Archbishop Elpidophoros

From the public Facebook page of Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America:

Our hearts are in pain. I ask all the faithful to join me in lifting up our prayers for the innocent victims and their families and the El Paso, TX community in the aftermath of another senseless and horrific mass shooting. (August 3)

Must our hearts break—yet again—so soon with two senseless shootings in 24 hours? Join me in lighting a candle this morning for these innocent victims and for the people of El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. (August 4)

Is this as good as it gets?

Perhaps.

Neither the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops, nor the Orthodox Church in America, nor the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, could be bothered to respond to the downward spiral of white nationalist terrorism into which the United States descends hour by hour. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese likewise has nothing on its website.

We do manage to show up for photo ops and pleasantries with the Neo-Nazi in Chief, though—the one who earned the endorsement of the Ku Klux Klan.

This is just where the GOP, the NRA, and the gun manufacturers want us.

When will our bishops in America wake up from their collective coma, rise up as one body, descend fearlessly on Washington as the Shepherds of this country and these sheep, and demand concrete action from the White House and the Congress?

Thank God for the “heretics.” They speak truth to power.

Addendum: 

Once again we awaken to learn of yet more senseless loss of life due to gun violence. This morning we are reading of a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, and yesterday in El Paso, Texas. Last evening there also was loss of precious life due to gun violence in Chicago, New York, and Detroit.

We entreat our all merciful Lord to send his mercy on the victims and their families, on the first responders, on all who have suffered because of gun violence, wherever that may be.

I reiterate the message I wrote to President Trump last February: With increasing frequency we are confronted in our cities, towns, and neighborhoods by evil, conflict, sorrow, ignominy, and death. As Orthodox Christians, we understand that these are realities of human existence, and our communities are committed to maintaining the sanctity of all life through our efforts to reach out and minister to all, to bring healing, and to instill peace. But we also require the active contribution of our civil authorities in stemming the onslaught of tragedy that faces our nation.

May our Lord Jesus Christ continue to look favorably upon prayers and grant His peace and wisdom to all who struggle to make sense of the world in which we live. Lord have mercy. —Metropolitan Tikhon (Facebook page of the Orthodox Church in America)

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