Refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19 is a ’sin’ & anti-vaxxers must spend their life repenting

FenderTL5 said:

I think it's important that you know that Ivermectin has utilized HEK293 cell line testing when being considered as an anti-viral therapeutic. That makes it no different, in this regard, to at least a couple of the available vaccines.

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Although I’m not for the use of aborted babies in any of our medical treatments, that issue isn’t why I’m against this shot.

1) from the beginning of the virus, when discussions of a vaccine was going to be rushed to the public, I’d already thought the shot was for the immune compromised, elderly, those with comorbidities, and the like. So, I’m not in those categories and overall healthy, so I didn’t see a reason to take the shot. Really, the desperate push for this shot on everyone is ridiculous and doesn’t put the health departments in a good light.

2) I don’t trust a vaccine quickly put forward for a virus that I don’t feel is as serious as ones that cause 20-30% death of the population. And the authoritative measures throughout the whole pandemic make the issue much more about politics, power, and money than people’s health.

3) the more than a few holy elders warning us about taking the shot. That was the more important and paramount reason for me to not take the shot, besides the rest of my reasons.

4) unknown long-term side effects. Doesn’t set well with me.

There were probably other reasons, but I can’t remember right now. I don’t have internet yet. I have to use my phone for
right now, but that’s the gist of it.

Oh. Remembered one. I don’t feel comfortable about taking the shot or any meds for this virus. I won’t be going out to get any medications without going to my doctor and asking her what she recommends if I do get COVID. They all make me nervous, as most meds tend to cause bad reactions for me.

Justin-H.S. said:

I was just discussing with my wife that this world has transformed into a big “my expert can beat up your expert” contest.

At around 10:24 of this monologue, he goes into the modern void of religious or philosophical approach to life and so modern man outsources decision making to “experts.”

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Will have to watch that when I get my internet hooked up. And yes, it really is, imo, everyone choosing which experts they want to believe.

Justin-H.S. said:

CIA archbishops be like...

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The Constitution forbids religious tests to hold a public position, but I’m not sure about the private sector.

Another nail in the GOA coffin.

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He’s at it again. Every time he’s spoken on most any important issues since he’s been out in the position he’s in, he either walks the tightrope of what is right dogma and doctrine. And since he’s been blatantly speaking not in the tradition of the church fathers, but rather odd political stances without a stitch from the truly Orthodox spiritual point of view, in the Orthodox spirit of these issues, I really think he should step down, as well as the EP. they’ve gone over the edge, imo. And I don’t usually speak so frankly and negatively about our hierarchs, but these two have been going off the right path.

it reminds me of years ago (around 2010 or 2011) when I was talking to my Presbytera about the situation with the Church back then, regarding the GOC, and she said there are prophecies that tell of the fall of the Greek Patriachate. I can see why.

Well, now that the booster shot was shot down by the FDA today... therepeutics better be pushed now. They know vaccines are only preventative and won’t help people in the ICU or a bit before that point. I’m not one for the vaccine... but if they really care about lives they would be looking for safe and efficacious alternatives and letting them through ASAP. This next week will be telling on that front...

Virtual Public Workshop on COVID-19 Lessons Learned: Clinical Evaluation of Therapeutics | Reagan-Udall Foundation

gzt said:

wow, what an irresponsible accusation against a hierarch of the Orthodox Church.

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The shoe fits.

gzt said:

wow, what an irresponsible accusation against a hierarch of the Orthodox Church.

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Gzt, I would have already left the Church if most hierarchs were like him. Discovering that Metropolitan Kallistos backed same-sex sexual relations was crushing. The hierarchs who back politics of racism and sexual anarchy do devastating damage to the efforts of those looking for the ancient Church.

The Church CANNOT and must not turn away people based on vaccination status. It is against the entire Tradition of our Church. It is a spirit that is set against Holy Orthodoxy using a false compassion and exaggerated concern for our lives in this world at the expense of eternity. The most any hierarch could legitimately say is that the Church does not take a position on the vaccine or claims of scientists about a virus. The Church must continue doing what it has always done: minister to all regardless of race, sex, passion, or vaccination status. When a hierarch takes a stand with the powers of the world to impose restrictions that deny our Tradition, then he is not with us, but with the world.

This alone is heresy, and if he indeed said it (and I do say “if”), he should flat-out be deposed. This contradicts the very words of Christ our Lord.

Glowies be like:

gzt said:

wow, what an irresponsible accusation against a hierarch of the Orthodox Church.

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rusmeister said:

This alone is heresy, and if he indeed said it (and I do say “if”), he should flat-out be deposed. This contradicts the very words of Christ our Lord.

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Confirmed here.
Address for the International Religious Freedom Summit, 2021 “The Rising Tide of Religious Nationalism” - Asset Publisher

First we must note that he's talking about the context of state action with respect to religion.

Immediately before that line:

Here in the United States, we have witnessed – especially in recent years – how independent religious bodies with charismatic leaders are using the public, political sphere to advance their own agendas. This is a clear case of “Nationalistic Religion,” where identity politics are incorporated into a religious entity in order to advance a religious agenda. Should such a tide rise to an undue influence – either in the legislative, judicial, or executive branches of government, it would challenge the very idea of the First Amendment, and the non-establishment clause concerning religion.

On the other hand, we could look at some aspects of modern Iran, and find a distinct brand of “Religious Nationalism,” a full-blown attempt at theocracy by a seeming majority. But to see a spiritual basis for the State is to create a stratification of society along religious lines, a spiritual apartheid, if you will. The result is a monolithic society unyielding to diversity.

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Later:

By promoting one religion above others, states create an oversized monolith in the public square that de facto (and sometimes de jure) excludes the citizenry who do not conform to that religious point of view.
[\quote]

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gzt said:

First we must note that he's talking about the context of state action with respect to religion.

Immediately before that line:


Later:

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Sorry, nice try, the context does not change the basic meaning of the quoted text. As Orthodox Christians, we are called very specifically to elevate one religion above others, and decide that there is only one path leading to the top of the mountain. We are supposed to assert that in all of our lives, and there is nothing in Holy Tradition that tells us that rulers and those engaged in politics (such as voters or governors) must not do so. He goes on very specifically to assert, in direct contradiction to Holy Tradition, that there are myriad paths to God, and that we are prejudiced for thinking otherwise. Anaxios.

You are following and supporting a leader who defies our Tradition, gz. It explains why we’ve conflicted so much in the past. Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father, but by Him. You should agree to that and admit that the Archbishop is in error on a very serious matter.

Double post

Why could he not have just said that general religious freedom must be respected and we pray for as many that may not know the Gospel that the Lord will grant light to those of a good conscience ( Romans 2, John 3:16-21, John 5:22-30 etc.)?


Stupid emojis!, I have no idea why that attachment is there & can’t get rid of it.

Antoni said:

Just reached out to the OCA priest a few towns over as I am making plans of leaving GOARCH and moving to a different jurisdiction. Will not be easy as I am cradle Greek Orthodox, Sunday School teacher for many years, on the Parish Council, and have children active in the programs there.

After speaking with the Priest, this is the information I gathered:

All are welcomed, vaxxed and unvaxxed and we do not judge one another. It’s a personal decision and should remains so. This is the official position of the Hierarchy.
Masks are left to the parishioner if they choose to wear one or not.
Single spoon communion (which they maintained throughout the entire pandemic)
All English services and pan orthodox parish meaning people very diverse ethnic composition (Russians, Romanians, Greeks, Georgians, converts).
Frequent confession, especially before communion and the Great Feasts
New Calendar

The priest was such a delight to speak to on the phone.

Please pray for me and my family. My wife is not ready to make such a move and it won’t be easy but I feel this is the direction God wants me to go..

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Lord have mercy!

Antoni said:

Just reached out to the OCA priest a few towns over as I am making plans of leaving GOARCH and moving to a different jurisdiction. Will not be easy as I am cradle Greek Orthodox, Sunday School teacher for many years, on the Parish Council, and have children active in the programs there.

After speaking with the Priest, this is the information I gathered:

All are welcomed, vaxxed and unvaxxed and we do not judge one another. It’s a personal decision and should remains so. This is the official position of the Hierarchy.
Masks are left to the parishioner if they choose to wear one or not.
Single spoon communion (which they maintained throughout the entire pandemic)
All English services and pan orthodox parish meaning people very diverse ethnic composition (Russians, Romanians, Greeks, Georgians, converts).
Frequent confession, especially before communion and the Great Feasts
New Calendar

The priest was such a delight to speak to on the phone.

Please pray for me and my family. My wife is not ready to make such a move and it won’t be easy but I feel this is the direction God wants me to go..

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We had been dividing our time between the Greek parish we had been part of since our return to Australia, and a Russian parish closer to home. For us, it has not been a difficult decision to spend increasingly more time at the latter, and we are not the only family of Greek descent doing so. You have my prayers.

rusmeister said:

Double post

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It bears repeating

prodromos said:

It bears repeating

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you can say that again (ba-dum-chee!)

prodromos said:

Confirmed here.
Address for the International Religious Freedom Summit, 2021 “The Rising Tide of Religious Nationalism” - Asset Publisher

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Yep.

Antoni said:

Just reached out to the OCA priest a few towns over as I am making plans of leaving GOARCH and moving to a different jurisdiction. Will not be easy as I am cradle Greek Orthodox, Sunday School teacher for many years, on the Parish Council, and have children active in the programs there.

After speaking with the Priest, this is the information I gathered:

All are welcomed, vaxxed and unvaxxed and we do not judge one another. It’s a personal decision and should remains so. This is the official position of the Hierarchy.
Masks are left to the parishioner if they choose to wear one or not.
Single spoon communion (which they maintained throughout the entire pandemic)
All English services and pan orthodox parish meaning people very diverse ethnic composition (Russians, Romanians, Greeks, Georgians, converts).
Frequent confession, especially before communion and the Great Feasts
New Calendar

The priest was such a delight to speak to on the phone.

Please pray for me and my family. My wife is not ready to make such a move and it won’t be easy but I feel this is the direction God wants me to go..

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God be with you, Antoni. The majority of my life as a practicing Orthodox Christian has been in the GOC because it’s my ancestry on my mom’s side, and I’ve always felt comfortable there, but the GOC (generally speaking. Not all clergy are going down the apostasy path) are heading toward teaching different from what’s always been taught that Fr. Tom Hopko said his mentor told him would happen in the end times or days ahead. I actually know some people who were going to the GOC I went to in PA who have moved to ROCOR.