Archbishop Elpidophoros attended the annual March for Life Rally and provided an introduction and a prayer. As is often the case, the Archbishop mixed in seemingly Orthodox thoughts with a heaping helping of progressive indoctrination. Here’s the main part of what he said.
For most Orthodox Christians, the first part is not controversial. Except that it’s phrased interestingly, isn’t it? The Archbishop does not call for a ban on abortion. He points out that all are made in the image and likeness of God, and so children are worthy of our protection. How are we supposed to protect them? The Archbishop doesn’t say. That part is left vague. If you want to read it as a call to legally protect the unborn, you certainly can. Given the context of the March for Life, that would be a rational supposition. But you don’t have to assume that at all. The paragraph ends with a kind of “it takes a village” sentiment that could mean anything.
Weak sauce really. But even so, whatever pro-life sentiments the Archbishop expresses in the first paragraph are quickly undone in the second when he says, “At the same time, we also affirm our respect for the autonomy of women.” After that paragraph he followed up with, “We march not for coercion.” You can find all remarks here. I’m going to ignore the fluff in the second paragraph about the Most Holy Theotokos and Our Lord Jesus Christ. Archbishop Elpidophoros, or his speech writer, only put that in to make it all seem more “Orthodox.”
For anyone having paid attention to the abortion debates over the past 40 years, what the Archbishop is saying is crystal clear. It is yet another version of “personally opposed to abortion” but “support a women’s right to choose.” If the Archbishop had been completely honest, he would have expressed himself thusly, “As a Christian, I am personally morally opposed to abortion. We should take steps to help women and children through social programs and, hopefully, that will reduce demand for abortions. But we can’t coerce women into childbearing against their wills. We must trust women to make their own decisions and we must respect their bodily autonomy.”
Pro-lifers are not the only ones to interpret his speech this way. The GOARCH Press Office triumphantly retweeted a pro-abortion interpretation of the Archbishop’s words:
Clearly, GOARCH is not ashamed of the clear implications of what the Archbishop had to say. Nor are they concerned about any kind of backlash for being so openly pro-baby murder. So what gives?
Promoting Revolution Within the Form – The academics and hierarchs running GOARCH are clearly on a longish-term mission to transform the Orthodox Church into a prettier version of The Episcopal Church. A goal similar to what Pope Francis is busy pursuing in the Roman Church. Critical to this goal is slowly, but continuously, making the Faithful more and more comfortable with progressive concepts. Like a spoonful of sugar, mix in just enough genuine Orthodoxy to make the progressive medicine easier to swallow. Have a hierarchical liturgy in an Episcopal Church all decked out in a rainbow flag, but don’t endorse gay rights in the Church. Too far, too fast. Instead, let the imagery subtly do its job and talk about how open and loving Orthodox Christians are:
As Orthodox Christians, we are not about exclusivity, but about authenticity. We say with the Lord Jesus Christ, “whoever is not against us is for us!” [*] We openly embrace those who differ from us, not to manifest any compromise, but to extend to others the love and acceptance of Christ.
The frog that boils slowly doesn’t even realize it is danger. Until too late.
Or you have Nicholas Anton from GOARCH proclaim that racism is incompatible with Orthodoxy, and then in the same speech almost imperceptibly endorse Critical Race Theory concepts that amount to anti-White racism. Archbishop Elpidophoros has done the same thing in his talks about the need to combat “systemic racism.” Also remember that the Archbishop has a horrible record concerning the experimental COVID jabs that only exist through the immoral use of aborted fetal cells. He justified these horrific betrayals on moral grounds (thereby weakening our anti-abortion witness in the U.S.):
- He endorsed the jabs, even opening clinics in parishes
- He gave an award to the Pfizer CEO (among others)
- He actively betrayed his own people who were seeking religious exemptions from the jabs by declaring there were none possible for Orthodox Christians.
- He is fine with mandates, even at the Greek seminary.
There are many more examples besides these. The subtle alteration of Orthodoxy in a progressive direction is not an accident. It is not because a foreign-born hierarch is being manipulated by academics or just doesn’t understand the implications of what he is saying. This is a deliberate plan to keep the outer trappings of Orthodoxy the same, while fundamentally altering the Faith.
Nothing to See Here – For this to work, people who would oppose the transformation of Orthodoxy must be encouraged not to notice. Orthodox Christians want to believe the best about others, especially about hierarchs. Who wants to believe an Archbishop of the Church is actively undermining the faith? No one, actually. So as long as the statements / actions are somewhat vague, then many well-meaning Orthodox Christians will defend the Archbishop and GOARCH. The squabbling among the Faithful provides cover for the revolutionaries.
Remember we kind of skipped over the point about the Theotokos in the second paragraph? Right now there is a fierce debate on Twitter as to whether or not the Theotokos is a perfect model of how to respond to a pregnancy. The most important part, that the paragraph is an endorsement of a woman’s right to choose abortion, is completely lost in the noise and confusion. That verbiage was not included by accident.
Rallying the Elect – While vagaries provide cover to keep the normie Orthodox from stampeding, the progressives recognize when they are being encouraged. The pro-abortion activist who celebrated the Archbishop’s words recognized immediately what he was saying. The revolution needs support from an active minority, just as much as it needs the acquiescence of the Faithful majority. If you ever doubt your understanding of something said or done, check out the blogs, social media, and forums for progressive “Orthodox.” All doubt will be removed. Stick around and read them for awhile. The goal is that when you are the minority, what you read there will be what is published on the official jurisdictional sites.
Don’t Expect the Other Bishops to Speak up – More than one Orthodox Christian has asked, “If this was a purposefully vague endorsement of abortion on demand, why didn’t any of the other bishops there say anything?” Because that is not how the game is played in the United States. It really isn’t. Bishops and clergy, especially across jurisdictional lines, hold their criticism of each other. This is frustrating for the Faithful, because we are looking for men to step up and defend the truth. That may happen at some point. But for now, his brother bishops will not reign in Elpidophoros. Bishops may get cashiered for legit crimes (sex abuse, embezzlement), but not for being politically progressive to the detriment of the Faith.
This is not Just GOARCH – There are individuals trying to redefine the Orthodox Faith in many, perhaps all, jurisdictions. If you have the time, watch this lecture by Fr. John Jillions of the OCA as he attacks “fundamentalism”, and promotes the “Catholicity” of the Church as requiring us to listen to academics who reject the moral teachings of the Orthodox Faith.
In closing, let us note that after his performance at the March for Life, Archbishop Elpidophoros paid a call on the Ukrainian ambassador to pledge his undying support.
The war in the Ukraine is a civil war between Ukrainians. It began as a result of the U.S.-backed coup that brought neo-Nazis to power. Progressives, like those that infest and surround GOARCH, constantly decry nationalism and fascism, unless it is in Ukraine. Neo-Nazis and ultranationalist murderers are just fine there, as long as they inconvenience Russia while slaughtering Ukrainian civilians with U.S.-provided weapons. What kind of Orthodox Faith is this that puts itself at the service of murder and oppression? 
There is an ongoing peace process to end the war, and there have been two agreements, both of which the Kiev Government has refused to follow. At the encouragement of the U.S., by the way. The United States and the Patriarch of Constantinople, through their actions, have contributed to the horror of this conflict. It is time to stop interfering and allow the sides to settle their differences in a peaceful manner. Blessed are the peacemakers, after all.
For additional takes on the Archbishop’s words at the March for Life, see these links:
They Just Can’t Help Themselves, Can They?
Parsing the Archbishop’s Words
PRO-LIFE SOCIETY RESPONDS TO GOARCH MARCH FOR LIFE SPEECH AND TWEETS
Nicholas – member of the Western Rite Vicariate, a part of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese in America
We must rethink our Church structure. Consider: Israel’s most glorious years were during the Judges. Governance was local. While from time to time a “deliverer” came on the scene, it was not the norm, and they were never permanent fixtures.
It was only when the Jews insisted on having a king (envious of other nations who all had kings/popes) that things changed. God told Samuel that the desire for a king/pope was flat out a rejection of God. Samuel warned of what this would cause and how they would become slaves to their “king”. But for a breif moment we have what was intended for the early Church; local governance with as little overlord as was needed. The Book of Ruth is capital in expressing how governance worked under the Mosaic tribal system; it was glorious.
After the persecution ended, not only did the Church fully dominate the national psyche, but also more concern was given to building structure above the local bishop. Here Samuel’s warning should have been echoed. Right now, most of the corruption to infect the Church is above the bishop level. And history shows us why.
Due to modern global society, everything above the bishop has become an evil necessity as for continuity around the world etc. But these men are not shepherds by any stretch of the imagination, their appearances are merely photo ops.
With this history in mind, I unequivocally say, the center of gravity is the regional bishop, and that any bishop that wanted to tell a higher up to “get off my ship” has moral and historical grounds for doing so, when needed. The only time any higher-up should interfere is when some dogma is challenged etc. Most all the problems coming down was from above the regional bishop from the non-shepherds at the top who have political ties to satisfy. Being removed from the sheep, they cannot possibly know the needs on the ground. It is noteworthy, the Ecumenical Councils were valid because they were primarily composted of regional bishops.
While there are definitely some shining stars among the higher ups, a true father (hierarch) lets the son (local bishop) have the preeminence to provide a close at hand father-figure which defines parish life.
Something to think about.
John Lee wrote-“At the Reformation, the Anglican Church pulled out with all its seminaries, monasteries, and all ecclesial infrastructure in tact. But in continental Europe, it was a blood bath in every way, where priests, bishops, professors were slaughtered and much real property destroyed”
That’s not entirely true. Henry III confiscated a lot of church property and gave it to his loyal nobility. Many monks and nuns who remained loyal to Rome were persecuted. Hostilities toward the Irish increased. Anglicans persecuted Puritans. During and after the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell severely persecuted Roman Catholics to the point where they had to practice in secret or flee. The English government confiscated land in Ireland and gave it to Scottish settlers to put a Protestant presence in Ireland which has to this day been a deadly struggle in Northern Ireland.
Yes, Henry was a mess and fortunately for England his life was cut short after the Reformation in England. Henry’s relationship with Rome is well founded, he wrote theological material that gained him recognition as he loved the Roman church. What caused his revolt was the pope would not grant a dispensation to marry a relative, but the pope had already given him dispensations for marriage before. At this new request, it was politically advantageous to not grant another dispensation (involve a foreign power). This angered Henry and he pulled out, but what he wanted to create was a duplicate of Rome as that was what he loved.
After his death, a week son took over, who soon died, and then a sister became the infamous “Bloody Mary” who tried to take it all back to Rome. But she soon died as well and Elizabeth the first came to power, and she steered the nation away from Rome, and away from full Protestant meltdown thus preserving the Anglican Church (for a while anyway). At that point, England exploded as the world power with an indomitable navy. The creation of the Book of Common Pray by T. Cramner standardized the English language from its former many inconsistencies as we now know it, making England the world’s most prolific producer of literature–probably ever.
Yeah, Henry did nothing to define the Anglican Church or the future of England as history shows.
Please bear with me. At the beginning of America two totally different Americas were sown into the earth: 1. The one we all know and love as the most benevolent nation in the history of the world, and respect for human life and dignity surpasses anything previous. 2. The dark side. Leciferian, demonic, Free Masonry was sown at the same time. When common folk pray (all forms of Christianity) the Seed of Woman wins and crushes the seed of Satan. But when the populous disengages God, then the seed of Satan excels. Guess where we are now.
This is just like the fall. There is the Seed of Woman and the seed of Satan. And they will always be in conflict. In God’s grace and mercy, He placed emnity between the two seeds meaning at some point they will come into conflict and one must win over the other. Nothing can enter the eternal state with impurities (rebellion against God).
Of course, we–as God’s people–have what it takes to crush the head of the serpent when we return to our roots. Satan is seeking to rob us of our birthright–crushing the demonic head–because we are the seed of Christ, Who is the Seed of Abraham to bless the whole world.
There is a really good article posted this site 9/21/20 regarding the influence of Free Masonry on the Church, in particular the Greeks.
I do not think we adequately grasp the import of this hideous evil that seeks to subvert everything good. Each mason repeatedly vows with binding oaths unto the death to keep secrets. That previous hierarchs have said the Church is incomparable with this witch-craft, it is possible that very man might be a mason himself; that’s how they work.
Masonry is fashioned after the ancient Egyptian cults that brought the wizards that Moses encounter. Any man (including clergy) that are practitioners, have sold their soul to the devil by oaths and while they put on a nice show, on the inside they are demonized.
Their practices are endeavoring to open gates of hell bringing demonic activity seen in the past pre-flood, Nimrod & Babel, and the Egptians and others. This is increasing and in the months to come we will be seeing many shocking thing.
While you could never expect any mason clergy to admit it, you WILL know them by their fruits as Jesus said. When you see stuff totally contrary to the nature of the Church as spelled out by the Fathers, its time to be suspicious, he may be carrying out a Luceferian agenda within the Church. Make no mistake.
And about the shots, more things are being exposed that will blow your mind. Evil is afoot.
We are in the day of “harvest” meaning all things are now grown up. Man is reaching his full potential, evil is now reaching its full potential as well. And the Church, is also coming of age in maturity (hopefully). So as things will intensify, we are to stand in the Faith unshakable and deny evil any ground within our beloved Church.
“Masonry is fashioned after the ancient Egyptian cults that brought the wizards that Moses encounter. Any man (including clergy) that are practitioners, have sold their soul to the devil by oaths and while they put on a nice show, on the inside they are demonized.”
Written by a Freemason:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp2SJN4UiE4
Soul sold to the devil? Demonized on the inside? Putting on a nice show?
Elpidophoros: Where do I begin? I will have to deal with this point by point: (1) The jabs–contain 15 billion particles of nanotech graphene oxide (GO) per kilogram shot, including boosters [Fred Corbin, bioweapons expert, Barbados, 2021]; self-assembling structures,utilizing host elements synthesizing nanoscale transmitter receivers/AI compatible, server connected, satellite linked, invisible except by spectroscopic review of body chemistry-[Genedecode] manufacturing S spike proteins to tag cells for targeted attacks by manufactured steel man-made structures by electrodirection. Anyone who receives this shot, has been subjected to a synthetic, bio-chem,radiological weapon, injected to kill its recipient. Got that? I have extensive research in this area and a background in Nuclear Biological Chemical Warfare. Talk to one of your fellow parishioners with Military background, don’t take my word for it; (2) Pfizer received an award for designing this kill shot; (3) his denial of religious exemptions affirms use of this weapon on his own flock; (4) his mandates at the Greek Seminary do not void the Sacrament, per St. Augustine on the Donatists, since the priest’s holiness is not at issue for the communicant, notwithstanding,the celebrant is not exculpated from participation in an abortion. I think that covers about everything.
“Inside Every Progressive Is A Totalitarian Screaming To Get Out”
David Horowitz
Elpi and Francis – HERETICS BOTH!
The Archbishop, in typical gnostic fashion, wants his words to mean whatever he wants them to mean. If it suits him, i.e. with respect to abortion, then he believes in the absolute autonomy of the individual (Descartes and Locke). When it comes to vaccine mandates, he believes in the absolute right of the state (Hobbes). He represents the contemporary version of Valentinian gnosticism, although it’s what I call schlock gnosticism. The freshman poli sci seminar version. I fault the seminary/education systems that have produced such people.
We know we are confronting the principles of diabolic hermeneutics when these tools of doubletalk and concealment are employed. The Roman Church has seen a large number of Popes over the centuries and even their own ‘saints’ use methods of equivocation, ‘mental reservation’ and other such ungodly methods to bypass centuries old church rulings to interpret actions based on individual preferences. I suggest Archbishop to study Romans 6:13. But again this is not surprising the Jesuit double speak is clearly present and we can only watch with bewilderment as he deviates further from true Orthodoxy.
“I can see clearly now that rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way…” (Johnny Nash)
Nicholas has done it. He’s written the most cogent critique of the archbishop’s remarks. He’s summarized the Progressive agenda for the Orthodox Church. My pride wishes I had written the article myself.
P.S. the very first canon of the very first Ecumenical Council was forbidding the castration of priests (all clergy). That should tell us all we need to know about fixing things. Every priest has veto power; full stop!
“Don’t Expect the Other Bishops to Speak up”
In their silence they speak.
When will the Faithful get tired of hiding the children when Elpi comes to town (how does anyone explain his actions?).
The current GOA top structure is hopeless. Obviously, he has sold out to the enemy of the Church and WILL take it in a way that will bring it into judgement. From the beginning, when the Hierarchs of Rome and Jerusalem (canons 6,7, Nicaea) were given special “honor”, hierarchs (managers,ambassadors–not shepherds) distant from the flock were usually problematic (e.g. the pope). Think about it, what does “honor” mean anyway? Does “honor” mean unilateral authority or does it mean a chair at the head table with a nice flower in a nice vase? For some reason I thought honor and submission were two different things (anyway just babbling, here).
These dear souls under, need a life boat. Any bishop who truly wanted to take his diocese to another jurisdiction could probably pull it off. The Anglicans have already blazed that trail. Its always about the property, people can do whatever they want, however, pulling it out with the property, would allow for continuity without the average parishioner knowing the difference. Any priest, could transfer his credentials, and go across the street and start over and no body could stop any parishioner that followed. In America, dioceses are businesses like everything else and the courts treat them that way.
At the Reformation, the Anglican Church pulled out with all its seminaries, monasteries, and all ecclesial infrastructure in tact. But in continental Europe, it was a blood bath in every way, where priests, bishops, professors were slaughtered and much real property destroyed.
We don’t want that to happen. It would be better if diocese pulled out intact. Or even churches but that is viewed differently by trial judges. Leaving things as they are will just bring more of the same. At some point an abused wife has to cut her loses and walk. And this is nothing short of abuse.