His Grace is absolutely right. Not only does he not normally comment on what is being said about Orthodoxy in the media, but neither do his brother bishops. It is somewhat heartening that a bishop did choose to attempt to dispel the MSM-crafted narrative that a vibrant, growing Orthodoxy in the West is an outpost of ‘right-wing’, Russian influenced ‘extremist’ politics.

However, in light of where we truly are, this response from His Grace Bishop Irenei comes across as remarkably tone-deaf to many American Orthodox men. Perhaps, as he serves in Great Britain, the response was deliberately crafted for his home country? Regardless, many American Orthodox men feel that he wasted this opportunity by speaking out in a way that was entirely too tepid, given the current state of American society.

Which brings us to a very important point. His Grace, as a successor to the Apostles, is free to respond to anything he sees fit. However, since this type of article keeps appearing about parishes in the United States, it is simply unconscionable that American hierarchs have so far had nothing to say about them. These attempted hit pieces are targeting American priests, parishes, and young male converts. For American hierarchs, this is their flock. Good shepherds would speak out forcefully in their defense, and in defense of Holy Orthodoxy’s teachings in all fullness. https://orthodoxreflections.com/a-message-to-orthodox-hierarchs-on-masculinity-from-three-orthodox-christian-men/