We must not mind insulting men if by respecting them we offend God.

"We must not mind insulting men if by respecting them we offend God."
​~ Saint John Chrysostom

​The feast day of Holy Euphemia is celebrated on September 16. She was martyred for not offering sacrifice to Ares, the Greek god of war. On July 11, the miracle of her relics that decided the 4th Ecumenical Council was held in Chalcedon, 451 AD. Two significant symbolic Orthodox gestures. First not to sacrifice to war or conflict and second to maintain the proper Orthodox teaching. 

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​Our beloved All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew says, “We call once again for an immediate end to the fratricidal war, which, like any war, undermines human dignity." And Patriarch Cyril says, dying in the fratricidal war against Ukraine "cleanses away all sins."

Archbishop Anastasios, you and those silent hierarchs are on the wrong side of history.

I feel compelled to address recent events. I have encountered harsh vile criticism and unfounded indictments in response to my seemingly harmless comment, even though my original intentions were precise as stated “Orthodox status quo.” It is disheartening to note that the individual who launched this public attack holds a position of the utmost influence. Unfortunately, Archbishop Anastasios (Yannoulatos) of Tirana publicly engages in confrontations through his official synodal press office, often employing sarcasm and pandering to age-old racist biases, which is troubling enough.

​However censuring my statement "International Oligarchs," the synod’s silence vis-à-vis Moscow, directly condones and shields Patriarch Cyril's involvement in criminally uncanonical activities.

Saint Isaac the Syrian taught, “Silence is the sacrament of the world to come.”

This is Archbishop Anastasios' interpretation of 'silence'

​The Albanian synod’s silence advocates for actual bloodshed, epitomizing "Qui tacet consentit." These actions cast a shadow on Orthodox values and integrity, while the silence of other autocephalous churches underscores the importance of ethical standards in leadership roles. Those in influential positions must uphold these standards as their actions affect society's perception of ecclesiastical justice. 

​In Albania “between 1944 and 1985, the small Balkan nation was ruled by a strange, sociopathic, and, frankly, completely mad dictator named Enver Hoxha. While Stalinism effectively ended in Europe with the death of its namesake, or at least with the Khrushchev reforms that followed.” Clandestinely this influence continues unabated and unquestioned in many of the Orthodox Churches formally under Soviet control and currently in the sphere of the Kremlin’s man, “Patriarch” Cyril. 

​We all understand the Holy Spirit undeniably guides the Orthodox Church. It's disheartening to witness attempts that belittle lifelong servants of the Church, whether they are iconographers or Patriarchs. Such are the actions of the simulacrum Patriarch of Moscow Cyril who discourteously reminds His All Holiness of Christ's role as the Head of our Holy Orthodox Church undermining the Ecumenical Councils and church administration. These insults, among others, are met with silence from Archbishop Anastasios and other hierarchs.
​Let's choose respectful dialogue over derogatory language.

The Albanian Synod's most recent actions, involving an edited and modified press release, are deceptive attempts at justifying their stance through diversion. This release takes a personal dig at me. It employs a creative approach to criticize the Ecumenical Patriarch by emphasizing that "the Church of Ukraine has not been recognized... by nine other Autocephalous Orthodox Churches." It's important to note that this argument is a Russian talking point. This is not justification; it is petty and childish and has no bearing on canon law. And as in Estonia, the situation will resolve itself in time. Playing synodal word games with impunity is unnecessary and childish.

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​His Beatitude often cites ancient Greek wisdom, so I'd like to draw attention to my compatriot Theophrastus' observations on character behavior, nine appear to resonate with Anastasios and his synod’s behavior:

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1. The Dissembler's every word, and action, is an artifice laboring to conceal some [Russian] intention.
2. The Oligarch's domination of fellows in the opinions [Press], conduct, and manners of partisan despotism.
3. The Ruffian is distinguished by recklessness in which he witnesses atrocities [and stays silent].
4. The Fabricator of News to gratify his love of inventing and propagating [defensive] falsehoods.
5. The Shameless union of avarice and audacity produces a disregard for [ecclesial] decency and reputation.
6. The Petulant makes [Synodal Press] murmurings and rebukes when it cannot find reason.
7. The Suspicious man imputes a fraudulent intention to people [Ecumenical Patriarch]
8. The Proud men regard the [the Great Nation] with contempt; himself excepted.
   
9. The Detractor utters not a word that does not betray the malignancy of his [Russian] advocate.

A crucial question arises: why, in its recent alterations, hasn't in addition to the slight directed at the Ecumenical Patriarch the Albanian Synod neglected to acknowledge that only the Russian Church has self-isolated, altered sacred diptychs, and invaded ecclesiastic territories of other autocephalous churches? Furthermore, why hasn't Archbishop Anastasios acknowledged the historical evidence presented by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which supports Constantinople’s canonical and historical position in Ukraine?

​Archbishop Anastasios' silence regarding Patriarch Cyril's crimes against humanity and offenses against the Universal Church is compounded by notable correlations.  The Church of Russia is invading the ecclesial lands and the churches Anastasios was involved with during his youth. Beyond anathematizing several ancient patriarchates, the Russian Church vigorously expanded into East Africa, including Uganda where the then Father Anastasios celebrated his first Divine Liturgy in 1964, and Kenya where he officially inaugurated the Archbishop Makarios III Orthodox Patriarchal Seminary in Nairobi in 1982. These are particularly striking examples of numerous other instances further illustrating this point of “Russian influence.” While it may not suggest a conspiracy, the facts present a compelling case.

​I remember when, in 2001 Archbishop Anastasios received the Patriarch Athenagoras Award from the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. National Commander Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis said, "The entire Order of St. Andrew is humbled by the opportunity to recognize this modern Orthodox missionary and humanitarian.” Today the same honoree mocks international Archons, as if putting on a noble mantle should be demeaned.
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Any educated person acknowledges the Moscow Church has always suffered from envy and as St. John Chrysostom says: “Envy is the mother of murder.” 

​The Albanian Synod's statements contain deleterious insinuations that may not align with the situation's context and facts. Engaging in open and transparent dialogue is essential to ensure a more comprehensive understanding of these complex matters. 

Lets repeat how we started"

Our beloved Ecumenical Patriarch says, “We call once again for an immediate end to the fratricidal war, which, like any war, undermines human dignity." And simulacrum Patriarch Kirill says dying in the fratricidal war against Ukraine "cleanses away all sins."
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Archbishop Anastasios, you and those silent hierarchs are on the wrong side of history.