Mark Stokoe Dismissed from OCA Metropolitan Council, Midwestern Diocesan Council

Bishop Matthias (Moriak) of Chicago of the American Orthodox Church (OCA) has dismissed Mark Stokoe, editor of the OCA News website that published information leading to the forced retirement of Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko) of the OCA and the deposition of Protopresbyter Rodion Kondratick for rampant corruption, from his positions on both the OCA's Metropolitan Council and the diocesan council of the OCA's Diocese of Chicago and Midwestern America.

According to Bishop Matthias' announcement to the Metropolitan and Midwestern Diocesan Councils the dismissal was based on his belief that OCA News "is not a positive force for the Church." The dismissal comes, however, on the heels of an epistle from Bishop Matthias to his diocese on the subject of homosexuality apparently prompted by New York's recent decision to legalize gay/lesbian marriage.

Stokoe was previously dismissed from the Metropolitan Council by Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor) of the OCA for inquiring about corruption in the management of the OCA's national finances, but later elected back to that body and to the Midwestern Diocesan Council with the blessing of Archbishop Job (Osacky) of blessed memory. More here.

"A Brief Synopsis"

An excellent survey of the recent strangeness in the life of the American Orthodox Church can be found here. Hat tip to Byzantine Texas to posting it first!

The Truth Behind "OCA Truth"

OCA News has posted an excellent overview of the authors and motives behind the OCA Truth website.

Mark Stokoe on Personal Attacks

Mark Stokoe, the administrator of the OCA News website, has responded to a number of personal attacks, saying that, "I am little concerned for myself. I have been a target for years now. This is no different than what [retired Bishop Tikhon of San Francisco] was peddling six years ago. What is more concerning, is where does such end? It's one thing to attack me - I am a big boy - but what of someone in the Church who speaks out and is not as grounded? What then? Are we to become a church of bullies and thugs who slander people with impunity? They will claim that [OCA News] is no different. Really? Has anybody ever seen anything like they scream on [OCA News]? Ever? No, never. Nor will they. That is the only answer I will give them: I will not become like them, because even "winning," whatever stupid thing that might mean, one will have lost. And what gaineth a man if he gains the whole OCA, as they desire, but lose their souls in so doing? Sorry, not a good trade."

Mark Stokoe, the OCA, and American Orthodoxy

An interesting article about Mark Stokoe, the author of OCA News, can be found on the new OCA Truth website. I personally find some of the culture war comments unnecessary - Christians standing up to call homosexuals evil and destroyers of the family is pretty ripe given the rather tragically average divorce and abortion rates in Christian circles - but the article does give people not belonging to the 'establishment' or what have you of the American Orthodox Church (OCA) some food for thought about the ongoing events involving Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen) and the state of the OCA, especially given the strong growth in recent years of more traditionally Orthodox Churches in North America (particularly the Serbian Orthodox Church).

The above aside, I'm reluctant to fall behind the perspective of the OCA Truth website wholeheartedly as we still don't know what's going on with Metropolitan Jonah and the OCA. It could be that he has committed serious errors that require investigation and his removal. I would, however, be sad to see the first primate of the OCA in decades who is grounded in the Tradition and Apostolic Faith of the Church removed simply because he doesn't fit a narrow Syosset and Paris-based vision of Orthodoxy that has little in common with historic Orthodoxy in North America, much less Orthodoxy as it is lived in Ethiopia, Greece, Russia, and virtually every other Orthodox Christian land.

God guard and guide us all during this new time of troubles! Thank God Lent is upon us and we will all have time to fast and pray for the healing and strengthening of our Church.

Update (6/3/11): Mark Stokoe's response to OCA Truth's allegations can be found here.