The Apostasy and Crisis of the Papal Hierarchy: An Orthodox Perspective

Nikolaos Romanos | March 13, 2026

 

 

The phenomenon that we have been observing in recent years in the world of Rome is deeply troubling. From an Orthodox perspective, it concerns the realization of an apostasy that was prophesied in the Holy Scriptures—from the Prophet Daniel to the Book of Revelation—and which is also repeated in the messages of the Panagia at Fatima and at La Salette: “Rome will lose the Faith and will become the throne of the Antichrist.”

Carlo Maria Viganò, former archbishop of the Papal Church, has repeatedly pointed out that the papal hierarchy has moved away from its spiritual mission. The authority entrusted to it, in order to serve the Mystical Body of Christ, has been transformed into a self-referential and abusive power, without legitimacy, and often contrary to the plan of the Lord.

This crisis is not merely a matter of institutional corruption or political maneuvers. It constitutes, above all, a spiritual crisis: the papal hierarchy cannot heal the wound for which it bears responsibility without deep repentance and a return to the truth of the Faith. Until then, its presence on the throne of Rome can be regarded only as tyrannical and self-referential, with serious consequences for the spiritual life of the faithful. We see that there are also pious Latin voices that cannot endure the degradation of the Vatican.

From an Orthodox standpoint now, this situation reminds us of the necessity of faith in Christ as Lord and King, and of the importance of preserving the truth of the Church without concessions. The crisis of the papal hierarchy may become for us, the Orthodox, an opportunity for spiritual vigilance and for a deepening in the faith, far from apostasy and corruption. Nevertheless, nothing of the sort appears to be evident. The morbid episcopocentrism seems to have invaded even our own circles.

 

Greek source:

https://orthodoxostypos.gr/%e1%bc%a1-%e1%bc%80%cf%80%ce%bf%cf%83%cf%84%ce%b1%cf%83%ce%af%ce%b1-%ce%ba%ce%b1%e1%bd%b6-%e1%bc%a1-%ce%ba%cf%81%ce%af%cf%83%ce%b9%cf%82-%cf%84%e1%bf%86%cf%82-%cf%80%ce%b1%cf%80%ce%b9%ce%ba%e1%bf%86/