February 17, 2025
The Clergy of the Holy Metropolis
of Attica and Boeotia, regarding the disgraceful, slanderous, and abusive texts
of clergy against our Most Reverend Father and Shepherd, Chrysostomos, which
for months have been circulating on the internet, officially break our silence.
For so long, we have demonstrated a spirit of love and reconciliation,
submitting a signed protest only twice to the Holy Synod, following the lawful
course, in contrast to the modern Pharisees. For so long, we have shown
patience and obedience to our Bishop, who, in silence, endured his personal
Crucifixion and persistently dissuaded us from publicly expressing our
indignation. We have waited and endured, suffering together with the Most
Reverend. However, now the cup has overflowed, and the time has come for the
necessary response.
Our conclusion from the
aforementioned publications is sorrowful but real: when people suffer from a
"tempest in the skull" and, unfortunately, have not been provided
with the appropriate medical treatment, problems arise. If, moreover, they happen
to be active bearers of the priesthood, tolerated or even promoted by their
Bishop, then the evil spreads to the flock. Essentially, individuals who,
judging by their course thus far, could, with the utmost politeness, be
described as "keyboard confessors"—people with zero positive work in
their record, who frequently delight in disturbing the entire Church with their
drivel—have dared to speak against our Most Reverend Shepherd, accusing him
(unbelievable as it may sound) of "betrayal of the faith"! One of
them, from morning till night, rails against the New Calendar, yet gladly
accepts money for his services from a Metropolis of the New Calendar. The
other, having only just received his epitrachelion yesterday, today presumes to
judge the Hierarchs. And against whom do they dare to speak? Against him who,
through his life, his numerous writings, and his sermons, even his fiercest
adversary—if possessed of any sobriety and honesty (qualities some seem to
lack)—would recognize as nothing other than a genuine follower of the path laid
out by the holy and pure champion of Orthodoxy, Chrysostomos, formerly of
Florina.
All this—why? Because he dares to
treat everyone with kindness, dignity, and love, instead of hurling stones,
insulting, and condemning.
Among the disgraceful writings,
submitted with excessive malice by one of these self-important babblers, stand
out insults and slanders such as "fascist" and "tyrant towards
monks, nuns, and priests, even towards bishops." As his spiritual
children, who interact with him daily—in contrast to some who lightly express
their opinions without any real knowledge—we bear witness with boldness to the
paternal love and care that the Most Reverend has shown and continues to show,
both to celibate and married clergy. He has worked so that we all may feel that
we belong to one spiritual family. If the fact that the Most Reverend desires
his clergy to be a shining example to the world, to "carry the fragrance
of incense," to uphold Pauline order and decorum, to maintain the church
in a proper state, and to conduct themselves with priestly dignity is
considered by some to be fascism or tyranny, they are entirely free to
associate with the "saints" who remain silent while everything around
them is leveled to the ground. Each of us knows well that our Bishop desires
the entire Church—both spiritually and visibly—to be as beautiful as the Holy Shine Church of Panagia Soumela, the reflection of his own soul.
Without entering the process of
dismantling the insults and slanders one by one—something incredibly easy even
for someone uninformed, as long as they have the blessing from God to think
logically—we will focus on one of the many falsehoods hurled by the clergyman
who judges others by his own standards: the claim that the Most Reverend
supposedly "blackmails monasteries to seize their properties and treats
monks and nuns in the most brutal manner." For someone to go so far as to
write something so false and deranged, they must suffer from a severe
psychological disorder, making a pilgrimage to the Monastery of Daphni urgently
necessary… In any case, we are in a position to know how much our Bishop has
supported the monasteries of our Metropolis, both spiritually and materially,
as well as those in Chios—monasteries for which the Most Reverend struggled so
greatly, while those who now spew "confessional" poison were
comfortably seated on their couches. Enough with the unscrupulous!
By accusing our Bishop of
"treacherous actions" based on assumptions and conclusions that stem
from their poor intellect, they also insult all of us.
And what were these infamous
"treacherous actions"?
a) That he gave a relic of Saint
Argyrios of Epanomi to the Metropolis of the saint’s homeland. Question: Do we
only know how to receive? Where do we get the holy relics from? The majority,
if not all, of the holy relics that we venerate in our churches and monasteries
are generous donations from individuals of the New Calendar who are
well-disposed toward us. If this action of the Most Reverend constitutes a
betrayal of the faith, then—if we wish to be precise—we should return all the
holy relics! And if we want to take it even further, no one should offer even a
drop of water to a person who is not a member of our Church.
b) His presence at a conference
in Thessaloniki, organized by three Metropolises of the New Calendar. Some of
us were part of his entourage for the celebration of the Three Hierarchs. We
saw with our own eyes that upon our entry into the conference, a clergyman was
sent three times to convey the organizers’ request for him to move to the front
row as an honorary guest. He was not wearing an engolpion because his presence
was not institutional. He attended as an ordinary Greek citizen, something that
has happened countless times in the past with clergy of our Church. At the
large rallies for Macedonia in Athens, hierarchs of our Synod were present
without engolpia. On another occasion, two of our hierarchs attended a
conference at the Peace and Friendship Stadium without engolpia, which
was also organized by Metropolises of the New Calendar.
c) The Palm Sunday procession. We
were all present and rejoiced, as did the entire crowd, at the event—something
that has also happened countless times in the past throughout Greece and
abroad. If an act of peaceful goodwill that took place during the procession
constitutes a betrayal of the faith, then by the same logic,
"traitors" must also include Fr. Nikolaos Kaloskamis, Fr. Efthymios
Danilatos, Fr. Ioannis of Chalkida, and many others who exchanged greetings
with clergy during the processions of the Epitaphios. Even more so, Saint Philaret
of ROCOR, who was photographed with a Papist, and Leontios of Chile, who
attended the funeral of a cardinal. Does anyone dare to call these two giants
of Orthodoxy "traitors"? A particular accusation was made regarding
the exchange of palm branches. If even this is considered betrayal and a
violation of the Holy Canons, then let no one ever again accept anything from a
person who is not a member of our Church—not even a pension or the offerings
placed in the donation box!
People speak and write with the Pedalion
in hand, searching for excuses to hurl their arrows at their neighbor, while
they themselves abolish the very Gospel and the greatest commandment of love: “If
I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become
as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” Even if someone had erred, where is
the courage and love of these supposedly offended individuals to act according
to the evangelical command of Christ and speak face to face? Such is their
"Orthodoxy" that they do not even appear before the Holy Synod. One
can understand the spiritual condition of such people, who seize every
opportunity to rush onto Facebook—not, of course, to defend Orthodoxy. That is
merely the outward appearance. The deeper motive—let’s not deceive ourselves—is
to defame others so that they may appear better in the eyes of their pitiful
followers. This is how sects have always operated.
Whom did they choose to target?
The Metropolitan of Attica and Boeotia—one who has no need of defense, for his
works cry out on his behalf. For better or worse, each person reveals what is
in their heart. The heart of our Bishop, thanks be to God, contains good works,
and good works are what he imparts. The enemies of truth and adversaries of
what is good likewise reveal their own nature.
This past August, by the Grace of
God, twenty-five years of illustrious pastoral ministry by our Most Reverend
Father, Chrysostomos, were completed—not a "despotism," as the
instruments of opposition claim. It has been a twenty-five-year period of
hierarchical service and sacrificial labor in the vineyard of Christ, during
which many things have taken place by the Grace of God—things that we now
rightly recall and set forth at this moment.
We recall the struggles of the
Most Reverend for the unity of the Orthodox, which began even from his time as
a priest. Glory be to God that the Most Reverend did not waste his life writing
against everyone, but instead focused on how the Church could be benefited! “The
time has come” for the first public account of these historical events.
[Metropolitans] Justin of Euripus
and Chios Stephanos of Chios returned to the Synod through his mediation.
The former Metropolitan of
America, Pavlos, then a priest, canceled at the last moment a scheduled
concelebration with those formerly in [the Synod in] Resistance, persuaded by
his exhortation, even though he did not know him personally. "Father Pavlos,
I beg you, listen to the voice of Christ: Stay where you are!" the then
Archimandrite Fr. Chrysostomos had said to Fr. Pavlos. Others in his place, as
has been abundantly proven, would have waited for him to join the [Synod in]
Resistance just to have an opportunity to accuse him.
Having been consecrated a bishop,
the Most Reverend hastened to Elder [Metropolitan] Akakios of Attica and Diavleia
to bring him back, after decades, to the Synod. "Chrysostomos, do you
understand what you are doing? You are condemning yourself to lose Attica and Boeotia!"
the blessed and true father, Archbishop Chrysostomos [II], had told him. "Let
whatever is blessed come to pass. Above all, the unity of the Orthodox,"
the Most Reverend Metropolitan responded with a genuine ecclesiastical mindset.
He proceeded with determination, and the Elder of Attica and Diavleia triumphantly
returned.
The same happened with [Metropolitan]
Athanasios of Larissa.
Later, he built a bridge of
dialogue with the bishops of the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Boston,
leading to the eventual incorporation of three hierarchs into the Holy Synod.
As soon as he learned that the
late [Metropolitan] Kyprianos of Oropos and Phyle had fallen gravely ill, even
though they were strangers, he visited him to offer human support, marking the
beginning of the unifying dialogue that allows us today to enjoy unity. What
does it matter if some fail to acknowledge it? It has been recorded in the Book
of Life! Some fools might have been scandalized and lashed out, following their
usual tactic, had they known about that blessed visit.
We recall the state of
catechetical work when he was entrusted with the Holy Metropolis—it was
nonexistent. Glory be to God that now every parish has—at the very least—one
catechetical school department, and great effort is put into the meticulous and
scholarly composition of lessons by capable collaborators.
We recall his precise and
discerning pastoral care, through which many of us clergy of Pontic descent,
along with our families and all the Greeks of Pontus who arrived in Aspropyrgos
and Acharnes from the Soviet Union—thousands of people—were integrated into our
Church, while some looked on with indifference and disregard.
We recall humble Aspropyrgos,
with its sole Church of the Holy Trinity and its few faithful. They were
integrated into the Synod, and afterward, with God's help, the church was
expanded, and five more churches were built to meet the needs of the growing
flock, culminating in the construction of Panagia Soumela.
The flock did not grow without
struggles and without the tireless efforts of our Bishop, who persistently and
without fail delivered thousands of sermons, catechizing the faithful. Afterward,
he visited hundreds of homes, bringing words of eternal life.
We recall the initiation of
cultural events. Some dismiss them as "spectacles." However, those
with eyes to see and sound judgment recognize them as original masterpieces
carrying powerful national and religious messages—events realized with great
effort and sacrifice to support the flock.
We recall the establishment of
the humble Byzantine music school for the training of new chanters to serve at
the analogion.
We recall the inauguration of the
Metropolis’ blood donation initiative, whose great success provides the gift of
health to many patients.
We recall the initiation of the
publication of Sunday sermons for the spiritual support of the faithful with
edifying words. Even then, some irreverent individuals reacted, opposing even
the evangelical word of Christ, claiming that the Most Reverend had supposedly
taken away the priests’ ability to preach—when, in reality, he never told any
of us to stop delivering sermons.
We recall the writing of dozens
of articles against those who spoke against our Church, whose views he boldly
and successfully dismantled to the glory of God.
We recall the initiation of the
summer camps, providing our children with spiritual reserves as a resistance
against the war waged on our youth.
We recall that in recent years,
on Christmas Eve, he personally goes through all of Aspropyrgos singing the
carols to encourage the thousands of Christians who come out to meet him to
participate in the Divine Liturgy of the feast.
We recall the struggle for our
monasteries, many of which are registered under monasteries of Mount Athos. Yes,
the elder fathers of the past registered our monasteries under Patriarchs
Athenagoras and Demetrios, and no one spoke out. Regarding the real issues, no
one says a word—especially not those who seize every opportunity to speak about
what they arbitrarily deem as problems. Keeping one's finger on the trigger,
ready to fire at the first chance, is easy—but certainly not Christian.
Standing on the front lines of the struggle to preserve everything that can be
preserved—that is a feat. Glory be to God! Through struggles and sacrifices, we
have become fellow laborers alongside our Most Reverend Father. Saint Pachomios
of Chios, Saint Matrona of Chios, Saint Constantine, and the Archangels know
this well.
No matter how much darkness rises
up, it will never overshadow the radiant city that stands proudly on the
mountain. Let this be well known to all those who believe they serve the Sun of
Righteousness, the Lord Jesus Christ, while at the same time launching cowardly
attacks against pure warriors of the Church—just like the deceitful and envious
serpent. Let them mind their own affairs! But if they insist on concerning
themselves with ours, since they are so preoccupied, let them come and see
firsthand what our Metropolis truly produces. Then they will learn that our
mission is not to bury the living so we can trample upon them, but to support
the flock and lead all together toward Theosis.
If we shepherds have not yet
truly learned to protect the flock from scandal, if we have not yet taught the
faithful that a true Christian does not take scandal—except for the one who
suffers from a lack of love—then let us recognize that we still have a long way
to go…
We wonder: if, hypothetically,
any similar behavior had come from a clergyman of our Metropolis—something
unthinkable—what would the response have been? Double standards.
In conclusion, the Pharisees and
the scribes, though clinging to the letter of the law while disregarding its
spirit, were teachers. Yet, their teaching was not pleasing to God. Each of
them was a corrupt leaven, which is why Christ emphasized to His disciples to
stay away from their leaven, which is hypocrisy. Despite the dreadful "Woe
to you, lawyers!"—through which He sought to deliver them from their
delusion—they remained unyielding. Thus, it was they who were destined to
crucify Christ, securing for themselves the curse of the people.
Enough!
The undersigned, offended and
suffering together with our Most Reverend Father and Shepherd,
Fr. Michael Konstantinidis
Fr. Athanasios Agiakatsikas
Fr. Athanasios Tzenis
Fr. Charalambos Chamosfakidis
Fr. Georgios Apostolou
Fr. Ioannis Psomiadis
Fr. Panteleimon Kaliachidis
Fr. Stylianos Komninos
Fr. Christos Papadopoulos
Fr. Matthaios Mavidis
Fr. Alexandros Anastasiadis
Fr. Leonidas Pittos
Fr. Konstantinos Petsalidis
Fr. Michael Pantelaios
Fr. Eirinaeos Bougioukas
Fr. Konstantinos Papadopoulos
Fr. Theoklitos Tasoulis
Fr. Konstantinos Kokkoles
Fr. Agapios Lazaridis
Fr. Chrysostomos Konstantinidis
Greek source:
https://www.imab.gr/index.php/latest-news/3189-anakoinothen-klirikon-tes-hi-m-a-v-peri-sykofantikon-kai-hyvristikon-dimosievmaton-kata-tou-episkopou-mas
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