Testimonies About Elder Ephraim's Monasteries
The accounts in the above links speak for themselves. They have particular value because they [courageously] name the criminals and the scene of the crime. And it is appropriately called a crime: murder. The murder and maiming of innocent souls.
The way Fr. Seraphim Rose handled such tangled messes, rather than dispute the errors contained in them, he would just start afresh and present the truth. But briefly it may serve to separate some of the facts/fictions.
Pure fiction from the elder Ephraim is that sex in marriage is evil, only for procreation, etc. Elder Ephraim's teachings on this subject are his own - not what is given by Christ Himself through the teachings of the Holy Fathers and His Church.
Certain of Elder Ephraim's teachings might fall into the category of opinion, such as what is taught about the landing on the moon, the shadow government, the Protocols, etc. These may or may not be true,* but it is irrelevant. There are numerous conspiracies and conspiracy theories. The enemy purposely manufactures many false conspiracy theories. We don't need to sort them out or study them. All we need to know is that Satan has waged two wars - one against our individual soul and the other against the Church. The Mystery of Iniquity doth work, and all things work together for the preparation of the coming of Antichrist and his one world government and one world church. BUT FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD, ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD. Even Satan's battles against us and the Church can be used to strengthen us and mold our souls, when we exercise our love of truth in these battles.
The facts that Elder Ephraim teaches are twisted into a sickness. Obedience is supposed to be given by us to God of our own God-given free-will. This is a beautiful inter-relationship with God, for we can give nothing to Him that He has not given us to give Him. The Elder Ephraim's supposed clairvoyance needs to be carefully tested to see of what spirit it is. Here is what Ivan Kontzevitch wrote in The Acquisition of the Holy Spirit in his chapter on eldership:
... It is beneficial to reveal one's thoughts to the fathers, not just to any father, but to spiritual elders esteemed not because of their venerable age and gray hear, but because of their discernment. Many men, carried away by the obvious old age of an elder, confessed their thoughts to him, but instead of being healed they suffered harm caused by the incompetence of their confessor..."
... Those elders who take upon themselves the role of the ancient holy elders should know that their very thoughts and ideas concerning the great monastic work of obedience, are false; let them know that their very outlook or way of thinking, their reason and their knowledge are self-delusion and diabolical prelest which cannot fail to give birth to corresponding fruit in the person guided by them.
... If there is no good director available, it is better for an ascetic to be without one altogether than to submit himself to an inexperienced one...
... St. Poemen the Great ordered that a penitent should immediately break with an elder if living with him proved to be harmful to the soul. Evidently this meant that the elder in question was breaking the moral tradition of the Church ...
... While all members of the Church are bound to submit themselves to the Church authority, no one is bound to submit to the authority of an elder ...
... Because of a "kinship" between spiritual guidance and eldership, many less experienced priests may be tempted to "exceed their authority" to overstep the boundaries of their position as spiritual guides, and assume the role of an elder. This circumstance is fraught with the danger of causing irrevocable harm ... It is well known that there have been cases of suicide as a result of such harm ...
... In pseudo-eldership, the will of of person is enslaved by the will of another, contrary to the point made by the Apostle Paul: Ye are bought with a price, be ye not the servants of men, and this situation entails a feeling of oppression, despondency or an unhealthy partial attitude to an "elder." A true grace-filled attitude to an elder does not deprive a person of feeling joy and freedom in God ...
"We should have listened to Fr. Seraphim Rose..."
The Blog of Ruth Entry #5 –
March 26, 2011
LICENSE TO LIE
Fr. Seraphim warned us is that in these days there are no true elders - that our times are too wicked, not worthy. He said we should study the holy fathers' writings and let this be our guide, and to seek "the counsel of the more proficient brethren though at the same time comparing their counsel with Scripture." [Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov, Works, Vol. IV, St. Nilus of Sora.]
*[It is true that the EP is a mason. -jh]
Elder Ephraim Monasteries
Holy Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos Saxonburg, PA
Holy Monastery of St. Kosmas CANADA
Holy Monastery of Panagia CANADA
Holy Protection Monastery White Heaven, PA
Holy Monastery of the Theotokos, the Life-Giving Spring Dunlap, CA
Holy Monastery of St. John the Forerunner Goldendale, WA
Holy Monastery of St. Anthony Florence, AZ
Holy Archangels' Monastery Kendalia, TX
Holy Monastery of Panagia Vlahernon Williston, FL
Annunciation Monastery Reddick, FL
Holy Trinity Monastery Smith Creek, MI
Holy Monastery of Panagia Prousiotissa Troy, NC
Holy Monastery of Panagia Pammakaristou Lawsonville, NC
Holy Monastery of St. Nektarios Roscoe, NY
Holy Transfiguration Monastery Harvard, IL
Holy Monastery of St. Paraskevi Washington, TX
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