Ethiocross Blog

The seat of the first ever Church and His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew's current situation is finally getting attention from millions of Christians worldwide. His Holiness is very truthful and did not make up a story for personal gains. However, I do not think it is appropriate to start looking for the root cause of the problem outside of the Church. Enemies of the Christian Faith are stronger whenever the Church is destructed and not living up to her calling. In Rev. Ch. 2 and 3 the Bible clearly speaks about problems in the then Church and equally true about today's Church. As the problems may be, different God wants every Church to repent and re-establish its relationship with Him. I totally understand the Church in Turkey does not have the luxury of most Churches throughout the world, as all sorts of problems have engulfed it for centuries. It is being consumed by the anger of its enemies like a wild fire in the dry season. A once dominant force is now reduced to a resident of small village without any significant role in the society. It is painful to see symbols and paintings removed, and holly cites occupied by people who have nothing to do with it. Though the grip may seem firm for a time being, God can change this, too, for the sake of those 4000 Christians left and His name. While expressing my deepest respect for Patriarch Bartholomew, I with reverence to His Holiness, would like to remind him to guide the remaining flocks in seeking truthfully the face of God. God has the answer. Those of us who are reading the news coming from Turkey, should realize that the issue at hand is not about Orthodox Church, rather it is about all Christians and therefore let us pray for them and support them in their immediate needs. Finally, the issue here should be what we all without exception learn from our brothers and sisters in Turkey, and not what the Ethiopian Orthodox Church should learn. No one is immune and God is the only true judge. Thanks.