logos wrote:Is there any tangible evidence that Bartholomew is a mason? I have heard these allegations and I was wondering if there is any validity to them.
There is a picture online of him in his Mason "vestments"
Ecumenical Patriarchs Meletius Metaxakis and Athenagoras, were acknowledged Freemasons. Furthermore, in recent decades, Masonic periodicals in Greece have published the names of patriarchs, metropolitans, and archbishops who, it is alleged, are members of the Masonic order. Yet, the hierarchs in question have consistently declined to refute these statements ( Orthodoxos Typos , October 30, 1992). Some individuals have ascribed this to the oaths of secrecy that Masons take.
Only the fact that they are members of the Masonic Lodge could explain why these prominent bishops evade giving a definite answer. They could praise the Masons' philanthropies and declare that there was nothing harmful for Orthodox Christians in the Lodge, but state that they were not members. Just as Patriarchs Demetrius of Constantinople and Parthenius of Alexandria lauded the Moslems, calling Mohammed a prophet of God, yet they could state honestly that they were not Moslems. Denying that they were members would not necessarily be a condemnation of Masonry; nonetheless, they refuse to answer.
It would appear, in fact, that many bishops of World Orthodoxy have capitulated. For example, the new calendar Greek religious newspaper, Orthodoxos Typos (December 9, 1988), openly laments: The leadership of many local new calendar Churches -- that is, bishops, other clergy,theologians, etc. -- have been overcome by Masonry. Well-known church leaders are accused of being Masons. And when they are asked if they are Masons, they avoid answering. A recent example is [the new calendar Archbishop] Iakovos of America, who, despite the challenge made by Orthodoxos Typos (Apr. 29, 1988) [that he answer this question], evaded taking any position on the subject of Masonry, although various periodicals accuse him of having joined its ranks. The usual response to this matter is, "But Freemasonry is not a religion, nor does it purport to be one."
Also read The Kiss of Judas
