Why Did the Old Believers Seek to Obtain an Orthodox Bishop? #
New Ritualist: If priests have the same authority as bishops to bind and loose, if your community had the sacrament of priesthood even without a bishop, and if bishops can fall into heresy while the church, remaining without them, remains undefeated, then the question arises: why did you seek out Metropolitan Ambrose and establish an episcopate? Why not simply continue without a bishop?
Old Ritualist: The fall of bishops into heresy is the gravest evil for them—a misfortune that deprives them of eternal salvation and blessedness. Therefore, when the church leads them back to the Orthodox faith, it is merely putting an end to evil and doing good by saving souls. This aligns fully with God’s law. The apostle calls out: “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him, let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20, reading 57).
Moreover, we must note that the unfortunate and sorrowful state of the church being without bishops is an exceptional and temporary condition, not a permanent one. So, when we say that the church, holding the Orthodox faith in all things, is Orthodox even without bishops, we are not asserting that it should always remain without bishops, but rather affirming that if bishops fall into heresy while the priests and laity do not, it is only those bishops and their followers who are deprived of Orthodoxy, not the priests and faithful Christians who remain in the Orthodox faith. Undoubtedly, the church’s state without a bishop is, like any trial, a heavy and grievous affliction. And we must strive to ease and bring an end to the church’s afflictions.
Of course, the highest protector and savior of the church, as of every person, is God Himself, but nevertheless, we must pray for the church’s salvation and use the means prescribed in God’s law. In the Interpretive Gospel, we read:
We understand, brethren, that the church of Christ, like a ship, is found in the sea of this world in this life, having as its sailors the holy and faithful, who always have Christ present with them. However, fierce storms attack it, and countless waves of afflictions strike this holy ship; and like a tempest, countless woes and troubles arise, and the fury of evil spirits brings them even to mortal fear. Yet Christ remains together with those who know and believe in Him; He allows them to suffer many things, resembling one who appears to be sleeping. When at last the troubles and evils are beyond bearing, and those who sail can no longer endure the storm, then they must turn to the all-powerful and merciful Lord with fervent prayers and warm tears, crying out to Him and saying: ‘Arise, why sleepest thou, O Lord? Awake, and cast us not off forever. Why dost thou hide thy face and forget our affliction and oppression?’ God will soon arise, drive away all fear, rebuke the tempests, and transform their weeping into courage, bestowing peace, stillness, and safety. He will never forsake those who trust in Him. For He said through the prophet, ‘Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.’ For no one cherishes himself as much as God cherishes all of us. In countless ways, He works marvelously for our salvation, directing us by His providence to loving-kindness (23rd Sunday, p. 307–308).
We Old Believers follow this very course. When fierce storms and countless waves of affliction struck the Holy Church, when her enemies resolved to completely eliminate her priests, driving her to the brink of mortal terror, when Christ, dwelling with her, allowed her to suffer, seeming to sleep, and when the storm of persecution became unbearable, the Old Believers turned to the all-powerful and merciful Lord with fervent prayers and warm tears. Then God arose quickly, drove away all fear, rebuked the persecutors, transformed weeping into courage, and extended a refreshing, calm, and peaceful stillness, granting not only many priests but also bishops, when Metropolitan Ambrose turned to her.
New Ritualist: But why did you seek out this archbishop instead of waiting for him to come to you on his own?
Old Ritualist: Because that is how the ancient Holy Church acted and set an example for future generations. In the canons of the Holy Council of Carthage, we read:
Canon 69: “Those ordained by Donatus, even if they have repented at the Roman council, should not be accepted into the priesthood. But since it is good for all to be saved, let them be accepted for correction.”
Interpretation: “Thus, if the Donatists, having been ordained as bishops, deacons, or presbyters by their own leaders, approach the Orthodox faith, renounce their heresy, they may retain their rank, be reconciled, and become part of the universal church, as there was a great shortage of clergy in Africa.”
Canon 70: “It was pleasing to all to send messengers to preach peace and unity to the Donatists if they will turn to the Orthodox faith.”
Interpretation: “These holy fathers not only welcomed the Donatists who voluntarily came to the universal church but also sent envoys to plead and preach peace and unity to them from all churches, so that, having repented, they might join the Orthodox faith” (Collection of Canons, pp. 143).
Following this holy conciliar decree, the Old Believer Church also accepted hierarchs from heresy in their ranks, not only those who came of their own accord but also sent envoys or petitioners to them, asking and preaching that they return to the Orthodox faith. It was through this course of action that Metropolitan Ambrose turned to her. And by acting as the ancient Holy Church did toward erring clergy, the Old Believer Church is entirely justified.