Genuine Orthodoxy and Counterfeit "Genuineness"

Commentary on healthy and unhealthy Old Calendarism

Nikolaos Mannis | August 22, 2021

 

Whoever engages (seriously, and not superficially or casually) with the phenomenon of Old Calendarism in Greece, from an ecclesiological and historical perspective, is almost certain to find themselves at an impasse, as they will encounter data that are contradictory to one another, making it difficult for them to express their conclusion with clarity and a sense of fairness. What, indeed, is so-called "Old Calendarism"? A struggle for traditions or a foul hypocrisy? An expression of spirituality or a narrowing of the mind? Orthodox revival or obscurantism and medievalism? Genuine Orthodoxy or counterfeit "genuineness"?

Let us be honest. The answer is: all of these. Old Calendarism can mean the bravery and nobility of exiled and persecuted fighters, but it can also mean the profiteering and cowardice of boastful false miracle-workers. It can mean love, philanthropy, and benefit, but it can also mean hatred, hostility, and fanaticism. It can mean enlightenment and strong arguments with moderation, but it can also mean obscuration and forgery to serve extremism. It can mean the holiness of Spiritual Fathers with true Priesthood, but it can also mean the savagery of false clergy (rebaptized or not) with a legion of demons and without true Priesthood (in accordance with the saying, "God does not ordain everyone, but works through all").

Quite simply, Old Calendarism cannot be regarded as a unified movement with uniform principles, not only regarding ecclesiological issues but also concerning the fundamental doctrines of Orthodoxy. Old Calendarism, in that part of it which is indeed Genuine, that is, True Orthodoxy, will be vindicated in the future, but in the part of it that constituted and continues to constitute a labyrinthine Schism of pseudo-genuine individuals (essentially heretics), it will be justly condemned and anathematized.

Therefore, this distinction must be made not only by those who wish to be just in their judgment—especially by those responsible who may seek in the future to resolve this issue—but also by the right-minded "Old Calendarists" themselves, who must finally distance themselves and disapprove of the extremists so that they no longer "yoke themselves with schismatics and heretics." For it is true that not only did they often make poor compromises in attempting to bring them into the Church, but they also allowed individuals from among them—highly problematic ones—to infiltrate their ranks. Some of these individuals even managed to become clergy and attempted, through various practices (re-chrismations, re-baptisms, etc.), to distort the pure Orthodox mindset and create fanatical followers who provoke strife and divisions.

May God deliver His Church from these enemies!

Greek source: https://krufo-sxoleio.blogspot.com/2019/09/blog-post_17.html