Category: faith

One reason why I was inspired to start this blog was to establish a forum to express dissent for the Church of Constantinople’s actions in Ukraine and throughout Orthodoxy. It is a tragedy that the voices speaking in an official capacity for Constantinople are doing so by ignoring harsh truths regarding that Church’s role in fomenting the schism in Orthodoxy and promoting oppression against Orthodox Ukrainians. His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia has said that Orthodoxy could not exist without the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Such exaggerated boasts do not serve the Ecumenical Patriarchate well. It is fact that for three hundred and fifty years the Church did not have an Ecumenical Patriarchate. Furthermore, when the Patriarchate of Constantinople was formally established by the fathers of the Second Ecumenical Council in 381 AD it was second in honor after Rome. In addition, the Patriarchate was established by the authority of the universal Church. It did not establish itself.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate has no right to claim authority over the local Orthodox Churches. Contrary to the Archbishop’s assertion the Orthodox Church can and will function without the Ecumenical Patriarchate as it did when Rome fell into heresy. The Archbishop forgets that Patriarchs once espoused heresies such as Nestorianism (named after the Patriarch who reigned between 427 and 431 AD), Iconoclasm, and supported the Council Of Florence in 1439.

It is a provable fact that the Patriarch is not infallible and has clearly lost his way. The Patriarchate of Constantinople refuses to convene a council or to even discuss the Ukrainian issue. The Archbishop urged the faithful of Australia to be faithful to the Patriarchate and to show their love. Some of us are attempting to show our love by pointing out that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is wrong for espousing a new ecclesiology that is foreign to Orthodoxy.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate is being devoured by those who are indulging and supporting the errors of Patriarch Bartholomew. Those who wish to serve the Ecumenical Patriarchate do so by upholding and espousing the traditional Orthodox faith being upheld by the universal Church of which Constantinople is only one part of. The Church of Constantinople is being damaged the longer it refuses to submit to the demands of the universal Church and fails to comply with the process of conciliarity.

Pope Francis is on visit to Greece after having visited Cyprus. In Athens, a Greek priest was arrested after yelling “you are a heretic”. Such displays of hysteria do not serve the Orthodox Church or the interests of Greece. One does not have to be an ecumenist to suggest that people of different faiths should coexist peacefully.

I am not an ecumenist and I believe the dogmatic differences between Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism cannot be bridged. At the same time it is possible to maintain civil relations and not be in a state of permanent spiritual war. In 2001, Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens accepted the apology of the visiting Pope John Paul II who expressed sorrow for the crimes of the Fourth Crusade that destroyed Constantinople in 1204.

The Orthodox world has serious grievances with the Roman Catholic Church. Some of these are still ongoing as with the aggressive activities of the Uniates in Ukraine. The way to deal with these issues is in a Christian manner through legitimate criticism and engagement.

One can reject any compromises of Orthodox faith while adopting a polite attitude to people of different faiths. In 2001, Greek Orthodox demonstrators denounced Pope John Paul II as a “two horned devil” and “antiChrist”. Such language emanates from fanatical attitudes similar to those that inspired the Crusades.

The Greek Church should be respectful to the Pope on his visit. Unfortunately, there are signs Archbishop Ieronymos is mishandling the visit. The Archbishop said the Roman Catholic Church did not support the Greek War of Independence. This is not really relevant since Greek Independence was achieved.

The Archbishop should have politely raised the issue of Roman Catholic (through Italy and France) support for Kemal’s armies in Asia Minor which deprived Greece of Constantinople and Smyrna. He could also have raised the issue of the Croatian Catholic genocide of Orthodox Christian Serbs during the Second World War.

These issues can be raised politely and diplomatically without needless hysteria. On the matter of the “union” between east and west, the Archbishop should politely state that Orthodoxy considers itself to possess the fullness of truth and no compromise is possible. Peaceful relations can be maintained and Orthodox and Roman Catholics can work together on matters of common concern.

For example, Orthodox Russia and Roman Catholic Poland and Hungary are fiercely resisting the western effort to impose LGBT ideology down their throats. In that common struggle, Orthodox and Roman Catholics have much in common and should fight together.

Once again, thoughts and prayers for the health of Patriarch Bartholomew who has entered the hospital for a second time on his American visit. Hoping for the Patriarch’s physical health and his spiritual health as well. Praying that Patriarch Bartholomew will reverse his decisions on Ukraine.

The Patriarch is elderly but there is still time to restore his prestige and the prestige of Constantinople in Orthodoxy.

Patriarch Bartholomew has reportedly stated that he does not care that the Russian Orthodox Church has broken communion with Constantinople. This is a statement that only serves to further demoralize those of us under Constantinople’s omophorion who do care that we are not in communion with the Russian Church. Patriarch Bartholomew has no right to speak for his flock.

He speaks only for himself. As a member of his flock, I am opposed to everything that Patriarch Bartholomew has done in Ukraine. His actions violate canon law and the precepts of Orthodox ecclesiology. He has made the Church of Constantinople complicit in the violence and persecution of Orthodox Ukrainians by the government in Kiev and the fake and artificial “church” established by the Patriarchate.

This madness must end. Patriarch Bartholomew sucked the Patriarchate of Alexandria and the Church of Greece into the madness. Sentimental Greeks have closed their eyes and followed Constantinople down the path of ruin. Patriarch Bartholomew has created division among the bishops of Cyprus.

It is apparent that Patriarch Bartholomew does not care about any of this any more than he cares about being out of communion with the Russian Church. It is hard to see how this ends except with Patriarch Bartholomew being deposed. The Orthodox Churches can remain patient for only so long before they convene a council and choose to depose the Ecumenical Patriarch.

Patriarch Bartholomew arrived in the United States and was soon hospitalized. We wish the Ecumenical Patriarch a speedy recovery. This blog has been critical of the Patriarch over Ukraine and other issues but the Christian way is to pray for even those who happen to be in the wrong.

Joe Biden’s doctor has offered his services to the Patriarch. This was very kind gesture. Politics aside, acts of compassion should always be acknowledged and recognized. Best wishes for the Patriarch’s recovery.

Celebrations are due to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the enthronement of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. Tragically, there is nothing for any Orthodox Christian to celebrate. On this anniversary, the Orthodox Church faces a schism that could very well become permanent and irreversible. The tenure of Patriarch Bartholomew that began promisingly will end in the total destruction of Orthodox unity, the destruction of the Greek speaking Churches and Mount Athos, and the destruction of the Church of Constantinople itself.

In March 1992, only a few months after becoming Patriarch, Bartholomew presides over a rare gathering of Orthodox primates in Constantinople. Only the Archbishop of Cyprus and the the Georgian Patriarch were absent. The Churches at the time agreed by consensus to terminate all discussions with the Vatican except on the matter of the Uniates (so called “Eastern Catholics”). This was the period when the Soviet Union collapsed and the opportunity to establish real Orthodox unity was at hand.

The primates that met in Constantinople did so under the Presidency of Patriarch Bartholomew in his capacity as “first among equals”. In 1993, Patriarch Bartholomew visited Russia where he was well received. What could have been?

By 1995, Patriarch Bartholomew alienated the Russian Church by establishing a parallel jurisdiction in Estonia. In 2003, Patriarch Bartholomew provoked a reaction from Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens when he began meddling inside the Church of Greece. These were the warning signs of what would come later in Ukraine.

Patriarch Bartholomew had his moments when he concelebrated the liturgy in the long abandoned monasteries and Churches of Trebizond and Cappadocia. He forgot that Russian Church hierarchs were with him when he celebrated the liturgy in those holy places. The Patriarchal reign of Patriarch Bartholomew is a disastrous failure.

In addition to the Ukrainian mess that the Phanar created, the Patriarchate has presided over the destruction of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Everything is in ruins! Patriarch Bartholomew has also harmed the Monasteries of Athos and the Church of Greece by making them accomplices to the ecclesiastical crimes in Ukraine.

Patriarch Bartholomew has attempted to hide behind the Greek flag. Greek and non Greek Orthodox are all mistaken if they believe the Patriarch cares about Greece. The appearance of Archbishop Elpidophoros at the Turkish center alongside the ethnic cleansers who preside over the occupation of Cyprus demonstrates how much the Patriarchate cares about Greeks.

For the hierarchs serving Constantinople’s uncanonical expansionism, Greece and Cyprus are useful as weapons in their anti Russian campaign. Beyond that, the Ecumenical Patriarch and his exarch in America have no use for Greece or Cyprus. It is a tragedy that so many Greeks support Patriarch Bartholomew uncritically.

It should be remembered that Patriarch Kyril of Moscow and Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev (the real bishop of Ukraine) congratulated Greece on independence day last March. Guess who did not not? The Ecumenical Patriarch did not.

Patriarch Bartholomew’s primary purpose thirty years ago was to open the theological school of Halki. If he had stuck to fighting for the Patriarchate in Turkey, things might be well today in Orthodoxy. But the Patriarch became a partisan figure demanding complete power and authority over the other Churches.

The conversion of Hagia Sophia into a Mosque was a disaster. The bigger disaster was the downfall of the Church of Constantinople as a result of Patriarch Bartholomew’s anti canonical actions which have resulted in schism. The present situation was not inevitable.

There is only one way out for the Church of Constantinople. Repentance by withdrawing entirely from Ukraine and humbly asking forgiveness from the bishops of Russia, Ukraine, and the whole of Orthodoxy.

The schism in the Orthodox Church is about to get worse. The Russian Orthodox Church has held a conference to address the violation of the canonical borders of Ukraine by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. It has also discussed the issue of the recognition of the schismatic entity of Ukraine by the Patriarchate of Alexandria. Most crucially, Moscow is about to react to the concelebration of Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria with the fake bishop of Ukraine on the island of Imbros in August.

Since Alexandria established communion with the Ukrainian schismatics, many African priests have asked Moscow to accept them into the Russian Church. Previous to this, the Patriarchate of Alexandria was at peace with its flock and with all sister Orthodox Churches. When Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople triggered the crisis in Ukraine three years ago, Patriarch Theodore travelled to Ukraine to serve the liturgy with the bishop of the canonical Ukrainian Church.

The Patriarch urged all Ukrainians to remain in the canonical Church of Ukraine. Patriarch Theodore expressed his support for members of the canonical Church who are being persecuted by the Ukrainian government and the schismatics. A year later, Patriarch Theodore inexplicably established communion with the schismatic entity in Ukraine.

Now the crisis has gotten to the point where the Russian Church is going to establish itself in Africa the hitherto territory of Alexandria. Since Moscow broke communion with that ancient Patriarchal see in response to the Patriarch’s recognition of the schismatics all canonical impediments to Africa have been lifted. The ramifications of Patriarch Bartholomew’s desire for power continue.

Patriarch Theodore can stop the further damage to Orthodox unity by immediately reversing his stance on Ukraine. Unlike Patriarch Bartholomew, the Patriarch of Alexandria used to get along with all sister Orthodox Churches. Like the Patriarchs of Antioch and Jerusalem, Patriarch Theodore used to be warmly received in Moscow by Church and state alike.

Patriarch Theodore would be doing the right thing by reversing his stance on Ukraine. A simple expression of regret and a willingness to break with the Ukrainian schismatics would relieve tensions. Patriarch Bartholomew has made very clear that he is intent on grabbing total power at the expense of Orthodox unity.

Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria has sacrificed his reputation and life’s work in support of Patriarch Bartholomew. He is not the first Orthodox Greek to follow the Ecumenical Patriarch on his destructive path. Abott Ephraim of Vatopaidi Monastery on Mount Athos and some other Athonites were once influential over the whole of Orthodoxy by the examples of their monastic lives and teachings. That influence and respect ended when they chose to support Patriarch Bartholomew’s mad venture in Ukraine.

There are bishops in Greeks who likewise lost their reputations by supporting Patriarch Bartholomew. The Churches of Greece and Cyprus are heavily split because of this Ukrainian issue. Patriarch Bartholomew is destroying Orthodox unity and sacrificing the good names of those who have supported him.

Regrettably, the governments of Cyprus and Greece seem to have reconciled with Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. Both Athens and Nicosia seem unwilling to recognize the Phanariots of Constantinople and New York as the sources of destruction and chaos. At the very least, Athens and Nicosia should have made it a point to avoid Archbishop Elpidophoros on any occasion in the future and should have ordered the Archdiocese not to comment on or interfere with Greek and Cypriot diplomatic activities in America.

The Greek government earlier this year pledged two million Euros annually to the Holy Cross theological seminary in Boston. This is indicative of the shamelessness of the crowd at the Archdiocese. They have destroyed their school, the priest pension fund, and the Saint Nicholas Shrine has humiliated the entire Greek Orthodox community in America. The Archdiocese is financially and morally bankrupt.

They get the people of Greece to subsidize Holy Cross School of theology. Did the Greek government ask the people of Greece if they wanted their money to go to any institution of the Archdiocese of America? The Greek government already subsidizes the Ecumenical Patriarchate whose leading hierarch abroad attends ceremonies with leaders of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus.

The schism in Orthodoxy is going to have ramifications for Hellenism and Orthodoxy. Greece and Cyprus need to concentrate on all diplomatic fronts in order to properly deal with the Turkish threat. This means Greece needs to focus on relations with both America and Russia. Greeks should not be split and divided because of Patriarch Bartholomew at a time when Turkey has become more menacing than at any other time since 1974.

Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria should reverse his stance on the matter of the Ukrainian issue. If he were to do that, he will be a hero. Patriarch Bartholomew is protected from his ecclesiastical crimes because he resides in a country that is not Orthodox. Eventually, a major Church council will be held and very likely Patriarch Bartholomew will be deposed.

The Patriarch of Alexandria can distance himself from the whole mess by reversing his stance and offering words of regret and remorse to all Orthodox Churches. He an be an example for the Archbishop of Cyprus and those bishops in Greece who entered into communion with schismatics.

When I first visited the city of Thessaloniki several years ago, I was astounded by the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia. It is a very beautiful cathedral from the Byzantine era. I recall thinking that this would be perfect for use as the Patriarchal Cathedral.

At present, the Greek speaking Churches are in serious disarray. The Ecumenical Patriarchate is the instigator of schisms in Eastern Orthodoxy and is preoccupied with grabbing as much power and authority as possible. The Church of Greece is under the leadership of an Archbishop who lacks the leadership abilities of his two immediate predecessors Serapheim and Christodoulos.

Even worse, Archbishop Ieronymos and his synod established communion with the schismatic church in Ukraine that all Churches (including the Greek ones) considered to be without valid ordinations and consecrations. The Archbishop followed the recommendations of the American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and bowed to the pressure tactics of Patriarch Bartholomew. When Patriarch Bartholomew intervened previously in the affairs of the Church of Greece both Archbishops Serapheim and Christodoulos fiercely defended the autocephaly of the Church of Greece.

There would have been no question of either of these Archbishops permitting any secular foreign power to intervene in Church affairs. Unlike Archbishop Christodoulos of blessed memory, Archbishop Ieronymos does not speak on the various issues of the day whether they be social issues, national issues, or other matters. The Church of Greece needs to regain its voice and its independence.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (under Constantinople) in America has been involved in several scandals over the last few years. The Archdiocese has done spiritual harm to its flock, and has also done harm to Greek national issues as well. The visit of Archbishop Elpidophoros to the Turkich Center is demonstrative of how the Archdiocese focuses on one issue alone- the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Otherwise, why would the Archbishop have attended a ceremony attended by the leaders of Turkey and the authorities who govern the Turkish occupied territories of Cyprus. Turkey has been challenging the territorial integrity of Greece.

The place to begin the housecleaning is at the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Greek world needs to seriously discuss the future of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Patriarchate’s status has diminished greatly in the Eastern Orthodox world because of its expansionist policies against other Churches. It has also led the Church of Greece astray and has created division among the members of the Holy Synod in the Church of Cyprus.

The conversion of Saint Justinian’s Hagia Sophia in Constantinople into a Mosque could be an opportunity to come to terms with reality. There was a time when I considered the possibility of moving the Patriarchate from the city of Constantine with horror and revulsion. The events that have played out have necessitated a change in that stance that began when I visited Thessaloniki for the first time.

The Cathedral of Hagia Sophia in Thessaloniki is named (just like Justinian’s Church) for Christ himself. The Church of the Holy Wisdom of God. The Turks have taken many Churches named Hagia Sophia and have made them into Mosques in recent years. These include the Churches named Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, Adrianople, Nicea, and Trebizond.

In my view, this makes the Hagia Sophia of Thessaloniki even more special. Hagia Sophia of Thessaloniki was a Mosque for hundreds of years under the Ottoman yoke (much like Justinian’s Church). However, this is the Hagia Sophia we liberated and restored to Christian worship! This is the FREE HAGIA SOPHIA!

This is the Hagia Sophia we can freely worship in and where Christ is glorified. Might this not be the perfect home for the Ecumenical Patriarchate? There are historical precedents for moving. The Patriarchate of Antioch left that town many centuries ago and has been located in Damascus. When Constantinople was conquered by the Latins in 1204, both Emperor and Patriarch went to exile in Nicea from where both Empire and Church were governed.

There is a case for Thessaloniki to be the home of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Cathedral of Thessaloniki is a symbol of the glory of Christ and also symbolizes the freedom of Greece from the Turks. This is the free Hagia Sophia!

Saint Paul preached and taught in Thessaloniki during the first century. The city contains the relics of Saint Demetrios the Martyr and Saint Gregory Palamas in the beautiful Churches that receive pilgrims from throughout the Orthodox world. Pilgrims visiting Thessaloniki make pilgrimages to the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian outside the city to visit the tomb of Holy Saint Paisios.

Thessaloniki is also close to the Holy Mountain of Athos. The Holy Mountain of Athos has problems and the Monks have become divided as a result of the policies of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This along with the other problems facing Greek Orthodoxy mentioned above could be alleviated if the Ecumenical Patriarchate moved to Thessaloniki.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate itself would be officially liberated. It would not be the liberation that Greeks have dreamed about since 1453, but the Great Church would no longer be dependent on the terror of the Turks or be dependent on the foreign policy establishment of the State Department. No Greek wants to turn their back on Constantinople but the reality is that there is no future for Greek Orthodoxy in Erdogan’s Turkey.

In the event that the Ecumenical Patriarchate moved to Greece, there would be a reunion of the mother Church of Constantinople with the daughter Church of Greece. The Patriarch would have a real flock to preside over again and would not have to deal with the evil of the Turkish authorities. The Patriarch would be free to speak!

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese could be reformed with new Bishops coming from Greece and Mount Athos to renew the Archdiocese. Saints Cyril and Methodios left Thessaloniki to convert the Slavs to the Gospel. So it could be that a free Patriarchate in Thessaloniki could send Bishops and Priests to rebuild and reestablish the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese with the aim of building a future American Church as the Patriarchate previously established Churches in Russia and the Balkans.

A house cleaning is in order for the Greek Orthodox world. Let it begin by liberating itself from the Turkish yoke and settling the Ecumenical Patriarchate at Hagia Sophia of Thessaloniki. This is the Hagia Sophia Greece took back from the Turks. Using it as the Patriarchal Cathedral would be sending a message to the Turks.

Today is the anniversary of the anti Greek-Christian pogroms that took place in Constantinople in 1955. The Turkish government conducted a terror campaign against the 100,000 or so Christian Greeks that were still living in Constantinople and the islands of Imbros and Tenedos. The motivations for the pogroms emanated from Turkey’s expansionist claims to Cyprus.

In April of 1955, the Greeks of Cyprus revolted against British rule and sought to achieve “enosis” with Greece. The struggle in Cyprus was against the British, not the Turks. The British encouraged Turkey to put fourth claims on Cyprus in order to undermine Greece.

The British also encouraged demonstrations in Turkey to express Turkish feelings for Cyprus. These demonstrations were to lead to the vicious pogroms against Orthodox Greeks in Constantinople. The Turkish government of Prime Minister Adnan Menderes brought in criminal elements from Anatolia and encouraged them to target the Greeks.

Greek homes, Churches, and businesses had crosses painted on them so the thugs would know their targets. The pretext for the terror campaign was the bombing of Mustafa Kemal’s home in Thessaloniki. In reality, the Turks bombed Kemal’s home (which is ajar to the Turkish consulate) and had earlier doctored photographs of the bombing to be carried out so as to be able to quickly incite angry mobs to violence.

The Turkish police were ordered to stand down. The mobs murdered, raped, and tortured. A ninety year old priest named Chrysanthos Mannas was doused with gasoline and burned alive. An elderly Greek woman went insane after being raped. All the property of the Greeks was destroyed in a single night.

At Smyrna, Greek Army officers serving NATO were beaten and neither NATO nor any members of NATO condemned the assaults on their colleagues. In the aftermath of the pogroms, Secretary of State John Foster Dulles wrote an offensive letter to Greek Prime Minister Alexander Papagos asking Greece to drop the matter in favor of NATO solidarity. No condemnation of Turkey or threats for Turkey to improve its human rights record.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate lost much of its remaining flock in the days following the pogroms. Now it must be said that the State Department refused to condemn the devastation agains the flock of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at this time. That should bring the present collaboration of the Ecumenical Patriarchate with the State Department in a common anti Russian campaign into greater focus.

In 1955, NATO and the west valued Turkey as a counter to the Soviet Union. Today, Turkey collaborates with ISIS and Al Quada, and NATO refuses to support Greece against the encroachments of its territory by Turkey.

What exactly has changed since 1955?

Under normal circumstances the visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch to Ukraine would be a wonderful thing. Over a thousand years ago, Kiev which was the center of Russia was converted to Christianity by the Great Church of Constantinople. Circumstances are not normal however and so the visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to Ukraine is one of controversy rather than a display of Orthodox unity.

Patriarch Bartholomew was invited to visit Ukraine on the thirtieth anniversary of that country’s independence by President Vladimir Zelensky. The Patriarch met with the fake bishop Epithany Dimenko and the false bishops and clerics. The Patriarch completely avoided the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church and its legitimate synod and faithful.

An organized group of laypeople who are part of the legitimate Church sent a “tomos” of their own to Patriarch Bartholomew. This “tomos” is a response to the artificial “tomos” that Patriarch Bartholomew granted to the fake church in Ukraine in 2018. The faithful of the suffering Ukrainian Church wrote in their tomos that they have a love for the Church of Constantinople and the Greeks from whom they received the Christian faith over one thousand years ago.

It is a moving letter that acknowledges past Patriarchs of Constantinople who were solid in the faith. The contents of the tomos include references to the current persecution that the canonical Church is enduring. The faithful of Ukraine also declare that were Patriarch Bartholomew to repent, that they would once again accept the Patriarch of Constantinople as “first among equals” in Orthodoxy.

Ukrainian faithful came out in huge crowds to express support for the canonical Metropolitan Onuphry and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Many of them wished to see Patriarch Bartholomew to tell him of the suffering they have been enduring because of the persecution directed against them by the fake church under the fake bishops. To his discredit, Patriarch Bartholomew completely avoided them.

With the passing of time, Constantinople’s position in Orthodoxy will continue to decline. Sooner or later, the Orthodox Churches will declare anathemas against the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Perhaps against the Patriarchate of Alexandria and the Church of Greece as well.

Pious Orthodox Christians do not want this. Patriarch Bartholomew on the other hand is completely indifferent to the destruction and chaos he has caused. The time is coming when the Patriarch will have to make a choice. Either repent or be excommunicated from the Orthodox Church.