Aug 29, 2015 EP Synaxis Address Pushes Ecumenism

[Maria]

http://www.ec-patr.org/docdisplay.php?l ... 078&tla=en

On August 29, 2015, the EP invited the bishops from EP Synod and those from Greece to come together in a Synaxis to address misinformation about the EP and his being targeted in an "ongoing diabolical campaign."

To make it easier to discuss this very lengthy keynote address, I have taken the liberty to number it. The introductory paragraph are only 5 (i through v), while the body of the speech takes up 31 paragraphs.

[paragraph 3] There is of course a multitude of information in our time, but sometimes (if not most times) this essentially becomes misinformation, driven by many visible and invisible interests, not infrequently even inimical to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Such misinformation is primarily to be found on the Internet and creates confusion (sometimes even scandal) to its audience both from among your spiritual flock and even among yourselves as responsible pastors.

No doubt, the EP is chastizing Metropolitans Andreas and Seraphim and their Internet messages attacking Pope Francis. For example, there is this 2014 diatribe of theirs and others: http://cdn.romfea.gr/images/stories/pho ... is%20I.pdf

[paragraph 10] Another area where the Ecumenical Patriarchate has developed initiatives and continues to play a leading role is in the reconciliation among Christians and other religions. This area of activities by the Ecumenical Patriarchate is the target of an ongoing diabolical campaign and slander in certain circles, who claim that we supposedly betray the Orthodox faith.

Indeed, a bloody persecution and diabolical campaign has been ongoing by the EP in his attacks against anyone who opposes the New Calendar in Greece and Mt. Athos, and who resists the EP's plans for "Christian Unity" with schismatic and heretical groups such as Rome, Anglicans, Charismatic Protestants, Judaism, and Islam.

[paragraph 10] The Ecumenical Patriarchate was a pioneer in the creation of the modern Ecumenical Movement through the encyclicals of Joachim III in 1902 and of the Patriarchal Synod in 1920; and we have no reason to regret this.

When the EP is called out for his participation in this ongoing diabolical campaign that started before 1902 against St. Nectarios of Aegina and then increased in venom in 1924 against all devout Orthodox who hold onto the Old Calendar, he quickly calls foul and pretends that a diabolical campaign is being waged against him. Indeed, he makes a bold claim that he has "no reason to regret this."

[Maria]

The analysis of this EP Address continues

[paragraph 12] The coexistence of Orthodox with other Christians today comprises an inevitable reality in the area of the Diaspora and is rapidly spreading even within nations and societies that were previously exclusively Orthodox. This obliges our Church to adapt its entire pastoral life on the principle of oikonomia. Therefore, by way of example, the increase in the number of mixed marriages is now a reality that compels the Church to accept common prayer and worship with non-Orthodox, which it already does in all Orthodox Churches. This is in no way a deviation from the fundamental element that continues to divide Orthodox from other Christians, which lies in the communion of the Holy Eucharist and presupposes complete agreement in the faith of the Church. On this latter point, there can be no exercise in oikonomia.

By allowing inter-faith weddings with Protestants and Catholics, not only is World Orthodoxy causing the loss of faith or weakening of the faith among its members and their children, but also this gives the hierarchy an excuse "to accept common prayer and worship with non-Orthodox."

In addition, obvious ambiguity and hypocrisy are seen when World Orthodoxy says that heretical and/or schismatic Christians may not receive the Mysteries of the Church, but they allow these same heretical and/or schismatic Christians to receive the Mystery of Crowning (Marriage).

Note that true worship (thanksgiving) is receiving Holy Communion. Then note that the EP states that mixed marriages "compels the Church to accept common prayer and worship with non-Orthodox, which it already does in all Orthodox Churches."

[Jean-Serge]

It is interesting that he justifies his common prayer by the new multicultural and multireligious societies

We are all obliged to recognize that the age of pure religious communities and nations has now passed and people are called to welcome otherness as a constitutive element of our societies if they do not wish to head in the direction of conflict and turmoil. The coexistence of Orthodox with other Christians today comprises an inevitable reality in the area of the Diaspora and is rapidly spreading even within nations and societies that were previously exclusively Orthodox.

Historically speaking, christianism was a minority in an ocean of different religions, and this was not a excuse for being ecumenistic. Regarding "mixed marriages", world orthodoxy is responsible for their surge because they were unable and unwilling to teach the true meaning of marriage that takes its sense only in orthodox marriages. The next step might be to open communion to the partner of the orthodox as they are already doing in Lebanon and Syria (and in some other places like a parish where they used to do so in France), and from there, to everybody.

[Jean-Serge]

In selecting the name of this Council, the 1st Preconciliar Pan-Orthodox Conference deliberately avoided labeling it as an Ecumenical Council precisely because Western Christians are not invited to participate as members, which was always the case in the early Church whenever Ecumenical Councils were held.

So, he thinks Western christians are a legitimate part of the church.

[Maria]

It is interesting that he justifies his common prayer by the new multicultural and multireligious societies

[paragraph 12] We are all obliged to recognize that the age of pure religious communities and nations has now passed and people are called to welcome otherness as a constitutive element of our societies if they do not wish to head in the direction of conflict and turmoil. The coexistence of Orthodox with other Christians today comprises an inevitable reality in the area of the Diaspora and is rapidly spreading even within nations and societies that were previously exclusively Orthodox.

Historically speaking, christianism was a minority in an ocean of different religions, and this was not a excuse for being ecumenistic. Regarding "mixed marriages", world orthodoxy is responsible for their surge because they were unable and unwilling to teach the true meaning of marriage that takes its sense only in orthodox marriages. The next step might be to open communion to the partner of the orthodox as they are already doing in Lebanon and Syria (and in some other places like a parish where they used to do so in France), and from there, to everybody.

I believe that the EP is being deliberately vague and ambiguous. Although in paragraph 12, he mentions "common worship," which would imply open communion, he also states at the very conclusion of that same paragraph,

• This is in no way a deviation from the fundamental element that continues to divide Orthodox from other Christians, which lies in the communion of the Holy Eucharist and presupposes complete agreement in the faith of the Church. On this latter point, there can be no exercise in oikonomia.

[Maria]

Oh, we finally found out who the EP's Achille's heel is:

The EP stated: [paragraph 10]

• Another area where the Ecumenical Patriarchate has developed initiatives and continues to play a leading role is in the reconciliation among Christians and other religions. This area of activities by the Ecumenical Patriarchate is the target of an ongoing diabolical campaign and slander in certain circles, who claim that we supposedly betray the Orthodox faith.

[Maria]

Pot Calling the Kettle Black.