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**Jannet.K** · 11-13-2007, 04:26 PM

I would like to add to Fr Davids comment that veneration by the people is not the main requisite, especially since a cult of veneration could be based on liking an elder rather than on revelation by the Holy Spirit. I have a lot to thank Fr Sophrony for. I have precious memories (personal) that have helped me over the years. The criticism of Fr Sophrony comes from Archbishop Basil of Brussels, who was a fellow monk with Fr Sophrony on Athos. I respect both whom I knew many years ago in Europe. I think the Bishop's criticism was based on Fr Sophrony's last book - a personal revelation of Divine Light, which is not usually made public, except by Western writers/mystics. Also he was concerned with Fr Sophrony's innovative Liturgical practices such as general confession, serving in way that publicly demonstrated the mysteries of the Liturgy, something very alien to Orthodox praxis. I have not studied these criticisms, but I did witness some rather strange renderings of the Divine Liturgy at Tolleshunt Knights during the 1970s. Any way if the Church glorifies him - then so be it.

This is an interesting point. My concerning was defining the difference between idolizing an elder and venerating an elder. My concern is that people turn to an unknown elder before they turn to their parish priest, and I think this is wrong. I hope this makes sense.

11-13-2007, 04:26 PM	#26
Jannet.K Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 517 Senior Member	I would like to add to Fr Davids comment that veneration by the people is not the main requisite, especially since a cult of veneration could be based on liking an elder rather than on revelation by the Holy Spirit. I have a lot to thank Fr Sophrony for. I have precious memories (personal) that have helped me over the years. The criticism of Fr Sophrony comes from Archbishop Basil of Brussels, who was a fellow monk with Fr Sophrony on Athos. I respect both whom I knew many years ago in Europe. I think the Bishop's criticism was based on Fr Sophrony's last book - a personal revelation of Divine Light, which is not usually made public, except by Western writers/mystics. Also he was concerned with Fr Sophrony's innovative Liturgical practices such as general confession, serving in way that publicly demonstrated the mysteries of the Liturgy, something very alien to Orthodox praxis. I have not studied these criticisms, but I did witness some rather strange renderings of the Divine Liturgy at Tolleshunt Knights during the 1970s. Any way if the Church glorifies him - then so be it. This is an interesting point. My concerning was defining the difference between idolizing an elder and venerating an elder. My concern is that people turn to an unknown elder before they turn to their parish priest, and I think this is wrong. I hope this makes sense.
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