Metropolis of Piraeus condemns ecumenistic statements from Patriarch of Alexandria

Piraeus, Greece, February 6, 2020

Photo: patriarchateofalexandria.com Photo: patriarchateofalexandria.com     

On January 20, Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria met with the Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic church at the headquarters of the Coptic Patriarchate in Alexandria to greet him and congratulate him with the feast of Theophany

However, beyond exchanging greetings and pleasantries, Pat. Theodoros told the Coptic Pope: “Our Churches are one Church, headed by Jesus Christ,” although the Coptic church has been separated from the Orthodox Church since the 5th century.

In a new statement, the Office of Heresies and Cults of the Metropolis of Piraeus of the Greek Orthodox Church, condemns the Alexandrian primate’s ecumenistic statement, as well as another recent statement of his regarding Islam. The statement is published in Greek on vimaorthodoxias.gr.

The Metropolis of Piraeus, under the leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim, is known as a staunch defender of traditional, Patristic Orthodoxy.

“As we have repeatedly emphasized, the pan-heresy of Ecumenism proceeds unscathed, with no hope at present for its repression and Synodal condemnation,” the statement begins. Ecumenism is a forerunner of the antichrist, the Metropolis states, as “It methodically and progressively erodes consciences and with the pretext of love, peace and exchange succeeds in dominating the vast and overwhelming majority of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, monasticism, and academic theology.”

Having recounted the apostolic witness against heresies and Ecumenism, the statement continues: “With surprise, but also anguish of the soul, we have once again been informed on the internet of two very serious slips by His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria.”

“We felt it appropriate in this case not to remain silent. And this is because these declarations do not refer to other matters, but to matters of faith, for which we are all responsible, as the precious treasure of faith is not the personal property of the bishops and prelates, which they can manage as they want, but the common property of all of us,” the Metropolis continues.

The first “serious slip” refers to Pat. Theodoros’ meeting with Pope Tawadros. Noting that the Metropolis had previously condemned statements of Pat. Theodoros to Pope Francis in 2013, the statement continues: “The Copts, this otherwise sympathetic, kind, and friendly religious community of Egypt and other neighboring countries, were cut off from the united and indivisible body of the Church in the mid-5th century AD.”

“For more than 16 centuries, despite the efforts of our Church to restore the Monophysites to Orthodoxy, they have unfortunately still been cut off from it, believing that we are ‘heretics,’” the Metropolis recalls.

The statement continues:

We wonder if His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros, living closely with the Coptic community, has not studied the dogmatic teaching of our Church and the decisions of the Ecumenical Councils? Was he not obliged, in view of his fearful oaths of ordination, but also of his Patriarchal capacity, to call upon the heretical Coptic “patriarch” to abandon his error and join the Church? If he believes that “Our Churches are one Church, headed by Jesus Christ,” then why doesn’t he proceed to the common chalice and cede his position on the one patriarchal throne of Alexandria?

However, Pat. Theodoros recently made an even worse statement, according to the Metropolis of Piraeus. On the feast of the Nativity at the Church of St. Nicholas in Cairo, he stated that, “In the holy mosques, God is worshiped according to the Koran!”

This statement recalls those of his predecessor, Patriarch Parthenios, who regarded Mohammed as a “true prophet of the one God” and the Koran as “holy,” the Metropolis writes.

“Can he honestly tell us, is there a connection between the idolatrous Allah and the Triune God revealed in Christ? Can the bloodthirsty ‘god’ of Islam be identified with the God of love of the Gospel?” the statement asks.

“Is there a Divine revelation other than Christ? Only horror, frustration and worry can make such unacceptable statements!” it continues.

The statement concludes:

Closing our comment, we emphasize yet again the dire captivity of many of the leading ecclesiastical persons (Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, professors of theology, etc.) to the ecumenistic slippery slope, which without doubt will lead them, if they do not repent, with mathematical accuracy, to eternal loss… We wonder if the Holy Fathers, in matters of faith, resorted to diplomacy, and economies, to reconcile the irreconcilable, or did they struggle with consistency and stability, even unto death, in the confession of faith? Did they try to be consistent with Orthodoxy, but at the same time to ‘have a good time’ with heretics?... Let’s hope this humble communication of ours will help him the otherwise dear and sympathetic Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros, to rebut the inept and anti-orthodox things he has said and done so far.

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2/6/2020

Comments
Aaron 4/9/2022 6:51 pm
I saw a lot of comments here calling patriarch Theodore unworthy but we must remember that he serves as a head in a country that discourages Christianity. Thereby he is compelled to huddle around fellow people who atleast believe in Christ and vary in few theological aspects. However it is not only disrespectful but also spiritual pride to condemn others by sitting in one's own comfort in a country that allows free worship Ps I am neither Greek nor slavic!
Fr Amde 5/23/2020 7:12 pm
It is a difficult matter being a bishop in our world today. Our bishops are struggling with many things which our ancient traditions have not met. It is certainly right that we must preserve the faith of the Apostles and our Savior Jesus Christ. It is a faith that is for all men not Greeks only. Greeks and all of the Churches jurisdictions must learn in this world today to remember we are “Church” not “Churches”. Orthodox and Orthodoxy is not Greek. But is the Greek language which means ‘True Faith and Belief ‘......all mankind must subscribe. to this to be partakers in the One Faith. Copts, Armenian’s or the Orientals and the Eastern are the Church Orthodox and must solve our differences... that effort is not Ecumical but ecclesiastical. Uniting with Muslims and Protestants who are not part of the Church but religious institutions of there own right is ecumenical and poses a challenge for our bishops. We have to help by taking stock of how much we as the faithful align our lives with this world unlike our ancient fathers who did not align with the world like this. So let’s not criticize our beloved bishops who are out here making our world more accepting of who the Orthodox are.. if we don’t like that, then let’s go back home to our various s countries so that our bishops can serve us as they should, casting no pearls before swine. Peace
Jesse Dominick2/8/2020 8:20 pm
Vladimir, this is not a report on what the Patriarch said, but rather a report on how the Metropolis of Piraeus responded, and our article accurately reflects the content of their statement. Also, please note that this article is not about the Ukrainian conflict.
vladimir2/7/2020 10:49 am
What has happened to Orthodox news agencies.... A perfect example of vilifying an individual by picking and choosing quotations isolated from their context due to political reasons. This is shameless character assassination. Both sides of this conflict (Ukraine) are using half truths to promote their own narratives and foster anger and dissent. What an embarrassment.
Dimitrios2/6/2020 11:24 pm
The Patriarch has completely lost his way. He is no longer fit to lead the Church of Alexandria. He had clearly adopted and fully embraced the heresy of Ecuminism, and needs to be deposed as soon as possible. I just watched a video clip of what he said in Cairo. He equates the mosques to the Church. I wanted to vomit hearing these things. He must be deposed before he does any more damage to the Church, and to his own soul.
Stephanos2/6/2020 10:27 pm
Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus is a true modern Pilar of Orthodoxy (Στύλος της Ορθοδοξίας), a modern “Mark of Ephesus”!
Mikhail2/6/2020 9:17 pm
Metropolitan Seraphim of Pireaus...a true Bishop! Axios!
Archimandrite Gregory2/6/2020 8:41 pm
American bribes plus false ecumenism turns good men into pawns rather than sheherds. Pray for our bishops to be faithful to the profession of faith they made prior to the laying on of hands
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