Beasts in Cassocks: The Crimes of the Heads of the Russian Greek Catholic Orthodox Church in America/Chapter 33
CHAPTER XXXIII.
The "To-Morrow" That Never Comes
Their "to-morrow" has lasted until this very day, and not alone that,—Father Richlov, in the name of Platon and his assistant, Alexander, has ever since then been threatening me with jail and deportation to Russia. "Your confession is in the hands of Metropolitan Platon, and if you utter one word about your money, you will land where you will never be found. And if you dare annoy me, my wife will make short shrift of you by throwing you out, and my son Volodia will thrust a knife into your belly. Don't forget with whom you are dealing—I am of Cossack descent!" After this, taking Priest ptashchuk with me, I called at the Consistory three times an twice at the office of the Chairman of the Russian Relief, Mr. V. V. Buimistrow, during June, 1922.
During my first call, on a Wednesday, I saw Bishop Alexander Nemolovsky. I asked him, in Father Ptashechuk's presence, when my $7,600.00 would be returned to me. I told him that so far I had received but $200.00 and the New Testament. The Bishop answered: "I know nothing about the matter. I sent you neither the Gospels nor the money. Come back on Friday at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Father Richlov will be here and we will discuss your affair."
The next time I called at the Consistory with my wife and Father Ptashchuk on Friday, at 2 o'clock instead of 3, and asked to be announced to Platon or Alexander. We were told to wait. We waited until 3:30 then asked once more to be announced. The butler, on returning from the Bishop’s apartments, delivered this message: "The Master asks you to call to-morrow, because Father Richlov is not here, anr consequently you can get no audience." In spite of this answer, I asked my wife and Father Ptashchuk to wait with me. Soon Alexander appeared, accompanied by a priest. I asked for his blessing. Having noticed me, Alexander appeared frightened and jumped back. "Give me your blessing," I asked, to which he shouted in reply: "Go to the devil! No blessing for you!" and then added: "I have already sent word to you that Father Richlov is not here to-day, consequently, we cannot receive you. Call to-morrow. I have not and am not going to announce you to Metropolitan Platon. If you don't like the Book of Gospels, you may leave it here." I had hardly time to open my mouth, when he left the room.