Met. Joseph of Petrograd and the Beginning of the Catacomb Church

“The statements of Metropolitan Joseph, it is true, are extremely outspoken, absolutely uncompromising in principle, and unsparing of persons. But those who find ‘pride’ in such words are perhaps simply unaware of the critical urgency of the issues involved. When the Church is being betrayed and the faithful led astray, it is no time for compliments and polite ‘dialogues,’ not for placing ‘sympathy’ above truth.”

The bold confessor and shepherd of the Russian land, St. Joseph of Petrograd, is a witness for all who wish to live Godly in the face of persecution and secularism. His voice gave strength to many Russian Orthodox Christians who could not abide by the Soviet demands, and who opposed Metropolitan Sergius, his lamentable ‘Declaration’ in 1927, and his submission to the Soviet yoke. Metropolitan Joseph, along with a great number of Russian martyrs, was glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in 1981.

Memorable words from the end of this text: “The prophecy of the holy and clairvoyant Elder Ignaty of Harbin, made some 30 years ago, no longer seems remote: ‘What began in Russia, will end in America.’ But if such terrible days be truly upon us, even Orthodox America – so weak, so inexperienced, so naïve – has all that is necessary to face these days in the example of Metropolitan Joseph and the True Orthodox Christians of the first land to experience the fearful yoke of satanic atheism. Holy New Hieromartyr Joseph and all the new martyrs of the Communist Yoke, pray to God for us!”

This recording comes from chapter 7 in “Russia’s Catacomb Saints” by I. M. Andreyev, published by St. Herman of Alaska Press in 1982. Fr. Seraphim Rose labored to bring this book to his fellow Americans. Download the pdf of this invaluable and out of print book here: http://russiascatacombsaints.blogspot.com

This channel is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!