The Greek government is reportedly going to fund the salaries of African priests serving under the Patriarchate of Alexandria. Before the schism of 2018, this could have been perceived as Greece supporting Orthodoxy. The schism that resulted from Patriarch Bartholomew’s intervention in Ukraine and the Greek government’s legalization of same sex marriage calls into question Greece’s actions.
There have been suggestions that African priests are moving to the Russian Church from Alexandria over resources and money. African priests left Alexandria for the Russians for spiritual reasons. Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria entered into communion with the artificial institution known as “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” a cabal of defrocked and unordained laypeople mocking the Orthodox Church.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis should not be trusted by Orthodox Greeks. His legalization of same sex marriage demonstrated his indifference to Orthodoxy. I doubt that he cares to find out the truth of what happened in Africa. The Greek foreign Ministry errs in backing Patriarch Bartholomew’s destructive intervention in Ukraine.
Backing hierarchs such as Patriarchs Bartholomew and Patriarch Theodore only serves to further estrange Greece from the greater Orthodox world. Greece would do better to use its influence to pressure these Patriarchs to reverse their uncanonical actions in Ukraine. That is what an Orthodox government would do.
2 replies on “Fueling The Schism In Africa”
This is quite an intriguing development in the Orthodox Church. It’s interesting to see how spiritual reasons are cited for the move, especially given the context of the tensions between the churches. Patriarch Theodore’s decision to align with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine seems to have stirred significant controversy. I wonder how this will impact the unity and future of the Orthodox community globally. Do you think this shift will lead to more divisions or could it eventually foster dialogue? It’s hard to ignore the political undertones in these religious decisions. What’s your take on the role of resources and money in these movements? Would love to hear more perspectives on this!
I do not think there is going to be any dialogue. Patriarch Theodore’s recognition of the OCU led to the Russians establishing an exarchate in Africa. What this means for the future in relations between Alexandria and Moscow is unclear. Dialogue is unlikely until Alexandria rescinds its recognition of the OCU.
There are many important factors that have led to this situation. These factors remain unknown. For example, Patriarch Theodore was friendly with the Russian Church and a supporter of Ukraine’s canonical Church. Even after Constantinople’s actions in 2018, Patriarch Theodore visited Ukraine and urged the faithful to remain in the canonical Church.
A year later, he recognized the OCU and with no explanation. It is unclear how much money and other resources were used in these activities by all sides. As with Patriarch Bartholomew, Patriarch Theodore acts as if he had not once held a different stance than he does now.
Politics and an unhealthy political influence on Constantinople and Alexandria led to their recognition of the OCU. Our only knowledge of all this emanates from the public actions of Constantinople and Alexandria. We do not know what kind of agreements or pressure was enacted privately.
If the US were to withdraw from supporting the OCU, maybe Constantinople and Alexandria reverse themselves.