Archbishop Makarios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia stated that if Greeks lose the Greek language they will lose their faith.This blogger has written extensively on Hellenism and Orthodoxy over the years, including three books. Yes, the Greek language is important but the Archbishop misses some bigger points.
At the present time, the Greek Churches are in a state of chaos owing to the schism with the Russian Church and the persecution of the Ukrainian Church. The Greek Churches are in a state of crisis because of these developments. Patriarch Bartholomew has effectively invited the American government into the affairs of his own Patriarchate, the Church of Greece, and Mount Athos.
The issue of the Greek language is not the problem afflicting Greek Orthodoxy today. It is the lack of independence for the Churches of Greece and Cyprus that is the real problem. Greeks do not need lectures from bishops serving a Patriarch who is a Turkish citizen and collaborated with the State Department at the expense of Orthodox ecclesiology.
Constantinople is unquestionably the center of the Hellenic world and Greek Orthodoxy. But that does not mean bestowing approval and blindly following the unacceptable actions of Patriarch Bartholomew. Patriarch Bartholomew’s ecclesiastical crimes are steadily growing.
Does anyone believe the Greek language in Greece or Cyprus is threatened? In America and Australia it makes good sense for English to be used in the Divine Liturgy. The language of the people is the language of the Church. This does not take away the beauty of Greek in the Divine Liturgy but circumstances dictate that the faithful should understand the liturgy.
When Saints Cyril and Methodios during the ninth century proceeded to convert the Slavs, they translated the gospel and the liturgy into Cyrillic. The Church is commanded by Christ to evangelize and to spread the message of salvation It is not meant to be confined.
From a Hellenic standpoint, there are pressing matters to attend to. This means that Greece and Cyprus must be defended in the event of Turkish invasions. The Ecumenical Patriarchate and its overseas bishops have nothing to contribute to these efforts. The inter Orthodox crisis over the Patriarch’s meddling in Ukraine has stirred up divisions among Greeks when unity is needed.
The Ecumenical Patruarchate and its eparchys abroad such as the Archdiocese of America need to be removed from matters pertaining to Greece and Cyprus.