[Editor’s note: Every now and then, Gail and I receive an article for submission from you, our readers. This is one such article. It was written by a man named Peter who is a Greek-American and is concerned about the trajectory of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. We hope you take the time to read it and of course, comment.]
Archbishop Elpidophoros’ Misplaced Priorities
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America is obviously incapable of maintaining order within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. But rather than addressing internal challenges, he is persistently involving himself in international politics. His support for the LGBT agenda, among other modernist stances, has already alienated traditional Orthodox followers. However, he continues to pursue a modernist agenda that includes floating trial balloons on other controversial topics like women deaconesses. And now he is reported to be aligning with the Ukrainian authorities’ efforts to dissolve the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which may only fuel further controversy.
According to some Ukrainian sources, back in 2022, Abp. Elpidophoros was contacted by the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Kyiv, Bishop Michel Anischenko of Komana, at the then Bishop of Edmonton Hilarion’s suggestion. His counterpart from the UOC to discuss the Exarch’s idea of the UOC’s temporary transition under the Ecumenical patriarchate’s omophorion became Archbishop of Artsyz Victor Bykov. Their secret meeting took place in September 2022, when Archbishop Victor visited the United States with a humanitarian mission.
At the meeting, Abp. Victor spoke on behalf of the UOC’s First Hierarch Metropolitan of Kyiv Onufry without him knowing. He even agreed that Metropolitan Onufry may start commemorating the Ecumenical Patriarch at the Liturgy among other Primates of the Autocephalous Churches as a gesture of goodwill, hoping to persuade him with the alleged gains of the negotiations for the UOC.
Some observers speculate that Elpidophoros’ intervention in Ukrainian church affairs is motivated by a desire to undermine Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, his main competitor in the struggle for the patriarchate, and boost his own chances of becoming the next Ecumenical Patriarch. This guess fits well with his broader pattern of using international issues to advance his ecclesiastical influence — until it concerns his Turkish birthland’s attack on Byzantine Orthodox Christian heritage.
That’s why Archbishop Elpidophoros is reported to have been very interested in the proposal that Metropolitan Onufry might start a dialogue with the OCU in case the OCU ceases seizing temples from the UOC’s parishes. The GOArch’s Primate wasn’t also confused with Victor’s asking for a meeting between Bartholomew and a group of bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, whom he promised to attract, to discuss a possible transfer to the temporary jurisdiction of the Phanar.
Before his appointment to the Archdiocese in the United States, Abp. Elpidophoros was actively engaged in the Ukrainian church issue, that’s why he was well versed in it and familiar with all the key figures. So, he was well aware of the lack of trust and even desire to pass over under the jurisdiction of Constantinople among the UOC hierarchs, priests, and laity. Nevertheless, he didn’t leave the idea of outshining Met. Emmanuel in Pat. Bartholomew’s eyes. He didn’t leave it even when Victor, who had eventually reported the negotiations to Met. Onufry, returned to the Archbishop of America by phone with new, virtually unacceptable to Constantinople, terms of the UOC’s Primate. Abp. Elpidophoros still hoped that he would be able to soften Onufry’s stance through negotiations and contacts with individual bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which would help him proceed in Constantinople.
In April 2023, Archbishop Elpidophoros managed to include Metropolitan of Pisidia Job Getcha and the aforementioned Archbishop Hilarion, at that time already Archbishop of Winnipeg, into the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He also gained the support of a couple more members of the Synod. With their help, after a loud wrangle and accusing opponent Met. Emmanuel of betraying the interests of the Mother Church, Abp. Elpidophoros managed to force a decision to create a commission for negotiations with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church at a regular meeting of the Synod.
As is already known, Metropolitan Emmanuel, acting through the OCU’s Metropolitan Eustratiy Zorya and the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, blocked the arrival of the commission for the year 2023. The subsequent visit of Met. Emmanuel to Kyiv almost buried the idea of negotiations. Archbishop Sylvester Stoychev, who met with Emmanuel from the UOC’s side, sent a letter to Archbishop Elpidophoros and openly demanded Elpidophoros publicly condemn in person the seizures of UOC temples by the OCU in order to continue the dialogue. It seems like only this letter brought the Archbishop back to reality and made him leave his adventure; being disappointed with it, he significantly reduced his contacts with the UOC.
Just to remember, this high-stakes ecclesiastical maneuvering came at a time when the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was facing potential outlawing by the government. So, the real attitude of Abp. Elpidophoros toward “the issue of unity in Ukrainian Orthodoxy” is quite clear.
On top of that, in his efforts to influence the Ukrainian situation, Elpidophoros has reportedly drawn Metropolitan Tikhon, the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, in to facilitate negotiations between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. That put the OCA in a precarious position and entangled it in complex international disputes, which could jeopardize its relationships with other Orthodox jurisdictions as well as its own stability and unity.
Unfortunately, under Patriarch Bartholomew and hierarchs like Elpidophoros and Emmanuel, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has reached an extreme degree of decline. The Patriarchate’s alleged political bias and involvement in financial improprieties, including bribery related to the Ukrainian autocephaly decision, have further damaged its reputation.
Even the Ukrainian government appears confident in its ability to manipulate Bartholomew for political gain, as evidenced by his support for controversial Ukrainian laws targeting religious organizations. Indeed, if he helped former President Poroshenko, now President Zelensky can also expect the same. And it doesn’t matter to them if Pat. Bartholomew’s actions, such as the controversial decision to grant autocephaly to a minority Ukrainian church faction in 2018, would be accused of causing division and violence.
Some Orthodox commentators now view the Patriarchate of Constantinople as having strayed so far from traditional Orthodox values that they liken it to a “Babylonian harlot”. As divisions deepen and controversies multiply, many faithful Orthodox Christians are left questioning the wisdom and motivations of their hierarchs. The controversial strategies deployed by these leaders have not only jeopardized their own standing but have also cast a shadow over the future coherence and integrity of Orthodoxy in America and beyond. This suggests that American Orthodoxy may need to choose a different course to maintain its spiritual integrity.
Lori Vurnas says
The wokeness of Kyro, Elps and Bart complies with those who control
their destiny. Were the fanar to end up like Krajina, Nagorno or 1955,
Russia would claim primacy, which is their only goal. But if Orthodoxy
were dominated by Russia, Orthodoxy would be seen as oriental despotism.
Brendan says
More misplaced priorities?
Pope Francis: “Every religion is a way to arrive at God.”
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-pope-francis-every-religion-is-a-way-to-arrive-at-god/?utm_source=featured-news&utm_campaign=catholic
“Pope Francis told young people in Singapore that being ‘Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Christian’
are just ‘different paths,’ as ‘every religion is a way’ to God.”
The cult of Huitzilipochtli…?
Brendan says
“Abp. Victor spoke on behalf of the UOC’s First Hierarch
Metropolitan of Kyiv Onufry without him knowing.””
ie: He spoke for himself … [and others?]
Hilber Nelson says
Peter’s expose of corruption and deceit reads like a bombshell report on the Biden crime family, only worse, because we are not reading the nefarious deeds of a politician, but of a supposed Orthodox shepherd. That Pat Bart is not reining in this rogue apostate tells me he is comfortably complicit, perhaps the benefactor. Sadly, while Elpido prefers to play politics with the globalists than to cleaning up the garbage in his own backyard, Peter and the faithful remain all but shepherd-less, and essentially left to hold their noses from the rot of their now collapsing archdiocese. Something tells me the collapse is a controlled demolition. The problem with sweeping garbage under the rug is that it will eventually rot the rug, as Peter has said is happening now. It wouldn’t surprise me to read in the very near future a follow up article about the faithful no longer able to stomach the stench of Elpido’s mess and throwing up their hands in exasperation at do-nothing priests. Nor would it surprise me to read of little bands of the faithful declaring they are no longer “in communion” with the GOA, and have chosen to follow in the footsteps of Russia’s Catacomb Saints.
Brian says
When will these people stop building their houses on sand?
Brendan says
When the sea removes the sand
and the houses built thereon…
Misha says
I’m slightly amused by all of this. How do these people expect the OCU to operate in a country controlled by Russia? Do they actually believe Kiev can hold out indefinitely? Seems like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
George Michalopulos says
I see your point, Misha. This rearranging of the deck chairs indicates to me that Project Ukraine is not working out as the Collective West had hoped for. This includes Bartholomew and his minions.
If I may expand on this: as far as Cpole is concerned, I’m keeping my eye on certain bishops who are not toadying up to Bartholomew. They too, may be sensing a collapse. Thanks to Peter’s analysis, the two agonists in this drama are Emmanuel and Elpidophoros, each jockeying for the patriarchal throne when the present EP goes to his eternal reward.
I have a feeling because the Russians are moving ever forward to Kiev that there will be another man (who is not aligned with Bartholomew) who will be elected.
Thoughts?
Alex says
Well, Misha, it is amusing, yet troubling at the same time. I just wish that Met. Tikhon and the OCA haven’t really been trying to ‘help’ out behind the scenes. Bothers the heck out of me.
George Michalopulos says
I agree, Alex. It would be best for the OCA to just stand back and let the fake church of the Ukraine collapse under the weight of its own contradictions.
I can’t even come up with a macchiavelian angle as to how the OCA would benefit from “helping” Onuphriy and Dumenko heal Bart’s schism. Perhaps there is a way but I can’t see it.
Best to just leave it alone.
Alex says
George, I think it comes down to the OCAs ongoing identity crisis. Are they an ‘American’ Church or an off-shoot of the Russian Church? You’ve got to remember that the OCA had been slow to show any tangible public support of the canonical Ukrainian Church, and that was rather strange in how it unfolded a couple of months ago. First Met. Tikhon visits Met. Onufriy in Ukraine, then he pays a visit to the Phanar in Istanbul. It’s almost like hey, we want to do the right thing, but on the other hand, don’t want to burn any bridges. (Even if the bridges that you burn are with suspect Orthodox, and could only be better for you!)
Like I said, it bothers the heck out of me!
The OCA needs to show unconditional support for the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and at the same time take care of itself. They need to concentrate on evangelizing America, and taking care of it’s internal issues, like clergy pension shortfalls and other things.
George Michalopulos says
agreed.
Johann Sebastian says
It is unlikely that the OCA will do anything to betray the canonical UOC. The members of that delegation are firmly on Met. Onufriy’s side.
And although the OCA has become a multiethnic jurisdiction with a lot of converts who may not understand or relate to the historical intricacies here, remember that the OCA’s backbone is Carpatho-Russian. To us, Ukrainian nationalists are the evil villains of family lore.
No chance we’ll jump ship. We built it.
Also, we commemorated Maxim Sandovich yesterday. A Rusyn martyr who was accused of Russian collaboration by those who concocted the idea of Ukrainian nationalism—the Habsburgs.
Gail Sheppard says
I especially hated when they condemned Russia for the war. Why should a Church have an opinion on what a country does? Why can’t they just say they hate all war? War is always a regrettable option but to weigh in on any country’s decision seems like overreach to me. Do we have political analysts in the hierarchy that I’m unaware of? Who is the OCA to “ask that the hostilities be ceased immediately and that President Putin put an end to the military operations.”
That sounds pretty arrogant to me.
To what end? So NATO can come in and divide Russia into 5 pieces? So the nationalists can continue to execute the separatists for speaking Russian? So the population can be made sick by the deployment of genetically engineered bioweapons that attack people with Russian DNA? (Ukrainians have Russian DNA!) So the Church can be brutalized and banned?
The OCA goes on to say, “As Orthodox Christians, we condemn violence and aggression . . to our beloved Ukrainian brothers and sisters, as well to all of you who are certainly troubled and concerned about these recent developments. . . ”
OK, they condemn violence and aggression. So what about their brother, Patriarch Kirill, who is OVER the UOC in Ukraine?
It’s his people that are being persecuted. Russia has no quarrel with Ukraine.
Russia’s quarrel is with the Nazis who have infiltrated Ukraine.
Many Ukrainians think of themselves as Russian which is why they tried to separate from Ukraine. Has the OCA no sympathy for them? By calling attention to the struggles of one side, they are dismissing the struggles of the other. This sort of thing won’t be forgotten.
If America were faced with these same challenges in a territory that happened to be as close as TX, as an example, I’m guessing we would act and the OCA would be just fine with it.
They need to stick with Church stuff.
Brendan says
Joan Baez – With God On Our Side (1965)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8IoLkoQ19E
[Video – 07:21]
Oh my name it ain’t nothin’
My age it means less
The country I come from
Is called the Midwest
I was taught and brought up there
The laws to abide
And that land that I live in
Has God on its side
Oh, the history books tell it
They tell it so well
The cavalries charged
The Indians fell
The cavalries charged
The Indians died
Oh, the country was young
With God on its side
The Spanish-American
War had its day
And the Civil War, too
Was soon laid away
And the names of the heroes
I was made to memorize
With guns in their hands
And God on their side
The First World War, boys
It came and it went
The reason for fighting
I never did get
But I learned to accept it
Accept it with pride
For you don’t count the dead
When God’s on your side
The Second World War
Came to an end
We forgave the Germans
And then we were friends
Though they murdered six million
In the ovens they fried
The Germans now, too
Have God on their side
I’ve learned to hate the Russians
All through my whole life
If another war comes
It’s them we must fight
To hate them and fear them
To run and to hide
And accept it all bravely
With God on my side
But now we got weapons
Of chemical dust
If fire them, we’re forced to
Then fire, them we must
One push of the button
And a shot the world wide
And you never ask questions
When God’s on your side
Through many a dark hour
I’ve been thinkin’ about this
That Jesus Christ was
Betrayed by a kiss
But I can’t think for you
You’ll have to decide
Whether Judas Iscariot
Had God on his side.
So now as I’m leavin’
I’m weary as Hell
The confusion I’m feelin’
Ain’t no tongue can tell
The words fill my head
And fall to the floor
That if God’s on our side
He’ll stop the next war
[Lyrics – Bob Dylan]
Gail Sheppard says
Great song!
Brendan says
Joan Baez – With God On Our Side (1965)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8IoLkoQ19E
[Video – 07:21]
Oh my name it ain’t nothin’
My age it means less
The country I come from
Is called the Midwest
I was taught and brought up there
The laws to abide
And that land that I live in
Has God on its side
Oh, the history books tell it
They tell it so well
The cavalry charged
The Indians fell
The cavalry charged
The Indians died
Oh, the country was young
With God on its side
The Spanish-American
War had its day
And the Civil War, too
Was soon laid away
And the names of the heroes
I was made to memorize
With guns in their hands
And God on their side
The First World War, boys
It came and it went
The reason for fighting
I never did get
But I learned to accept it
Accept it with pride
For you don’t count the dead
When God’s on your side
The Second World War
Came to an end
We forgave the Germans
And then we were friends
Though they murdered six million
In the ovens they fried
The Germans now, too
Have God on their side
I’ve learned to hate the Russians
All through my whole life
If another war comes
It’s them we must fight
To hate them and fear them
To run and to hide
And accept it all bravely
With God on my side
But now we got weapons
Of chemical dust
If fire them, we’re forced to
Then fire, them we must
One push of the button
And a shot the world wide
And you never ask questions
When God’s on your side
Through many a dark hour
I’ve been thinkin’ about this
That Jesus Christ was
Betrayed by a kiss
But I can’t think for you
You’ll have to decide
Whether Judas Iscariot
Had God on his side.
So now as I’m leavin’
I’m weary as Hell
The confusion I’m feelin’
Ain’t no tongue can tell
The words fill my head
And fall to the floor
That if God’s on our side
He’ll stop the next war
[Lyrics – Bob Dylan]