Posted by George Rockas
on 4/5/2009, 6:33 pm
I read with great interest the March 16 address of Father Elpidophoros at the Chapel of Holy Cross. It is all too clear that he said what had to said. For this I applaud him. It took guts. With that said, I expected the reaction because I know all too well the agenda of the critics.
I read with absolute amazement the lengthy diatribes against Father Elpidophoros, a man probably none of the critics have ever met. If I were to respond to those diatribes point by point, I would probably have to give up my law practice for a while and work full time to cultivate a response. That I will not do. What I will do is make a few general observations about what the so-called critics have said now and in the past.
First, it is quite clear that the critics do not like the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Their snide comments and disrespect make this all too clear. By maintaining this attitude, they stain Orthodoxy. The fact of the matter is that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is one of the best things that has ever happened to Orthodoxy. He has put it on the map in the eyes of the world. When one thinks of the truly great and influential religious leaders today, only very few come to mind - Pope Benedict, the Dalai Lama and yes Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Do not take my word for it. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was voted one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine. He regularly meets with world leaders and recently addressed the European Parliament. His concerns for environmental causes and his efforts to foster dialog with the Muslim world are legendary. I say that is pretty good for a guy who runs a 2,000 year old Church that Mr. Coin describes as a "tiny Ecumenical Patriarchal institution". Indeed, when people on this site attack the Ecumenical Patriarchate they make Orthodoxy look bad and themselves. An outsider looking in would literally say "what is wrong with those critics. Why do they attack one of the most respected religious institutions and beloved religious leaders in all the world?" Of course, the answer is not Christian love. It is a combination of ego, politics and a myopic view of the world.
This leads me to point number two. One thing people on this site and the critics in general suffer from is xenophobia. In this day of multiculturalism and globalization, this attitude is out-of-touch with 21st century values and ideals. They make remarks about the fact that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is based in Turkey and that fact somehow vitiates all that institution stands for. The fact is that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is not a "Turkish" institution as so many on this site repeatedly try to sell. The Ecumenical Patriarch is just that - the Ecumenical Patriarch. Webster's defines Ecumenical as "worldwide or general in extent, influence or application." The respect he is given on the world stage is a testament to this definition.
The third point is that the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate within the Orthodox world is well recognized and undisputed. Yet, for some reason, people on this site question it. In July 2008, in the case of " Fener Rum Patriarchate (Ecumenical Patriarchate)v. Turkey ", the European Court of Human Rights recognized the "Ecumenical" nature of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. It described the Ecumenical Patriarchate as "an Orthodox Church in Istanbul having an honorary primate and role of initiative and coordination throughout the Othodox World." Indeed, as pointed out by Father Elpidophoros, His Beatitude Ignatius, Patriarch of Antioch stated "in the Orthodox Church we have one primus and he is the Patriarch of Constantinople". Someone had the brass to say that His Beatitude really did not say that and that the translation was wrong. Wow is all I can say to that ridiculous comment.
Fourth, the anti-Catholic undertones that have permeate this site from time to time are sickening. I can only say get over it. Those attitudes demean Christianity.
Fifth, I am glad that Father Elpidophoros addressed the behavior and comments Metropolitans Jonas and Phillip. Let us be honest - they would like nothing more than to undermine the Ecumenical Patriarchate and be in control of an "American" Orthodox Church in which they rule the "roost". Life is not so simple. Fortunately, Father Elpidophoros called them out and told them what they needed to be told.
Sixth, I congratulate Father Elpidophoros for going into the lion's den to give his talk. I have read that people walked out in supposed disgust at what he was saying. That does not surprise me. Holy Cross has been infected with anti-Patriarchal attitudes for years. The problem is that lately, some of those attitudes have been muted for personal reward. People should at least be honest.
Oh well, I have gone on too long. I will not write 19 pages for fear of putting people to sleep. What I will close with is the obvious - many of should be grateful that we are led by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholmew, one of the great religious leaders of our time! For those that reside outside the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, I can only say that it is your loss.
Have a good week.
In Support of the Mother Church,
George Rockas
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