As explained, the abbots of the aforementioned monasteries were defrocked last year, while the abbess was removed from her position. Members of the women’s monastery were also subjected to the non-communion penance “due to other canonical offenses they committed against the Church,” according to a note sent by Bishop Saba of North America.
Specifically, the abbots of the Monastery of Saint Jacob in Oklahoma, as well as those of the Monasteries of Saint Nino and the Holy Spirit in Maryland, were defrocked.
According to the Patriarchate’s announcement and the explanatory report of Bishop Saba, these sanctions were imposed last year, while the abbess was likewise deposed. The members of the women’s monastery were placed under the non-communion penance “for additional canonical violations committed against the Church,” as stated in the report.
Bishop Saba had also informed Patriarch Ilia II in writing about these developments at the time. Furthermore, in a letter sent on March 21 of this year, it is noted that the individuals involved present themselves as abbots and members of stauropegial monasteries of the Georgian Patriarchate.
In its latest announcement, the Georgian Patriarchate clarifies that, beyond the penalties imposed, “of which we were informed by Bishop Saba (Inchkerveli)”, the aforementioned monasteries are not stauropegial and do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Georgian Patriarchate.