Greek Synod calls on hierarchs to apologize for opposing pandemic measures on Pascha

Athens, July 15, 2021

Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr     

His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira and His Eminence Metropolitan Kosmas of Aetolia are expected to appear before the Permanent Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church to address the charge of insubordination against them concerning the Church’s Paschaltide pandemic measures.

According to the Holy Synod’s press release, the two hierarchs are invited “to provide oral explanations” to the Synod at its next session in August, “taking into account the recommendation of the Synodal Committee for Doctrinal and Canonical Issues relative to the letters and other actions of these hierarchs, which expressed insubordination and disrespect for the unanimous decision of the collegiate governing body of the Church of Greece regarding the extraordinary procedure for the celebration of the holy services due to health restrictions.”

The Greek Synod decided at its May session to investigate Mets. Seraphim and Kosmas after they publicly disagreed with the Synod’s decision to celebrate Pascha several hours early on Saturday evening to accommodate the state-mandated COVID curfew.

Soon after the Synod’s session on April 20, the Metropolitans sent a joint letter protesting the decision to celebrate Pascha at 9:00 PM on Holy Saturday, characterizing it as a transgression against Church Tradition. There can be no economia in this matter, the hierarchs wrote.

Met. Seraphim has expressed his displeasure with the state’s and Synod’s decisions throughout the pandemic. In March 2020, he was arrested for defying the state’s order and continuing to celebrate the Divine services. In January of this year, it was reported that he was under investigation for his statements against COVID vaccines, and he has said several times that closing churches only worsens the pandemic.

Met. Kosmas has also spoken out. In September, OrthoChristian reported on his statement against wearing masks in church.

“God does not allow you to be infected in church. God does not infect! Let us understand… It is a holy place. ‘The church is Heaven,’ says St. Kosmas of Aetolia. The altar is of God,” His Eminence emphasized.

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7/15/2021

See also
Greek Synod opens case against metropolitans who criticized decision to serve Pascha early Greek Synod opens case against metropolitans who criticized decision to serve Pascha early Greek Synod opens case against metropolitans who criticized decision to serve Pascha early Greek Synod opens case against metropolitans who criticized decision to serve Pascha early
Convened yesterday and today under the chairmanship of Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens, the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece decided to launch an investigation into two hierarchs who criticized the Synod’s decision to hold Pascha services a few hours earlier on Holy Saturday evening in order to accommodate the state curfew. Greek Metropolitan under investigation for statement against COVID vaccine Greek Metropolitan under investigation for statement against COVID vaccine Greek Metropolitan under investigation for statement against COVID vaccine Greek Metropolitan under investigation for statement against COVID vaccine
An urgent preliminary examination was launched against His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira to investigate any ex-officio offenses. The examination was ordered by the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Piraeus and assigned to a public prosecutor. Greek Metropolis of Kythira closes churches to faithful after bishop arrested for celebrating services Greek Metropolis of Kythira closes churches to faithful after bishop arrested for celebrating services Greek Metropolis of Kythira closes churches to faithful after bishop arrested for celebrating services Greek Metropolis of Kythira closes churches to faithful after bishop arrested for celebrating services
The Greek hierarch was taken to the police station and a case was opened against him. He was later released by the order of the Prosecutor General after it was explained to him that next time he would have to appear before a special court for considering the cases of those detained at the scene of a crime.
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