Essays Concerning the Orthodox Church in America

Joel Kalvesmaki

Did the OCA Bishops Lie about Metropolitan Jonah?

First published on the website of Orthodox Christian Laity on 18 September, and removed 1 October 2012.

updates: A Bishop's Response (2 October 2012) | No Response (2 November 2012)

Letter from Four Scholars to the Holy Synod of the OCA

Coauthored with three other scholars who are parishioners in OCA parishes, this letter appeals to the synod to clarify its July 16 statement.

Why I Disbelieve What the OCA Bishops Said about Metropolitan Jonah

A series of essays critically examining the 16 July 2012 statement released by the bishops of the Orthodox Church in America.

Introduction

Part One: Many Allegations, Few Arguments

Part Two: Testing the Only Argument That Can Be Checked Publicly

Part Three: A Tale of Three Tales

Conclusion

updates

Links to significant public responses, accompanied, where necessary, with my clarifications or retractions.

About the author: In 1997 Joel Kalvesmaki was received into the Orthodox faith through the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (Seattle, Washington, Church of the Assumption). He joined the Orthodox Church in America (Washington, DC, St. Nicholas Cathedral) in 2001, where he has served on the parish council (2009-2011) and numerous committees. He holds a PhD in Early Christian Studies (Catholic University of America, 2006), is a member of the Orthodox Theological Society of America, and is Editor in Byzantine Studies at Dumbarton Oaks.