These are the true theologians of the Church today, men of prayer. Listen to what they have to say about the approaching "Pan"-Orthodox Council (which has excluded most Orthodox, bishops and clergy alike):

Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἰουστίνος ὁ Πόποβιτς ἔγραφε τό 1971, πρός τήν Ἱερά Σύνοδο τῆς Ἱεραρχίας τῆς Σερβικῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας, μεταξύ ἄλλων, καί τά ἑξῆς:

«...Εἰς τήν Ἐκκλησίαν, διά τήν ὁποίαν ὁ Θεάνθρωπος εἶναι τό πᾶν καί τά πάντα, οὐδέν ἐπιτρέπεται νά ρυθμίζεται “κατά ἀνθρωπον”, “κατά τήν παράδοσιν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, κατά τά στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου καί οὐ κατά Χριστόν”... Ἐάν καί τά σύγχρονα προβλήματα τ

In 1923, Patriarch Meletios IV of Constantinople convoked the “Pan-Orthodox Congress,” at which the following “reforms” were proposed for the abolition of existing canonical rules and regulations of the Orthodox Church:

1. A married episcopate;
2. Second marriages for clergy;
3. The New Calendar;
4. The abbreviation of Divine services;
5. The abolition of fasts and monasticism;
6. The simplification of clergy dress, that is, permission for the clergy to wear secular clothes and lead secular ways of life.

Then these “reforms” caused a great deal of protest and objection, including from other Eastern Patriarchs, who declared that for any such “reforms” an Ecumenical Council was needed, which alone is the only authoritative supreme authority in the Church.

Over the course of time, such sentiments and tendencies have not only disappeared, but have been further strengthened in various Local Orthodox Churches, and now their supporters strongly advocate for the convening of an “Eighth Ecumenical Council.”

Knowing the contemporary disposition of many church “ringleaders” and their perseverance in carrying out their destructive plans, we can very clearly imagine what kind of “Ecumenical Council” this will be! Even without waiting for any official decisions, many have already introduced certain of these “reforms” into life, ignoring in their activity completely categorical ecclesial canons. But, of course, some of them still have a conscience, and they would therefore like to “legitimize” that which they have already committed in an individual manner of iniquity.

That is the reason why these cunning people, although they bear the image of piety, which they in fact despise, so aspire to the convening of this “Eighth Ecumenical Council.” They are certain that people such as they are will be in the “majority” at the “council,” and therefore the “majority vote” will permit that which they want – that is, completely officially, with all the appearance of legitimacy, formally to legitimize iniquity.

But would such an “Ecumenical Council” indeed be authoritative for all and an incontestable expression of the voice of the Holy Spirit (“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us”), as was the case earlier with the Seven Ecumenical Councils recognized by the whole Church?

Of course not! All previously Ecumenical Councils began their decisions with the affirmation of all that was agreed upon at the previous Councils; but this one, as can already be seen, would place as its main task the subverting of the whole previous ecclesial structure, of everything that had previously been decided. And therefore this would not be the “Eighth Ecumenical Council,” but the “Second Robber Council,” in the image of the council held in 449 in Ephesus, which went down in Church history with the name “robber.”

Who needs this kind of “council”? Of course, only the enemies of the Church, both open and hidden. All true children of the Church of Christ will not recognize it as lawful, nor will they accept its decisions, and there will only be new schisms and divisions – which the enemies of the Church need, in preparation for the triumph of the Antichrist.

Holy Trinity Monastery has collected and posted a number of the most important texts in English on the Pan Orthodox Council. A great resource to send to others, especially clergy.

Here's it is: http://jordanville.org/news_160511_1.html

In preparation for my talk next week in Patra (entitled "From the Second Vatican Council to the Pan Orthodox Council") I read the memorandum the great Saint Justin wrote in 1977 on the planned Council (see below). For all who wish to be filled with sobriety and watchfulness, this is a must read today!

The prophetic and immortal words of the great confessor and theologian of the Serbian Orthodox...

Your Eminences, dear fathers and brothers,

I studied some of the draft documents of the council and would like, on one hand, to present as an example one of the problematic points there, and on the other hand to highlight the danger that arises from the peculiarities of the council’s approved regulations.

In the draft of the document, “

http://www.events.orthodoxengland.org.uk/a-secular...

The Georgian Orthodox Church, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, many respected hierarchs and theologians everywhere and now Mt Athos have all decisively rejected several of the draft documents for the meeting of selected Orthodox bishops in Crete in June. Not only this, but they have also rejected the secretive methodology, the terms and the presumptious name of...

In the Holy Monastery of Karakallou, the 6th day of March, 2016

Holy Monastery of Karakallou Protocol number 22
Holy Mountain
Athos
March 6, 2016

To the Venerable Sacred Community of the Holy Mountain
In Karyes

We embrace Your Reverend and All-Venerable in Christ with brotherly love.

Through this present Monasterial letter of ours, we make bold to present to...

The Holy Monasteries of Mt. Athos have responded to the draft documents and methodology of the Pan Orthodox Council with sharp and pointed reactions. The Letters of Athonite Monasteries, sent to the Holy Community of Mt. Athos, have been released to the public. The letters were written in reaction to the Pan Orthodox documents sent to the Holy Monasteries by the Patriarchate of Constantinople. On account...

Metropolitan Theokletos of Florina stated in a recent interview that he has expressed his opposition to the pre-synodical text "Relations of the Orthodox Church with Rest of the Christian World" in a memorandum to the entire hierarchy of the Church of Greece.

He states that the term "church" must not be used except to refer to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, the Orthodox Church. He...

April 22, 2016

The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church announced on Thursday April 21 policy positions stemming from its recent meeting and pertaining to the upcoming Pan-Orthodox Council to be held on Crete in June, reports