His Grace Bishop Makarios Christoupoleos answers a series of questions shedding light on the difficulties hidden agendas of a critical members f the upcoming Great and Holy Council in Crete. His Grace is quite optimistic and removes every gray cloud that has formed within the Church over he last week. |
Your Grace, we find ourselves before a great and historic church event: the convening of the long preparation for the Holy and Great Council. How do you feel about this? How do you evaluate?
Indeed all Orthodoxy will experience a great religious and historical event, which will take place in a few days in Crete under the chairmanship of His All Holiness our Patriarch and with the participation of all the Patriarchs and Bishops of the local autocephalous Churches with bishop delegations from all churches. It is an event that takes place in the Orthodox Church after many centuries. This alone gives signals that the grace of God, and for this I am pleased. I praise God for this fact, as does every good faithful orthodox Christian. I am very grateful to the Triune God for that which, after several attempts, is finally done and I pray humbly, God support our Patriarch for the Presidency of the Summit and the other members to act on it. However, it is a great achievement only the organizing and convening of the meeting, because, you know, the devil is fighting this unity and does not wish in any way to hear the one voice of a united Orthodox Church. This alone is a great success for our Church.
Exactly it is a success, the very unity of the Church.
Exactly. Foundation of the unity of the Orthodox Church is the Divine Liturgy, as you rightly say. That is why the meeting was officially started on the day of Pentecost with the officiating Prelates of the Holy Cathedral St. Minas Heraklion. And I want to tell you something that many do not know: daily will celebrated divine liturgy before the proceedings of the meeting, because just and our Patriarch and Primates and other bishops know that they are not involved in a secular conference but the Holy summit, whose works are a continuation of the Divine Liturgy. Everything will be pursued these days is not based on human strength. That should be made clear. We are instruments of God which He freely trust ourselves, to see his own glory and the glory of the Church. Not ours. That's why we say: «έδοξε τω Αγίω Πνεύματι και ημίν». High probbilty that there will arise deadlocks and difficulties, but in the end, in a paradoxical way, the Holy Synod will reach its final destination. Why all arranges the Holy Spirit.What we do not manage our own efforts to achieve His entreaties. The Holy Spirit knows no division, urges love and unity, "he called all men into unity."
There are reactions from some churches of the texts. How do you think that will address such reactions ultimately the Holy Synod?
There are neither reactions nor revolutions. There are comments from some churches and some suggestions in order to have better results. For this alone, after all, we should go to the Synod. For the best, not the worst. I personally believe that everything is registered and documented will be respected. There will be no problem. Moreover, remember that these texts have been unanimously accepted by all the Orthodox Churches. On the other hand, our Patriarch is unifying and also is a good theologian. (He owns the issues). Everything will be good. Everyone will rest and will bring joy and grace of the Holy Spirit has flooded the fullness of our Church. Of course, if I may offer a personal thought here, I would say that I am glad that some Churches actively participate and submit their comments for a better decision. But personally, I stress again, I would love to have a whole thought and judgment of things, because when we study things unilaterally, there is a spiritual problem. Some blame, for example, Roman Catholicism has deteriorated into a Worldwide Church with pure political, secular, and they have a point. However they do not see, that we Orthodox today have actually become six world Churches in jurisdictions beyond the borders, ie ecclesiastical provinces outside their boundaries. They cauterize something which, at the same time, we Orthodox imitate. But in any case, going back to your question, there are observations of some Churches, which are in good faith and look forward to a theological and better result.
Your Grace, as you want to say that things are quite good, there are some who react very strongly. What do you say to critics of the Synod?
Things are very good, because it just is not quite well and leave space the Holy Spirit to act and to fill in the gaps. As for the critics, I hear, read what is occasionally published, I love them, but do not share their views and how they express them. Personally, they have become tiresome and somehow they have lost focus. They're the same familiar faces. The image you give me is that more fighting to impose their opinion and views, rather than to support the Orthodox Church. That's why we all know how they will react and what, above all, will say, of any question that may arise. Of course, all opinions are necessary. Even through objections and disagreements, in the end, it is the will of God. So we examine the way we are and those who are reacting will come to understand that there is no betrayal of the faith.
However, Saint Mark, Bishop of Ephesus, who has been characterized by the Church as 'Eugenijos' really gentle and sensitive. We don't have examples of St. Mark's expressing offensive comments on a personal level, yet opponents make threats, we have derogatory expressions towards members of the Synod and the Synodical Institution. St. Mark teaches us another ethos, which, unfortunately, some of those who rely on in teachings do not. I want to remind you that even in the Church will meet its "super-orthodox" who, for the sake of Orthodoxy argue falsehoods and create sharing and schisms that, characteristically says Saint Gregory Nazianzus, "some share Christ very Philothei and philochristoi, who for the sake of truth, lie, and for the sake of love, sow hatred ", in doing so, they do maximum harm to the Church in the name of God. Some talk about the heresy of ecumenism, but we do not understand at this time that is afflicting the Church as carcinoma and has been characterized by the Church, and panorthodoxos synodically as heresy is nationalism. But no mention of the heresy of nationalism. All [misinformation] about ecumenism. Let me add a further thought: should we the Church deal with one another, there has morphed a new form of heresy, the heresy of Zealotism?
Speaking Zealotism nationalism and what you want to say? You can become a little clearer?
Yes. Nationalism is, when we try to put national interests above the interests of the Church or even when we use the Church to serve national interests. The Church certainly does not work as phylum confederation of Churches, nor as a parliamentary body individual nations. That is unacceptable to support the national interests of the National Church, and not the laws and truths of the Orthodox Church.
Zealotism again is when, in God's name but without the spirit and ethos of the Fathers and of our Saints, we try to interpret things the Church or when even we ourselves above the church and think that only we have the truth as persons. The zealotism refers to individualism. To give an example, I become more understandable. once asked Saint Paisius the Hagiorite what is the right treatment for difficult ecclesiastical matters. He said , a very wise Elder: "To avoid the edges. With the ends do not solved issues. " In fact he used the example of the grocer. He said: "As the old grocer poured the scoop on the scales a little bit at a time and arranged accuracy, so you have to face and ecclesiastical matters." Not at the ends then. Those who fear Ecumenism join the sect of Zealotism and becomes the 'last resort' error at the hands first.
What advise do you offer to all those?
I can not advise anyone. "For the sake of love, please", as Paul said, let us have peace in our hearts and trust our Church. You see their patriarch hears all. Some never have a good word to say. But he never came to blame anyone. Based on this long-suffering ordinary to say again a word of Paul: "Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him." (Rom. 14, 3).
Let us be in unity and let us attempt to reassure people through love and truth.
End Part One
Indeed all Orthodoxy will experience a great religious and historical event, which will take place in a few days in Crete under the chairmanship of His All Holiness our Patriarch and with the participation of all the Patriarchs and Bishops of the local autocephalous Churches with bishop delegations from all churches. It is an event that takes place in the Orthodox Church after many centuries. This alone gives signals that the grace of God, and for this I am pleased. I praise God for this fact, as does every good faithful orthodox Christian. I am very grateful to the Triune God for that which, after several attempts, is finally done and I pray humbly, God support our Patriarch for the Presidency of the Summit and the other members to act on it. However, it is a great achievement only the organizing and convening of the meeting, because, you know, the devil is fighting this unity and does not wish in any way to hear the one voice of a united Orthodox Church. This alone is a great success for our Church.
Exactly it is a success, the very unity of the Church.
Exactly. Foundation of the unity of the Orthodox Church is the Divine Liturgy, as you rightly say. That is why the meeting was officially started on the day of Pentecost with the officiating Prelates of the Holy Cathedral St. Minas Heraklion. And I want to tell you something that many do not know: daily will celebrated divine liturgy before the proceedings of the meeting, because just and our Patriarch and Primates and other bishops know that they are not involved in a secular conference but the Holy summit, whose works are a continuation of the Divine Liturgy. Everything will be pursued these days is not based on human strength. That should be made clear. We are instruments of God which He freely trust ourselves, to see his own glory and the glory of the Church. Not ours. That's why we say: «έδοξε τω Αγίω Πνεύματι και ημίν». High probbilty that there will arise deadlocks and difficulties, but in the end, in a paradoxical way, the Holy Synod will reach its final destination. Why all arranges the Holy Spirit.What we do not manage our own efforts to achieve His entreaties. The Holy Spirit knows no division, urges love and unity, "he called all men into unity."
There are reactions from some churches of the texts. How do you think that will address such reactions ultimately the Holy Synod?
There are neither reactions nor revolutions. There are comments from some churches and some suggestions in order to have better results. For this alone, after all, we should go to the Synod. For the best, not the worst. I personally believe that everything is registered and documented will be respected. There will be no problem. Moreover, remember that these texts have been unanimously accepted by all the Orthodox Churches. On the other hand, our Patriarch is unifying and also is a good theologian. (He owns the issues). Everything will be good. Everyone will rest and will bring joy and grace of the Holy Spirit has flooded the fullness of our Church. Of course, if I may offer a personal thought here, I would say that I am glad that some Churches actively participate and submit their comments for a better decision. But personally, I stress again, I would love to have a whole thought and judgment of things, because when we study things unilaterally, there is a spiritual problem. Some blame, for example, Roman Catholicism has deteriorated into a Worldwide Church with pure political, secular, and they have a point. However they do not see, that we Orthodox today have actually become six world Churches in jurisdictions beyond the borders, ie ecclesiastical provinces outside their boundaries. They cauterize something which, at the same time, we Orthodox imitate. But in any case, going back to your question, there are observations of some Churches, which are in good faith and look forward to a theological and better result.
Your Grace, as you want to say that things are quite good, there are some who react very strongly. What do you say to critics of the Synod?
Things are very good, because it just is not quite well and leave space the Holy Spirit to act and to fill in the gaps. As for the critics, I hear, read what is occasionally published, I love them, but do not share their views and how they express them. Personally, they have become tiresome and somehow they have lost focus. They're the same familiar faces. The image you give me is that more fighting to impose their opinion and views, rather than to support the Orthodox Church. That's why we all know how they will react and what, above all, will say, of any question that may arise. Of course, all opinions are necessary. Even through objections and disagreements, in the end, it is the will of God. So we examine the way we are and those who are reacting will come to understand that there is no betrayal of the faith.
However, Saint Mark, Bishop of Ephesus, who has been characterized by the Church as 'Eugenijos' really gentle and sensitive. We don't have examples of St. Mark's expressing offensive comments on a personal level, yet opponents make threats, we have derogatory expressions towards members of the Synod and the Synodical Institution. St. Mark teaches us another ethos, which, unfortunately, some of those who rely on in teachings do not. I want to remind you that even in the Church will meet its "super-orthodox" who, for the sake of Orthodoxy argue falsehoods and create sharing and schisms that, characteristically says Saint Gregory Nazianzus, "some share Christ very Philothei and philochristoi, who for the sake of truth, lie, and for the sake of love, sow hatred ", in doing so, they do maximum harm to the Church in the name of God. Some talk about the heresy of ecumenism, but we do not understand at this time that is afflicting the Church as carcinoma and has been characterized by the Church, and panorthodoxos synodically as heresy is nationalism. But no mention of the heresy of nationalism. All [misinformation] about ecumenism. Let me add a further thought: should we the Church deal with one another, there has morphed a new form of heresy, the heresy of Zealotism?
Speaking Zealotism nationalism and what you want to say? You can become a little clearer?
Yes. Nationalism is, when we try to put national interests above the interests of the Church or even when we use the Church to serve national interests. The Church certainly does not work as phylum confederation of Churches, nor as a parliamentary body individual nations. That is unacceptable to support the national interests of the National Church, and not the laws and truths of the Orthodox Church.
Zealotism again is when, in God's name but without the spirit and ethos of the Fathers and of our Saints, we try to interpret things the Church or when even we ourselves above the church and think that only we have the truth as persons. The zealotism refers to individualism. To give an example, I become more understandable. once asked Saint Paisius the Hagiorite what is the right treatment for difficult ecclesiastical matters. He said , a very wise Elder: "To avoid the edges. With the ends do not solved issues. " In fact he used the example of the grocer. He said: "As the old grocer poured the scoop on the scales a little bit at a time and arranged accuracy, so you have to face and ecclesiastical matters." Not at the ends then. Those who fear Ecumenism join the sect of Zealotism and becomes the 'last resort' error at the hands first.
What advise do you offer to all those?
I can not advise anyone. "For the sake of love, please", as Paul said, let us have peace in our hearts and trust our Church. You see their patriarch hears all. Some never have a good word to say. But he never came to blame anyone. Based on this long-suffering ordinary to say again a word of Paul: "Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him." (Rom. 14, 3).
Let us be in unity and let us attempt to reassure people through love and truth.
End Part One