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	OCA Council Wants Bishop Suspended By Ralph Gibbs Kodiak Daily Mirror April 3, 2008 http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=6036 Comparing himself to Jesus Christ in an interview with KTUU television in Anchorage, Bishop Nikolai Soraich said of his recent mandatory leave of absence, "I felt very much like Christ, going to the cross and being abandoned and pushed aside and no one there for him." Now he has more reason to feel that way. On Wednesday, the Orthodox Church in America's Metropolitan Council, the permanent executive body of the church, voted unanimously requesting the OCA "immediately reverse" its recent decision to lift Bishop Nikolai's suspension. The OCA synod revoked Bishop Nikolai's suspension on March 27. "Taking account of the anxieties, fears and pain of the Orthodox faithful of Alaska, and the deep concern expressed by all the faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, the Metropolitan Council is profoundly disappointed by the Holy Synod's decision to lift the leave of absence of His Grace, Bishop Nikolai before a proper solution has been determined, and respectfully asks our hierarchs — in faith, hope and love — to immediately reverse this decision," the council's statement read. Bishop Nikolai was placed on mandatory leave of absence in early March after refusing to take a voluntary leave while investigators looked into accusations of verbal and emotional abuse by the bishop. During this mandatory leave of absence, in which the bishop never left Alaska as ordered, a sparring match between Bishop Nikolai and OCA leaders played out on the Internet. Archpriest Alexander Garklavs was appointed administrator of the Alaska diocese and traveled to Alaska in mid-March to meet with parishioners and clergy. However, upon his return to OCA headquarters in New York, where the Holy Synod of Bishops was meeting to discuss the situation, Fr. Alexander was refused admittance, prompting an e-mail to the clergy and parishioners of Alaska. "We have not seen or been told of the deliberations of the Holy Synod earlier today, but their decision is tragic," he wrote. "That I had neither the opportunity to present my report nor to speak to them is unexplainable." Fr. Alexander went on to say that he was overwhelmed with "monumental feelings of anger." He closed by stating that because Bishop Nikolai was reinstated, Fr. Alexander was no longer the administrator of Alaska. "But I will not abandon your cause nor forget your noble courage," he wrote in the e-mail to the OCA members in Alaska. "I assure you that almost all of your clergy brothers here in the 'lower 48' stand behind you completely. And, if necessary, we will come to Alaska on our own resources to stand next to you during your times of trail." Bishop Nikolai praised lifting of the suspension by the synod, of which he was a part. "The action taken at the meeting reflects the desire of the Synod to approach problems in accordance with the established order of the church," he said in a written statement. Meanwhile, two clergy members, Archbishop Nathaniel and Bishop Tikhon, are in Alaska conducting investigations into the allegations of abuse and have been meeting with clergy all week. They are scheduled to be in Kodiak on Friday. Mirror writer Ralph Gibbs can be reached via e-mail at rgibbs@kodiakdailymirror.com.
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