Does the Ecumenical Patriarchate have a clear understanding of the life of the Church in America and the Greek American Community?

The poll is located at the bottom of the page. I don’t know if the results show immediately but I hope AOI readers will once again let their voice be heard.

What’s my point? How many of the bishops, “metropolitans” and other functionaries of the Phanar have ever run anything? I mean, other than into the ground?

Andrew,

It’s spelled “I-N-C-O-M-P-E-T-E-N-T”

And I take strong exception to the reference to our Yiayias…they may have been illiterate, spoken “spasmena” (i.e.broken) English, and been from the village, but on her very very worst day she was brighter than these buffoons…

This is what we, in business, call “High level dumb”…or, as Yiayia would have said, “Poh poh poh…ti hallia!”

Just unbelievable.

Dean

Re: A curious thought though: do you think that any of the 20+ Greek “metropolitans” will still actively pursue their request for Turkish citizenship?

I’ll tell you this…the minute we find out who those 20 are, we ought to demand that the American ones rescind their US citizenship!

I’m sure that’s something Ted Kalmoukos at
The National Herald

will be able to tell us.

You are right though…how pathetically sad.

Best Regards
Dean

Now I am not saying anyone needs to retract but if I read John’s posts correctly someone at the Phanar or 79th Street is leaking out the message that these words are not so meaningful but just a Greek figure of speech like one yia-yia uses…….

Any handler who leaks that idea is doing more harm than good.

They really need to think things through. But they won’t because the end-result would have been what the EP’s predecessor wanted: a united American Orthodox Church. One which would be over 15 years old now and which could lobby Congress on its behalf. Now, because of the many recent missteps (esp. demanding land), they are weakening their already very weak bargaining position. Heck, right now, if I were +Jonah and the other non-GOA jurisdictions, I’d just sit back and let the Phanar just wither away.

A curious thought though: do you think that any of the 20+ Greek “metropolitans” will still actively pursue their request for Turkish citizenship?

Hi Isa,

You’re absolutely right. If they were not completely incompetent (the handlers of the EP, including the advisors in NYC) you could have a PR bonanza day with this….this could become a poster child for religious persecution…they’d have the left, the right, the Evangelicals, the Catholics…anyone who is religious supporting them.

Unfortunately, that job becomes exponentially more difficult when half the Orthodox in this country would just as soon see you go away…

For example, you can go the GOARCH website today, and you will see that they have YET to post anything about the passing of Abp Job…for example!!!

What a terrible shame!!! This “Hellenism” mania will be the death of the Great Church. The Turks did their job well..and the best thing they have going for them is the incredible arrogance and incompetence of their Greek adversaries.

Best Regards,
Dean

Yes, by all means, keep the Chief Secretary out of it.

The problem at the phanar has always been the mentality of a controlling mother, thinking that she has to reduce her son to a mama’s boy. That doesn’t help anyone: a man who establishes a family of his own is in a much better position to provide for his mother than a 50 year old still being treated like a 5 year old.

If only more of this could get out for the image of the EP.

“Phanar to Ankara: Go Pound Sand – Strong letter to follow”

I’m thrilled that the EP has finally decided to address the issue head on, rather than continue to “die by the inch.”…NEVER A GOOD STRATEGY

Now H.A.H. needs to recognize the OCA, indicate his support for a united American Church…and ask that Church for US support.

In any case…it’s about d#$% time.

First time I’ve seen the EP act like someone even remotely related to his predecessors.

The first step was great…now if only his handlers don’t screw it up!!!

Best Regards
Dean

I want to see Halki opened.

“Calling the religious leader’s comments unfortunate, Tüzmen drew attention to the timing of the statement. “If there is someone who is being crucified, it is the politicians, security officials and others,” he said. “If he is a religious and spiritual leader, he should be much more cautious when making a statement.””

The Truth shall set you free. That’s from a religious text.

“Recalling the words of Patriarch Bartholomew about his love toward his country, Tüzmen added, “Someone who really loves his country has to be more responsible.””

Because he holds his government to all the lip service it pays to democracy, freedom and human rights.

“When asked about the government’s plans to re-open the Halki Seminary, which was closed in 1971 following a Constitutional Court ruling, Tüzmen said, “This process requires a look at the conditions of the Turkish minority in Greece and Bulgaria.””

Odd how the Turks deny the Patriarch is Ecumenical, and yet the opening of his seminary depends on events in foreign countries. Is he going to be responsible for the Swiss next?

ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News

Monday, December 21, 2009

Turkey has said it is awaiting clarification from Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew after he said he feels “crucified” and “second class” in the country.

“It’s a very unfortunate statement. He will surely make a statement and will express what he meant. Please, let’s all wait for it,” Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç told reporters Sunday.

Arınç said the government had never intended to discriminate against religious minorities and had, only a few months ago, initiated a broad meeting in Istanbul with the representatives of Turkey’s official minority groups.

In an interview with the American CBS network that aired Sunday, Patriarch Bartholomew criticized the Turkish government for not opening the Halki Seminary despite consecutive meetings on the matter. In an immediate reaction, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said he wanted to see the patriarch’s statements as an undesired slip of the tongue.

President Abdullah Gül backed Davutoğlu’s statement Monday and said he preferred not to make additional comments on the issue.

Kürşat Tüzmen, the head of the international-relations unit of the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, meanwhile lashed out at the patriarch in an interview with the private channel NTV.

Calling the religious leader’s comments unfortunate, Tüzmen drew attention to the timing of the statement. “If there is someone who is being crucified, it is the politicians, security officials and others,” he said. “If he is a religious and spiritual leader, he should be much more cautious when making a statement.”

Recalling the words of Patriarch Bartholomew about his love toward his country, Tüzmen added, “Someone who really loves his country has to be more responsible.”

When asked about the government’s plans to re-open the Halki Seminary, which was closed in 1971 following a Constitutional Court ruling, Tüzmen said, “This process requires a look at the conditions of the Turkish minority in Greece and Bulgaria.”

“We don’t necessarily consider it in terms of rules of reciprocity. But it is our right to ponder the rights of our kin in these countries,” he said. “Can they fully enjoy their rights, or under what conditions can they benefit from freedom of worship?”

URL: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=ankara-awaits-clarification-from-patriarch-2009-12-21