GOC bishop: I Ecumenical Council anniversary cannot be shared with heretics
According to Metropolitan Seraphim, joint celebrations with those who do not belong to the Church not only fail to bring any benefit but also entail severe ecclesiastical penalties.
In his Lenten message, Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira and Antikythera emphasized the necessity of spiritual struggle during this sacred time, while also addressing crucial issues concerning the unity of the Church and fidelity to Orthodox tradition.
Regarding the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, the hierarch reminded the faithful of the significance of Orthodox doctrine and warned against joint prayers and celebrations with non-Orthodox:
"Common prayer, contacts, and joint celebrations with those who do not belong to the Church – heretics, non-Orthodox, and especially representatives of other religions – are strictly forbidden by the holy canons."
He stressed that such actions not only bring no benefit but also carry severe ecclesiastical penalties.
The metropolitan posed a rhetorical question:
"Will the entire Holy Orthodox Church celebrate this significant anniversary in the spirit of apostolic and patristic tradition, with prayers and hymns glorifying the Holy Trinity? Or, under the guise of 'love,' will false teachings and innovations be promoted, leading the faithful away from the path of salvation?"
Metropolitan Seraphim called on believers to remain faithful to the dogmatic teachings of the Church and the holy canons, to resist attempts to dilute Orthodox identity, and to remember that true unity is possible only within the one Orthodox faith.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Bartholomew had invited the Pope of Rome to jointly celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council and stated that celebrating Easter together with the Roman Catholic Church is of crucial importance for unity.
