"On November 27, 2013 the Sacred Metropolis of Lagada, Liti and Rendini organized the canonization of Saints Akakios and Damaskinos the Studite, who were both Bishops of Liti and Rendini in the 15th and 16th centuries. The feast of Saint Akakios will henceforth be celebrated on August 16th and Saint Damaskinos the Studite will be celebrated on November 27th."
http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2013/12 ... hurch.html
What is the True Orthodox response to these canonizations?
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.
Also during the month of November there was this announcement of two more saints that were going to be canonized by the EP.
The Holy and Sacred Synod convened today, Wednesday, November 27, 2013, with His All-Holiness presiding for its regular scheduled meeting, for the purpose of examining items on its agenda.
During this session, the Holy and Sacred Synod approved the following:
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The proposal of the Canonical Committee to enter the [b]hieromonks Porphyrios Kafsokalyvitis[/b] and [b]Meletios of Ypseni (Rhodes)[/b] in the registry of the Saints of the Orthodox Church.[/quote]
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.
There is a Communiqué from the GOC-Kalinikos concerning pseudo-saints and elders:
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Tuesday, 14 January 2014 22:30 Protocol no. γ - 1830 .
In Athens, Nov. 23/Dec. 6, 2013
Communiqué
To all clergy and laity
Beloved children of the Church of Christ,
The Holy Synod of the G.O.C., during its meeting on October 10/23 2013, discussed the issue of the pseudo-saints who are alleged to be Saints by the Ecumenists, and the danger of deceiving the faithful through their systematic propaganda. For this reason we call this to the attention of all clergy and laity of the non-innovating Church, that they not fall victim to this propaganda. No one who died in schism, communing with the heresy of Ecumenism may be honored as a saint by the Church. They do not fulfill the criteria of Sainthood which the Church of Christ has always had.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate, which has ceased to be the beacon of Orthodoxy, continually proclaims many new-found elders as saints, in order to fortify the delusion that the communicants of Ecumenism can also be sanctified, and can become examples to follow. From this delusion, it would then follow that there is no reason for those who object to the heresy of Ecumenism to wall themselves off from it. In their Synodal proclamations, the Ecumenists mix the pseudo-saints of recent years with true saints of the past centuries, such as St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain and St. Cosmas of Aetolia, so that this perception may be believed without question. We however, rightly differentiate the good from the evil; on the one hand we accept the older saints as truly being saints – and that, without regard to Patriarchal decisions – and on the other hand, we reject the new-found elders. We hope that these new-found elders returned to Holy Tradition some time before their death, but they are certainly not examples for the faithful to imitate.
This also holds true for those new-found elders proclaimed as “saints” by the other Patriarchates who have been equally vitiated by the Ecumenistic delusion or by Sergianism, such as the Patriarchate of Moscow. Therefore pilgrimages and parish excursions to reverence such new-found pseudo-saints are not permitted neither is honoring them individually as real saints, nor painting icons, nor serving the divine services for them.
Holy figures have existed in recent decades, but those who were sanctified belonged to the ranks of those who struggled against the innovation of the Papal calendar and the heresy of Ecumenism. There will soon be a Synodal decision of the Church concerning them.
Having said that, we pray that you pass the remainder of the time of the Nativity fast in compunction and prayer.
By the mandate of the Holy Synod
The Chief-Secretary
† Photios of Marathon "
I know that it is common for True Orthodox to venerate saints who were canonized by ecumenist churches. One example is St Nicodemus the Hagiorite, who was canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras in the 1950s and not, as far as I know, ever formally canonized by a True Orthodox church.
Some might say such saints have less authority for this reason; I suppose it can be a matter for the individual conscience. St Nicodemus himself was not an ecumenist and his life and writings have edified many.
Some explanations are needed. Canonization is a recent process. Saint Basil was never canonized... Neither Saint John Chrysostomus. There is first a acknowledgment of sanctity by the people that start veneration, start praying the saint, start painting/writin icons ; an official canonization may come later but is not necessary. For instance, Saint Nikodemos was regarded as saint far before he was officially canonized in 1950. He is not recognised as a saint because such official canonization took place but because his life and works have been noticed as saintly for many, many years now. The same for Saint John of Shangai...
Priidite, poklonimsja i pripadem ko Hristu.
You are right, Jean-Serge, most of the old saints were never canonized. This is not the official procedure that make them saint. The official procedure may just confirm that they are saints (it was important mostly only in the doubtful cases).
I do not know if Akakios and Damaskinos were venerated in Greece before. If yes, then why not venerate them "officially". If no, then there is something political in this story. In Russia there ware a number of such "political" canonisations in Moscow Patriarchate. For example they have recently canonized Admiral Ushakov (1745-1817). Yes, he was a very good Admiral, and he was Orthodox (great!), but he was never venerated as a saint before - for almost 200 years. But Moscow Patriarchate badly needed some "patriotic" saints and they also needed to appoint a "patron" for navy. So, Admiral Ushakov was canonized and now they are pushing his veneration.
I study English, forgive my mistakes.
WHA-A-T ? I remember that name from Russian history. He is famous. BUT what a ridiculous ground
for canonization ! That's unbelievable.
Thanks for the info, a good reminder about how far off base the MP remains.
[ In case any readers were doubting that !]
