Three Priestly Peas in a Pod

​Recent reports have been circulating on several scandalous websites that three Constantinopolitan priests make exodus to Russian Orthodox Church. The underlying messaging and statements akin to priests “leave Constantinople” “due to the growing ecumenism and actions of Phanar in Ukraine.” Suggesting ethical, moral, and theological violations on the part of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Absurd allegations yet a theme which echoes in the subversive blogosphere.

​Even with a cursory review, fundamental questions arise. Who are these priests? What jurisdiction would benevolently admit defecting sanctioned clerics into her ranks? Which chancellors would fan the flames of provocation, rebellion, and schism? These headlines provide many unanswered questions so, for now let’s explore a few.
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First let’s candidly evaluation the three priests which the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) is so proud to take into her fold.

Fr. Spyridon Bailey

• Also known as Darren Bailey, authored books on the occult, vampires, and other sorted topics. Born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England in 1965. Bailey is married and has two sons. Previously he worked as a priest in the Church of England but resigned in 2003. Recently converting to Orthodoxy and takes the name Spyridon.
• He has a small following in Great Britain for a series of YouTube videos which he uses to promote his books on Orthodox themes.
• He serves ROCOR parishes for some time now, most recently -St John of Shanghai in Belfast, Ireland for Pascha 2019. There are several reports of reprimand from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain whereupon Fr Spyridon was suspended for reported infractions to his priestly duties.

Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis

• Fr Emmanuel is a known personage of division and detestation. For years he has written hateful and deleterious commentaries and essays on his website with the assistance of his still living as a dependent adult son Tony. Tony has in his own right caused much scandal with disgraceful graphics he promotes across the internet.
• Known for a self-published book, provocative Hatzidakis harnessed notoriety into a vengeful calling of antagonism against the canonical Orthodox Church. Under the guise of emotionally charged and misunderstood term ecumenism, and ferments schism in the church. I have denounced his writings at archonelias.com to condemn “Manny’s Manefesto.”
• Fr Emmanuel was suspended from priestly duties for years stemming from a variety of scandalous accusations. He served as chanter (Psalti) for years at the St Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs. For his entire tenure in Tarpon Springs he viscously and publicly attacked the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop, and his own Metropolitan, Alexios of Atlanta.
• As a final point the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese officially suspended Fr Emmanuel Hatsidakis on May 9, 2018

Fr. Ioannis Maridakis

• Fr Ioannis is from the town of Galata on the island of Crete.
• In 2013 His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Franscico instructed his priests about Fr John (Ioannis). “His Eminence Metropolitan Andreas of Arkalochoriou, of Crete, has suspended Rev. Fr. Ioannis Maridakis from his priestly duties. Fr. Ioannis has family in the Metropolis of San Francisco. Therefore, Fr. Ioannis is not permitted to serve anywhere in our Metropolis and he should not even be allowed to communicate with our parishes and parishioners.”
• Fr Ioannis has been accused of peddling in Orthodox Relics – One such example touring with a pectoral cross touted to encase a piece of the Precious Cross and “a drop” of Christ’s Blood. The relic is known as “the Precious Cross of Fr. Ioannis.”

Nuff said.

Apparently, these priests do not have official releases from their jurisdictions, nevertheless, serve without the blessing of their bishop (I have no official confirmation of their release). It would be inconceivable to allow these predators to continue their attacks without recall or recourse. Any chancellor that could abrogate such an administrative responsibly thereby promulgating these sorts of mendacities, should consider a change in role within our Holy Orthodox Church.

Now that we have some insight on the stellar character of these ecclesial men, an appraisal of ROCOR arrogantly accepting the suspended priests to serve is warranted. Much can be said about ROCOR. Ever since its inception ROCOR has schismatic undertones and her development of new modern ecclesiology and questionable motives for existence could fill a manual of ecclesial irregularities. I have contended ROCOR should divest herself from leadership responsibility and be re-absorbed by Moscow or some legitimate Ancient See of Orthodoxy. But I’ll leave much of this for a future examination. I’m sure some will justify ROCOR’s numerous anomaly’s but that’s par for the course.

Any knowledgeable follower of the growth of Orthodoxy in America or Internationally, knows the modus operandi of the Russian Church. Like parasites they thrive on conflict within local communities. A horrendous tactic, ROCOR should be ashamed. Whether Texas or Korea, any analysis of Russian parishes will reveal that they are late comers to a community (usually far-beyond territorial boundaries) and found within miles of an existing Orthodox parish. An unspoken truth.

Another unspoken truth is the abundance of seditious Russian funded organizations and websites: extensions of the Moscow Department of External Affairs. Disseminating deleterious convictions and reveling in the pilfering of families from the Holy Body of Christ. This is consideration for future elucidation. Until then, don’t be taken-in by the “Fake News” headlines. Unworthy!