It has come to my attention that Deacon Methodius Chwastek, who at one time was a St. Vladimir's minor cleric (Subdeacon) and left our diocese without a blessing, then left the diocese he fled to without a blessing, then joined a schismatic Old Calendarist group, and then received false ordination by the false bishop of that group, has been attempting to interact with some of our parishioners.

First: we should pray intently for Deacon Methodius and his family, for they are in a very dangerous spiritual situation. Their souls are in danger. St. John Chrysostom equates schism with heresy, and notes that not even the blood of martyrdom washes away the sin of schism.

Second: in that Deacon Methodius has shown by his actions that he is in spiritual delusion we should neither seek his counsel nor pay any heed to it if he gives it.

Third: the diocesan Spiritual Court is presently dealing with Deacon Methodius' case and, baring repentance and return to the Church on his part, it is very likely that he will be defrocked as a Deacon (we do not in any way recognize his false priestly ordination, and thus there is no reason to even address that point) and be counted by the Church as a schismatic layman. It goes without saying that it is folly to seek or receive spiritual counsel from a layman who has left the Orthodox Church. Please contact me or Fr. Colin if you have questions, and again, please remember Deacon Methodius and his family in your prayers.