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Article: “OCA Holy Synod issues statements on Diocese of Alaska at 2008 Spring Meeting”
Date Published: 5/13/2008
Publication: Orthodox Church in America Website
SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] — The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, meeting at the OCA Chancery in Oyster Bay Cove, NY, May 13 to 15, 2008, has issued the […]

Author: Sean Doogan
Publication Date: May 1, 2008
Publication: KTUU TV
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The leader of the Alaska Russian Orthodox Church said he is stepping down, and will leave the state within a week.
For months, Bishop Nikolai Soraich has been at the center of a growing divide within the Alaska church.
After seven years in the state, some […]

After a tumultuous many weeks of disturbing reports of abuse from Alaskan clergy, the OCA Synod of Bishops continues their flip-flops. Having demanded a leave of absence, they lifted it, and now they are demanding it again. Bishop Nikolai has agreed to leave, apparently being threatened with being defrocked as his only alternative:

The Synod of […]

Today’s Anchorage Daily News featured yet another front page news article showcasing the ongoing crisis surrounding Bishop Nikolai of the OCA diocese of Alaska (read the full story here).  For up-to-the-minute coverage, visit http://ocanews.org.

Bishop Nikolai, one of nine diocesan bishops in North America, finds himself under fire from members of his diocese. One newspaper article reports:
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 […]

Date Published: 2/23/2008
Publication: OCA.org
OCA Chancellor issues statement regarding Diocese of Alaska

SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] — Archpriest Alexander Garklavs, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, has released the following comment regarding the Diocese of Alaska.
“The OCA Chancery is receiving mail and e-mail from clergy of the Diocese of Alaska. There are indications that serious issues […]

A sexual misconduct complaint had been made against a high ranking Orthodox official. This news has been reported in over fifty leading newspapers in recent days. According to one news report:
Paul Sidebottom, the former acting Dean of Students at St. Herman’s Seminary in Kodiak, Alaska, has filed a complaint with the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity […]

Date Published: 2/5/2008
Publication: OCA website
In an announcement today, February 5, 2008, the Orthodox Church of America announced that Bishop Nikolai of Alaska suspended Reader Terenty Dushkin, a convicted sex offender, some two weeks ago, on January 17th, 2008.
Dushkin, whose tonsuring as a Reader on December 9, 2007, provoked a media storm of outrage, was suspended […]

By Paul Cromidas
A January 10th story in the Anchorage Daily News tells of the installation by Bishop Nikolai of a convicted sex offender as a lay reader in the Orthodox Church in Alaska. Judging from the comments attributed to the Chancellor of the Alaska diocese, Fr. Isidore, this action appears to be in flagrant disregard […]

Bishop Nikolai of Alaska (OCA) is recently shown tonsuring Terenty Dushkin to be a Reader of St. Innocent Cathedral (picture above, from the Diocese of Alaska website).
According to Pokrov.org, Dushkin has been convicted of nine felony charges and is required to register as a sex offender.
Additional information may be obtained from the Alaskan sex offender […]

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• Should Parishes Screen Clergy?

  • Should Orthodox parishes be allowed to do background checks on clergy which Bishops assign to them?

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• Articles of Orthodox Reform

  • Read our ten Articles of Orthodox Reform to overcome misconduct, establish healing, and
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• Testimonials

  • "I'm grateful that you are so outspoken in talking to the Church. We need to really hear, and respond to the tragedy of sexual abuse by the clergy. As a former Roman Catholic priest, and now a priest of the Episcopal Church, I'm shocked at my own hardness of heart and the slow awareness of the tragedy of abuse, let alone by the clergy. It's a kind of spiritual murder. Thanks for your clear understanding, and peace! In Christ." — Raymond Maloney

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• Recommended Sites

  • Pokrov.org Orthodox sexual abuse web site with many resources and reports on abuse within the Eastern Orthodox Church.
  • Orthodox Safety Council Non-profit organization providing “safe environment” programs, education, and accountability for Orthodox parishes seeking to protect their communities from sexual misconduct or abuse.
  • SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) This site keeps up to date on church abuse issues. It has networks and meetings for survivors in various geographic areas around the U.S.
  • AdvocateWeb H.O.P.E. - Helping Overcome Professional Exploitation Numerous educational articles on clergy abuse, as well as abuse inflicted by other professionals such as therapists and law enforcement officers.
  • Voice of the Faithful Catholic resources to reform sexual abuse laws for the protection of children.
  • Bishop Accountability Catholic site to provide accountability on topics of sexual abuse in the Church.