Abbot Gregory of Dochariou: Orthodox Church receives no benefit from dialogues with heterodox

Moscow, June 13, 2017

Photo: vimaorthodoxias.gr Photo: vimaorthodoxias.gr
    

Archimandrite Gregory (Zumis), abbot of the Dochariou Monastery on Mt. Athos, has released another article, this time devoted to topical problems of Church life, including persecutions against monks who do not accept the Crete Council, and ecumenical dialogues. The main points of his article have been published on AgionOros.ru.

“We proclaim that Christ has freed us, and that man has become a participant in this freedom in Christ,” the abbot writes, “Therefore, it is very sorrowful to see how monks are being persecuted with impunity, but Muslims enjoy freedom and patronage from Church and state authorities.” Fr. Gregory is referring to the more than fifty Athonite monastic kalyves and cells which ceased commemoration of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, in response to the “ecumenical course” of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, especially following last June’s “Great and Holy Council.”

Although non-commemorators have been left in peace in the past, these roughly one hundred monks have received notification that they must leave their cells. However, many of the monks have declined to voluntarily leave their habitations.

“The same persecutions were undertaken during the transition to the new style liturgical calendar, resulting in a Church schism,” Fr. Gregory writes, recalling the sad splintering of “Old Calendarist” groups.

However, while the abbot decries the current harassment that the non-commemorators are being subjected to, he also writes, “I do not cease commemoration of my bishop (unless he is subjected to conciliar condemnation). I do not want to cause a split in the Church, because I consider it the greatest sin…”

“I remain in the Church, and with humbly bowed head and pain I say to our Mother, ‘Mother Church, I am not finding rest in your words. Help me. Do not leave me to wander on narrow and desperate paths.’” Archimandrite Gregory continues.

“I am not a zealot, but I am not an ecumenist,” the elder writes. “I absolutely do not like to see how the patriarch prays with and is photographed with the Pope of Rome and the heterodox. I had hoped that the Crete Council would renounce ecumenism, not approve it at a conciliar level,” writes the Athonite, echoing the concerns of many hierarchs, clergy, monastics, and faithful throughout the Orthodox world.

Reflecting on the ecumenical movement, Fr. Gregory states, “The Orthodox Church has received no benefit from these dialogues [with the heterodox]. On the contrary, they have brought confusion to the people and sorrow to pious Christians…” With these words, he echoed the sentiments of Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, who has said, “We need pan-Orthodox efforts. Attempts to negotiate with the heterodox have caused serious harm to the Orthodox Church.”

“The path of Orthodox confession is difficult,” the ascetic writes.

“It is based not on outbursts and explosions [of indignation], but the fear of God and deep faith that the Church is the mystical Body of Christ. The Lord is the head of the Church, and we are all, regardless of position, equal and responsible members of the Church, consciously believing that the gates of hell (heresy) will not overcome it. We believe and confess that the Church is Catholic and Holy,” he continues, professing his deep faith in the one true Church of Christ.

In accord with this faith, he writes, “We do not believe that there are some other ‘churches,’ regardless of whether they have retained traces of truth, or deliberately hide the truth.”

“May Christ confirm His Church, for if we lose faith in the One Church, then all is lost,” Abbot Gregory writes, in conclusion.

6/13/2017

See also
Met. Ambrose of Kalavryta to Pat. Bartholomew: “The council on Crete is a path to schism” Met. Ambrose of Kalavryta to Pat. Bartholomew: “The council on Crete is a path to schism” Met. Ambrose of Kalavryta to Pat. Bartholomew: “The council on Crete is a path to schism” Met. Ambrose of Kalavryta to Pat. Bartholomew: “The council on Crete is a path to schism”
In his view, the main result of the “notorious” Crete Council, which was neither holy nor great in his estimation, is that the Orthodox Church has divided into factions, and the Christian flock has been brought to confusion and turmoil. “In fact, a new schism is developing,” Met. Ambrose writes.
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.
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
Alan6/14/2017 12:33 am
Ecumenism should be treated like the sin it is. Why would faithful Orthodox consort with distorters of the truth? The answer is political, not religious.
Ecumenism should be treated with the disdain we normally reserve for heretics, for that is what they truly are.
Anthony6/13/2017 8:47 pm
Sorry but things are very serious. There was a recent article where the CIA shill phanar claimed Orthodox were really interested in Luther. He is getting more and more out of control, and every hierarch from every jurisdiction who does not speak out against this accursed heresy of ecumenism now has to answer. Why is the Russian Church so silent on the issue. Why have they not arranged a Council to condemn it. This is terrible. We know that the phanar is working for the accursed western powers to divide the Orthodox Church in much the same way as they have created political and chaos throughout the world. And yet our dear hierarchs remain silent. This is shameful. The wonderful Pater Theodoros Zizis has much to say on the issue and I really recommend his article published here:

https://orthodoxethos.com/post/the-recent-history-of-ecumenism-and-the-struggle-for-orthodoxy-part-a
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
×