Greek Orthodox prelates denounce Catholicism as heresy
April 15, 2014
In a harsh 89-page letter addressed to “Francis, head of state of the Vatican City,” two Greek Orthodox prelates have denounced Catholicism as a heresy and urged the Pope to repentance.
In their lengthy message, heavily laced with anti-Catholic claims and conspiracy theories, Metropolitan Andreas of Dryinoupolis and Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus condemn the Catholic Church, the Vatican, and Pope Francis himself. The two Greek Orthodox prelates say that the teachings of the Catholic Church “are a clear blasphemy against the All-Holy Spirit and which show your theological departure and the satanic pride of which you are possessed.”
Metropolitans Andreas and Seraphim claim at the outset that their message is motivated by “pure, sincere, and selfless Christian love.” At a time when most Christian leaders are sending Easter greetings to each other, they say that the feel compelled to “endeavor with all our might to restore you to the Mother Orthodox Catholic Church.”
The two Greek prelates also express their contempt for the “pan-heresy of ecumenism” and decry the willingness of other Orthodox leaders to engage in dialogue with Rome.
Metropolitan Seraphim has long been the most intransigent representative of the Greek Orthodox Church, which has retained pockets of animosity toward Rome. In March 2012, Metropolitan Seraphim issued a series of anathemas, condemning Pope Benedict XVI, drawing a rebuke from Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. The bitter new message from Metropolitans Seraphim and Andreas may prompt an apology to the Pope from Archbishop Ieronymos, the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church.
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Posted by: -
Apr. 17, 2014 11:08 AM ET USA
Yo, normduke, not sure who you have in mind, since everyone knows that all liberal politicians are not average at all, but far below that mark. A truly average one would be a veritable gift from God.
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Posted by: normnuke -
Apr. 17, 2014 1:56 AM ET USA
I don't know why I find this story refreshing, but I do. Maybe it's because an honest whacko like either of these guys is somebody I would greatly value as a friend over the average liberal politician. Not to mention names.
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Posted by: -
Apr. 16, 2014 2:54 PM ET USA
I hope that those in the Orthodox church who have communicated with the Holy Father with positive messages will outnumber the other.
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Posted by: -
Apr. 15, 2014 11:45 PM ET USA
I suspect the path to reunion will have to come by way of each local Church in the Orthodox Communion.
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Posted by: geoffreysmith1 -
Apr. 15, 2014 6:02 PM ET USA
I don't think the young Greeks will pay any attention to this diatribe. They are far more impressed by the pictures taken outside St Peter's in Rome, where Pope Francis was mobbed by thousands of Catholic faithful. Can you imagine that happening to a Greek Orthodox bishop? No, neither can I!
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Posted by: -
Apr. 15, 2014 5:17 PM ET USA
I expect we'll be seeing more outbursts like this as a prelude to the eventual rapprochement just in time for the 1000 year anniversary of the Great Schism, coming up in 2054. Won't it be cool for the reigning Pontiff to note another fulfillment of Scripture, as in 2nd Peter, 1000 years with the Lord is just a day: "Schism? What Schism? We had a 24 hour difficulty, and now we've kisssed and made up." What a great day that will be. I would have been 98.
