Gregory (Grabbe) of Washington
His Grace, the Most Reverend Gregory (Grabbe) of Washington and Florida was a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church during the latter part of the twentieth century. He had earlier served as the Chancellor to the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.
Life
Born in Russia in 1902, George Grabbe was a son in the aristocratic family of Count Paul Grabbe, who had attended the Local Russian Council of 1917/1918. Forced to leave Russia following the Bolshevik revolution, George received his theological training in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. After marrying he entered the Holy Orders, rising to archpriest.
In 1931, he was appointed by Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky) as the chancellor of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. As well as having participated in many Russian theological reviews, in 1932, Fr. George was appointed editor of the Synod's magazine, "Church Life". When the ROCOR Synod of Bishops moved from Europe to the United States of America in 1951, Fr. George emigrated also.
After the death of his wife, Fr. George took monastic vows and was given the name Gregory. He then was consecrated to the episcopacy in 1978 as the vicar Bishop of Manhattan, followed, in 1981, with his appointment as Bishop of Washington and Florida. In 1986, Bishop Gregory retired from the Synod of Bishops, in part because of his relationship with Holy Transfiguration Monastery, and the scandal that led to their departure. Investigations showed that Bishop Gregory had squelched earlier accusations against HTM. Bishop Gregory was also left embittered by what he believed was the unfair treatment of his son, Archimandrite Anthony, who had been the head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, and had been accused of selling property for his personal benefit.[1]
Bp. Gregory reposed October 7, 1995 after having made known his desire that no bishop of ROCOR attend his funeral.
Notes
- ↑ Fr. Alexey Young, The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia: A History and Chronology, (San Bernardino, CA: The Borgo Press, 1993), pp. 73-74,79-80.
Sources
- Introduction to The Church Is One
- Letter of Bishop Gregory (Grabbe) of March 24, 1987
- Letter of Bishop Gregory (Grabber of March 24 / April 6, 1994
- Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
| Gregory (Grabbe) of Washington | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Laurus (Škurla) |
Bishop of Manhattan (ROCOR) 1979-1981 |
Succeeded by: Hilarion (Kapral) |
| Preceded by: Nikon (Rklitzky) |
Bishop of Washington and Florida (ROCOR) 1981-1986 |
Succeeded by: ? |
Categories > People > Clergy > Bishops
Categories > People > Clergy > Bishops > Bishops by century > 20th-century bishops
Categories > People > Clergy > Bishops > Bishops by city > Bishops of Manhattan
Categories > People > Clergy > Bishops > Bishops by city > Bishops of Washington
