GOC bishop: Patriarch Bartholomew caused unprecedented turmoil in Orthodoxy
Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus believes that it was precisely the position of Patriarch Bartholomew on the “Ukrainian issue” that provoked a crisis in Universal Orthodoxy, reports agapotonxristo.blogspot.com.
According to the hierarch, it was "the Ukrainian issue that has become a big problem for World Orthodoxy."
He is sure that “autocephaly to an insignificant minority of unrepentant, unordained schismatics of Kiev”, granted by Patriarch Bartholomew, not only contradicts the holy canons, laws of psychology and logic, but also “caused an unprecedented ecclesiastical turmoil in Universal Orthodoxy.”
Metropolitan Seraphim calls Phanar's position "an unreasonable fidelity to this new, dangerous church formation (OCU – Ed.), which he created in Ukraine."
This "unreasonable fidelity" (or obstinacy – Ed.), as well as his refusal to convene a Pan-Orthodox Synod, according to the hierarch, "led to the exacerbation of the existing schism between the ten Local Churches (out of 200,000,000 believers)."
In addition, the Metropolitan of Piraeus’s statement says that “the other four Churches (the Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Churches of Alexandria, Cyprus and Greece), which recognized autocephaly, acted anti-canonically.”
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Metropolitan of Piraeus called on the Church of Greece to condemn the Tomos for the OCU.
Read also
ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill
Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown
Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.
Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.
Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law
Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.
Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment
The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.
Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful
Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.