Holy Synod of Bishops issues statement on recent tragic events in Charlottesville, VA

Source: The Orthodox Church in America

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
— Colossians 1:16-18

August 16, 2017

To the Clergy, Monastics and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America,

Recent tragic events in Charlottesville, Virginia, have highlighted the presence of un-Christian rhetoric and violent actions within our communities. At the same time, the response to these events by our civil leadership has unleashed a nationwide debate which has created a certain moral ambiguity, which in turn is fostering further division. Such a climate requires a clear response from the Church.

The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America joins people of faith and good will across the United States, Canada and Mexico in unequivocally, unreservedly and unambiguously rejecting words and actions which perpetrate, support or encourage hatred, violence, racism, white supremacy, white nationalism or neo-Nazism. As Orthodox Christians, we believe that every human being is a child of God, created in His image and likeness, and therefore we are all brothers and sisters whatever our race, nationality or creed.

...Read the rest at The Orthodox Church in America

The Orthodox Church in America

8/18/2017

See also
Opposing Racism: Commending our Life to Christ Opposing Racism: Commending our Life to Christ
Fr. Ted Bobosh Opposing Racism: Commending our Life to Christ Opposing Racism: Commending our Life to Christ
Fr. Ted Bobosh
We Orthodox in America need to prove we are Christ’s neighbor by standing against violence and racism and hatred, by siding with those we think of as the stranger, the alien, the sojourner. Charlottesville, Virginia Orthodox priests gives interview concerning recent violence there Charlottesville, Virginia Orthodox priests gives interview concerning recent violence there Charlottesville, Virginia Orthodox priests gives interview concerning recent violence there Charlottesville, Virginia Orthodox priests gives interview concerning recent violence there
The website Orthodox Christian Network has posted the audio recording of an interview with Fr. Panagiotis Hanley of the Holy Transfiguration Church in Charlottsville, Virginia (GOA) on the recent strife in Charlottesville.
Comments
Gregory8/22/2017 4:24 pm
Agreed with all below!
Matthew8/22/2017 3:00 am
What will these wise prelates say when someone decides to designate the Christian Cross as an emblem of hate and rouse mobs to tear the offensive symbols down?
Anthony8/20/2017 1:37 pm
Instead of politicising the Church and playing identity politics, why don't their most wonderful eminences stick to what they are supposed to be doing ie shepherding their flocks. The violence in Charlottesville should be condemned in all directions - why the silence in respect of the soros-funded agitators. Call a spade a spade. Stop trying to make yourselves feel better each time you look in the mirror.
John Durka8/20/2017 7:19 am
back in the day we had this "trendy" battle-cry "Beware of boutique radicalism and sloganized attitudes"...

Where is the "Orthodox" outcry for the thousands of children murdered through state-funded abortions every year? Get your priorities straight.

"...Too many people make the mistake of limiting Orthodoxy to church services, set prayers, and the occasional reading of a spiritual book. True Orthodoxy, however, requires a commitment that involves every aspect of our lives. One is Orthodox all the time every day, in every situation of life—or one is not really Orthodox at all. For this reason we must develop an Orthodox worldview and live it. –"Living an Orthodox World-View", a lecture given at the St Herman Summer Pilgrimage, Platina, CA, August 1980; Orthodox America, Aug.-Sept. 1982.
Rebecca8/18/2017 7:42 pm
If you will call out evil, you must name ALL of it. It is not enough to condemn white supremacy,then overlook the people bussed down to our state to call for the extinction of the entirety of white existence. It is not enough to condemn racism, a poor term anyway, but then overlook it committed by other melanin shaded folks. It is not enough to condemn the swastika, then pretend the hammer and sickle, Guevara and Lenin shirts weren't worn by Antifa. BLM sports clothing that does nothing BUT spread hate, and idolizes those who historically committed it. Orthodox Christians must see all of the evil, not just format a trendy one sided response. Do better. Do more.
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