Phanar bishop in US on baptizing gay couple's children: No reason to refuse
Archbishop Elpidophoros with a gay couple and their children after baptism. Photo: vimaorthodoxias
The head of the Archdiocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the USA, Archbishop Elpidophoros, stated that he had no reasons to refuse a gay couple the baptism of their children.
During an interview with the Greek publication LiFO, the journalist reminded Elpidophoros of the harsh criticism he faced for baptizing the children of a same-sex couple in Greece and asked if he had any regrets about it.
Elpidophoros replied that it should be clarified "that we are talking about baptism, not a wedding." He explained that when the gay couple asked to baptize their children, he "agreed with enormous joy."
And since "the godparents were Orthodox, I had absolutely no grounds to refuse," Elpidophoros emphasized.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the head of the Archdiocese of the Phanar in the USA baptized the children of a homosexual couple.
Read also
U.S. House of Representatives passes ban on sex-change surgeries for minors
The lower house of Congress supported an initiative limiting medical interventions that could have irreversible consequences for the health of minors.
Armenian Church to appeal to international bodies over government pressure
The decision was made by the Supreme Spiritual Council in Etchmiadzin against the backdrop of criminal cases, pressure on the clergy, and the state's attempts to interfere in church life.
Pashinyan's supporters attempt to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia
The confrontation around the Armenian Apostolic Church intensified after rebellious hierarchs called for the Catholicos's resignation and attempted to exert forceful pressure in Etchmiadzin.
Persecuted community of Maliatyntsi celebrates first patronal feast after seizure
In Bukovyna, the faithful of the St. Nicholas community in the village of Maliatyntsi celebrated the Feast Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia for the first time after the church seizure.
European authorities downplay scale of Christian persecution, report says
Human rights defenders reported an increase in attacks on believers in the EU and pointed out that official statistics do not reflect the real level of anti-Christian hostility.
Mukachevo Eparchy bishops congratulate orphaned children on St Nicholas Day
Metropolitan Theodore and Bishop Hilarion visited the “New Family” children’s shelter in Uzhhorod.