• About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Saturday, June 10, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
Orthodox Times (en)
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
Orthodox Times (en)
No Result
View All Result

Abbot of the Mount Athos Monastery of Esphigmenou: Ukraine, for the faith of Christ and freedom

Mar 14, 2022 | 15:53
in Opinions
Abbot of the Mount Athos Monastery of Esphigmenou: Ukraine, for the faith of Christ and freedom

by Archimandrite Bartholomew, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Esphigmenou

A lot of people ask why the Ukrainians are so resistant to the “special military operation”. They consider it to be a matter of a simple transition of power to a ruler of a similar people: “same faith, similar language, they will just pay taxes to another ruler. What is the problem?”

Others see the issue as a conflict between two global superpowers, where “one is being wronged by the other, has come threateningly close to it, has not respected its vital space”, etc., as if the Ukrainian people are not entitled to have independent and free will and to choose the values and culture they want to live with.

The aggressive, expansionist and voracious state cannot tolerate the existence of an independent Church in Kiev. This fact disrupts its plans to create a common supranational space, including the holy of holies of the Rus people, with a supposedly common culture and a common Church controlled by the stronger state.

The occupation of Kiev is a “necessary step” to further fulfill their imaginary rights about the “Third Rome”. The attacking state cannot tolerate the annihilation of its narrative and the undoing of centuries of effort to “liberate the Queen of Cities”. The ruler of the state is called upon to become “Great” in the history of his people in order to fulfill the “vow of his nation”.

A lot of people think that the current war in Ukraine is simply a war of economic interests, territorial sovereignty and the possession of natural resources. But it is more than that. It is a war of civilizations. It is a war between authoritarian chauvinism and freedom.

A war between messianic pharisaism – that fantasizes its rights to overrun cities “where gay parades take place” – and true faith in Christ. At stake is the right of the Ukrainian people to practice their Orthodox faith as they wish, that is, in freedom, love, discrimination and reconciliation, as the true Orthodox faith is.

This war is going on in different parts of the world. It is a war between two cultural paradigms; a spiritual war being waged in the souls of millions of people all over the earth. The war between fear-phobia-pharisaism and freedom-responsibility-love.

Thus, in many countries of the West, even in our country, through this spiritual war, the authoritarian leader has already allured and subjugated the souls of many people who are spiritually like him. People who turn against their own countries, betraying their values and culture, becoming “janissaries”, as we would say in Greece.

The same spiritual warfare was going on during the Christ’s presence on earth. Within the same nation with the same faith in God there were people with different views. On one hand there were the Pharisees and their followers and on the other hand there were the disciples of Christ, the first Christians! People with Pharisaic concepts were stoning adulteresses.

They did so to avoid looking inwards – inside themselves, at their own sins – at all costs. Jesus Christ began to write down their sins on the dust and told them “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone”. Tax collectors and prostitutes approached Christ because of His love, which changed them.

In contrast, modern would-be “messiahs” and their local apologists spread the word that they will impose “moral purity” by sword and fire on the “degenerate and decadent” – as they like to say – West.

Symbols do not make an Orthodox Christian, but beliefs and actions do. In Ukraine there is no war between two nations of the same faith.

There is a war between a state that uses the heresies of fundamentalism and ethno-racialism as its expansionist doctrines – tools used by a “demigod messiah” through a totally controlled local Church – against a people who want to live freely and be able to believe in the Church of Christ in the truest way.

This example of Christian life – free and independent of secular authorities – is what the attackers want to eradicate before it spreads to their own country.

“For the Holy Faith of Christ and the freedom of our country” we, the Greeks, fought 200 years ago! The Ukrainians are fighting for the same goals today. The only right stance is to stand by them! Any other attitude, which does not support the just, will be a great condemnation of our people.

We wish our Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Christ and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine that God will strengthen them! They fight heroically under adverse conditions!

Continuing our prayer:

For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For the pious and orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

For Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and all the Ukrainian clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.

“And the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it!”

Tags: Opinions

Follow OrthodoxTimes.com on Google News and learn all the news about Orthodoxy in Greece and worldwide.

All the latest developments in the Orthodox world, society and humankind, at the moment they happen, at OrthodoxTimes.com


Related Posts

Anniversary Tribute to the Archbishop of Australia from the Chancellor’s Office
Opinions

Anniversary Tribute to the Archbishop of Australia from the Chancellor’s Office

May 9, 2023
The inner human universe
Opinions

The inner human universe

March 14, 2023
Fr Georgios Lekkas: Orthodoxy means Unity
Opinions

Fr Georgios Lekkas: Orthodoxy means Unity

March 5, 2023
OSCE: Russia must stop attacks on churches in Ukraine
Opinions

Russian deliberate war against Orthodox temples in Ukraine

February 24, 2023
Metropolitan of Sweden to make a pastoral visit to Kalmar
Opinions

Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden: Alain Lefèvre, Alain Delon, and Judgement Sunday

February 20, 2023
Metropolitan John Zizioulas of Pergamon: A Theological Pioneer Who Has Left His Mark on Our Archdiocese and School
Opinions

Metropolitan John Zizioulas of Pergamon: A Theological Pioneer Who Has Left His Mark on Our Archdiocese and School

February 15, 2023
Load More
Next Post
Archbishop of Athens to Kirill: Resist the war plans of secular leaders

Archbishop of Athens to Kirill: Resist the war plans of secular leaders

Latest News

Martyr Alexander and Virgin Martyr Antonina at Constantinople

Martyr Alexander and Virgin Martyr Antonina at Constantinople

by NewsRoom
Jun 10, 2023 | 11:00
0

The Holy Martyrs Alexander and Antonina the Virgin. Saint Antonina was from the city of Krodamos (Asia Minor). She...

Confidence in Divine Providence frees us from suffering

Confidence in Divine Providence frees us from suffering

by NewsRoom
Jun 09, 2023 | 18:30
0

by Αrchimandrite Ananias Koustenis On the third Sunday after Pentecost, my dear friends, in the Gospel of Matthew, there...

The annual International Food Festival at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Seoul

The annual International Food Festival at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Seoul

by NewsRoom
Jun 09, 2023 | 17:43
0

On Pentecost Sunday, after the Divine Liturgy and Vespers of the Feast of the Holy Spirit, the community of...

Pope Francis: Selfish, incapable of understanding, those protesting against the restrictive measures

Pope Francis called the mother of his godchild from the hospital

by NewsRoom
Jun 09, 2023 | 17:34
0

Pope Francis is recovering from an intenstine operation he udnerwent at Rome's Agostino Gemelli hospital on Wednesday. This afternoon,...

Archbishop of America: Presvyteres bring their special gifts and talents to community life

Archbishop of America: Presvyteres bring their special gifts and talents to community life

by NewsRoom
Jun 09, 2023 | 16:17
0

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America sent an Archiepiscopal Encyclical on the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres Sunday. In the encyclical, he...

Frs. O’Rourke and Mercado to lead Hellenic College Holy Cross’ Office of Student Life

Frs. O’Rourke and Mercado to lead Hellenic College Holy Cross’ Office of Student Life

by NewsRoom
Jun 09, 2023 | 15:54
0

Rev. Fr. Patrick O’Rourke and Very Rev. Archimandrite Bartholomew Mercado have been appointed Dean of Students and Associate Dean...

Newsletter

Sign up for our weekly newsletter



Quick Links

  • Orthodoxy
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • History
  • Press Releases

Get Social

About Us

Advertise

Contact

© 2023 OrthodoxTimes.com
digital world media

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Greek Version

© 2023 OrthodoxTimes.com - All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT