How to Recognize Presumably Orthodox Groups: Recommendations for Avoiding Religious Deceptiontranslated

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church warned on Thursday about groups that falsely present themselves as Orthodox. Father David Pestroiu, professor of missiology at the "Justinian Patriarch" Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest, explained to BASILICA News Agency how believers can recognize these groups and avoid misleading practices.

The priest believes that the decision of the Holy Synod responds to a problem that can affect the spiritual life of the faithful.

"The concern of the Holy Synod for cultivating the discernment of the spiritual sons of the Romanian Patriarchate regarding the appeal to the religious services of the clergy is justified, and the warnings formulated are welcome".

The professor of missiology explained that one of the causes of vulnerability in front of these groups is the weakening of the bond of some believers with parish life.

In this sense, the priest recalled the warning of Father Professor Nicolae D. Necula, former dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest, regarding the diminishing of the consciousness of belonging to a parish community and the development of a religiosity influenced by superstitious practices.…