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**biannaruh** · 09-25-2006, 01:27 PM

I have heard Malcolm Brabant's report on BBC Radio in recent days, but have not had the chance to see any (more detailed) press or online reports. From what I can remember, the monks at Esphigmenou have been at odds with the Greek hierarchy for much longer than 30 years, it may go as far back as the adoption of the new calendar by the Greek church in the 1920s, and relations were not improved by the various "inter-faith" activities of subsequent patriarchs. It is certainly not a recent conflict, and the Esphigmenou brotherhood seem particularly intransigent to compromise, as reflected in their motto.

My personal view, Ryan, is that disobedience to one's bishop (including a patriarch) where that bishop or patriarch's edicts are not heretical would be grounds for excommunication. Of course, many in the Orthodox world do regard adoption of the Gregorian calendar as heresy; I, for what it's worth, do not. Irregularity, perhaps; heresy, no. I would be interested in what Fr David, Fr Raphael et al have to say.

09-25-2006, 01:27 PM	#6
biannaruh Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 445 Senior Member	I have heard Malcolm Brabant's report on BBC Radio in recent days, but have not had the chance to see any (more detailed) press or online reports. From what I can remember, the monks at Esphigmenou have been at odds with the Greek hierarchy for much longer than 30 years, it may go as far back as the adoption of the new calendar by the Greek church in the 1920s, and relations were not improved by the various "inter-faith" activities of subsequent patriarchs. It is certainly not a recent conflict, and the Esphigmenou brotherhood seem particularly intransigent to compromise, as reflected in their motto. My personal view, Ryan, is that disobedience to one's bishop (including a patriarch) where that bishop or patriarch's edicts are not heretical would be grounds for excommunication. Of course, many in the Orthodox world do regard adoption of the Gregorian calendar as heresy; I, for what it's worth, do not. Irregularity, perhaps; heresy, no. I would be interested in what Fr David, Fr Raphael et al have to say.
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