Ecumenism Day (May 5) was established in Germany in 2003 to bring together divided German Christians of various denominations and churches who believe in the Holy Trinity to symbolically celebrate their mutual cooperation. This year on Ecumenism Day thousands of pilgrims gathered in Trier to venerate an alleged robe of Christ, probably of medieval origin, which is seamless and came to symbolize on this day the seamless unity of Christians which is desired. However when the various Christian representatives, among whom was Metropolitan Augoustinos of Germany, gathered at the Basilica of Constantine, things went a little too far and the representatives got ahead of themselves with a symbolic baptism of each member by another member. They dipped their hand in water and symbolically baptized each other on the forehead with an open hand, saying: "You are baptized in the Name of the Triune God". Then, as a reminder of the theme of the pilgrimage, a white baptismal stole with the theme written on it was put on each representative. This was done to Metropolitan Augoustinos by Bishop Karl Heinz Wiesemann of the Catholic Church. Such are the unfortunate situations an Orthodox participant can get into when Ecumenism goes too far and the program is beyond their control and not properly evaluated beforehand to avoid a scandalous incident.
Many photos can be seen here and here.
Who was that Saint who was forcibly baptised by the Arians in the 5th century and when she came out of the water, she took two coins from her purse and handed them to the Arian Bishop saying "Thank you for the bath"?
ReplyDeleteI very like your website,but here I can not agree. There happened no symbolical baptism, only the mutual recognition and assurance: You are baptized.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I have to observe a hate campaign against our Metropolitan Eminenz Augustinos in the internet at present. I feel this to be hurtful and slanderous and think our Metropolitan would never do things that are against the doctrin of our church.
Syncretistic Ecumenism can not provide anything but rotten fruit...or actually poisonous/deadly fruit!
ReplyDeleteSo, according to Jannis, Metropolitan Augustinos needed an assertion from a non-orthodox bishop that he has been baptized! And, after all, this act is considered to be normal...
ReplyDeleteI feel very sorry about Metropolitan Augustinos and about those who support his acts.
Personally, I would refuse to ask for blessing a (nominally) Orthodox bishop who feels that he needs baptism certificates from other denominations...
I think that Metropolitan Augustinos, as well as other clergymen from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, are not at all different from the Uniates or the Anglicans.
One more good reason I joined the True Orthodox Church of Greece! How sad that those who are our holy sheperds, are blind to the evil of ecumenism and the council of world churches. I love the Orthodox Church,not all, but so many of the mainstream Orthodox Churches,have become imitations of other churches instead of remaining true.. Lord Have Mercy! +
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amen.gr/index.php?mod=news&op=article&aid=9467
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