Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Father Nikita Varsonofievich Toran, Father Nikola Pimenovich Yakunin, and Deacon Vasily Nikolaevich Yakunin,

I hereby inform you that I have received an official written document from the chairman of the parish council of the Holy Dormition community in the city of Silverton, Oregon, USA. In this document, Father Nikita officially declares his departure from the true Old Believer Church of the Belokrinitsky Hierarchy and his joining the heretical Russian Orthodox Church Outside of

Russia (ROCOR). The document states:
"After prolonged reading and study of the Belokrinitsky Hierarchy and how it was established, I began to doubt the canonical validity and justification of its hierarchy. As a result, I now have doubts and a lack of trust in its legitimacy. For this and many other reasons, I officially leave the Belokrinitsky Hierarchy and join the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) under the omophorion of Bishop John, and I will serve in the Old Ritualist Edinoverie Church. Father Nikita Toran 1/24/2025.”

Father Nikola and Deacon Vasily have not spoken openly about this matter, but their actions, as usual, have been covert. However, there is sufficient evidence, including the recording available here: https://www.youtube.com/live/a4JBg-mGl-0, which attests to their secret departure from the Old Believer Church of the Belokrinitsky Hierarchy. They are now openly praying together in the heretical Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Thus, guided by the Apostolic Canons, which declare:
"If anyone prays with those who are excommunicated, let him also be excommunicated." Interpretation: If anyone prays with heretics in a church or in a home with those excommunicated from the Church, let him also be excommunicated (10th Apostolic Canon, Kormchaya, Chapter 1, Page 3).

The 65th Apostolic Canon states: "If anyone participates in the ecumenical movement and remains in their teachings or attends the church of heretics to pray with them, if he is a layperson, let him be excommunicated. If he is a clergyman, let him be deposed." The same is reiterated in the 45th Apostolic Canon: "If anyone prays with heretics, let him be excommunicated. If he accepts them as clergy, let him be deposed." The same rule applies according to the 55th Apostolic Canon.

Furthermore, according to the 15th Apostolic Canon and the 15th and 16th Canons of the First Ecumenical Council:

"No presbyter or deacon is permitted to abandon his own Church, to which he was assigned, without the permission and blessing of his bishop. If he leaves his place of ministry without the bishop’s consent and serves elsewhere or joins another church, he is subject to prohibition. If he disobeys and refuses to return, let him be deposed."

Additionally, based on the 5th Canon of the Council of Antioch,
We forbid you, Father Nikola Yakunin, Father Nikita Toran, from wearing the epitrachelion and cuffs, from participating in liturgical services, and from performing any church sacraments entrusted to a priest, including memorial services, burials, and, in the case of Deacon Vasily Yakunin, from performing diaconal duties—until your full repentance.

In the event of disobedience and continued affiliation with the heretical church (i.e., if you acknowledge and accept their clergy as legitimate), you will be subject to the aforementioned canons and deposed.

May the God of peace and love soften your hearts and guide you to return to the fold of the Old Believer Church of Christ within the Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy. Take seriously the discord you have caused, as the blood of martyrs cannot be erased from such a grievous sin.

Humbly,
Sophrony, Old Believer Archbishop of Australia and the Canadian-American Diocese,
Belokrinitsky Hierarchy.
Nikolaevsk, Alaska, USA
January 25, 2025