The heretic Apelles and Mr. Barthelemy - The calumny of "anti - Ecumenists"

Translated from the original by Costas Balomenos

The Ecumenical Patriarch. Mr. Barthelemy Α’

W

ith the beginning of the 20th century and specifically in 1902, the then Patriarch of Constantinople Joachim III, sent to the heads of the Orthodox Churches a text, in which he urged them to develop a dialogue with the heterodox churches.

In their reply, the Orthodox Churches stressed the need for unity, but they pointed to the difficulties which existed. The Greek Church, in fact, added that in the past had made similar attempts, but they had failed.

In January 1920 the Ecumenical Patriarchate addressed a circular letter “to the Churches of Christ around the world”, in which called them for establishing of a “society” of Churches, according to the standards of the “League of Nations” (the current UN)...

In 1923 the Roman Catholic Church denied the dialogue, but this was negated later after - in the 60s - began an effort to dialogue between the two churches.

In 1948 was founded in Amsterdam the WCC (World Council of Churches), by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Protestant Churches, with the Churches to maintain their autonomy into this organization. This approach of Churches launched a new spirit which was named “ecumenical”.

In Greece some believers considered the move as a betrayal of the Orthodox Faith and Tradition and they viewed - even after the introduction of the new calendar - as an attempt for subordination of the Orthodox Church to the Pope of Rome.

This movement of "anti - Ecumenists" was swelled and spread enough, especially during the last 15-20 years, since with the advancement of technology, the web site was filled with blog of "anti-Ecumenists", in which - as their owners argue – are fighting against ecumenism and for defending of the ancestral faith.

The Patriarch of Constantinople Mr. Bartholomew became the target and accepts the arrows and the wrath of the movement of “anti-Ecumenists”. The circles of “anti-ecumenism” in his face and his actions, they distinguish him, who “is selling off” the ancestral faith and he leads the Orthodox Church in allegiance to the Pope of Rome. In addition, Mr. Bartholomew is accused of being a heretic and identified with one of the archegetes of Gnosticism in first Christian times, who was called Apelles.

For those not familiar, Gnosticism was a syncretistic philosophical-religious system of the early years of Christianity, which was taking elements from any religion and incorporated them in his teaching, namely it was a religious “chameleon”. When Christianity appeared, Gnosticism took elements from his teaching, incorporated it and thus was formed Christian Gnosticism. He was bi-initial, i.e. he believed in the God of evil, who he was identical to that of the Old Testament about it and dismissed it, and the good God who taught that it was he, whom Christ sent into the world to save him.

After we saw in brief Gnosticism what was and what was advocating, let us now see who Apelles was and what he was teaching. We quote from «Patrology, Volume I, page 265» of the late Professor in University Stylianos Papadopoulos;

«He was the most important disciple of Marcion in Rome, with whom however he disagreed on some points of his teaching. It was shown face with clean life, by inspiring much respect. The most important peculiarities of Apelles: the rejection of diarchy (the beginning of the world is one), the relative rejection of Docetism and the totalitarian condemnation of the Old Testament. Because of his disagreement with Marcion, he left for Alexandria, but he returned to Rome, where he died probably around 180 ... Everything we know about Apelles we owe it to Rodon, an anti-heretical writer of the Second Century, which Eusebius shall register excerpts in his History (E13). The Rodon knew Apelles when he was elder. In his teaching of Apelles mentioned Hippolytus, Tertullian, Epiphanius and Ambrose».

Reading the above, it is worth asking. How did the connection of the heretic Apelles with the Constantinople Patriarch Bartholomew, since there appears not something reprehensible? You can not blame him for diarchy, since and Apelles was accepting one authority, such as notes and Rodon; «Because was accepting an authority, like and ours teaching» Eusebius, Ecclesiastic History V 13, 5.

You can not again blame Mr. Bartholomew as follower of Docetism, which is the view that Christ had not a human body, but phenomenal. Certainly not is correct to accuse him that does not accept the Old Testament and he reject this.

Then how eventually became the connection between Apelles and Bartholomew?

The things are as follows. An association with the name «Philorthodox Union “Cosmas Flamiatos”», sent a letter-article, which published by the various “anti-Ecumenical” blogs as for example;

http://apotixisi.blogspot.gr/2009/09/blog-post_26.html, http://thriskeftika.blogspot.gr/2009/09/blog-post_2782.html, http://trelogiannis.blogspot.gr/2009/09/o.html, etc.

In this letter equated Apelles, with Bartholomew, on the cause of a message that the Patriarch had sent to the Muslims for the end of the most significant celebration, Ramadan.

We quote the message of the Patriarch;

“With feelings of love and respect, addressing myself to Muslims throughout the world, heartfelt congratulations and my best wishes on the occasion of the end of the fasting of Ramadan. After this long period of fasting, which is also and reflection period, of prayer and charity, came the time for each Muslim to celebrate and take the above fair reward. In a spirit of peace, love and understanding we wish once blessed year celebration, praying as God Almighty gives you every spiritual blessing from above, with the hope that the world will live united.” † Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch.

This message of Patriarch was considered that echoes the teaching of the heretic Apelles. Indeed, for confirmation, listed the words of Apelles with the corresponding translation - commentary by the author of the letter; «everyone will be saved, only if it is sufficient to do good works». That is, “everyone will be saved, wherever you think (because an authority and one God exists), it is sufficient to do good works (such as their religion teaches them)”.

And from here, “begin the organs!” They considered that Patriarch equates the Triune God with Allah, Buddha, God of Masons M.A.T.S., etc., etc.

In short - not long story short - through the words of Apelles is supported, that the Patriarch professes that everyone can be saved in any religion if it believe, it is sufficient to do good works.

We go now to see the "tampering" and the fraud of "anti-Ecumenists" in the words of Apelles, to accuse unjustly the Patriarch. Before quote again the words - which supposedly Apelles said - to note the first slip. Never have you quoted the words of someone without mention the source from which you took. So why the fighters of the truth (!) did not cited the source of Apelles words? Perhaps to be not easy the junction, in order to cover their "tampering"? Let us answer themselves.

Let us now look again the words of Apelles, as presented by the “anti-Ecumenists” with the actual words of Apelles as our rescues Eusebius.

Words of Apelles, according to the “anti- Ecumenists”;

«everyone will be saved, only if it is sufficient to do good works». That is, everyone will be saved, wherever believes (inasmuch an authority and one God exists) suffice to do good works (such as his religion teaches them).

The actual words of Apelles, by the Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius, V, 13, 5;

“For this was saying that there is no need to examine the reasons, but everyone to remain to his beliefs • because he was claiming that will save those who are hoping in the crucified, only if will be found to do good works.”

Apelles then says; “Everyone to remain in his beliefs.”

The «anti-Ecumenists» say; “Everyone shall be saved, wherever they believe.”

The «anti – Ecumenists» has replaced the verb “reside” with the verb “save” to draw their own desired for them - but distorted about the truth - results.

Please tell us where you saw it written?

Below, the Apelles says; - Who shall be saved? – “He who believes in Christ and does good works.”

The "anti - Ecumenists" what they say? - Who shall be saved? – “He who would does good works.”

Counterfeiting is obvious! They disappeared (!!) a whole sentence “who believes in Christ”, to argue that the believer of every religion can be saved only by good works.

Therefore, Apelles other says and other the “anti – Ecumenists”!

Before we say our position in the controversy "Ecumenists" and "anti-Ecumenists" we have an observation-question: All these blogs that are supposed fighting for the truth, why did not hesitate at nothing, even in her misrepresentation? We believe that fanaticism is not the best advisor.

OUR POSITION

Admitting the words of Christ, that "will not prevail against the Church nor the gates of Hades," Matthew 16:18, we have confidence in the ecclesiastical consciousness of the clergy and people, which heavily guarded for centuries the ancestral faith unadulterated. An ecclesiastical conscience, who did not hesitate to recognize an “irregular” local synod (the Second Ecumenical of Constantinople in 381 AD) as Ecumenical, after was expressing the crew of truth, and to reject an - at all – “Ecumenical” Synod (the called Robber Council of Ephesus in 449 AD), because was not expressing the crew of truth and to never accept the Union Western - Eastern Church, although it was a decision of the Synod of Ferrara - Florence (1438 - 1439 AD). This, therefore, the ecclesiastical consciousness of clergy and people will be present, if you ever become a true union of the Churches and it will decide whether it is a real union or allegiance to the Pope.

We will complete our article with a text from the “book of Religious” in the third grade of high school, page 144, which we are teaching in the Greek schools, having the approval of the State and the Church. It is of the Patriarch Bartholomew and is referred to the Ecumenical dialogue. The conclusions let be yours.

«From the start of mixing of our Holy Church, in the Ecumenical Movement, the main interest of this was the preservation of Holy Tradition, the teaching of the Holy Fathers and the unity of the ancient undivided Church. The homology of our Church and the ecclesiological experience and life of Her was expressed always by synodical consciousness, mainly through the Creed of Nicaea - Constantinople and by the Ecumenical Synods, which are the fundamental criterion of the unity of the Church. The Ecumenical Throne is the Church of dialogue». G.Lianda, “The bilateral theological dialogue between Orthodox and Old Catholics”, ed. Ziti, Thessaloniki 2000, pp. 11-12.

Writer Christos Pal