The Following Are Letters and Encyclicals Advocating The Works of Apostolos Makrakis
“A great laborer of the Gospel, a bold intellect, a most learned Greek scholar, and a deep explorer of philosophical thought as it has manifested itself down through the ages. Having busied himself with the study of the Holy Scriptures and of the Fathers of the Church, he admittedly rose by dint of his own efforts to be an extraordinary figure in modern Greek sacred theology and the production of philosophical literature.” – ATHENAGORAS, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
“In times of materialism and religious indifference Makrakis appeared in Greece as an apostle of Christian truths, a reformer and renovator, virtuous and unselfish, full of self-sacrifice, a zealous teacher, a powerful orator and dialectician, an indefatigable writer, committed to Christ and laboring against countless obstacles in the cause of the establishment of Christian ideals and principles. Undoubtedly, the remarkable intellectual talents and virtues of his imposing personality contributed to the expression of his formidable power.” – ARCHBISHOP CHRYSOSTOM, Athens Greece
“May the spirit of Apostolos Makrakis live again! Me like Makrakis, bright meteors in the Orthodox Church, are not born every day. But the spirit with which he worked must be revived again in our midst.” – METROPOLITAN BISHOP AUGUSTINOS, Florina, Greece
“The works of the great philosopher and teacher Apostolos Makrakis which have been translated into English will save many souls, just as the departed teacher himself saved many thousands in the course of his life, replete with self-abnegation, who, in this manner, ‘though dead continues speaking.’ Chrysostomos the late Archbishop of Athens aptly characterized the great teacher as follows: ‘He appeared publicly in Greece as a herald of Christian truths, a reformer and renovator, an upright and ungreedy man imbued with self-abnegation, a zealous teacher, orator, and skillful speaker and indefatigable writer devoted to Christ and in the midst of countless obstacles toiling for the prevalence of Christian principles.’ To these words we may add that Apostolos Makrakis both in his speeches and in his written works lent a serious impulse to Christian people everywhere to live in conformity with Christ …. ” – Metropolitan Michael of Corinth (1946)
“… Apostolos Makrakis, the philosopher, was the nucleus of a revival of religious zeal in Greece and promoted the popularity of the Orthodox Church.” – Dionysus, Bishop of the Serbian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the United States and Canada, Libertyville, Illinois
“Makrakis was a unique champion of the canons of the church and a profound interpreter and teacher of the Scriptures and the Orthodox faith.” – Damascenos, Metropolitan of Patras, Greece.
“The members of the Synod have been deluded in characterizing Makrakis as a heretic.” – David, Bishop of Phocis, Greece
“To all the Sacred Clergy and the Church Members of our Most Holy Archdiocese:
“Grace unto you, mercy, and love be multiplied!
“An English translation 0£ the Greek original of one of the many works written by the ever-memorable educator Apostolos Makrakis has recently been published in two big volumes under the title A New Philosophy and the Philosophical Sciences. The translation, made quite skillfully, was executed by Denver Cummings and Albert George Alexander, Head of the Department of Languages, Louisiana State College. The present edition was got out with o·editable care by the publishing house of G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2 W. 45th Street, New York City.
“The cost of publication was borne by Messrs. P. Vasilakos and K. Andronis, pious and devoted parishioners of our Orthodox Greek Community of St. Andrew, in Chicago, with the moral support of other devout Christians of ours in Chicago and New York City, all pupils of that ever-memorable educator and well known to us and much beloved.
“The work is divided into six books, as follows: 1) Introduction to Philosophy, 2) Psychology, 3) Logic, 4) Ethics, 5) Theology, (these are the four philosophical sciences), and 6) Philosophy Proper.
“We shall not here enter into an analysis of the author’s writings in general, nor of the one in question which has been translated into English. ,ve can say this, however, that the ever-memorable educator, Apostolos Makrakis was a great Gospel worker, a bold intellectual, a most learned Greek scholar, and a deep explorer of philosophical thought as it has manifested itself down through the ages. Having busied himself with the study of the Holy Scriptures and of the Fathers of the Church, he admittedly rose by dint of own efforts to be an extraordinary figure in modern Greek sacred theology and the production of philosophical literature.
“The influence his preachings have exercised over society is such that we have been acquainted with pupils of his in Athens who were virtuous and kind and belonged to the higher social ranks, and that in this country we number others among our flock who are true adherents of the Orthodox religion and who belong to all classes, including the professional world.
“The ever-memorable Apostolos Makrakis lived and taught as a superior person and ardent patriot, and upon dying was buried in the bosom of the Orthodox Greek Church. Today, when things can be viewed more clearly from a distance in time and what were then some extremes have now lost their significance, he can be considered to have left an inheritance of great spiritual value. From it Christians can gain deep knowledge, theological and philosophical, and ground themselves in the faith, arm themselves against various heresies, acquire a deeper insight into the Holy Scriptures, get in closer touch with the Orthodox Greek Church, and be sanctified, understanding!y, through its Holy Mysteries and Sacred Rites.
“Therefore, while congratulating dear Messrs.. P. Vasilakos and K. Andronis, who financed the translation and publication of the English edition of this profound treatise, as well as all who have in any manner contributed to its publication or promulgation, on the one hand we thank them for rendering such a work known to a greater circle at such a great pecuniary sacrifice, and, on the other hand, we wish this treatise as wide a circulation as possible among the Clergy and the Laity and careful study for the enrichment of their knowledge and, above all, for the benefit and edification of their souls.”
Athenagoras, Archbishop of North and South America, New York, New York, Presently, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
“So constructive and fruitful was the preaching of the Educator that in imparting of his inexhaustible store of knowledge to his listeners and pupils, both when writing and when teaching, he used no other source of help or aid than the Holy Bible alone, which, indeed, was his well-head.
“Truly it is a pity that we moderns thus traduce men who have spent their whole life in behalf of our religion and nation with great self-abnegation and who have left behind them tangible traces of their sojourn in the world, as did the illustrious educator Apostolos Makrakis succeed in doing. Few others in the nation among those worthy of our admiration and reverence helped so much as he to guide the laity into morality and to imbue it with a mortal sense.
“It is well known that through continual communion he always kept himself ready for the future life like a genuine follower of the Lord, by applying methodically and scrupulously the commandment to ‘do and teach’ (Matt. 5: 19). The end of his life was a peaceful one which came alter his being privileged to foretell his own death. With contrition and tears he himself read his funeral service and begged all men to forgive him.
“Undoubtedly the memory of the learned and pious educator Apostolos Makrakis remains infinitely dear to all those who had been privileged to listen to his mellifluous teachings, and likewise dear to all those who even now take delight in his many profound writings. Those who were acquainted with the moral life of the man find therein an example to promote virtuousness and self-abnegation.”
Ezekiel, Metropolitan Bishop of Thessaliotis, Greece
“Apostolos Makrakis was truly among the most philosophical minds of his age. He was not only able lo teach with dialectical power, but he was gifted in imparting to others new and old things of the treasures of his wisdom. He left behind virtuous followers. He was one of the most conservative philosophers and theologians, accepting not only the dogmas, but also the traditions of the Orthodox Church. He practiced in himself the precept ‘do and teach’. He provoked antagonism not so much because of his two philosophical views on the tripartite and the perfection of the human nature of the Lord in the Jordan, as from his caustic attacks on simony in the Church. He provoked the hostility of some and the devotion of others. He was despised by many and loved by many. “
“Finally, Makrakis was imprisoned and rejected ecclesiastically, but was also honored and exalted ‘for a sign which shall be spoken against’. The photograph of Apostolos Makrakis which all his followers carried had the following inscription: ‘Makrakis the Apostle, the glory of Christians, the pride of Orthodox and dart against Anti-Christs’. In the face of countless obstacles, the educator, Apostolos Makrakis pressed on in his work of reform without the exile and desertions of his devoted followers discouraging him. He was a phenomenon of extraordinary courage, spiritual stamina, and Christian faith. It would be so beneficial were Greece even today to have another Apostolos Makrakis.”
Ezekiel, Metropolitan Bishop of Thessaliotis, Greece
APPRAISAL BY THE ORTHODOX HIERARCHY
ENCYCLICAL OF THE HOLY SYNOD OF THE CHURCH OF GREECE
TO THE RIGHT REVEREND BISHOPS OF ALL THE DIOCESES OF THE REPUBLIC:
“Dr. Apostolos Makrakis, a scholar of Siphnos well known for his ecclesiastical articles which for a year have been appearing in the newspaper Justice, attesting his Christian virtues and his unshakable convictions founded upon the Divine Word, being now inspired by the same fervent Christian zeal for the dissemination of Divine Truths and the belief of our ecclesiastical newspaper announced as about to be published by him under the title of Logos.
“The Synod, being ever concerned for the spiritual salvation of the Christian membership of the Holy Church, and realizing the need of an ecclesiastical newspaper teaching the Divine Truths at all times and in all respect to the Faith of Christ, welcomes the petition of the said Dr. A. Makrakis, together with his offer to serve the Church.
“Wherefore, recommending to you the publication of such newspaper, and through you to all the clergy and pious laity throughout our jurisdiction, the Synod sends herewith enclosed to each of you four copies of the advertisement published by the Editor of the said paper, with the purpose of having you urge as strongly as possible upon the Sacred Clergy and the Christians the desirability of subscribing thereto.
“Being persuaded that you, too, consider the existence of an ecclesiastical newspaper advantageous to Christians, the Synod entertains the earnest hope that you will help in getting the utmost number of subscribers to this paper. After being filled out, the blanks in the advertisements should be returned as early as possible to the Synod.
ATHENS, October 10, 1867.”
Theophilos, Archbishop of Athens, President
Gabriel, Metropolitan Bishop of Ithaca
Dositheos, Metropolitan Bishop of Thebes and Leoadeia.
Joseph, Metropolitan Bishop of Gytheion
Zachariah, Metropolitan Bishop of Thera
Euthymius Alexandropoulos, Very Rev. Royal Secretary and Archimandrite
Apostolos Makrakis 