Orthodox Reflections

OR Staff Note: We are passing this along without endorsement. The solution proposed below may not be the best way forward, or even possible. Regardless, the problems pointed out need to be discussed. Especially on Social Media, there is often criticism of the Greek Archdioceses in both the U.S. and Canada. Our site has participated in that, and will continue to do so as long as the upper leadership continues to function the way it does. However, it is critical to recognize that the laity within Greek parishes are not universally on board, at all, with Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Elpidophoros. Many faithful in Greek Archdiocese parishes see the problems, and are just as frustrated with their leadership as the rest of us. May God help us all to a solution.

What we seek is not new. It is what we received. Full Orthodox life, our Greek Orthodox inheritance, and peace before God belong together. They should not be torn apart.

We do not want our children to inherit confusion in place of what was handed down. We want them to receive the Faith whole.

Yet many Greek Orthodox faithful now feel forced to choose between peace and remaining fully Greek Orthodox. They should not have to. Sign at refuge.fillout.com/orthodox. You may sign anonymously if you wish.

In summary, here are our specific concerns:

• Ecumenism & interfaith concerns
  • Promotion of ecumenism. Claims that non-Orthodox are part of the Church or that salvation exists outside Orthodoxy.
  • Concelebration and joint activities with non-Orthodox clergy and other religions.
  • Suggestions of multiple paths to God across religions.
• Authority & ecclesiology issues
  • Promotion of the Patriarch as “First Without Equals” instead of “First Among Equals”.
  • Recognition and concelebration with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).
  • Support of the Council of Crete (2016) and its ecclesiological positions.
• Liturgical & sacramental concerns
  • “Protestantization” (organs, pews, altered practices).
  • Relaxation of confession and repentance requirements before communion.
  • Liturgical changes (e.g. Holy Saturday practices, revised translations).
  • Allowing non-Orthodox to receive communion.
• Clergy conduct & canonical violations
  • Concelebration with heterodox clergy despite canonical prohibitions.
  • Participation in non-Orthodox religious ceremonies (e.g. Hindu temple events).
  • Clergy receiving blessings from non-Christian religious leaders.
  • Pressure on clergy regarding traditional dress (e.g., rasso).
• Moral & social issues
  • Actions or statements supportive of LGBTQ-related practices or civil legislation.
  • Involvement with political or activist movements (e.g., protests, public rallies).
  • Controversial public theological statements (e.g., about abortion).
• Pandemic-related decisions
  • Church closures, changes to communion practices (e.g. multiple spoons).
  • Use of churches for vaccinations and limits on clergy issuing exemptions.
• Gender & participation roles
  • Introduction or expansion of roles for women (altar service, readers, chanters) is uncanonical.
• Doctrinal concerns
  • Statements minimizing traditional condemnations of certain heresies (e.g., Monophysitism).
• Administrative & governance issues
  • Attempts to centralize control over church property and governance (charter changes).
  • Allegations of Freemasonry influence within the hierarchy and elsewhere (e.g. AHEPA).

One clear example: Fordham shows the kind of Orthodoxy we seek refuge from.

For years this burden has been carried quietly in homes, families, and after church. We have tried silence. It has not brought peace. We have waited. We have hoped. The burden remains.

We are not asking the Church to make room for novelty. We are asking it to make room for what it has already received. We are asking for what is now plainly needed.

We therefore ask with humility that, under hierarchical oversight and within the holy Church, a quiet and orderly beginning be blessed for a trustworthy Greek Orthodox home elsewhere, with sound oversight and clear order, so that what was handed down may be kept whole, lived in peace, and handed on to our children. Sign at refuge.fillout.com/orthodox.

Not a protest camp. Not a loose network. A real church home.

A home with trustworthy oversight, clear rule, sound clergy life, and reverent worship, where what was handed down may be kept whole and handed on in peace.

A mother should be able to teach her children there without shame. A father should be able to bring his family there in peace of conscience. A priest should be able to serve there without trimming the faith to fit the times.

This should not be taken as rebellion, bitterness, schism, or declarations of gracelessness. We are asking for a quiet, sober, and orderly path for those who carry this burden and still desire to remain obedient within the life of the Church.

A wound in the Church is not healed by pretending it is not there. It is healed by truth, prayer, calm, and care.

We are asking for a church life marked by prayer, confession, fasting, reverence, sound teaching, and peace. We want bishops and priests who guard what was given, not bend to fit the spirit of the age. We want a life that is sober without being harsh, warm without being lax, and true to what was handed down.

Such a path would do more than answer a present burden. It would preserve a serious Orthodox life for families and future generations. It would gather scattered faithful who now feel alone. It would help priests labor in peace. It would give the young a place where they can remain, marry, raise children, and pass on the faith. It would let parishes, missions, clergy, families, and supporters find one another and help one another.

The faithful are here already. The need is here already. The life is here already. What is missing is the home.

We are not asking for a protest. We are asking for a home.

These things have been said quietly for years. They should now be said plainly and together, before more faithful are scattered and before more children are formed in confusion.

To add one’s name to such a request is not to join a faction or make war on the Church. It is to ask, peacefully and seriously, that Greek Orthodox faithful be given a trustworthy home where they may keep the Faith, raise children in peace, and hand on what was received.

We therefore ask, with humility, that such a beginning be blessed under hierarchical rule, within the life of the Church, so that what was handed down may be kept whole, lived faithfully, and handed on in peace to our children. May God make straight the path for those who seek only to remain faithful. Sign at refuge.fillout.com/orthodox.