Patriarcal Ateneo San Marcos

FORK IN THE ROAD

About the History of the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad
Part I:
SEPARATE WAYS

His Beatitude ULADISLAU, Ryzy RYSKY (1925-1978)

First Patriarch of the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad
I - The vision of His Beatitude ULADISLAU, Ryzy RYSKY
It was 1978, His Beatitude ULADISLAU, Ryzy RYSKY, first Patriarch of the Belarusian
Diaspora in the United States, was born into heaven. This warrior of the Orthodox Catholic
Christianity, sought throughout his life to free his beloved Belarus from the genocidal
Soviet totalitarianism.
He left this world after a long and exhausting fight against cancer. His eyes
closed watching those high snowy forests, moist and frozen soils, fertile land and lasting
aromas despite the passage of time. That was the land of his birth, which he had to leave
in the last days of World War II, when Communism began to own half of Europe.
His Beatitude ULADISLAU, left at the time of his death a Church growing in the hands of
his Archeparch, the future Patriarch Viktor Ivan Bus, a native of the city of Palermo, Italy.
But his legacy went further still, had also founded the "American World
Patriarchs"(AWP), an international organization that had as objectives to be a space for
all churches and all the bishops of the Slavic Diaspora, who had to abandon their land
persecuted by communism, and who were rejected by the "traditional" Orthodox churches.
Some of these new churches ended being an appendix of the USSR; while others
accepted and recognized the Patriarchate of Moscow, re-founded by the dictator Stalin,
the big winner of the Second World War and absolute master of all of Eastern Europe, land
of the Orthodox Catholics.

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His Beatitude ULADISLAU predicted that communism would eventually destroy the
spirituality of the Orthodox faithful in Eastern Europe through political repression, antireligious education and a fierce atheist activism; and this happened unfortunately
supported by some Orthodox bishops. But those who did not collaborate would have to
await jail, torture, the Gulag, and in many cases death. Only a handful, the lucky ones,
managed to flee abroad.
In this sad exile of the many churches of the Russian Diaspora, and from countries
occupied by the communists, the "American World Patriarchs" was there to receive them.
Despite the lack of communication and media that existed in those decades, the
"American World Patriarchs "(AWP) was active without ever abandoning its mission, being
chaired by His Beatitude YURI, Emigidiusz Ryzy brother of HB ULADISLAU, and
continuator of the holy mission.
Despite the efforts of the followers of His Beatitude Patriarch ULADISLAU, the unity
between the AWP and Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad (Iglesia Ortodoxa
Bielorrusa Eslava en el Extranjero- IOBE) would end up in distress by following different
paths. His Beatitude VIKTOR moved all the activities of the Church to Italy, and
subordinated it to the activities of International Parliament for Safety and Peace, an
institution that had him as one of its founding members in 1975, and one of the leading
authorities until his death in 2013.
Thus, the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad (IOBE) enters a lethargy lasting
almost two decades.

Emblem of the International Parliament for Safety and Peace, the most important project
which HB Ivan Viktor Bus, Second Patriarch of the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church
Abroad, had in his lifetime

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II THE PATH OF AMERICAN WORLD PATRIARCHS

In 1967, His Beatitude ULADISLAU, Ryzy RYSKY founded the American World
Patriarchs, with churches and missions spanning eight countries of America, five of
Europe and had presence in Asia and Africa.

In the center, His Beatitude YURI, Emigidiusz Ryzy, Third Patriarch of "American World
Patriarchs", during a Holy Synod.

Along with the AWP is founded the "Peoples University of the Americas" which since its
beginnings offered range of humanities courses in New York for immigrant groups, with
emphasis on making English a natural second language for them. It expanded in the 80s
into Central America, mainly in Puerto Rico where the succession of Ryzy dynasty had
arrived.
When HB ULADISLAU passed in 1978, the second Patriarch of the Archeparch Adam
Bilecky AWP; took office as the Apostolic Administrator. The Archeparch Emigidiusz Ryzy
would become the next Patriarch of AWP within a few years.
Thus, the lineage of the Ryzy continued to hold onto their dream.
An event came to disturb the development of AWP in America, and this was the fall of the
Berlin Wall in 1987, a prelude to the fall of the Iron Curtain and the implosion of the
USSR which finally occurred in 1991.

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This fortuitous situation led to His Beatitude Yuri, Emigidiusz Ryzy undertake a trip to
his homeland, Belarus, to rebuild a church that would be independent of the Patriarchate
of Moscow, which was strongly questioned by all the Slavic Diaspora in the world. In that
first trip, in 1993, His Beatitude found that not much had changed with the fall of the
USSR: all those political and religious officials who sustained the USSR repression,
torture, killings and deportations were still standing, but now with a falsely "democratic"
face. Thus, HB YURI being under surveillance all the time, attempted to establish a church
independent of the Patriarchate of Moscow, but it became very difficult. In 1997, in a new
trip, with more support, still could not get the expected results. The repressive power of
Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus President from 1994 to present, early advocator of the
USSR, and now allied with the neo imperialism of Vladimir Putin, President of Russia,
made it impossible to create a Belarusian Independent Church.

HB YURI, Emigidiusz Ryzy in one of his visits to Belarus - In the image, a chapel amid the
ruins of a church that is in project to be restored

HB YURI with members of his church in one of his visits to his beloved Belarus

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However, a group of courageous priests and a bishop who suffered prison under the
Lukashenko regime -the latter supported in his actions by neo soviet Patriarchate of
Moscow, formed the Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox (People's) Church, that today,
despite the persecutions against the clergy and the faithful, compounded with the
destruction of the missions with bulldozers of the government, stand and fight with the
Gospel in the "catacombs" of the White Russia.
In conclusion, not much has changed in the former USSR. The Soviet repressive power,
although more controlled in its excesses, still exists.
Despite all these persecutions and injustices, the lineage of the Ryzy did not leave the
land and the people which witnessed their birth. The red and white flag remains deployed
in the hearts of many Belarusians who dream of a new dawn.
*

The flag of Belarus with colors that arise from their heraldic tradition and was last hoisted on 1918.
Then again in the short life of the People's Republic of Belarus - between 1941 and 1944- and it
will be back after the fall of communism in 1991 for a short while - Today, this "unofficial" flag is a
symbol of a Belarus free of communism and interference from Moscow.

HB YURI visit to Belarus - Along with Orthodox faithful who seek religious and political
independence and their country

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PART II

PATRIARCHATE AND PARLIAMENT

In times of His Beatitude VIKTOR IVAN I

H.E. MAKARIOS III, founding member

and first Secretary General of the International

Parliament for Peace and Safety.

H.B. VIKTOR IVAN I. Second

Patriarch of the Belarusian Slavic
Orthodox Church Abroad.

During the Patriarchate of His Beatitude Viktor Ivan I, Vittorio Giovanni Maria Busa
(1941-2013) the Belarusian Orthodox Slavic Church Abroad worked jointly with the
"International Parliament for Safety and Peace", based in Italy and Cyprus, which had
among its leading authorities and founders Patriarch VIKTOR and the Archbishop of
Cyprus, His Eminence MAKARIOS III, president of that country also twice. Both were
founders of Parliament in December 1975.
The efforts of HB VIKTOR turned to topics of international politics and security, initially
focused on the geopolitics of the Mediterranean. By then Cyprus lived under harassment
from both Greece and Turkey since independence.
In 1960, Cyprus became independent from Britain, and is elected as president of the
country MAKARIOS III, who will attempt to stop the latent violence between the Greek
Cypriot community and the Turkish Cypriot. In 1974, there will be a coup in Cyprus against
MAKARIOS III by the de facto government of the "Colonels" in Greece. The government
Turkey responds by sending 30,000 troops holding a big part of the middle of the island.
The coup ends in failure and MAKARIOS III returns to power with a divided country. In
1977 following a heart attack, the President and Archbishop dies.

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Meeting of the International Parliament for Peace and Safety in Palermo (Italy). In the
center, HB VIKTOR.

Exposition at the Congress organized by the PARLIAMENT, by the then Archbishop

Metropolitan of So Paulo for all Brazil, His Beatitude ATHANASIUS I Aloysios

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This conflict was one of the first issues that had to address the parliament, which since
1977, had HB VIKTOR as the main organizer motor.
Another key theme of that time was the beginning of the immigration from the MAGHREB
(Northern Africa) to Europe, which had intensified throughout the years, product of the
crisis left by the colonial governments in retreat, communist guerillas and tribal conflicts.
During the 80s, at the Parliament were discussed historical events such as the
Perestroika in Russia, the fall of "Berlin Wall" in 1987, and by the 90s, with the implosion
of the Union of Soviet Socialist and Republics (USSR), and the immediate consequence
was the fall of the "Iron Curtain" and the communist governments in Eastern Europe. A
period of upheaval began therefore mainlyin the Balkans before the disintegration of the
Republic of Yugoslavia, and the terrible war waged between Serbia and Bosnia (19921995), which urged a strong debate on hate crimes related to ethnicity and the subsequent
intervention of NATO and the outstanding performance of the "blue helmets" of the UN, in
trying to stop ethnic violence against civilian population.
Finally, at the end of the century, the EURO is born, and brings consolidation to the
European Economic Community, and the old NATO which was founded to defend Europe
from communism, expanded its borders in former countries of Eastern Europe, and its
actions began to develop outside of Europe, particularly after the September 11 of 2001,
when the attack on the Twin Towers took place.
Annually, the International Parliament for Peace and Safety, makes a publication with
major works of its members, and promote laws that inspire the different governments to
implement in their countries. The Parliament also extended its involvement to other
countries, having now offices in South America (Brazil, Argentina, and Peru).

HB VIKTOR in the center with the flag of the International Parliament for Peace and
Safety surrounded the diplomatic corps.

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Dinner of the Parliament authorities. In the center HB VIKTOR with his Archbishop
Brazil, HB ATHANASIUS.

Parliament's work would be affected by unfortunate events when a few officials, using its
diplomatic credentials, committed acts of corruption that tainted the reputation of
Parliament and its founder. This led to His Beatitude VIKTOR to the decision in 2006 to
delegate the management of the Church to its Archbishop of Brazil, while dedicating all his
efforts to work for the good name of Parliament.
What was the vision, until then, His Beatitude had for the clergy of his church? To HB
VIKTOR, the clergy of the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad should be well
trained in Diplomacy and International Relations, being always aware of the humanitarian
needs of the world.
His Beatitude VIKTOR inherited from his predecessor, His Beatitude ULADISLAU, Ryzy
RYSKY a strong political commitment to end all tyranny, to strengthen religious freedom
worldwide, and to disseminate a healthy ecumenism.
The priesthood has been in the ancestral traditions, those who help "reconnect" the people
with their own Sacred Tradition, out of which they are begotten. The priest must also
instruct and guide the ruler to make the best decisions for the good of his people and their
spiritual enrichment. Thus, the "Ghibellinism of the Holy Roman German Empire is
renewed as opposed to who separate the temporal power from spiritual power, as if both
were irreconcilable. The priest must plunge into the world to change it, not to deny the
change attacking those who try to lead the people. Without sacralization of political power,
it is immersed in materialism and selfishness, holding cleptocracies that cover arms
trafficking, drug trafficking and many other diseases of todays world.

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Out of this generation of the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church, we can distinguish
Archbishop LUCAS, Rocco Massimo Giacalone from Italy, and from Brazil the
Archeparch, Athanasios, Luis Antonio Do Nascimento. While the former is now
Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union, the second became an illustrious citizen of the
city of San Pablo, and author of the revival of Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad
throughout the Americas.

His Eminence Bishop LUCAS from Italy, current Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union of the
Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad and highest authority in Italy and Malta.

His Beatitude Archbishop VIKTOR with his then

Metropolitan of Brazil, HB Athanasios.

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PART III

THE REVIVAL OF THE BELARUSSIAN SLAVIC ORTHODOX CHURCH IN

THE AMERICAS

The three pillars of the rebirth of the IOBE in America: From left to right, HE Vladyka
Jacob, HB Athanasius I Aloysios and HE Vladyka Nagui
a. Brazil as the heart of the new IOBE (Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad)
In 2006, the second Patriarch of the Slavic Belarusian Orthodox Church Abroad, His
Beatitude Viktor Ivan Bus, delegated the management of the Church to its Archeparch
and Metropolitan of Brazil, his right hand in the organization of the Church for ten years.
His Beatitude Athanasius, Luiz Antonio Do Nascimento, born on August 6, 1948 in the
Federative Republic of Brazil, grew within a family of aristocratic origins, dating back to
ancient Persia: Gedrosia region, now in Pakistan, and Drangiana region, today
Afghanistan. From this region comes the dynasty of the Arkazidas-Khristopharidas,
ancestors of family of His Beatitude Athanasius, which He has endeavored to preserve is
memory.
His family did not live quiet times during the de facto governments in Brazil. A lot of their
assets were expropriated by the Armed Forces in the 60s of last century. The young Luiz
had to postpone his religious vocation to help your family in this difficult time. He became
an accountant, then a Professor of accounting sciences, and was director of educational
institutions of the city of San Pablo. Also, HB studied parapsychology, drug addiction,
theology, philosophy, and is jurist and historian of religions. Finally he became diplomat of
the International Parliament for Peace and Safety based in Palermo, Italy.

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His Beatitude Patriarch Viktor Ivan Bus, by the then Archeparch and Metropolitan of Brazil,
HB Athanasius

HB Viktor Ivan Bus and the Archeparch Athanasius at the Dinner of the International Parliament
of Safety and Peace in Palermo, Italy.

When he became a bishop, different academies Latin American and European countries,
and noble houses worldwide, were recognizing his religious and humanitarian work at
home.
In 1983 he was elevated as bishop of the former Ukrainian Orthodox Church by His Most
Reverend Mar Crisostomo, Jair Ferreyra de Faria, under the American Orthodox
Catholic Church (AOCC) and then confirmed as representative the same in Brazil, by His
Eminence Eusebio, Santo Pace, who he then succeeded in the direction of the AOCC in
South America.

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However, following the cracking process in the US of the AOCC after the death of His
Beatitude Wolodymyr, Walter Myron Propheta, His Beatitude Athanasius is incardinated
in 1988 in the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad, chaired by His Beatitude Viktor
Ivan Bus.
To clarify, His Beatitude Peter, Andrew Zurawetsky, His Beatitude Wolodymyr, Walter
Myron Propheta, Monsignor Christopher Cragg and Monsignor William O'Neil, were the
bishops who raised to the episcopate HB ULADISLAU, Ryzy RYSKY, (Our future first
patriarch of the Belarusian Diaspora in the United States), designating him at first to the
Eparchy of New Hampshire withtitle of Bishop of Laconia and New England.

Advancement of the construction. What begins as a chapel on the left (1987), a few years
after in the late 80s we see as the Cathedral.

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Inside the chapel (1987), before it being the Cathedral of the IOBE. Our future Patriarch
HB ATHANASIOS stands with his coadjutor, HE Vladyka JACOB

1991 - Inauguration of the first Cathedral of the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad

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b. The three pillars of rebirth

The arrival of HB ATHANASIUS to the IOBE was a substantial change in everything done
so far in America. The first goal was to finish the construction of the Metropolitan Cathedral
of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, initiated by the year 1986. That hard work was initiated with
his Bishop Coadjutor, His Eminence Vladyka JACOB, Onei Carlos Lopes, a former
officer in the Air Force of Brazil, who began to collaborate since the time when the Old
Ukrainian Orthodox Church depended of the AOCC.
The construction work was carried out in the neighborhood "Do Carmo" of the city of Sao
Paulo, close to the Sanctuary of the Virgen del Carmen, and a natural park which is one
of the largest in South America.
With a lot of hard work and sacrifices, in 1991, the first cathedral I the Americas was of the
Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad was inaugurated. It has a long staircase
reminiscent of the Holy Scale of Saint John Climacus. It has a balcony from which the
faithful and the clergy can contemplate wooded hills that are facing it. Today, this beautiful
cathedral, which had different stages of restoration, is the monastic spiritual center of the
whole Church.
Every afternoon, at 7 p.m., the faithful can enter and witness the prayer of the Venerable
Monastic Order of the Church, whose Grand Master is our Patriarch-Monk of the Church,
His Beatitude Athanasios I Aloysios, who presides almost without absences.

The Ladder of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul of the Belarusian
Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad (Sao Paulo - Brazil - 2014)

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The hills covered with

vegetation as seen from the
main balcony of the
Cathedral in the City of Sao
Paulo, located in the
Barrio "Do Carmo".

In the same year as the opening of the first cathedral of the IOBE, the Most Reverend
Mar NAGUI, Youssef Zayat, was incardinated the current Archeparch of Rio do Janeiro.
His Eminence Mar NAGUI of Syrian ancestry, began the construction of the Cathedral
"Saint George and Saint Sebastian" in 1988, and opened in 1990.
In subsequent years, the IOBE in Brazil is supported by three strong marble columns: HB
Athanasius, HE Mar Jacob and HE Nagui Sea. These three pillars consolidated the
Church and made it partaker of the ecumenical atmosphere of Brazil. His Beatitude
Athanasius was regularly invited to give homilies in Roman churches, and His Eminence
Mar Nagui, turned the day of Saint George into a large festival, of great dimensions with
guest priests of the sister Roman Church. Likewise, the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox
Church Abroad was an active member of the National Council of
Igrejas Cristas do Brasil (CONIC), whose members were: the Roman Church, Anglican,
Syrian Orthodox, Methodist, Christian Reformed and Presbyterian.

His Excellency
Vladyka
NAGUI,Archeparch of
Rio de Janeiro in the
Cathedral of St. George
and St. Sebastian (Rio do
Janeiro - Brazil- 2011)

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Cathedral of St. George and St. Sebastian in the city of Rio do Janeiro, Brazil, home of the
Archeparchy of Rio de Janeiro - Year 1993

Celebration of Saint George - Caravan receives the blessing of his bishop, Vladyka Nagui

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Procession of Saint George, organized by the Archeparchy of Rio de Janeiro

c. The Holy Synod of the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad

Inheriting the direction of the Church in 2006, HB Athanasius decided to face together his
two bishops in Brazil, a key action for the future of the Church: building of the legal
apparatus of the Church, and the building of the Holy Synod of the IOBE, taking as his first
task to preside it.
By then, in America, there had been established strong communities in Brazil and
Argentina, expanding in the following years to other South American countries: Mexico,
Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Venezuela, El Salvador, and today initiating missions in
Colombia and the United States. In less than ten years, the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox
Church Abroad consolidated its Holy Synod, its Eparchies and communities in America
and Eurasia (Poland, Italy, Croatia / Serbia, Portugal, Spain and Singapore) and Africa
(Nigeria).

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His Beatitude Athanasius I Aloysios in ecumenical celebration at the Shrine of Our Lady of
Carmen of the Roman Church in the city of Sao Paulo

Bulletin of the CONIC which portrays our Patriarch participating in one of the ecumenical
meetings celebrated by the institution.

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Our Patriarch, Archbishop Athanasius I Aloysios at a conference organized by the CONIC

The activities of the Holy Synod were growing year after year, and to the growth of our
Church, mainly in Brazil, within a population of over 200 million, a very religious country,
and a thriving culture and economy, the Grand Patriarchal Chancery was created, being
elevated to Archeparch Coadjutor of Brazil, the Most Reverend Mar JACOB, as Patriarchal
Chancellor, long with a set of bishops and priests responsible for the direction of the
Church in the world.
Finally, in 2013 (the year of the death of Patriarch Viktor Ivan Bus), the Holy Synod of the
Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad, raises him as the third Patriarch of the
Church. Thus, the Holy Church founded by His Beatitude ULADISLAU, Ryzy Rysky, now in
the XXI century acquired a new dimension: an orthodoxy that begins to spread throughout
Latin America, a won debate about the importance of thinking orthodoxy from the citizen of
America, not extrapolating, nor importing a model of orthodoxy alien to the way of living
and feeling in the Americas.
But our history would have pleasantly surprised more: the lineage of the Ryzy would
again present itself in our history.

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The most important task performed by His Beatitude Athanasius since 2006 to
Today was the establishment of the Holy Synod of the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad
(Photo session of the Holy Synod in 2011)

2013 Historical photo where those present elevate HB Athanasius I Aloysios as the third
Patriarch of the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad.

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PART IV

THE REUNION

October 12, 2014, Stone Chapel of Saint George, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Visiting from the United States is His Beatitude YURI, Emigidiusz Ryzy, highest authority of the
American World Patriarchs, and brother of His Beatitude ULADISLAU, Ryzy RYSKY may his
memory be eternal- founder of the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad.

I - An open wound
Over thirty years ago, the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad bore an open wound
that seemed impossible to heal. Its founder HB ULADISLAU, Ryzy RYSKY, had left two
religious institutions with clear roles which should have gone together since that time in the
'70s of the twentieth century, but in 1978, our first Patriarch was called to heaven.
The distancing of the Patriarch His Beatitude VIKTOR of everything so painstakingly built
in the United States generated a fork in the history of our Church.
In the United States, His Beatitude YURI, Emigidiusz Ryzy, brother and successor in the
American World Patriarchs, of His Beatitude ULADISLAU, Ryzy RYSKY, faced the
difficult taskto support the work done in that country.
Those who years later began the way in IOBE had a vacuum when it came to know what
had happened with the Church that began in the United States. They also ignored the
heyday of the AWP, and risky mission of His Beatitude YURI returning to the bowels of the
old post-Soviet Belarus, to rebuild our Church there.
But the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ did not allow this wound stay open much longer.

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His Beatitude YURI, Emigidiusz Ryzy standing by the clergy of the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox
Church Abroad. On his left side, accompanying Vladyka Basilio, Carlos W. Vich, and Vladyka
FRANCISCO, Franc Primozic.

Beginning of the ceremony in which five brothers start their path as Nazareos: Daniel, Vasily,
Eduardo, Carlos and Marcelo. The ceremony was presided by Elder Brother of
Sierra de los Padres Carlos Cousillas.

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II - May 8, 2014
In late 2013, the Secretary of External Affairs of the Patriarchate of His Beatitude
ATHANASIOS I ALOYSIOS, Argentine bishop Vladyka Teofano, Juan Manuel
Garayalde, in its task of putting together a huge puzzle of the history of the Church,
located on the page LINKEDIN, the name "EMIGIDIUSZ Ryzy". That being an uncommon
name, and the person living in the United States, this bishop wrote to him to find out if he
was "talking" to SB ULADISLAU brother, PrimePatriarch of the IOBE. The surprise was
absolute: it was His Beatitude YURI, Emigidiusz Ryzythat in his eighty long years, was
dabbling in social networks, in order to keep in touch with many distant friends.
Immediately, joy flooded to all members of the IOBE. It was started from that moment a
fruitful dialogue between the US, Argentina and Brazil, home of Holy Synod and official
residence of His Beatitude Patriarch ATHANASIOS I ALOYSIOS.
In May 2014, the Archeparch of San Vicente, Argentina, Vladyka FRANCISCO, Franc
Primozic, traveled to the city of Tampa, United States, to visit a congregation that asked
for their assistance. Then we learned that between Tampa and Ossining (this last in the
State of New York) there was not much distance. The opportunity was unique. It was as if
a hand of heaven was guiding us for this meeting.
After several emails in which Spanish, English and Belarusian mixed, and phone calls from
Buenos Aires to the United States between HB Yuri And Fr. Gregory of Argentina,
Vladyka Franc arrived on Thursday, May 8, 2014, at the "Newark Liberty International
Airport" in New Jersey. This is where His Beatitude YURI with Monsignor Louis of the
Old Catholic Church in New York, after a five hours drive, met with the Archeparch
FRANCISCO, Franc Primozic at an airport bar.
Lets just imagine this scene: travelers going from one side of the airport to the other, with
their suitcases. People "landing" and "taking off". Families greeting and saying goodbye to
their loved ones. Joy, hugs and tears everywhere. Taxi drivers holding signs with written
names of their future passengers; Airport police going across the vast airport. Every single
one of them, oblivious to a conversation in a table among many, where three bishops
starred the healing of a wound open more than 30 years.
Here began to link a brotherhood that would also bind in heaven. The American World
Patriarchs and the IOBE, returned to walk together on the same path that marked His
Beatitude ULADISLAU, Ryzy RYSKY, first patriarch, first dreamer of a new orthodoxy in
America and to the whole world.

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May 8, 2014, "Newark Liberty International Airport" - In the center, HB YURI. To his right,
Mons. LOUIS, and on his left Vladyka FRANCISCO. This photo that represents the end of the
"FORK IN THE ROAD" - A meeting that ended more than 30 years of being apart
- These photos toured by email throughout America and Eurasia, because they symbolize the
reunion. We had found the brother of SB ULADISLAU - The lineage Ryzy
again became part of our lives.

His Beatitude YURI, Emigidiusz Ryzy,

autographing his book "My Life" will be
translated into Spanish and Portuguese for
spread on the history of our Church and the
home.

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III A Belarusian in the Pampas of Argentina

Since that Holy May in 2014, Vladyka Francisco, Franc Primozic, invited His Beatitude
Yuri to visit Argentina, and to know one of the communities of the IOBE.
From Sao Paulo, seat of the Patriarchate of the IOBE, His Beatitude Athanasius I
Aloysios, sent his greetings and blessings for such event.
Also, through a Patriarchal UKAZ of His Beatitude Athanasius I ALOYSIOS, the whole
IOBE prayed for the health of the highest authority of American World Patriarchs, in his
fight with cancer. From that decree, the name of His Beatitude YURI, Emigidiusz Ryzy, will
be present at all intentions and prayers of the Liturgies of the IOBE worldwide.
Finally, came the long awaited day, October 9, 2014, His Beatitude YURI, Emigidiusz
Ryzy, arrived at Ezeiza International Airport in Argentina, to the southernmost community
of the Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad.
Founded in 2001 by the then Fr. Valerian, Alfredo M. M. Montresa. Today, in 2014, has four
bishops for the city of Buenos Aires, San Vicente and Crdoba, and emerging
communities in other cities.
His arrival coincided with the annual celebration of the Brotherhood of the Nazareos,
where HB YURI offered a special blessing to each of the members of the IOBE, Nazareos,
deacons, priests and bishops. In a manner, it was a symbol of their "children" having
returned home.
God willing, on 2015, His Beatitude YURI, Emigidiusz Ryzy, will travel to So Paulo,
Brazil, for the historic meeting with HB ATHANASIUS I ALOYSIOS, and thus, receive
words of encouragement for all the beautiful work done by the Patriarch of the IOBE in
many years.
I

have given them the glory that you gave me,

that they may be one as we are one
I in them and you in me
so that they may be brought to complete unity.
Then the world will know that you sent me
and have loved them
even as you have loved me.
(John 17:22-23)

Patriarcal Ateneo San Marcos

Arrival of His Beatitude Yuri to the Stone Chapel of St. George, in San Vicente, Province of
Buenos Aires, Argentina, Seat of the Archeparchy where the new Cathedral is being built.
On the left side, Vladyka Teofano is receiving gifts from HB Yuri brought form the US. In
the center is Fr. Gregori, secretary of HB Yuri for his visit to Argentina. On the right of the
picture: HE Mar Valerian, Founder and Emeritus Bishop of the IOBE in Argentina and HE
Vladyka Basilio, Eparch of Crdoba.

Divine Liturgy of October the 12th of 2014 Consecration of the Holy Gifts

Patriarcal Ateneo San Marcos

Vladyka Francisco, Franc Primozic, receiving a blessing from His Beatitude Yuri, which
was followed by an embrace, sealing the invitation which brought him to these lands. The
southernmost community founded by HB Uladislau Ryzy Rysky.

IV Open Conclusion
For this new generation of bishops, priests and deacons of the Patriarchate of His
Beatitude ATHANASIOS I ALOYSIOS, a huge emotion invade us, we have rediscovered
the brother of the founder of our Belarusian Slavic Orthodox Church Abroad, who also
faced the reconstruction of the Peoples Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the
post-Soviet Belarus.
This brave, selfless and and as his brother- defender of the Political and Religious
Freedom in Belarus, today, His Beatitude YURI, Emigidiusz Ryzy, becomes honorable in
all Altars of IOBE, in the Americas, Eurasia and in all corners of the world to which reaches
the apostolic succession of the holy lineage of the Ryzy.

Patriarcal Ateneo San Marcos

An anonymous author said:

By destroying of the Church we are extracting the hear from the body of Christ
Today we can say that the Heart of Christ has one less wound, and our hearts beat with far more
strength in gratitude holy mercy.

Vladyka TEOFANO, Juan Manuel Garayalde

Iglesia Ortodoxa Bielorrusa Eslava en el Extranjero
American World Patriarchs
www.panaghia.org.br
Diciembre 2014.-

Translator: Padre GREGORY, Pablo El Azem