Future Saint in Our Midst: Metropolitan Philaret of New York
Today, I wish to spotlight a figure whom I believe will one day be universally recognized as a saint within the Orthodox Church: Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky) of New York, the third First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR). While some non-canonical groups have already declared him a saint, I am not affiliated with these groups and thus refrain from referring to him as such—yet. Nevertheless, I firmly believe he is a holy man, and I look forward to the day when the Church formally glorifies him.
What more can be said about Metropolitan Philaret that hasn't already been said? He was a remarkable hierarch, a spiritual giant, and a close friend of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco. In one of the most turbulent times in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, he served as a steady, courageous shepherd, guiding the Church in exile as it stood apart from global Orthodoxy—alone, often misunderstood, and yet deeply committed to preserving the faith.
Metropolitan Philaret possessed many spiritual and administrative gifts. He led ROCOR during a time when the Russian Church found itself in exile, physically cut off from its homeland and spiritually resisting the theological trends that had begun to take root elsewhere in the Orthodox world. Despite the isolation, he upheld the truth with firmness and clarity.
Perhaps most famously, Metropolitan Philaret is remembered for The Sorrowful Epistles, a series of profound letters that expressed his deep concern over the growing trend of ecumenism, particularly within the framework of the World Council of Churches. These epistles are striking in both their tone and content—clear, uncompromising, and deeply sorrowful. They addressed theological deviations and served as a heartfelt cry for repentance and renewal in the Orthodox world.
While I personally feel that some of the language in the Sorrowful Epistles may have gone too far, they were still within the bounds of genuine pastoral concern—unlike some of the extremes adopted by later splinter groups. Metropolitan Philaret's writings were not divisive for the sake of division, but were born out of a deep love for the purity of the faith and a heartfelt cry for repentance and renewal in the Orthodox world.
It is true that one of the challenges to his formal canonization lies in his firm stance against the Moscow Patriarchate at the time—a stance made during the height of Soviet oppression, when the Church within Russia was under immense pressure and infiltration. However, we must understand his position in the context of the era: he was defending the freedom and spiritual integrity of the Church in exile, not seeking to judge those suffering under totalitarian control.
In my heart, I believe Metropolitan Philaret belongs in the company of the great hierarchs of the Russian Church Abroad—alongside Saint John of San Francisco and other luminaries of our time. His legacy is one of courage, prayer, and unwavering faithfulness to Christ and His Holy Church.
I sincerely hope that the next time the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia gathers to glorify new saints, they will look to Metropolitan Philaret. The faithful would be blessed to have another holy intercessor in heaven—one who truly bore the cross of exile, spiritual isolation, and principled resistance for the sake of the Church.
May his memory be eternal, and may his example continue to inspire all who seek to live in the truth of Orthodoxy.
Paisios
Future Saint in Our Midst: Metropolitan Philaret of New York
Today, I wish to spotlight a figure whom I believe will one day be universally recognized as a saint within the Orthodox Church: Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky) of New York, the third First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR). While some non-canonical groups have already declared him a saint, I am not affiliated with these groups and thus refrain from referring to him as such—yet. Nevertheless, I firmly believe he is a holy man, and I look forward to the day when the Church formally glorifies him.
What more can be said about Metropolitan Philaret that hasn't already been said? He was a remarkable hierarch, a spiritual giant, and a close friend of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco. In one of the most turbulent times in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, he served as a steady, courageous shepherd, guiding the Church in exile as it stood apart from global Orthodoxy—alone, often misunderstood, and yet deeply committed to preserving the faith.
Metropolitan Philaret possessed many spiritual and administrative gifts. He led ROCOR during a time when the Russian Church found itself in exile, physically cut off from its homeland and spiritually resisting the theological trends that had begun to take root elsewhere in the Orthodox world. Despite the isolation, he upheld the truth with firmness and clarity.
Perhaps most famously, Metropolitan Philaret is remembered for The Sorrowful Epistles, a series of profound letters that expressed his deep concern over the growing trend of ecumenism, particularly within the framework of the World Council of Churches. These epistles are striking in both their tone and content—clear, uncompromising, and deeply sorrowful. They addressed theological deviations and served as a heartfelt cry for repentance and renewal in the Orthodox world.
While I personally feel that some of the language in the Sorrowful Epistles may have gone too far, they were still within the bounds of genuine pastoral concern—unlike some of the extremes adopted by later splinter groups. Metropolitan Philaret's writings were not divisive for the sake of division, but were born out of a deep love for the purity of the faith and a heartfelt cry for repentance and renewal in the Orthodox world.
It is true that one of the challenges to his formal canonization lies in his firm stance against the Moscow Patriarchate at the time—a stance made during the height of Soviet oppression, when the Church within Russia was under immense pressure and infiltration. However, we must understand his position in the context of the era: he was defending the freedom and spiritual integrity of the Church in exile, not seeking to judge those suffering under totalitarian control.
In my heart, I believe Metropolitan Philaret belongs in the company of the great hierarchs of the Russian Church Abroad—alongside Saint John of San Francisco and other luminaries of our time. His legacy is one of courage, prayer, and unwavering faithfulness to Christ and His Holy Church.
I sincerely hope that the next time the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia gathers to glorify new saints, they will look to Metropolitan Philaret. The faithful would be blessed to have another holy intercessor in heaven—one who truly bore the cross of exile, spiritual isolation, and principled resistance for the sake of the Church.
May his memory be eternal, and may his example continue to inspire all who seek to live in the truth of Orthodoxy.
6 months ago | [YT] | 2