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

Persecuted community in Stari Broskivtsi marks patronal feast in new church

The rector thanked the faithful for building a new church to replace the one that was seized.

Authorities hold “memorial” concert in church seized from UOC in Chernihiv

Believers expressed outrage over the transformation of an ancient shrine into a concert venue.

Kremenchuk authorities force OCU to remove fence around Trinity Cathedral

The mayor of Kremenchuk ordered the fence removed and the church’s “strangely divided” land plot reduced.

LGBT Catholics march in Rome Pride parade with rainbow cross

Participants in the gay pride march said the “rainbow cross” is a visible sign of the LGBT community’s presence within the Church.

Zelensky meets with OCU’s “Lavra abbot” at OP to discuss future plans

Lotysh thanked Zelensky for personally overseeing the restoration of the Dormition Cathedral.

Media report case of forcibly mobilized UOC deacon, father of many children

Deacon Andriy Virnyi of the Church of the Three Holy Hierarchs in Lutsk said he faced pressure, threats, and legal violations during an attempt to mobilize him.