Recent actions of Archbishop Elpidophoros that have drawn considerable criticism of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Patriarchate of Constantinople were the hot topic of discussion at the latest session of Constantinople’s Synod of Bishops on July 21-22.
Archbishop Elpidophoros scandals dominate Constantinople Synod meeting / OrthoChristian.Com “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. 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. 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 Archbishop Elpidophoros scandals dominate Constantinople Synod meeting Istanbul, July 28, 2022 Photo: ekirikas.com Recent actions of Archbishop Elpidophoros that have drawn considerable criticism of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Patriarchate of Constantinople were the hot topic of discussion at the latest session of Constantinople’s Synod of Bishops on July 21-22. Patriarch Bartholomew “received from synodal hierarchs an almost unanimous number of remarks, concerns, revelations, and complaints about the arbitrariness and actions of the Archbishop Elpidophoros of America which have put the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Patriarch himself personally in a difficult position,” reports the National Herald. “It was one of the few times that so many hierarchs expressed themselves in this way,” the Herald notes. “Patriarch Bartholomew is said to be very troubled and distressed by what is happening, as he is receiving complaints from everywhere about Archbishop Elpidophoros—and he doesn’t know what to do.” The Synod was informed that many priests don’t want the Archbishop, but are afraid to speak out of fear of persecution. In particular, the report mentions the scandal surrounding the Archbishop’s plans to consecrate a canonical defrocked priest, Alexander Belya, to the episcopate. The Synod spoke about the serious pushback from the hierarchs of other jurisdictions in America and their threats to withdraw from the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America if Belya becomes a member. GOARCH was forced to indefinitely postpone the consecrationGOARCH postpones plans to make defrocked Belya a bishopIn response to the repeated protest of leading hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese announced the postponement of its plan to consecrate a defrocked former priest to the episcopate., which would have taken place this coming Saturday. Recall that it was the Holy Synod itself that previously elected BelyaGOARCH 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 an auxiliary bishop for GOARCH and its Slavic Vicariate. The National Herald also reports that Belya and his brother were at the Phanar, waiting outside the Synod chambers for hours until the meeting was over. “Asked about this, the Patriarch reportedly replied that he did not have a chance to tell Elpidophoros not to send him.” Belya is also currently suing14 states stand with ROCOR to defend religious freedom against lawsuit from defrocked Alexander BelyaAs the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which has taken up ROCOR’s defense, explains in its appeal, Belya’s case focuses on an internal ROCOR document that contested his supposed election as Bishop of Miami and called for his investigation on a number of serious charges, which he argues constitutes defamation. the Eastern American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and several prominent hierarchs and clerics. There was also a discussion about the scandal surrounding the Archbishop’s celebration of the publicity-focused Baptism of the children of an internationally famous gay couple, who praised him for celebrating Greece’s first “openly gay BaptismAbp. Elpidophoros praised for serving “first openly gay baptism”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 baptizing the children of a gay celebrity couple..” Following the complaint of Metropolitan Antonios of Glyfada“Abp. Elpidophoros acted uncanonically within my metropolis”—Greek hierarch about “gay baptism”Abp. Elpidophoros, the head of Constantinople’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, created an international scandal over the weekend when he traveled to Greece especially to celebrate the Baptism of the two children from surrogate mothers of a gay celebrity couple whom the Archbishop is close to., in whose diocese the Baptism took place, the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece sent letters of protestGreek Synod sends protest letter to Abp. Elpidophoros about “gay baptism”The Permanent Holy Synod of the Church of Greece decided today to send a letter of protest to Archbishop Elpidophoros of Constantinople’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America regarding the Baptism that he recently celebrated for the children of a gay celebrity couple. to Abp. Elpidophoros and Pat. Bartholomew. “Despite the interventions of Synod members, the Patriarch ignored the matter and did not allow anything about it to be included in the announcements, sending the message in all directions that he is covering for and supports Archbishop Elpidophoros. The Patriarch is reported to have said that, ‘we cannot change Archbishops in America every three years,’” the National Herald reports. The Synod also discussed the issue with the GOARCH charter, which the Synod suspended in October 2020Constantinople suspends Metropolitan of Boston, transfers Metropolitan of New Jersey, suspends Archdiocesan charterOn the third day of its current session yesterday, the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople made several major decisions regarding its Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. at Abp. Elpidophoros’ insistence without following proper procedure. The hierarchs decided to lift the suspension and make the charter active again. “It was also said that it was an unacceptable mistake to dethrone Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey, without his having an opportunity to respond to the allegations of Elpidophoros.” The National Herald reports that some hierarchs were even shocked when they learned how the given Synod session transpired in October 2020. Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab! 7/28/2022 See also Archbishop Elpidophoros acted outside of Tradition, says Archbishop of Cypriot Church Archbishop Elpidophoros acted outside of Tradition, says Archbishop of Cypriot Church The head of the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America did wrong and acted outside of Christian Tradition by baptizing the children of a gay celebrity couple under much public fanfare, says the head of the Church of Cyprus. Greek Synod sends protest letter to Abp. Elpidophoros about “gay baptism” Greek Synod sends protest letter to Abp. Elpidophoros about “gay baptism” The Permanent Holy Synod of the Church of Greece decided today to send a letter of protest to Archbishop Elpidophoros of Constantinople’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America regarding the Baptism that he recently celebrated for the children of a gay celebrity couple. Elpidophoros prefers the modern gospel of the serpent—Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus Elpidophoros prefers the modern gospel of the serpent—Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus Baptizing the children of two unrepentant homosexuals with such fanfare, Archbishop Elpidophoros of Constantinople’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America gave “amnesty” to the grave sin of sodomy, preferring the “modern gospel of the serpent” to the eternal teachings of the Church, believes the Metropolitan of Piraeus. Abp. Elpidophoros praised for serving “first openly gay baptism” Abp. Elpidophoros praised for serving “first openly gay baptism” 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 baptizing the children of a gay celebrity couple. 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. GOARCH retweets pro-abortion approval of Abp. Elpidophoros’ March for Life speech GOARCH retweets pro-abortion approval of Abp. Elpidophoros’ March for Life speech And adding to the confusion is the fact that the GOARCH Press Office retweeted a specifically pro-abortion tweet praising the Archbishop’s statement. Comments Yannis12/19/2023 3:09 am Elpidophoros is no good! Maybe his name should be Eosphoros. That sounds more appropriate Evangelos Alexiou9/10/2022 3:26 am To equate the Virgin Mary’s choice to give birth to the Messiah to a woman’s choice to kill her baby in the womb is complete heresy and sheer foolishness. In the first case new life was the choice and in the second case ending an existing life via murder was the choice….no relationship and smoking mirrors to justify killing a child. If the American Greek Orthodox priests are in fear of retaliation by the Archbishop , said fear is misplaced. There greater fear should be to remain silent and face the eternal judgement of the Lord Jesus Christ! They,too, have the right to choose . Maria Prassakos8/29/2022 8:14 am I, along with other Greek Orthodox Christians, demand the resignation or removal of AB Elpidophoros! He is defying Holy Tradition and has violated many tenets of our Orthodox faith. Please sign my petition and circulate to friends, family, your local Church, and social media. My cause/details are outlined in the petition: https://ourfight.online/28b91920-00b9-41f1-8be3-c9ea48da29c3 michael jovanovich8/17/2022 11:58 pm He's no clergyman but a gay promoter of the Globalist Agenda. He was put there INTENTIONALLY for that purpose. He and The Church know the devilish deeds they are doing. I love Greece and the Greek people but their Church and their government are EVIL! VICTORIA8/5/2022 3:37 pm It’s shocking to see how so many people are surprised at the current condition of the church. Have we not read the prophecy of Matthew 24? St. John’s letters to the seven churches in the Revelation? Many are called, few are chosen. The chosen will stand up against the heresy. Those who fear the persecution will suffer loss. But the army of the Lord will stand tall, fearless, and ready to fight against the evil forces that have infiltrated the one and only Holy and apostolic church. The Warriors will make themselves known when the time comes. Fear not. me8/2/2022 11:14 am If Bartholomew do not defroct Epidolforost that means that he also left Christ 's teaching. As concequance he stoped to be christian and he can not be ecumenical patriarch. If the Synod do not defroct Barthomew that means that Synod also left Christ's teaching and the Patriach from Constantjnople ceasse to exist Elaine Iuanow7/29/2022 7:33 pm Praying that Archbishop Elpidophoros is removed. He does not represents the teachings of Christ. Enough is enough. Tepy Nezeris7/29/2022 10:23 am How can the Patriachate say he doesn't know what to do! Where is his discernment, Archbishop Elpidophoros should be defrocked for mocking Christ and his teachings publically. Christ turned the tables and expressed righteous anger as to how they treated his Father's temple into a den of robbers. Archbishop Elpidophoros has disgraced and brought disripute to Orthodoxy, he must be held accountable so he doesn't do worse next time. If the Patriachate Bartholomew does nothing and sits quitely in the side lines, is like he accepts and condones these heretical actions of display in our Lord's Church. May the Lord illumine you with wisdom and have Mercy on Us All ???????? Dimitri7/29/2022 3:52 am When the machine constantly breaks, and parts and repairs are do not holdup, then it must be time to get a new better designed machine. Maybe time for a domestically designed rather an import. Sir Gatanas 7/28/2022 11:44 pm We The People Demand Resignation of AB Elpidoforos! Elpi has proven a dozen times to be unfit to serve as Archbishop. Enough is Enough Bartholomew! sherlock_holmes7/28/2022 11:27 pm Motto : Birds of a feather flock together !...Good that pat. Bartholomew is not a lawyer. Tim Jenkins7/28/2022 8:53 pm Other sad GOARCH situations causing grief and dissent: unlike the OCA, no press release on the US Supreme Court abortion decision; ambiguous abortion comments at the Right to Life rally; slavish devotion to disgraced abortion advocate Andrew Cuomo; public blessing prayer of abortion advocate Joe Biden during the Democrat Convention; public participation in lesbian-Marxist-led BLM protest; dis-enrollment of Holy Cross Seminary students who refused covid jab. Dimitri7/28/2022 6:01 pm It is surely past time to clean house and restructure the hierarchical format world wide. Petros 7/28/2022 4:11 pm “The Patriarch is reported to have said that, ‘we cannot change Archbishops in America every three years,’” the National Herald reports.“ Then stop putting in duds…. Here you can leave your comment on the present article, not exceeding 4000 characters. All comments will be read by the editors of OrthoChristian.Com. Enter through FaceBookGoogle, or enter your information: Your name: Your e-mail: Enter the digits, seen on picture: Characters remaining: 4000 Send comments New material Christmas Message from Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ 902 Nativity of Christ Epistle from Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, Primate of the Russian Church Abroad 283 We Need a Savior Bishop Benjamin (Milov) 375 Mankind is made ready for the Nativity of Christ Mikhail Skaballanovich 261 Archpriest Vladimir Vigiliansky on the Themes and Meanings of the Nativity Archpriest Vladimir Vigilyansky 346 Moral Theology, Chapter 27 Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky) 318 “I Am an Unworthy Ambassador of the Most High God” On Refusing the Episcopacy, Part 4 548 Arise, O My Soul! Archimandrite Ioanichie (Balan) 523 Naturally Drawn to Obscurity On Refusing the Episcopacy, Part… truncated (1,005 more characters in archive)