Below is an e-mail I received from Father Anthony Coniaris of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in response to my request that Light and Life Publications remove “Elder” Ephraim’s book “Counsels from the Holy Mountain” from their catalog:
From:"Light & Life Publishing"
To: "David Smith"
Subject: Re: Counsels from the Holy Mountain
Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 16:19:35 -0500
Dear Mr. Smith,
Please share the information you sent us with the new Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. We will remove the book from our catalog if he requests it.
We are aware of the fact that Elder Ephraim's teachings regarding marriage denigrate the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. They do not represent Orthodox Christian truth and have served to break up marriages blessed by the Church.
The best way to heal this sickness is not by removing a book from a catalog but by alerting the hierarchy to the damage being done to the faith and many parishioners.
The Metropolitans need to alert all bookstores and Orthodox Christians regarding what is being passed off as Orthodox teachings!
Prayerfully,
Fr. Anthony M. Coniaris
This is an e-mail I received in early 2005 from Fr. Luke Hartung of the Serbian Orthodox Archdiocese. It shows Fr. Paisios's desire that certain "traditionalist" projects that St. Anthony's is involved in be kept quiet. It also shows who is affiliated with St. Anthony's and helps them carry out their work.
From:"Father Luke Hartung"
To: "David Smith"
Subject: RE: Message from Fr. Luke Hartung
Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2005 21:41:09 -0800
Niphon,
Evlogeite! Thank you for the reply and kind words and congratulations to
you on the birth of your second son, [deleted]. What wonderful
names you've blessed them with.
Yes, it is truly a blessing to be in this part of the country serving
the Church, where Orthodoxy is so strong and tightly-knit. Portland's
pan-Orthodox community is amazing. All of the churches get together
OFTEN for services and vigils. But, then again, with the monastery 45
minutes NE of us, Holy Cross Orthodox Church (Antiochian but with a spiritual
child of Geronta Ephraim for a priest) an hour and 1/2 to the North, St.
Silouan's 2 and 1/2 to the East (ROCOR), New Martyrs of Russia an hour and 1/4 SW
(ROCOR), we are loving our Orthodox neighbors here in The Dalles too!
Something else which is busily 'brewing' on the back burner these days,
is the possible founding of an Orthodox Institute for Traditional
Patristic Studies here in The Dalles! I know this is something you and I have
always spoken of and dreamed of being a part of Niphon so, that is why I am
sharing it with you. Geronta Paisios has told me to 'work on it' but also to
'keep it quiet'. Being with the Serbian Church, I have tons more freedom to
teach the traditions of the Church, live a traditional Orthodox life (as a
priest, husband and father) and to work on things like founding such an
Institute! ;-) I can't tell you all the details in one email but, let me start by
mentioning that Fr. Peter Heers (Divine Ascent, Truth of our Faith,
Apostle to Zaire, and (the newest) http://www.uncutmountain.com/), Herman
Middleton (Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit), and several other -soon-to-be-
PhD grads from the University of Thessaloniki are all planning on moving
here ASAP to help start this up. Then, there is Mr. Patrick Barnes (The
Non-Orthodox- Regina Press & www.orthodoxinfo.com), who is moving
here in a few weeks as well! Finally, one PhD from Thessaloniki is already
here (working in Goldendale and living there with his family), and he is
presently working on getting such an Institute accredited (with
Geronta's blessing)! So, there is LOTS going on Niphon. Now we just need you!
Check out the email from Patrick which I am forwarding you and read up
on the "best in its class" hospital we have here! If you like the idea,
check out: http://www.emp.state.or.us/jobs/lsearch.cfm?system=WIOL for some
jobs in The Dalles. Just punch in "The Dalles" in the location window.
We pray you and your dear family are well. Remember us in your prayers
and please remember to keep this stuff quite. Thank you!
IC XC
NI KA
Fr. Luke Hartung
DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS
ORTHODOX MISSION
Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Western America
1520 Webber Street
The Dalles, OR 97058
541.296.3267
frluke@dormitionorthodoxchurch.org
www.dormitionorthodoxchurch.org
E-mail from the webmaster of Athos in America, Chris Robaidek:
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 11:03:27 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Chris Robaidek"
Subject: Re: Fr. Theologos
To: "David Smith"
Niphon,
It sounds like you have had some contact with St
Anthony's Monastery in AZ. You know monastics can't do
anything without a blessing from their spiritual
Father. I believe that Father Theologos received the
blessing to put up this site from Father Paisios of St
Anthony's. Maybe you could discuss it with him.
Chris
