“Put not your trust in princes, in the sons of men, in whom there is no salvation” Ps. 145/146:3

It is vital to understand that the current spiritual sickness in the Ecumenical Patriarchate (EP) has been festering for well over a century now. Understanding at least to some degree the historical context is of utmost importance.

My hope is that by addressing the sickness, healing may come. I, andothers who are voicing concern, do so with a desire for healing and restoration of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, not its demise.

Yet, the EP has been following along a premeditated trajectory for some time now. At present, it seems to have no intention of changing its course. The fruits that we are witnessing in Ukraine only evidence the reality that certain un-Orthodox mentalities have begun to dominate the ethos of the EP and that certain ungodly powers are behind its current actions in various parts of the world.

In this post, two articles will be primarily highlighted. Both articles illustrate several root issues that have provided the fertile ground in which the current actions of the EP have blossomed and manifested fruit.

The first article is – Fr. Kyrill Johnson: the Prestige of the Oecumenical Patriarch. This article was kindly sent to me by a reader, for which I’m very grateful. I encourage everyone to read it in full.

The above article was written in the 1940s. Evidently, at that time the particular mindsets that have only grown and become more well-defined with the passing of time were already existent.

Although the article touches upon a number issues, its main focus is the pronouncement of then Pat. Meletios on Anglican orders.

Even in the 1940s, the author observes, If one collates this series of pronouncements issued by Greek ecclesiastics with the political events and pressures, which paralleled their appearance, one soon discovers an obvious relation between their interpretation of Orthodox canon law and faith and the political tensions to which they were subjected.

Of particular interest for current events is the confirmation the author gives to the fact that the EP was heavily dependent upon Western powers for support. Of course, the Patriarch of whom the author writes is the infamous Meletios, who was a Mason.

From very early on Meletios was intimately tied to political powers. Two notable powers mentioned (besides Greek politicians) in the article are Britain and the United States. The reader also will note that one of the main concerns for the EP, even at that time, was one of maintaining the Greek ethnos. The primary matter was that of the preservation of “Greek nationalism.” Meletios is said to be a “Greek nationalist.”

The author notes with blunt finesse,  Each day the diminished Greek race was being decimated throughout Asia Minor; the Great Idea of a reconstituted Byzantine Empire was dissolving into dust and ashes before his eyes. Meletios, the Greek nationalist, became a desperate man. He had but one last jewel to spend on wooing British Imperialism to stop the decimation of his co-racialists in Asia Minor. The jewel was his Orthodox Faith. He would offer up this precious jewel to international politics in a last desperate gesture. Out of Meletios’ racial agony was born his pronouncement on Anglican ordinations.

Another point of great interest is the observation,  Greek ecclesiastics are very prone to consider themselves as Greeks in the political sense first and as representatives of the Orthodox Faith afterward.

The author does ask the reader not to judge these hierarchs too harshly, even though they are resorting to worldly politics to save their heritage.

In brief, one may glean at least this information: The EP has been working with Western powers since the early 1900s, it has been willing to use the Orthodox Faith itself as a bartering chip for its own survival, and political issues occupy a place of primary importance (at times above matters of faith).

The second article is – Ousting the Ecumenical Patriarch: the removal of Maximos V according to CIA records.

This article simply confirms that which many have long known – during the Cold War the EP was developed and supported by the US as an asset to counter “Soviet influence,” specifically as it was perceived through the Moscow Patriarchate (MP) at that time.

It is well known to students of history that the MP had a period of deep involvement with the KGB during Soviet times. This is a tragic period for the MP. On the geopolitical stage of that era, the MP was considered by some as the KGB Patriarch. The US also sought to effectively consolidate an Orthodox Patriarch for itself. The EP, who already had a history of deep collaboration with Western powers, became the obvious choice.

The prime candidate was Athenagoras. I have pointed out in previous posts that Athenagoras was a Mason. The author of the article rightly points out that Athenagoras is a very influential figure in 20th-century Orthodoxy. I would add that he is so in the manner of Arius and Nestorius, both of whom one could argue were very influential figures in Church History but to the negative and not to the positive.

The article confirms that the CIA became very involved in the affairs of the EP. The EP once again turns to political powers for preservation rather than to Christ the Lord. Honestly, this trend of turning to Western powers could be traced back to the times of the “Council of Florence,” yet at present that is well beyond the scope of this article.

The CIA worked for the removal of then Pat. Maximos V in favor of Athenagoras. Athenagoras the Mason was, as it were, handpicked for the job. He, like one of his predecessors, Meletios, had formerly lived in America before taking the seat as Ecumenical Patriarch. Athenagoras was somewhat close to President Truman, who was also a Mason. It is interesting to note the Masonic connection.

Truman was also tied to what is known as the “Truman Doctrine.” Interestingly enough, the original articulation of this “doctrine” revolves around the political state of Greece.

It was considered vital for the US and its interests to have a religious leader in the area of Greece and Asia Minor who would advance US policies. Moreover, it was crucial to US foreign policies to have an Orthodox religious leader who would promote and work for the advancement of said policies (keep in mind that Orthodoxy is the world’s second largest “Christian group.”)

In the Cold War theater, both the KGB and the CIA saw religion as a material tool to achieve their narrow political agendas. Although seemingly on different political spectrums, they both applied a similar method of manipulating religion. Both saw it in terms of only an earthly institution to be exploited for control over certain populations; neither regard it as Truth nor a truly spiritual reality. Each one sought to deconstruct, if possible, Orthodoxy.

The relationship of the MP with the Government of Russia was generally altered with the fall of the Soviet Union, although it retains strong visible ties with the current Russian Government. The EP also continues its strong ties with the CIA and US State Department. In fact, current events reveal that it is being wielded by them as a weapon to deconstruct True Orthodoxy. The even greater tragedy is that it seems to be more than willing to fulfill the role.

Historical and current events reveal that the collaboration between the EP and US government forces is deeply entrenched – to the point that the actions of the EP must be understood in this light: in a substantial portion of its global agenda, it is working not for the good of the Kingdom of Heaven but for the profit of earthly powers.

To attain for itself a place of power over its brethren, is the EP willing once again to barter with the jewel of Orthodoxy? Is it most willing to sell this treasure to worldly powers because they have promised him a place of “first without equal” in the Orthodox world?

The current EP may well simply be continuing the Masonic agenda of his predecessors.

These historical events and facts further elucidate the reality that the EP’s actions in Ukraine and elsewhere are being dictated not by the Holy Spirit but by the US State Department and globalist agendas.

It is worth noting in closing, that the great Saint of the 20^th century, John Maximovich, also wrote in a loving manner in 1938 warning of the decline and corruption of the EP.

St. John states, “Having lost its significance as a pillar of truth and having itself become a source of division, and at the same time being possessed by an exorbitant love of power—represents a pitiful spectacle which recalls the worst periods in the history of the See of Constantinople.” (Since St. John wrote this, the EP has clearly found support in worldly authorities.)

How we are reaping the bitter fruit of not heeding the warnings. Will we now see and heed? Or will we choose to bury our heads deeper in the sand?

[Very slightly edited on 8/23]