Fr. Peter Heers Thread

This week the ROCOR Synod met and one item of business was Fr. Peter Heers.

Regarding the case of Archpriest Peter Heers, the Synod resolved to remind the clergy and faithful that he is not blessed to serve, preach, or give lectures in parishes, monasteries or other institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia until his canonical status is clarified.
Click to expand...

I don't follow Fr. Peter Heers very closely, but I recall some notable events in the past few years:

Fr. Peter published his book about baptism in May 2023: On the Reception of the Heterodox into the Orthodox Church, which was reviewed by ROCOR priest Fr. John Whiteford, whose parish is north of Houston, TX.

Details of the next two events are in this Ortho Christian article from October 2023:

(a)​
In early Sept. 2023 Archbishop Peter of blessed memory of ROCOR Chicago and Mid-America wrote a three page pastoral letter criticizing Fr. Peter and saying that his book was not allowed to be sold at parishes.
(b)​
Fr. Peter answered back with a detailed 7 page response a week or two later.

Archbishop Peter reposed Nov. 8, 2024. Metropolitan Nicholas, head of ROCOR, is currently the hierarch in charge of the diocese.

May 4, 2025, Fr. Peter Heers gave the homily at St. Nicholas Church, a ROCOR parish in McKinney, TX, north of Dallas, TX, and within the diocese of Chicago and Mid-America, formerly under Archbishop Peter.

1747520332731.png
Fr. Seraphim Holland, left and Fr. Peter Heers, right.

I think it's clear that the ROCOR Synod's message is in response to Fr. Peter's recent visit to St. Nicholas Church.
 
The article fails to explain the reason why his status is still unclear or when it's going to be resolved and it's crucial information. I think we know what is going on here and the reason is straight forward: ecumenism. Roosh was baptised into ROCOR despite presuppositions for chrismation. There is nothing in this book that goes against it. Why Fr. Peter has to suffer this while fierce innovators enjoy full communion is beyond me. It grows in resemblance to St. Nectarios's case. It's very troubling and sad.
 
Last edited:
Острог said:
The article fails to explain the reason why his status is still unclear or when it's going to be resolved and it's crucial information. I think we know what is going on here and the reason is straight forward: ecumenism. Roosh was baptised into ROCOR despite presuppositions for chrismation. There is nothing in this book that goes against it. Why Fr. Peter has to suffer this while fierce innovators enjoy full communion is beyond me. It grows in resemblance to St. Nectarios's case. It's very troubling and sad.
Click to expand...

I don't think that's what's going on.

I watched Fr. Peter Heers video on his side of the story, and basically, he claims he was given the chance to serve a parish in Canada, but refused, and then the Metropolitan (or whatever Bishop he was released to from Greece) of ROCOR passed away. The new leadership came in, had no idea who Fr. Peter Heers was, and forgot about him. Then Fr. Heers started making enemies online, and the new Bishop became hesitant to appoint him to a parish, even though the one prior agreed to, and he's stuck in administrative limbo.

While Fr. Heers seems like a decent Priest, it should be noted from his own account that had he been obedient and taken the first Canadian parish offered to him, he wouldn't be in this predicament. I should wonder if this is a punishment from God for his disobedience?

I have heard other stories in my archdiocese similar to this one. For example, Metropolitan Saba refused his first assignment in his younger days to become a Metropolitan of Australia, and was then assigned to a terrible diocese in the Middle East that was in constant financial hell. He considered it punishment for disobedience, but accepted it because he wanted to stay in the Middle East with his brother (who was in ill health).

So it's not as one sided as Fr. Heers would make us believe, the fact is he was offered a Parish after being released from Greece, but turned it down, and this is how God punishes disobedient Presbyters in the Orthodox Church. He's not defrocked but he is stuck in administrative hell. Most likely God will give him another chance.
 
To be honest leaving Greece was a mistake in the first place. I'm not sure why he did it, I recall his explanation to be very vague.
 
Last edited:
Samseau said:
I don't think that's what's going on.

I watched Fr. Peter Heers video on his side of the story, and basically, he claims he was given the chance to serve a parish in Canada, but refused, and then the Metropolitan (or whatever Bishop he was released to from Greece) of ROCOR passed away. The new leadership came in, had no idea who Fr. Peter Heers was, and forgot about him. Then Fr. Heers started making enemies online, and the new Bishop became hesitant to appoint him to a parish, even though the one prior agreed to, and he's stuck in administrative limbo.

While Fr. Heers seems like a decent Priest, it should be noted from his own account that had he been obedient and taken the first Canadian parish offered to him, he wouldn't be in this predicament. I should wonder if this is a punishment from God for his disobedience?

I have heard other stories in my archdiocese similar to this one. For example, Metropolitan Saba refused his first assignment in his younger days to become a Metropolitan of Australia, and was then assigned to a terrible diocese in the Middle East that was in constant financial hell. He considered it punishment for disobedience, but accepted it because he wanted to stay in the Middle East with his brother (who was in ill health).

So it's not as one sided as Fr. Heers would make us believe, the fact is he was offered a Parish after being released from Greece, but turned it down, and this is how God punishes disobedient Presbyters in the Orthodox Church. He's not defrocked but he is stuck in administrative hell. Most likely God will give him another chance.
Click to expand...
What enemies did he make online? People who claimed he is not a priest and has no bishop? He has responded to such slander appropriately by creating that video that clarifies the spiritual war he finds himself in from compromised (i.e. ecumenist) bishops.
 
Last edited:
KomnenAl said:
What enemies did he make online? People who claimed he is not a priest and has no bishop? He has responded to such slander appropriately by creating that video that clarifies the spiritual war he finds himself in from compromised (i.e. ecumenist) bishops.
Click to expand...
I can not remember exact details from this period, so I am going to be vague instead of inaccurate.

I first started watching Fr. Peter's YT channel in 2020 during covid and my recollection is that he was speaking against the things that were happening in the Orthodox Church regarding covid measures, and he probably ruffled some people's feathers at that time.

For an example of those who don't like Fr. Peter and why, in Feb. 2023, the OCA Diocese of the South had a priest named Fr. David Galloway, one of several who gave lectures or presentations, and his was entitled “Becoming Orthodox In Spite of the Internet”. In it he named several online Orthodox sources , including Fr. Peter Heers' Orthodox Ethos, that "...create significant pastoral issues for clergy..." He used this meme to indicate:

1747608120394.png

If you want to see the slide who yourself, you can download it.

And you can listen to the audio of his presentation.

Jay Dyer took to twitter to discuss with Fr. David

 
Острог said:
Yet, it's not Fr. Galloway whom I can thank for becoming Orthodox.
Click to expand...
Exactly. Roosh and Jay Dyer were the main ones for me, and once I was in, I moved onto the church fathers, saints and current priests for Orthodox content.

I'm not sure if it's really the correct attitude to have that people coming into the church are undesirable because of their political views, or that they're too rigorous, or whatever. Covid broke whatever rule that was. I think the priests are supposed to clean the fish that jump into the boat.
 
And Jay has a blessing from ROCOR bishop to do his apologetics. If Fr. Galloway has a problem with Jay he should contact the bishop instead of criticizing Jay publicly and turning icons into memes. I don't understand why he doesn't do this the correct way.
There is a place for lay appologists because many people outside of the church are too proud and allergic to listen to any clergy.
 
Last edited:
Read_Lives_of_Saints said:
I'm not sure if it's really the correct attitude to have that people coming into the church are undesirable because of their political views, or that they're too rigorous, or whatever. Covid broke whatever rule that was. I think the priests are supposed to clean the fish that jump into the boat.
Click to expand...
The covid thing was eye opening for me and showed me how the world and the people in it, certainly tons of priests that I even still respect to a certain degree, are almost hopelessly linked and connected to the 80 year peace period where we've lived this totally artificial existence. And they can't seem to be able to offend a certain number of their flock or tell them hard truths. Covid and feminism were probably the top two of the last decade.

I've been meaning to bring it up as a particular personal struggle, possibly a shortcoming, but something I don't like very much: talking to spiritual fathers about things like going abroad, how bad women are in the modern day, etc. I don't think they have literally any real clue. That is, they know the feminism thing is her and annoying, but I think they also think that "that's just what happens when you get married" type nonsense. But beyond the 1960s, there ended a shred even of historical femininity. Not for all women, but for most, whether it was women's fault or not I don't know, and to be quite honest, don't care.

Another way of saying this is that I don't think people look at certain congregants truly differently than others. For example, a modern guy will just be another modern guy. They'll know the particulars here and there, but I think they look at things generationally. As in, like I've said before, "Oh yeah, the women will come back when they see all the men are in the church." Uhh, look at the numbers. Women don't care. They're swamped there if they even show up once in a blue moon.

Another part of what I'm saying is actually an egotistical thing, though I'm not saying I can't learn anything. I don't think a lot of the boomer priests actually know better. I think it's just go along, get along. How can I speak to someone about something that seems so anti-societal or anti-social, like "Father, I have to leave this country, literally no age gaps and all the women are cooked." Inevitably they'll have some daughter and likely want to believe it isn't.
 
Blade Runner said:
I've been meaning to bring it up as a particular personal struggle, possibly a shortcoming, but something I don't like very much: talking to spiritual fathers about things like going abroad, how bad women are in the modern day, etc. I don't think they have literally any real clue.
Click to expand...

I don't think this is true. The clergy knows, they preach against it, and it falls on deaf ears. Not much else they can do TBH. If the women are committed to becoming whores it's up the men at large to stop them, the Priests already have spoken against it many times.

See:

Samseau

Post in thread 'Monk Mode Celibacy'

Amazing sermon preaching against our degenerate culture:



@Blade Runner My priest would make these kinds of sermons all the time as I was growing up, including against feminism and even equality and free speech.
  • Like
 
Blade Runner said:
The covid thing was eye opening for me and showed me how the world and the people in it, certainly tons of priests that I even still respect to a certain degree, are almost hopelessly linked and connected to the 80 year peace period where we've lived this totally artificial existence. And they can't seem to be able to offend a certain number of their flock or tell them hard truths. Covid and feminism were probably the top two of the last decade.

I've been meaning to bring it up as a particular personal struggle, possibly a shortcoming, but something I don't like very much: talking to spiritual fathers about things like going abroad, how bad women are in the modern day, etc. I don't think they have literally any real clue. That is, they know the feminism thing is her and annoying, but I think they also think that "that's just what happens when you get married" type nonsense. But beyond the 1960s, there ended a shred even of historical femininity. Not for all women, but for most, whether it was women's fault or not I don't know, and to be quite honest, don't care.

Another way of saying this is that I don't think people look at certain congregants truly differently than others. For example, a modern guy will just be another modern guy. They'll know the particulars here and there, but I think they look at things generationally. As in, like I've said before, "Oh yeah, the women will come back when they see all the men are in the church." Uhh, look at the numbers. Women don't care. They're swamped there if they even show up once in a blue moon.

Another part of what I'm saying is actually an egotistical thing, though I'm not saying I can't learn anything. I don't think a lot of the boomer priests actually know better. I think it's just go along, get along. How can I speak to someone about something that seems so anti-societal or anti-social, like "Father, I have to leave this country, literally no age gaps and all the women are cooked." Inevitably they'll have some daughter and likely want to believe it isn't.
Click to expand...
Im sure the priests have to know to some extent because they listen to peoples confessions and struggles, if the entire church both men and woman are going to confession the priests will most probably start seeing patterns and be able to recognise the most common major problems in his parish
 
Blade Runner said:
I've been meaning to bring it up as a particular personal struggle, possibly a shortcoming, but something I don't like very much: talking to spiritual fathers about things like going abroad, how bad women are in the modern day, etc. I don't think they have literally any real clue. That is, they know the feminism thing is her and annoying, but I think they also think that "that's just what happens when you get married" type nonsense. But beyond the 1960s, there ended a shred even of historical femininity. Not for all women, but for most, whether it was women's fault or not I don't know, and to be quite honest, don't care.
Click to expand...
This is why I pay special attention to those who lead depressed and degenerate lives like Fr. Arsenije or Justin Marler because that experience filtered through the Church gave them tremendous insight.
 
Острог said:
This is why I pay special attention to those who lead depressed and degenerate lives like Fr. Arsenije or Justin Marler because that experience filtered through the Church gave them tremendous insight.
Click to expand...
Justin Marler I know, but Fr. Arsenije I've only heard in passing. How was he depressed and degenerate?

Certainly I can relate to someone like that as my own past could be characterized as depressing and degenerate. When you fall into the bottom of the pit, you've seen all the snares that have been laid out for you. And when you come to Christ and see why it's happening and how it's happening, that can lead to great insights on the enemy's machinations.

Otherwise regarding Fr. Peter Heers, he seems like a good priest who made a few mistakes in the past and got himself stuck in the mire. I pray that God helps him work things out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top