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The Orthodox Christian News Service

Published in November 1998

 A STATEMENT TO THE HOLY EPARCHIAL SYNOD OF 

THE GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE

What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6:8

In support of our Synodical Metropolitans and in agreement with their concerns to safeguard our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and Ecumenical Patriarchate, and in the spirit of the apostolic admonition that “it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2), we address this statement to the Holy Eparchial Synod and the Holy Synod to the clergy and laity of our Church in order that together we may prayerfully and respectfully work toward the resolution of the spiritual crisis which threatens the vitality and unity of our Church for which we as Greek Orthodox have labored for generations.

MAJOR FACTORS AND ASPECTS OF THE CRISIS

• Absence of love and understanding in the church, which has resulted in the autocratic and abusive treatment of people of all ranks – Metropolitans, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Lay People and Parishes.
• Lack of appreciation for the history, accomplishments and nature of the Archdiocese, and consequent presumed “correction” of its institutions, course and identity by means of authoritarianism, intimidation and refusal of responsible discussion.
• Disregard for the Clergy-laity Congress, the Archdiocesan Charter, the by-laws and procedures of Archdiocesan institutions, and various other bodies and committees, as evident in arbitrary dismissals, appointments and general lowering of standards.
• Inordinate demand for obedience as a higher value than or apart from Christian love, truth, justice, compassion and respect for the personal dignity of all people.
• References to “enemies,” “modernists’ and westernizing in the Church which foster a spirit of ideological bias, conflict divisiveness, and religious fundamentalism contrary to the true spirit of Orthodoxy.
• Lack of commitment to Orthodoxy’s spiritual mission to America through cooperation. unity and a common witness on the part of all Orthodox.
• Reluctance to address reported cases of sexual misconduct in the church and its institutions according to Orthodox moral values and civil law.
• Propagandistic public relations and news releases which foster suspicion, create frustration and cynicism, and undermine trust and confidence in the Church as a spiritual institution and loving community.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE?

 FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE CHURCH AND ITS EFFECTIVE WITNESS AS THE MYSTICAL, SPRITITUAL AND MORAL BODY OF CHRIST WE HUMBLY CALL FOR:

• Engagement in the crisis by the shepherds of our Church, our Metropolitans and Bishops, to guide us through with love, wisdom, discretion, sincerity, persuasiveness, as well as by the authority of their Episcopal office, so that we may emerge from the present trial not only reconciled and united but also stronger and more mature.
• Honest and responsible discussion of these matters with freedom in Christ by all clergy in appropriate groups and meetings.
• Establishment of competent and unbiased commissions to examine the key issues facing the church and its institutions in serious preparation for the 21^st century.
• Reliable dissemination of information trusting in the good faith and discerning judgment of all the members of the church as a whole.
• Respect for order, including the Holy Canons, the Archdiocesan Charter, by-laws and policies of church organizations and institutions, interpreting them with discretion as a harmonious body of Church regulations, without opposing or contrasting or rejecting them either by arbitrary selection or convenient omission
• Commitment to Christian integrity, practice of Christian moral values and adherence to institutional guidelines which safeguard our imperfect humanity and help it to grow toward communal maturity.

May Christ the Chief Shepherd of the Church, inspire and direct our thoughts and efforts according to His words: “know the truth and the truth shall make you free” and again “He who follows me will not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life” (John 8: 12, 32).

The statement was published in November of 1998 and was signed by more than 100 Greek Orthodox priests.
 

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