Disturbing and Once Again, Another Grave Error Via the GOC Archbishop

[Dorothea]

I was extremely angry over Archbishop Elpidophoros's "multiple spoons" blasphemy in 2020 during the covid hysteria. I am again angry and upset over this newest grave error. The core of this is a disbelief in God. ETA: Somebody on FB shared this website. I've never been to it before. The journalist speaks in harsh tones for which I'm not a fan of, but the crux of the issue is addressed.

Abp. Elpidophoros Approves "Food-sensitive" Eucharist

When Accessibility Crosses the Line: A Call for Faithful Integrity in Liturgical Practice

spzh-new.newagelab.com

 

[RileyG]

(posting in fellowship)

I am sorry you are struggling with this issue, Dot. God bless you

 

[prodromos]

I was extremely angry over Archbishop Elpidophoros's "multiple spoons" blasphemy in 2020 during the covid hysteria. I am again angry and upset over this newest grave error. The core of this is a disbelief in God.

Abp. Elpidophoros Approves "Food-sensitive" Eucharist

When Accessibility Crosses the Line: A Call for Faithful Integrity in Liturgical Practice

spzh-new.newagelab.com

Lord have mercy!
One of our bishops who was a deacon serving with our former Archbishop at the time, was tasked with consuming what remained of the gifts after a Divine Liturgy in which they had overestimated the number of people who would be communing. Immediately after the Liturgy he had to run a few errands for the Archbishop which meant driving to a few locations. At the time he was still on his provisional license where there is a strict zero alcohol policy here in Australia. As you would expect, he drove past where police were performing random breath testing and was flagged down for a test, whereupon he blew zero, despite having consumed a significant amount of what previously had been wine, until being consecrated.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Lord have mercy

 

[Dorothea]

Lord have mercy!
One of our bishops who was a deacon serving with our former Archbishop at the time, was tasked with consuming what remained of the gifts after a Divine Liturgy in which they had overestimated the number of people who would be communing. Immediately after the Liturgy he had to run a few errands for the Archbishop which meant driving to a few locations. At the time he was still on his provisional license where there is a strict zero alcohol policy here in Australia. As you would expect, he drove past where police were performing random breath testing and was flagged down for a test, whereupon he blew zero, despite having consumed a significant amount of what previously had been wine, until being consecrated.

ah, I've heard that before. Maybe a different person, but still same result, of course.

 

[Dewi Sant]

my priest is gluten intolerant. I'll have to ask him, but as far as I'm aware, the prosphora bread is the usual sort.

 

[ArmyMatt]

my priest is gluten intolerant. I'll have to ask him, but as far as I'm aware, the prosphora bread is the usual sort.

everyone I know who is gluten intolerant has never had an issue with the Eucharist

 

[Dorothea]

my priest is gluten intolerant. I'll have to ask him, but as far as I'm aware, the prosphora bread is the usual sort.

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[RileyG]

ah, I've heard that before. Maybe a different person, but still same result, of course.

I think I've heard that on this forums, too. That's very interesting.

 

[Dorothea]

everyone I know who is gluten intolerant has never had an issue with the Eucharist

Good to know! Thanks for sharing, Father!

 

[Dorothea]

(posting in fellowship)

I am sorry you are struggling with this issue, Dot. God bless you

It's just another terrible move that I feel is on the path the falling into apostasy for the Greek Orthodox Churches.

 

[RileyG]

It's just another terrible move that I feel is on the path the falling into apostasy for the Greek Orthodox Churches.

By Greek Orthodox Churches, are you referring to the Church of Greece or Greek Orthodox Christians worldwide? I know the EO includes other groups. Coming from your friendly Roman Catholic

 

[ArmyMatt]

Good to know! Thanks for sharing, Father!

no problem!

 

[Dorothea]

By Greek Orthodox Churches, are you referring to the Church of Greece or Greek Orthodox Christians worldwide? I know the EO includes other groups. Coming from your friendly Roman Catholic

the fall of the Greek Orthodox Patriachate. According to my priest's wife, she shared with me years ago that centuries-old prophecy of the fall of the GO Patriarch.

 

[All4Christ]

I recommend avoiding websites like the one you posted. Your first post says you became very angry at the GO use of multiple spoons, and now you are angry over this. Anger can be dangerous. While I disagree with what they are describing in the article, focusing on that rather than my own spiritual walk can be damaging. Accusing a patriarchate as being fallen or on its way to a fall is also a serious accusation that I would not feel comfortable doing. It also sows discord between the faithful who are GO and those who are not.

ETA: I am saying this from experience. I used to share deep frustration with my husband about the same Archbishop, especially in regards to some spiritual practices with communion and baptism, and he reminded me that focus on that isn’t helpful. Focus on God and our own spiritual walk is what is important for us. It helped to ease my stress over it as well.

 

[prodromos]

It also sows discord between the faithful who are GO and those who are not.

I don't see it that way. The faithful will be praying for each other regardless of jurisdiction, especially when we see each other's bishops deviating from the narrow path. If there is discord then it will be between those who are not truly faithful.

 

[All4Christ]

I don't see it that way. The faithful will be praying for each other regardless of jurisdiction, especially when we see each other's bishops deviating from the narrow path. If there is discord then it will be between those who are not truly faithful.

That’s good to hear. I still maintain my other points though.

 

[Dorothea]

I recommend avoiding websites like the one you posted. Your first post says you became very angry at the GO use of multiple spoons, and now you are angry over this. Anger can be dangerous. While I disagree with what they are describing in the article, focusing on that rather than my own spiritual walk can be damaging. Accusing a patriarchate as being fallen or on its way to a fall is also a serious accusation that I would not feel comfortable doing. It also sows discord between the faithful who are GO and those who are not.

ETA: I am saying this from experience. I used to share deep frustration with my husband about the same Archbishop, especially in regards to some spiritual practices with communion and baptism, and he reminded me that focus on that isn’t helpful. Focus on God and our own spiritual walk is what is important for us. It helped to ease my stress over it as well.

I've never seen the site before and don't like the tone in it. However, I didn't first hear this from the Orthodox woman who initially shared it in an FB group, but in an Orthodox women's FB group I am part of. I was alarmed by this and as I said the multiple spoons issue because it questions belief in God. I have many vices, but anger isn't one of them. So, my response doesn't burn or stay with me. But this issue is not helpful. I am part of the GOC, so I feel it affects me greatly. I tend to focus on my own home, so to speak, rather than others, that need work. But also, as a layperson, we should all be concerned about questionable and alarming actions from our clergy. It's what the Church has done since its inception. I don't think it causes discord with other Orthodox traditions/jurisdictions. It's a GOC problem. So, I respectfully disagree.

Having said all of that, I rarely pay much attention to this archbishop or any other one to the point of any type of simmering anger or grudges. I'm thankful I don't hold them. When I hear these things, I share my feelings on it and move on. Thanks, though, for your response and for your concern for me.

 

[Dorothea]

I don't see it that way. The faithful will be praying for each other regardless of jurisdiction, especially when we see each other's bishops deviating from the narrow path. If there is discord then it will be between those who are not truly faithful.

agree with you.

 

[E.C.]

Yet another reason I'm happy to be in the OCA