By Efi Efthimiou
Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia has revealed a controversial topic that is likely to spark debates.
During the International Theological Conference titled “Orthodox Theology in the 21st Century: Challenges and Prospects,” organized by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with the support of the Church of Greece, Metropolitan Chrysostomos discussed the discussions that occurred before the Holy and Great Council of Crete in 2016.
Specifically, Metropolitan Chrysostomos highlighted that the Moscow Patriarchate, among other Churches, attempted to introduce a provision on “holy war” into the Council’s text.
“I witnessed the efforts made by the Russians, along with other Churches, in the preparatory meetings for the Council of Crete to include a provision on holy war in the text.
This occurred well before the Ukraine issue emerged. The Greek Orthodox Churches, including us, strongly opposed the inclusion of this provision. And we were successful in preventing it.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou