Your words called to mind Christ's: Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι οἰκοδομεῖτε τοὺς τάφους τῶν προφητῶν καὶ κοσμεῖτε τὰ μνημεῖα τῶν δικαίων, καὶ λέγετε· Εἰ ἤμεθα ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν, οὐκ ἂν ἤμεθα αὐτῶν κοινωνοὶ ἐν τῷ αἵματι τῶν προφητῶν· ὥστε μαρτυρεῖτε ἑαυτοῖς ὅτι υἱοί ἐστε τῶν φονευσάντων τοὺς προφήτας (Matt 23:29-31). The Moscow Patriarchate builds, so to speak, tombs for the prophets of old, and rests on the saints' laurels, but is a fellow in the blood of the prophets--in this case, the Ukrainian people. Many things do I miss about being Orthodox; Orthodoxy's relationship to state power and imperial ambitions is not one of them.
Not to mention the Orthodox (and others) who have taken to defending Putin in the name of "combatting wokeness." It would be heartbreaking if it weren't so infuriating.
In times as dark as these, when Christians are looking the other way or even defending these atrocities, I thank God for men like you, Mr. Hart. Thank you for what you do.
Kind of been disappointed by some, not all, western leftists who been having this weird pro-Putin, pro-Russia stance. I guess they call them “tankies”, that will pretty much always oppose the west or america and if that requires supporting autocratic regimes like Russia... so be it. It’s sad to see
I was thinking exactly the same words from Jesus, (though it would have been nice if you posted it in English as well, even used David’s translation!).
Wonderful roast of Church leadership. This war and your comments brings to mind something (some?) Christians struggle with concerning Church leadership and their weak attempts to address morally outrageous events. I am not Eastern Orthodox, but I believe this is an issue throughout Christendom: How you reconcile the idiocy of Church leadership in not speaking out on Russia's immoral war (or other moral failings), yet still sustain those individuals as God's "conduit" for God's will to us? Am I more holy than those leading God's church?
Anyhow, tragic times, but some amazing people have risen to the top and have really exemplified true charity and love.
Your words called to mind Christ's: Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι οἰκοδομεῖτε τοὺς τάφους τῶν προφητῶν καὶ κοσμεῖτε τὰ μνημεῖα τῶν δικαίων, καὶ λέγετε· Εἰ ἤμεθα ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν, οὐκ ἂν ἤμεθα αὐτῶν κοινωνοὶ ἐν τῷ αἵματι τῶν προφητῶν· ὥστε μαρτυρεῖτε ἑαυτοῖς ὅτι υἱοί ἐστε τῶν φονευσάντων τοὺς προφήτας (Matt 23:29-31). The Moscow Patriarchate builds, so to speak, tombs for the prophets of old, and rests on the saints' laurels, but is a fellow in the blood of the prophets--in this case, the Ukrainian people. Many things do I miss about being Orthodox; Orthodoxy's relationship to state power and imperial ambitions is not one of them.
I don’t know if anyone mentioned it yet but the Finnish Orthodox Church has condemned the attack.
Not to mention the Orthodox (and others) who have taken to defending Putin in the name of "combatting wokeness." It would be heartbreaking if it weren't so infuriating.
Good time to read an excellent article by Valerie A Karras :”Their hands are not clean”
If I am not mistaken, Bishop Onuphrius of the Moscow Patriarchate has spoken openly against this agression.
Since I have no actual words for any of this, let me just enter this into evidence: https://religionnews.com/2022/03/07/holy-wars-how-a-cathedral-of-guns-and-glory-symbolizes-putins-russia/
In times as dark as these, when Christians are looking the other way or even defending these atrocities, I thank God for men like you, Mr. Hart. Thank you for what you do.
Kind of been disappointed by some, not all, western leftists who been having this weird pro-Putin, pro-Russia stance. I guess they call them “tankies”, that will pretty much always oppose the west or america and if that requires supporting autocratic regimes like Russia... so be it. It’s sad to see
The photograph of Kirill and Putrid lighting candles at Mt. Athos was truly revolting.
Archbishop Elpidophoros has always been a reliable voice on many social issues
I was thinking exactly the same words from Jesus, (though it would have been nice if you posted it in English as well, even used David’s translation!).
Can you please make this statement on Ukraine fully public?
Wonderful roast of Church leadership. This war and your comments brings to mind something (some?) Christians struggle with concerning Church leadership and their weak attempts to address morally outrageous events. I am not Eastern Orthodox, but I believe this is an issue throughout Christendom: How you reconcile the idiocy of Church leadership in not speaking out on Russia's immoral war (or other moral failings), yet still sustain those individuals as God's "conduit" for God's will to us? Am I more holy than those leading God's church?
Anyhow, tragic times, but some amazing people have risen to the top and have really exemplified true charity and love.
There is also a speech of him on the french site orthodoxie.com
I read this on pravmir.com
Well, here's this intemperate note (some of which was re-posted by Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, GOA): https://janotec.typepad.com/terrace/2022/03/this-is-not-a-religious-war.html