From the book “Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church - A Synod
Licking in Synodicity and Orthodox self-awareness, ” a publication by
“Synaxis of Orthodox Romaics ‘Fotis Kontoglou,”, Trikala, March 2016.
This book is the transcript of the 3-hour program of the conversation
between the manager of the Piraeus Church Radio Station, Mr. Lykourgos
Markoudis and professor Demetrios Tseleggides— professor Tseleggides
details Elder Ephraim’s of Katounakia attestation to him relative to the
topic of ecumenism.
In what follows, I will say something that pertains to a personal
deposition. I was associated for several decades with Elder Ephraim of
Katounakia, of renowned ethos and conscience. Also renowned was the fact
that he possessed a “spiritual television.” As for me, I had gone to
him on many occasions, always with the intention of posing certain very
specific questions, in a specific sequence, and using my own vocabulary.
When I would visit him, and without ever stipulating or presenting to
him my questions, he would give me the replies that I sought, in the
sequence and even using the vocabulary to which I was accustomed. I am
mentioning this as a de facto personal experience; such experience is
not an unprecedented phenomenon—it has been experienced by many others
as well.
There was one time when—as a young professor at the School of Theology
at the time, about thirty years ago—I had mentioned the following to
him. Given that the clime of Ecumenism has also been flourishing in the
School of Theology—especially that of Thessaloniki—I had certain nagging
problems and questions, because I could see it being represented by
otherwise respected professors. Naturally, both my conscience as well as
my learning had reacted against it, however, I desired—beyond my
scientific status—to also obtain a charismatic reply, which is something
that I did for many other issues. Thus, I asked him on the matter in
hand—if he could tell me what kind of thing Ecumenism is.
He replied outrightly and without any difficulty:
This question, my child, had also been posed by someone else, sometime
before you. I myself have been up here on these rocks for forty years...
I have even forgotten my Greek (note that he had completed Middle
School) and as such, I haven’t preoccupied myself with that issue. But,
because I had to reply—seeing that I had been asked about it, and since I
had no knowledge of the matter—I went to my cell and prayed, asking Christ to inform me
what Ecumenism is. I received His reply, which was that Ecumenism has a
spirit of wickedness and is dominated by unclean spirits.
So I asked him exactly how that was verified. He replied that: After
praying, my cell became filled with an unbearable stench, which caused
my soul to feel asphyxiated;
I couldn’t breathe, spiritually-speaking.
I asked him if that had been an extraordinary event for him, or if that
was the way that Christ responds in analogous cases, and he assured me
that... in all the cases that are involved with sorcery, with unclean
spirits, that is the state in which He introduces me. Sometimes there is
a spoken response, but in the present case, that was His answer and I
have the absolute certainty that Ecumenism does not have the Holy
Spirit, but the unclean spirit.
What I am saying at this moment one might say has the character of
intentional impressions. However, I want to inform you that I was
overjoyed, because what the
Elder had told me in person, I had also seen recorded by his pious
monks, who had published a book about his person, his spirituality and
his words. Thus, it has been certified in there as well, but it has also
been verified through discussions with other, trustworthy theologians,
who likewise happened to have heard it personally.
I had not publicly mentioned this until now; however, thing? have taken
such a turn, that I am obliged to bring it up. O: course, it had played a
decisive role in my stance toward? Ecumenism. As a professor, a
scientist, I am naturally obligee in every case to examine the matter
with scientific criteria and to substantiate my viewpoint
scientifically—and that what I do in my classes also, step by step;
however, I regarc this deposition to be significant, because it was
delivered ir a charismatic manner by a man who knew nothing about the
issue. He had never read, never heard of it, and yet, h; deposited his
direct spiritual experience. I think that thing speak for themselves
here.
Orthodox Heritage.MARCH-APRIL 2018
https://apantaortodoxias.blogspot.gr/2018/03/ecumenism-is-dominated-by-unclean.html
http://hristospanagia3.blogspot.gr/2018/03/ecumenism-is-dominated-by-unclean.html#more