Leading from behind, in essence, led by the Church of Greece, after months and years of silence, Bartholomew and Elpidophoros finally announce half-heartedly that “marriage is between a man and a woman.” But they fall short of declaring homosexuality a sin!!
By Nick Stamatakis
Yesterday, I closed my analysis on the historic decision of the Church of Greece on same-sex marriage by noting that “this unanimous announcement puts Pat. Bartholomew, who has the “spiritual guidance” of the “New Lands” (Northern Greece and Eastern Aegean Islands), in an even more difficult position. Bartholomew refuses to come out and re-affirm the faith!! He will be the biggest loser of this whole struggle!! As we all know, ARROGANCE is the worst vice of all. And it characterizes the Phanariots like Bartholomew and Elpidophoros to the greatest extent!! Their arrogance has put them against the faithful – and they are bound to be expelled from Orthodoxy one way or the other!!”
Today, both Bartholomew and Elpidophoros were forced to FINALLY take a stand on the hot issue of our days. The Patriarchate – with its monthly Synod in session today – issued an announcement where they verify that “the Church does not accept for its members cohabitation agreements of one or the other sex and any other form of cohabitation, other than marriage” as “the union of man and woman in Christ”. The announcement closes by stressing that same-sex couples “must be treated with pastoral responsibility and love in Christ.” (Please see the whole – very short – announcement below in English and Greek). Nowhere does this announcement find the courage to stress that homosexuality is a sin and should be seen as a sin and then “treated with pastoral responsibility and love in Christ.”…
A similar situation occurred with Elpidophoros during his visit in Salonica. In an impromptu interview (please watch below) it was like “pulling teeth”. After insisting that he cannot express an opinion on the decision of the Holy Synod of Greece, after he tried to sell “success” on his visit to Mt. Athos, in the last few seconds of the interview, he spat it out: “I wouldn’t perform same-sex marriage in Church…” As if any Orthodox priest would ever be allowed to do that… But no word, of course, that homosexuality is a sin, and our Church views it as such, although with love, calls all sinners to repent… Characteristically, he tries to avoid commenting on the decision of the Church of Greece by explaining “that we are a different Church in America”, as if Orthodoxy in America is different and here homosexuality would be allowed!! Unbelievable!!
QUESTION TO PHANARIOTS BARTHOLOMEW AND ELPIDOPHOROS: Is this the kind of leadership you offer? Leading from behind? Do you realize that you do not lead, but you are led? And even so, do you know that your leadership does not reflect the teachings of the Bible? If you keep going down this downhill slope, you will be left to lead yourselves to oblivion. Because the faithful have left already.
January 24, 2023, n.stamatakis@aol.com www.helleniscope.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
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Announcement on the legalization of same-sex marriage in Greece
The Sacred and Holy Synod, meeting under the presidency of His All Holiness in its regular session, today, Wednesday, January 24, 2024, reminds the pious flock of the Most Sacred Ecumenical Throne, on the debate on the institutionalization of marriage between same sex persons and childbearing in Greece, the binding Decision of the Holy and Great Synod of the Pan-Orthodox Synod (Crete, June 2016), that “the Church does not accept for its members cohabitation agreements of one or the other sex and any other form of cohabitation, other than marriage” as “the union of man and woman in Christ”, which “constitutes a small church or an icon of the Church” (text “The mystery of marriage and its obstacles”, I.10 and 4). It is noted at the same time that the members of the Church who enter into such forms of symbiosis must be treated with pastoral responsibility and love in Christ.
From the Archsecretariat of the Holy and Holy Synod
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Ἀνακοινωθέν περί θεσμοθετήσεως γάμου μεταξύ ἀτόμων τοῦ ἰδίου φύλου ἐν Ἑλλάδι
Ἡ Ἁγία καί Ἱερά Σύνοδος, συνελθοῦσα ὑπό τήν προεδρίαν τῆς Α. Θ. Παναγιότητος εἰς τήν τακτικήν συνεδρίαν αὐτῆς, σήμερον, Τετάρτην, 24ην Ἰανουαρίου 2024, ὑπενθυμίζει εἰς τό εὐσεβές ποίμνιον τοῦ Πανσέπτου Οἰκουμενικοῦ Θρόνου, ἐπί τῇ συζητήσει περί θεσμοθετήσεως γάμου μεταξύ ἀτόμων τοῦ ἰδίου φύλου καί περί τεκνοθεσίας ἐν Ἑλλάδι, τήν δεσμευτικήν Ἀπόφασιν τῆς Ἁγίας καί Μεγάλης Συνόδου τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας (Κρήτη, Ἰούνιος 2016), ὅτι «ἡ Ἐκκλησία δέν ἀποδέχεται διά τά μέλη αὐτῆς σύμφωνα συμβιώσεως τοῦ αὐτοῦ ἤ ἑτέρου φύλου καί πᾶσαν ἄλλην μορφήν συμβιώσεως, διαφόρου τοῦ γάμου» ὡς «τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ ἑνώσεως ἀνδρός καί γυναικός», ἡ ὁποία «συνιστᾷ μίαν μικράν ἐκκλησίαν ἤ μίαν εἰκόνα τῆς Ἐκκλησίας» (κείμενον «Τό μυστήριον τοῦ γάμου καί τά κωλύματα αὐτοῦ», Ι.10 καί 4). Σημειοῦται συγχρόνως, ὅτι τά συνάπτοντα τοιαύτας μορφάς συμβιώσεως μέλη τῆς Ἐκκλησίας πρέπει νά ἀντιμετωπίζωνται μετά ποιμαντικῆς εὐθύνης καί ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπης.
Ἐκ τῆς Ἀρχιγραμματείας τῆς Ἁγίας καί Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου
Very simply – Bart and Elpi must be
EXPELLED… and sooner the better.
Fanar lost respect of collective Greek Orthodox around the world. But glad
they’re forced to cough it out:
“…that marriage is man and woman in Christ”
The statement from the Church of Greece doesn’t explicitly declare that homosexuality is a sin either. However, both the statements of the Church of Greece and the EP are clear that marriage is only between a man and a woman, and that civil unions, including heterosexual unions apart from marriage, are not accepted by the Church.
The EP’s statement immediately followed the Church of Greece, coming the very next day. This only suggests that the EP was waiting for the Church of Greece to make their statement first, since it is in Greece, not Turkey, where the relevant legislation is being proposed. Do we have to remind ourselves that the Church of Greece is an autocephalous Church separate of the EP?
The statement of the Patriarchate is one Paragraph but in this little paragraph finds space to say that homosexuals should be treated with love. The Church of Greece issued a detailed statement that implies what needs to be treated as “Bible certainty”. Also this issue is surrounding us for years with the Pope making statements and very heretic ones. But Bartholomew who ten years earlier made very explicit statements against homosexuality (but now these videos mysteriously disappeared) stayed silent. The same with Elpidoktonos who considers GOA a “different Church” apparently following a different Bible. You can put lipstick on a pig all you want. The rest of us can see the facts
Hey Nick. I just heard on the Greek news, where AB Ieronimos of Greece, standing next to Elpidoforos, said that the children of homosexual couples will be baptized when they turn 18. His reason for that was that when they’re baptized as babies, they live in a Christian home and will be taught the faith. But in a homosexual home, they obviousky won’t get a Christian upbringing. The news person asked Elpidoforos what he has to add and he said “Nothing, all was said by his brother hierarch”. I think its a slap in the face of Elpidoforos, who baptized the two children of the gay couple. And i agree with Ieronimos reasoning. What about you?
It’s a bit more complicated than that, I believe. Because it assumes that we will allow the kids to be indoctrinated in their most sensitive years of youth against the Christian Faith. How can a child who grows up with two fathers or two mothers or God knows what else can be catechized in Christianity? Many psychological studies affirm that not much of someone’s personality can be changed after age 10…
Well. I believe that homosexuality is not taught or passed on. Its a product of nature. How can a straight man, such as myself, even consider going with another man. The physical attraction is not present.
I can’t speak for women. Homosexuals even dream of having a romantic love, of the same gender. However, I respect the church’s decision on baptizing children after they become adults. Again, that’s the church. Not the state. Christ is against a theocracy. John 18:36 “My kingdom is not of this world”
Again read Mesogaias Nikolaos and watch his video. Homosexuality is not proven to be the result of nature. It’s flawed desire.
Lambros – you poor leftist:
you need glasses or hearing aids: All Orthodox know that Eastern Orthodoxy condemns homosexuality and well versed on story of
Sodom & Gammorah.
You sir – are not Christian – your entire faith and IDOL is Leftism.
Zoey, you poor know nothing
Show me where I said that Orthodoxy does not condemn homosexuality. And where do you have the information that Sodom and Gomora were condemned because of homosexuality alone. Is that the only sexual practice that Orthodoxy condemns? Is sexuality the only thing that brings condemnation? What about all the 10 commandments? Are you following them all? Its easy to condemn others, but first look at yourself. As Christ said to the onlookers who were ready to stone the adulteress woman “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” John 8:7. And do you know what Christ despised the most? Hypocrites. He forgave every other sin, even the ones who were crucifying Him, but there is no evidence that He forgave hypocrits. Be careful who you condemn.
Lambros please take a break from your know-it-all theology. Yes sodom and Gomora was mostly about sexual sins. And there is a special derision against homosexuality as it defies the primacy of nature. You do not need to have a degree in comparative religion to understand that “Nature” is substitute for “God” in most religions and whatever practices go against “Nature” are seen by religions as against God. As to those little minded politicians who accept and support homosexuality publicly I have to say one thing: If you are so convinced about your righteousness why don’t you take a banner saying “Homosexuality is not a sin” in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan or India or even China? And see how long you will survive… Let’s see how brave you are to defy God and Nature… In Russia, you will be luckier: you will be allowed to lead your sinful life privately but you will not be allowed to ruin the children’s lives in any way, which is the right think to do. And I believe that if Trump is elected he should find ways to muzzle all those “trans-prophets” now allowed to sell their sick “gospel” to our minors…
Hey lambros He also said to the Adulterous… “and go now and Sin no more”
or am I confused? The Jewish and Evangelical /Protestants of America , England and Israel believe they are the chosen people to not preach the word of God to the children of God thruout the world , but to rule the world! These fanatics who have taken over the U.S government and the “Unformed” Christian churches of America …and like the “White Supremacist Fascist they are believe that they are righteous saviors of the world , and can never commit sin , and therefore , they continue endless wars and murder of humanity ! How many times have the U.S. government committed crimes against humanity over the past 74 years…. and the Evangelicals ruling religion …cheers on and patriotically worship the Republican and Democratic Parties , not God ! And continue to sin over and over again! How many times must god tell these “Prostitutes ” I forgive you and tell them to “Sin no more”…Lets hope it ends soon ..and do mankind a favor…put them to sleep forever!
Lampro, the adulteress woman repented and changed her life and abhorred sin… Also of course our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can absolve us of sin… but this doesn’t mean He will do so against our will! There is nothing more fallacious than the Protestant idea that we are saved already and all our sins absolved…
Glory to God for the decisions of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece!
Glory to God for the prevailing of the Holy Spirit on the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece. May the Hy Spirit prevail in like fashion on the Greek Orthodox Churches of North America
Thank you Lord for bringing into the light all the evil and darkness surrounding the ruling hierarchy within the Greek Orthodox Church. May you continue to shine upon them exposing their heretics which oppose Your truth!
Yes, we are called to “love our enemies” treating others as we would also wish to be treated, but we aren’t called upon to sleep with them. Strange bedfellows make for lusty pagan idols which are contrary to the gospel.
This shows the insidious and vicious double face, hypocrisy and COMPLETE lack of Candor and its outright mockery of the very clear words of our Holy Scriptures, Holy Tradition and Holy Canons… There is NO COUPLING between people of the same sex. ANY unNatural sexual practice within or outside marriage is a grave sin, marriage doesn’t legitimize anal sex for example even between heterosexual couples. Any premarital sexual relationship is a grave sin, period! If two people of the same sex live together this doesn’t make them a couple. They are roommates. Those that unrepentantly openly practice or promote a homosexual relationship are intentionally and unrepentantly sinning and should be refused Holy Communion, license to be sponsors in marriages and baptisms… Unfortunately the Schismatophoroi are indeed ANAXIOI, SERVILE RAGIADES AND BLASPHEMOUS THEOMPAIKTES. They need to get removed from the Hierarchy of our Church and be sent back to a monastery as simple monks, if they believe in the schema and the rasso they are wearing…
Any sin committed by homosexual adults is THEIR sin. It has no effect on you. They will be judged when the time comes. The church condemned same sex unions. So, what are you talking about schismatics and theompaiktes?
It has a very heavy effect if they are allowed to raise children. Because one way or they other they will destroy the concept of marriage. Please wake up to the reality of all this! And read again the thesis by Mesogaias Nikolaos!
Hey Nick. Why are you not publishing my replies? These people address me directly and I want to give them my answer. You deleted most of my posts. Why?
Because you are abusing our patience and monopolizing the discussion. Period.
Lampros I would love to read your answers… I would plead with Nick to post Lampros’ responses… But then again we are all Nick’s guests here
Lambros said enough for two days. Monopolies are never good.
They are replies to posts directed at me. Look at them all. I should be given a chance to respond.
With your attitude – misguided most of the time – we will never see the end of it. I will give one chance – 10 sentences. Do your best. Be Laconic. You will have another chance tomorrow. But do not count on 20 times a day.
Lambro,
When a sin remains private, behind closed doors, it has no effect on others. When government spokespersons like Marinakis (the other day) start proclaiming that an indisputable sin is not a sin, and promotes legislation that will allow “child sacrifice” by entrusting children to be raised by those who can’t produce offspring between themselves, when a government forces “education” in school that contradicts Orthodox teaching of the matter, sponsors “pride events”, etc, then that same sin becomes a public spectacle of spiritual pollution, an abomination of passive and active “acceptance” of the sin, and it does have a real effect upon society and public morality at large…
Sin may take place privately but it does affect society unless the sinning person will live in complete isolation for the rest of their sinning life…
Foni voontas.
There are all kinds of sins committed by everyone. They all affect society, some more, some less. Its what you, as an individual are able to repel and not let it affect you personally. No one can stop others from sinning. That’s part of living in society. And who are we to judge others as sinners, while we might be greater sinners than them?
There is no such thing as a “Private” sin. All sin affects those around us, directly, or indirectly, sooner or later. However, Markos, I otherwise agree with you.
The characterizations refer to the unworthy Hierarchs… Not the fudge-packing community. They (the unworthy Hierarchs) are the Theompaiktes and Schismatophoria is their trait… Is that clear now?
*Correction:
I meant Joseph Lipper
Finally! They did something right for a change….in Greece!
Μόλις σβήσει η οικογένεια, θα σβήσει και ο κόσμος…..
Άγιος Παΐσιος Ο Αγιορείτης
I am surprised Helleniscope has not written about the seriously violation of canons in which a 30-year old was elected the new Metropolitan of Mexico. What’s scary is he only completed his undergraduate degree at Hellenic College. He was never a seminarian and he never earned a Master of Divinity Degree from Holy Cross. He was ordained in Greece shortly after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree.
How does an Archimandrite from the Church of Greece (an autocephalous Church) become elected as a Metropolitan under the Ecumenical Patriarchate? Seems there was something scandalous happening behind the scenes, otherwise how does the EP justify electing a 30 year old as a Metropolitan who has no theological background.