PHOTO: The Archons delegation to the Second International Archon Religious Freedom Conference in Berlin in 2012. What a joke!
By Nick Stamatakis
Today, we had a glimpse of good news that the Turkish Government changed its atrocious position on banning Panagia Soumela’s celebration on August 15 this year and verbally indicated that they would allow it. We will wait for the written permit before we start celebrating.
But their initial ban allowed us to see bare all kinds of hypocrisy here and in Greece. In most cases, the “analysts” did not even mention that the initial opening of the Holy Monastery in 2010 was allowed thanks to a phone call from President Putin to Pres. Erdogan.
Then yesterday, we had a lengthy announcement/protest by the “Archons of Hypocrisy” who expressed their “disappointment” for the numerous setbacks of the Patriarchate’s “religious freedom.” The “Archons of Hypocrisy” refer to the 2010 re-opening of Panagia Soumena but fail to mention that Vladimir Putin achieved it. You see, “bad” leaders like Putin cannot achieve such accomplishments. You can read their lengthy protest below: nowhere will you find any mention of dictator Zelensky and his banning of Russian-Orthodox priests and, above all, the Lavra Monastery in Kiev.
The Lavra Monastery is not only the Jerusalem of Russian Orthodoxy but a UNESCO World Heritage Monument – which Panagia Soumela hopes to be one day. Yet, the “Archons of Hypocrisy” fail to express any desperation for the religious freedom of our Orthodox brothers. Instead, if anyone asked them, they would support Pat. Bartholomew’s illegal acts – including his rumored attempts to take the Lavra directly under his control as a “Stavropegiac”…
Did the Archons express any distress about the numerous violent attacks of the Zelensky regime and his Neonazi thugs against Churches and faithful Orthodox? No, not at all. But thanks to Tucker Carlson, the whole world knows of their crimes. These fascists, in addition to religious prosecution, have banned the Russian language, native to 50% of Ukrainians (including Zelensky himself, who only spoke Russian until recently!)… They have also banned any opposition party, and of course, they banned free speech and free press! And no more elections in Ukraine! Yet, if you ask Karloutsos, Lymberakis, and the rest of the “Archons of Hypocrisy,” they would tell you that Zelensky and Ukraine are models of democracy!
What a shameless bunch of delusional hypocrites!! But soon, they are bound to land on reality, and it will be a spectacle to see…
July 25, 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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BELOW YOU CAN READ THE LENGTHY PROTEST OF THE “ARCHONS OF HYPOCRISY” ABOUT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
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Religious Freedom Advocates Disappointed As Turkish Government Forbids Greek Orthodox Christians to Celebrate Feast Day At Historic Monastery
The Turkish government on July 20, 2023 denied access to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Orthodox worshippers to celebrate an important Orthodox Christian Feast Day service at the historic Panagia Sumela Monastery in the Trabzon (Trapezounda) region of Turkey on August 15, 2023. This decision has elicited widespread concern and disappointment not only among the Greek Orthodox community, but also among advocates of religious freedom and of the preservation of cultural heritage.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate, based in Istanbul (Constantinople), holds immense significance for the Orthodox Christian Church worldwide. As the Sacred See of Saint Andrew the Apostle, it serves as the spiritual headquarters of 350 million Orthodox Christians around the globe.
The historic monastery was established around 386 AD and remains a cherished sacred site for Orthodox Christians, deeply intertwined with the rich history and cultural heritage of the Greek Orthodox community. The monastery is currently a candidate with UNESCO for designation as a World Heritage Site.
In 2010, 88 years after the establishment of modern-day Turkey in 1922, Turkish authorities granted the Ecumenical Patriarchate permission to celebrate services at the monastery on its Feast Day, August 15. The August 15 celebration holds special significance for all Orthodox Christians, as it commemorates the Dormition of the Theotokos, that is, the falling asleep of the Virgin Mary. This is a highly revered and cherished event for Orthodox Christians, and the service at the monastery attracted thousands of faithful believers from around the world, coming together to honor God, His Holy Mother, and their sacred religious traditions, as well as to pay homage to their ancestors and their history.
Since that permission was first granted, with the notable exception of a five-year period during which restoration work was undertaken at the monastery, it was renewed annually for the celebration of the Feast Day, and thousands of pilgrims took part in those celebrations. This year is the first time since the reopening of the monastery that Turkish authorities denied permission to hold services there.
The Turkish government’s decision to deny access to this historic monastery to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox faithful is a matter of grave concern. While the official reasons for this denial have not been explicitly stated, it is widely believed to be part of a broader pattern of restrictions and challenges that the Turkish government has set for years in its treatment of religious minorities in the country. The Ecumenical Patriarchate has faced numerous obstacles, including limitations on property rights, restrictions on the election of Church officials, and difficulties in training clergy. These challenges have often been perceived as attempts to undermine the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s authority and reduce its influence, both within Turkey and around the world.
The denial of access to the historic Panagia Sumela monastery for this year’s August 15 Feast Day celebration carries significant implications for both the Greek Orthodox community and the broader principles of religious freedom and the preservation of cultural heritage.
1. Disregard for religious freedom: Denying access to a sacred site of a religious minority for the celebration of one of its most important religious services undermines the fundamental right to freedom of religion. It restricts the ability of the faithful to practice their faith and commemorate important religious events.
2. Preservation of cultural heritage: The historic Panagia Sumela monastery is not only a place of worship, but also a valuable cultural heritage site. Denial of access impedes the preservation and restoration of this important historical and architectural treasure, which holds significant cultural and historical value.
3. Strained relations: The decision further strains the already delicate relationship between the Greek Orthodox community in Turkey and the Turkish government. It perpetuates a climate of mistrust and hampers efforts to foster dialogue and understanding between different religious and cultural communities.
For these reasons, the Turkish decision to deny access to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox faithful to celebrate services at the historic monastery of Panagia Sumela on August 15 is incalculably disappointing. It represents yet another setback for religious freedom and the preservation of the cultural heritage of Turkey, the Christians of Asia Minor, and the Greek Orthodox community worldwide. Advocates of religious freedom and the preservation of cultural heritage must continue to raise their voices, urging the Turkish government to reconsider its decision and embrace a more inclusive and respectful approach towards religious minorities and their sacred sites.
I think that the Greeks are finding out the Karma is a cruel mistress!
In all aspects of the patriarchal leadership, the archons are being forced to undergo indoctrination by cunning Bart the State Department boot licker.
The archons have free will given by God. They chose power instead. They chose to follow Bart. Power reveals people who they really are. Faith in Christ is not debatable.
The Woke Patriarch is helping the West impose totalitarianism, imprison a bishop, and destroy the Russian Orthodox Church amongst many other horrors..
Why do you see it as surprising, that us Greeks will look out for our own concerns first and foremost?
It’s like waiting for russians to show concern for the Agia Sofia mosque conversion, in fact if I remember correctly, Russia showed the opposite of concern and celebrated erdogans decision, proclaiming it as good news as russians will now be allowed entry, free of charge.
As for what happened in 2010, I’d like to see some sort of proof that “putin was the one who opened Panagia Soumela in Trapezounta”
You answered your question yourself by pointing to 2010. Yes, the Russians who you obviously consider not as fellow Orthodox but as “barbarians”, helped us Greeks because they see us as their Orthodox brothers – even when they make some political calculations on the side. You need proof? Ask any serious political analyst in Greece. Even those who are against the Russians know the truth. Don’t forget that in 2017 we honored as the Grand Marshall in our parade in NY Ivan Savvides who was the one who asked Putin to intervene for Panagia Soumela. We honored him for this particular reason.
Wrong. The Russian Church in fact condemned the conversion of Hagia Sophia as did the Ukrainian church of Metropolitan Onophry. The Russian Noted however that Hagia Sophia was on Constantinople’s territory and the Russian Church could not do anything.
The Russian Church stated that if Orthodoxy had been unified all the Churches could have fought to save Hagia Sophia.
The loss of Hagia Sophia is at least partially the result of Patriarch Bartholomew’s destructive actions in Ukraine.
Το ότι ακόμη υπάρχουμε ως Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί το χρωστάμε στον τότε Επίσκοπο
Εφέσου Μάρκο Ευγενικό, που μόνος του
τα έβαλε κατά πάντων των Σχισματικών
και έσωσε την Ορθοδοξία.
Ενθυμούμαι , τότε που οι σχέσεις Βαρθολομαίου – Ιακώβου ήταν στο χειρότερο σημείο , σε μια από τις συζητήσεις μας μου λέγει : “ Εσύ καπετάνιε
τι λές” και η απάντησή μου που τον εξέπληξε ήταν: “ Σεβασμιώτατε κατανοώ τα
πάντα και βλέπω πως αυτή η σύγκρουση είναι σύγκρουση προσωπικοτήτων , ο Παναγιώτατος δεν έχει την ψυχική ικανότητα να σας αναγνωρίσει αυτό που είστε , ο χαρισματικός ηγέτης , προσωπικά
θα σας έλεγα να κάνετε ότι χρειάζεται για
να κρατήσετε την ενότητα της πίστεως και
την κοινωνία του Αγίου Πνεύματος….. Άστραψαν τα μάτια του και με εκείνο το λεπτό χαμόγελο που τον ξεχώριζε … μου
απάντησε νιώθοντας τόσο ανάλαφρος λες
και ήμουν εγώ αυτός που του βρήκα τη λύση
και μου λέγει : “ Ναι καπετάνιε αυτό θα κάνω, θα υποβάλλω την παραίτησή μου”.
Σηκώθηκε και με αγκάλιασε , γιατί στα λόγια
ενός απλού πιστού , βρήκε την λύτρωση.
Αυτός ήταν ο Ιάκωβος είχε τον κύκλο των
προεστών…… τους οποίους κανονικά μάδιζε……χωρίς όμως να τους παραχωρήσει
αποκλειστικότητα , είχε την ικανότητα να
κοιτάζει τ’άστρα και να ανακαλύπτει ,
τα άγνωστα , τα ασήμαντα που η διαίσθησή
του τον οδηγούσε να πάρει κάτι από το φώς
που εξέπεμπαν.
Έφυγε ο διεθνής Φάρος ….της Ορθοδοξίας
και σκοτείνιασε ο κόσμος γύρω της.
Ετούτος εδώ ο Ανάξιος για το πόστο που
κατέχει , αντί να επιδιώκει την ενότητα όλων
των ορθοδόξων κάνει ακριβώς το αντίθετο,
την κατακερματίζει για να την κάνει εύκολη
βορρά της Νέας Τάξης Πραγμάτων και να την παραδώσει στους Παπικούς σατανάδες.
Σήμερα γιορτάζει η Αγία Παρασκευή και αύριο ο Άγιος Παντελεήμονας, ας προσευχηθούμε να κάνουν το Θαύμα τους.
I suggest the disenchanted members of the GOA approach the Moscow Patriarchate and ask him to form a Greek American jurisdiction, complete with their own bishop, just like the GOA has the Ukrainian and Carpatho-Russian jurisdictions. That will be a good “slap-in-the-face” to these fools.
Bart, EP, Archosn and all the High priest of the Orthodox Churches fo America in failing to condemn the Fascist policies of not only the U.S and Nato government and Ukraine , but Israel have become accesories to acts of State Sponsored Terrorism and war crimes !
Lets be clear they are openly now Nazi Collaborators and “American and Nato Sabatuers dressed up like Greek Orthodox Priests” who are used to provide testimony to the “Righteois murder of thousands of Orthodox christians of the Ukrasine and Middle East …
They are monsters, and subhumans cooperating with the most Evil empire in wordl history ..it is as simple as that..
MIstotakis , the Greek Government, Media , and Greek Orthodox Church leaders are merely cowards who feart the State Department of Satan himself of America more than God !
There betrayal did not just begin in the Ukraine , Greece and Russia but in Syrai as follows …
While Putin and the Russian Orthodxo Church responded to the pleas of the Orthodox Christians of Syria to liberate Alleppo from the proxy terrorist armies of the United States burning Christian Churches and murdering Clergy and faithul , Patriarch Barholomew and his cabal of Gangsters were remaining silent to the criminal occupation of Syria as a result of the invasion by U.S trrops whose intentons was to not fight ISIS groups , but to use them to remove the elected leader of Syria , where freedom of religion existed and who the Orthodcox Christains of Syria dependedn on to protect them from U.S., Saudi Arabia and Israeli sponsored Sunni Musllim Terrorst proxy armies ….
Headline News
And you Blame Putin for Invading defacto U.S state of America …
China, Russia, Iran, Iraq,etc etc demands end to US sanctions on Syria after deadly quakes
Thanks to criminal U.S and Western sanctions, international cargo planes can not land at Syrian airports and Syrians can not use Gofundme or credit cards. Meanwhile, the US military occupies 1/3 of the country, stealing Syria’s oil – a key source of revenue it uses to buy food and aid.
Proclamation which Patriarch Krill of the Russian Orthodox Church responded to and blessed Russian Orthodox Soldiers going to Alepo ,Syria who liberated Greek Orthodox Christian of Syria from fanitical Islamic Terrorist burning Christian Churches in Syria ..all funded by the U.S. state department… as follows…..
Proclamation by Greek Orthodox leaders of Syria…
Signed by John X, Greek Orthodox patriarch of Antioch and all the East; Ignatius Aphrem II, Syrian Orthodox patriarch of Antioch and all the East; and Joseph Absi, Melkite-Greek Catholic patriarch of Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem.
“We call upon all churches in the countries that participated in the aggression, to fulfill their Christian duties, according to the teachings of the Gospel, and condemn this aggression and to call their governments to commit to the protection of international peace,”
We “condemn and denounce the brutal aggression that took place this morning against our precious country Syria by the USA, France and UK,and Israel under false allegations against the Syrian Government said the three leaders: John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East; Ignatius Aphrem II, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East; and Joseph Absi, Melkite-Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, Alexandria, and Jerusalem.
“This brutal aggression is a clear violation of the international laws and the UN Charter, because it is an unjustified assault on a sovereign country, member of the UN,” said the patriarchs. “It causes us great pain that this assault comes from powerful countries to which Syria did not cause any harm in any way.”
As we speak, the US troops continue to occupy Syria’s principal oil-producing regions. They have plundered more than 80% of Syria’s oil production and smuggled and burned Syria’s grain stock. All this has made Syria’s humanitarian crisis even worse,” she continued.