Anchorage Daily News | Lisa Demer | Feb. 29, 2008
The Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska is in turmoil. Priests from around the state are seeking removal of the top official here, Bishop Nikolai Soraich. They say he is hurting the church and ruling by intimidation.
The Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska is in turmoil. Priests from around the state are seeking removal of the top official here, Bishop Nikolai Soraich. They say he is hurting the church and ruling by intimidation.
“It’s the accumulation of years now of what the clergy regretfully but sincerely believe is a matter of personal and collective abuse,” he said.
In one example, priests say that the bishop’s edicts prevent children without Orthodox Christian names from baptism in the church. They say he’s made hurtful comments about Native culture, church buildings and ceremony. His second in command told one group of priests not to speak Yup’ik in front of the bishop. They say they are afraid of him.
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Calls to the Orthodox Church in America headquarters in Syosset, N.Y., weren’t returned Thursday. But there’s no doubt the issues are on the radar of national church officials.
“The OCA Chancery is receiving mail and e-mail from clergy of the Diocese of Alaska. There are indications that serious issues exist that may need to be addressed,” the Orthodox Church in America said in a release posted Saturday night on the church Web site.
The church’s top official in the United States, Metropolitan Herman, has been in touch with Nikolai and the Holy Synod of Bishops, the church’s governing body, the release said.
Nikolai said he has no intention of stepping down voluntarily.
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