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

Myltsi Monastery shows pictures of shrine's revival from ruins

Archive footage of the St. Nicholas Monastery in Myltsi dated 1994 and modern photos of the revived monastery have been published online.

Embassy of Ukraine holds "prayer for Ukraine" at Weiling Wall in Jerusalem

The Ukrainian Embassy performed a ceremony at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.

Founder of children's shelter in Athens asks for help to avoid prison

The Athens Court of Appeals sentenced the head of the Greek foundation to 9.5 years in prison with the right of redemption. 

In Butove, OCU supporters hold meeting on UOC parish "transfer"

In the House of Culture, residents of the village of Butove, Rivne region, decided the fate of St. John's Church of the UOC.

His Beatitude reads first part of Great Penitential Canon at Lavra

Metropolitan Onuphry led the Great Compline at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, with the reading of the Great Penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete.

Orthodox youth meetings held in deaneries of UOC's Rivne Eparchy

Spiritual and educational events ahead of Great Lent were held in the deaneries of the Rivne Eparchy with the participation of clergy and Orthodox youth.