Orthodox Christians: Met. Elpidophoros is to be the next EP?

[Tamar78LA]

I've recently seen quite an interesting thread named "Will Metropolitan Elpidophoros be the next Ecumenical Patriarch?" at orthodoxchristianity.net. I haven't heard anything about such movements there till now.

It's said that His Eminence Metropolitan of Bursa Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis) is among the most mentioned possible candidates who may succeed His All Holiness Bartholomew I as Ecumenical Patriarch.

The topic starter evaluates chances of His Eminence to be elected in the context of the Holy and Great Council, current crisis of unity in the Orthodox World, divided Orthodox community of America, relations with Non-Orthodox Christians and the Turkish government.

"His Eminence has a rare combination of energy, practical experience, spiritual and theological maturity. I guess he really would be able to protect Orthodoxy and the high position of the Constantinople Patriarchate from all threats and attacks",- writes the topic starter. Besides that, he reports that the very Metropolitan Elpidophoros is open to this opportunity as well.

IMO, this piece seems to be feasible since a deacon who has submitted it supposedly lives in Turkey, so he may be well-informed about the current situation among clergy and flock of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

What do you think about it?

 

[Dan Bodnar]

Wow, I've even seen some speculations about whether Met. Elpidophoros would be "open and active regarding Ukrainian issue" in one of Facebook groops!!

 

[Jessica Kolettis]

Elpidophoros is a real cavalier of the church. He is capable of reaching far beyond in order to strengthen and promote it. He can win back the deserved respect to the Constantinople Patriarchate. His charismatic and active personality is hat Constantinople needs. He can act with resolution and decisiveness when it comes to protecting its interests. Elpidophoros is a true leader who works hard to change the situation for the better.

 

[Dan Bodnar]

Admit it – Patriarch Bartholome is very old and sick. He’s had Parkinson for many years and in addition now people say he suffers from some kind of oncology. That’s no surprise – remember his look at the opening of the Holy and Great Council! His hands were shaking horribly! That’s why he hurried to hold the Council. Now he obviously needs a successor. There was a good idea to hold Councils every 3-5 years, but who will do that? Batholomew has already had his glory and has no energy or health for new Councils. This way the fine initiative will fade and stop. But putting that asideone problem is always there – he is simply indecisive. What’s he waiting for about the situation in Ukraine? Action is needed and fast! And it is known that majority of Ukrainians see one person as their only hope for the future and it is Elpidophoros.

Do you remember that Metropolitan Yuri from Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada has been asking Elpidophoros to visit the U.S. and Canada with lectures (for the beginning) but Elpidophoros himself confessed that Patriarch Bartholomew didn’t give his concession to that. And the reason is clear – he is afraid of him. For the same reason Metropolitan Emmanuel and others try to slander him.

 

[Tamar78LA]

A lot of users of Orthodox Christian forums express their opposition to the "primus sine paribus" idea. But there are speculations that the leadership of Constantinople is urgently needed to counterbalance the influence of Russian patriarch Kirill as well. "The perspective is clear – without Elpidophoros we’re gonna see Kirill and Putin dominate and manipulate the whole Orthodox church", - one of the users says.

Besids that, some other possible candidates who may succeed His All Holiness Bartholomew I as Ecumenical Patriarch are mentioned. For example, a supporter of Bursa Metropolitan wrote:

"Elpidophoros will bring capable people to Fener to change the horde of lazy and bleak metropolitans who just imitate real activities and thus let Russians take advantage. One of the first steps for Elpidophoros is to become archbishop of America – that would be a good opportunity to find the right people and effectively organize Patriarchate activities. That’s clear to everybody that only he can do it. Who else? Metropolitan of Pergamon? – We remember him sleeping at the last Holy and Great Council, we see him living in his own imaginary world full of personalism, existentialism and solipsism! Metropolitan Emmanuel? He is weak and unconfident, he can’t demonstrate any opposition and some people say he is corrupt and immoral in personal life!".

I didn't want to think about all this infighting between members of the episcopacy. It's too disturbing for me. It's seemed to draw us away from saving souls. But should we be absolutely unaware of such issues as next Ecumenical Patriarch and the future of Orthodox Church in the World while leaving them solely to God?

 

[Tamar78LA]

Do you remember that Metropolitan Yuri from Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada has been asking Elpidophoros to visit the U.S. and Canada with lectures (for the beginning) but Elpidophoros himself confessed that Patriarch Bartholomew didn’t give his concession to that. And the reason is clear – he is afraid of him. For the same reason Metropolitan Emmanuel and others try to slander him.

I've read that even Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis was said to being restrained from the real decision-making due to his connections with the ambitious Metropolitan of Bursa Elpidophoros...