Friday, April 3, 2026

The Ordination of a Woman as “Archbishop” in the Anglican Church and Its Ecumenical Implications

Metropolitan Klemes of Larissa and Platamon | March 21/April 3, 2026

 

 

The recent enthronement of Sarah Mullally as the first woman “Archbishop” for the “Church” of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion (March 25, 2026) constitutes an event of Ecumenical significance, which calls for comment as to its implications, especially for the ecumenists from among the Orthodox.

The issue of the ordination of women to the Priesthood never occupied the holy Orthodox Church from the time of her foundation. It was something unthinkable. Her divine teaching and tradition allowed no such room whatsoever. The institution of deaconesses, which later fell into disuse, addressed pastoral and practical reasons and did not pertain to the liturgical-specific Priesthood.

The issue arose within an Ecumenical framework, in the sphere of Protestantism, as an outgrowth of social and other factors (feminism, etc.) decades ago. Since no Sacred Tradition existed as a guiding principle, the choice to ordain women to a priesthood—devoid in any case of sacramental content and dimension—was almost something to be expected, although it further divided even the Protestants into liberals and traditionalists.

The Protestants also posed this challenge to their Orthodox partners at their Ecumenist conferences and compelled them to concern themselves with an issue that had not occupied them. It was something extraneous, serving to emphasize and prove the “benefits” of their Ecumenical commitment!

The Anglican Communion, which broke away from the Roman Catholics in the first half of the sixteenth century and is Protestantizing to a great extent, of course did not remain unaffected by this new anti-traditional trend and went so far as to ordain women to the priesthood in 1994 and then, after two decades, to proceed even to the ordination of women to the rank of bishop!

As was to be expected, this caused problems in the Ecumenical relationship with the ecumenists among the Orthodox, who nevertheless, despite their apparent protests and difficulties, in practice are led into tolerance and acceptance (in the sense of Ecumenist cooperation) of every kind of outrageous choice made by the Protestants, even by those regarded as historic, serious, and dominant.

The slide into extreme forms of choices that are morally depraved from a Christian standpoint (abortions, support for moral perversions, etc.) has become commonplace in the Ecumenist sphere during recent decades and miserably and resoundingly refutes the nonsense about a supposedly “Orthodox Witness,” purely academic and theoretical in character, offered by the ecumenists from among the Orthodox within the framework of their condemned anti-ecclesiastical venture.

And so it is that the Anglicans, long greatly esteemed by the ecumenists from among the Orthodox, have arrived at the choice and establishment of the first woman “Archbishop” of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, 63 years old, a former nurse, married with children, whose enthronement took place in the cathedral church of Canterbury in southeastern England on March 25, 2026 (Newpost, March 26, 2026).

About 2,000 invited guests were present for the event, which is regarded as “a major turning point for British religious affairs.” They even chose for it to take place on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos according to the New Calendar, because, as they comment, “this marks the moment at which the Panagia was informed that she had been chosen to become the mother of Jesus” (Star.gr, March 26, 2026). Thus, the Anglicans gave a “spiritual and symbolic dimension” to the event of choosing a woman “Archbishop,” so that she might become their spiritual mother, their shepherd and guide!

It should be noted that the previous Anglican archbishop, Justin Welby, was forced to resign in November 2024 because of revelations that he was implicated in an old case of sexual abuse within his church.

At a particularly critical time for the Anglicans, the promotion of a woman as “Archbishop” was preferred, and her enthronement was characterized by the organizers as “a truly global gathering,” although 16 of the 42 heads of the Anglican provinces throughout the world were absent—mainly from Africa, Asia, and South America—because they did not agree with this choice (“Orthodoxos Typos,” March 30, 2026).

Nevertheless, the event had a clear Ecumenical and Interreligious character, including an “Ecumenical Covenant,” exotic dances, and so forth.

A little earlier, on January 29, 2026, when Sarah Mullally was enthroned in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London for the legal confirmation of her appointment as “Archbishop” (the Anglican Church is a “state church” with representation in the House of Lords, and the reigning Monarch of the United Kingdom is its “Supreme Governor”), the ceremony was interrupted by an Anglican priest (Paul Williamson), who publicly expressed his disagreement, thereby demonstrating the deep crisis within the Anglican world itself regarding the issue of women’s priesthood (“Union of Orthodox Journalists” [UOJ], February 2, 2026).

Already from October 2025, millions of Anglicans throughout the world expressed their protest over the appointment of Sarah Mullally as the “first woman Archbishop of Canterbury.” The serious crisis places the unity of the worldwide Anglican community in immediate danger (UOJ, October 10, 2025). By African bishops this was regarded as “apostasy” (UOJ, October 5, 2025), and also as a “destructive” choice that does not take into account “the convictions of the majority of Anglicans, who cannot accept female leadership in the episcopate” (Star.gr, March 26, 2026).

Moreover, the new “Archbishop” is a “fanatical supporter of abortion and of the LGBTQI+ agenda” (UOJ, March 28, 2026).

Yet, despite the “moral disagreements,” Pope Leo XIV of Rome congratulated the new “Archbishop” on her work of preaching Christ and wished her to have the Theotokos Mary as a source of inspiration! (ibid.)

It is worth noting here that recently the Anglicans’ first openly homosexual “Archbishop of Wales,” Cherry Vann, stated in an interview (December 2025) that some of their faithful have left their church because of her appointment, because, among other things, she seeks the acceptance of LGBTQI+ people (homosexuals and others like them); this, however, provokes strong opposition from the traditionalists in their ranks (UOJ, January 3, 2026).

***

So, while the rotten Anglican edifice is being shaken by these new tragic and sweeping developments, the ecumenists from among the Orthodox were not absent from this highly provocative enthronement. They were evidently invited and may perhaps appeal to institutional and customary obligations, but their possible justifications certainly underscore their lamentable Ecumenist dependence, which is stirred basically and chiefly not by ecclesiastical and spiritual criteria (for they loathe “confessionalism,” after all), but by worldly, social, and geopolitical ones.

Present, as can be seen in footage from the relevant video of the ceremony, which has been posted on the website of the “Church of England” (unfortunately we found no indicative photographs despite our relevant search), was Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, a well-known ecumenist and president of the “Conference of European Churches,” who in November 2025 presented to Pope Leo at the Vatican the new edition of the “Ecumenical Charter” [Charta Oecumenica].

Also present was Metropolitan Seraphim Kykkotis of Zimbabwe of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, who, in fact, in May 2024 ordained the first deaconess in Harare, Angelic-Phoebe Molen, already an archdeaconess, with the approval of his Patriarchate, holding that “there are no theological obstacles to the ordination of women” (Orthodoxia.info, May 26, 2024); perhaps for this reason he even appears to be making the sign of the cross with gratitude in those scenes where the new “Archbishop” is being applauded by those present during her enthronement!

 

 

Also present was Metropolitan Silouan of Britain and Ireland of the Patriarchate of Antioch, as well as other clergy of other jurisdictions in England, evidently.

Let us not forget that all these nominally Orthodox were likewise celebrating the Annunciation of the Theotokos! All together in Ecumenism, and NOT in Christ, they were wrongly JOINTLY CELEBRATING and collaborating actively or passively in something “apostate” (!) according to the characterization of those same Anglicans of Africa. What more can we humble ones say, except only to describe how matters stand and to reveal the Truth?

What makes such a great impression that one may speak of a “revelation of the Truth” is that concerning the presence of the ecumenists from among the Orthodox at this enthronement of “Archbishop” Sarah Mullally, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REPORT WHATSOEVER on any website on the Internet, whether ecclesiastical or secular; absolutely no mention is made on the websites of the dioceses whose bishops or clergy were present, especially those of Great Britain, nor even on those of their Patriarchates! Not even the ever-talkative Ecumenical Patriarchate, which through its primate intervenes on every conceivable matter, has presented anything relevant up to this moment. No one publicized it and no one highlighted it! Why this strange silence?

Did not the Anglicans, so dear to the ecumenists from among the Orthodox, receive their special care? Did they not, from the beginning of the past twentieth century, attach very great importance to the promotion of Ecumenical relations with them? Was it not the notorious Freemason and arch-ecumenist Patriarch Meletios Metaxakis who, in 1922, unilaterally provoked—without prior agreement of all the local Orthodox Churches, and indeed by letters and not by a Synodal decision of all Orthodoxy—the RECOGNITION of Anglican ordinations by the Patriarchate of Constantinople? Did this not lead to the similar uncritical and unacceptable RECOGNITION of Anglican ordinations by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in 1923 and by the Church of Cyprus likewise in 1923? Was it not Meletios Metaxakis, when he also seized the Throne of Alexandria, who proceeded to the RECOGNITION of Anglican ordinations by that Patriarchate as well in 1930? And did this not, through bad imitation, lead the Patriarchate of Romania likewise to proceed to the RECOGNITION of Anglican ordinations in 1936? (see Io. Karmiris, The Third Pan-Orthodox Conference of Rhodes – § 4: The Dialogue between the Orthodox Catholic and the Anglican Church, in the journal Ekklesia, year 42, no. 1/1-1-1965, pp. 19–20).

All this means that the destroyer Meletios Metaxakis did not act with divine inspiration, but with a dark one. He had become accustomed to acting in a revolutionary manner in matters of the Church without regard for opinions and consequences. Thus he acted also in the Calendar issue and led to the tragic rupture of Orthodox joint celebration. He also decided at that time upon the CHANGE OF THE PASCHALION, but the implementation of this is being advanced in our own time by those who are indeed his worthy successors. But he also proceeded to recognize the ordinations of heretical and unbaptized persons, according to the Orthodox view of canonical exactitude. Did he not in this also leave a most evil legacy, so that his tragic successors might proceed, unilaterally and from afar, without common Synodal decision and agreement, to recognize the ordinations of unholy men with respect to the matter of Ukraine? So as to lead even to new schisms and bloodshed?

But in this way, is the God of Truth being served, or the Prince of the darkness of this age?

And by their participation in the enthronement of the new Anglican “Archbishop” in secret and under cover, the Gospel is confirmed: “And this is the judgment, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (John 3:19–21).

It is obvious that the lamentable ecumenists are in a tragic dilemma: on the one hand they are obliged to be present at the enthronement of a woman “Archbishop,” whose high priesthood they recognize (!), while on the other hand the public confession of this provokes the common religious sense and creates the most negative consequences! And what will they do when the new “Archbishop” visits them at their sees? Will they vest her with a mantia, present her with a pastoral staff, and have her sit officially in the synthronon? Will they present her with a precious engolpion? For her official visit to the Pope of Rome has already been announced within a few weeks. We hope and pray that she will soon make official visits to the historic sees of the ancient Patriarchates as well, so that “the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed”!

But if again they tell us that they did not publicize their participation in the enthronement of the new “Archbishop” because they fear scandalizing the weak and not because they act in darkness, then they wrong both themselves and their flock. They do not possess good and God-pleasing discernment, but bad and wicked discernment, because it is exceedingly selective and self-serving. Moreover, they disregard and conspicuously ignore their flock, whom they deceive and lull to sleep. For this reason, they will bear greater guilt if they do not sincerely repent and return to the holy and saving way of Orthodoxy from which they have deviated. And we speak, of course, of Orthodox Christianity that is Universal and Missionary, that is, truly Catholic, and NOT Ecumenist. Of Orthodoxy that is Prophetic and True, which calls to Repentance and Renewal, and not a false one that compromises, is altered, and loses its distinctness.

“Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its savor, with what shall it be seasoned? It is fit neither for the land nor for the dunghill; they cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Luke 14:34–35).

 

Greek source:

https://imlp.gr/2026/04/03/%e1%bc%90%ce%bd%ce%b8%cf%81%cf%8c%ce%bd%ce%b9%cf%83%ce%b7-%ce%b3%cf%85%ce%bd%ce%b1%ce%af%ce%ba%ce%b1%cf%82-%e1%bc%80%cf%81%cf%87%ce%b9%ce%b5%cf%80%ce%b9%cf%83%ce%ba%cf%8c%cf%80%ce%bf%cf%85/

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The Ordination of a Woman as “Archbishop” in the Anglican Church and Its Ecumenical Implications

Metropolitan Klemes of Larissa and Platamon | March 21/April 3, 2026     The recent enthronement of Sarah Mullally as the first woma...