Interview With Archbishop Nikitas of Great Britain
by
+Chrissie “Apples” Nicolles,
Small Schema Monastic
A favorable stroke of serendipity led me to visit St. Irene Chrysovalantou’s Orthodox Church while on a rare trip for goodies at Astoria’s Mediterranean shop around the corner. I got the news that Archbishop Nikitas of England was liturgizing there, so I decided to wing it and request a quick interview with His Eminence at the end of the service. To my delight, he obliged!
I extemporaneously shot off questions and found the American-raised Greek, Nikitas Lulias, to be candid and passionate, happy to answer all my quizzes. We discussed the recent Church of Greece unanimous vote against gay marriage and adoption. He replied, “
Gays already had legal civil unions. It’s inappropriate.” Then, he dramatically repeated twice for emphasis, his eyes aflame: “Look, there are only two genders, and if anyone doesn’t like it, there’s the door!”
As we talked, I deduced he, too, aligns with me on the ancient rubrics as he stated:
“The Mt. Athos Monks, the Holy Epistasia, Church of Greece, and Hierarch Seraphim of Piraeus should be extolled for defending the true faith and denouncing Parliament’s new bill.”
I asked Archbishop Nikitas what to make of Orthodox leaders peddling heretical agendas. The Archbishop replied, “Hierarchs in apostasy must answer to Jesus Christ. Let the secular world do their job, and the Church do theirs. The Orthodox Church will always support the traditional Christian family, i.e., father, mother, and children. We don’t change our ethos!”
I’m certain Great Britain hasn’t heard a Greek Archbishop like Nikitas speak before with such robustness, defending sacred tradition.
I find it an egregious sin that some clerics I’ve known and long revered have devolved into Judas betrayers of the Gospel, the one they’re entrusted to uphold. Instead, they’ve sold out for 30 pieces of silver. I was a green apple then, but I see the light now.
I believe my prodigal brothers were too young, getting theology degrees in their twenties and embarking on lifelong roles as “holy men” – when they’re clearly not. Most of us radically change since our twenties and, in their case, seem to be playing out their regrets by taking down Orthodoxy. Why not join Episcopalians and leave Orthodoxy alone?
It’s sad, traitors in religious robes and Archons who do not ask the eschatological questions — but they make a fantastic country club. Yes, they do great things, but can’t they be loyal to the Faith? They don’t realize they’re obliging today’s amoral, madness by turning Democrat party into an idol; they’re like 2% LGBT minority who recently vandalized a church in Larissa, Greece over the ruling of Church of Greece rejecting gay marriage. They spray-painted slurs against Holy Theotokos, against family, church, and obscenities to Met. Ieronymos responded, “May God forgive them; we are not afraid.”
What the Godless, secular world doesn’t understand is that Eastern Orthodox Christianity is utterly and inherently ascetic. It’s not a social club; it’s a divine map to theosis. It’s not just for monastics; all are called to self-mastery and metanoia.
One example of spiritual transformation is the late renowned Orthodox monk and author Fr. Seraphim Rose, himself a former homosexual. Monk Seraphim renounced all and became one of the most beloved elders of Orthodoxy. Seraphim was a classic ‘New Man In Christ.’
I lamented to Nikitas that we American Greek Orthodox don’t understand AB Elpidoforos’ touting of gays and political mediocrity, which isn’t at all salvific. We thirst to hear a leader waxing instead over Jesus Christ – he should look to Muslim countries and enlighten them, not us; they’re the ones persecuting homosexuals by throwing them off rooftops.
I think Elpidoforos’ bringing his foreign Turkish milieu to America is a complex cultural clash. Even Patriarch Bartholomew, years ago, on video, denounced the LGBT agenda infiltrating the Church to dismantle it. I’ve read some of the Patriarch’s books and especially appreciate his denoting the “Experiential” is the heart of Orthodoxy. Also, Elpidoforos doesn’t allow dialogue with us, the faithful – always a lackey hanging by rushing us. Not at all the case with His Eminence Nikitas – there was none to intercede on us.
Rudyard Kipling tallies it: “East is East and West is West and Ne’er The Twain Shall Meet.” I personally like Elpidoforos, the man, with his genteel manner, but in my opinion, as archbishop, he’s not honoring Orthodoxy or holy canons. So, where is our shepherd? Abp. Nikitas and I both concur; we will pray for solidarity and reconciliation.
Meanwhile, from what I hear I deduce, no gay marriage will be forced on Greek church here in America.
We must hold on to St. Paul’s exegesis, “Not to be conformed to this world.” Alright, I say, “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.” Let the fallen world bellow and bang the drum of “human rights” while abandoning their inner sanctum and rejecting Christ’s divine law; this is a false idol to lead astray from the truth.
Worth noting: On January 6, 1974, on the feast of Theophania, young Nikitas Lulias, in his hometown, Tarpon Springs, Florida, retrieved the cross from the waters! AB Iakovos had thrown the cross, but it wasn’t quickly retrieved, so he spontaneously took his gold blessing cross off and tossed it toward the divers. That gold cross was retrieved by the future Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain under Constantinople in 2019.
Last spring, His Majesty King Charles lll of Great Britain invited His Eminence Nikitas to his coronation ceremony, performing a special Doxology. Also, on Feb. 27, the archbishop attended Windsor Castle for a memorial to the last King of Greece, Constantine ll. Also in attendance was our Greek Orthodox tycoon of America, John Catsimatides, whose radio broadcast I enjoy hearing him say, “God Save The King!”
Few know that the Holy Fathers always upheld Monarchy. “God gave great gifts to men: the priesthood and the imperial power; the first preserves and watches over the heavenly, while the second rules earthly things using just laws. St. Gregory Palamas wrote:
“God has counted the Emperors worthy to rule over His inheritance, His earthly Church.” The Holy Ecclesia never blessed democracies or non-monarchical powers.
As His Eminence Nikitas took leave, I wished him to return someday as a leader, but he humbly replied that he was “content in England.” But he did share his meeting with the great Elder Paisios of the holy mountain, to my joy. So I close with St. Paisios’ wise words: “The bishops can make mistakes, the patriarchs can make mistakes, but where you have saints that agree, you don’t have mistakes!”
America can only dream of having a decent Hierarch like Nikitas…
meanwhile,
back at GOA we’re stuck with lemons.
Good to see a hierarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate speaking in defense of this. In a couple of months Thessaloniki will also be hosting International Conference on Christian Values.
It’s mice to see this slap in the face to Mitsotakis and the MP’s who voted for the bill.
AB Nikitas sounds reasonable,
he must suffer Agida dealing with the stinking fish Bartholomew!
Good reportage, Apples. We must correspond about points you present.
Thank you Chrissie for asking the hard line questions others fail to ask or better yet, not dare willing to receive AB Nikitas’ reprimands. Being LBGTQ is a lifestyle choice, not an identity. It’s a demonic aberration, a learned behavior which is the antithesis of what God created as true and just and righteous.
It is refreshing and encouraging to see that we still have Bishops of the EP who don’t mince their words during theses perilous and apostatic times!
Good work dear Apples!
Constantine Zalalas
http://www.saintnicodemos.com
Wonderful article Apples. I’m very proud of you my dear friend. God’s blessings.
It’s about time a monastic came out to say emperor’s got no clothes on! Elpidophoros will blush with shame to see this.
Thanks sister Chrissie.
Thank you for sharing this important interview. My prayer is for the Panagia to intercede and Archbishop Nikitas be selected as the next Archbishop of the GOA. The U.S. Orthodox are in great need of a leader of his faith and caliber.
I like lesson on Monarchy & Orthodox church I have a feeling Mitsotakis liberals hate monarchy & the late king of Greece .
I think this reference to monarchy is one of the couple sticky points on an otherwise brilliant article! Christianity is the most democratic… Sure the Church is hierarchical for administration purposes but the laity have every right to speak truth to the power of Clergy… After all we can call them “anaxios (i.e unworthy) and they have to answer for themselves… So the Church is democratic but it’s NOT a democracy… It is a Kingdom and Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the King… Both Clergy and Laity should not forget that… Going back to the quote of Saint Gregory Palamas… I think what the Saint meant when talking about the responsibilities of the worldly leaders is correct and it applies to all leaders. it’s not about nomenclature… There are Monarchs and dictators that are more democratic and enjoy higher approval by their constituents than so called “democratically” elected leaders. Just take the example of the USA… Only one third of the constituents approve of his job and like him… and let’s not forget how he tramples the Constitution, the rule of law, weaponizes the government and prosecutes Parents, Families, women his political opponents and colludes with big tech to silence those that have different opinions? The whole issue of the legitimacy and integrity of the 2020 election aside… Is Biden a democratic leader? Absolutely not he doesn’t behave like one the majority of the time… So Saint Gregory Palamas (and thank you to the author article for bringing it to our attention) quote applies to all leaders regardless of how they come to power… Democracy both in the Church and in the world is a constant battle! Actually it’s Jesus Christ that told us about our relationship with the worldly powers: Give Caesar what belongs to Caesar (I am adding the caveat “if it belongs to Caesar” since it’s tax season) and give God what belongs to God. Our Clergy should not forget it’s God they serve and NOT the world and its benevolent or malevolent leaders
Fantastic. Enlightening well written your a champion of Christianity in its purest n humblest form. God bless your dedication knowledge n like the
martyrs of old your. Courage
Thank you Lord for a leader who does not condemn people to hell. We cannot bless sin. It will only keep people from Christ. None of us can be closer to Christ, while embracing our sin. Jesus said go and sin no more. He told us to let go of our sin, and this would help us cling to Him. Renouncing, gay marriage is a blessing to people who are struggling with the sin. They need the love of Jesus Christ. They, like all of us, must renounce their sin, crucify their passions, and the only way to do it is with the help of Christ.
Yes, Archbishop Nikita’s speaks the Truth, which Jesus Christ Himself says, ‘Will set you free!” Unfortunately those who are controlled by a spirit of homosexuality and sexual immorality, under the guise of “freedom, equality, equal rights, inclusivity” and of the claim that “loving” these folks means affirming them in their sinful passion, have succumbed to a neo-Arian heresy that denies the Divine Image deeply stamped on each human soul just the early Arians denied Jesus Christ’s consubstantiality with the Father. May our Lord raise up a new St. Athanasius, St. Basil, or St. Gregorys to combat this heresy.
Well said .. and those who are controlled by a Spirit of war mongering and military immorality under the guise of “Freedom, Equality, Equal rights, inclusivity and of the claim that “loving ” these folks means affirming them in their sinful passion, have succumbed to a Neo Arian Heresy perpetrated by the White Supremacist Evangelical and Jewish Zionist of the U.S congress and Government, just like the Arian heresy of Nazi Germany !
And yes may the lord raise up a New St Gregory or in this case .. a New Saint Martin Luther king Jr. who confronted the immorality of this Arien group who have been parading thru the Halls of Hell called the U.S Congress forever!
Dearest Apples…
Keep writing. You are a voice that can’t be silenced… as you were inspired to share your views, you also inspire others. Keep up the good work.
Michael C.
if you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one that gets hit yelps the loudest. Apples threw a big rock with this interview. Now, let the yelping begin! Thank you for continuing to expose the corruption. May God grant those in the Church true repentance. Fr David
Or… Even better let the metanoia and repentance beging since we are in the second week of Lent!