ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ
OUR MAIN IMAGE: An artistic rendition of the two main actors of our news…
By Markos (Helleniscope’s Religion Commentator)
Archbishop Elpidophoros sent an encyclical to clergy expressing his elation at the news of Metropolitan Apostolos of NJ being selected to become the new Archbishop of Canada. In this letter, he mentioned the emergency session of the Eparchial Synod, in which he was also assigned as the “Locum Tenens” (not sure why he enjoys using Vatican-style Latin, when we have a perfectly good Greek word for it – τοποτηρητης) of the Metropolis of New Jersey…
And up to this point, there are no surprises, because it is common knowledge that he assumed control of the Metropolis of New Jersey for a couple of years after the “ousting” of Metropolitan Evaggelos, too…so this is not new.
HOWEVER, THIS TIME, he introduces a very strange innovation in his letter, where he instructs the clergy of the Metropolis of NJ to commemorate Bartholomew of Constantinople as their “archbishop” for this “transitional period”… And yet, in his previous “takeover” of NJ, the clergy of that Metropolis were commemorating Elpidophoros until Apostolos’ election.
The question on the table is simple…both options CANNOT be correct. Is Archbishop Elpidophoros violating the Canonical order of the Church with this latest edict to commemorate Bartholomew, or was he violating it during his previous “takeover” of the Metropolis of New Jersey, when all clergy were commemorating him?
It is more likely that this strange innovation ordering clergy to commemorate Bartholomew while at the same time claiming that their “τοποτηρητης” is Elpidophoros presents a clearer argument of “non-canonical” flavor. This is more of a Uniate / Vatican flavor, a shadowy reminder of his famous “proclamation” that the “bishop of Constantinople is primus sine paribus (first WITHOUT equals)…”
Hopefully the Eparchial Synod (and who knows…maybe even Constantinople?) finds a way to “reign him in”, but if the clergy of the Metropolis of NJ actually start commemorating Bartholomew, sadly the slippery slalom of incremental adoption of Vatican-style traditions will have advanced by a giant step forward…
July 26, 2026, www.helleniscope.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
Great point on the use of the Latin term Locum tenens. Why use a Latin term, when there’s a Greek one available and obviously more original.
On the name commemoration, being a detail that has great significance for the power hungry clergy, but goes right over the heads of most of the parishioners, is indicative of the power struggle taking place.
For us, the laity, this behind the scenes and totally un-Christian throat cutting taking place on who will replace whom and who will revenge past perceived wrongs by knocking out a competitor, going as far as spreading rumors against the opponent–think of Saint Nektarios and the mud slinging aimed at him by fellow hierarchs— brings to mind mafia-like tactics, instead of the brotherly-like peace that should reign in the body of Christ.
You strain out a gnat, yet forget the weighter matters of the law, justice, mercy and faithfulness.
JK,
When the “gnat” brings Cardinals to a Paschal Service and has them cense the Orthodox Faithful…
When the “gnat” publishes a paper claiming that the bishop of Constantinople is “primus sine paribus”…
When the “gnat” serves Liturgy on a heretical altar (St. Barts) with rainbow flags flying outside…
When the “gnat” introduces “multiple spoons” for Holy Communion”…
When the “gnat” claims that his belief is it’s ok to offer Holy Communion to “non-Orthodox spouses”…
When the “gnat” proclaims a different definition of the word “heretic” to the people of Astoria than St. Basil proclaimed in his Letter 188…
Then ABSOLUTELY, this is a “gnat” that must be strained out because it carries a “communicable disease” called “heresy”…it is a “gnat” that becomes the “elephant in the room” and eats “the camel” for breakfast, so there is nothing left to “swallow”…
Go ahead, JK…keep defending this “gnat”, and one day before you realize it you also may be kissing the Pope’s hand and bowing your head as the Cardinals cense you in your local church during services…and since you like to quote scripture, it may be good to reflect on the words “I prefer you to be hot or cold…not luke-warm”…and then the excuses of “but we did this in your name…” won’t carry much weight, sir…
Typical, the gnat refers to commemoration and the use of locum tenes.
I am still mystified as to why so many among us hyperventilate into a paper bag if ANY Latin finds its way into Orthodox usage. Yeah, he COULD use the Greek word, but Locum Tenens is the common term for that situation that we in the West understand immediately. I suppose he could have used the English equivalent, but perhaps that too would be “betraying the Genos.” I call the Epitrachelion a ” Priest’s stole.” Because the Greek word is harder to pronounce, and nobody would know what the heck I was talking about. No need to read too deep into that.
As for the commemorations, perhaps HAH demanded it. Who knows? We dunk on Catholics until we want something from them (church space, resources, etc). I find a lot of the anti-Catholic stuff in Orthodoxy duplicitous and disgusting (say ugly things in Greek/Russian, and smile in the Pope’s face and say sweet nothings in English)
David,
You can’t just “demand something” and violate Canonical order…that’s exactly what we are referring to as “Vatican-style” governance…for those who know the details, there is a reason why not even the Patriarch is allowed by the Canons to sit upon the throne of the “synthronon”, because that seat is always reserved exclusively for the “local bishop (who is the one commemorated by his priests)…anything else, presents disorder, not order…as for “duplicitous”, that precisely describes how Uniates have behaved for centuries…(deception of the people, but with secret agreements with the Vatican behind “closed doors”…in 1439 the people weren’t “buying it”…nowadays that might be different because the people are more “luke-warm”, diluted, and poisoned by propaganda that has long-deviated from Patristic teaching and thought in parishes of N. America)
I believe that Markos is correct to point out and expose these irregular doings of the clergy. JK and David are sayi9ng that its not important. It is very important. Clergy are responsible in keeping the canonical order of the Orthodox church. When someone doesnt do that, it creates a snowball effect. What’s to stop them from veering even more into Catholicism.
Especially in America, where Orthodoxy is a faith practiced by a tiny percentage of the population, it is very easy to lose your true heading.
Perfect example is David’s argument, as to why Locum tenens should be used, even though it is Latin. David’ is saying that we understand the Latin term, more than the Greek equivelent. The argument that no one would understand the Greek, while we understand the Latin doesn’t hold water. Ask the average Orthodox what the term means and you will get blank stares. I’ve asked many myself. Moreover, Locum tenens is a translation from the Greek into Latin. So why not use the original, especially by us, Greeks in America, who should be in the forefront of saving the original language of the Gospels.
But David’s most egregious argument is the following: “”We dunk on Catholics until we want something from them (church space, resources, etc). I find a lot of the anti-Catholic stuff in Orthodoxy duplicitous and disgusting (say ugly things in Greek/Russian, and smile in the Pope’s face and say sweet nothings in English””
What Greek Orthodox jurisdiction has asked Catholics for resources and what are those resources?. What Greek Orthodox jurisdiction has asked the Catholics for church space and where? What about the etc? Let us know of what that consists.
Which Greek Orthodox person, in a responsible position in the church or government–Putin or the Moscow patriarchate does not speak for us– has talked bad about the Pope, while that same person hypocritically has whispered “sweet nothings” to the Pope’s ears?.
David and JK have every right to convert to Catholicism, if they think Greek Orthodoxy is so debased.
Orthodox Christianity didn’t inherit its theological vocabulary from Rome. Greek isn’t an optional ornament but rather it’s the language in which much of the Church’s theology, liturgy, and canon law were formed. Treating Latin as the default while dismissing Greek as inconvenient turns history on its head. But then again these GO hierarchs have been hanging upside down for quite awhile.
Bob, interesting conclusion. Did I ever say that Orthodoxy is debased. If any one thinks Orthodoxy is debased it is Marcos. Pharisaism has no place in the church.
JK. I inadvertently bundled you with David. In any case, Markos has an eye for details, that you, I, or David don’t see. Is that Pharisaism?. It is not and this is why. The pharisees burdened the people with extreme religious laws. Markos is not doing that, at least in this case. He is holding to account hierarchs that should know these rules and practice them. When they do not, they should beheld to account. Hierarchs are expected to keep the faith pure.
In other words, no hierarch is allowed to overstep the rules. If you or I see Markos browbeating lay people for small details, then, he is being a pharisee. Do you understand the difference?
EP was already commemorated in Liturgies on July 26.
https://spzh.eu/en/news/94607-phanar-hierarch-we-dont-have-hagia-sophia-but-we-have-a-living-icon-patriarch-bartholomew
I can’t read the whole article. I will try to finish it tomorrow. It makes me sick!
It doesn’t make any sense! Why instead of the local bishop «τοποτηρητής», the priests of the vacant metropolis should commemorate a bishop that is 5,000 miles away?
I guess, Bartholomew discovered that nobody was commemorating him in America except his minions and he got upset…
I see nothing wrong with Latinisms in our Church. Or Hebraicisms for that matter (i.e. Amen, Hosanna, Alleluijah, Sabbaoth, etc.)
Some of the higher church Protestant denominations (Lutherans), use Kyrie Eleison in their services.
Just saying.
Personally, I would rather concentrate on rectifying the canonical abuses found in American Orthodoxy.
And this appears to be one of those Canonical infractions…ordering / forcing the clergy to commemorate the wrong bishop, and for even worse reasons at that…possibly because he is paving the way for “Eastern Papism” to take a foothold if his ambitions to become Patriarch manifest? Bishops subjugating themselves to a “supreme bishop” instead of to a Synod is the main hurdle that Papism has to surmount in order to take root… even this modern weirdness with “auxilliary bishops” lurking in the shadows of a Metropolitan (artificially “superior bishop”) with no flock whatsoever, is totally against the Original Traditions of the Church, yet nobody complains about it these days…
Bob, Markos,
Talking about “Uniate conspiracies” is what I’m referring to. We act friendly to the Vatican, but then in the “mother tongue” accuse them of iniquity and acting against Orthodoxy. I could quote the usual suspects (Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus among others), but my point is made.
The OCA, in speaking of the Diocese of the South, referred to the “Locum Tenens” and used that language in their announcement and the news surrounding it (UOJ, look it up). But they are the children of those “barbarian Slavs” so they don’t count, right?
In the Mission lands, the EP uses Catholic facilities regularly when there is no building of their own. Heck, even the Moscow Patriarchate has done it (the Bishop of the Russian Mission in Korea served Liturgy in a Catholic Chapel when visiting an area). The EP Metropolitan Parish in Singapore is in the…CATHOLIC Archdiocesan Education center. In Japan, the EP Mission serves Liturgy sometimes in….wait for it….an ANGLICAN parish. Would we be so generous if the situation was reversed? That is what I’m talking about when I criticize duplicity. They help us out when we need it.
I don’t blame you for your ignorance though, outside of the fundraising appeals, few actually pay attention to what is going on in the Mission lands.
We are a Mission Church, aren’t we?
I should be a Catholic? That’s a new one. Usually I get told to go to the Russians when I step off the Xenoi reservation.
Finally, I didn’t say it was unimportant. I was essentially making the same point that JK was making. Priorities. Priorities.
David,
We can disagree on priorities… no problem there.
However, your example of the EP in Japan and Singapore are not a surprise, so it’s unclear why you wasted your time with the phrase “wait for it”, when we have already seen the abominations that are occurring at St. Barts in Manhattan, at Patriarchal visitations at the Vatican itself, and elsewhere?
Also, your OCA comment is stray and off point, so it’s not worth commenting on. The day that OCA are fully included in the diptychs of the other Autocephalous Churches, we can have a more meaningful discussion on that topic.
Furthermore, Moscow’s actions in Korea are not a surprise either…Moscow has been “compromising” a lot of things in recent history, too, especially since the day they allowed the Pope to set foot in Moscow, while simultaneously the Pope’s Uniate puppets were “digging the Kiev Lavra’s grave” on the geopolitcal chessboard …Politics are politics these days….As a side note, “we” also called out Moscow when the Patriarch was seen on camera dipping the Communion spoon in alcohol during the early days of Covid…(remember speaking out against that event is what triggered the “Canonical difficulties” for Fr. Peter Heers…). Where did you see any duplicity with any of that? And Helleniscope comments were written in the English language, not in Greek.
But when you say “we”, who exactly are you referring to? If anything, “dishing it out evenly” to all involved, (even Anastasios of Albania whose early “career” fervent Ecumenist activities were not “hidden” at the least in Helleniscope commentary) has been the goal “our end”…Both internal and external betrayals of Tradition and Faith are never treated with “smiles” and “duplicity” here, David…”we” make all effort to shine light on treasonous actions. “We” praise good actions, but “we” also call out bad ones.
Markos,
You reply prompts this question…THE question.
Is Orthodoxy truly Universal? The Catholics had to confront that question when they sent Missionaries around the world. Actual missionary work involves flexibility and the allowance of enculturation (sometimes beyond the tolerance of “traditionalists”). It’s why Cremation is allowed in the Church of Japan. It’s why color schemes on Icons were adjusted slightly in some countries to accommodate the reality that some color combinations in the native culture denote death or some other negative meaning. It’s why the names of Non-Orthodox are allowed to be read at Memorials during traditional native days of commemorating the dead, because otherwise NOBODY would be commemorated, ever (or the list would be like 2 names). It’s why Polygamists in Africa are allowed to keep their wives (but not sleep with them or designated as “wives”, with the Church only recognizing their first wife as “valid”—who knows how much that is actually kept). It’s why The EP and MP have to make nice with the Catholic Church (or whoever else), because they have resources that Orthodoxy doesn’t. Where exactly should they serve Liturgies? On a picnic table outside? I personally have no problem with that, but you don’t exactly want that, do you?
It’s no accident that the Jesuit and Franciscan priests who went to these lands outside of Europe and later became Bishops, brought this “flexible” thinking with them. Over time, the idea that changes are not evil if they serve the Great Commission permeated Catholic thought, which picked up speed in the post-Vatican I reforms culminating in Vatican II. Looking at it from that angle makes the trajectory of Catholicism more understandable (why the embrace “reform” readily).
Does Orthodox actually want converts? It seems that the answer in the Greek world is “Yes, but not too many!” (Unless of course they LARP as Greeks, which in some circles is the expectation). It’s not really that much better on the Slav side. Russification is a thing as well.
David,
There is a huge difference between “conversion” and “compromise”. You know that…nobody needs to lecture you on this.
The Orthodox Church was built on a foundation of many peoples and languages after the Day of Pentecost, as you know. Many of these people were subsequently persecuted and slaughtered for infractions as seemingly insignificant as “not eating from offerings to idols”, or “not worshipping idols”. If we are not aligned with this original mindset, everything starts to unravel fast when it comes to “Economia” surrounding Converts.
The “Economia” that you describe in Japan and Africa is NOT reminiscent of the Catechism mindset and regimen of our early Church Fathers…what does (voluntary) “cremation is tolerated in Japan” mean, in the face of “I believe in the Resurrection of the Dead”? What is the value of the words “Do you Renounce Satan with all his pomp…” mean, if you are to retain even one sliver of that “mindset” (including perhaps “retaining” a bunch of wives in Africa, with a potentially unenforceable “promise” that you won’t sleep with them)? Has any person REALLY and FULLY converted in his heart and mind in these circumstances, if he agrees to be cremated? Give us a break with all this this “partial-conversion” (luke-warm) mindset that you are promoting here. That’s been part of the ROOT CAUSE of the problem we are facing today…many converts are admitted into the Church with under “economia”, (with noticeably relaxed standards of Catechism when compared to how idolaters Converted back in the early centuries of the Church) and as a result many of them still retain portions of their legacy non-Orthodox mindsets and habits, and allowing them to retain those mindsets and habits is exactly what causes trouble down the road for the rest of us…
To achieve a “Universal Church” using your own words, we can’t have a “tale of Multiple Church Realities and Customs” unfolding depending on what country we show up at.
Christ said many are “the called”, few are “the select” for a reason…he also said you have to “deny your Cross” and follow Christ, and that meant “fully”, not partially. For adult conversions specifically, the bar MUST BE SET REAL HIGH, because if it is not, the bar will also be lowered for the rest of the “cradle” Congregation as more and more of the “low-bar” admittances overrun the legacy Orthodox populations of these parishes…
Yes, Orthodoxy wants converts Universally, but not “partially converted” ones.
Yes, many peoples. Generally co-located in one region of the world. It starts getting complicated when you meet people elsewhere, totally outside of the Roman, Eastern European and Levantine bubble. The Catholics and Protestants went into Africa and Asia to do Mission first. Orthodox were content with their Greek Chapels in North Africa and didn’t really give a damn about the locals until the mid-20th Century. Probably because Africans were “incapable” of developing an “Orthodox Phronema.” Even now, Alexandria’s “Mission work” is Hellenization.
Polygamy, with children involved and united houses. Should they be cast out? In Japan, cremation is mandated by law. Should the Church defy those laws and hold “secret burials”? Where? Burial by sea?
How is a lone Orthodox man supposed to find a wife when surrounded by non-Orthodox? Is he supposed to be celibate? A hermit? Good luck with that. That’s why you have a lot of Orthodox guys giving in to despair.
The world is different now. The spiritual strength of those ages is not present today (you have a huge list of Orthodox saints who say as much). The Bishops have to discern how to apply the core of that ethos in the modern world.
“Overrun the legacy Orthodox populations.” There it is. Too many Xenoi.
I’m on the wrong website, I think. Thank you for confirming what I’ve long suspected: That Orthodoxy is not universal at all. To be Orthodox one has to be of the right Ethnos or play act as part of that Ethnos.
Repugnant.
David – you need to hold your horses, drink a glass of wine and calm down a bit. Before you go to Africa to establish “a mission” make a stop at Kiev around 980 AD when “Greek” Princess Anna married “St. Vladimir” about a century after “Greek” Saints Cyril and Methodius started developing the now known as “Cyrillic” Alphabet. At about the same time in Rome “Greek” Princess Theophano married German King Otto and – after introducing the “fork” to the Germans so to avoid eating the roast pork at the wedding table using their fingers – she ordered the philologues in her “Greek” courtyard to help put the German language in writing – and this is why today’s “HochDeutsch” has all the grammar and syntax of Ancient Greek and is much more difficult to learn than English..
Did the Greeks see the Slavs and the Germans as “Xenoi” then? On the other hand, the Greeks as far as I know, never tied “missionary” work to colonial exploitation as the Catholics did for centuries and I am surprised you missed that little fact… The Russians never forget this “little fact” to this day and they are thankful colonial practices are considered alien in Greek culture over the centuries… After all it was this complete lack of post-Alexander ethnic “supremacy” that gave rise to Christianity in the first place… I will stop here after reminding you that in Helleniscope we are quite conscious of basic historical facts and we do not open our arrogant mouth to shout baseless accusations. Do you think that when Anastasios (Yiannoulatos) of Albania of blessed memory spent a couple of decades of his young life as a missionary in Africa was unconscious of this legacy? He was very conscious of course and did Christ’s work in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania without the colonial practices of the British, the French and others who exploited the African people to this day. Should I remind you that the “catholic” French were kicked out of Niger two years ago because – among other things – were paying only 5% to the poor country for extracting all its uranium? Do you think that the various Catholic missions in Africa were working totally unrelated to their exploitative governments?
Again please allow me to stop here… In Helleniscope we never ignore such basic facts…
David,
Repugnant is to come to a Greek – American website and accuse the Greek Orthodox Church as ethnic! Greeks are not an imperialistic super power that they need to do “hellenization” as you say. Greek is our language and also the language that the gospels were written.
So, you have 2 choices: either you learn Greek, or you can attend an English speaking church, like OCA. But don’t come here and accuse us like using Greek in the liturgy is some kind of a crime. If you don’t like Greek, nobody forced you to attend.
Ps. Would you protest to the Catholic Church because they use Latin?
I’m not ignoring colonialism. If you look at the actual history of the Missions in the Spanish and Portuguese Empires, you will see true men of God in the mix with scoundrels. The movie “The Mission” starring Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons is probably the best representation of that in modern media, in that it showed Catholicism at its best AND worst in the same film.
Does Orthodoxy want to actually be Universal? That’s the question that confronts it right now, and the whole point I was making. What I’m seeing is “Not really.” The Mission of St Cyril and Methodius was centuries ago, and not without a political element. The Russian Missions were also colonial in nature (“Russification”). Not as brutal as the Spanish, but lets not pretend that the Romanov Dynasty were softies. Monasteries in the Orthodox world owned serfs, and serf abuse was very real. Cruelty to native pagans is over the line, but abusing serfs is ok. This is why I find “whataboutism” distasteful, and the Catholic bashing hypocritical.
I think the conflicts we see in Orthodoxy are the first real cracks and growing pains of post-Imperial Orthodoxy. Catholicism confronted this question of universality with Vatican II. Orthodoxy hasn’t even begun to address it, because too many believe Hellenization and Russification are the price of admission, and are all too happy to tell Western converts struggling with the cognitive dissonance: “If you don’t like it, go to the Catholics!”
A lot of those “Orthobros” eventually will when they discover that, like non-Arab Muslims,” they will always be considered 2nd Class, with their “Phronema” questioned at every turn.
As I explained, if someone is even remotely cognisant of the Greek cultural tradition, then universality is not even discussed because it is not part of the problem. I can think of at least two practical examples: about 25 years ago a gifted Greek cantor created – using faithful from the American South of different cultural backgrounds and denominations – a beautiful Byzantine choir that performed for many years. Recently, my son who lives in Florida and his friends organized a Byzantine music seminar for their whole the Metropolis when they noticed that the numerous converts were attracted to Orthodoxy because of the beauty of the music – among many other reasons. When I see with my own eyes examples such as these, I really put the “universality” question in the correct framework and avoid unnecessary exaggerations… it is certainly not a problem but an opportunity for those who have their eyes – and hearts – open.