By John Sanidopoulos
Last week after the baffling disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines flight with almost 240 passengers, an alleged prophecy started going viral in Greek attributed to a monk named Daniel who lived in Sinai in the 17th century. Over the past few days it is being translated and distributed in other languages. As far as my opinion is concerned, this is clearly a hoax.
First of all, it is difficult to trace the origins of this alleged prophecy, which is a red flag in itself. Other red flags are the following:
1. It is written in modern demotic Greek without a trace of 17th century Greek.
2. No one seems to know who this monk named Daniel is.
3. There is no source given for the prophecy.
4. It refers to a "Byzantine" flag. 17th century "Greeks" never referred to themselves as "Greeks" nor were they aware of the term "Byzantine". Rather they referred to themselves as Romans and their lost empire as Roman up until the 19th century and the creation of the modern Greek nation.
5. There is a reference to traveling back in time. Not only is there theological and scientific issues with this, but even such a concept of the possibility of traveling back in time is very modern and in the realm of science fiction.
6. The monk depicted in the photo that is being circulated with this prophecy is Elder Daniel of Katounakia. This Holy Elder lived in the early 20th century on Mount Athos. He never wrote down any prophecies, but instead he was distinguished as a spiritual father with great discernment, and he is even known for exposing such false prophecies and end-time hysteria.
Below is the post circulated (my translation), and beneath is my interpretation of key terms:
The Prophecy of Elder Daniel Confirmed
The monk Daniel lived in the monastery of Sinai in the late 17th century ...
"The bird will be suddenly lost above the slit-eyed and will travel back in time. Many will search but they will not find. Then war will catch from above. The Orthodox will unite and vanquish the Frank and the Tiara. The short Muscovite together with our own will raise once again the Byzantine flag of the Queen City at the hour the Turks are leaving to save their race in Crimea."
"Το πουλί θα χαθεί ξαφνικά πάνω από τους σχιστομάτηδες και θα ταξιδέψει πίσω στο χρόνο. Πολλοί θα ψάχνουν αλλά δεν θα βρίσκουν. Τότε ο πόλεμος θα πιαστεί από πάνω. Οι ορθόδοξοι θα ενωθούν και θα κατατροπώσουν τον Φράγκο και την Τιάρα. Ο κοντός Μόσκοβος μαζί με τους δικούς μας θα υψώσουν ξανά την βυζαντινή σημαία στην Βασιλεύουσα την ώρα που θα φεύγουν οι Τούρκοι να σώσουν τη φυλή τους στην Κριμαία."
Interpretation of key words:
The bird = Malaysia Airlines
Slit-eyed = a term for Asians
Frank = Roman Catholics
Tiara = Muslims
Short Muscovite = Vladimir Putin
Our own = Greece
Queen City = Istanbul (Constantinople)
BEWARE OF INTERNET PROPHECIES!
Update: On March 22, 2014 a statement was published by the fathers of the Sacred Monastery of Saint Katherine of Mount Sinai, originally issued on March 18th, regarding this false prophecy hoax (see here). They stressed that a charismatic monk named Daniel did not live in their Monastery in the 17th century, nor since that time. They call this "prophecy" false, based on the obvious fact of using the term "Byzantine" in the 17th century.
The statement also said:
"The Gospel forewarns us of the phenomenon of false prophecies, and the occupation with them are characterized as a twisted and ill religiosity even in our own times (Matt. 24), which particularly likes futuristic articulations and predictions. The Church, knowing that genuine prophecies are a gift of the Holy Spirit, explains and guides us through the mouth of the Apostle Paul: 'Are all prophets? Are all teachers? ... Are all interpreters? Seek then the higher gifts. ... there remain faith, hope and love - these three things' (1 Cor. 12:29-13:33)."
The statement also said:
"The Gospel forewarns us of the phenomenon of false prophecies, and the occupation with them are characterized as a twisted and ill religiosity even in our own times (Matt. 24), which particularly likes futuristic articulations and predictions. The Church, knowing that genuine prophecies are a gift of the Holy Spirit, explains and guides us through the mouth of the Apostle Paul: 'Are all prophets? Are all teachers? ... Are all interpreters? Seek then the higher gifts. ... there remain faith, hope and love - these three things' (1 Cor. 12:29-13:33)."