Archbishop Hieronymos: “So far” – “Intervention for the involvement of the Church and its clergy in the political events of the country”

What Archbishop Hieronymos makes clear in his announcement.

In the context of holding national elections, the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Hieronymos issued a statement clarifying his position on the “involvement of the Church and its clergy in the political events of the country” in recent days.

Allow me to repeat the self-evident, but in any case inappropriate, obvious and deceitful way of trying to “project” through questions or by implication into the political events of our country, our Church and its clergy, especially high-level groups and individuals. He notes that the method serves the obvious benefits of what I call “engagement”.

“The Church is a Divine and Human Organization”

Then Archbishop Hieronymos adds: “The Church is a divine and human organization, secular and not a domineering institution. She is not of this world, but lives and works in this world to change the world, the human person, every believer, every citizen, without discrimination, of course, Regardless of one’s political beliefs and party preferences.

She loves all, she embraces all, she accepts all, serves all, and for the salvation of all she acts faithfully to the principles and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to her holy mission. She does not divide people into lambs and goats, elect and non-elect, favored and reserved, for to her we are all children of the same God. And, of course, there is no attempt to “guide” or “manipulate” or “guide” every aspect of the public life of our country in one direction or another, fully respecting the autonomy and freedom of man.

Anyone who says something like this either knows nothing about the Church, has nothing to do with her, or, deliberately and consciously, rushes the truth and reality, plays his own game, tries to discredit her, insult her and take revenge.

“that is enough”

In conclusion, Archbishop Hieronymos underlines: “As was wisely and timely pointed out by my great predecessor, Mr. Seraphim, the blessed Archbishop of Athens and all Greece, our Church is not politicized, nor co-politicized, nor oppositional, nor “divided” I would add, but it is Moving in. Our Church is exclusively represented and expressed by the Holy Synod of our Hierarchy and its President, the respective Archbishop, and anyone else.

Therefore, I am not even going to tolerate the use of our Church as a tool for anyone’s ulterior motives, to take advantage of people’s religious sentiments and to take over our faith by counterfeiters. Seeking to build followers and forces, but not the same slanderous attempt to target our church, “underground” or “secret” practices and meddling in issues completely unrelated to his work. that is enough”.