Patriarch Bartholomew calls upon primate of Greek Church to prevent reconsideration of Crete Council decisions

Athens, November 22, 2016

    

Today the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece will make the final decision on its position as to the Crete Council.

Yesterday Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople called on the Archbishop of Athens to prevent reconsideration of the results of “the Holy and Great” Council and to defend the documents approved at it, reports AgionOros.

Specifically, he stressed that the decisions of “the Holy Council” “demonstrated the unity of the Orthodox Church which follows from Her catholicity.”

The Ecumenical Patriarch called on the archbishop of Athens “to influence” those bishops who disagree with the decisions made at the Crete meeting (among them he particularly mentioned Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus and Metropolitan Ambrose of Kalavryta).

According to Romfea.gr, in his message the patriarch warned that the Ecumenical Patriarchate would break off all contacts with these individuals.

Earlier Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus sent an open message to the archbishop of Athens, expressing his indignation at the way the delegation of the Church of Greece conducted itself at Crete, not defending to the end the position of the Holy Synod which insisted on making a series of amendments to the conciliar documents.

Translated by Dmitry Lapa

Pravoslavie.ru

11/22/2016

See also
The way and the truth of Christ and the Council of Crete The way and the truth of Christ and the Council of Crete
Fr. Peter Alban Heers The way and the truth of Christ and the Council of Crete The way and the truth of Christ and the Council of Crete
Interview for the journal of the Holy Monastery of Samtavro, Mtskheta, Georgia
Fr. Peter Alban Heers
In conclusion, the overwhelming majority of the faithful in Greece were greatly disappointed with the “Cretan Council” and are looking forward to its clear rejection by the hierarchies of the Local Churches which did not attend, first of all which is the venerable Church of Georgia, but also from the Church of Greece's own hierarchy, the pre-council decisions of which were uncanonically set aside by the Archbishop of Greece when he and his retinue accepted the “historical name” of “heterodox churches.” Initial Sorrowful Observations Regarding the Holy and Great Synod Initial Sorrowful Observations Regarding the Holy and Great Synod
Met. Seraphim of Piraeus Initial Sorrowful Observations Regarding the Holy and Great Synod Initial Sorrowful Observations Regarding the Holy and Great Synod
Met. Seraphim of Piraeus
From a dogmatic standpoint, endorsement of the term “heterodox Christian Churches or Confessions” is contradictory and unacceptable. Heterodox Confessions cannot be called “Churches” precisely because they accept other, heretical doctrines and, as heretics, cannot constitute “Churches.” Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens Abstained from Pan-Orthodox Council Due to Actions that Undermine the Church of Greece Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens Abstained from Pan-Orthodox Council Due to Actions that Undermine the Church of Greece Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens Abstained from Pan-Orthodox Council Due to Actions that Undermine the Church of Greece Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens Abstained from Pan-Orthodox Council Due to Actions that Undermine the Church of Greece
His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos submitted a letter to the Holy Synod which demonstrates that his reasons for not attending the Pan-Orthodox Council were not "personal" but rather stem from actions that undermine the authority and reputation of the Church of Greece.
Comments
Rdr Andreas Moran11/23/2016 5:07 pm
A wholly unwarranted and perhaps unprecedented interference by one Local Church in the affairs of another.
Anthony11/22/2016 10:07 pm
This made me laugh. Bart just doesn't geddit. Not a chance any of the Hierarchs who refused to sign are gonna change their minds. They're genuine believers. Try take on Met. Seraphim - we'll see who wins that battle.
Gerrit Kallistos Blydorp11/22/2016 9:47 pm
Heavy handed pressure by Constantinople. A desperate power play, to "legitimize" heresies, which is not edifying. I hope and pray the Church of Greece will remain strong, vigilant and faithful to the full Orthodox truth in all aspects.
Priest Dmitry Wieber11/22/2016 5:59 pm
Would it be fair to call it a "Robber Council?" Is it too early?
Just ignore it, and it will go away?
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