One of the most highly respected churchmen in Greece,His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia,who,in addition to his pastoral leadership,is an author and professor of theology in the University of Athens,has expressed misgivings about Church participation in the big rally planned for 4 February 2018 on the issue of current negotiations by the Greek government with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.The negotiations seek to resolve outstanding disagreements between the neighbouring nations,particularly the use of the name "Macedonia" itself,which is also used by a province of Northern Greece.Here are some of his recent remarks on the subject:
Recently,on the occasion of the resurgence of diplomacy to resolve the bilateral disputes between Greece and the FYROM (irredentism,naming,erga omnes,and others that are equally serious and perhaps not public),there is also a lot of discussion about the organisation of rallies and the position of the Church of Greece against them.The storm of statements,suggestions,incitements,ecclesiastical turbulence suggests,or rather confirms,that-unfortunately-and despite any clarifying approaches of the Holy and Sacred Synod of 26 January,we move to the dangerous limit of secularism and its devotion to our ecclesiastical ethos.And I will be more specific:
The Church of Greece,indeed,has in the past organised rallies and invasions,and although one could argue that at that time both the reason and the way of their organisation gave it some justification,however,they "redeemed" them several decades later,as being too expensive.It is not unjust to the historical accuracy if I assert that the reward "benefit" was fairly low in relation to the "struggle" and the damage quite high in relation to its aspirations.
In the current circumstances,however,the organisation of rallies is completely different and alien to the whole institution of the Church.Their organisation is moving in a turbulent environment,exploiting the indisputable and immovable position of the Greek people on the non-use of the name "Macedonia" for the neighbouring state of Skopje.That is why I dare to raise some questions and concerns in good faith:
Who are the "unscheduled" organisers of rallies?Presidents of organisations and groups who obviously represent a portion of the people.Is it allowed,therefore,to stand by the Church as a "therapist" next to them?Do we forget that the Church expresses the whole and not the part,with which it cannot be identified?
Who are the "unknown" co-organisers,who seek to use the institutional Church and "grab" it for the satisfaction of their own political desires,alibis and aspirations?*
I think,as everyone else,I respect the desire of every Greek citizen to participate in any rally to express in the most dynamic way the popular will for the specific issue of naming.But should the institution of the Church be sought,and indeed with the presence of its bishops?Such an expression is purely a secular perception of the functioning of the ecclesiastical body itself with the "things of this world" when this secularisation even entails,albeit inconspicuous for some,the protestantising of our ecclesiastical morality,so that we risk being eclipsed and degenerating into a "therapist" of various groups,often of unknown ideology,placement and principles,but also intended purposes.*
I therefore consider that any enthusiastic tendencies should be limited in order to preserve the institutional role of the Church in society.*
Let us take a little more thought and consider the future of the institution,not the evolution and satisfaction of our personal aspirations and visions!!
Messinia Chrysostomos +
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