Changes

Jump to: navigation, search

Apostolos Makrakis

20,619 bytes added, 19:45, October 15, 2011
External Links
{{cleanup}}'''[[Image:Apostolos Makrakis.JPG|right|thumb|230px| Apostolos Makrakis''' (1831-1905): Greek lay theologian, preacher, ethicist, or philosopher and writer.]]Dr. '''MakrakesApostolos Makrakis''' (''family from [[Mystras]] region, 1778''1831-1905), was a charismatic and controversial Greek Orthodox [[laity|lay]] [[theology|theologian]], preacher, ethicist, and philosopher and prolific writer. He who was born in 1831 a leader of the "awakening movement" in the village of Katavati on [[Sifnosw:Greek War of Independence|post-revolutionary Greece]] island, and arguably one of the most important religious personalities of the 19th century. He was an extremely prolific writer whose works were translated widely outside of Greece, and died on however his vigorous religious movement eventually turned the [[December 25Holy Synod]]against him, 1905 resulting in Athenshis being condemned and jailed several times.<ref>Tolika, buried in his family chapel dedicated to the Virgin MaryOlympia N. ''Epitomo Enkyklopaidiko Lexiko Tes Byzantines Musikes.''s [[Annunciation]]Athena, 1993. His bust is in the square bearing his name at the entrance of the village</ref>.
[[Image:Makrakis.JPG|right|thumb|230px| Apostolos Makrakis 1831-1905: Greek theologian, preacher, ethicist, philosopher and writer.]]
==Life==
Apostolos Makrakis was a charismatic lay theologian gifted with many talents and a leader born in 1831 in the village of the ''awakening movement'' in post-revolutionary Katavati on [[w:Sifnos|Sifnos island]], Greece. He finished his secondary school training in his birthplace , and later studied in [[Constantinople]], where he worked for a short time as a teacher and published his first treatises (''Ekpaideutike Enkyklopaedeia''). Being a person of with a strong character and with who was inclined towards a disposition towards vigorous detailed inspection of things, he came to a collision course eventually collided with the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate]] and with the parents of his students, on the grounds being of his teaching of frequent [[Eucharist|communion. In 1862 he went to Paris, where he worked as a private tutor, remaining there for two years and learning about modern European philosophy up to Hegel. His defensive disposition was expressed quickly with the writing in French of four treatises against Western (and especially Cartesian) philosophy, and in favour of Christianity. After a brief trip to Athens, he returned in 1865 to Constantinople, where he continued his work for a year, and in 1866 he settled permanently in Athens, where he also reposed]].
Makrakis was manifested upon the Greek nation during In 1862 he went to Paris, where he worked as a multifarious private tutor, remaining there for two years and therefore very difficult epochlearning about modern European philosophy from Descartes to Hegel in the French language. The re-emerging civilizationHe wrote four treatises in French against Western philosophy, particularly the foreign military presence''[[w:Cartesianism|Cartesian]]'', and founded his philosophy by contrast on the irregular political situation, principles of the activity doctrine of foreign influences [[Christ]] (especially religious propagandai.e in favour of Christianity), the attachment to "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment Enlightened Europe]This work was entitled ''", The Tree of Life and the uninterrupted adulteration Tree of traditional criteria were problems that would not leave a spirit as restless as his indifferent or in peace Knowledge of Good and Evil, (''Ekpaideutike Enkyklopaedeiai.e. Christian Philosophy and Modern Philosophy"'').
And so MakrakisAfter a brief trip to Athens, wanting he returned in 1865 to contribute to the [[One Holy Catholic Constantinople, where he continued his work for a year, and Apostolic Church|Catholic]] rebirth of the nation, regarded as the most basic element in this the rebirth of the Church1866 he settled permanently in Athens, as the ark and instrument of the new national lifewhere he also reposed.
===ChristologyMakrakis was manifested upon the Greek nation during a multifarious and therefore very difficult epoch. There was the re-Philosophy emerging civilization, the foreign military presence, the irregular political situation, the activities of foreign influences (especially religious propaganda), the attachment to "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment Enlightened Europe]", and Controversythe uninterrupted adulteration of traditional criteria,<ref group===He criticized contemporary prelates "note">"Greece has a long history of traditional Orthodox piety. During his studies, [[Nectarios of Pentapolis|Nektarios]] tried to learn about this so that he could better understand the spirit of the people of this newly freed motherland. However, what he found was abundant confusion in the people and in the church. The [[w:SimonyGeorge I of Greece|new Bavarian King's court]] and foreign influences corrupted the traditional Orthodox values. This confusion greatly affected the [[Presbyter|priests]], who struggled to lead the nation in its newly found freedom, just as they has during the hard years of [[Ottoman rule and Eastern Christianity|SimonyTurkish oppression]]. Now, however, their values were steadily becoming more secular. The priesthood had become, in fact, nothing more than a routine vocation with many despots. The [[laity]], in its instinctive wisdom, was aware of this but could do nothing since it was bound by politicians, scholars, and also upheld demagogues. So it turned satirical towards everything, including the theory church. Indeed, what a sad state of the affairs it is when people mock their religious leaders."<br>:* {Sotos Chondropoulos. '''Trisynthetou'''" (triple constitution Saint Nektarios: The Saint of humanity, iOur Century.e, ''Psyche'' (soul)Transl. Peter and Aliki Los. Athens, ''Pneuma'' (1997. p.48.}</ref> all of which were problems that would not leave a spirit), ''Somaas restless as Makrakis'' (body)indifferent or in peace. He was arguably one And so Makrakis, wanting to contribute to the [[One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church|Catholic]] rebirth of the nation, regarded as the most important religious personalities basic element in this the rebirth of the 19th century[[One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church|Church]], as the [[w:Noah's Ark|ark]] and one whose innovations turned instrument of the Holy Synod against himnew national life<ref>Metallinos, G.D. He was condemned and jailed several times (''TolikaEkpaideutike Hellenike Enkyklopaideia: Pankosmio Biographiko Lexiko.'')Athena, 1983-1988. Tom. 1-9B. He was also an extremely prolific writer whose works were widely translated outside of Greece</ref>.
He founded ===Preaching===Apostolos Makrakis made ten Gospel tours across the '''"School of the Logos"''' country in Athens in 1876 and titled himself ''"Professor of philosophy and total during his lifetime, becoming the philosophical sciences in most influential figure on the Greek nation"'' (i.e. "Philosophy", as "Love development of the [[w:Christ the LogosChurch of Greece|WORDGreek Church]]" ''(Philos + Sofia = lover of Wisdom)'', so that in this sense philosophy becomes applicable to the 19th and interchangeable with the theological discipline of "[[w:Christology|Christology]]"). In a peer-reviewed book review of five of Makrakis' volumes, R.Pearly 20th centuries. Scharlemann states that:
:"Makrakis intended to be As a preacher, he was a teacher new phenomenon in newly reborn Greece. Preaching during that period mostly was an activity of the people marginal competitors of Greecethe Church, so that preaching,...this child of especially outside the [[w:Greek War of IndependenceParish|revolution of 1821temples]]by non-authorized figures, was violently repressed. The [[w:Søren Kierkegaard|Kierkegaard]] who speaks here has a Hellenistic soul. Philosophy, <nowiki>'</nowiki>''This was in line with the love and science tradition of the [[w:Christ the LogosTimeline of Church History (Nicene Era (325-451))|God-equal WORDChurch of Late Antiquity]], or [[w:Christ the Logos|LOGOS]]'in that once Christian Churches were solidly established, clerics'activities were regulated and disciplined in order to avoid ecstatic innovations,which is what Makrakis was in fact criticized for.<nowikiref>'<Anastassiadis, Anastassios. [http:/nowiki> has as its purpose <nowiki>'</nowiki>''the acquisition of God's omnisciencewww.ceri-sciencespo..and the deification of the philosophical investigator''.<nowiki>'<com/nowiki> Its object is the same as that of religion and government. The system traces the journey of the soul in its ascent from the <nowiki>'<publica/nowiki>''primary cognition [noein]''<nowiki>'<question/nowiki> through the philosophical sciences to its deificationqdr11. pdf Religion and Politics in Greece: The means of ascent are provided by the <nowiki>'</nowiki>''right reasonGreek Church's '<nowiki>Conservative Modernization'</nowiki> that is the object of logic and is incarnate in [[Jesus Christ]].....right reason being the nexus between temporal fact and eternal being. In this system, the primary cognition, or what [[w:Phenomenology|phenomenology]1990's] might call the basic intellectual intuition, is that I exist, the world exists, and God exists...The soul is conscious of its own existence, perceives the worldResearch in Question, and knows God's existence, but it does not know the nature of each of them. The aim of science is to make the unknown knownNo. Philosophy as [[w:Christology|Christology]] and Christology as Philosophy11, it is at least a theme that makes one thinkJanuary 2004."</ref>
===Preaching In May 1866, he came to Athens, where for six months he delivered twenty speeches in Patras and Zakynthos===Apostolos Makrakis was the most influential figure Concord Square on the development subject of ''The Work of the Greek Church Fathers of 1821 and How it Can Best and Quickest Be Brought to a Conclusion'', which were published in the 19th newspaper ''Justice'', and 20th centuriesrepublished in book form in 1886. As  Given occassion by a preacher threatening letter of the [[w:Freemasonry|Free Masons]], who had been incensed by his speeches, he wrote two books against Freemasonry: ''Freemasonry'' and ''Masonry Exposed by the Masonic Certificate.'' The first was a new phenomenon published in 1867 and the second in newly reborn Greece1868. To put this in At the proper context, a doctoral study by Anastassios Anastassiadis states that preaching during that period mostly was an activity instigation of the marginal competitors of Masons, who had political influence at the Churchtime, so that preachinghe was twice arrested and jailed, especially outside the temples by nonfirst time for twenty-authorized figuresfour hours, was violently repressed. This was in line with and the tradition of second for sixteen days for allegedly insulting the Church King.<ref>Andronis, Constantine (Ed.). ''Apostolos Makrakis: An Evaluation of Late Antiquity, in that once Half a Century.'' Chicago: Orthodox Christian Churches were solidly establishedEducational Society, clerics' activities were regulated and disciplined in order to avoid ecstatic innovations, something for which Makrakis was in fact criticized for1966 pp.14</ref>.
Makrakis also preached to large crowds in [[Metropolis of Patra|Patras]], who came out in awe to listen to his "nation-saving" teachings on [[June 18]], [[June 24|24]], [[June 27|27]], and [[July 16]], 1876. According to Traintaphyllu, while preaching in in Patras, Makrakis had as his <ref group="note">His most fervent followers were Theodoros Kapetanon, Ioannis Arnellon, and Nikolaos Christogiannopoulos (1885).</ref><ref>Triantaphyllu, Kostas N. ''Historikon Lexikon Ton Patron. 2. ekd.'' Patrai, 1980.</ref>. After this a number of publications such as ''Achaia'', ''Phoenix'', and ''Aratos'' strongly attacked his teachings, while others other periodicals such as the ''Peloponnesus'' supported him. Defenders of Makrakis included a theologian of Patras named Ieronymos, as well as the spiritual father of Patras, Fr. Athanasios Georgiou, recommending who recommended that he be exiled for two years lest he be judged by the [[Holy Synod|Synod (''Triantaphyllu'')]]. For Makrakis visited Patras for a period of thirty years Makrakis visited Patras, in 1876 remaining there for forty-days teaching preaching to the people.
Continuing his quest of preaching to the nation, he arrived on the island of [[Metropolis of Zakynthos and Strofades|Zakynthos]] in July 1892, and again in August 1893, teaching out of exile (''L. Zoes''). <ref group="note">A critic of Makrakis from Zakynthos was the primary school teacher Ioannis Siderokastritis, who wrote ''O Anamorphotis Makrakes (The Uneducated Makrakis).''</ref><ref>Zoes, Leonidas Ch. ''Lexikon Historikon Kai Laographikon Zakynthu.''Athenai, 1963. Tom. 1.</ref>.
===Legacy and Criticism===In the summer of 1894 he made his article on [http://www.aegeantimes.gr/pigizois/agglika/inegl_27.htm The Orthodox Church tenth and Proselytism]last Gospel tour, visiting Thebes, the Very RevSt. Archimandrite Isaias Simonopetritis writes that "while Makrakis was condemned by the official Church and Theodore, Levadeia, Atalante, Chalkis, Kyme, Aliverion, Kariston, Gaurion on the monasteries islands of [[Mount Athos]]Andros, he was not excommunicatedSyros, for fear that and his numerous followers among the middle classes birthplace Siphnos.<ref>Andronis, Constantine (Ed.). ''Apostolos Makrakis: An Evaluation of Athens would turn him into Half a [[martyr]] figureCentury. His ideas and the particular pietistic ethos which he promoted survived in the [[Brotherhoods|Brotherhood]] Movements which in the 20th century played a significant role in education and catechetical schools'' Chicago: Orthodox Christian Educational Society, but unguardedly allied themselves with right-wing dictatorships, pure Greek patriotism being a key element in their ideology1966 pp.20."</ref>
Makrakis has also been criticized ===Christology===He founded the '' '''School of the Logos''' '' in Athens in September 1876 and titled himself ''Professor of philosophy and the philosophical sciences in the Greek nation'', teaching philosophical subjects. He taught "Philosophy" from the perspective of the "Love of the [[w:Christ the Logos|Logos]]", so that philosophy in a work by this sense became interchangeable with the Blessed Elder theological discipline of [[Philotheos (Zervakos)Christology]] entitled . In a peer-reviewed book review of Makrakis' philosophical system<ref group="note">''The Errors [[w:Christ the Logos|Logos]] and the Holy Spirit in the Unity of Christian Thought: According to the Teachings of Apostolos Makrakisthe Orthodox Church''. 5 Vols. Chicago : Orthodox Christian Educational Society, c.1977.:: Vol 1. ''The Orthodox Approach to Philosophy''.:: Vol 2. ''Psychology: An Orthodox Christian Perspective''. ISBN 9780938366058:: Vol 3. ''Logic: an Orthodox Christian approach''.:: Vol 4. ''Theology: An Orthodox Standpoint''. ISBN 9780938366034:: Vol 5. ''Philosophy: An Orthodox Christian Understanding''.</ref> R.P. Scharlemann states that:
:"Makrakis intended to be a teacher of the people of Greece,...this child of the [[w:Greek War of Independence|revolution of 1821]]. The [[w:Søren Kierkegaard|Kierkegaard]]<ref group==List "note">'''Kierkegaard, Soren,''' ''b. Copenhagen, Denmark, 1813; d. 1855''. Philosopher and religious writer. He was a precursor of the existentialists and a major influence on Protestant theology. He argued that advancing through the three stages of the aesthetic, the ethical and the religious by means of an "existential dialectic" brings the individual closer to God. A leap of faith is required; reason is not a help. But awareness of the relationship to God leads to despair as the individual contrasts temporality with eternal truth. His major works include ''Either/Or'' (1843) and ''Fear and Trembling'' (1843). (''The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge''. 1st Ed.. St. Martin's Press, NY, Oct. 2004. pp.1020.)</ref> who speaks here has a Hellenistic soul. Philosophy, "the love and science of the [[w:Christ the Logos|God-equal WORD]], or [[w:Christ the Logos|Logos]]", has as its purpose "the acquisition of God's omniscience...and the deification of the philosophical investigator". Its object is the same as that of religion and government. The system traces the journey of the soul in its ascent from the "primary cognition [noein]" through the philosophical sciences to its deification. The means of ascent are provided by the "right reason" that is the object of logic and is incarnate in [[Jesus Christ]].....right reason being the nexus between temporal fact and eternal being. In this system, the primary cognition, or what [[w:Phenomenology|phenomenology]] might call the basic intellectual intuition, is that I exist, the world exists, and God exists... The soul is conscious of its own existence, perceives the world, and knows God's existence, but it does not know the nature of each of them. The aim of science is to make the unknown known. Philosophy as [[w:Christology|Christology]] and Christology as Philosophy, it is at least a theme that makes one think."<ref>Scharlemann, R.P.. Peer Reviewed Book Review of Makrakis': ''The Logos and Holy Spirit in the Unity of Christian Thought, 5 Vols: Vol 1:The Orthodox Approach to Philosophy, Vol 2:Psychology An Orthodox Christian Perspective, Vol 3: Logic An Orthodox Christian Approach, Vol 4: Theology An Orthodox Standpoint, Vol 5:Philosophy An Orthodox Christian Understanding.'' Translated from the Greek by Denver Cummings: Orthodox Christian Education Society, 1977. '''Journal of Works==Religion''' 59 no 4 O 1979, p 488-490.</ref>
*===Controversy===Besides criticizing contemporary [[The Rudder]] of the Orthodox Catholic Churchw: The Compilation of the Holy Canons (editor). *Divine and sacred Catechism: as taught by the Holy Spirit and its official instruments from the day of the Pentecost until the last ecumenical synod; expounded in comparison and contrast with the contradictions and misinter-pretation of the devil. *The Holy Orthodox Church: Her nature, salvationary doctrines, and fountain of faith.*Orthodox Christian Meditations.*Kyriakodromion (Sunday Sermonary): a collection of sermons on the [[GospelsPrelate|prelates]], the Acts of the Apostles, and the [[Apostolos|epistles]] appointed to be read in Orthodox Christian churches every Sunday from [[Paschaw:Simony|Easter]] to [[Palm SundaySimony]].*Three Great Friday sermons, and other theological discourses. *The paramount doctrines of Orthodoxy. *Commentary On The Psalms of David.*Interpretation of the Entire New Testament.*Interpretation Of The Book Of Revelation.*Theology: An Orthodox Standpoint.*The Bible and the world; or God's great Book studied in the light of His small one. Triluminal science, surveying the universe and explaining everything, etc. Proofs of the authenticity of the [[Septuagint]].*The Logos and the Holy Spirit in the unity of Christian thought: According to the teachings of the Orthodox Church.*Political Philosophy Of The Orthodox Church.*Psychology: An Orthodox Christian Perspective.*The Foundation Of Philosophy.*Philosophical discussions, comprising articles concerning the New philosophy & philosophical sciences of Apostolos Makrakis; And, also upheld the philosophy of Spinoza and its pernicious errors.*Logic: An Orthodox Christian Approach.*An Orthodox-Protestant Dialogue.*Memoir On The Nature theory of the Church triple constitution of Christhumanity - i. Trans: De. Cummings. New York: Christian Brotherhoods Zealots of Orthodoxy and John the Baptist''Psyche'' (soul), 1947.*A Scriptural Refutation of the Pope's Primacy and Miscellaneous Studies and Speeches. Transl. out of the original Greek by D. Cummings - Chicago 'Pneuma'' (IIIspirit): Orthodox Christian Educational Society, 1952. ''Soma'' (body) - VIIIfor which he was criticized, 175 p.*The innovations of the Roman Church.*Concerning Our Duties causing some confusion as to God.*The Truth in Christianity: The One True Doctrine and The Many False Ones. (article)*The city of Zion, whether or the church built upon the rock: i.e. The human society not Makrakis was in Christ.*A revelation of treasure hid: Together with three important lectures: I. Concerning freedom - II. Concerning fact [[Excommunication|excommunicated]] by the motherland. - III. Concerning justice and apostolical canons respecting baptism.*The human nature of Christ; Growth and perfection according to the teaching of the Orthodox Catholic Church.*The two contrariant schools: Contrasted with a view to the comprehension of both. Concerning the establishment of a Christian university in Athens : to supersede the existing satanic perversity. *Homily on the eight beatitudes, or the sermon on the mountain: A summary teaching delivered by Apostolos Makrakis in the island of Leukas, Greece, on August 29, 1886, during his second gospel-tournot.*Hellenism and the unfinished revolution: Twenty addresses delivered in Concord Square, Athens, Greece in 1866/
The sources show that while he was condemned by the [[Council of Athens (1878)|Council of Athens]] (1878), he was not formally [[Excommunication|excommunicated]] by them. The Very Rev. Archimandrite Isaias Simonopetritis explains in ''The Orthodox Church and Proselytism'' that ''"while Makrakis was condemned by the official Church and the monasteries of [[Mount Athos]], he was not excommunicated, for fear that his numerous followers among the middle classes of Athens would turn him into a [[martyr]] figure"''.<ref>Simonopetritis, Very Rev. Archiman. Isaias. "[http://www.aegeantimes.gr/pigizois/agglika/inegl_27.htm The Orthodox Church and Proselytism]." ''Orthodox Herald'', Official Publication of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, September–October 2001, No. 120-121.</ref> Dr. [[Christos Yannaras]] however gives a slightly different account, writing that ''"The Synod excommunicated [Makrakis] to silence him, invoking ludicrous theological arguments, such as his views on the tripartite composition of man"'' and that ''"when he died, however, the Synod agreed to give him a church funeral".''<ref>Yannaras, Christos. ''Orthodoxy and the West: Hellenic Self-Identity in the Modern Age''. Transl. Peter Chamberas and Norman Russell. Holy Cross Orthodox Press, Brookline, Mass., 2006. p.224.</ref>
==Further reading==Nevertheless Makrakis' biography by Constantine Andronis clarifies that the excommunications were published by one particular Bishop, and not by the entire Synod: :"...so long as Makrakis combated only [[w:Freemasonry|Freemasonry]] and neither said nor wrote anything against the high priests, he was recommended by the latter as the Saviour of Orthodoxy, but when he proved certain high priests to be guilty of the crime of [[w:Simony|Simony]] and demanded their dismissal in accordance with the sacred regulations of the Church, war began to be waged upon him as a heretic teaching that man consists of body, soul, and spirit. Makarios, Bishop of Karystia, published excommunications and anathemas in opposition to this belief.<ref>Andronis, Constantine (Ed.). ''Apostolos Makrakis: An Evaluation of Half a Century.'' Chicago: Orthodox Christian Educational Society, 1966 pp.16.</ref>  As for the [[Holy Synod]], on December 18th, 1878, the [[Council of Athens (1878)|Council of Athens]] was convened and presided over by Metropolitan Bishop [[Procopius I (Georgiadis) of Athens|Procopius I of Athens]] (1874-1889), resulting in the formal condemnation of the Makrakists. The Synod succeeded in obtaining from the governement of [[w:Alexandros Koumoundouros|Koumoundouros]] a decree dissolving Makakris' ''' ''"School of the Logos"'' ''' on the pretext that it taught doctrines opposed to the tenets of the Church, that is, that man is composed of body, soul, and spirit, and that Christ attained perfection in the Jordan. The Holy Synod likewise addressed an encyclical to the whole body of Christians in Greece that was read in the churches, charging Makrakis with attempting to introduce innovations. On January 8, 1879, his trial was held, and without his presence he was condemned by default to three months' imprisonment. On February 6, 1879, the Holy Synod also issued a decree condemning the clergy of the College to confinement (exile) for five to ten years in various monasteries and refrainment from all sacramental acts.  On June 13, 1879 Makrakis' term of imprisonment for resistence and insolence to the authorities expired, but he later insulted the Holy Synod again, and on November 26, 1879 he was again sentenced to imprisonment, this time for eight months. From the jail in Amphissa he wrote letters to all his brethren in Christ urging them to be of good cheers and to feel glad because he was suffering in behalf of truth and justice. In many cities of Greece the citizenry expressed indignation at the persecution of the educator, and submitted a petition to the Chamber of Deputies bearing 4530 signatures. Makrakis himself submitted a memoir to the Minister of Justice Athanasios [[w:Petimezas|Potmezas]] from jail with the hope of obtaining his release. In 1880 he was absolved by decree of the court of appeals in Athens, and beginning on October 6, 1880, he resumed instruction in the ''' ''"School of the Logos"'' ''' after a two year interruption.<ref>Andronis, Constantine (Ed.). ''Apostolos Makrakis: An Evaluation of Half a Century.'' Chicago: Orthodox Christian Educational Society, 1966 pp.16-17.</ref> It was around this time that Saint [[Nectarios of Pentapolis]] was studying at the University of Athens (graduated in 1885), who also became interested in Apostolos Makrakis: <blockquote>There was, at the time when [[Nectarios of Pentapolis|Nektarios]] was studying in Athens, a person named Apostolos Makrakis who zealously preached for [[catharsis]], if you will, of the [[Church of Greece|Greek Orthodox Church]]. He was a learned lay man, whose education was rooted in his profound knowledge of [[Holy Scripture|Scriptures]]. In his eloquent manner he spoke out against the Masonic Order and all the materialistic theories that were circulating in the university. However, he also touched upon some extreme theories regarding the essence of the soul, and he became entangled in politics as well. Although Nektarios disagreed with his extreme positions, and had, in fact, examined them in one of his studies, he nevertheless considered this man a most heroic Christian advocate. He liked following his writings and his newspapers and would have liked to have personally met him. He never had the chance though, and he even had to eventually give up following his writings because the Church Synod formally disagreed with his extreme positions. As a cleric it was, of course, his duty to obey the elders.<ref>Sotos Chondropoulos. ''Saint Nektarios: The Saint of Our Century.'' Transl. Peter and Aliki Los. Athens, 1997. p.50.</ref></blockquote>
*''The Importance of Apostolos Makrakis died on [[December 25]], 1905 in Athens. He was buried in his family chapel dedicated to Orthodoxythe Virgin Mary''. (Archimandrite) Eusebius A. Stephanou. Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Theological Schools [[Annunciation]], and today his bust is in the square bearing his name, 1958at the entrance of the village of Katavati on [[w:Sifnos|Sifnos island]].
*''===Legacy===Apostolos Makrakis, was a highly cultured layman and patriotic visionary whose vigorous religious movement became a popular phenomenon that shook the Prophet religious and Thinker national establishment of Modern his time. From believing that he had been divinely chosen as the liberator of Byzantium from the Turk, to his preaching tours throughout Greecefocusing on [[Soteriology]], advocating his unique and controversial Christological-Philosophical teachings, to his fight against Freemasonry and [[w:Simony|Simony]],<ref group="note">In combating Freemasonry he was going up against certain elements within the State; and in combating Simony he was going up against certain elements within the Church. Therefore he incurred enemies from both Church and State.'' (Archimandrite) Eusebius A</ref> he effectively became a leader of the awakening religious and national movement in modern Hellas. Stephanou, 1954In the process he also became a symbol for the freedom of religious thought and expression.
*''Apostolos Makrakis: An Evaluation of Half a CenturyWhile his message found strong support amongst the masses on the one hand, it was not received very well by the religious establishment, as Dr.'' Editor: AndronisCavarnos, [[Philotheos (Zervakos)|Elder Philotheos]], Professor Yannaras, ConstantineProfessor Conybeare and others have explained. Chicago: His movement can be viewed as a unique example in the history of the Orthodox Christian Educational Society, 1966. (A complete list Church of a type of proselytism from ''within'' the staggering amount ranks of works Orthodoxy (rather than from without by foreign religious forces). Ultimatelty all of this led to an intense conflict between Makrakis is given in English, pp.337-339)and the Church authorities.
*''The Errors of Apostolos Makrakis.'' Blessed Elder ideas and the particular pietistic ethos which he promoted however did survive him in the [[Philotheos (Zervakos)Brotherhoods|Brotherhood]]Movements, which in the 20th century played a significant role in education and catechetical schools.<ref group="note">These however unguardedly allied themselves with right-wing dictatorships, pure Greek patriotism being a key element in their ideology.</ref><ref>Simonopetritis, Very Rev. Archiman. Isaias. "[http://www.aegeantimes.gr/pigizois/agglika/inegl_27.htm The Orthodox Church and Proselytism]." ''Orthodox Herald'', Official Publication of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, September–October 2001, No. 120-121.</ref>
==Sources and External linksCriticisms==* British Orientalist and Professor of Theology at the University of Oxford [[w:Frederick Cornwallis Conybeare|Frederick Cornwallis Conybeare]], a contemporary of Makrakis writing in 1903, proposed that if we cut through the many mists of spiteful exaggeration often attributed to Makrakis' life story, ::we can discern that his teaching exactly agrees with that ascribed to the [[w:Ebionites|Ebionites]] and to [[w:Theodotus of Byzantium|Theodotus of Rome]] by [[Hippolytus of Rome]] in his ''[[w:Refutation of all Heresies|Philosophumena]] (Refutation of all Heresies)'', Book VII, chap. 34. A not very dissimilar form of [[Adoptionism|Adoptionist doctrine]] still survives among the dissenters of Russia and of Armenia, and I suspect that Makrakis had come into contact with them.<ref>*[[w:Frederick Cornwallis Conybeare|Conybeare, Frederick Cornwallis]]. Reviewed Works: ''The Student's History of the Greek Church'' by Rev. A.H. Hore (M.A.). London and Oxford: James Parker, 1902. 514 pp.; ''Geschichte der Orientalischen Kirchen von 1453-1898'' by Prof. A. Diomedes Kyriakos. Leipzig, 1902. '''American Journal of Theology, Vol.7, No,3 (July 1903). p.562.'''</ref>.
* MaloneyDr. Constantine Cavarnos although referring to Makrakis as "perhaps the most outstanding philosopher and religious teacher of modern Greece," in reviewing Makrakis' important treatise on [[Soteriology]], George Athe ''"Divine and Sacred Catechism"'', states that Makrakis' teaching is marred by the exaggerated importance he attributes to the Devil, by his narrow conception of Orthodoxy, and his invective against other religious denominations.<ref name=Cavarnos>Cavarnos, SConstantine (Dr).JReviewed Work: ''Divine and Sacred Catechism by Apostolos Makrakis''. Transl. from the Greek by the Hellenic Christian Society, Chicago, Illinois. New York: Cosmos Greek-American Printing Co., 1946. ''A History 'Journal of Orthodox Theology Since 1453the American Academy of Religion'''. Norland Publishing, Massachusetts, 19761949; XVII-265-266.</ref>
* Todt, Klaus-Peter Blessed Elder [[Philotheos (in GermanZervakos)]] has written ''The Errors of Apostolos Makrakis. “[http://www.bautz.de/bbkl/m/makrakis.shtml Markaris'' Although not yet in English translation, Apostolos]it is summarized in part in Dr.” in Constantine Cavarnos's book ''"Blessed Elder Philotheos Zervakos"'Biographisch-Bibliographisches KIRCHENLEXICON'. In his criticism the Elder emphasises that he does not mean to say that there is nothing of value in Makrakis'writings, Band V (1993)Spalten 599-602especially the earlier ones, but that they must be approached with caution.
==Apologetics==* Redington, Norman Hugh (Ed)Dr. Constantine Cavarnos identifies that there are a number of things in his vigorously written book the ''"[http://www.voskrese.info/spl/Xapost-makrakis.html Apostolos Makrakis].Divine and Sacred Catechism" ''The [http://www.voskrese.info/spl/index.html Saint Pachomius Library]: A First Draft for that should interest the student of religion, including the lucid and systematic exposition of the doctrines of the Eastern Church by a Living Encyclopaedia conservative representative of it; the firm belief in perfect divine justice; the very high conception of man — man, according to Makrakis is the most perfect work of Orthodox ChristianityGod, higher even than the angels; and the profound conviction in, and the attempt throughout the book to show, the perfect harmony between experience, reason, and religion.''<ref name=Cavarnos/>
* Very Rev. Archiman. Isaias Simonopetritis. "[http://www.aegeantimes.gr/pigizois/agglika/inegl_27.htm The Orthodox Church and Proselytism]." Orthodox Herald, Official Publication of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, September–October 2001, No.: 120-121.
* Anastassios Anastassiadis==Complete List of Works==The following catalog of Makrakis' massive writing repertoire is based on the list found in Constantine Andronis' ''Apostolos Makrakis: An Evaluation of Half a Century'' (1966).<ref>Andronis, Constantine (Ed.). ''Apostolos Makrakis: An Evaluation of Half a Century''. [httpChicago:Orthodox Christian Educational Society, 1966. pp.337-339.<//wwwref>.===Periodcals===* ''Justice'', 1866-67.* ''The Logos'', 1868-1905.ceri* ''Peace'', 1874-sciencespo76.===In English Translation===* 1) ''A New Original Philosophical System'', [3 Vols, Divided into 6 Books], viz.com/publica/question/qdr11, ''Introduction to Philosophy; Psychology; Logic; Ethics; Theology;'' and ''Philosophy''.pdf Religion Athens, 1876, 1883, and Politics in Greece1886. 2,075 pp. :: Transl: The Greek ChurchVol. I, 's 'Conservative ModernizationAn Invitation to Philosophy, Psychology and Logic' in the 1990's]; Vol. Research in QuestionII, No''Ethics''; Vol.11III, January 2004''Theology and Philosophy''. (pdf format)1940.
* Peer reviewed book review of Makrakis': ''The Logos and Holy Spirit in the Unity of Christian Thought, 5 Vols1a) Re-printed as: Vol 1:The Orthodox Approach to Philosophy, Vol 2:Psychology An Orthodox Christian Perspective, Vol 3: Logic An Orthodox Christian Approach, Vol 4:Theology An Orthodox Standpoint, Vol 5:* ''A New Philosophy An Orthodox Christian Understanding. Translated from and the Greek by Denver CummingsPhilosophical Sciences: Orthodox Christian Education Society, 1977A New Original Philosophical System''[2 Vols]. by ScharlemannNew York, RG.P., in: ''Putnam'Journal of Religion 59 no 4 O 1979s Sons, p 488-490'''1940.
:1b) Five of the Six Books above (excepting the book on ''Ethics''), were re-issued as:::* Le Guillou''The [[w:Christ the Logos|Logos]] and the Holy Spirit in the Unity of Christian Thought: According to the Teachings of the Orthodox Church''. 5 Vols. Chicago : Orthodox Christian Educational Society, Marie Josephc.1977.(in French)::: Vol 1. ''"Aux sources des mouvements spirituels de lThe Orthodox Approach to Philosophy''Églises de Grèce."::: Vol 2. '' in Psychology: An Orthodox Christian Perspective''.::: Vol 3. 'Istina 7 1960, p 95-128,133-152,261-278'Logic: an Orthodox Christian approach''. (Contents::: Vol 4. ''Theology: La renaissance spirituelle du XVIIIe siècleAn Orthodox Standpoint''. Église et état au XIXe et au XXe siècle::: Vol 5. Apostolos Makrakis''Philosophy: ses intuitions apostoliques et spirituelles)An Orthodox Christian Understanding''.
* 2) ''A Commentary on the Revelation of John the Divine''.
* 3) ''Interpretation of the Gospel Law'', and, ''Our Duties to God and Christ''. b) ''A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews''. Two vols. in one.
* 4) ''Divine and Sacred Catechism''.
* 5) ''The Foundation of Philosophy''.
* 6) ''The Bible and the World, An interpretation of the first three chapters of Genesis '''in extenso''' and from a philosophical point of view'', and, ''Triluminal Science, Surveying the Universe and Explaining Everything'' (1 vol).
* 7) ''Interpretation of the Entire New Testament'' (except the ''Book of Revelation''). 2 vols.
* 8) ''An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation''.
* 9) ''The Paramount Doctrine of Orthodoxy'' (3 books in one vol).
* 10) ''Commentary on the Psalms of David and the Nine Odes''.
* 11) ''Kyriakodromion, or Sunday Sermonary, and Festal Sermons''. (A collection of sermons on the [[Gospels]], the Acts of the Apostles, and the [[Apostolos|epistles]] appointed to be read in Orthodox Christian Churches every Sunday from [[Pascha|Easter]] to [[Palm Sunday]]).
* 12) All in one volume:
:I. ''Three Great Friday Sermons'';
:II. ''Three Sermons on the Death on the Cross and the Glorious Resurrection'';
:III. ''The Ascension into Heaven'';
:IV. ''Christ, Announcing His Nature'';
:V. ''All the Parables of the Gospel'';
:VI. ''The Truth in Christianity'';
:VII. ''Testimonies Concerning the Super Holy Virgin''.
* 13) ''Freemasonry Known by Masonic Diploma''.
* 14) ''Papal Primacy and Innovations of Roman Catholic Church''.
* 15) ''Scriptural Refutations of Pope's Primacy'', and, ''Misc. Studies and Speeches''.
* 16) ''Memoir on the Nature of the Church of Christ''.
* 17) ''The Two Contrariant Schools'', and, ''Concerning the Establishment of a Christian University''.
* 18) ''An Orthodox-Protestant Debate''.
* 19) ''A Revelation of Treasure Hid, Together with Three Important Lectures: I. Concerning Freedom - II. Concerning the Motherland. - III. Concerning Justice and Apostolical Canons Respecting Baptism''.
* 20) ''Proofs of the Authenticity of the [[Septuagint]]''.
* 21) ''God's Law and Commandments, the Decalogue and the Gospel''.
* 22) ''The Repose of Our Most Holy and Glorious Lady the Theotokos''.
* 23) ''The City of Zion, or The Church Built Upon the Rock''.
* 24) ''Philosophical Discussions''.
* 25) ''The Real Truth Concerning Apostolos Makrakis''.
* 26) ''[[The Rudder|The RUDDER]] or PEDALION, of the Metaphorical Ship of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Orthodox Christians (All the Sacred and Divine Canons)''. (Editor).
* 27) ''The Trial of Jesus Christ (by Abba Aristarchus)''.
* 28) ''The Idea of Being''.
* 29) ''The Roman Rite in Orthodoxy''.
* 30) ''Spiritual Discourses for the Orthodox Christians''.
* 31) ''The Orthodox Doctrine on Development and Advancement'', and, ''Perfection of the Human Nature of our Lord Jesus Christ''.
* 32) ''The Orthodox Definition of Political Science''.
* 33) ''Appraisals of the Works of Apostolos Makrakis by Eminent Authorities''. 300 pp.
* 34) ''Orthodox Christian Meditations''.
* 35) ''Hellenism and the Unfinished Revolution: Twenty Addresses Delivered in Concord Square, Athens, Greece in 1866''.
* 36) ''Homily on the Eight Beatitudes, or The Sermon on the Mountain: A Summary Teaching Delivered by Apostolos Makrakis in the Island of Leukas, Greece, on August 29, 1886, During his Second Gospel-Tour''.
* 37) ''[http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/dogmatics/makrakis_truth_christianity.htm The Truth in Christianity: The One True Doctrine and The Many False Ones].''
===Untranslated or Unpublished===
* 1) ''A New Educational System'', in three volumes, comprising the Formation, Meaning, and Use of Words. 885 pp.
* 2) ''Interpretative Logical System''; or, ''Interpretation of the Whole New Testament, verse by verse, including Revelation''. 3,100 pp.
* 3) ''A Commentary on the Gospel According to St. Matthew'', from notes taken at his lectures. Unpublished. About 1000 pp.
* 4) ''A Commentary on the Gospel of St. John'', from lecture notes. Unpublished. About 500 pp.
* 5) ''A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles''. Unpublished. About 500 pp.
* 6) ''A Commentary on the Song of Songs''. 150 pp.
* 7) ''Three Philosophical Dissertations and the Tree of Life''. Written in French, and translated into Greek by Dr. A. Lekatsas. 388 pp.
* 8) ''An Apology Concerning the Soul''. 310 pp.
* 9) ''The Tricompositeness of Man Proved by Fathers of the Church''. 284 pp. <small>(A brilliantly written and scholarly dissertation)</small>.
* 10) ''Logical Refutation of an Ironclad Refutation''. 196 pp. <small>(An answer to a critic who undertook to criticize Makrakis' doctrine concerning the threefold nature of man)</small>.
* 11) ''History of Human Happiness and Unhappiness''. 630 pp.
* 12) ''Trial of Philosophy and of the Doctrines of Western Schools''. 160 pp.
* 13) ''Miscellaneous Thoughts and Orations''. Total some 300 pp.
* 14) ''The Nationally-Glorified Work of 1821''. 94 pp.
* 15) ''Freemasonry''. 150 pp.
* 16) ''The Christian Religion''.
==Further reading=Biographical References in =*Andronis, Constantine (Ed.). ''Apostolos Makrakis: An Evaluation of Half a Century.'' Chicago: Orthodox Christian Educational Society, 1966. ''*Stephanou, Archim. Eusebius A.. ''The Importance of Apostolos Makrakis to Orthodoxy''. Holy Cross Greek===Orthodox Theological School, 1958.*Stephanou, Archim. Eusebius A.. ''Apostolos Makrakis, the Prophet and Thinker of Modern Greece.'' 1954.*[[Philotheos (Zervakos)|Zervakos, Blessed Elder Philotheos]]. ''The Errors of Apostolos Makrakis.''
* ''Ekpaideutike Hellenike Enkyklopaideia: Pankosmio Biographiko Lexiko.'' - Athena, 1983-1988. - Tom. 1-9B==Notes==<references group="note" />
* Zoes, Leonidas Ch.: ''Lexikon Historikon Kai Laographikon Zakynthu.'' - Athenai, 1963. - Tom. 1==References== <div><references/></div>
==Sources==* Andronis, Constantine (Ed.). ''Apostolos Makrakis: An Evaluation of Half a Century.'' Chicago: Orthodox Christian Educational Society, 1966. * Anastassiadis, Anastassios. [http://www.ceri-sciencespo.com/publica/question/qdr11.pdf Religion and Politics in Greece: The Greek Church's 'Conservative Modernization' in the 1990's]. Research in Question, No.11, January 2004. (pdf format).* TriantaphylluCavarnos, Kostas NConstantine (Dr).Reviewed Work: ''Historikon Lexikon Ton PatronDivine and Sacred Catechism'' by Apostolos Makrakis. Transl. from the Greek by the Hellenic Christian Society, Chicago, Illinois. New York: Cosmos Greek-American Printing Co., 1946. '''Journal of the American Academy of Religion''', 1949; XVII-265-266.* Chondropoulos, Sotos. ''Saint Nektarios: The Saint of Our Century.'' Transl. Peter and Aliki Los. Athens, 1997. ISBN 960-7374-08-8* [[w:Frederick Cornwallis Conybeare|Conybeare, Frederick Cornwallis]]. Reviewed Works: ''The Student's History of the Greek Church'' by Rev. A.H. Hore (M.A.). London and Oxford: James Parker, 1902. 514 pp.; ''Geschichte der Orientalischen Kirchen von 1453-1898'' by Prof. A. Diomedes Kyriakos. Leipzig, 1902. '''American Journal of Theology, Vol.7, No,3 (July 1903). pp.555-563.'''* Le Guillou, Marie Joseph. ''Aux sources des mouvements spirituels de l'Églises de Grèce.'' in '''Istina''' 7 1960, p 95-128,133-152,261-278. (in French)* Maloney, George A., S. J. ''A History of Orthodox Theology Since 1453''. Norland Publishing, Massachusetts, 1976.* Redington, Norman Hugh (Ed). "[http://www.voskrese.info/spl/Xapost- makrakis.html Apostolos Makrakis]." ''The [http://www.voskrese.info/spl/index.html Saint Pachomius Library]: A First Draft for a Living Encyclopaedia of Orthodox Christianity.''* Scharlemann, R.P.. Peer Reviewed Book Review of Makrakis': ''The Logos and Holy Spirit in the Unity of Christian Thought, 5 Vols: Vol 1:The Orthodox Approach to Philosophy, Vol 2:Psychology An Orthodox Christian Perspective, Vol 3: Logic An Orthodox Christian Approach, Vol 4:Theology An Orthodox Standpoint, Vol 5:Philosophy An Orthodox Christian Understanding. ekd'' Translated from the Greek by Denver Cummings: Orthodox Christian Education Society, 1977.'' 'Journal of Religion 59 no 4 O 1979, p 488- Patrai490'''.* Simonopetritis, 1980Very Rev. Archim. Isaias. "[http://www.aegeantimes.gr/pigizois/agglika/inegl_27.htm The Orthodox Church and Proselytism]." Orthodox Herald, Official Publication of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, September–October 2001, No. 120-121. * ''The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge''. 1st Ed.. St. Martin's Press, NY, Oct. 2004.* TolikaTodt, Olympia NKlaus-Peter."[http: //www.bautz.de/bbkl/m/makrakis.shtml Markaris, Apostolos]" in ''Biographisch-Bibliographisches KIRCHENLEXICON''Epitomo Enkyklopaidiko Lexiko Tes Byzantines Musikes, Band V (1993) Spalten 599-602. (in German)* Yannaras, Christos.'' Orthodoxy and the West: Hellenic Self- AthenaIdentity in the Modern Age''. Transl. Peter Chamberas and Norman Russell. Holy Cross Orthodox Press, Brookline, Mass., 19932006.
'''Biographical Sources in Greek'''
* Metallinos, G.D. ''Ekpaideutike Hellenike Enkyklopaideia: Pankosmio Biographiko Lexiko.'' Athena, 1983-1988. Tom. 1-9B.
* Tolika, Olympia N. ''Epitomo Enkyklopaidiko Lexiko Tes Byzantines Musikes.'' Athena, 1993.
* Triantaphyllu, Kostas N. ''Historikon Lexikon Ton Patron. 2. ekd.'' Patrai, 1980.
* Zoes, Leonidas Ch. ''Lexikon Historikon Kai Laographikon Zakynthu.'' Athenai, 1963. Tom. 1.
==External Links==
'''Wikipedia'''
* [[w:Christian anthropology|Christian anthropology]]
* [[w:Age_of_Enlightenment|Age of Enlightenment]]
* {{el icon}} [http://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%91%CF%80%CF%8C%CF%83%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%BF%CF%82_%CE%9C%CE%B1%CE%BA%CF%81%CE%AC%CE%BA%CE%B7%CF%82 Απόστολος Μακράκης]. Βικιπαίδεια.
[[Category:Modern Writers]]
8,921
edits

Navigation menu