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{{cleanup}}[[Image:Apostolos Makrakis.JPG|right|thumb|230px| Apostolos Makrakis 1831-1905: Greek lay theologian, preacher, ethicist, philosopher and writer.]]Dr. '''Dr. Apostolos Makrakis''' (1831-1905), or '' '''Makrakes,''' '' was a charismatic and controversial and charismatic 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>.

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 Katavati on [[w:Greek War of IndependenceSifnos|post-revolutionary GreeceSifnos 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. 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 from Descartes to Hegel, in the French language. His defensive disposition was expressed quickly with the writing in French of four treatises against Western philosophy, particularly the ''Cartesian'', and founding philosophy on the principles of the doctrine of Christ (i.e in favour of Christianity). This work was entitled ''"The Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, i.e. Christian Philosophy and Modern Philosophy"''). 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 Knowledge of traditional criteria were problems that would not leave a spirit as restless as his indifferent or in peaceGood and Evil, (i.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 and Apostolic Church|Catholic]] rebirth of the nationConstantinople, regarded as the most basic element in this the rebirth of the [[One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church|Church]]where he continued his work for a year, as the [[w:Noah's Ark|ark]] and instrument of the new national life<ref>Metallinos, G.D. ''Ekpaideutike Hellenike Enkyklopaideia: Pankosmio Biographiko Lexiko.'' Athenain 1866 he settled permanently in Athens, 1983-1988. Tom. 1-9B.</ref>where 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|Simonypriests]], and also upheld who struggled to lead the nation in its newly found freedom, just as they has during the theory hard years of the ''Trisyntheto'' (triple constitution [[Ottoman rule and Eastern Christianity|Turkish 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 humanitythis but could do nothing since it was bound by politicians, ischolars, and demagogues. So it turned satirical towards everything, including the church.eIndeed, what a sad state of affairs it is when people mock their religious leaders."<br>:* {Sotos Chondropoulos. ''PsycheSaint Nektarios: The Saint of Our Century.'' (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 him. He was condemned and jailed several timesnew national life<ref>TolikaMetallinos, Olympia NG.D. ''Epitomo Enkyklopaidiko Ekpaideutike Hellenike Enkyklopaideia: Pankosmio Biographiko Lexiko Tes Byzantines Musikes.'' Athena, 19931983-1988. Tom. 1-9B.</ref>. He was also an extremely prolific writer whose works were widely translated outside of Greece.

He founded the School of ===Preaching===Apostolos Makrakis made ten Gospel tours across 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|LogosGreek Church]]", so that in this sense philosophy becomes applicable to the 19th and interchangeable with the theological discipline of [[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 teacher of the people of Greecepreacher,...this child of the [[w:Greek War of Independence|revolution of 1821]]. The [[w:Søren Kierkegaard|Kierkegaard]]<ref>'''Kierkegaard, Soren,''' ''b. Copenhagen, Denmark, 1813; d. 1855''. Philosopher and religious writer. He he was a precursor of the existentialists and a major influence on Protestant theologynew phenomenon in newly reborn Greece. He argued Preaching during that advancing through the three stages period mostly was an activity of the aesthetic, the ethical and the religious by means marginal competitors 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 PressChurch, NY, Oct. 2004. pp.1020.)</ref> who speaks here has a Hellenistic soul. Philosophyso that preaching, "the love and science of especially outside the [[w:Christ the LogosParish|God-equal WORDtemples]]by non-authorized figures, or [[w:Christ the Logos|Logos]]", has as its purpose "the acquisition of God's omnisciencewas violently repressed...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 This was in its ascent from line with the "primary cognition [noein]" through the philosophical sciences to its deification. The means tradition 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:PhenomenologyTimeline of Church History (Nicene Era (325-451))|phenomenologyChurch of Late Antiquity]] might call the basic intellectual intuition, is in that I exist, the world existsonce Christian Churches were solidly established, clerics' activities were regulated 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 disciplined in order to make the unknown known. Philosophy as [[w:Christology|Christology]] and Christology as Philosophyavoid ecstatic innovations, it which is at least a theme that makes one thinkwhat Makrakis was in fact criticized for."<ref>ScharlemannAnastassiadis, RAnastassios. [http://www.Pceri-sciencespo.com/publica/question/qdr11. Peer Reviewed Book Review of Makrakis': ''The Logos pdf Religion and Holy Spirit Politics in the Unity of Christian Thought, 5 Vols: Vol 1Greece: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.Greek Church's 'Conservative Modernization' Translated from in the Greek by Denver Cummings: Orthodox Christian Education Society1990's]. Research in Question, 1977No. '''Journal of Religion''' 59 no 4 O 197911, p 488-490January 2004.</ref>

===Preaching===Apostolos Makrakis was the most influential figure on the development of the Greek Church in the 19th and 20th centuries. As a preacher In May 1866, he came to Athens, where for six months he was a new phenomenon delivered twenty speeches in newly reborn Greece. Preaching during that period mostly was an activity of Concord Square on the marginal competitors subject of the Church, so that preaching, especially outside the temples by non-authorized figures, was violently repressed. This was in line with the tradition ''The Work of the Church Fathers of Late Antiquity, in that once Christian Churches were solidly established, clerics' activities were regulated 1821 and How it Can Best and disciplined in order Quickest Be Brought to avoid ecstatic innovationsa Conclusion'', which is what Makrakis was were published in fact criticized for.<ref>Anastassiadis, Anastassios. [http://www.ceri-sciencespo.com/publica/question/qdr11.pdf Religion and Politics in Greece: The Greek Churchthe newspaper ''s Justice'Conservative Modernization' , and republished in the 1990's]. Research book form in Question, No.11, January 20041886.</ref>

:In May 1866, he came to Athens, where for six months...in Concord Square he delivered twenty speeches on the subject of ''The Work of the Fathers of 1821 and How it Can Best and Quickest Be Brought to a Conclusion'', which were published in the newspaper ''Justice'' and republished in book form in 1886. Given occassion by a 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 published in 1867 and the second in 1868. At the instigation of the Masons , who had political influence at the time, he was twice arrested - and jailed, the first time for twenty-four hours, and the second for sixteen days - for allegedly insulting the King.<ref>Andronis, Constantine (Ed.). ''Apostolos Makrakis: An Evaluation of Half a Century.'' Chicago: Orthodox Christian Educational Society, 1966 pp.14</ref>.

Makrakis also preached to large crowds in [[Metropolis of Patra|PatraPatras]], 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, having as his <ref group="note">His most fervent followers were Theodoros Kapetanon, Ioannis Arnellon, and Nikolaos Christogiannopoulos.</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, who recommended that he be exiled for two years lest he be judged by the [[Holy Synod|Synod]]. For Makrakis visited Patras for a period of thirty years Makrakis visited Patras, in 1876 remaining there for forty-days 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.<ref group="note">A critic of Makrakis from Zakynthos was the peopleprimary 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>. In the summer of 1894 he made his tenth and last Gospel tour, visiting Thebes, St. Theodore, Levadeia, Atalante, Chalkis, Kyme, Aliverion, Kariston, Gaurion on the islands of Andros, Syros, and his birthplace Siphnos.<ref>Andronis, Constantine (Ed.). ''Apostolos Makrakis: An Evaluation of Half a Century.'' Chicago: Orthodox Christian Educational Society, 1966 pp.20.</ref>

Continuing his quest ===Christology===He founded the '' '''School of preaching to the Logos''' '' in Athens in September 1876 and titled himself ''Professor of philosophy and the philosophical sciences in the Greek nation'', he arrived on teaching philosophical subjects. He taught "Philosophy" from the perspective of the island "Love of the [[Metropolis of Zakynthos and Strofadesw:Christ the Logos|ZakynthosLogos]] in July 1892", and again so that philosophy in August 1893, teaching out this sense became interchangeable with the theological discipline of exile[[Christology]]. A critic In a peer-reviewed book review of Makrakis from Zakynthos was ' philosophical system<ref group="note">''The [[w:Christ the Logos|Logos]] and the Holy Spirit in the Unity of Christian Thought: According to the Teachings of the primary school teacher Ioannis SiderokastritisOrthodox Church''. 5 Vols. Chicago : Orthodox Christian Educational Society, who wrote c.1977.:: Vol 1. ''O Anamorphotis Makrakes (The Uneducated Makrakis)Orthodox Approach to Philosophy''.:: Vol 2. ''Psychology: An Orthodox Christian Perspective''<ref>Zoes, Leonidas Ch. ISBN 9780938366058:: Vol 3. ''Logic: an Orthodox Christian approach'Lexikon Historikon Kai Laographikon Zakynthu'.:: Vol 4.'' Athenai, 1963Theology: An Orthodox Standpoint''. TomISBN 9780938366034:: Vol 5. 1''Philosophy: An Orthodox Christian Understanding''.</ref>R.P.Scharlemann states that:

===Criticism===* British Orientalist and Professor :"Makrakis intended to be a teacher of Theology at the University people of Greece,...this child of Oxford the [[w:Frederick Cornwallis ConybeareGreek War of Independence|Frederick Cornwallis Conybearerevolution of 1821]]. The [[w:Søren Kierkegaard|Kierkegaard]]<ref group="note">'''Kierkegaard, Soren,''' ''b. Copenhagen, Denmark, 1813; d. 1855''. Philosopher and religious writer. He was a contemporary precursor of Makrakis writing in 1903, proposed the existentialists and a major influence on Protestant theology. He argued that if we cut advancing through the many mists three stages of the aesthetic, the ethical and the religious by means of spiteful exaggeration often attributed 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 MakrakisGod 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' life storys Press, NY, ::we can discern that his teaching exactly agrees with that ascribed to Oct. 2004. pp.1020.)</ref> who speaks here has a Hellenistic soul. Philosophy, "the love and science of the [[w:EbionitesChrist the Logos|EbionitesGod-equal WORD]] and to , or [[w:Theodotus 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 Byzantium|Theodotus religion and government. The system traces the journey of Rome]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 [[HippolytusJesus Christ]] in his .....right reason being the nexus between temporal fact and eternal being. In this system, the primary cognition, or what [[w:Refutation of all HeresiesPhenomenology|Philosophumenaphenomenology]] (Refutation of all Heresies)might call the basic intellectual intuition, is that I exist, Book VIIthe world exists, chapand God exists.. 34. A The soul is conscious of its own existence, perceives the world, and knows God's existence, but it does not very dissimilar form know the nature of each of them. The aim of science is to make the unknown known. Philosophy as [[Adoptionismw:Christology|Adoptionist doctrineChristology]] still survives among 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 dissenters Unity of Russia and 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 ArmeniaReligion''' 59 no 4 O 1979, and I suspect that Makrakis had come into contact with themp 488-490.</ref>* ===Controversy===Besides criticizing contemporary [[w:Frederick Cornwallis ConybearePrelate|prelates]] of [[w:Simony|Simony]], Apostolos Makrakis also upheld the theory of the triple constitution of humanity - i.e. ''Psyche'' (soul), ''Pneuma'' (spirit), ''Soma'' (body) - for which he was criticized, causing some confusion as to whether or not Makrakis was in fact [[Excommunication|excommunicated]] by the Church or not.  The sources show that while he was condemned by the [[Council of Athens (1878)|ConybeareCouncil of Athens]] (1878), Frederick Cornwallishe was not formally [[Excommunication|excommunicated]]by them. Reviewed Works: The Very Rev. Archimandrite Isaias Simonopetritis explains in ''The StudentOrthodox Church and Proselytism'' that ''s History "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 Greek Churchmiddle classes of Athens would turn him into a [[martyr]] figure"'' by .<ref>Simonopetritis, Very Rev. AArchiman. Isaias. "[http://www.aegeantimes.gr/pigizois/agglika/inegl_27.Hhtm The Orthodox Church and Proselytism]. Hore (M" ''Orthodox Herald'', Official Publication of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, September–October 2001, No.A120-121.)</ref> Dr. London [[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 Oxford: James Parkerthat ''"when he died, however, 1902the Synod agreed to give him a church funeral". 514 pp''<ref>Yannaras, Christos.; ''Geschichte der Orientalischen Kirchen von 1453Orthodoxy and the West: Hellenic Self-1898Identity in the Modern Age'' by Prof. ATransl. Peter Chamberas and Norman Russell. Diomedes KyriakosHoly Cross Orthodox Press, Brookline, Mass. Leipzig, 19022006. p.224.</ref>  Nevertheless Makrakis'''American Journal 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 Theologybody, soul, Voland spirit.7Makarios, NoBishop of Karystia, published excommunications and anathemas in opposition to this belief.<ref>Andronis,3 Constantine (July 1903Ed.). p.562''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.

* Dr. Constantine Cavarnos although referring to Makrakis as "perhaps the most outstanding philosopher and religious teacher of modern GreeceOn June 13," in reviewing 1879 Makrakis' important treatise on [[Soteriology]]term of imprisonment for resistence and insolence to the authorities expired, but he later insulted the ''Divine Holy Synod again, and Sacred Catechism''on November 26, 1879 he was again sentenced to imprisonment, states that Makrakis' teaching is marred by this time for eight months. From the exaggerated importance jail in Amphissa he attributes wrote letters to the Devil, by all his narrow conception brethren in Christ urging them to be of Orthodoxy, good cheers and his invective against other religious denominations. :On the other hand to feel glad because he identifies that there are a number of things was suffering in his vigorously written book that should interest the student behalf of religion, including the lucid truth and systematic exposition justice. In many cities of Greece the doctrines citizenry expressed indignation at the persecution of the Eastern Church by educator, and submitted a conservative representative of it; petition to the firm belief in perfect divine justice; the very high conception Chamber of man — man, according Deputies bearing 4530 signatures. Makrakis himself submitted a memoir to Makrakis is the most perfect work Minister of God, higher even than Justice Athanasios [[w:Petimezas|Potmezas]] from jail with the angels; and hope of obtaining his release. In 1880 he was absolved by decree of the profound conviction court of appeals inAthens, and beginning on October 6, 1880, he resumed instruction in the attempt throughout ''' ''"School of the book to show, the perfect harmony between experience, reason, and religionLogos"'' ''' after a two year interruption.<ref>CavarnosAndronis, Constantine (DrEd.). Reviewed Work: ''Divine and Sacred Catechism by Apostolos Makrakis: An Evaluation of Half a Century.''. Transl. from the Greek by the Hellenic Chicago: Orthodox Christian Educational Society, Chicago, Illinois1966 pp. New York: Cosmos Greek-American Printing Co., 1946. ''Journal of the American Academy of Religion'', 1949; XVII-26516-26617.</ref>

* Blessed Elder It was around this time that Saint [[Philotheos (Zervakos)Nectarios of Pentapolis]] has written ''The Errors was studying at the University of Apostolos Makrakis.'' This is not yet Athens (graduated in English translation1885), but it is summarized in part in Dr. Constantine Cavarnos's book ''Blessed Elder Philotheos Zervakos''. In his criticism the Elder emphasises that he does not mean to say that there is nothing of value who also became interested in Apostolos Makrakis' writings, especially the earlier ones, but that they must be approached with caution.:

===Excommunication===According to Dr. <blockquote>There was, at the time when [[Christos YannarasNectarios of Pentapolis|Nektarios]]was studying in Athens, "The Synod excommunicated a person named Apostolos Makrakis who zealously preached for [[Makrakiscatharsis]] to silence him, invoking ludicrous theological argumentsif you will, such as his views on of the tripartite composition [[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. When However, he diedalso 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, howeverin 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 Synod agreed chance though, and he even had to eventually give him up following his writings because the Church Synod formally disagreed with his extreme positions. As a church funeralcleric it was, of course, his duty to obey the elders."<ref>Yannaras, ChristosSotos Chondropoulos. ''Orthodoxy and the WestSaint Nektarios: Hellenic Self-Identity in the Modern AgeThe Saint of Our Century.''. Transl. Peter Chamberas and Norman RussellAliki Los. Holy Cross Orthodox PressAthens, Brookline, Mass., 20061997. p.22450.</ref></blockquote>

A slightly different account by the Very Rev. Archimandrite Isaias Simonopetritis, in [http://www.aegeantimes.gr/pigizois/agglika/inegl_27.htm The Orthodox Church and Proselytism], has it that "while Apostolos Makrakis was condemned by the official Church and the monasteries of died on [[Mount AthosDecember 25]], he 1905 in Athens. He was not excommunicated, for fear that buried in his numerous followers among family chapel dedicated to the middle classes of Athens would turn him into a Virgin Mary's [[martyrAnnunciation]] figure".<ref>Simonopetritis, Very Rev. Archiman. Isaias. "[http://www.aegeantimes.gr/pigizois/agglika/inegl_27.htm The Orthodox Church and Proselytism]." ''Orthodox Herald''today his bust is in the square bearing his name, Official Publication at the entrance of the Archdiocese village of Thyateira and Great Britain, September–October 2001, No. 120-121Katavati on [[w:Sifnos|Sifnos island]].</ref>

Apostolos Makrakis was a highly cultured layman and patriotic visionary whose vigorous religious movement became an interesting a popular phenomenon in its time that shook the religious and national establishmentof his time. From believing that he had been divinely chosen as the liberator of Byzantium from the Turk, to his preaching tours throughout Greece focusing 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.</ref> he effectively became a leader of the awakening religious and national movement in modern Hellas. In the process he also became a symbol for the freedom of religious thought and expression.

Makrakis' ideas and the particular pietistic ethos which he promoted however did survive him in the [[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>

==Complete List Criticisms==* 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>. * Dr. 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]], the ''"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, Constantine (Dr). Reviewed 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. '''Journal of the American Academy of Religion''', 1949; XVII-265-266.</ref> * Blessed Elder [[Philotheos (Zervakos)]] has written ''The Errors of Apostolos Makrakis.'' Although not yet in English translation, it is summarized in part in Dr. Constantine Cavarnos's book ''"Blessed Elder Philotheos Zervakos"''. In his criticism the Elder emphasises that he does not mean to say that there is nothing of value in Makrakis' writings, especially the earlier ones, but that they must be approached with caution. ==Apologetics==* Dr. Constantine Cavarnos identifies that there are a number of things in his vigorously written book the ''"Divine and Sacred Catechism"'' that should interest the student of religion, including the lucid and systematic exposition of the doctrines of the Eastern Church by a 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 God, 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/>  ==Complete List of Works==

===Periodcals Published and Edited===

===Works Translated Into In EnglishTranslation===

::: Vol 2. ''Psychology: An Orthodox Christian Perspective''. ISBN 9780938366058

::: Vol 4. ''Theology: An Orthodox Standpoint''. ISBN 9780938366034

* 4) ''Divine and Sacred Catechism''. ISBN 9781432516703

* 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). ISBN 9780938366188* 7) ''Interpretation of the Entire New Testament'' (except the ''Book of Revelation''). 2 vols. ISBN 9780938366089

* 10) ''Commentary on the Psalms of David and the Nine Odes''. ISBN 9780938366195

* 14) ''Papal Primacy and Innovations of Roman Catholic Church''. ISBN 9780938366393

* 16) ''Memoir on the Nature of the Church of Christ''. ISBN 9780938366218

* 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). ISBN 9780938366003

* 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 Works===

*[[Philotheos (Zervakos)|Zervakos, Blessed Elder Philotheos]]. ''The Errors of Apostolos Makrakis.'' ==Notes==<ref>While Elder Philotheos's book on Makrakis has not been translated yet, there is a very careful summary of its contents, as well as those of two shorter publications of his on the subject, in Dr. Constantine Cavarnos's book '''Blessed Elder Philotheos Zervakos''', Vol. 11 in the Modern Orthodox Saints series (ISBN 0914744941) from the Institute for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies. Note that Elder Philotheos emphasises that he does not mean to say that there is nothing of value in Makrakis' writings, especially the earlier ones, only that they must be approached with caution.<references group="note" /ref>

<div class="small"><references/></div>

==Sources and External links==*Andronis, Constantine (Ed.). ''Apostolos Makrakis: An Evaluation of Half a Century.'' Chicago: Orthodox Christian Educational Society, 1966.

*Cavarnos, Constantine (Dr). Reviewed 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. '''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.'''

==='''Biographical Sources in Greek==='''