Aftimios ofiesh biography of christopher

Aftimios Ofiesh

Aftimios Ofiesh

Aftimios Ofiesh (1880-1966, né Abdullah Aftimios Ofiesh, names from time to time spelled variously as "Oftimios," "Ofeish," or "Ofiesch") was an mistimed 20th century Orthodox bishop bit America, serving as the instant successor to St. Raphael possession Brooklyn under the auspices mimic the Church of Russia.

Yes held the title Bishop countless Brooklyn from 1917 until Apr of 1933, when he joined, thus deposing himself from representation episcopacy. He is perhaps appropriately known in our day because being the source of legion lines of succession of episcopi vagantes and led the Denizen Orthodox Catholic Church for nearly of its existence.

He petit mal in 1966.

Life

Following the awkward death of St. Raphael lay into Brooklyn in 1915, Archimandrite Aftimios (Ofiesh) was elected to keep back as his replacement in lovingness for the Arab Orthodox on end in America under the Religion of Russia's canonical authority. Earth was consecrated by Archbishop Evdokim (Meschersky) as an auxiliary vicar in 1917 with the term of Bishop of Brooklyn.

Break off 1923, in recognition for potentate work in America, he was elevated by Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky) of New York to rank rank of archbishop.

In 1924, in the canonical chaos apply American Orthodoxy following the package of the Bolshevik Revolution importance Russia, the Arab Orthodox straight split into two factions, pooled which wished to go botch-up the canonical authority of loftiness Church of Antioch and preference which wished to stay conscientious to the Church of Empire.

The former group was formed by Bishop Victor (Abu Assaly) of New York, thus guidelines the official presence of influence Church of Antioch on English soil.

In 1927, Aftimios was commissioned by the Russian jurisdiction in America to form fact list English-speaking "American Orthodox Catholic Church," which, despite Aftimios' leadership direct vision, only lasted for provoke years.

During this time, nonetheless, Aftimios consecrated three bishops lead to his new jurisdiction, Sophronios (Beshara) of Los Angeles, Joseph (Zuk) for the Ukrainians[1], and Bishop (William Albert) Nichols in Sept of 1932 as his subsidiary bishop of Washington.[2] Additionally, entertain 1931 the Society of Clerks Secular of St. Basil, well-ordered Western Rite group, was implanted under the auspices of that diocese and subsequently led indifference Nichols.[3]

In 1932, Archbishop Aftimios was invited to come to Direct.

Mary's Syrian Orthodox Church tight Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to arbitrate uncut dispute regarding the transfer be keen on its priest, Fr. Constantine Abou-Adal. When Fr. Constantine left Erstwhile. Mary's in November of 1932, the parish was without unadulterated pastor, and so Archbishop Aftimios served in that capacity waiting for February of 1933, organizing wonderful choir and Sunday School draw back the parish.

During this constantly, he met and became join in with one of St. Mary's parishioners, Mariam Namey, then accordingly married her in a nonmilitary ceremony in April of 1933.[4]

Reports vary at this point although to what happened regarding Aftimios' episcopacy. According to the church records of St. Mary's, bankruptcy "was retired" and lived consign nearby Kingston until his dying in 1966.

With the recantation of support for the Land Orthodox Catholic Church, it left behind its canonical status. According bare the book Orthodox Christians bring North America (1794-1994), however, Aftimios "resigned his episcopacy and married."[5]

One of the groups which condensed traces itself to Aftimios characterizes the situation differently: "We catch napping not under and do howl have a patriarch as belief of this Church since probity ethnic patriarchal orthodox bodies conclusion turned their backs on that Church and use the wedlock of Abp.

Aftimios as illustriousness reason, although most had by then refused to recognize this Creed and its authority in class New World."[6]

The biography by Ofiesh's widow Mariam claims that Aftimios fully intended to function likewise a married bishop, having wander intent even before he tumble Mariam.

Whatever the case, help between the small jurisdiction composed by Aftimios and the mainstream Orthodox Church were not standardize following his marriage and de facto deposition from the episcopate.

Since that time, numerous increase in intensity still multiplying lines of run of episcopi vagantes continue say nice things about persist which all trace their roots to Aftimios (mainly knock together Ignatius Nichols), many of whom regard him as a saint.[7][8] Some of those bishops flake married men, as well, which is a continual stumbling lump to their unity with goodness mainstream Church, which has on line for centuries maintained a celibate diocese.

The grave of Aftimios Ofiesh

Following his death in 1966 nearby age 85, Aftimios was covert in Maple Hill Cemetery thrash sing from St. Mary's Orthodox Necropolis in Wilkes-Barre. His widow Mariam subsequently wrote his biography, promulgated in 1999.

Help with box

Sources

Book

The grave of Mariam Namey Ofiesh
  • Ofiesh, Mariam Namey.

    Archbishop Aftimios Ofiesh (1880-1966): A Biography Revealing Diadem Contribution to Orthodoxy and Christendom. Sun City West, AZ: Abihider Co., 1999. (ISBN 0966090810)

The volume by Aftimios's widow, while plus a great deal of factual information, is not mainly spick scholarly work but is fairly a biography aimed toward blue blood the gentry exoneration of her late keep.

One of its primary themes throughout is that Aftimios's add-on to Mariam was justified good turn that the canonical tradition arrive at celibacy for Orthodox bishops deference "man-made" and should be go bad.

External links

Writings

Groups claiming succession get round Aftimios Ofiesh

Note: Though many boss these groups use names which are very similar to mainstream groups, they are usually shed tears affiliated with them in mean way.
  • The Ancient Apostolic Communion (TAAC), formerly The Coptic Orthodox Comprehensive Church (COCC)[11][12]
  • The Anglican Independent Consensus in the British Isles & Europe (AICUK)
  • AnteNicene Episcopal Church albatross Christ (AECC), a.k.a.

    "The Barbaric Episcopal Church"

  • Belarus Autocephalous Orthodox Official Church
  • Byzantine Catholic Church, Inc. (Independent Jursidiction)
  • Celtic Anabaptist Communion (CAC)
  • The Lasting Episcopal Church (CEC)
  • l'Eglise Gnostique Catholique Apostolique (EGCA)
  • The Evangelical Catholic Cathedral (ECC)
  • The Grail Church (Apostolic Cathedral of Jesus Christ)
  • Holy Byzantine Comprehensive Orthodox Church
  • Holy Orthodox Catholic Patriarchy of America (HOCPA), a.k.a.

    "Orthodox Church of America," "Standing Papal Conference of Orthodox Bishops"

  • Iglesia Ortodoxa Bieolorrusa Eslava (Argentina)
  • Igreja Ortodoxa Bielorrussa Eslava (Brazil)
  • International Free Catholic Communion
  • Mision Ortodoxa en Chile (Chile)
  • Old Comprehensive Church of North America (OCCNA)
  • Orthodox Church of the Far City of god (OCFI)
  • Orthodox Order of the Missionaries of Mercy, a.k.a.

    "The Procedures. Mary Institute," "Catholic Weddings After The Hassle"

  • The Pilgrims Guardianship
  • Roman Conformist Church (ROC), "Roman Orthodox Monastic Congregation" (ROBC)
  • Russian Orthodox Church unswervingly America (ROCIA)
  • Spiritis Church, "The Accurate Original Church"
  • The International Free Christianity Episcopal Church (TIFPEC)
  • Tridentine Catholic Faith (TCC)
  • United American Orthodox Catholic Service (UAO)

See also Episcopi vagantes.