram depicting the "Ladder of Virtues" (or "Ladder of Divine Ascent") fresco on the north wall of Sucevița Monastery

Wilhelm Nyssen, Bildgesang der Erde. Außenfresken der Moldauklöster in Rumänien (Cologne: Luthe-Verlag, 1994)

[soulrestinginstpetersburg]

[godlovesyousoiloveyou]

[enriquemzn262]

Angels of the Hellenic Air Force

Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter jet.

[wordsmithic]

Byzantine column from Hagia Sophia (Istanbul, Turkey)

[orthopunkfox]

Being queer and a Christian is often very difficult. I experience alienation from both sides. Often these two parts of myself feel impossible to reconcile. But, I want to share something beautiful that my priest does that nearly makes me weep every time. The Orthodox Church is not known for its inclusivity or progressiveness. It is ancient and its gears turn slowly. During Holy Communion, those who are not confirmed members of the Church may come forward for a blessing. The blessing is done by gender.

"The servant of God [Name] is blessed..." for men,

"The handmaid of God [Name] is blessed..." for women.

The first time I went up for a blessing, I was hesitant. My gender is no secret and I do not try to hide my queerness. Which blessing would I receive? With sadness, I concluded the priest would do what was simplest and default to my assigned gender.

I stood before him and bowed my head, arms crossed over my (noticeably growing) chest. He raised the golden chalice over my head and lovingly said:

"The beloved of God Quinn is blessed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen "

He has done this ever since and with this simple action, preaches one of the main, if oft forgotten pillars of Orthodoxy: It does not matter who you are, what pronouns you use, what colour your hair is, what clothes you wear, what mistakes you've made, what trials you have overcome, where you came from or where you are. You are beloved of God just as you are. You are created in the Image of God and are a sacred vessel of beauty, and there is a place for you here.

This is true inclusivity. Not the white liberal veneer placed on so many churches where the cishet, boomer congregation pats themselves on the back for the rainbow flag outside while actively misgendering the trans person sitting in the pew. My priest has not given any big speeches talking about how everyone is loved here. He doesn't have to. His genuine kindness and that of my fellow parishioners are the only sermon marginalised people need to hear. In these moments, the two parts of myself become one and I truly believe that the God I love delights in me.

[tolstoybitch]

[the-light-of-truth-world]

[divinum-pacis]

Worshippers in the courtyard of the Church of Saint Porphyrius in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of the Old City of Gaza light their candles on April 15, 2023 [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera]

[margocooper]

Церковь морозным утром и ночью. Church on a frosty morning and night.

Поздравляю с Крещением Господним! В этот светлый праздник хочу пожелать вам всем крепкого здоровья, благополучия и душевного спокойствия. Пусть этот праздник смоет все печали и принесет в жизнь всё самое лучше.

Congratulations on the Baptism of the Lord! On this bright holiday, I want to wish you all good health, prosperity and peace of mind. May this holiday wash away all sorrows and bring the best to life.

[soulrestinginstpetersburg]

Господе Исусе Христе, сине Божији, помилу ме грешног/грешну..

[godlovesyousoiloveyou]