Police Find No Criminal Offense in the Case of the Metropolitan of Morphou

Cypriot police have not found any criminal offense committed by Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou in relation to his statements on homosexuality and therefore it is doubtful whether he will be prosecuted.

With this suggestion, the Legal Service now has the case file, which is being considered by the Attorney General.

Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou Issues Statement Pending Police Investigation

With the help and grace of God the fasts and supplications to the Most Holy Theotokos have been completed. Let us keep our eyes fixed on her grace.

Let us continue, whoever is willing and able, to ask for her saving intercessions for the sufferings that lurk among us, for the fires to cease, for the prevention of earthquakes, for the liberation of the seas of Cyprus.

What we thought was a long way off, is nearer. The prophetic words of our contemporary saints, show us that the path to eliminating evil, and reducing evil in the world, passes through our personal repentance.

In regards to another fire, that of the flesh, the Holy Spirit and evil spirits, which some have ignited for us, we will not make any comment, fully respecting the relevant police investigation being conducted.

May the Panagia help us!

Praying on your behalf to the Lord,

† The Metropolitan of Morphou Neophytos

On the Controversial Statements of Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou

I learned lately about the issue created around the sacred personality of His Eminence the Holy Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou concerning one of his pastoral messages and the uproar of many regarding this issue.

Because the pastoral issues of Bishops have universal power, I as a humble Bishop would also like to submit some thoughts, which I think are useful for this entire issue. What I will write will be done with simplicity, as a catechism for the people, by whom it will be read.

Orthodox Christianity in Contemporary Europe

By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou

The adoption of so-called "same-sex civil partnership" [in Greece] has created serious problems for a society that is distancing itself from God.

Two trends can be observed in contemporary society, in terms of political systems. The first is so-called theocracy, when religious law is identified with political law, and the second trend is liberalization, when political law is completely unbound, becoming independent from religious law and is contrary to it.

Topical Issues of the Church Today (Interview with Metr. Hierotheos of Nafpaktos)

The following interview with Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou was done by the journalist George Mylonas, and published in the newspaper Ark of Orthodoxy (Κιβωτός Ὀρθοδοξίας) on November 12, 2015. It is supplemented with the following lecture: "The Theological Crisis and Its Impact on Daily Ecclesiastical Life".

In the paper you presented before the Hierarchy, you spoke of a theological crisis. Do you think the Pan-Orthodox Synod in 2016 will have fruitful results in this direction?

An Anonymous New Martyr From Crete (+ July 1811)

Holy Anonymous New Martyr of Crete (Feast Day - July 31);
Icon depicts All New Martyrs of Crete

This Saint, whose name is unknown to us, came from Crete and was born to pious parents. At the age of twenty he worked with a salary for a Turkish Aga from Crete. When he was with his boss in Alexandria of Egypt, one night the Aga asked to sleep with him, as it was a Turkish habit to sleep with both boys and women.

Holy New Martyr John the Wallachian (+ 1662)

St. John of Romania (Feast Day - May 12)

Saint John was born into a poor family in Oltenia during the time of Prince Matthew Basarab (1632-1654), who was a prolific builder of churches (46 churches plus many restorations). His nephew Constantin Serban (1654-1658) succeeded him, followed by Mihnea III Radu (1658-1659). The latter took power with the help of the Turks.

Wallachia was a tributary principality to the Ottoman Empire for about 200 years already and many princes used to gain the throne by offering large sums of money to the Sultan. Mihnea probably took his throne through the same method, but shortly after he didn't want to accept the heavy taxes imposed on the country by the Turks. So he made an alliance with the prince of Transylvania George Rakoczy II and the prince of Moldova Constantin Serban (the former ruler in Wallachia) against the Ottomans. Shortly after, in 1658 he ordered the killing of a squadron of 2000 Turkish soldiers, and attacked and destroyed some ports and bridges at the Danube. His attack was coordinated with similar rebellions in Moldova and Transylvania. In the spring of 1659 the Turks invaded Moldova and Transylvania. Mihnea reported some small victories against the invaders but finally fled in Transylvania where he died from poisoning on April 6th. On their way back, the Turks crossed Wallachia in the valley of Jiu and took a lot of prisoners. Among the prisoners was Saint John.

Why St. Paisios the Athonite Was Not a Nationalist, a Homophobe or a Misogynist

By Kostas Nousis, 

Theologian-Philologist

A strong majority - if we speak with such terms of political relevance - of today's Neo-Greeks were made worthy to not only learn about, but to also know closely the newly-canonized Saint of our Church, Paisios the Athonite (+ 1994). Among them boasts the least of these, the author of this piece who was given the honor reserved by divine providence to often meet and talk with this huge and iconic figure of Orthodoxy in these latter days in which we live.

Saint Porphyrios: "They Have Committed Every Sin Of The Flesh, But I Love Them"

The Elder told me one day:

"Boys and girls come to me sometimes. Those poor children, and what haven't they done. They have committed every sin of the flesh, but I love them."

Better To Sin Out Of Weakness Than Ideology

Below is an excerpt from a discussion between a young man and Elder Epiphanios Theodoropoulos (+ 1989):

"Why, Father Epiphanios, is this and that and the other thing prohibited, when they are done out of 'sincere love'?" asked a young person in regards to the various sins of the flesh. Why are 'relations' prohibited for young boys and girls?

Statement on Homosexuality by the Holy Synod of Cyprus

As the first-ever gay pride parade in Cyprus draws near (May 31), the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus released an official statement at the request of many of the faithful who felt provoked due to recent publications and activities of homosexuals on the island.

Saint Andrew the Fool and the Homosexual Eunuch

The following dialogue consists of a chapter in the Life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ (May 28). It is a complex passage dealing with sensitive issues with unexpected twists and turns and paradoxes, as real life situations usually are, and for this reason it should be studied carefully, completely and within context. Saint Andrew was a holy man, specifically with the gift of being clairvoyant and a fool for Christ, who knew the secrets of people's hearts, and he spoke the truth as it was revealed to him and in the appropriate way for a particular moment. The story begins with Andrew, who wore very little clothing even in the winter, sitting in front of the gateway of the house of his disciple Epiphanios, who in the purity of his heart recognized the holiness of Andrew and kept the secret of his foolish behavior.

As he [Andrew] sat on the ground in front of the gateway there came a young eunuch who was the chamberlain of one of the nobles. His face was like a rose, the skin of his body white as snow, he was well shaped, fair-haired, possessing an unusual softness, and smelling of musk from afar. As Epiphanios had been brought up together with him and was his friend they loved each other dearly.

Now this eunuch carried with him dates, about thirty in number. When he saw the naked body of the holy man he was alarmed and asked Epiphanios, "My dearest and beloved Epiphanios, who is this man and why does he go naked, although it is winter and unbearably cold, being like those who have been shipwrecked at sea?"

Epiphanios answered, "My dearest brother, I do not know what I shall say about his appearance, since his mind has been taken prisoner by the Evil One and he wanders about like one possessed and confused. All such people tear their clothes and run about without feeling anything." This he said because he did not want to reveal the holy man's virtue.

When the eunuch heard this he fell silent and, having pity on the blessed man as one of the poor, gave him all his dates. "Take these just for now," he said, "for I have nothing else with me."

But the holy man, who with the eyes of his spirit already knew the works of his soul, looked at him sternly and said, "Fools do not eat a gift of colophonia."

The eunuch, who did not understand what he said, replied, "You truly crazy man, when you see dates, do you think they are fruit from Colophon?"*

The blessed man said to him, "You deceiver, go into your master's bed-chamber and perform with him the sick practice of the sodomites, that he may give you other dates too. You wretch, you do not see the rays of the kingdom of heaven, who do not know the cruelty and bitterness of hell, do you not even feel shame before the angel who accompanies you as a Christian? What should be done with you, impure that you are, because you frequent the corners and do what should not be done, things which neither dogs nor swine, nor reptiles nor serpents do? You accursed fellow, why do you do this? Woe to your youth, which Satan has wounded and thrown down headlong into the terrible depth of hell and vehemence and boundless vigor! See that you do not go further, lest the Godhead treat you as you deserve, here burning you whole with flashes of lightning, there with the hell of fire."

When the eunuch heard this he trembled with fear, his face turned red like fire and his shame was great.

Epiphanios said to the eunuch, "Sir, what happened to you? Why were you ashamed? Did I not tell you that he is crazy and says whatever occurs to him? However, my dear friend in the Lord, if you are aware that you are guilty of something of what he said to you, go at once and reform yourself and do not be angry at him for his words! You are young, dear friend, and Satan is wicked, deceiving us to commit sin for no other reason than to have us too for a consolation in the fires of hell."

When the eunuch heard this he went away, whereas the honorable Epiphanios helped the holy man to his feet and showed him to his room. There they found a table laid and sat down, enjoying the gifts of God.

After they finished their feast Epiphanios said to the blessed man, "Venerable sir, why did you rebuke my friend so bluntly?"

The blessed man answered, "Because he is dear to you and beloved, for this reason I did give to him this lecture, for had he not been your friend, he would not heard a single word from me. This is not my vocation, to rebuke sinners, but to run the straight road which leads to a better life."

Epiphanios said again, "I know that too, you servant of God, but this young man is a slave, and when he is forced by his master what can he do?"

The holy man replied, "Yes, I know, I am not ignorant of that. However, a slave should serve the man who bought him with regard to his physical needs, not with regard to the works of the devil, specifically not when it comes to this cursed and disgusting abnormality in which not even animals engage."

Epiphanios said, "If a master enjoins a slave to minister to his needs, be they physical, or spiritual, or sinful, and the slave fails to obey, you surely know, my Lord, how much he will suffer, being maltreated, beaten, threatened and receiving all sorts of punishments."

The holy man answered, "This, my son, is the martyrdom of Jesus Christ at which he hinted when he said: 'Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' Thus if the slaves do not bow to the abominable sodomitic passion of their masters they are blessed and thrice blessed, for thanks to the torments you mention they will be reckoned with the martyrs."

* The eunuch thinks the holy man is speaking of the city of Colophon in Ionia, but the word colophonia implies a slaughter or abuse of the colon or anus.

Translation from The Perfect Servant: Eunuchs and the Social Construction of Gender in Byzantium by Kathryn M. Ringrose, University of Chicago Press, 2003, pp. 45-47.

Metropolitan Hierotheos Answers 19 Questions of Orthodox Youth

Students of the 7th General High School of Kallithea in Greece recently interviewed His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou, asking him 19 questions about contemporary ecclesiastical issues, as well as personal questions in their search for guidance on difficult questions. The questions and answers that were published in their school paper are below.

1. Question: Is there a definition for the soul?

Answer: The soul is a creation of God that took place by His energy; it is living, immortal by grace, distinct from the body, but united with it. Man consists of soul and body and each of these by themselves do not constitute a person. The Church does not believe in the preexistence of the soul without the body, nor in the preexistence of the body without the soul. The soul is the spiritual component of man's existence that gives life to the body. It is amazing for one to come to know the soul of a person and not only focus on their body.

2. Question: What led you to become a Priest?

Answer: I became a Priest because of the ecclesiastical lifestyle I lived from a young age, and my love for God and people. It was the natural outcome of an ecclesiastical life and I feel very good about it. As a young child I loved the Sacred Temple and I was connected with it. I was inspired by people who had a love for God and the Church. I became a Priest out of love and not because I had nothing else to do. Now I am not only happy, but free. I do not care about "being" but about the "quality of being", I do not struggle for happiness but for freedom. There is a big difference between the two.

3. Question: How do you feel about your position and what is your relationship with God?

Answer: As a Bishop I feel I have a responsibility for Christians, for Clergy, for the youth and for the aged. I am a servant of all and whenever they want I am their father and healer. Of course, when one liturgizes and prays, they feel the presence of God. God is not an idea, an impersonal being, a value albeit a most perfect one, but eros and desirable, and as eros He moves towards people and as desirable He attracts to Himself those worthy of eros.

4. Question: Why have people, especially the youth, distanced themselves from the Church?

Answer: They distance themselves because they feel the Church to be something it is not, they feel it is like a religion, like a souvenir shop, like a nursing home, etc. We are all to blame for this, us Clergy for having not shown what the Church truly is and the youth who do not seek the deeper "being" of the Church. To find something deep you must love it, feel pain for it and search it. The Church is not a place of rebellion against all incumbents and all hypocrisy, but a spiritual beacon that illuminates and guides.

5. Question: What is and what should be the role of the Church in today's crisis?

Answer: Her role is always the same, which is to unify and heal. When there is a sensitive Priest in a Parish, he can organize it and operate it as one spiritual therapeutic community. The Church is the mother of all, and receives all without discrimination and offers to them meaning in life.

However, I must say when I speak of the Church I do not speak of an established institution, of a Synod of Bishops and a group of Priests, but of a union of Clergy and laity who are baptized and live according to the words of Christ. You are also members of the Church. Do not separate yourselves from the Church.

6. Question: How does the Church use its wealth?

Answer: First, it is an intricate myth that the Church has a lot of wealth. It is the so-called myth of immense wealth. The Church currently has 4% of its original property from which it occasionally gives for the establishment of hospitals, schools, universities, institutions, etc. And now, what it has available, it gives for philanthropic purposes. Often the Church has helped restore the State so that it does not go bankrupt. This is a truth that no one should ever forget. Further, the real wealth of the Church is her theology, her worship and her members, the Christians.

7. Question: Should the Church be modernized on some issues and which ones?

Answer: The Church has a tradition which has the ability to adapt to every age without losing her essence. There is no need to secularize it, to make compromises, but it invites people to search. It is a place that is similar to true eros, which is not trivialized, but invites people to seek the inner beauty of another. The beauty of people is not only external, but internal. This happens with the Church as well. On some issues there can be modernization, when it is connected with the provision of truth and not the loss of her life.

8. Question: What do you have to say about the corruption of Priests?

Answer: They do not exist to the extent that others indicate. In every country fallen situations are observed to reveal the human element. The majority of Priests begin with a good purpose of voluntary sacrifice and offering. Along the way some have lost their objective due to many factors. However, the branch of Priests is among the best in our society. Others led us to the current economic crisis, not Priests struggling to help people and balance the society, to comfort the afflicted.

9. Question: What is your opinion of atheists and those of other religions?

Answer: I cannot make a distinction between atheists and religious people based on external criteria. I do not think there are atheists, because those who proclaim themselves atheists believe in something and to this they give divine characteristics. There may exist atheists who believe, and Christian atheists. Atheism is not only an ideology, but practical life. Besides, perfect atheism is a step below perfect faith, in a paradoxical way. Those of other religions have their own tradition, which is a component of every culture. We should all take care not to be fanatical, racist, violent. Religious fanaticism is equal to the worst form of schizophrenia.

10. Question: How does God judge the good person and the bad Christian?

Answer: I cannot know. I can't enter into the mind of God. However, I like to say that I rejoice that I will be judged by God and not by people, because God sees within our soul, our intentions, and is a lover of people, while people judge externally and are very cruel. I fear much the heartlessness of people.

11. Question: How is the relationship between Orthodox and Catholics today?

Answer: There are different traditions, theological differences, as well as cultural, social and psychological differences. The theological dialogues made today, when they are done honestly and without agendas, can benefit the well-intentioned who are seeking the truth.

12. Question: In school we spoke about the Mystery of Marriage. What do you think about the decision to allow same-sex marriage? How about political marriage?

Answer: The Church has her own theology about marriage. Marriage is the union according to Christ of a man and a woman to become a family and create a space of love and peace. The teaching of the Church does not adopt marriage between people of the same sex. This cannot happen. But the Church is not responsible for those who want to live outside of her tradition and want to have a political marriage.

13. Question: Should only the Orthodox faith be taught in schools or should others?

Answer: There is a lot of discussion about this issue. Many plans have been proposed and opinions voiced. In every proposal there are pros and cons. Beyond the right educational program that meets the purpose of education, I think the matter depends on the professor who teaches and the pupils who seek and thirst. It troubles me when someone teaches without believing and when people listen mechanically, indifferently, without a desire to search.

14. Question: What is the relationship between fasting and Holy Communion?

Answer: Holy Communion is the pinnacle event of ecclesiastical life; it is a communion, mixing, union and love. And any event like this requires a sincere approach with appropriate preparation. Fasting is a way of preparing by those who are able to fast, but participation in Holy Communion is based on the conditions exclaimed by the liturgist: "With the fear of God, faith and love, come forth." What is required is fear of God, faith and love.

15. Question: What is the importance of Confession?

Answer: Confession is the mystery of dialogue with God through the Priest. We are used to doing monologues with ourselves, shutting ourselves in sunless interior basements and we do not have the strength to open the closed compartment of ourselves, so there is darkness within us and mildew. By Confession we stop the tragic monologue and partake in a dialogue with God, leaving the world of illusion and opening ourselves up to the light of truth.

16. Question: What is sin?

Answer: Sin is sickness, death, termination of the relationship with God and our neighbor; it is a sickness of self-love and selfishness.

17. Question: What happens to the soul after death during the first forty days?

Answer: With death man is not led to the "absolute zero", as some claim. When the soul is separated from the body, it lives and will return again to the body, which will be raised. I have not encountered in any patristic writing that the soul remains with us for forty days after the death of the body and then it goes somewhere else. The soul is immaterial, and upon exiting the body it continues in the life it had here, according to its desire.

18. Question: Some believe that the Second Coming will take place soon. Can this be predicted from Holy Scripture?

Answer: Christ taught us that we cannot know when the Second Coming will take place, but it will occur suddenly. The issue is that we are honorable to God, to our neighbors, and with ourselves every day, that we are at peace with our conscience, and that we love our fellow men without selfishness, which is the most important thing. I cannot accept the false prophets who cause agony and questioning among people. I like to talk about life, love, altruism and divine eros.

19. Question: What is your opinion of Darwinism?

Answer: There are various theories about creation and the evolution of man. The conflict between Christianity and science is primarily in the Western world, among other Christian traditions. In Orthodox theology, as expressed by the Fathers of the Church, there is no conflict between theology and science, because theology and science operate in different fields.

However, for me as a Cleric and theologian what primarily occupies me is another evolution: How we as people can become deified - gods. How we can transform our animalistic actions to human and divine. How self-love can change to love for God and love for people. How the hell of our lives can change to paradise. How our biological impulses can progress to divine eros, which also transforms human eros. How we will cease to view our neighbor as instruments for pleasure and view them with complete joy. How we can become people of the God-man.

I do not like being shut in a prison and to be given the freedom to adorn it well. I want to leave every sort of prison. I want freedom of the spirit, to be lifted above the ephemeral, and seek the transcendence of death.

Source: Ekklesiastiki Paremvasi, "Συνέντευξη τού Σεβασμιωτάτου σέ μαθητές Λυκείου «Μέ τά μάτια τών μαθητών»", September 2013. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.

Saint Symeon the New Theologian as a Model for our Lives

St. Symeon the New Theologian (Feast Day - October 12)

By Protopresbyter Fr. George Papavarnavas

The venerable Symeon the New Theologian was born in 949 in Galatia of Paphlagonia (Asia Minor). He studied in Constantinople and subsequently entered the imperial court as a dignitary. However, because he sought higher things, he was not satisfied with worldly positions. He had the blessing to connect with Elder Symeon the Pious, under whose guidance he lived in spiritual asceticism. And while he was still a layman he obtained his first experience of the uncreated Light. At the age of 27 he entered as a novice in the Monastery of Studion and later in the Monastery of Saint Mamas, where he became a monk and was ordained a priest. After spending three years in the Monastery he was elected abbot, yet because he wanted to enforce the monastic rules of Basil the Great he was met with vociferous opposition from the monks and resigned.

While he enjoyed great honor in the overall environment of Constantinople, he was opposed by the former Metropolitan of Nicomedia and the then Chancellor, Stephen. The cause of Stephen's jealousy was his intolerance to the reputation of Symeon as a theologian. And because he could not criticize him for any other reason, he used the fact that Symeon, on his own initiative, celebrated in his Monastery the memory of his late spiritual father Symeon the Pious. The result was the exile of the Venerable One to the deserted area of Marmara. There he found the ruined Church of Saint Marina, which he renovated with his own personal effort, and then built a Monastery, which gathered many monks. His reputation spread and many important people in Constantinople visited him seeking spiritual guidance. Ultimately he was vindicated, but he remained in the place of his exile until his venerable repose.

His memory was established to be celebrated festively on October 12th, because the day of his repose (March 12th) coincides with the period of Great Lent.

Of his writings, there exist 92 discourses and 282 practical and theological chapters, as well as theological hymns. The Church has awarded him the honorary title of "New Theologian".

Below we will taste a few drops of spiritual water from the living well of his inspired teachings, specifically from his discourse "Alphabetical Chapters":

"There is no greater sin than to approach God without fear, respect and reverence."

"He who prays or chants casually and disdainfully to Him who even the Seraphim fear, obviously is ignorant of Him. For this reason even if God wanted to have mercy on him, he could not."

"It is better therefore to not chant at all to God, than to chant only with the mouth."

"Just as the nous sees and the nous hears, in the same way the nous should chant through the mouth."

"Therefore the nous should chant to God through the mouth. Because, however, it is impossible and impractical for the nous to chant unless it has previously accepted illumination and the energy of the Holy Spirit, we must take care of this before everything else."

"We must first correct the nous, for it to be focused when it prays, when it reads and when it is taught. Otherwise, everything else is futile and progress will never come to the soul."

"For the extent to which the nous is corrected, everyone is also given the measure of the knowledge and awareness of themselves and God."

The nous is the eye of the soul. When the nous is illumined, then man can see the glory of God, can truly know Him, and can acquire self-knowledge. In this state, his prayer is pure and heard by God. The nous is illumined when one struggles to apply the commandments of God in their life, and to live the ascetic, prayerful, and sacramental life.

"Children, youth and elders are invited to the temple of the Lord and during the services are bored, but in the theaters and the dances and at the games they rejoice, running to them eagerly. So what great strength is needed by human nature to change and eliminate what is against nature which he considers according to nature, and to acquire the ethos which is according to nature but appears to be against nature? Therefore, unless they are altered by the grace of Jesus, they cannot move to be according to nature."

Many times we have heard the view, especially from so-called nature worshippers, that the natural life is life in nature, and therefore the natural man is one who loves nature. Others consider the life of sin to be the natural life, and even refer to sinful acts as natural things, and consequently those who sin without a conscience and without repentance are perfectly normal people. However, in accordance with the teaching of the Orthodox Church, as expressed by Saint Symeon the New Theologian, as well as other Fathers, the natural man is the one who by the Grace of God and their personal struggle transforms their passions and is regenerated spiritually. That is, they reach the state which the First-Created Adam and Eve were in while in Paradise, or even higher since they have been united with Christ. 

Before their fall into sin, Adam and Eve were natural people, since they were fulfilling the purpose for their creation. They had an illuminated nous, could see God and speak with Him. They had true love between them and loved all of creation. Therefore, a person within the Church has the ability to be united with God, and when he succeeds in this by the Grace of God and their own personal struggle, then "he will observe the Grace of the Holy Spirit residing within him and energizing the virtues."

According to Saint Symeon, "the person who lacks the Grace of the Holy Spirit is dead to God, and unable to have citizenship in the heavens", while those who are energized by the Holy Spirit are spiritual people, full of vitality, with fullness and meaning of life.

Source: Ekklesiastiki Paremvasi, "Όσιος Συμεών ο Νέος Θεολόγος", September 2011. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.

Assembly IV of Bishops Concludes, Issues Statements to the Faithful

The fourth annual meeting of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America closed with the release of the following press release.

Assembly IV Concludes; Assembly Issues Statements to the Faithful

Friday, September 20, 2013

In the final day of its annual meeting, the Assembly agreed to issue two statements—one on the Church’s unchanging position on marriage and one expressing grave concern over the escalating violence in the Middle East. The Assembly also released a message to the faithful on the conclusion of Assembly IV.

The three statements can be found here: statement on marriage; statement on violence in the Middle East; and message to the faithful. In other business, the Assembly voted unanimously to re-elect Bishop Basil as secretary and Metropolitan Antony as treasurer. Archbishop Demetrios recognized and commended them for their devotion to the Assembly over the past three years. The Assembly also reviewed and approved the 2014 budget. The Assembly expects to hold its next meeting in September 2014. More documents pertaining to the Assembly, including the minutes and 2014 budget, will be forthcoming on the Assembly’s web site.

The hierarchs concluded the meeting by singing the Apolytikion of Pentecost: Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast shown forth the fishermen as supremely wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them didst draw the world into Thy net. O Befriender of man, glory be to Thee.

Source

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Addresses the Issue of Homosexual Marriage

On September 7, 2013 His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Holy Cathedral of St. Symeon in Tallinn, Estonia. Early that afternoon, His All-Holiness presided over Vespers Service in the same church, at which time he delivered the Homily. Below is an excerpt of this Homily, in which he addressed the topic of the relationship between Church and Family, and in turn condemned Homosexual Marriage as an innovation foreign to the ecclesiological mindset and way of life.

The Church, my beloved parents and children, and subsequently the family, which consists lawfully and by the command of God of men and women, and the children acquired, is not a foundation or association or a simple organization, but a Body, as it is wonderfully depicted by the Apostle Paul. And this parallelism is accurate and true. Church and marriage. Husband and wife. Body and its members.

This community, signified in the Mysteries and in the obedience of Faith, both in the Church and in the family, is sanctified and mystagogued through the Mystery of Marriage, which, according to the Fathers, is a mystery of co-creation, and the ontological link of love with the Head of the Body, to ensure health and life, which is salvation and sanctification.

As in our Orthodox Church, where no member is forgiven to deal with things in a peculiar form and at one's discretion and to prey on the proper operation and sincere communion of the love and unity of faith of the other members, or despise and ignore them, because they create cancerous disorders, agitations, dissensions, schisms, and heresies. This applies as well to the miniature church, the family, in which is required compassion, love and unity for the structure to be built, in which the father, the mother and the children have a place inter-embracing one another's gifts, responsibilities and rights, and they are "individually members of it".

God blesses our every effort towards the fulfillment of His will, and every struggle in life, according to one's faithfulness in each and every talent. It suffices to realize in time our given talents and gifts and therefore our obligations for our every personal role, which God expects us to live out in the ecclesiastical and familial body as Orthodox Christians, activating its divine-human nature, within the framework of our God-given limits and conditions. For God created man "male and female", that we might not imitate those who "exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever praised" (Romans 1:24-26).

To our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed families through the Mystery of Marriage at Cana of Galilee and changed water into wine, that is, into joy and feasting, and to His Body, the Orthodox Church, the partnering of the same sex is unknown and condemned, and they condemn the contemporary invention of "mutual cohabitation", which is the result of sin and not the law of joy, and by their actions the "females exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error" (Romans 1:26-28). Let this not also be born in you, Orthodox Estonians, brethren and children.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.

Saint John the Much-Suffering and Recluse of the Kiev Caves

Venerable John the Much-Suffering (Feast Day - July 18)

Venerable John the Much-Suffering pursued asceticism at the Kiev Caves Lavra, accepting many sorrows for the sake of virginity.

The ascetic recalled that from the time of his youth he had suffered much, tormented by fleshly lust, and nothing could deliver him from it, neither hunger nor thirst nor heavy chains. He then went into the cave where the relics of St Anthony rested, and he fervently prayed to the holy Abba. After a day and a night the much-suffering John heard a voice: “John! It is necessary for you to become a recluse, in order to weaken the vexation by silence and seclusion, and the Lord shall help you by the prayers of His monastic saints.” The saint settled into the cave from that time, and only after thirty years did he conquer the fleshly passions.

Tense and fierce was the struggle upon the thorny way on which the monk went to victory. Sometimes the desire took hold of him to forsake his seclusion, but then he resolved on still greater effort. The holy warrior of Christ dug out a pit and with the onset of Great Lent he climbed into it, and he covered himself up to the shoulders with earth. He spent the whole of Lent in such a position, but the burning of his former passions did not leave him. The enemy of salvation brought terror upon the ascetic, wishing to expel him from the cave: a fearsome serpent, breathing fire and sparks, tried to swallow the saint. For several days these evil doings continued.

On the night of the Resurrection of Christ the serpent seized the head of the monk in its jaws. Then St John cried out from the depths of his heart: “O Lord my God and my Savior! Why have You forsaken me? Have mercy upon me, only Lover of Mankind; deliver me from my foul iniquity, so that I am not trapped in the snares of the Evil one. Deliver me from the mouth of my enemy: send down a flash of lightning and drive it away.” Suddenly a bolt of lightning flashed, and the serpent vanished. A Divine Light shone upon the ascetic, and a Voice was heard: “John! Here is help for you. Be attentive from now on, that nothing worse happen to you, and that you do not suffer in the age to come.”

The saint prostrated himself and said: “Lord! Why did You leave me for so long in torment?” “I tried you according to the power of your endurance,” was the answer. “I brought upon you temptation, so that you might be purified like gold. It is to the strong and powerful servants that a master assigns the heavy work, and the easy tasks to the infirm and to the weak. Therefore pray to the one buried here (Moses the Hungarian), he can help you in this struggle, for he did greater deeds than Joseph the All-Comely” (March 31).

The monk died in the year 1160, having acquired grace against profligate passions. His incorrupt relics rest in the Caves of St Anthony.

We pray to St John for deliverance from sexual impurity.

Source

Metropolitan of Thessaloniki's Statement on the Gay Pride Parade

Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki characterizes the homosexual event on the weekend of June 14-15 as a shame, a challenge, and a symptom of corruption. In his issued statement he calls on the faithful to abstain and remove their children from such events.

Below is the statement of the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki:

The Sacred Metropolis of Thessaloniki with great sadness and deep concern is obligated once again to treat pastorally and preventavely the unpleasant, unacceptable, and reprehensible presence of homosexuals, who are preparing a festival on June 14 and 15 to parade through Thessaloniki showcasing their passions in the form of a carnival. It is a shame, it is a challenge, and it is a symptom of corruption. But it is a municipal decision of our City and especially of our Mayor John Boutari. The only concession of the Mayor after our discussion was that this disgraceful concentration not take place in front of the churches of Saint Sophia and Saint Gregory Palamas, but in Liberty Square, far from the churches.

But I have to announce to the public that there were similar events in the capital of Georgia which brought conflicts and riots from the sacred Clergy and the Christian people, who did not want this miserable spectacle. And something else of equal importance: a French citizen, a former MP, 78 years old, killed himself in front of the Holy Altar of the Sacred Church of Notre Dame Cathedral in connection with France's just-approved same-sex marriage bill.

I further want to inform the men and women of Thessaloniki that I was visited in the Sacred Metropolis and given a folder of 19,500 signatures, approved, where they proclaim loudly and strongly against the presence and visibility of homosexuality in our city of Thessaloniki. They are perfectly justified and I agree with their views. I expect them again.

Finally I want to note, that no matter how serious or explosive the issue is, we Orthodox Christians do not ever practice violence. Therefore as a Bishop I will never recommend conflicts or injuries within our society. I plead with you, remove your children and yourselves from such unholy and unnatural manifestations, generate everywhere your objection to the passion of homosexuality, and pray for these people to get rid of their passion and return to a natural life, as taught by our faith and our traditions.

However, it would be correct for Mr. Mayor to thwart the presence of this carnival in our land.

The Metropolitan of Thessaloniki

Anthimos

From the Sacred Metropolis of Thessaloniki

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos

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Blessed Are the Enemy-Makers (St. John Climacus)

By St. John Climacus of Sinai

26:149 - "Blessed are the peacemakers" [Matt. 5:9]. No one will deny this. But I have also seen enemy-makers who are blessed.

A certain two developed impure affection for one another. But one of the discerning fathers, a most experienced man, was the means whereby they came to hate each other, by setting one against the other, telling each that he was being slandered by the other. And this wise man, by human roguery, succeeded in parrying the devil's malice and in producing hatred by which the impure affection was dissolved.

26:150 - Some set aside one commandment for the sake of another commandment. I have seen young men who were attached to one another in a right spirit. Yet, in order not to offend other men's conscience, by mutual agreement they kept apart for a time.

From The Ladder of Divine Ascent (Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Boston, 1991).