On the Vezyreas affair: An official Church Protosyngellos responds

Archimandrite Thomas Andreou

 

In an era where the confusion surrounding the Old and New Calendar fuels misunderstandings, tensions, and parasynagogues, the voice of sobriety becomes more necessary than ever. The text by Archimandrite Thomas Andreou, Protosyngellos of the [official] Holy Metropolis of Ioannina, does not seek to rekindle divisions, but to illuminate the real problem with clear speech: the need for a meaningful clarification, a dialogue, and a sincere ecclesiastical approach. With clarity, composure, and spiritual discernment, he lays the foundations for a new beginning—through a dialogue that can lead not to new ruptures, but to healing, unity, and truth.

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The recent events that have dominated the “news” regarding a certain cassocked individual who self-styles himself as “Archbishop” of the Old Calendar [Church] have once again highlighted the urgent need for a clearing-up within the Church of Greece.

And by saying Church of Greece, we do not mean only the Church of the New Calendar, which constitutes the official Church as a Legal Entity of Public Law, but also the Church of the Old Calendar — that which is composed of an organized Synod, with clergy and hierarchs who were born and raised within the tradition of the Old Calendar.

All the others who abusively use the title of G.O.C. (Genuine Orthodox Christian) are usually former clergymen who were ordained under the New Calendar, deposed by the Church for canonical offenses, and subsequently found “shelter” in an abstract notion of a “church” that merely celebrates the immovable feasts thirteen days later.

This is the general framework within which the issue of the Old Calendar moves today in Greece—a matter that began a hundred years ago, yet remains an open wound in the Body of the Church.

For when in 1924 the calendar change was decided, there was one Church — the Autocephalous Church of Greece. One hundred years later, the Church remains the same, undivided and unified; however, around it have sprouted dozens of groups that call themselves “G.O.C.,” most of which possess neither legal nor canonical standing and lack a unified ecclesiology. Each group operates autonomously, without recognizing the others, though supposedly all are “united” by the Old Calendar.

The process of “recognition” of such formations is simple: a court decision that recognizes an association, behind which a “church” is concealed. This entity may perform sacraments that are recognized by the civil registry as legally valid, but spiritually they may be invalid, since they are perhaps performed by deposed former clergymen.

Essentially, the Church of the Old Calendar is unable to protect itself, and thus the rift continues. The greatest problem is that it is incapable of setting its own house in order. In my humble opinion, this is due to the fact that, despite occasional efforts at communication with the official Church of Greece, the undeniable rigidities on both sides have not allowed for the necessary dialogue that could lead to a meaningful clarification. A clarification that could serve as the starting point for a common path in these difficult times — so that the Church may be able to speak with one voice to all who desire to hear Her.

The Old Calendar [Church] itself must take the initiative for this clarification to take place. And for this to happen, a dialogue of love is needed between the Old and the New Calendar.

How can this be achieved? Primarily through prayer, and then through a sincere willingness for communication. Within the Old Calendar there are young, educated hierarchs — at least in the most well-known, organized, and populous faction — who were born and raised within this tradition, yet who respect the Church of Greece without renouncing their struggles and positions.

Perhaps, then, now is the golden opportunity for a true clarification—not on the basis of court rulings or administrative acts, but on the basis of ecclesiastical conscience and brotherly love.

Instead of adding new wounds to the Body of Christ, let us seek its healing through sincerity, prayer, and humility.

Unity will not arise through imposition, but through repentance and dialogue in Christ.
And then, truly, the Church — the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic — will be able to shine once more with a pure light, without shadows and without falsely named “churches” obscuring Her truth.

Fr. Thomas Andreou

 

Greek source: https://exapsalmos.gr/mia-chrysi-efkairia-gia-ksekatharisma/