Greek Synod sends protest letter to Abp. Elpidophoros about “gay baptism”

Athens, July 18, 2022

Photo: romfea.gr Photo: romfea.gr     

The Permanent Holy Synod of the Church of Greece decided today to send a letter of protest to Archbishop Elpidophoros of Constantinople’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America regarding the Baptism that he recently celebrated for the children of a gay celebrity couple, reports Romfea.

Abp. Elpidophoros traveled to Greece earlier this month to baptize the adopted children, born from a surrogate mother, of fashion designer Peter Dundas and his “husband” Evangelo Bousis, who comes from a wealthy and influential family in the Greek Archdiocese of America.

Bousis and his relatives hailed the service as the “first openly gay baptism in Greece” and praised the Archbishop for his open and progressive values, while the ceremony proved to be an international scandal.

Metropolitan Antonios of Glyfada, in whose metropolis the Baptism was held, wrote a letter to the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, explaining that Abp. Elpidophoros had misled him, asking only for a blessing to baptize the children of the Bousis family in his diocese. As Met. Antonios explains, the GOARCH head said nothing about the fact that the “parents” are an internationally known gay couple.

“In sum, the Archbishop of America acted of his own accord, arbitrarily, and uncanonically within my metropolis, inasmuch as, while he was well aware that the children do not belong to a family according to the institutions of the Church, he did not mention anything to me. If he had informed me, I would have referred to the Holy Synod for it to decide about the matter,” the Metropolitan wrote.

In his own statement criticizing Abp. Elpidophoros’ actions, His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus explained that the issue is not baptizing children, who are not guilty of the sins of their parents, “but the substantial rewarding of unrepentant sodomites” and “the consequent amnesty of the deadly crime of sodomy and the subversion of human ontology and physiology.”

Having discussed Met. Antonios’ letter, the Greek Synod resolved today to send a letter of protest to Abp. Elpidophoros and a related letter to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.

The Synodal report also states that “the Holy Synod discussed at length the issues related to the pastoral treatment of such issues, remaining firm in what was laid down by the Lord, the Holy Apostles, and the Holy Fathers.”

Abp. Elpidophoros was also forced last week to indefinitely postpone the episcopal consecration of a man who was canonically defrocked from the priesthood following the persistent protest of the other hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the United States of America.

Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!

7/18/2022

See also
Elpidophoros prefers the modern gospel of the serpent—Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus Elpidophoros prefers the modern gospel of the serpent—Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus Elpidophoros prefers the modern gospel of the serpent—Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus Elpidophoros prefers the modern gospel of the serpent—Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus
Baptizing the children of two unrepentant homosexuals with such fanfare, Archbishop Elpidophoros of Constantinople’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America gave “amnesty” to the grave sin of sodomy, preferring the “modern gospel of the serpent” to the eternal teachings of the Church, believes the Metropolitan of Piraeus. Abp. Elpidophoros praised for serving “first openly gay baptism” Abp. Elpidophoros praised for serving “first openly gay baptism” Abp. Elpidophoros praised for serving “first openly gay baptism” Abp. Elpidophoros praised for serving “first openly gay baptism”
In the midst of the ongoing scandal involving the Archbishop’s plans to consecrate a defrocked former priest as a bishop for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which other hierarchs have characterized as a serious threat to Orthodox unity in America, the GOARCH head has made headlines by baptizing the children of a gay celebrity couple. 15 Orthodox public organizations in Greece oppose government’s proposal to legalize same-sex marriages 15 Orthodox public organizations in Greece oppose government’s proposal to legalize same-sex marriages 15 Orthodox public organizations in Greece oppose government’s proposal to legalize same-sex marriages 15 Orthodox public organizations in Greece oppose government’s proposal to legalize same-sex marriages
Orthodox Greeks declare that man is a divine creation, and he is obligated to follow the “eternal laws of human community”.
Comments
Diana Noonen9/9/2023 4:50 am
This needs a major correction. The" sodomites" were not in good standing within the church. My question- who were the God parents? This should not have occurred. I think Defrocking would be most apropriate.
IG7/18/2022 11:41 pm
Well said @Theodoros
anonymous7/18/2022 10:48 pm
@Fei-yu: Disgusting and unlikely as that prospect seems, I do pray that it is true, since the apostate Arhondonis is no better than the apostate Lambriniadis. The latter's succession would put the final nail into the coffin of the Greek heretics' fake "ecumenical patriarchate" of Constantinople, and pave the way back towards the universal recognition of His All Holiness Patriarch Dositej III as the only true Patriarch of Constantinople and Ohrid.
Fei-yu(Mainland China)7/18/2022 8:03 pm
One clergy once told me that Abp.Elpidophoros had already been chosen as successor, and he will succeed Bartholomew as the next Constantinople Patriarch once Pat.Bartholomew pass away. Because Elpidophoros is a Turk and only Turks had a chance of becoming Constantinople Patriarch according Turkish law. Also Abp.Elpidophoros was supported by the U.S.government. Only he is capable of becoming the next Patriarch. Now Pat.Bartholomew had been ruling for 31 years, he could step down at any time. If Bartholomew really appoint Elpidophoros as next Ecumenical Patriarch in the near future, that is likely to be a disaster for the entire ORTHODOX CHURCH, we will have no chance to turn back. Jesus Christ!!!
Theodoros 7/18/2022 4:08 pm
That’s it, a letter of protest. They should have at least barred the Archbishop from ever serving on the territory of the Church of Greece ever again. Do they not know this man and the destruction he has caused on many occasions?
Do they think he cares about the scandal he has caused? The Archbishop deceived a brother bishop and permitted this “family” to use the mystery of baptism to support their social agenda. There should be serious consequences for the Archbishop’s moral failures.
This lack of action on the part of the Church of Greece is disturbing. Archbishop Elpidophoros must be deposed. The Church of Greece also needs a new primate who can provide moral leadership.
Here you can leave your comment on the present article, not exceeding 4000 characters. All comments will be read by the editors of OrthoChristian.Com.
Enter through FaceBook
Your name:
Your e-mail:
Enter the digits, seen on picture:

Characters remaining: 4000

Subscribe
to our mailing list

* indicates required
×