Archbishop: His Eminence, Metropolitan Silouan Oner London
23.12.2023
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
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