Florence, Arizona, January 18, 2024
Photo: goarch.org
His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has offered an apology for his participation in an interfaith event at a Hindu temple in New Jersey last year.
It recently became known that on October 4, the bishop had participated in the “Interfaith Harmony Day” at a Hindu temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey, together with representatives of Hinduism, Islam, Mormonism, Judaism, Buddhism, and other Christian confessions.
Bp. Athenagoras was sent on behalf of Archbishop Elpidophoros, the head of GOARCH, and read greetings from him in which the Archbishop wrote: “In the boundless tapestry of creation, we are called to recognize and celebrate the diverse ways in which humanity seeks to connect with the divine,” and referred to the Hindu temple as a “sacred space.”
Participation in such an event proved to be a scandal to the faithful, and during a recent visit to St. Anthony’s Monastery in Florence, Arizona, the bishop, in an integrity move, offered a public apology. He explained that he went out of obedience, but nevertheless should have thought better about it.
“I would like take this opportunity to apologize to all of you, and to all who may have been scandalized by my visit there,” Bp. Athenagoras said.
Watch the video of his apology:
The text of his apology reads:
Also, I want to share with you that, as human beings, we are weak, and we make a lot of mistakes; a lot of failures and sins. Even as a priest or as a bishop we do mistakes. We are human beings. We are fallen. And in the service of the Divine Liturgy, in one of the prayers we say, we ask God for forgiveness for us priests or bishops who are liturgizing; we ask God for forgiveness for our sins and for the mistakes, the misdeeds, of people because we know and we continue sin, but our people, mostly, they don't know, and they do mistakes and misdeeds.
So, our responsibility is not only big, but enormous. I understand that, recently, I made a mistake. I thought I was obedient, but I should examine things better before acting. I am sure that many of you here present have heard of my visit in October to a new Hindu temple that was recently built in New Jersey.
I would like take this opportunity to apologize to all of you, and to all who may have been scandalized by my visit there.
This, of course, was not done by my choice. I did not volunteer to go there. I assure you that before I agreed to go on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, I made certain that there would be no prayer service as far as I was aware during my short visit there. This gathering happened days before the temple's official inauguration service, and it took place in a large tent outside of their temple.
And I can also assure you that this is something I definitely do not want to participate in again. I am asking for your forgiveness. Please also keep me in your prayers as, not only myself, but all my fellow hierarchs much appreciate them, and we are in much need of them.
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