How a Bishop Ought To Judge Offenders

Upon this account, therefore, O Bishop, endeavor to be pure in thy actions, and to adorn thy place and dignity, which is that of one sustaining the character of God among men, as being set over all men, over priests, kings, rulers, fathers, children, teachers and in general over all those who are subject to thee; and so sit in the Church when thou speakest as having authority to judge offenders. For to you, O Bishops, it is said:” Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

That It Is a Dangerous Thing To Judge Without Hearing Both Sides, or To Determine of Punishment Against A Person before He is Convicted.

 

On the Episcopate

[When I said],”If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.” I meant it was terrible to desire, not the work, but the absolute authority and power.

I think a man must rid his mind of this ambition with all possible care, and not for a moment let it be governed by it, in order that he may always act with freedom. For if he does not want to achieve fame in this position of authority, he will not dread its loss either. And if he does not fear this, he can always act with the freedom which befits Christian men. But those who fear and dread deposition from this office endure a bitter slavery, full of all kinds of evil, and cannot help often offending man and God.

But the soul ought not to be in this condition. As in war we see soldiers of fine spirit fighting eagerly and falling bravely, so those who have come to this administration should be ready either to be consecrated to the office or to be relieved of it, as befits Christian men, knowing that such deposition earns a crown no less than the office itself.

For when anyone has this done to him because he will not submit to anything which is unbecoming or unworthy of his position, he procures a greater punishment for those who wrongfully depose him, and a greater reward for himself. “Blessed are ye,” says our Lord, “when men shall reproach you and persecute. you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven.”‘ This is surely true even when anyone is expelled by men of his own order, either through envy or to please others or through enmity or any other wrong motive. But when he gets this treatment from his enemies, I do not think any argument is needed to prove how great a benefit they confer on him by their wickedness.

So we must be thoroughly on our guard against ambition and examine ourselves carefully.

—St. John Chrysostom

 

St. John Chrysostom, on Deposition and the Priesthood

Sometimes the temptation for men to seek ordination in Christ’s Holy church can be born out of a desire for honor or power. That is why it is safer for Bishops to come from the monastic rank of the Church. They have a much better possibility to handle temptation for earthly glory and power having been previously formed on the foundations of ascetic spirituality. Bishops are celibates because they usually were monks. The pressure to act more like a Byzantine King rather than like “Christ the Servant,” is more (it seems) than most can handle. Some hierarchs manage to keep the way of humility in their leadership.

St. John Chrysostom writes: “But no one will always endure the strain; for fearful, truly fearful is the eager desire after this honor. And in saying this I am not in opposition to blessed Paul, but in complete harmony with his words. For what says he? “If any man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.” Now I have not said that it is a terrible thing to desire the work, but only the authority and power. And this desire I think one ought to expel from the soul with all possible earnestness, not permitting it at the outset to be possessed by such a feeling, so that one may be able to do everything with freedom. For he who does not desire to be exhibited in possession of this authority, does not fear to be deposed from it, and not fearing this will be able to do everything with the freedom which becomes Christian men: whereas they who fear and tremble lest they should be deposed undergo a bitter servitude, filled with all kinds of evils, and are often compelled to offend against both God and man. Now the soul ought not to be affected in this way; but as in warfare we see those soldiers who are noble-spirited fight willingly and fall bravely, so they who have attained to this stewardship should be contented to be consecrated to the dignity or removed from it, as becomes Christian men, knowing that deposition of this kind brings its reward no less than the discharge of the office. For when any one suffers anything of this kind, in order to avoid submitting to something which is unbecoming or unworthy of this dignity, he procures punishment for those who wrongfully depose him, and a greater reward for himself. “Blessed,” says our Lord, “are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake; rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven.” And this, indeed, is the case when any one is expelled by those of his own rank either on account of envy, with a view to the favor of others, or through hatred, or from any other wrong motive: but when it is the lot of any one to experience this treatment at the hand of opponent, I do not think a word is needed to prove what great gain they confer upon him for their wickedness.”

“those who will deny men freedom first attempt to deny them truth. Yet truth can never be fully repressed, for it is not a fact or dogma, but a Person.”

Source: Dennis Engleman -Ultimate Things-

 

Deacon R. Thomas Zell Version

As a favor to an acquaintance, posting this link to an article from AGAIN Magazine VOL. 21 NO. 1 Winter 1999 [here]

Again is publication within the Antiochian Archdiocese.

 

Memory Eternal: Dn. Michael John Russell

February 7, 1955 – January 12, 1999

Michael J. Russell was born in San Francisco, California on February 7, 1955, to parents Bob and Lenore Russell. The family moved to Carbondale, Illinois, where Michael graduated from Carbondale High School. He was an outstanding athlete and captain of his football team as well as a talented actor who starred in his high school plays.

Michael married Wendy Freitag and moved to Hawaii from 1976 to 1978. It was in Hawaii where Michael was “tagged” with the nickname “Madness” because of his reputation to surf the “Pipeline” at times when no one else would dare to do so on the north shore of Oahu.

The Russell family moved to Santa Cruz, California in 1979 and attended Bethany College. At that time, Michael’s spiritual search led him to the Orthodox Christian faith, in which he was ordained a Deacon in 1987. The parishioners of his church loved to see him serve and hear his beautiful voice during the Divine services in the San Lorenzo Valley. Michael is the father of daughter Megan and two sons, Justin and Jared.

For 18 years, Michael owned and administrated his successful business, Michael J. Russell Hardwood Floors, while teaching the trade to his eldest son Justin. “Deacon” Michael, as he was affectionately known, was the loving husband and friend of his wife of 22 years. This powerful man with his famous “bear hugs” and ready laughter will always be remembered by all those who knew him, whether at church, work, or play.

Having passed from this life at 43 years of age, vitality, joy of life, and with the strength of a bear, leaves behind a legacy of friendship, love, and faith in God. Along with his wife and treasured children and parents, Michael leaves three brothers, Bob, John Patrick and Matthew, six godchildren, and a huge family which extends beyond his relatives. Everyone knows that if you met Michael, you liked him. If you knew Michael, you loved him. May his memory be eternal!

[source: St. Nektarios Brotherhood]

 

An account from 1998

The parish in Ben Lomond, CA was then the largest parish of the Antiochian Evangelical Mission. In 1997, it was a parish of about 1500. Saturday Vespers had about 200 attendees. The entire congregation sang as the choir. It has a K-12 school, a world class choir, a hospitality house (for visitors), programs for teens, and a publishing house, Conciliar Press, which the evangelicals brought with them. The parrish allowed a highly respected spiritual father from Mount Athos to visit them and to hear confessions and give guidance. People began to fast and pray more. The hierarchy of the Antiochian Archdiocese then forbade any Antiochian clergy or faithful to go for a confession to a non-Antiochian priest. Their practice of having a complete round of daily services, with Matins, Liturgy, Vespers, and everything else, all well attended, was considered bizarre and no longer normal. Moreover, they had some unusual liturgical customs and Russian customs in their services. Certain Arab ladies in the parish got the ear of the local Bishop and started demanding that the thing was getting out of control; a new leadership had to be installed at Ben Lomond. The hierarchy instructed them that no Russian music was to be used; all music had to be from the simplified Antiochian music packets. Eventually, there was a huge parish meeting and the parish petitioned Metropolitan Philip to release them to the OCA (Orthodox Church in America). In response, the main priest who had years before started the parish from scratch and all clergy who were felt to support him, got a sudden fax from Met. Philip saying they were all defrocked immediately. They appealed to the decision to an Antiochian trial council. Then they were all excommunicated, some for a minimum of five, some for a minimum of three, years. The majority of them were treated as lepers. The building, all property, the school, all the bank accounts, were seized by the Archdiocese. The original parishioners became scattered, confused, and priestless. The court decisions came in in favor of the Archdiocese. However, the remaining small congregation hadn’t been the primary financial backing, and couldn’t support the church as it was. It abandoned the school entirely and gutted or abandoned other things, and began selling property. The OCA eventually received a large number of the faithful, on condition they keep quiet, likewise forbidding OCA clergy from discussing it. The Jerusalem Patriarchate received the rest. The Antiochian Archdiocese considered suspending relations with both. To this day, there is an atmosphere of watchfulness over parishes becoming too much like Ben Lomond had been. The clergy remained persona non grata for years, even after the imposed period of excommunication, and some died as such. Recently, the rest were received back into the AOA or elsewhere. The remainder of the parish is still there, but it’s not what it was. Nothing in the AOA has been like it since.”

This is a slight revision of a text written originally in 1998.

 

Memory Eternal: The Priest of God Father Terry Clark Somerville

May 25, 1950 – October 23, 1998

Born on May 25, 1950 in Shrevport Louisiana, Terry Clark Somerville was the eldest son of Willis Jay and Margie Somerville. His brother Scott was born four years later followed by his sister Marsha. The Somerville family moved to southern California in 1963 when Terry was 13 years old.

The energetic and talented Terry quickly adapted to California social life. He made many friends and excelled in baseball, football, and track at Placencia High School. Terry was elected Student Body President his senior year.

During his high school years Terry began his spiritual search through contact with Youth For Christ International and became a student leader in Young Life Club his senior year. After graduating from high school in 1968, Terry attended Redlands College and spent his summers as a counselor at Redwood Camp, Mount Hermon. His second summer on Redwood Camp staff, Terry met co-counselor and future wife Judi Hopsen of Gilroy, California. They were married on May 15, 1971 at Mount Hermon.

In 1973, terry and Judi moved to Mount Hermon to join the Conference Center staff. The following year they helped found a very active Young Life Club on the SLV High School campus. In 1975, Terry became one of the primary leaders of the Christian Community Church, Felton, CA, which later became Sts. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, Ben Lomond, CA. In 1987, Terry Somerville was ordained to the priesthood of the Orthodox Church.

Fr. Terry served tirelessly as the Youth Pastor as well as highly efficient administrator. Each year, Fr. Terry took a large group of high – schoolers to Tiajuana, Mexico, where they would build small houses, from the ground up, for pverty stricken Mexican families and assist in numerous tasks for Project Mexico Orphanage. He took the youth on visits to homes for the aged, sponsored monthly Senior Dinners, and numerous other activities to put love into action with his youth. He constantly filled the gap for busy parents trying to raise their teenagers in the Valley. Fr. Terry was a Board member for six years with Valley Churches United and served as its Ministers Contact. He was activly involved with the local Crisis Pregnancy Center. Fr. Terry also served as a guest lecturer and high-risk education aide at SLV High School and coached SLV Senior / Major Baseball for three years.

Fr. Terry wrote many published articles as well as co-authoring a goundbreaking book titled Missing From Action. The popular book resulted in Fr. Terry traveling across America holding seminars for men.

Everyone who knows and loves Fr. Terry can warmly remember him being as one who was equally comfortable with a hammer in his hand as he was with the Bible. Only God knows the countless acts of love he gave towards his church and community without neglecting his wife, Judi, and five children, Shannon Hardenbrook (23), Rachael Hagler (20), Gabriel (17), Benjamin (15), and Elizabeth (12), and grandson Nektarios (5 mo.).

Amidst family and friends singing sacred hymns and prayers, Fr. Terry passed from this life shortly after partaking of Holy Comunion.

[source: St. Nektarios Brotherhood]

 

Sentinel News Report

A Tragic Division Liturgical schism splits Ben Lomond orthodox church
Rift pits longtime parishioners against each other by May Wong
Sentinel Staff writer

Sunday August 30.1998

They worshiped together under the same gold dome for decades. Not anymore.
They are a church divided. What started as differences over litugical style
at the St Peter and St Paul’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Ben Lomond has
snowballed into a bitter dispute over power and money. The imbroglio has led
to massive dissension, ex-communication of priests, and uncharacteristic
visits by sheriff’s deputies as members squabbled over ownership of icons. It
has pit godchildren against godfathers, and neighbors and friends against
each other. In one case, a husband and wife are on different sides. The
struggle has even spilled into the courts and resulted in a ruling that says
the church’s roof and the rest ofits buildings no longer belong tothe
parishioners and priests who poured over 1$ million into the property over
the past two decades. The court battle ended last week with the smaller,
so-called loyalist faction backed by the New Jersey-based archdiocese
winning. In a case that raised constitutional, property rights and seperation
of church-and-state issues, Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Samuel
Stevens ruled that the church off Highway 9 and its rellated properties
ultimately belong to the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North
America. “It’s really sad,” said Sophie Majmudar, a Ben Lomond resident who
grew up in the church built now worships elsewhere because of the court
order. “All our tithe money has gone into this property.”

 

Abandoning the Academy

Thursday, August 27, 1998Author writes: Feel free to forward, post, print, e-mail or paper mail to anyone you
think might be interested. Thank you.

BRIEF SUMMARY: Due to the legal and ecclesiastical conflicts at
Saints Peter & Paul Orthodox Church in Ben Lomond, the St. Theophan
Academy, which serves students from first grade through high
school, is in urgent need of financial assistance in order to
continue its operations for the fall academic semester. This is
one of the few grade 1-12 Orthodox schools in the country, and
enrollment of 50-60 students is expected when school begins in a
few weeks. To make a contribution, see the information at the end
of the following letter.

Dear friends,

Some of you have been following the controversy surrounding Saints Peter
and Paul Orthodox Church in Ben Lomond, California, for the last six
months. One of the “untold stories” behind this tragedy is the status
of the parish school which has served many of the children in the parish
for the past seven years.

 

The Road to Damascus

G.O.PAT.ANTIOCH.DAMAS. Fax.963-11-542440414 Jul ‘9S 17:45 P.01 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch & all the East .July 14, 1998

To : The Accused Fr. Terry Somerville

From: Bishop George Abou Zakhem

Re : July 28, 1998 Hearing in the matter of Weldon Hardenbrook, et al.

Enclosed is the notice of Hearing. Please inform me by July 20, 1998, of the names of all persons who will be present at the hearing, and how much time you will need for your case.

Fox No.:00963-11-5424404- P.O. Box (9)- Damascus – SYRIA

---

G.O.PAT.ANTIOCH.DAMAS. Fax.963-11-542440414 Jul ‘9S 17:45 P.01 Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch & all the EastJuly l4, 1998To: Fr. Terry Somerville, Advocate for the accused and excommunicated Clergy and laity of St. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, Ben Lomond California, U.S.A (Fax: 408-336-3648) or (Fax: 408-336-1820)From: The Clerical Disciplinary Appeals Council of the Patriarchate of Antioch – Syria – Damascus (Fax 963-11-542-4404)

Re: Appeal Hearing Request

You are asked to appear on July 28, 1998 at 10 A.M. Damascus time, at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, Damascus – Syria to hear your appeal before the Clerical Disciplinary Appeal Council. In case you do not appear the Court will judge the matter.

Bishop George Abou Zakhem

(signed)

The Secretary of the council

 

Ben Lomond Clergy Appeal to Patriarch IGNATIUS IV of Antioch

June 22, 1998

To: The Clerical Disciplinary Appeals Council of the
Patriarchate of Antioch (FAX 963-11-542-44-04)
From: Fr. Terry Somerville, Advocate
for the accused and disciplined clergy of
Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church,
Ben Lomond, California, U.S.A.
(FAX 408-336-3648) or (408-336-1820)
Re: Appeal Hearing Request

By this writing, we, the accused Presbyters, Deacons and laity of Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Ben Lomond, California, formally request a hearing in order to appeal the verdicts and decisions of the Spiritual Court of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, received by each of the accused and dated June 15, 1998.

This hearing is requested pursuant to and in compliance with information received via fax dated May 12, 1998 to Fr. Terry Somerville from Very Rev. Fr. John Badeen re: Spiritual Court, “6. Within ten calendar days after the Metropolitan has sent the relevant party(ies) notice of such final action, the party(ies) sent such a notice has (have) a right of appeal in writing to the Clerical Disciplinary Appeals Council of the Patriarchate of Antioch and/or the Patriarch of the Church of Antioch, with a copy of such appeal to the Metropolitan.”

The reasons and justification for such an appeal are varied and diverse, and include but are not limited to the following:

 

Fr. John Weldon Hardenbrook’s Defense

before the Spiritual Court of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Los Angeles, CA May 26, 1998
+++++++++
[Fr. John Hardenbrook]

Esteemed members of this spiritual court. I, Fr. John Weldon Hardenbrook, the laicized Archpriest of Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church of Ben Lomond, California humbly present to you the defense for my actions and the actions of my fellow disciplined clergy.

I begin with some most serious questions:

 

Fr. Terry Somerville’s concluding statement

at the Spiritual Court of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America at
St. Nicholas Cathedral, Los Angeles, CA.
May 26, 1998
In the midst of all this, I found out that I had other things to deal with. I had a brain tumor and malignant cancer. If this Court were to meet another year or two from now, I probably would not be with you. I have no positioning to do. Life is short, and I want to speak nothing but the truth, as I see it, from my heart.

I do not think that I am above the bishops. I do not think that any of these men here think that they are above the bishops. We have never taken, from our perspective, issue with the authority of the bishops. This matter has been the way in which that authority has been exercised in matters that relate to us during the last three years.

I do not like standing before you and saying that Bishop JOSEPH has lied to us. Bishop JOSEPH has lied to us. I have witnessed it firsthand. And I cannot stand here, and because His Grace is His grace, pretend that it didn’t happen, because it did.

 

Dn. Joseph Patzke’s concluding statement

at the Spiritual Court of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America at St. Nicholas Cathedral, Los Angeles, CA. May 26, 1998

The purpose of this Court today, as I understand, is to fairly and objectively investigate the charges brought against 20 priests and deacons.

Not stopping at mere investigation, the chairpersons assembled here are to make a recommendation, as I believe, to our Bishop Metropolitan Philip concerning, I quote here, “our future as Orthodox Christians”, with punishments as severe as being laicized or, even worse, excommunication as options for disciplinary action?

Would we the charged want either of those as our future as Orthodox Christians? I think I can speak for all of us in saying no, we don’t. But a lesson must be learned here, right?

Yes, a lesson must be learned here, but now I ask you a rhetorical question, and I think it’s a good question. Why has God permitted this to happen? Is it only to teach these 20 clergymen a lesson on the penalties of the alleged disobedience? What are the other lessons to be learned here? Who else is God speaking to? I wonder if Bishop Joseph has any lessons to learn from all this. I wonder if Metropolitan Philip has any lessons to learn from all this.

 

Archpastoral Directive (depositions)

February 14, 1998

ARCHPASTORAL DIRECTIVE
To the Beloved Clergy and Faithful Laity of Saints Peter & Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church Ben Lomond, California:

Grace and peace to all of you in the Name of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We are very dismayed and deeply saddened by the news of the rebellion and disobedience which Weldon Hardenbrook and David Anderson incited against the Metropolitan and heirarchs of the Antiocian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, at a meeting held Thursday evening, February 12, 1998 at Saints Peter & Paul Church of Ben Lomond. One of the basic principles of Orthodox ecclesiology was clearly stated by Saint Cyprian of Carthage who wrote: “You ought to know that the Bishop is in the Church and the Church is in the Bishop and if there is anyone who is not with the Bishop, he is not in the Church.” For further instructions on the authority of the Bishop in the Church, please read the great Martyr, St. Ignatius of Antioch.

In view of what happened Thursday evening, we would like to inform the faithful of Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Parish that by the apostolic authority invested in us, we do hereby laicize Weldon Hardenbrook and David Anderson for their defiance of the Holy Canons. Furthermore, since the following priests and deacons, namely: Archpriest Kenneth A. Berven, the Priests Luke Dingman, Methodius Clausing, Edward Hillhouse, Robert Hinde, Thomas Lindsay, Terry Somerville, Basil Steiger; and the Archdeacon Anthony Pagano, and the Deacons Lawerence Hulter, Nathaniel Johnson, Terry Adams, Michael Russell, Kevin Shelby, Paul Trigg and Elias Union, have expressed solidarity with Weldon Hardenbrook and David Anderson, we do hereby, by the same aforementioned authority, suspend and forbid them from celebrating any divine service. Henceforth, all the sacraments which they perform are, canonically, invalid. If and when the laicized and suspended clergy acknowledge their errors and repent, this directive will be reviewed.

 

Initial request of clergy for release to the OCA

Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church
V. Rev. Fr. John Weldon Hardenbrook, Pastor
P.O. Box 458
9980 Highway 9
Ben Lomond, CA 95005

Our Holy Mother Tatiana of Rome

February 12, 1998

Most Rev. Metropolitan PHILIP
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
358 Mountain Rd.
Englewood, NJ 07631-3798

Your Eminence:

Master bless.

Because of our love for you and our eternal gratitude for your role in our
reception into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, we address the
following to you with great sorrow. But our love for Christ’s Church, our
commitment to the truth, and our obligation as shepherds to faithfully
shepherd the flock here in Ben Lomond that God, through the laying on of
Your Eminence’s hands, has entrusted to our care compels us to speak. With
a sense of profound sadness we now convey to you a number of events which
have deeply affected our relationship with the Archdiocese.