«We will not deny you, Beloved Orthodoxy» – Joseph Vryennios (ΟΥΚ ΑΡΝΗΣΟΜΕΘΑ ΣΕ ΦΙΛΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑ…)
– New Heresies – ΝΕΑ ΑΙΡΕΣΗ
By +Metropolitan Augoustinos (Kantiotes) of Florina
«We will not deny you, Beloved Orthodoxy» – Joseph Vryennios
ΟΥΚ ΑΡΝΗΣΟΜΕΘΑ ΣΕ ΦΙΛΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑ…Ιωσήφ Βρυέννιου
Of late, certain theologians, under the influence of contemporary, world-wide currents, have begun to savour the words «ecumenicity», «ecumenical spirit», and «ecumenical movement», as if they were hard-candy. Ecumenicity; what a beautiful word! And yet, behind these words, lay hidden a most fearful danger for Orthodoxy. What is this danger? We will show you by means of an example.
Imagine a woman, a woman faithful to her husband, a woman who will allow no third party to enter into their relationship, ever mindful of the promises which she had made before God and before men. She is a woman of exceptional beauty, drawing the eye of many a man. On account of her uprightness, however, anyone who dares to touch, or to proposition her, immediately meets with her anger. Should such a one persist, this honourable woman will deliver a strong slap to his face in order bring him to his senses.
Those men who are learned in this vile business, however, will try another method. These will try to uncover what it is that this woman likes; does she perhaps love poetry, or philosophy, or art? By means of these things the secret admirer will trap her. With great deftness he will begin having innocent conversations with her on those subjects that are beloved to her. «What a wonderful poem!»; «What a beautiful painting!»; «What a wonderful play!»; «How sweet a piece of music!» And thus begins the dialogue. Gradually the unsuspecting woman is lured into longer conversations with the deceiver who, while his tongue speaks of philosophy and art, his heart leaps at the hope of taking the woman for himself. Finally, after an air of great familiarity and mutual understanding has been achieved through these conversations, the door is opened to the foul deed, the shameful union. Just as the most-evil serpent succeeded in beguiling Eve by means of a simple conversation, in like manner the seed of shameful union was sown. Read more »