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Piraeus Seraphim: Reiki: An unorthodox and irrational "energy healing"translated

July 10, 2026 · 1 min read

"REIKI: AN UNORTHODOX AND UNORTHOLOGICAL "ENERGY THERAPY" - (Historical origin, theoretical bases, scientific evaluation and orthodox theological evaluation) is the subject on which the Reverend Metropolitan of Piraeus, Mr. Seraphim, informs in the following video.

His Holiness initially stating that "modern man is experiencing an unprecedented spiritual confusion", he emphasizes that "he often adopts concepts and practices that historical experience has long since rejected. A typical example is the revival of ancient forms of religiosity, mainly of a pagan nature, which, while they had fallen into oblivion for centuries, are coming back today as an alleged answer to the spiritual search of modern man".

"In this context, the spread of so-called "alternative therapies", i.e. therapeutic methods of an empirical nature, which come either from ancient beliefs or from the religious traditions of the East," he characteristically notes, pointing out at the same time that "most of them are imbued with magical and occult concepts and are in complete opposition to the principles of modern medical science." "Not…

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جورج عبود

Thank you, Bishop of Piraeus, for this clear clarification. I heard about Reiki for years and thought it was just relaxation exercises, but when he mentioned its pagan origin and the hidden ideas in it, I began to understand why the church warns against it. I'd rather pray, bake my own bread, and tend my garden, that's enough for me.

Carlos García

Thank you for sharing the video of Metropolitan Serafim. It caught my attention when he says that many of these “alternative therapies” come from ancient pagan beliefs that the Church already rejected centuries ago. I thought that Reiki was just putting your hands on to relax, as the first comment says, but now I understand better why it doesn't fit with faith. I prefer to continue with prayer and my usual routines, like cooking for my sister.

Daniel Brown

Yeah, that bit about reiki coming from old pagan ideas that the Church already tossed out centuries ago hit home. I used to think it was just some harmless hand thing for stress, like Carlos said, but after the video I see why it's not for us. I'll stick to my morning prayers and baking the prosphora for liturgy.

Grace King

Yeah, that part about the pagan roots really stuck with me too. I remember trying Reiki once years ago for back pain and feeling weird about it afterward, like it was tapping into something I couldn't name. Glad you're sticking with the prayers and the prosphora — nothing beats that quiet rhythm before liturgy.

Lucía Romero

Yes, Carlos, I agree with what you say about Metropolitan Serafim. I also thought that reiki was just a gentle massage until I read how it comes from Buddhist and Shinto ideas that the Church rejected long ago. I'm glad you prefer prayer and cooking for your sister; The same thing happens to me, on Sundays after mass I prepare mole for my dogs and that relaxes me more than any “energy”. Have you ever tried putting your hands alone while praying the Lord's Prayer?

Emma Carter

Yeah, the part about those old pagan ideas getting revived really makes you pause. I tried Reiki once too after a tough hike up in the Gorge that tweaked my knee, and it felt off, like it skipped the whole "ask God first" step. How's the prosphora baking going lately, any new recipes?

Anthony Brown

Yeah, that line about the Church rejecting those pagan revivals centuries ago really cut through the fog for me too. I tried Reiki once after a rough gardening session wrecked my shoulder, thought it was just chill vibes, but now I get why it doesn't line up with asking God for healing first. How's the prosphora coming along these days, still using that old family recipe?

Matthew Young

Yeah, those pagan roots are a real red flag once you start digging. I tried a similar "energy" thing for my shoulder years back after a fishing trip and felt off for days, like it stirred up more than it fixed. Sticking to the prayers before liturgy and that simple prosphora rhythm has been steadier for me too — ever tried lighting a candle for the Theotokos when your back acts up?

Hannah Adams

I remember that same uneasy feeling after a Reiki session for my knee — like it left a vague restlessness I couldn’t shake. The Metropolitan’s point about those old pagan ideas popping up again makes a lot of sense; I’ve found the Jesus Prayer before bed does more for the aches than any of that ever did. Have you tried the small prosphora pieces with a bit of warm wine after the service? It’s become my quiet favourite.

سلمى حداد

Thank you, George, what you say is completely realistic. I also heard about Reiki for years and thought that only light touches helped to relax, but after I followed the bishop’s words, I began to realize how many ideas there are that are far from our faith. The best thing really is daily prayer, baking bread at home, and walking in the park. These things give us true peace without complications.

Μιχάλης Χατζής

Seraphim made it clear: these "alternatives" come from old pagan beliefs that the Church had overcome centuries ago. I used to think that reiki is just relaxing, but after the video I understood why it doesn't fit with prayer and our life. Better to go to the stadium after the service and leave the rest to God.

Sophia Carter

Yeah, that uneasy feeling after the session is exactly what I remember from my one go at it for a bad shoulder a few years back. The Metropolitan nailed it about those old pagan bits sneaking back in. Have you found a particular saint’s prayers help more with the back than others?

Ζωή Λαμπροπούλου

I agree Michael, I too thought reiki was just "energy" with no deeper meaning until I heard Seraphim. That it comes from old pagan roots makes it all the more clear. How did you finally leave it, with a certain book or simply with prayer?

Thank you, George. I liked that you mentioned bread and the garden in particular. I bake with my son every week and we feel like it's a better time than any weird exercise. Have you tried making bread with the thyme we grow on the balcony?

Νίκη Θεοδώρου

I agree with you Zoe, I too had heard of it as some innocent 'energy' until I read about its roots. I left it only with prayer and the Divine Liturgy, without books. Did you finally stop it completely?

Δέσποινα Γεωργίου

Yes Zoe, I too thought it was just a soothing touch until I heard Seraphim talk about his pagan roots. I left it with a prayer and some candles in the church, without reading anything. Have you ever taken a reiki course or just tried it yourself?

Thomas Taylor

Yeah, that "off" feeling after the energy session sounds familiar—my buddy tried something like that for his knee after a long shift on site and said it left him jittery for a week. I stick with the prayers too, especially the ones before liturgy, and a quiet akathist to the Theotokos when my back flares up from lifting. Ever notice how just handling the prosphora dough in the kitchen feels more grounding than all that hand-waving stuff?

Emily Baker

Yeah, that bit about the Church already shutting down those pagan revivals hit me too. I stuck to asking my priest for prayers when my back went out from lifting boxes at the shop instead of trying Reiki. The prosphora's going fine, still using my grandma's old recipe but I cut the yeast a little last batch and it turned out lighter. You baking much these days?

Matthew Carter

Yeah, that "off" feeling rings a bell — I once tried an energy session for a dodgy wrist after a long day gutting fish at the market and felt restless for ages afterwards. The simple rhythm of prayers before liturgy and a bit of quiet time with the prosphora has been far more reliable for me too. Ever notice how just handling the bread dough itself seems to settle the mind before you even say the words?

Γιώργος Βασιλείου

I wish I'd heard it sooner too, Zoe. I left it when I realized that it is not a simple "energy" but something that pulls you away from prayer. I didn't need a book, I just stopped and went more to Agios Nektarios which I have been reading lately. How do you feel now that you have left it?

Elizabeth Johnson

Yeah, that part about the old pagan stuff coming back really stuck with me too. Smart move sticking with your priest’s prayers instead of Reiki—my knees have been acting up from all the standing at the hospital, so I’ve been doing the same. Haven’t baked prosphora in months, but I might try your lighter-yeast tweak next time my turn comes up for the altar. How’s the back holding up now?

Sarah Moore

Yeah, that pagan revival bit really hit home for me too. My knees are fine these days thanks to the priest’s prayers and a heating pad from the pharmacy, but the back’s still stiff after gardening. Let me know how the lighter-yeast prosphora turns out — mine always came out too dense last year.

Paul Smith

Yeah, that part about the old pagan revivals being shut down ages ago really landed with me too. I stuck with asking my priest for prayers when my knee flared up from all the running around the shop instead of chasing energy stuff. How much did you cut the yeast by? Mine always comes out dense if I don't get that right.

Anna Parker

Sarah, the priest’s prayers and that simple heating pad have helped my own knees more than any “energy work” ever could. For the back after gardening, I’ve been trying a warm compress with a bit of arnica gel from the health store — seems to ease the stiffness without all the mystical stuff. How long do you let your prosphora dough rise before baking? Mine still comes out heavy if I rush it.