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Here are some quotes regarding the heresy of the papacy.

"It is impossible to recall peace without dissolving the cause of the schism — the primacy of the Pope exalting himself equal to God."

☦️Saint Mark of Ephesus

"Moreover, there are not many bridegrooms, but one Bridegroom, Jesus. And you tell us that your pope is the head of the Church? From what place do you derive such a teaching? For us, Christ is the Head of the Church! We say to you, therefore, accept Orthodoxy, for neither your violence nor your tyranny shall convert us. We will not pollute our souls nor defile this sacred place — The Latins, greatly maddened, shouted up at them, "Indeed, since you wish it, what remains is for you to die."

☦️26 Martyrs of Zographou Monastery

"In the history of the human race there have been three principal falls: that of Adam, that of Judas, and that of the pope."

☦️Saint Justin Popovich

"Whoever calls himself universal bishop, or desires this title, is, by his pride, the precursor to the antichrist."

☦️Saint Gregory the Great

“Flee from the Papists as you would from serpents.”

☦️Saint Mark of Ephesus

“Those who seek union with the Pope ignore two things. The height of Orthodoxy and the depth of Papal worship.”

☦️Saint Sophronios of Essex

"We do not have merely 'a group of Orthodox that consider Roman Catholics and Protestants to be heretics' or 'only pronouncements by particular ecclesiastical writers,' as some erroneously contend, but the totality of the Saints of our Church who dealt with this issue unanimously conclude that Papism is heresy. There is not one Saint of our Church — no, not one — who contends that Papism is not a heresy."

☦️Fr. Anastasios Gotsopoulos

"According to the true Church of Christ, that has existed since the advent of Christ the Theanthropos into this world as His theanthropic Body, the dogma of the infallibility of the Pope is not only a heresy, but the ultimate heresy. No other heresy has so radically and so comprehensively risen against Christ the Theanthropos and His Church as Papism has through the dogma of the infallibility of the Pope, a man. This is undoubtedly the heresy above all heresies. It is the horror above all horrors. It is an unseen rebellion against Christ the God-Man. It is, alas, the most dreadful banishment of the Lord Christ from the earth. It is the repeated betrayal of Christ, the repeated crucifixion of the Lord Christ, not on a wooden cross this time but on the golden cross of papist humanism. All this is hell thrice over for the wretched earthly being called man."

☦️Saint Justin Popovic

"Curse the Pope because he will be the cause (reason)."

☦️Saint Kosmas

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Discussion

Comte de Sats Germain 1y ago

The inherent pride of the position of pope is no different than the pride of a bishop believing he is special by virtue of apostolic succession. Sin isn't greater or lesser ; sin is sin. Its error. Jesus said to call no man "teacher." An organized church on earth with a hierarchy is Antichrist, same as a human full of pride is Antichrist. Your saints were correct in pointing out the error of the pope, but incorrect if they didn't simultaneously point out the same error in their own church. Furthermore, if error in your own reasoning drives reasonable people *away* from Christianity (and it surely does), then you are making yourself a false prophet. Likewise, if a church's dogma is against the pursuit of reason and direct knowledge.

Its difficult to point out an error in a kind way, but it is meant with kindness. I try to write in a direct and efficacious way, with trust that the reader doesn't hear hostility in it. 🙏

Lew☦️ 1y ago

Dialogue is always welcome, no hard feelings taken.

Comte de Sats Germain 1y ago

Well... Good! I feel compelled to relay that my critique has usually been met with hostility, especially from the Orthodox crowd. I recently came out of a phase of really loving everything EO, but the same pattern always occurred :

I would ask a question (online), and the first reply would be something hostile, some variation of, "you protestants are evil!" That's the gist of it, not a real quote. To which I would reply, "no, I'm not a Protestant, I haven't found a denomination I like, and that's why I'm here."

Then someone more mature would answer my question with a verse while apologizing for the other person's behavior.

Then I read the verse, and the surrounding few chapters, or the entire book in Ezekiel's case (if there's one book that might cause brain damage, its that one), and look up some online commentary, and finally return to the chat and say something to the effect of, "that's not what this says."

Then a bishop joins the thread (these things seem to all be run by bishops), and debates in an openly hostile way. And at that point I'm just done with it...

And this happened, in that basic pattern, several times... until I stopped the entire pursuit of all things EO.

So... That's what happened. If it went that way for me, its going that way for a lot of people. I hope you can do some good with this.

Oh, and I just have to point out... That last quote from that saint (Kosmas? I can't see it) - anyone telling you to curse a person is not a saint.

Best wishes.

Lew☦️ 1y ago

Definitely a common problem within the "Ortho bro" sphere. I am sorry that's been your experience. There are a lot of "armchair theologians" scattered throughout the interwebs and often times their ethos is way off base. The West is experiencing a lot of converts into the Orthodox Church and many are young zealous men that are spiritually immature (me included) and that can create a toxic space for folks who simply want to engage in fruitful discussion.

Comte de Sats Germain 1y ago

After a bit of thinking, I think my criticism could actually have a detrimental effect, if its taken too seriously. I trust that you're firm enough in your beliefs that my words couldn't have such an effect... I'm glad you're here representing Orthodox believers. When more Orthodox join nostr, its good that you're here making them feel at home. There's a bigger mission here, in nostr and bitcoin and Christianity in general, than my criticisms. So... Don't stop.

ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴏꜰ ᴍʟᴇᴋᴜ 1y ago

the internet is full of toxic trolls and tricks

i've not had much dealings with the pravoslavni but one guy who i did talk to a lot about it was a cool guy and i liked his philosophy... they are more eastern than the catholic/protestant in their angle... i'd say maybe more gnostic and philosophical

but the exoteric it's much the same