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Basil Osborne

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[[Image:Basil Osborne.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Bishop Basil (Osborne)]]
His Grace the Right Reverend Bishop Dr. '''Alfred Herbert Ernest Osborne''', formerly '''Bishop Basil (Osborne) of Amphipolis''' is , was a [[titular bishop]] under the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate]] from 2006 until February of 2010, and is was formally known as one of "the bishops of the Throne." He serves served as an assistant [[bishop ]] in its [[Patriarchal Exarchate for Orthodox Parishes of Russian Tradition in Western Europe]], charged with the care of its flock in Great Britain and Ireland, until his retirement in late 2009 and his subsequent request for laicisation in February of 2010. He previously served as the temporary administrator of the [[Moscow Patriarchate]]'s [[Diocese of Sourozh]] (August 2003 - May 2006) with the title ''Bishop of Sergievo''.
In ==Departure from the Diocese of Sourozh==He was retired from his position in as administrator of the Sourozh diocese after seeking incardination into the Ecumenical Patriarchate's Exarchate in Western Europewithout receiving release from Moscow.<ref name="Innokenty1">[http://www.sourozh.org/info/letters/letter230706.html Letter "To all the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Sourozh"] - Abp. Innokenty of Korsun, July 23, Bishop Basil's authority is over 2006</ref> In a newly-formed vicariate letter sent to the Patriarch of parishes in the British Isles entitled the Moscow without notice to his [[Episcopal Vicariate of Great Britain and Irelandclergy]], which currently consists Bishop Basil requested that he and the whole of a small number the Diocese of parishes Sourozh (and some smaller Eucharistic Communities that elected not simply those members who wished to follow him in his departure ) be released from the Diocese [[jurisdiction]] of the Moscow Patriarchate, to be received into the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch as a new [[diocese]] existing alongside Constantinople's Patriarchal Exarchate for Orthodox Parishes of Russian Tradition in Western Europe.<ref>See Bishop Basil's letter of Sourozh (these are enumerated and discussed 24 April, 2006.[http://enwww.wikipediasourozh.org/wikiarchives/Episcopal_Vicariate_of_Great_Britain_and_Ireland#Parishes_and_Communities heredocs/BB2Patr240406_en.html])On taking this decision without consulting his clergy or diocesan council, see his statements online.<ref>[http://www.exarchate-ukdioceseinfo.org/ParishesDOCUMENTS/Diocese/parishes_indexBB160506.html Parishes htm]</ref> Without awaiting a full response from the Patriarchate of Moscow, he wrote to the Ecumenical Patriarch on [[May 2]], 2006, again repeating his desire to establish a new diocese under Constantinople.<ref>So the text of his brief letter to the VicariateEcumenical Patriarchate.[http://orthodoxe.free.fr/files/BBtoEcPatr01.pdf]In this letter, unlike his original letter to the Moscow Patriarchate, he indicates that the new diocese would be made up of himself, "together with those clergy and parishes that wish to follow me."</ref> As part Announcement of Bishop Basil's retirement by the Synod of Moscow followed upon his refusal to withdraw this roleletter to Constantinople. Following announcement of his retirement in the Sourozh [[cathedral]] in London, he sits Basil immediately appealed the decision to the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the council basis of Canons 9 and 17 of the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council]] and also Canon 28 of the same Council. Such canons, some argue, endow the Constantinopolitan Patriarch with the privilege of the "ekkliton" (read, hearing appeal) and granting it jurisdiction over regions not already subject to the other four senior Patriarchates, Rome, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. It should be noted, however, that this interpretation of these canons is not undisputed, and runs contrary to the classical interpretations of the canons found in the canonical commentaries of the ExarchateChurch.<ref>For a canonical commentary on this canon, see: [http[Prerogatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate]]. As an example of the variances in interpretation, regarding Canon 9 of Chalcedon, St. Nicodemos of the Holy Mountain comments://www"[This canon] did not say that if any clergyman has a dispute or difference with the Metropolitan of any diocese or parish whatever, they must be tried before the Bishop of Constantinople…." Zonaras likewise says that the Bishop of Constantinople is not necessarily entitled to sit as judge over all Metropolitans, but (only) over those who are judicially subject to him, and that "The Bishop of Constantinople must hear the appeals only of those who are subject to the Bishop of Constantinople, precisely as the Bishop of Rome must hear the appeals only of those who are subject to the Bishop of Rome.exarchat" In D.org/articleCummings, trans.php3?id_article=563 Communiqué N° 12-06 du Conseil de l, ''The Rudder of the Orthodox Catholic Church: The Compilation of the Holy Canons Saints Nicodemus and Agapius''Archevêché et Déclaration](West Brookfield, MA: The Orthodox Christian Educational Society, 1983), p. 255.</ref>
He was forcibly retired from his position as administrator of the Sourozh diocese after seeking incardination The Ecumenical Patriarchate subsequently accepted Bishop Basil into its jurisdiction on the Ecumenical Patriarchate without receiving basis of his appeal which followed, although Moscow had not issued a canonical release from Moscowand had instructed him not to be received into another patriarchate until matters could be looked into by an appropriate commission. Additionally, it requested his presence in person numerous times, which Bishop Basil refused to heed on all occasions, instructing others to do likewise.<ref name="Innokenty1">Facts that were eventually reported by the [http://www.sourozh.org/infoarchives/lettersdocs/letter230706commission_en.html Letter "To all commission established to investigate the issue]. This report also noted the clergy and faithful bishop's use of the Diocese internet to propagate information on the disputes outside of Sourozh"] - Abpofficial channels. Innokenty of Korsun, July 23, 2006</ref> In a letter sent to Given these circumstances, the Patriarch of Moscow without notice to Patriarchate did not regard his clergyincardination into the Ecumenical Patriarchate as valid, nor did it recognize the title ''Bishop Basil requested that he and the whole of the Diocese of Sourozh (and not simply those members who wished Amphipolis'' given to follow him) be released from by the jurisdiction Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate, to be received into the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch as a new diocese existing alongside Constantinople's Patriarchal Exarchate for Orthodox Parishes of Russian Tradition in Western Europeon [[June 8]], 2006.<ref>See Bishop Basil's letter of 24 April, 2006.[http://www.sourozhec-patr.org/archivesgr/docs/BB2Patr240406_endocdisplay.htmlphp?lang=en&id=678&tla=en Press Release for the Election of Bishop Basil of Amphipolis] On taking this decision - Ecumenical Patriarchate, June 8, 2006</ref> Considering him still a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, but in retirement, it referred to him in official correspondence without consulting his clergy or diocesan counciltitular connection, see his statements onlineas 'The Right Reverend Bishop Basil (Osborne)'.<ref name="MP1">[http://www.dioceseinfosourozh.org/DOCUMENTSinfo/Diocesedocs/BB160506synod190706_en.htmhtml Decision of the Holy Synod concerning Bishop Basil (Osborne)]- Moscow Patriarchate, July 19, 2006</ref> Without awaiting a full response from Similarly, it did not regard as valid the Patriarchate 'letters of Moscow, he wrote release' issued by Bishop Basil to all his former clergy in the Ecumenical Patriarch on May 2[[Diocese of Sourozh]]- letters either backdated or prepared earlier, 2006, again repeating his desire to establish a new diocese under Constantinoplein early February.<ref>So the text of his brief letter to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.As noted in a [http://orthodoxewww.freesourozh.frorg/filesarchives/BBtoEcPatr01letters/letter220506.pdfhtml Letter by Archbishop Innokenty] In this letter, unlike his original letter to the Moscow Patriarchate, he indicates that the new diocese would be made up of himself, "together with those clergy and parishes that wish to follow me- 22 May 2006."</ref> Announcement of Bishop Basil's retirement by the Synod of Moscow followed upon his refusal was summoned to withdraw this letter to Constantinople. Following announcement of his retirement in appear before the Sourozh cathedral in London, Basil immediately appealed the decision to the Ecumenical Patriarchate MP [[synod]] on the basis of Canons 9 and 17 of the [[Fourth Ecumenical CouncilJuly 17]] and also Canon 28 of the same Council. Such canons, some argue, endow the Constantinopolitan Patriarch with the privilege of the "ekkliton" (read, hearing appeal) and granting it jurisdiction over regions not already subject to the other four senior Patriarchates, Rome, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. It should be noted, however, that this interpretation of these canons is not undisputed, and runs contrary to the classical interpretations of the canons found in the canonical commentaries of the Church.<ref>For a canonical commentary on this canon, see[http: [[Prerogatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate]]//www. As an example of the variances in interpretation, regarding Canon 9 of Chalcedon, Stinterfax-religion. Nicodemos of the Holy Mountain commentscom/?act=news&div=1559 Russian Church: "[This canon] did not say that if any clergyman has a dispute or difference with the Metropolitan of any diocese or parish whatever, they must be tried before the Bishop of Constantinople…." Zonaras likewise says that the Bishop of It considers Osborn's move to Constantinople 's jurisdiction invalid as he is not necessarily entitled to sit as judge over all Metropolitansstill one of its bishops fax, but (only) over those who are judicially subject to himJune 14, and that "The 2006</ref> Bishop of Constantinople must hear the appeals only of those who are subject Basil declined to the Bishop of Constantinopleappear. From July 19, precisely as 2006 the Bishop Synod of Rome must hear the appeals only of those who are subject to the Bishop of Rome." In D. Cummings, trans.Moscow Patriarchate placed him under temporary [[suspension]], forbidding him ''The Rudder from celebrating divine services until his repentance or until the decision of the Orthodox Catholic Church: The Compilation matter by a court of the Holy Canons Saints Nicodemus and Agapiusbishops'' (West Brookfield, MA: The Orthodox Christian Educational Society, 1983), p. 255.<ref name="MP1" /ref>
The Ecumenical Patriarchate subsequently accepted Bishop Basil into its jurisdiction on the basis of his appeal which followed, although Moscow had not issued a canonical release and had instructed him not to be received into another patriarchate until matters could be looked into by an appropriate commission. Additionally, it requested his presence in person numerous times, which Bishop Basil refused to heed on all occasions, instructing others to do likewise.<ref>Facts that were eventually reported by the [http://www.sourozh.org/archives/docs/commission_en.html commission established to investigate the issue]. This report also noted the bishop's use resolutions of the internet to propagate information on the disputes outside of official channels.</ref> Given these circumstances, the Moscow Patriarchate did not regard his incardination into the Ecumenical Patriarchate as valid, nor did it recognize the title ''Bishop of Amphipolis'' given to him by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople on [[June 8July 19]], 2006.<ref>[http://www.ec-patr.gr/docdisplay.php?lang=en&id=678&tla=en Press Release for the Election of , therefore made Bishop Basil 's canonical stature a matter of Amphipolis] - intense dispute between Moscow and Constantinople. According to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, June 8, 2006</ref> Considering him still Basil could legitimately celebrate as a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church; according to Moscow, but in retirement, it referred he was forbidden to him in official correspondence without titular connectiondo so. Accordingly, as 'The Right Reverend Bishop Basil (Osborne)'.<ref name="MP1">[http://www.sourozh.org/info/docs/synod190706_en.html Decision no communicant of the Holy Synod concerning Bishop Basil (Osborne)] - Moscow Patriarchate, July 19, 2006</ref> Similarly, it did not regard as valid who wished to remain faithful to the 'letters decisions of release' issued by Bishop Basil to all his former clergy in the Diocese of Sourozh - letters either backdated or prepared earlier, in early February.<ref>As noted hierarchy could knowingly participate in a [http://www.sourozh.org/archives/letters/letter220506.html Letter by Archbishop Innokenty[Divine Liturgy|Liturgy]] - 22 May 2006.</ref> Bishop at which Basil was summoned to appear before the MP synod on July 17celebrated as a bishop,<ref>nor could they receive Holy [[http://wwwCommunion]] from him.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=1559 Russian Church: It considers Osborn's move to Constantinople's jurisdiction invalid as he is still one of its bishops faxSimilarly, June 14after these resolutions, 2006</ref> Bishop Basil declined to appear. From 19 July 2006 the Synod of the no Moscow Patriarchate placed him under temporary suspension, forbidding him 'from celebrating divine services until his repentance or until the decision of the matter by a court of bishops'[[priest]] could [[concelebration|concelebrate]] with Basil.<ref name="MP1Innokenty1" />
The resolutions ancient Patriarchates of the Moscow Patriarchate [[Church of Alexandria|Alexandria]] ([[July June 19]], 2006)<ref>[http://www.ec-patr.gr/docdisplay.php?lang=gr&id=698&tla=gr Letter from Pope of Alexandria concerning Bp. Basil Osborne] - June 19, therefore made Bishop 2006</ref> and [[Church of Jerusalem|Jerusalem]] ([[June 6]])<ref>[http://www.ec-patr.gr/docdisplay.php?lang=gr&id=697&tla=gr Letter from Patriarch of Jerusalem concerning Bp. BasilOsborne] - June 6, 2006</ref>, along with the [[Church of Cyprus]] ([[June 14]])<ref>[http://www.ec-patr.gr/docdisplay.php?lang=gr&id=699&tla=gr Letter from ''s canonical stature a matter locum tenens'' of the Archbishop of intense dispute between Moscow Cyprus concerning Bp. Basil Osborne] - June 14, 2006</ref> and Constantinoplethe [[Church of Albania]] ([[August 12]])<ref>[http://www.exarchate-uk.org/News/anastasios. According html Circular Letter from the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Albania on the subject of the election of Bishop Basil, addressed to His All-Holiness the Ecumenical PatriarchatePatriarch Bartholomew II] - August 12, Basil could legitimately celebrate as a bishop; according to Moscow2006</ref>, he was forbidden later confirmed their support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate's authority to do soact in the manner that it had. Accordingly<ref>Refer to ORDOs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, no communicant the latest being that of 2006, for the official designation of titular bishops as "bishops/hierarchs" of the Moscow Patriarchate who wished to remain faithful "Throne" and to the decisions text of canons 9, 17 and 28 for the rights and privileges of his hierarchy could knowingly participate Constantinople regarding extraterritorial appeals and jurisdiction in a Liturgy at which Basil celebrated as a bishopthe "varvariki", nor could they receive Holy Communion from him. Similarly, after these resolutions, no Moscow Patriarchate priest could [[concelebration|concelebrate]] with Basilregions beyond the borders of the other senior patriarchates.</ref name="Innokenty1" />
The ancient Patriarchates In March of 2007 negotiations took place in Geneva between representatives of [[Church the two patriarchates. These concluded with the Holy Synod of Alexandria|Alexandria]] (the Moscow Patriarchate releasing Bishop Basil from its jurisdiction on [[June 19March 27]]. Commenting to the media on the synod's decision, 2006)Metropolitan Kyrill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department of External Church Relations, "The problem arose because Bishop Basil went over to Constantinople illegally, without any request from Constantinople and without any consent from the Moscow Patriarchate. Now Constantinople has requested his documents, which customarily include a letter of release. This means that the Moscow Patriarchate has granted Bishop Basil a canonical leave".<ref>So the [http://www.ecinterfax-patrreligion.grcom/docdisplay.php?langact=grnews&iddiv=698&tla=gr Letter from Pope 2812 report of Alexandria concerning Bp. Basil Osbornethe Metropolitan's remarks by Interfax] - June 19, 2006</ref> and [[Church of Jerusalem|Jerusalem]] ([[June 6]])<ref>also available [http://www.ecinterfax-patrreligion.grru/docdisplay.php?langact=grnews&iddiv=697&tla=gr Letter from Patriarch of Jerusalem concerning Bp17389 in Russian]. Basil Osborne] - June 6, 2006</ref>  ==Bishop of Amphipolis, along with Episcopal Vicariate==In his position in the Ecumenical Patriarchate's Exarchate in Western Europe, Bishop Basil had authority over a newly-formed vicariate of [[Church of Cyprusparish]] (es in the British Isles entitled the [[June 14Episcopal Vicariate in Great Britain and Ireland]])<ref>, which consisted of a small number of parishes and some smaller Eucharistic Communities that elected to follow him in his departure from the Diocese of Sourozh (these are enumerated and discussed [http://wwwen.ec-patrwikipedia.grorg/docdisplay.php?lang=gr&id=699&tla=gr Letter from ''locum tenens'' of the Archbishop of Cyprus concerning Bp. Basil Osborne] - June 14, 2006<wiki/ref> and the [[Church of Albania]] ([[August 12]Episcopal_Vicariate_of_Great_Britain_and_Ireland#Parishes_and_Communities here]).<ref>[http://www.exarchate-uk.org/NewsParishes/anastasiosparishes_index.html Circular Letter from the Primate Parishes of the Orthodox Church Vicariate]</ref> As part of Albania this role, he sits on the subject council of the election of Bishop Basil, addressed to His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew II] - August 12, 2006Exarchate.</ref>, later confirmed their support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate[http://exarchat.eu/article.php3?id_article=563 Communiqué N° 12-06 du Conseil de l's authority to act in the manner that it had.Archevêché et Déclaration]</ref>Refer to ORDOs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate ==Retirement and Laicisation==In late 2009, the latest being that of 2006Bishop Basil requested retirement, for the official designation of titular bishops as "bishops/hierarchs" of the "Throne" and to the text of canons 9which was granted him, 17 and 28 for the rights and privileges of Constantinople regarding extraterritorial appeals and jurisdiction in the "varvariki", regions beyond parishes which he formerly led as a Vicariate were then given the borders status of the other senior patriarchatesa deanery.</ref>
In March of 2007 negotiations took place Subsequently, in February 2010 he requested to be defrocked and laicised in Geneva between representatives of the two patriarchates. These concluded with the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate releasing Bishop Basil from its jurisdiction on March 27. Commenting order to have the media on the synod's decision, Metropolitan Kyrill option of Smolensk marrying and Kaliningradhaving a normal family life, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department of External Church Relations, "The problem arose because Bishop Basil went over to Constantinople illegally, without any a request from Constantinople and without any consent from the Moscow Patriarchate. Now Constantinople has requested his documents, which customarily include a letter of release. This means that the Moscow Patriarchate has was then granted Bishop Basil a canonical leave".<ref>So , and Dr Osborne was returned to the [http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=2812 report of the Metropolitan's remarks by Interfax[laity], also available [http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=17389 in Russian].</ref>
{{start box}}
{{succession|
before=[[Anthony (Bloom) of Sourozh|Anthony (Bloom)]]|
title=Bishop of Sergievo,<br>Administrator of the [[Diocese of Sourozh]]|
years=2003-2006|
after=[[Innokenty (Vasilyev) of Korsun|Innokenty (Vasilyev)]]&mdash;}}
{{succession|
before=?|
title=Bishop of Amphipolis|
years=2006-present2010|
after=&mdash;}}
{{end box}}
==External links==
*[http://www.mospat.ru/en/2010/02/24/news13591/ ROC: Bishop Basil (Osborne) is defrocked and laicised]
*[http://www.exarchate-uk.org/ Episcopal Vicariate of Great Britain and Ireland]
*[http://www.exarchat.orgeu/article.php3?id_article=564 Biography of Bishop Basil] on the Exarchate's homepage
*[[Wikipedia:Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh]] in which Bishop Basil formerly served, containing information on his departure from that diocese
[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:21st-century bishops]]
[[Category:Converts to Orthodox Christianity|Osborne]]

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