Elder Ephraim

[MariaRegina]

It's also interesting to me that any time someone questions Ephraim's monasteries or the fact that the GOA doesn't know what to do with this growing problem, the questioner is accused of "not knowing the first thing about Orthodox monasticism." I am not questioning Orthodox monasticism; I am questioning Ephraim's brand of Orthodox monasticism. I understand callings and the quest for a simple, reflective life, but what I don't understand is the personality cult that has grown around this particular monk. I have spoken with families who have lost their family members to this cult. I say "lost" because these novices have been told to adhere to Luke 14:26.

Cult literature abounds in criteria that identifies a cult, and this one fits so snugly into these criteria that one must question: isolation or distance from friends/family, loading the language, control of sleep and food, thought control, and strict obedience. How are the novices cultivated? The elder does this by his own interpretations of the Scriptures and the writings of the Holy Fathers and by pointing to certain patristic statements found chiefly in the Ladder of Divine Ascent (e.g. 4:121, "It is better to sin against God than against our father").

Novices and monks are led to believe that total obedience is a monk's only path into the Kingdom of Heaven and that a monk can gain access to God only through his elder; they are led to believe that their belief in God and their belief in their 'elder' are one and the same; they are led to believe that if they disobey their 'elder' by any action or even thought, they have disobeyed and betrayed God and are therefore no better than atheists unless they repent, that is, obey.

I believe there is much for concern here.

God bless,
Petros

Dear Petros:

Obedience is greatly misunderstood. Have you ever read The Mountain of Silence by Kyriacos Markides? I strongly recommend that you read it. It's really written for men who are struggling with monasticism as you seem to be doing.

The Greek author, Kyriacos Markides, has a doctorate in Sociology. He went to Cyprus to investigate Hieromonk Maximus (now a bishop) who receives all kinds of death threats and still survives. Those who wanted to kill him for encouraging their sons and daughters to enter monasticism now love him. Read the book to find the answers!

Yours in Christ our God,
Elizabeth

 

[prodromos]

It's also interesting to me that any time someone questions Ephraim's monasteries or the fact that the GOA doesn't know what to do with this growing problem, the questioner is accused of "not knowing the first thing about Orthodox monasticism." I am not questioning Orthodox monasticism; I am questioning Ephraim's brand of Orthodox monasticism. I understand callings and the quest for a simple, reflective life, but what I don't understand is the personality cult that has grown around this particular monk. I have spoken with families who have lost their family members to this cult. I say "lost" because these novices have been told to adhere to Luke 14:26.

Cult literature abounds in criteria that identifies a cult, and this one fits so snugly into these criteria that one must question: isolation or distance from friends/family, loading the language, control of sleep and food, thought control, and strict obedience. How are the novices cultivated? The elder does this by his own interpretations of the Scriptures and the writings of the Holy Fathers and by pointing to certain patristic statements found chiefly in the Ladder of Divine Ascent (e.g. 4:121, "It is better to sin against God than against our father").

Novices and monks are led to believe that total obedience is a monk's only path into the Kingdom of Heaven and that a monk can gain access to God only through his elder; they are led to believe that their belief in God and their belief in their 'elder' are one and the same; they are led to believe that if they disobey their 'elder' by any action or even thought, they have disobeyed and betrayed God and are therefore no better than atheists unless they repent, that is, obey.

I believe there is much for concern here.

God bless,
Petros

Well, with your last paragraph you have removed all doubt that you don't understand orthodox monasticism. Elder Ephraim's monasticism IS orthodox monasticism. It is the same as has been practiced for many centuries throughout Greece, Russia, Romania, Syria, what is now Turkey etc. and has produced untold numbers of saints in the church.

Now you may have read this link before but on the off chance you haven't I suggest you have a look.

Athos in America

It is the response of a young monk whose parents tried everything they could to get their son out of what they considered a cult. It was mostly the efforts of his parents, I beleive, which sparked all the controversy.

John.

 

[countrymousenc]

This is not at all in disagreement with the good things that have been said in this thread about Orthodox monasticism, something about which I still have much to learn. I am truly grateful to know that there are monks and nuns devoting their lives to prayer on behalf of all of us.

I asked the priest of the Orthodox parish that I attend specifically about Elder Ephraim. Father Bill's advice is to steer clear of him. He was kicked out of Mt. Athos, and his monastery is not authorized by the GOA, and it is not legitimately Orthodox.

 

[MariaRegina]

This is not at all in disagreement with the good things that have been said in this thread about Orthodox monasticism, something about which I still have much to learn. I am truly grateful to know that there are monks and nuns devoting their lives to prayer on behalf of all of us.

I asked the priest of the Orthodox parish that I attend specifically about Elder Ephraim. Father Bill's advice is to steer clear of him. He was kicked out of Mt. Athos, and his monastery is not authorized by the GOA, and it is not legitimately Orthodox.

Dear Dianne:

I think Father Bill's information is quite a few years old as Father Ephraim's St. Anthony's Monastery is frequented by Metropolitan Anthony of the Greek Diocese of San Francisco because it's under his jurisdiction.

There is a lot of disinformation out there. Father Bill's information probably relates to the time when Father Ephraim was under the jurisdiction of ROCOR many years ago when he first came to America in the early 1990s.

Your sister in Christ,
Elizabeth

 

[OrthodoxTexan]

The monastery of the Holy Archangels, down here in Texas, is likewise under the supervision of his eminence Metropolitian Isaiah of Denver, who has visited the monastery. I have personally visited this monastery a couple of times and have found it a very spiritually rewarding experience each time.

 

[prodromos]

I asked the priest of the Orthodox parish that I attend specifically about Elder Ephraim. Father Bill's advice is to steer clear of him. He was kicked out of Mt. Athos, and his monastery is not authorized by the GOA, and it is not legitimately Orthodox.

Unfortunately, none of the above is correct

John.

 

[countrymousenc]

If this isn't correct, where can I go to get valid information? (Not trying to be insulting, but I like to be able to check things out when the information I'm getting from different sources doesn't line up.)

 

[Photini]

Dianne, one of his monasteries is there in North Carolina.
http://omna.nettinker.com/pammak.htm

Father Nektarios comes to the monastery here in Florida that I just went to about every two weeks. He is very kind.

 

[MariaRegina]

If this isn't correct, where can I go to get valid information? (Not trying to be insulting, but I like to be able to check things out when the information I'm getting from different sources doesn't line up.)

Dearest Dianne,

I share your pain and concern.

Unfortunately there is an Orthodox laity association (shall go unnamed because they are sue-crazy) that is very anti-monastic and composed of a lot of masons who hate spirituality. This group has consistently made up lies about Father Ephraim and have drawn some clergy into their group also. They almost single-handedly got Archbishop Spyridon kicked out of office. Pray for them that they may see the truth. Your priest probably got hold of some of their literature as they do public mailings. I have received their deceptive rag sheet. It is very professionally done, looks very legitimate, and is produced by lawyers who sound so convincing. Your priest probably got a copy of it too. So I don't necessarily blame him.

pray.

Your sister in Christ,
Elizabeth

EDIT; PLEASE DO NOT MENTION THIS GROUP ONLINE HERE.

 

[petrso53]

I return to my original question:

Why are the monasteries that Fr. Ephraim has created not listed or even mentioned on the GOA website or in the Orthodox Observer? Why are his accomplishments of building and collecting so much money and of taking in so many novices not heralded in these two GOA sites? And if they do not recognize him, why is there not an investigation?

God bless,
Petros

 

[nicodemus]

I return to my original question:

Why are the monasteries that Fr. Ephraim has created not listed or even mentioned on the GOA website or in the Orthodox Observer? Why are his accomplishments of building and collecting so much money and of taking in so many novices not heralded in these two GOA sites? And if they do not recognize him, why is there not an investigation?

God bless,
Petros

That sounds like a question for the GOA, not the folks on Christian Forums.

 

[Photini]

The monasteries are listed here on the GOA website. It lists the cities and states the monastic communities are located in. Many of these are Geronda Ephraim's monasteries. They do recognize him. Our Metropolitan was present at the feast of the Annunciation last week, which was the nameday of the Holy Annunciation Monastery here in Florida. I was there also. www.holyannunciation.org
Why the site does not go into great detail, I don't know. Why not e-mail them with an inquiry?
http://www.goarch.org/en/metropolises/index.asp?regional=all

 

[petrso53]

I have contacted the GOA via their website, but their answer was that I should contact my regional bishop.

If this web site is not for asking questions and discussion, then what do we discuss?
God bless,
Petros

 

[Oblio]

I have contacted the GOA via their website, but their answer was that I should contact my regional bishop.

If this web site is not for asking questions and discussion, then what do we discuss?
God bless,
Petros

You queried

Why are the monasteries that Fr. Ephraim has created not listed or even mentioned on the GOA website or in the Orthodox Observer? Why are his accomplishments of building and collecting so much money and of taking in so many novices not heralded in these two GOA sites? And if they do not recognize him, why is there not an investigation?

These questions (emphasis mine) can clearly only be answered by the GOA. There is an off chance that someone here might know the answer, but as nicodemus stated, the correct answer (and fairest too) would be obtained from the organization in question.

 

[Oblio]

You queried



These questions (emphasis mine) can clearly only be answered by the GOA. There is an off chance that someone here might know the answer, but as nicodemus stated, the correct answer (and fairest too) would be obtained from the organization in question.

This assumes that you want an answer and are not asking rhetorical questions

 

[MariaRegina]

I have contacted the GOA via their website, but their answer was that I should contact my regional bishop.

If this web site is not for asking questions and discussion, then what do we discuss?
God bless,
Petros

Dear Petros:

There is a fine line between gossip, defamation, and seeking the truth.

In the Greek Archdiocese, these things are not discussed in public. Those people who have negatively discussed Father Ephraim in public are very divisive and only seek to harm Father Ephraim and to discourage monasticism. Many of those involved in this name-calling hysteria are masons who seek their own gain at the expense of our Holy Orthodox Church, but sadly their salvation is at risk.

The Greek Archdiocese has listed all of Father Ephraim's sites under the url which Photini posted. Any more information can be obtained through the office of the Bishop or by going directly to Father Ephraim's websites.

If Father Ephraim has done anything worthy of an investigation, we would have heard the results in the Orthodox Observer, where they list priests who have been suspended or defrocked. Investigations are private matters. However, no warnings have been issued, nor have any of Father Ephraim's monasteries been closed.

So why are you worrying?

No warnings
No closures
No investigation

We should be focusing on repentance - not judging and defaming others.

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen.

 

[Yana]

I believe there is much for concern here.

God bless,
Petros

Dear Petros,
I think it is not your business to be concerned about it. Rather, be concerned with your own impurities, that's what the Great Lent is for. Our Holy Fathers teach that each person is an image of Christ and by judging somebody else we judge Christ himself. Just as our Lord Jesus Christ said, "What you do onto them you do onto Me."
Have you ever met the Elder? Obviously, not. For if you have, you would never attack him so much because his divine love and humily are great. He leads truly an angelic life and, as I've already said several times in this thread, I will repeat it again - the Elder is a holy man, a true warrior of Christ, he is love and humility personified. I personally have experienced the great power of his prayers.
We like to eat anything we want, to sleep on soft mattresses, to chat on the computer, having wifes or husbands, to take warm showers - live comfortably and so on, but the Elder has given all of these away, dedicated his whole life to God, not knowing any pleasures of this world. All his life has been spiritual struggle, what Holy Fathers call "voluntary martyrdome."
For our sake, he's sacrificed his presious time for prayer to receive us thirsting for guidance in order to become closer to Christ.
How much wisdom can we receive from this vessel of Holy Spirit acquired through so many years of ascetism and self-denial!
He was the beloved spiritual child of St. Joseph the Hesycast who gave the Elder all his wisdom and holiness.

In Christ,
yana

 

[petrso53]

Yes, I have met the monk Ephraim as well as some of the families who have been hurt by the personality worship that follows this monk. Have any of you spoken with or corresponded with any of these families?

The questions I have asked about why the the GOA does not highlight this monk's success in building monasteries and convents is indeed rhetorical. Forgive me for making a statement in the form of a question. I don't believe that God wants us to follow blindly any man or woman on this earth; therefore, we must ask questions and inform ourselves about our spiritual leaders. God doesn't want us to be slaves to any man; it IS our business to question. We shall all be judged one day.

God bless,
Petros

 

[MariaRegina]

Yes, I have met the monk Ephraim as well as some of the families who have been hurt by the personality worship that follows this monk. Have any of you spoken with or corresponded with any of these families?

The questions I have asked about why the the GOA does not highlight this monk's success in building monasteries and convents is indeed rhetorical. Forgive me for making a statement in the form of a question. I don't believe that God wants us to follow blindly any man or woman on this earth; therefore, we must ask questions and inform ourselves about our spiritual leaders. God doesn't want us to be slaves to any man; it IS our business to question. We shall all be judged one day.

God bless,
Petros

Why do you think the Greek Orthodox Observer ignores this whole issue?

1) Father Ephraim is a humble priest-monk who doesn't want publicity.
2) The Holy Orthodox Church is definitely not into hero worship.

The Bishops are very vigilant. If there was any truth to the suggestions you've made, there would be actions taken.

Have you read Mountain of Silence yet? Metropolitan Maximus faced the same problems that Father Ephraim faced --- and he was given death threats by "faithful" Orthodox Christians.

 

[MariaRegina]

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen.