The EP and the GOA are allowing popular culture and fashionable fundamentalism to shape the Church. From the EP’s praising Castro, to +Demetrios’ Obama worship, to the left wing cruise down the Mississippi the Orthodox Faith is taking a back seat to ethnic and political fashion.

What this shows overall however, is that Rome has a much clearer sense of the need for moral leadership in the present age, or, from the other direction, real leadership from religious authorities, particularly highly placed ones, must be moral in character.

It also shows that Rome has become wise to the ways politicians manipulate religious leaders for their own ends. When Speaker Pelosi visited Rome several months back, the logistics of the visit were not controlled by her handlers. There was no photo op., just a quick discussion with the Vatican controlling the narrative (the Pope again affirmed a culture of life). The same appears to have happened in this visit with Pres. Obama.

Orthodox leaders could take a page from the Roman book. The Mississippi River trip, despite the religious language employed in promoting it, is still primarily political. I doubt you would ever see even a Roman bishop endorsing it. The handling of Pres. Obama provides a stark contrast to the mishandling of the visit by Abp. Demetrios and the Greek lobby several months back.

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:14-22)