The recognition of the Ukrainian schismatics as part of the episcopate brought the Greek Orthodox Church into a chaotic state. This was stated by Afanasy Zoitakis, Associate Professor of the Department of Church History of the Moscow Theological Academy, Associate Professor of the Department of Church History of the History Department of Moscow State University, at a meeting of the scientific lecture hall “Krapivensky 4” at the Russian Orthodox University of St. John the Theologian on November 3, 2021, Pravlife reports.

As noted by Zoitakis, there is a demarcation on the Ukrainian issue in Greece: some bishops accept the so-called. “The Orthodox Church of Ukraine”, others, on the contrary, “distance themselves and concelebrate only with representatives of the canonical Church.”

“At the same time, these hierarchs will concelebrate with each other and with the clergy from other Orthodox Churches. From a canonical point of view, this is an absolutely chaotic state. All this is reminiscent of the situation between the First and Second Ecumenical Councils, when the Church was divided into many currents and representatives of these currents were in communication with each other just as chaotically. Then the way out was found and the Church was reunited,” the expert noted.

Today in Greek Orthodoxy, in his opinion, there are healthy forces for such a union. “I believe that over time, on the basis of canons and dogmas, this division will be overcome,” Athanasius Zoitakis is convinced.

Speaking about the last 20 years of the life of the Greek Orthodox Church, the historian pointed to the changes in the ethno-confessional composition of Greece caused by the flow of migrants and the multiplication of adherents of Islam. He also spoke about information attacks by the Greek media on the Church, its Sacraments and traditions.

The expert believes that the widespread de-Christianization processes have also affected Greece: some Orthodox holidays have completely lost their Christian content, icons are removed from public places.

“At the same time, we must not forget that in the 1960s there was a flourishing of Greek theology, church history sciences, monasticism, and many gifted people came to the Church,” Athanasius Zoitakis noted. According to him, today both the clergy and the people in the bulk treat the Russian Orthodox Church with great sympathy.