Archbishop Alexander of Dallas

June 5, 2020
The Leavetaking of Ascension

To the Clergy and Monastics of the Diocese of the South,

The blessing of the Lord!

It is with great sadness that I have learned about the continued detrimental impact that the the so-called “Orthodox Ethos” website [here], which is sanctioned by no canonical jurisdiction to my knowledge, is having upon the spiritual wellbeing of the flock entrusted to my care. I am reminded of the words of our Lord, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Mt. 7:15) It takes so little effort to devour and destroy, while it is so very difficult to heal deep wounds of the soul. God forbid I stand by in silence!

I would never encourage censorship – we may read what we will. The articles on the “Orthodox Ethos” site are written by people that do no answer to me (though they will certainly answer to God). On balance, I offer to you not my words, but the letter of a “wise priest in the diocese” [here] who is unfortunately facing the scandal of doubt, fear and anger provoked by “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” Please use all or parts of this as you see fit in the care of your flock.

Be assured of my prayers for you all during this difficult time.

I am yours, in Christ,

✠ ALEXANDER
Archbishop of Dallas and the South

See the original of this letter here. See the Coronavirus / Faith in a Time of Pandemic section in our Archives 2020.

Archbishop Alexander has been the ruling hierarch of the OCA’s Bulgarian Diocese since 2012 and the Diocese of the South since 2016. Read his official biography on the website of the Orthodoxy Church in America.

Father Peter Heers is reputed to be cut from the same ideological cloth as Father Josiah Trenham.

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A Blessed and Joyous Feast of Pentecost to Our Brothers and Sisters Around the World!