On Friday November 23, 2001 at 7:15 PM the appeals court in Montreal, Canada issued a stay (an order to stop all execution of previous orders) against the actions of The Synod of Bishops in the persons of Bishop Gabriel and Michael Donskoff. The presiding judge agreed with the attorneys for Metropolitan Vitaly that the previous orders had been carried out in flagrant violation of all rules of order and ethical standards in the legal community. From this time forward, all legal actions will require notification of the accused and the counsel of the accused. All proceedings must include opportunities for rebuttal, cross-examination and testimony. By the grace of God, our Metropolitan is now safe from attack and abuse administered by the synod of bishops acting through the persons of Bishop Gabriel and Michael Donskoff.

The recent statement issued under the signature of Bishop Gabriel, from the Chancellery of Bishops, headed by Metropolitan Laurus is a deception. Having had their abusive tactics revealed to the world by vivid photographs, reliable factual testimony and a resoundingly clear rebuke in the courts, The Synod of Bishops now deceptively retreats to a secure haven. They are now hiding behind Michael Donskoff whom they have made their scapegoat while in fact, every action taken by Michael, has been approved by the Metropolitan Laurus himself, acting through the agency of Bishop Gabriel Chemodakov. If you have any doubts about the truth of this statement, we will soon publish the multiple court orders from New York, which were executed ex parte (without notice and opportunity for rebuttal by the accused), under the very name of Bishop Gabriel Chemodakov.

Brothers and sisters, do not be deceived, Bishop Gabriel does nothing without the approval of His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus and the Synod of Bishops. Finally, the entire enterprise is financed by the Synod of Bishops at unbelievable cost. The entourage includes the many attorneys' at $300 per hour, their “expert” witnesses, the entourage of hired security police, the limousine, the hotel rooms and the multiple attendants. All of this is financed by the Synod of Bishops by the order of His Grace bishop Gabriel acting for His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus.

These facts which were omitted from the statement of The Chancery of Bishops should cause any reasonable person of sincere Christian conscience to understand that the Statement of the Chancery is nothing but a deceptive attempt to distance itself from the very acts of criminal abuse that they initiated.

May God forgive them for they know not what they do.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Spyridon