Greek Bishop Issues Warning on Jehovah’s Witnesses

His Eminence Metropolitan Irenaeus. Photo: imflorinas.gr

FLORINA — Metropolitan Irenaeus of Florina, Prespa and Eordaia has cautioned Orthodox Christians against the proselytizing activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses, joining other Greek hierarchs in recent months in issuing similar alerts.

In a message released on the August 6 Feast of the Transfiguration and published by Orthodoxia News Agency, Metropolitan Irenaeus warned that the group “attempts to approach people in order to speak to them about Jesus Christ, while carefully concealing its heretical beliefs” through door-to-door visits and pamphlet distribution. He urged the faithful to “avoid every foreign teaching that aims to alter the Person of Christ, distorting the glory of His Transfiguration.”

The Metropolitan emphasized that the diocese communicates with its flock only through official sermons, encyclicals, and approved church publications, and never through public-square leafleting or organized home visits. His warning echoes a 2020 Holy Synod statement declaring Jehovah’s Witness teachings “completely contrary to the Christian faith” and denouncing their publication "The Watchtower" for “false prophecies.”

Calling on Orthodox Christians to respond “discreetly and with courtesy” to proselytizing attempts, Metropolitan Irenaeus urged them to remain steadfast in the life of the Church, nourished by worship, prayer, and unity with their clergy.

“The Christian lives from worship and not from correspondence,” he concluded.

Previously, UOJ reported that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church had issued a stern warning about the risks posed by self-proclaimed "spiritual teachers" and their communities.

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