The Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America appeared at the Democratic National Convention and offered a prayer for Presidential nominee Joe Biden. On the one hand, we are taught by the Church to pray for our leaders irrespective of ideology or party affiliation. During the divine liturgy bishops and priests always pray for the head of state irrespective of political affiliation.
It is one thing to pray for our President whoever it may be in Church services. It is quite another to pray for a Presidential candidate who represents a political party that is fervently anti Christian. One could argue he is simply offering up a blessing to a man who may be elected to the Presidency. We will see if the Archbishop will be at the Republican National Convention to offer up prayers for the current President.
Greek Orthodox faithful in America should be concerned about the Democratic Party. The Democrats are rabidly anti Christian. Groups such as “antifa” and “black lives matter” make up a huge part of the base of the Democratic Party. The burning of Bibles by these groups should be condemned by all Orthodox faithful. The Archbishop could have inspired confidence had he taken a brief moment to condemn the burning of Bibles.
In addition to the sacrilege against the holy scriptures, the Democratic Party supports infanticide, sex changes for children, and many of its officials who serve as Mayors throughout America ordered the Police to stand down as rioters destroyed public and private property. The base of the Democratic Party incited hatred of the Police and demands the “defunding” or outright abolition of the Police.
Such a disturbing agenda should be a cause for protests by the Greek Orthodox hierarchy. There are other reasons to be concerned about a Biden administration. As Senator, Joe Biden supported the bombing of Serbia and the seizure of Kosovo from Orthodox Serbia. Serbs became the victims of ethnic cleansing following the withdrawal of Serbian troops from Kosovo and it should not be forgotten that NATO bombed Serbia on Orthodox Easter.
As Vice President, Joe Biden supported the destruction of Syria which led to the near genocide of the Orthodox (and other) Christians of Syria. Joe Biden was part of an administration that included neoconservatives such as Victoria Nuland and Geoffrey Pyatt who instigated the conflict in Ukraine in 2014. In addition, Joe Biden has made statements supporting the “autocephaly” of the pseudo “church” in Ukraine, a matter he has no business commenting on.
On Greek matters, Joe Biden has done nothing for Greece. His advocacy as Vice President in the Obama administration led to the refugee crisis from Syria which flooded the Greek islands with refugees. At no point, did the Obama administration reverse Washington’s traditional pro Turkish policies. There is no shortage of reasons why Greek Orthodox should be distrustful of the Democratic Party.
Perhaps his Eminence was just bestowing a friendly blessing. In that case it will be well and good if his Eminence is present at the Republican National Convention to ensure that the Archdiocese is not becoming involved in partisan politics.
One reply on “Orthodoxy and the Democrats”
I am not opposed to offering a GENERAL PRAYER to America during this time of great concern. But praying for a specific candidate or even a sitting President shouldn’t be done. The Church leadership should stay out of politics, it’s too divisive. They should speak out about particular policies which are deplorable, but I doubt the Dems would have invited him if it hadn’t been agreed ahead of time he wouldn’t speak on Abortion or other reprehensible practices.