The Perils of Pandering Politicians like Velopoulos

Defending the Truth and Integrity of the Orthodox Church
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Greek Text

​In the current landscape of Greek political theatrics, fringe parties jostle for influence; it is not uncommon to witness politicians exploiting religious sentiments to further their agendas. One recent demoralizing spectacle is the series of ill-advised remarks made by a Greek politician, Kyriakos Velopoulos, who has taken to television, spreading lies and distortions about the Orthodox church’s ecclesiology, with his venom mainly focused on Mount Athos and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This brazen schismatic “Old-calendarist” campaign of misinformation not only undermines the sacred traditions of the Orthodox Church but his duplicitous partners have specific ire to tarnish the reputation of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, a revered spiritual leader whose commitment to Orthodox unity, peace, and the preservation of Orthodoxy remains unparalleled. Yet this troll gleefully engulfs legitimate leaders working out their self-serving politics.

​The Distortions and Lies
When not peddling “Jesus’ handwritten” letters, Kyriakos Velopoulos has engaged in a relentless campaign of spreading conspiracy theories about the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Mount Athos, the CIA, EU money, and Putin’s defense of Orthodoxy. These theories involve the purported American CIA infiltration of Mount Athos, the notion of fratricidal Russia serving as the protector of Athos and Orthodoxy, and the hypothetical potential for bloodshed on Athos. Velopoulos exploits the remnants of a long-standing ecclesiastical controversy and the government's failure to uphold its constitutional duties, sowing discord for his perceived political advantage.

The monastic community of Mount Athos stands as a beacon of Orthodox spirituality and asceticism, and Velopoulos has no problem wielding fissures of controversy to sow his brand of nationalism. Velopoulos seeks to disseminate seeds of discord and distrust among the faithful by misrepresenting the ecclesiology of the Orthodox Church and Greece's Constitutional obligations to the Athonite peninsula. Such actions are careless and deeply harmful, as they erode trust in the foundations of our faith that Velopoulos disingenuously claims to be defending. Kyriakos Velopoulos is a hypocrite and an iniquitous politician against Orthodoxy.
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Orthodox ecclesiology is rooted in a rich tradition of theological thought, conciliar governance, and the historical canonical spiritual leadership of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Velopoulos's claims that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is engaged in nefarious activities or that Mount Athos is a hotbed of conspiracies are baseless and indicate a profound ignorance of Orthodox theology and ecclesiastical history. Velopoulos claims Methodios and his “monks” are legitimate. They are not. 

​In fact, beyond the church defrocking Methodios and several “monks,” every level of Orthodoxy denounces them. All 15 autocephalous churches, all 20 monasteries of the Epistasia of Mount Athos, and the Hellenic Republic recognize the new brotherhood as legitimate beneficiaries of the monastery. Greek courts have repeatedly judged and found the Methodite faction of squatters guilty on all counts. Velopoulos ignores these minor verifications from secular and ecclesiastic authorities. Along with the squatter’s guilt, Velopoulos also ignores Mount Athos's thousand-year tradition of governance and Greece’s century-old obligations. In the final analysis, Velopoulos is not only a despicable politician but also a shameless opportunist and a betrayer of Orthodox Christians, masquerading as a pious and concerned believer.

​Defending Ecumenical Patriarchate
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the 270th Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch, has dedicated his life to serving the Orthodox Church and promoting Christian unity. Under his leadership, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has navigated numerous challenges he ‘inherited’ while steadfastly upholding the principles of the Orthodox faith.

​Those who question the rights and responsibilities of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are, in essence, questioning their very existence and identity, the very structure of Orthodoxy.

​These conspiracists claim Patriarch Bartholomew's commitment to environmental stewardship, interfaith dialogue, and human rights has made him the arch-heretic, and they utterly disrespect the Throne that they claim to be defending. The truth is that the Ecumenical Patriarch is worthily respected and admired worldwide, a testament to his vision for a united Orthodoxy. Such a leader deserves our utmost respect and support, not baseless accusations and unfounded conspiracy theories by charlatan monks and mendacious politicians.

The Importance of Upholding Truth
In an age where misinformation spreads rapidly and political figures often prioritize personal gain over the common good, the faithful, including you, must remain vigilant and discerning. Your role in rejecting the divisive rhetoric of those who seek to exploit our sacred beliefs, acute conflicts, or religious personalities for their ends and instead upholding the truth of our faith and the integrity of our Church is crucial.

Mount Athos's millennial-old tradition of monasticism and spiritual dedication remains a symbol of Orthodoxy's enduring strength. As the spiritual center of the Orthodox world, the Ecumenical Patriarchate continues to guide the faithful, including the Holy Mountain. Let us not forget that the Holy Mountain has always been under the omophorion of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and shepherded with wisdom and compassion. Mr Velopoulos, to attack these pillars of our faith, especially with false, misleading, inaccurate information for your selfish gain, is the definition of demonic.

As Orthodox Christians, we are called to defend the truth and preserve the unity of our Church. Let us, including you, stand firm against those, like the fraud Velopoulos or the pseudo-monk Methodios, who seek to undermine our faith through lies and distortions. This is a reaffirmation of our commitment to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the sacred traditions of Mount Athos, ensuring that the light of Orthodoxy continues to shine brightly in a world often clouded by deception.
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In these trying times, may we draw strength from our faith, guided by the wisdom and leadership of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and remain steadfast in our commitment to truth, unity, and the enduring values of the Orthodox Church. These values, which have stood the test of time, should reassure us and give us the confidence to defend our faith.