Why Did Bishop Petros of Astoria refuse to sign the 1974 Encyclical?

Nevertheless, when the famous encyclical was being issued in 1974, I, in my humility, refused to sign the text of the encyclical, because I considered myself incompetent in regard to so great a matter as my ecclesiological position concerning the Mysteries of the 250,000,000 Orthodox Christians.

I turned again to the Russian Church and asked for its final decision. The executive synod replied to me IN WRITING with a letter dated October 29, 1974, with reference number: 3-50-242...

- Bishop Petros of Astoria, "Open Letter" to Metropolitans Akakios of Diavleia, Chrysostomos of Thessaloniki (the future Archbishop of Athens), and Gabriel of the Cyclades, dated July 16, 1985, page 4.

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October 29/November 11, 1974

3-50-242

His Grace, the Right Reverend
Bishop Petros
22-68 26th Street
Astoria, N.Y.

Your Grace, beloved Master in the Lord,

We are in receipt of your letter addressed to our Holy Council of Bishops.

Originally we had planned to receive you personally at one of the meetings of the Holy Council, but unfortunately we were forced to alter our plans since we were behind schedule and some of our bishops were in a hurry to return to their dioceses.

Herewith, please find the resolution of our Holy Council pertaining to the questions brought to our attention by Your Grace.

Your Grace’s brother in Christ,

+ Metropolitan [St.] Philaret

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The first resolution of the [1974] Holy Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia pertaining to the questions set forth by the Old-Calendar church bodies in Greece:

“The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia considers the introduction of the new calendar as a mistake, bringing irregularity into the life of the Church and in the final end causing a schism. Therefore she did not accept it, does not accept it and will not accept it and avoids concelebrations with the new calendarists. As to the question regarding the presence or non-existence of grace among the new calendarists, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia does not regard itself or any local Church as having the authority to reach a final decision, since a definitive ruling in this matter can be made only by a properly convoked, competent Ecumenical Council, with the indispensable participation of a free Church of Russia.”