At the present time, it appears the Greek speaking world has abandoned all its interests and is prepared to follow Patriarch Bartholomew to the disaster where he is leading us all. Greece presently faces serious threats from Turkey, as does Cyprus. Which Greek really believes that the most important interest of Hellenism lies with Patriarch Bartholomew and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America?
Since when did Patriarch Bartholomew’s insatiable hunger for power in Orthodoxy become a greater concern than the territorial integrity of both Greece and Cyprus? The situation is that Patriarch Bartholomew needs to retire from the Patriarchate or be deposed. Tragically, the primates of the Greek speaking Churches in Greece and Cyprus support Patriarch Bartholomew’s Ukrainian disaster.
This has put not only those two apostolic Churches in conflict with Russia it has also made relations between them and the rest of the Orthodox Churches very uneasy. The Greek speaking Churches need to dig themselves out of the hole they are in. This necessitates repudiating Patriarch Bartholomew and the Greek Archdiocese of America.
The Church of Greece has a flock of ten million. The Patriarchate’s flock has a few million scattered throughout the world. Most of its flock is in America. It is not right or natural that the Church of Greece should be bullied by either the power hungry Patriarch of Constantinople or the scandal tainted Greek Archdiocese of America.
The Church of Greece is the heart of the Hellenic Orthodox world. It traditionally has maintained communion and warm relations with the Russian and other Orthodox Churches. The Russian Church provided money and aid to Greeks during the economic crisis. It is utterly deplorable that the synod of Athens established communion with the fake clerics of Ukraine in order to curry favor with Patriarch Bartholomew.
The Church of Greece may need to depose Archbishop Ieronymos. He has proven to be weak. The two previous Archbishops of Athens Serapheim and Christodoulos clashed with Patriarch Bartholomew. It is unlikely that under their leadership the Church of Greece would have entered into communion with the fake clerics of Ukraine.
The situation needs to end. The Church of Greece has leverage over the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Most of Constantinople’s flock is long gone. The Church of Greece occasionally sends priests and nuns to watch over the remaining Churches and shrines. Were the theological school of Halki to open, it is from Greece that new priests and bishops would arrive from.The Patriarchate needs the Church of Greece, not the other way around.
If the Church of Greece were to throw its weight around and show the Phanar and the Greek Archdiocese in America which is the real Greek Church, it would be doing Orthodoxy a service. The Church of Greece is the Hellenic Church because it is in the borders of Greece. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is in America and should become a part of the future American Orthodox Church.
There could be a future for the Church of Constantinople only in the event that its synod completely repudiates everything it has done in Ukraine over the past three horrific years. Repentance and apologies to the whole of of Orthodoxy are in order as well and a commitment to stay out of the border of other Churches would help.
Unfortunately, under Patriarch Bartholomew this will not happen. This is why the Bishops of Greece must step up and use their leverage to remove Patriarch Bartholomew. This may sound strange but the fact it that the Church of Greece is not really autocepalous. At best, it is an autonomous part of Constantinople. Ironically, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (the canonical Church) under Moscow has more freedom than the so called “autocephalous” Church of Greece has.
Since Constantinople meddles in Greece, the synod of Athens should turn the tables on Constantinople. The bishops of any local Church can depose their primate. Constantinople rules Greece then the Greek bishops have the right to depose Patriarch Bartholomew. The Synod of Athens could also send a message by challenging Constantinople’s omophorion in Crete, the islands, and Mount Athos.
The Synod of Athens has (and had in the past) options to resist Constantinople. Why they have not exercised these options is a mystery. Athens can do the right thing by using its leverage to stop Patriarch Bartholomew’s unending destruction.
The liberation of the Hellenic Church could begin. The Hellenic Orthodox Church is not the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The Hellenic Orthodox Church is is the Church within the borders of Greece. The Orthodox Churches in America are the American Orthodox Church.
The first step toward peace and reconciliation in all Orthodoxy is to depose the Ecumenical Patriarch.
One reply on “Liberating Hellenic Orthodoxy”
Very regrettable that the Patriarch’s tenure in office will be colored by his most recent actions regarding the Ukrainian Church, which have been divisive for Orthodoxy and completely unnecessary. I had great respect and reverence for the Ecumenical Patriarchate at one time, that has diminished the last few years. He seems to have forgotten his role, very tragic.