PUBLIC DECLARATION ON THE 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES OPENING CEREMONY IN PARIS

A Comparison Between the Paris Olympic Opening Ceremony and a Classic Icon of the Lord’s Supper, A Central Christian Motif that Occurs in Most Roman, Orthodox, Oriental and High Church Protestant Churches Around the World

TO ALL THE FAITHFUL AROUND THE WORLD, GREETINGS! 

Our Holy Synod unequivocally condemns the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris for its blatant mockery of Jesus Christ and the Holy Eucharist, the most sacred and central act of Christianity. Such an affront to our faith is not only deeply offensive to Christians worldwide but also undermines the principles of respect and unity that the Olympic Games are meant to uphold.

Despite protestations that the pageantry took its inspiration from the ancient Greek Bacchanal, it is obvious that there is no ancient iconography that directly mirrors that of the opening ceremony, excepting the central and holy icon of the Lord’s Supper, which is seen either on, above, or beneath the holy altars of Orthodox Churches around the world.

We call upon all Christians, regardless of denomination, to stand in solidarity against this act of blasphemy. It is imperative that we, as followers of Christ, denounce such disrespect and work diligently to foster greater understanding and mutual respect among all people.

Furthermore, we urge the organizers of the Olympic Games and all relevant authorities to acknowledge the gravity of this offense and take steps to ensure that such disrespect towards any religion is never repeated.

Let us unite in prayer and action, promoting a world where all beliefs are honored and valued, and where true peace and harmony can flourish.

SIGNED: 

PRESIDING METROPOLITAN, ++ROGELIO OF MANILA AND LUZON

+JOSEPH OF EAST ASIA

+GREGORY OF BANGKOK AND THE ANGLICAN VICARIATE 

+PAUL OF SINGAPORE AND CEBU

+JAMIL OF CHICAGO

+PHILIP OF RALEIGH AND THE CAROLINAS 

THE HOLY SYNOD OF THE HOLY ORTHODOX CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH IN THE PHILIPPINES, THE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN EAST ASIA, THE ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA, AND THE ANCIENT CHURCH OF THE WEST

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