My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
SAINT MARK EVGENIKOS, METROPOLITAN OF EPHESUS [January 19th]
[Part II]
Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Third Tone.
O ALL-LAUDABLE and most divine Mark, in thee the Church
found a great zealot by thy confession of the holy and sacred
faith; for thou didst champion the doctrines which the Fathers
taught and didst cast down darkness’ boastful pride. Wherefore
pray thou to Christ God for them that honor thee, that we be
granted the forgiveness of sins.
Kontakion Hymn. Third Tone.
CLAD, O godly-minded one, with an invincible armour, thou
didst dash to pieces the pride of the Western rebellion; thou
wast brought forth as the champion of Orthodoxy, as the
Comforter’s own instrument and pure vessel. For this cause,
to thee, we cry out: Rejoice, O Mark, thou boast of the
Orthodox flock.
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THE COUNCIL AT FERRARA ITALY
Subjects of the Debates
The Pope took the initiative in the third sitting of the council, Cardinal Giuliano Cesarini listed THE PRINCIPLE POINTS OF DISPUTE IN DOCTRINE, AS FOLLOWS:
(1) THE PROCESSION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT;
(2) THE QUESTION OF AGYMES IN THE EUCHARIST;
(3) PURGATORY;
(4) THE PRIMACY OF THE POPE OF ROME.
The Saint Censures the Latins
At some point during the Fourth Session in 1438, Saint Mark addressed the pope with his cardinals, archbishops, and bishops. The Russian priest, Symeon of Suzdal, records that "in a sweet voice, Mark said, "Hearken, O reverend Pope of Rome and teachers of the Latins, how you speak and name this synod AS THE EIGHTH SYNOD! By doing so, you allude to the First Synod… You number your synod as the 8th, yet you deny the other Seven Ecumenical Synods. You do not consider the Patriarchs as your brothers; and you have designated the Orthodox Church after the Latin Church." These words greatly angered Pope Eugene and created no small stir among the Latin cardinals and bishops. The Pope, cardinals, the Italians, French, Milsanese, Germans, Hungarians, Czecks, Poles, and other followers walked out of the meeting.
The Pope’s Desire to Move to Florence
The pope harbored a desire to transfer the council to Florence. He considered using as an excuse the fear of the plague that had broken out in Germany. Moreover, the pope complained that he could not pay the Greeks for their expenses in Ferrara. However, the rich Florentines promised to lend the Pope forty thousand gold pieces if he transferred the council to their own town. From the outset, the Greeks did not wish to transfer to Florence, for they had misgivings concerning their treatment and accommodations. It was 12th of January, in the year 1439. The pope was the first to leave for Florence.
"They are Heretics"
Saint Mark, describing the papists, again said, "They are not only schismatics, but heretics…Therefore, we must not have union, until they remove the addition from the Symbol (Creed) and confess the Symbol (Creed) as we do."
On the 27th of May, the Pope threatened the Greeks that if they did not conform, they could hope for no aid from the Christian monarchs of the West. He complained that after he had underwritten all the expenses of the Greeks for two years, they were obliged to him to submit and give their signatures for union. Soon afterward, votes were collected in favor of the formula and the infamous union which would follow. The bishops anathematized all those that were adverse to union.
The Betrayal of Orthodoxy
At last the end came. On the 5th of July, in the year 1439, by the signing of the Act of Union, Orthodoxy was betrayed and sold. The pseudo-Orthodox renounced Orthodoxy and espoused all the Latin formulas and innovations. After the Emperor, all delegates, many of whom were reluctant, ACCEPTED AND SIGNED THE ACT OF UNION, whether for themselves r, in the case of some, for the Eastern Patriarchs, whom they had been entrusted to represent…Though in their hearts many did not wish to sign, yet they trampled on their Orthodox conscience for fear of death or for the sake of money, food, or to appease the Emperor. After the Greek delegates KISSED THE POPE’S KNEE, they were lavishly entertained by the Pope.
More Pressure Applied to Saint Mark
The Pope spoke to the Emperor, provoking him to persuade the Ephesian (Saint Mark) to sign the union. The Emperor refused to do so and therefore the Pope Eugene sent a papal representative to Saint Mark, not to rebuke him buto pay homage to him. The representative, ordered to take a large tray laden with gold florins and a golden vase, ws to beseech Mark to accept the gifts and accept in invitation from the Pope, who would receive him with honor. The holy man not only rejected the gifts, but also refused entry to any papal representative to his apartment.
Saint Mark Confronts the Pope: "Sinners Have Waited for Me
to Destroy Me; But Thy Testimonies Have I Understood" [Psalm 118:95].
When the Greek bishops had affixed their signature to the Council’s decree, the Emperor sent ten bishops to witness the signing of the Pope. When Eugene took up the document, he closely studied the signatures of the Greek bishops. Then, while Pope Eugene was signing the decree, he asked whether the Ephesian (St. Mark) had signed. When he was told that Saint Mark had NOT, he involuntarily exclaimed, "THEN WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING!" He then stood up and demanded that Saint Mark be forced to sign the union, or be delivered up to judgment as a stubborn opponent to the decree. The Emperor defended him, saying that since he was a Metropolitan of the Eastern Church, he could be judged only by the Eastern Bishops. Nevertheless, the Pope insisted that the Emperor send Saint Mark to him to receive at least a private reprimand.
The Emperor then summoned Saint Mark of Ephesus, and requested that he meet with the Pope and promised him "that nothing harsh shall befall thee." Go and hear whatever he has to say. As needed, boldly make a complete defense." These final words were superfluous, since the brave spirited Mark already decided upon this.
Sitting on his throne, flanked by his cardinals and bishops, Pope Eugene met the adornment of Ephesus, Mark, with rebukes and threats. Perceiving the utter hopelessness of convincing the Ephesian, the pope then threatened to depose him if he did not sign. Then, undaunted, the defender of Orthodoxy, Saint Mark, gave the pope a decisive answer, saying, "The synods condemn those who will not obey the Church and maintain opinions contrary to what she teaches. I neither preach to my own glory, nor have I said anything new or unknown to the Church. I keep intact the pure and unadulterated teaching which the Church has received and preserved, and continues to preserve, from Christ our Savior…"
The pope, perceiving Saint Mark’s inflexibility, finally understood there was no hope of dissuading the lone and brave guardian of Orthodox Truths. He bade Mark to leave his presence. The Emperor also had much to do with preventing Mark from being further threatened by the pope and his organization.
A Celebration of Union
On Monday, the 6th of July, in the year 1439, at the Church of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, the festival attendant with the union was concluded by celebrating the Mass according to the Latin Rite, though no Greek bishop participated or received the wafer. The Greeks only exchanged the kiss of peace among themselves. The reading of the Creed (Symbol of Faith) was executed in both Latin and Greek with, of course, THE ADDITION OF THE FILIOQUE. When the decree of the union was read, both Bessarion of Nicaea and Cardinal Ceesarini embraced. The Byzantine Emperor was then seen to bow before the Pope, causing many to weep and repeat, "LORD, WE HAVE SINNED."
A FALSE UNION
"The decree of union was as a spider’s web," Saint Mark later wrote. This council can be called neither "holy" nor "ecumenical."
The Greeks Return to Constantinople
On the 1st day of February, in the year 1440, ships carrying the Greeks sailed into the Golden Horn. Through the merchants that had been in Ferrara and Florence, the fame and achievements of Saint Mark arrived before him in the Capital. After hearing of his valiant steadfastness, the people WERE WAITING TO APPLAUD AND CHEER THEIR HERO. When the delegation arrived on shore, the Constantinopolitans overwhelmed the bishops with questions, asking, "How did the synod end?" and "Have we gained the victory?" Bishop Anthony of Herakleia and others answered sorrowfully, "WE HAVE SOLD THE FAITH; WE HAVE EXCHANGED PIETY FOR IMPIETY; WE HAVE BETRAYED OUR FORMER UNDEFILED SACRIFICE, WE HAVE BECOME AZYMITES."
Horrified, the faithful avoided the bishops that had signed and even cast insults at them. The clergy that remained in Constantinople also would not concelebrate with the unionists. In due time, the Eastern Patriarchs announced that they WERE NOT BOUND BY ANYTHING THAT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES HAD SIGNED. The Venerable Mark was called a new Saint Athanasius and Saint John the Theologian. He was considered a confessor and Martyr by almost the entire body of the Great Church. He was met with universal enthusiasm and respect. [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]
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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 