December 23, 2010

A Statement of Clarification By Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus


Due to public outcry regarding the recent remarks of Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus blaming the current financial crisis on a Zionist conspiracy and making statements that Adolph Hitler was controlled by these same Zionists (see here), the Metropolitan felt the need to clarify his remarks today in his own words below.

December 23, 2010
Romfea.gr

On the occasion of the concerns raised by the European Jewish Congress with regard to my interview with the MEGA television channel on the 20th of December, I have to say the following:

1. The things I said during my television appearance on the show "Society Hour Mega" are strictly my personal views and opinions of which I have repeatedly expressed my position verbally and in writing.

2. I respect, revere and love the Jewish people like any other people of our world according to the teaching of the incarnated Son of God and the true Messiah the Lord Jesus Christ the Savior and Redeemer, who was heralded by all the Prophets and was incarnated through the Jewish nation.

3. My public vehement opposition against International Zionism refers to the organ that is the successor of the "Sanhedrin" which altered the faith of the Patriarchs, the Prophets and the Righteous of the Jewish nation through the Talmud, the Rabbinical writings and the Kabbalah into Satanism, and always strives vigorously towards an economic empire set up throughout the world with headquarters in the great land beyond the Atlantic for the prevalence of world government and pan-religion.

4. I consider like any sane person on the planet the Nazi regime and the paranoid dictator Adolf Hitler as horrible criminals against humanity and take a stand with all honor and respect against the Jewish Holocaust and any other heinous genocide such as that of the Pontic Greek and Armenian people. Besides, the Greek nation mourns thousands of martyrs from the criminal Nazi atrocities.

+ The Metropolitan of Piraeus, Seraphim

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has publicly condemned such rhetoric also in a statment made today.

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE DECRIES ANTI-SEMITIC RHETORIC

NEW YORK – In response to the recent anti-Semitic rhetoric that has been unfortunately used publicly by a Hierarch of the Church of Greece, the Holy Archdiocese of America condemns any such language, and expresses its sadness that these hurtful words should have been spoken at all. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America considers the remarks to be gravely offensive and totally unacceptable.

As a leader in Interfaith Dialogue, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese affirms its longstanding and positive relations with the Jewish Community here and abroad, and grieves with them at this incident, which is not expressive of the feelings and attitude of the Greek Orthodox Church in America and worldwide, and the Greek Nation. In this Holy Season that celebrates peace and good will among all peoples, we pray that, with God’s grace and help, mutual respect, understanding and love will prevail.