Metropolitan Anastassy
1873 – 1973
(August 6)
by Archbishop Averky
Summarized and translated by Fr. Seraphim Rose from Orthodox Russia, 1973, no. 15
In the person of the Most Blesed Metropolitan Anastassy the last representative of the hierarchy of pre-Revolutionary Russia departed from us. As young as he was then, he was one of the leading candidates for Patriarch at the last Local Council of the Russian Church (1917-18), thus clearly showing the respect and authority he enjoyed. He lived for twenty years, eight of the as bishop, in Moscow, and his spiritual character was formed under the influence of the great holy places of Moscow as well as the great hierarch, Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow, and authentic in the Orthodox tradition and a giant of thought and word, many of whose features became typical also of Metropolitan Anastassy. When the fatal year of 1917 came, and many even of the clergy were seized by the revolutionary fever, Metropolitan Anastassy immediately discerned the anti-Christian character of the Revolution and stood firmly in defense of faith and the Church of Christ.
Already an outstanding hierarch in Russia, during the years of the Russian Diaspora, he occupied a leading position in Church affairs. In 1923 he represented the Russian Church at the so-called "Pan-Orthodox Congress" convened by Patriarch Meletios* of Constantinople in order to 'reform" Orthodoxy, and here he courageously raised his voice against the senseless innovations that were proposed then. In 1936 he was the one logical choice of the hierarchs abroad to succeed Metropolitan Anthony as Chef Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, and he occupied this position worthily for 28 years, giving an example of wise church governance. After the Second World War he was responsible for restoring the unity of the scattered parts of the Russian Church Abroad and standing firm together with them in the face of intense Soviet propaganda and pressure which threatened the liquidation of a free Russian Church altogether. After entrusting the governance of the Church Abroad to his successor, Metropolitan Philaret (of New York), and experiencing the great joy of the canonization of St. John of Kronstadt, he reposed in the Lord on May 9/22, 1965, leaving behind his written testament** to his fellow hierarchs, exhorting them to preserve purity of faith and to have no communion with the puppet Patriarchate of Moscow, but to leave the judgment of its hierarchs to the future Council of the free Russian Church.
Archbishop Averky
* of sorry memory. He was a known Mason serving Antichrist's agenda.
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