Greek hierarch about the head of Phanar in the USA: He's deceived me
Metropolitan Antonios (Avramiotis) of Glyfada in an interview with ekirikas.com said that he did not know about the intentions of Archbishop Elpidophoros to baptize the children of a same-sex couple, the Phanar hierarch misled him.
Metropolitan Antonios confirmed that Archbishop Elpidophoros requested written permission to perform the sacrament of Baptism, but without mentioning that these are children of a same-sex couple.
"I believe that the baptism of such children has never been before in Greece, it's happened for the first time. I do not think that Archbishop Elpidophoros should have performed this baptism, he did not tell me about it. If I had known, I would not have given him such permission, I would have to report in writing to the Holy Synod," Metropolitan Antonios said.
The Hellenic hierarch added that "the bishop should not have performed such a baptism in order not to lead disbelievers to speculation that everything is permitted in the Church."
Also, Metropolitan Antonios said that after this incident he did not get in touch with Archbishop Elpidophoros, and the believers in Greece were alarmed by this event.
"They were very worried. Thank God, we have very pious people who are close to the tradition of our church and hence were upset. I do not hide from you that I was very upset too, because he ought to have told me that this was a special baptism," the hierarch noted.
As previously reported by the UOJ, the GOC hierarch stated that he did not give permission for the baptism of the children of the LGBT couple.
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".