In the midst of the ongoing scandal involving the Archbishop’s plans to consecrate a defrocked former priest as a bishop for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which other hierarchs have characterized as a serious threat to Orthodox unity in America, the GOARCH head has made headlines by bap…
Abp. Elpidophoros praised for serving “first openly gay baptism” / OrthoChristian.Com Metropolitan Onuphry’s Pastoral Love for the Ukrainian People Jesse Dominick Undoubtedly, from a secular PR perspective, Met. Onuphry’s choice to remain seated was a nightmare, but he chose to represent a higher calling. Getting to the Essence. A Look at the Schism Through the Eyes of Professor Osipov Professor Alexei Osipov The following is a translated transcript of a Spas (Savior) Orthodox TV channel special edition of their program, “Straight to the essence”. In these extremely disturbing times, people want to hear a familiar, trusted voice of experience and sound theology. Professor Osipov is that voice. The Heresy of Constantinople Papism Priest George Maximov The Orthodox of various countries are looking on in perplexity and horror as the primate of a respected Church suddenly proclaims as his own canonical territory what has for over 300 years been accepted by everyone without exception as part of another Local Church, and pronounces those whom the entire Orthodox Church has unanimously recognized as schismatics to be part of the canonical Church—at the same time threatening to pronounce as schismatics those who have been abiding in Eucharistic unity with all the Local Churches. “They Will Suffer a Shameful End” St. Laurence of Chernigov “To break away from the Church is the greatest and unforgiveable sin, for it is the sin against the Holy Spirit.” How to Respond to Lawlessness Met. Luke of Zaporozhye and Melitopol Summing up, I like would to stress that you should always take an active position, especially in matters of paramount importance, which is exactly what the question of the defense of our faith is. Ecclesiological Principles Cannot Be Ignored. The Albanian Church’s Letter to Patriarch Bartholomew It is universally recognized as a basic ecclesiological principle that the ordinations of heretics and schismatics, and especially of those who are deposed and excommunicated, as a “Sacrament,” celebrated by all the Churches, are invalid. This basic principle is inextricably bound with the Orthodox teaching on the Holy Spirit and constitutes an unshakeable foundation of the Apostolic succession of Orthodox bishops. It is our conviction that this principle cannot be ignored. The Origins of Modern-Day Ukrainian Ecclesiastical Anarchy Sergei Shumilo And although there is virtually nothing and no one left of Lipkovsky in the Church outwardly, it hovers over our Church as a black raven, corrupting it from the inside to this day… An American Perspective on the Ukraine Crisis Archpriest John Whiteford This is the text of a talk that I gave at St. Tikhon University in Moscow, at a conference entitled "Causes and Challenges of the Current Crisis of Inter-Orthodox Relations," on February 25th, 2019. Speaking the Truth in Love. On the Ukrainian Ecclesiastical Question. Second Reply Abp. Anastasios of Tirana After the information (of March 26, 2019) that the Italian translation of the Patriarchal Letter of March 9, 2019 was inserted within the “category of texts of Dogmatic and Symbolic Theology” it was decided to make the related answer of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania (March 9, 2019) public. To Recognize a “Church” Having Hierarchs Without Apostolic Succession is a Serious Challenge Protopresbyter Anastasios Gotsopoulos The bishops of the UAOC (making up thirty percent of the new “autocephalous” church of Ukraine) were consecrated by two people: one deposed, and one self-consecrated! A Tale of Integrity and Conformity Archpriest Nectarios Trevino Permit me to offer a not-so-unrealistic geopolitico-religious tale based on the Second Book of Kings. On Holy Relics, Primacy in the Church, and the Pastoral Life in the Bay Area Fr. Edward Henderson Fr. Edward came to Russia to receive a portion of the relics of two recently canonized saints who are venerated in his parish. He also had to time to sit down with us for an interview on the reason for his trip to Russia, his interest in the Old Rite, his pastoral life in Berkeley, and much more. “If the Phanar Continues to Systematically Split Orthodoxy, Then Anything Can Happen” Abp. Theodosy (Snigiryov) If for foreign Orthodox philocatholic hierarchs, their drift towards the Unia seems conscious and long-desired, then they will lead our schismatics from the OCU there on a short leash, without asking their opinion. The Word of the Patriarch His Holiness Patriarch Kirill In this whole story related to the problem of recognition or non-recognition of Ukrainian schismatics by the Local Orthodox Churches, there is something that is not declared, but which is the main goal of the forces behind the scenes that unleashed this schismatic activity. St. Ambrose of Optina: Spiritual Care of Monastics and Laypeople Schema-Archimandrite John (Maslov) Schema-Hieromonk Ambrose loved the Lord infinitely; and he gave all the love that his whole being could contain to His Creator through His creation—that is, his neighbors. Historical-Canonical Basis for the Unity of the Russian Church Priest Mikhail Zheltov The following article describes in detail and scrupulously analyzes the historical events connected with the arrangement of Church life in Kiev, Moscow, and Western Rus’ over the span of the last millennium. Categories Theology| Orthodoxy Today| Homilies and Spiritual Instruction| Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days| Churches and Monasteries| Church History| Coming to Orthodoxy| Sretensky Monastery| Education| Orthodoxy Around the World| Suffering Church| Church and State| Marriage and Family Photogalleries News Calendar Print VKontakteTwitterBloggerDeliciousDiggredditEvernoteLinkedInTumblrViberWhatsAppSkypeTelegramCopy link Abp. Elpidophoros praised for serving “first openly gay baptism” Vouliagmeni, Greece, July 11, 2022 Instagram No stranger to controversy, Archbishop Elpidophoros has caused another commotion in the international Orthodox community. In the midst of the ongoing scandal involving the Archbishop’s plans to consecrate a defrocked former priestGOARCH elects letter-forging defrocked archimandrite to episcopateBelya is, in fact, a defrocked former archimandrite, and the Slavic Vicariate is largely composed of defrocked, suspended, and schismatic clergy. as a bishop for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which other hierarchs have characterized as a serious threat to Orthodox unity in AmericaJurisdictions unite against GOARCH plans to make defrocked archimandrite a bishopThe hierarchs warn that they will quit the Assembly of Canonical Bishops if Belya becomes a member., the GOARCH head has made headlines by baptizing the children of a gay celebrity couple. The parents and relatives are praising the Archbishop for serving the “first openly gay baptism” in the Greek Church. Just after the GOARCH Clergy-Laity Conference ended in New York, Abp. Elpidophoros made an unannounced trip to the Athens suburb of Vouliagmeni to baptize the children of actor Evangelo Bousis and fashion designer Peter Dundas, whom he has been connected to for a long time, reports inciao.gr. The Baptism took place within the diocese of Metropolitan Antonios of Glyfada [OrthoChristian initlaly mistaken reported that it was in the diocese of Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia—OC]. The two children were born from a surrogate mother. Among the Godparents, the couple chose the Italian model Bianca Brandolini and the golden heiress Eugenia Niarchou. The Baptisms were then celebrated with a “meal and wild party,” where Greek-Cypriot singer Anna Vissi sang her biggest hits. The after party. Photo: okmag.gr Bousis praised the Archbishop for his progressive stance of “love with no judgment” and for serving what he says is the “first openly gay baptism” in the Greek Church: Instagram Bousis’ brother George hailed the event as something significant for the entire Greek Orthodox Church. He also applauded “our great spiritual leader,” Abp. Elpidophoros for displaying the “progress and leadership we need in our church, where no person should ever be denied our Lord because of what they are, how they choose to live their lives, and who they love.” Facebook In an interview with Vogue last June, Bousis spoke about wanting to normalize the idea of gay families with children, saying: “Hopefully things will change, the way gay couples are looked at having a family. I think the more people talk about it, the better I think it is just to normalize it all because it should be something normal. We always wanted to have a family and now we can, and everyone should be able to.” His “husband,” Dundas, added that he doesn’t understand why a church agency should be allowed to refuse to give foster children to homosexual couples: What I don’t get about the Supreme Court ruling [that a Catholic social services agency in Philadelphia could refuse to work with same-sex couples who apply to take in foster children], what is the purpose? Do they really think in 10 years from now that’s gonna fly? I don’t think so for a minute. It becomes this holding off on the inevitable, and progress in our society. Why on earth hold off on that? Don’t you want all children to grow up feeling comfortable with who they are and that they can have a future, that they can have a family, that they can have everything that everyone thinks are their rights? Don’t you want that? Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab! 7/11/2022 See also Abp. Elpidophoros rejects concerns about making defrocked archimandrite a bishop Abp. Elpidophoros rejects concerns about making defrocked archimandrite a bishop Belya was canonically defrocked by ROCOR in February 2020, which the signing hierarchs, representing the OCA and the Antiochian, Serbian, Romanian, and Bulgarian Churches in America, all recognize as canonically binding. American hierarchs respond to Abp. Elpidophoros’ controversial March for Life statement American hierarchs respond to Abp. Elpidophoros’ controversial March for Life statement A number of hierarchs representing various Orthodox jurisdictions issued a statement today critiquing the ambiguous and controversial remarks made by Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at the March for Life in Washington, D.C., in January. Diplomatic problems for GOA after Abp. Elpidophoros attends Turkey event with Erdoğan Diplomatic problems for GOA after Abp. Elpidophoros attends Turkey event with Erdoğan Top Greek and Cypriot officials have expressed extreme displeasure with Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese after the hierarch attended a Turkish event with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in New York earlier this week. Comments EMMANUEL 12/19/2023 4:23 am There is a fine line between the OLD calendar Greek Orthodox Church, and the new calendar Greek Orthodox Church-everyone has a right to demonstrate their freedom and free will. Unfortunately, this type of behavior from a bishop in the orthodox church is reprehensible, unfathomable, and diminishes the doctrines of the Greek orthodox church-which is born of the divinity. This demonstrates a major deficiency in our church to properly identify our values-we must be very cautious. What decisions are made, this is blasphemy and encourages acts of evil, instability, undermines the true spirit of theology. ( money is the root of all evil. Is not properly managed, or used for illicit purposes, in the eyes of Jesus, there will be retribution for this disturbing and unorthodox decision ). The Greek Orthodox Church is suffering from lack of attendance, wake up wake up wake up, we’re under siege-grandmothers and grandfathers worked hard to build the church and this type of Decision undermines our ability to make appropriate adjustments where need it be and sends an apocalyptic message to humanity). I accept all people as long as they’re good people, but not one person in this world has the right to undermine the doctrines of the Greek Orthodox Church!!! Blasphemy, blasphemy, blasphemy-now you’ll have to deal with the divinity, and in Jesus name! ( for I have witnessed the majestic presence of archangel Michael, arch angel Gabriel, and archangel Rafael ) “We must follow the path of Jesus, for I have witnessed his presence as well-speak of the will of God not the will of indecision, for Jesus speaks for the will of humanity, not the will of an act that mimics sacrilegious undertones” ( morality is not free. Will it’s a doctrine instilled by the church through divine presence ) “Speak not of thee and you’ll not find me” EMMANUEL ANGELS12/19/2023 4:15 am There is a fine line between the OLD calendar Greek Orthodox Church, and the new calendar Greek Orthodox Church-everyone has a right to demonstrate their freedom and free will. Unfortunately, this type of behavior from a bishop in the orthodox church is reprehensible, unfathomable, and diminishes the doctrines of the Greek orthodox church-which is born of the divinity. This demonstrates a major deficiency in our church to properly identify our values-we must be very cautious. What decisions are made, this is blasphemy and encourages acts of evil, instability, undermines the true spirit of theology. ( money is the root of all evil. Is not properly managed, or used for illicit purposes, in the eyes of Jesus, there will be retribution for this disturbing and unorthodox decision ). The Greek Orthodox Church is suffering from lack of attendance, wake up wake up wake up, we’re under siege-grandmothers and grandfathers worked hard to build the church and this type of Decision undermines our ability to make appropriate adjustments where need it be and sends an apocalyptic message to humanity). I accept all people as long as they’re good people, but not one person in this world has the right to undermine the doctrines of the Greek Orthodox Church!!! Blasphemy, blasphemy, blasphemy-now you’ll have to deal with the divinity, and in Jesus name! ( for I have witnessed the majestic presence of archangel Michael, arch angel Gabriel, and archangel Rafael ) “We must follow the path of Jesus, for I have witnessed his presence as well-speak of the will of God not the will of indecision, for Jesus speaks for the will of humanity, not the will of an act that mimics sacrilegious undertones” ( morality is not free. Will it’s a doctrine instilled by the church through divine presence ) “Speak not of thee and you’ll not find me” EMMANUEL ANGELS12/19/2023 3:24 am There is a final line between the OLD calendar, Greek Orthodox Church, and the new calendar Greek Orthodox Church-everyone has a right to demonstrate their freedom and free will. Unfortunately, this type of behavior from a bishop in the orthodox church is reprehensible, unfathomable, encounter the doctrines of the Greek orthodox church, which is born of the divinity, demonstrates a major deficiency in our church to properly identify our values-we must be very cautious. What decisions are made, this is blasphemy and encourages acts of evil, instability, undermines the true spirit of theology. ( money is the root of all evil. Is not properly managed, or used for illicit purposes, on the eyes of Jesus, there will be retribution for this disturbing and unorthodox decision ) The Greek Orthodox Church is suffering from lack of attendance, wake up wake up wake up, we’re under siege-grandmothers and grandfathers worked hard to build the church and this type of Decision undermines our ability to make appropriate decision and sends an apocalyptic message to humanity). I accept all people as long as they’re good people, but not one person in this world has the right to undermine the doctrines of the Greek Orthodox Church!!! Blasphemy, blasphemy, blasphemy-now you’ll have to deal with the divinity, and in Jesus name! Robert6/15/2023 7:30 am While I disagree with their...lifestyle choice, why should the child be denied the Love and Grace of God? Should we punish children for the sins of their parents? I hope and pray that the child grows up to be a happy, healthy Christian, and that it's parents choose to repent and turn fully to our Lord David Pryor6/5/2023 1:01 pm This is really an Abomination. If any Bishop tolerates this, he will be damned. The fact that this even happened is deplorable. Everything I’ve been reading about the Ecumenical Patriarch has been depressing. He has been so divisive and is in love with this wicked World. Also, his Papism should be denounced. There are many false Prophets in these last days. I cannot unite with those who tolerate evil. Repent or you will perish! David5/16/2023 4:34 pm They're not Orthodox. They're cultural Christians probably better off as Unitarian Universalist or something. Archbishop Nikodemos 9/2/2022 12:49 pm Perhaps the extra wide "Constantinopolian" Rassa are extra wide for a reason. What else are we not seeing? Germanic7/19/2022 3:27 am After over a hundred years of being in heresy since that 1920 letter, demons have seemingly obtained full control over the Istanbul "patriarchate". The questions is: Why are the Church of Greece and many others STILL submissive to it? Petar7/16/2022 9:16 am It is a pity that the Greek Orthodox Church, in the form of ABP. ELPIDOPHOROS sold for a pocket of dollars. According to the teachings of the Orthodox Church, this is a sin. Either God has changed his strategy, or priests prefer Mercedes and BMWs discarding the centuries-old books that taught them other things... All for money, of course. Theodoros7/15/2022 12:30 am Ms.Stamos, With due respect. The Orthodox Church teaches that same sex relations are sinful. Nobody forced these men to go to the Orthodox Church. It is clear these men and their guests had an agenda to impose their way of life on the Orthodox Church. The Church is led by Christ. The faithful are obligated to defend the faith and to oppose this wicked hierarch and those who seek to secularize the Church and overthrow holy tradition. The depravity of this entire affair is confirmed by the fact that the Archbishop deceived the Metropolitan of Glyfada about the baptisms. If you believe this was All good why did the Archbishop deceive the Metropolitan? Why has the Archbishop run away in a cowardly manner and why has he not justified himself before the bishop of Glyfada and the whole Orthodox world if he has done nothing wrong? The baptism is of course holy and may these children live long and healthy lives as Orthodox Christians. All that has transpired before and after the baptism is sinister and disturbing. Painted Tree7/14/2022 10:28 pm A video documenting the LGBTQ+ agenda in western Orthodoxy. https://youtu.be/1EXWIBnMktY Marina Stamos7/14/2022 4:53 pm This is a beautiful and long overdue event. People who happen to be born in biological minorities are people-- and want and deserve to be live fully as people. Children in church who have heard priests referring to them as sinful and abominations have suffered in silence for too long. The children in my family have cried and asked "why do they (ppl who attack them) say these things. It hurts my feelings." Bravo, Archbishop Elpidophoros. All the people making negative comments are harming ppl in their own family! People are people, love is love. Steven A hensley7/14/2022 6:06 am What a bunch of really spiritual-looking people. I am sure that that baby will be given the best Christian upbringing. But honestly, have you ever seen so much rich trash in one picture. Caite7/14/2022 3:13 am My husband and I have been praying and reading all we can about the Orthodox church. We want to start attending one soon. Seeing this makes me wonder what is about to happen to the Orthodox church in America though. Markos7/14/2022 1:17 am What a great day for t… truncated (17,457 more characters in archive)