This is an excerpt from Dr. Alexander Kalomiros' work, The Touchstone. I feel it is more timely today than it was at the time it was written, as this is precisely why we have aesthetically traditonal members of Ecumenist churches, who may even personally be against ecumenism, who nonetheless are under the authority of heretical bishops, or bishops who are in communion with heretical bishops. One's confession of faith cannot be considered in isolation from that of their bishop, who is the head of the body. We are saved together in the Church, and not apart from it, therefore your faith is the faith of your bishop.
The Bait of Pietism
In our days, the days of false prophets and false teachers, Greece has been inundated with “spiritual people” who know how to say beautiful and true things about the life of prayer and spiritual struggle; but when anyone asks them about matters pertaining to the Faith, they say that such things adversely affect the spiritual life and Christians ought not to be occupied with them. It is as if the grace of God could exist without an Orthodox understanding. Since these people do not struggle for the Faith, they do not offend anyone, and they are on good terms with everyone. The majority say good things about them, and even call them “saints.” Never-the-less they work great evil upon innocent and well-disposed souls by convincing them to close their eyes and to unquestioningly follow “the Patriarch” and “the Church.” They are the most effective allies of Ecumenism. This terrible heresy could never take root without them, because they disarm precisely those who could be the most vital combatants for Orthodoxy. This is what Saint Isidore of Pelusium says about them:
Just as the fishermen hide the hook with bait and covertly hook the fish, similarly, the crafty allies of the heresies cover their evil teachings and corrupt understanding with pietism and hook the more simple, bringing them to spiritual death.
