'Following the Holy
Fathers': Fr Theodoros Zisis' escape from the Babylonian Captivity of Ecumenism
"Formerly I was a disciple of the ecumenists, but I have
become a disciple and follower of the Holy Fathers. And I glory in this
fact!"
- Fr Theodoros Zisis.
- Fr Theodoros Zisis.
1. Introduction.
Recently a number of texts written by the well-known, and now
retired, Professor of Patristics, Protopresbyter Theodoros Zisis, have
're-emerged', reaching the English-speaking Orthodox faithful via the
internet. Originally published in the 1970's, these texts, particularly one
entitled 'The Ecumenical Patriarchate and Archimandrite Justin Popovich', speak
glowingly of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and of Patriarch Athenagoras, and
are critical of the recently recognized Serbian saint, Justin Popovich. One
might wonder, what renders the 'rediscovery' of these old texts particularly
newsworthy? It would seem to be the fact that Fr Theodoros is now, some roughly
thirty years later, a leading light in the Orthodox world, calling on the
Orthodox faithful - hierarchs, clergy and laity alike - to uphold the Tradition
of Church as expressed in the writings of the Holy Fathers and the sacred
canons, in the face of the pan-heresy of ecumenism. He is, in other words
calling on us to follow in the footsteps of Saint Justin Popovich, thus
checking the uncanonical, ecumenist practices of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.