Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland |
ةیشربلأاةیكاطنلإاالمسیحیة الأرثوذكسیة للجزر البریطانیة و ادنلریإ |
Registered Charity Number: 1175538
Archbishop: His Eminence, Metropolitan Silouan Oner
London 23.12.23
In the false apology written by Matei Vulcănescu to me and the clergy of this archdiocese on
21st December 2023, he cites Canon 15 of the 1st and 2nd Council of Constantinople as a
reason for refusing to commemorate me at the Divine Liturgy. In doing this, he is publicly
declaring me to be a heretic and a pseudo-bishop. This is a grave and unjustified insult to me
and to the other bishops of the Holy Synod of Antioch, which cannot be ignored. Apostolic
Canon 55 states: "If any of the clergy insult the bishop, let him be deposed: for 'you shall not
speak evil of the ruler of your people.'"
Therefore it is with great sorrow that I give notice today that Matei Vulcănescu has been
deposed as a priest and returned to the lay state. No priest of this archdiocese may
participate in any service in which Mr Vulcănescu participates as if he were a priest.
To the Faithful of the former parish of St Edward the Martyr and St Paraskevi of Rome,
Liverpool: I implore you for your own salvation to seek an Orthodox parish nearby where you
may participate fully in the life of the Church. There are Greek, Russian and Romanian
parishes either in or near to Liverpool, or you may wish to contact any priest of my archdiocese
for assistance.
Be assured of my continued love and prayers.
Your prayers.
+Silouan
+ Silouan, Metropolitan of the Orthodox Christian British Isles and Ireland |
Patriarchate of Antioch and all the East |
34 Pinions Road, High Wycombe, HP13 7AS. mob: +447834 170100 Email: