Orthodox Reflections

On September 26th, the Greek Archdiocese of America, a fiefdom of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, awarded ‘President’ Zelensky of Ukraine the ‘Beacon of Hope Award’ in NYC at a swanky hotel. Neither the Patriarch nor Zelensky were present. Remarks were offered by the local under boss, Archbishop Elpidophoros. In his speech, Elpidophoros did not directly quote Jesus Christ even once, but did quote Ghandi. Evidently Our Lord and Savior has less to say to the world than a Hindu political activist. Referring to Zelensky, the Archbishop said: “President Zelensky is also a beacon, summoning the world to action against tyranny, and warning all with ‘ears to hear,’ that either we shall stand together, or we shall fall alone.”

Zelensky, you may recall, heads up the government brutally persecuting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, begging for American tax dollars, and sabotaging any chance of meaningful peace negotiations with Russia. Members of the Greek Archdiocese largely yawned in response to this outrage.

A little over a month later, 31 October, Patriarch Bartholomew warmly received Zelensky in Istanbul for his fifth visit since assuming the presidency of Ukraine. Fifth. Visit. Why the heck does a Jewish president of an officially secular country at war visit a foreign bishop five times? In case you are wondering, Zelensky has visited the Phanar more in the past decade than any other world leader. But – probably nothing to see here. Just two old friends, right?

Just a few days later, on 2 November, the news broke that a torture house had been uncovered near Kiev. Inside, over 40 mobilized men were being held captive by Ukraine’s National Guard. The youngest victim was reportedly just 14 years old. Accusations immediately surfaced, with apparent official confirmation, that more torture houses exist. Further, it is alleged that at least some of the captive men had been offered for ransom back to their families. Investigation into ransom claims is ongoing, but their veracity would surprise no one familiar with the cesspool that is Ukraine. The grisly discovery sparked outrage and riots in Ukraine against the Zelensky regime. Here’s an image of the 14 year old as he was being rescued that ran on CNN.

Two days after his return from his lovefest with the Patriarch of Constantinople, the world finds out that Zelensky’s regime runs multiple houses of torture. Victims seem to include children. You can add this new set of crimes to the already known list which includes: Christian persecution, corruption, executing civilians, silencing political opposition, illegal arrests, profiting from various illegal rackets, suspending elections, and trying to blackmail the U.S. into more weapons deliveries with threats of war escalation.

Truly a “Beacon of Hope,” am I right Greek Orthodox Christians? Are all you Greek laity thrilled to provide the money that flows out of your parishes up to NYC and Constantinople to make this demonic clown show possible?  Are you going to keep sticking your head in the sand, pretending none of this concerns you? Or, are you finally hitting your tolerance limit?

I’m not just talking to ethnic Greeks here. The most recent stats I can find indicate that 29% of the membership of GOARCH is non-ethnically Greek. The vast majority of those are just regular, plain old Americans. What are your excuses? You don’t have to worry about embarrassing YiaYia by challenging the hierarchy at an assembly meeting, speaking out online, or by refusing to donate to prop all this up.

Yet, most of you are silent. Why? If nothing else, it would seem sheer embarrassment as an American would be enough to make you say something.

Then there are our Orthodox Bishops in North America. Elpidophoros and company seem empowered to say anything they want to disparage ROCOR, the Russian Church, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and anyone else that draws their ire. No one ever seems to officially respond. GOARCH hierarchs and clergy can even give an award to a torturer, and the other American bishops just go about their business as if nothing out of the ordinary is happening. Why the silence? There has to be some reason(s). Even ROCOR’s statement against the ‘Beacon of Hope Award’ came late, was remarkably tepid in nature, and failed to even mention Zelensky by name. He was referred to as a “government official.” In any case, Glory to God for such small things, because none of the other bishops said anything at all.

Look, I am the last writer to encourage the Church to get politically involved. If the hierarchs think that staying away from Ukraine is the best choice, other than obviously calling for peace and protection of Orthodox Christians, then I could totally support that move. Except that the Patriarchate of Constantinople is already involved in Ukraine up to its neck. Actually, “involved” is not really a good word here. A better phrase would be “active co-conspirator with a Cocaine addled thug.” How can the rest of us stay silent while Constantinople blatantly rewards evil, using the donations of American Orthodox Christians to do it?

I am not telling any Orthodox Christian what to do and how to do it. That is not my place. What I can say is this. Silence equals consent. I do not consent. None of us should consent. Orthodox Reflections has published multiple contributions from members of the Greek Archdiocese who have been public in their opposition to using the authority of the Orthodox Church to bolster a criminal regime. Here are three of them:

Interview on Honoring the Persecutor: Greek Orthodox Activists File Criminal Complaint Over Zelensky’s ‘Beacon of Hope’ Award

Why I Filed a Federal Criminal Complaint to Stop the GOARCH Zelensky Dinner

The Decisive Defeat Disguised as Victory: Unmasking the December 14 Kyiv Negotiations

Way more than that is needed. The Patriarchate of Constantinople’s behavior is a problem globally for Orthodox Christians. It is especially a problem for members of the Greek Archdiocese, who are in the best position of all to stop it.