Greek Metropolitan of Chicago who canceled diocesan services leads ecumenical prayer with Catholics and Protestants (+VIDEO)

Chicago, April 1, 2020

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Last week, Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America of the Patriarchate of Constantinople led an ecumenical prayer service with the Catholic Cardinal and Evangelical Lutheran bishop of Chicago.

Previously, on March 14, he issued a directive ordering the immediate suspension of “all liturgical services in parishes of the Holy Metropolis of Chicago.”

Met. Nathanael was the first Orthodox hierarch in America to make such a strong decision, which he announced days before the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople made the same decision for all its dioceses worldwide.

Both the Patriarchate and Met. Nathanael did later state that services could continue behind closed doors for the purposes of livestreaming.

“Services may be celebrated in parishes, but will NOT be open to the congregations to attend in person. The church building will remain locked during services;” “The faithful are NOT permitted to attend services and they must remain home,” Met. Nathanael directed on March 22.

Three days later, on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation, video of an ecumenical prayer service recorded in a Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Chicago was published.

“As people are asked to partake in social distancing, it’s important to find ways to approach one another through prayer,” Met. Nathanel wrote on his Facebook post of the video.

The service was led by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, Met. Nathanael, and Bishop Yehiel Curry of the Evangelical Lutheran Metropolitan Chicago Synod who all stood behind the Catholic altar table, with Bishop Jeffrey Lee of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and Bishop Sally Dyck of Chicago for the United Methodist Church joining in online.

“Christians cannot gather as we normally would do so in our churches for prayer and support. And so today, we want to reach out to all Christians with the invitation to pause at this time and in unison pray for every person touched by this pandemic,” Cardinal Cupich said, opening the service before giving the floor to Met. Nathanel, who reflected:

Brothers and sisters, dear friends, Christ is in our midst. As we continue our effort to reduce the effects of the coronavirus on society, it is important now more than ever to recognize that there is far more that unites us than divides us. Indeed the sacrifices made by first responders and doctors, the care and comfort offered by nurses and clergy, and the acts of love and mercy each of us is making for our neighbor, teaches us that although social distancing may separate us for just a short while, we remain strongly united as a local, national, and global Christian family. May God bless you and your loved ones.

The Evangelical Lutheran Bishop Curry then spoke, saying: “I’m grateful for this opportunity to come together in unity for prayer. We’re all connected in the Body of Christ…. We are one Body with many members.”

Then the three bishops all prayed the Lord’s together in unison.

Following the Our Father, Cardinal Cupich emphasized: “We are not in this alone. Being a Christian is being part of a community of faith, being a part of one Body.”

The three bishops then jointly offered a blessing, reciting the words of Holy Scripture.

Watch the entire service:

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4/1/2020

See also
Bill De Blasio Threatens To Permanently Close NYC Churches If They Don’t Comply With Social Distancing Bill De Blasio Threatens To Permanently Close NYC Churches If They Don’t Comply With Social Distancing Bill De Blasio Threatens To Permanently Close NYC Churches If They Don’t Comply With Social Distancing Bill De Blasio Threatens To Permanently Close NYC Churches If They Don’t Comply With Social Distancing
New York City Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio threatened late last week to permanently close places of worship if they broke social distancing efforts aimed at reducing the outbreak of COVID-19 in the hardest hit city in America.
Constantinople allows services to continue behind closed doors in U.S. for livestreaming Constantinople allows services to continue behind closed doors in U.S. for livestreaming Constantinople allows services to continue behind closed doors in U.S. for livestreaming Constantinople allows services to continue behind closed doors in U.S. for livestreaming
On Wednesday, March 18, the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople “universally declare[d] [its] ecclesiastical resolution and mandate to cease all divine services, events, and rites, with the exception of private prayer in churches that will remain open, until the end of March.”However, having spoken with Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Elpidophoros, the head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, informed the Archdiocesan bishops that services could continue behind closed doors, with the faithful joining in through livestreaming.
Greek Archbishop of America declares open Communion for non-Orthodox spouses Greek Archbishop of America declares open Communion for non-Orthodox spouses Greek Archbishop of America declares open Communion for non-Orthodox spouses Greek Archbishop of America declares open Communion for non-Orthodox spouses
In front of dozens of participants, Abp. Elpidophoros declared that anyone who was married in the Orthodox Church can receive Communion in the Orthodox Church, regardless of whether they are Orthodox or not.
Comments
chip4/4/2020 5:30 pm
Luke 9;49-50 "Master," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us." "Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you."
Anon Ymous4/4/2020 7:21 am
This is heresy, forbidden by Christ (being Truth) and His Apostles (who spoke against being cozy with heresy and heretics). There's no other word for it.
Alexander Leitner4/3/2020 9:23 am
The greek church and especially Bartholomew are leading people to apostasy
Petros 4/1/2020 10:40 pm
And this should come as a surprise to....no one... It’s the same with Patriarch Bartholomew, igniting the pleas of his fellow hierarchs to meet for Orthodox unity, he has no time for that BUT does have time to do the commencement speech for a Catholic university
AncientPreference4/1/2020 10:25 pm
The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Alex4/1/2020 5:25 pm
Too bad that this isn't an 'April Fool's Day' joke :(
Timmy4/1/2020 5:25 pm
Christ said, "You will know them by their fruits...Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." This is unfortunate but expected. However, we know how this will ultimately end. The temptation we must resist is allowing our faithless hierarchs (and heretical ecumenical patriarch) to scandalize us. Instead, we must embrace & carry our crosses on the path that leads straight through hell & into the kingdom of heaven. As St. Silouan said, "Keep your mind in hell and despair not." "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" Kyrie Eleison!
Mikhail4/1/2020 4:10 pm
This is not surprising behaviour from this man. I feel sorry for the faithful in Chicago.
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