Anti-Ecumenism Pan-Orthodox Council to be held in summer at Ukraine’s Banchensk Monastery

Moscow, April 24, 2017

Photo: ua.igotoworld.com Photo: ua.igotoworld.com
    

An international coalition opposing the decisions of last June’s “Pan-Orthodox” Council on the island of Crete are planning to hold a “Pan-Orthodox” Council in Ukraine in June-July to anathematize ecumenism and those who support it, reports the site Religion in Ukraine.

The decision for the Ukraine synaxis came as a result of the recent “Thessaloniki Inter-Orthodox Synaxis” held on April 4. Although the gathering was forbidden by the hierarchy of the Greek Church, it brought together about a thousand clerical, monastic, and lay opponents of ecumenism and globalism from the Greek, Romanian, and Russian Orthodox Churches.

Greetings and blessings were read out to the gathering from Bishop Longin (Zhar), vicar bishop of the Chernivtsi Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and founder of Holy Ascension Monastery in Banchensk, which cares for around 500 children, some of whom are disabled and afflicted with HIV.

The synaxis called upon Greek clergy to cease commemoration of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, saying, “We have suspended association with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople as the main organizer of the Council, and with the representatives and preachers of the pan-heresy of ecumenism, and with all bishops who accept the Crete Council as Orthodox.”

Those gathered condemned ecumenism and the Crete Council. Moreover, the Thessaloniki participants laid plans to hold a Pan-Orthodox anti-ecumenism council at Banchensk Monastery in June-July, in which they intend to anathematize Patriarch Bartholomew and others who they view as supporters of ecumenism.

Bishop Longin has also taken a strict stance in regards to Patriarch Kirill’s February, 2016 joint declaration with Pope Francis. At the same time, Vladyka Longin has remained a member of the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church—a body advising the highest authority of the Russian Church in matters concerning its internal life and external activities.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Holy Ascension Monastery in Banchensk yesterday, on Thomas Sunday, or Anti-Pascha, concelebrated by Metropolitan Meletios of Chernivtsi and Bukovina and Bishop Longin.

4/24/2017

See also
Non-commemorating Athonite monks told they must leave their cells Non-commemorating Athonite monks told they must leave their cells Non-commemorating Athonite monks told they must leave their cells Non-commemorating Athonite monks told they must leave their cells
The situation has intensified on Mt. Athos after more than fifty cells ceased commemoration during the Divine services of His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, the ruling bishop of the Holy Mountain. Fifty Athonite cells cease commemoration of Ecumenical Patriarch Fifty Athonite cells cease commemoration of Ecumenical Patriarch Fifty Athonite cells cease commemoration of Ecumenical Patriarch Fifty Athonite cells cease commemoration of Ecumenical Patriarch
According to the Greek site vimaorthodoxias.gr, more than fifty Athonite monastic kalyves and cells have ceased commemoration of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, as reported by a monk of one of these cells. The “Council” of Crete and the New Emerging Ecclesiology: An Orthodox Examination The “Council” of Crete and the New Emerging Ecclesiology: An Orthodox Examination
Fr. Peter Alban Heers The “Council” of Crete and the New Emerging Ecclesiology: An Orthodox Examination The “Council” of Crete and the New Emerging Ecclesiology: An Orthodox Examination
Fr. Peter Alban Heers
In this new lecture, Fr. Peter offers an insightul and balanced look at June 2016's Council that took place on the island of Crete, in which participated ten of the fifteen Local Orthodox Churches. Fr. Peter's talk covers the long process leading up to the council, the events that occurred during the council, and the documents produced by it. Through his examination of the theology and procedures of the council, Fr. Peter demonstrates that it is not a true representation of the Orthodox Church and its Orthodox faith. Four Crete priests have ceased commemoration of bishops Four Crete priests have ceased commemoration of bishops Four Crete priests have ceased commemoration of bishops Four Crete priests have ceased commemoration of bishops
The Holy Provincial Synod of the Church of Crete met on March 16 to discuss, among other things, at least four priests having ceased commemoration of their bishops at the Divine Liturgy and other services of the Church. Commission of Sacred Community of Mt. Athos says final documents of Crete Council in need of revision Commission of Sacred Community of Mt. Athos says final documents of Crete Council in need of revision Commission of Sacred Community of Mt. Athos says final documents of Crete Council in need of revision Commission of Sacred Community of Mt. Athos says final documents of Crete Council in need of revision
Agionorus.ru introduces readers to the conclusion of the commission of the Sacred Community of Mt. Athos on the results of the Crete Council. The document was sent to members of the Holy Community on November 13/26, 2016, but is being published only now. Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos: texts of Crete Council in need of theological refinement Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos: texts of Crete Council in need of theological refinement Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos: texts of Crete Council in need of theological refinement Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos: texts of Crete Council in need of theological refinement
Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos, being a member of the Greek Orthodox Church’s delegation at the Crete Council, refused to sign the final document “Relations of the Orthodox Church With the Rest of the Christian World.” At a November session of the Greek Orthodox Holy Synod, Vladyka expressed the opinion that the Crete Council was not properly prepared for and did not represent a council of bishops, but a council of primates and their entourages.
Comments
Maria12/17/2018 4:52 pm
We want to hear more about this courageous confessor of Orthodoxy, Bishop Longin Zhar and his humanitarian mission in Ukraine. Please publish more about this man so we have updates on his well being especially now with the ongoing crisis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP). We pray that God brings forward more confessors like him to strengthen His Church during these evil times. Eis polls eti Despota! May God grant you many years.
Thomas7/14/2017 3:25 am
Dear Editors:

This is the only article I can find in English on this council. I have been looking for updates for nearly three months now, and have found none. Is this council still taking place? Do you have any more information about this?

Thank you.
Isidora4/26/2017 8:56 pm
O Most Holy Theotokos, keep these brave servants of your Son's true Orthodox Church under your protection.
Riginos4/26/2017 3:53 pm
Let us pray for the Holy Spirits guidance and Love. So that the devil will not succeed in destroying the Church inwardly. OH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD HAVE MERCY UPON ALL OF US. GUIDE.US TO YOUR WILL!
Bill4/26/2017 2:12 am
ROCOR already anathematized the heresy of ecumenism back in 1983.
ACatharina4/25/2017 11:20 am
I was under the impression that the clergymen were indifferent towards ecumenism and nobody is going to challenge that movement or speak against it. I'm glad there are still people who deeply care about this matter.
George4/25/2017 9:20 am
I am very glad to see wide support against ecumenism. This is definitely a serious issue, but I actually haven't seen a single formal moderated debate between Orthodox people on different sides of the question, which I think is very important.

This age condemns "intolerance" more than error, and most academics, establishments, and our so-called leaders are completely deluded about the truth.

The Orthodox Catholic Church is the one true Church, and all others are in error. I have read lots of old books and debates, and I am fully satisfied on this matter. The most difficult question for me personally is the teaching of "no salvation outside the Church", but I don't take the strictest view on that point, and I am satisfied that God will judge rightly.
Here you can leave your comment on the present article, not exceeding 4000 characters. All comments will be read by the editors of OrthoChristian.Com.
Enter through FaceBook
Your name:
Your e-mail:
Enter the digits, seen on picture:

Characters remaining: 4000

Subscribe
to our mailing list

* indicates required
×