Vathis, Greece, June 23, 2021
Photo: vimaorthodoxias.gr
A handful of people interrupted a hierarchical Divine Liturgy being celebrated by Metropolitan Paisios of Leros, Kalymnos, and Astypalea recently, hurling accusations and insults at him. The provocateurs also began to perform “excorcisms” over the Holy Trinity Church in Vathis, which they consider to be defiled.
Having learned of the incident, the clergy of the island of Kalymnos declared: “We unequivocally condemn all forms of violence, as an inhuman, anti-Christian and anti-democratic act, and express our unanimous sympathy for our archpastor,” reports Vima Orthodoxias.
Every form of violence is a reprehensible act contrary to the teachings of Christ and His Church, the clergy state. They reject the accusations made against Met. Paisios and call upon all to live in a spirit of love and communion, above all during the Divine Liturgy.
The Metropolitan spoke about the incident with Kalymnos News, explaining that the interruption came towards the end of the service, during the dismissal. He saw two ladies holding wooden crosses and a man with a black beard, holding a child in his arms, who began verbally accosting him.
Met. Paisios asked them what they wanted, and the three responded with more accusations against him, including that he is a Freemason, which he completely denies.
When His Eminence returned to the altar, the three began to “exorcise” the supposedly defiled church. Hearing this, Met. Paisios opened the Royal Doors and ordered them to leave the church immediately. Parishioners helped remove them from of the building, though the man returned to continue verbally assaulting the Metropolitan.
The man and women then waited to harass the hierarch as his car passed by, but he was informed of their presence and took another route.
He later reported the incident to the police, but stressed that he does not want to press charges.
“I don’t want to sue. Today is the day of the Holy Spirit. It’s a great day for the Church. Whatever happened, happened. I really forgive them. As a father I forgive them, but I do not want such things to be repeated,” he said.
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