Phanariots celebrate liturgy in temple under LGBT flag in USA
One of the chanting team members of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has refused to pray in a temple with an LGBT flag on it.
On June 10, 2023, Archbishop Elpidophoros, the head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, celebrated Vespers at St Bartholomew’s Church in Manhattan's Episcopal Diocese, USA.
The service, which coincided with Patriarch Bartholomew's namesake day, was celebrated in the church, which bears the flag of the LGBT community.
The American resource helleniscope.com notes that the "normal" LGBT flag has recently been changed to a new flag, called the “All Inclusive”, “Intersex Progress Pride Flag,” or “All Inclusive Pride Flag”, which also denoted transgenderism.
The publication also notes that photos published by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America barely show any faithful attending the vespers and Archbishop Elpidophoros is depicted "with the tired, dark and sad face".
The low mood of the head of the Phanar’s Archdiocese in the US, according to helleniscope.com, might be due to the fact that one member of the chanting team sent a group email to all the rest informing them that “he is not coming, because of the gay flag and the despicable events this church promoted – esp. the gay flag around the Holy Cross!!”.
As earlier reported, the Episcopal Church in the US took part in LGBT "pride month".