Greek hierarchs initiate Pan-Orthodox Council without Fanar's participation
Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus. Photo:yiorgosthalassis.blogspot.com
The hierarchs of the Greek Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus and Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira and Antikythera, wrote a joint letter urging all Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches to convene a Pan-Orthodox Council on the “Ukrainian issue”. This was reported by Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus to the Greek online publication ΒΗΜΑ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑΣ.
All Local Churches will receive a letter in the coming days, since the “Ukrainian issue” shook the foundations of the Orthodox Church throughout the world. According to ΒΗΜΑ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑΣ, hierarchs are calling to convene the Pan-Orthodox Council even without the participation of Patriarch of Bartholomew of Constantinople.
The Metropolitan of Piraeus noted that the unprecedented legalization of schismatics in Ukraine is a crime.
“It is completely unacceptable to assert that the unity of the Church is achieved through ‘reinstatement’ and admission of unrepentant apostates, anathematized and not ordained, secret conspirators and schismatic persons,” His Eminence Seraphim emphasized and reminded that only the Pan-Orthodox Council can have the power to grant autocephaly.
According to the hierarch, not a single Patriarchate recognizes the so-called “new Ukrainian Church”, whereas the Council of Bishops of the Church of Greece made an error of a historical scale.
The ordinations of the OCU “clergy” are invalid, therefore the bestowal of the Tomos to them is a serious problem.
Metropolitan Seraphim also made it clear that he personally had never agreed with the recognition of the OCU.
“My phrase ‘I disagree but support the archbishop’ was distorted beyond recognition,” he shared with the Greek edition.
Earlier, Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira and Antikythera also announced that he hoped to convene an All-Orthodox Council on the “Ukrainian issue”, at which the Synaxis of the Primates would discuss the current situation, find a solution to the problem and prevent further schism in Orthodoxy.
Read also
Dumenko: The enemy has destroyed Ukranian liturgical language for centuries
Epifaniy assured that "imperial invaders" burned Ukrainian liturgical literature.
TRC releases previously detained priest of UOC's Ovruch Eparchy
Believers are thanked for their support and prayers.
Vance: A broken culture tends to turn young people into androgynous idiots
U.S. Vice President stated that modern society seeks to erase differences between genders, shaping people "who think the same, talk the same, and act the same."
In Volyn, UOC priests receive gratitude from AFU for volunteering
The clergy noted that they have always been supported by parishioners and communities willing to share their last resources.
Vance: We don't worry about earthly rewards but how we're doing before God
The Vice President of America shared that he is doing his best to follow God’s will.
Vance: Death is a bad thing, but losing your soul is much more terrible
"The fundamental tenant of the Christian faith is that the Son of God became man, He died and then He raised Himself from the dead," the U.S. Vice President reminded Americans.