Ephraim (Moraitis) of Arizona

Elder Ephraim of Arizona was abbot of the monastery of Philotheou on Mount Athos and founder of monasteries in the Americas, under Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. A noted conservative ecumenist, Elder Epraim gave his numerous followers teachings which amounted to disobedience to the teachings and practices of their own (heretical) hierarchs while insisting at the same time that they must never break with the official patriarch under any circumstances.

Elder Ephraim was famous for numerous visions and prophecies which supposedly proved his ecclesiology. He was almost universally lauded as a saint by World Orthodox during his own life. Since his repose, he is often referred to as “Saint” Ephraim and his visions and alleged posthumous appearances are invoked by conservative ecumenists.

One of the myths he is particularly notable for is a variant of the Marble King myth, in which he claimed that Emperor Saint John III Doukas Vatatzes will rise from the dead in World War 3 and rebuild the Eastern Roman Empire. This lie is quite typical of those told by Elder Ephraim and others such as Elder Paisios, who told of how Christ would soon change the crew of His ship, in order to pacify conservatives into remaining where they are and waiting for the heretics to be removed from power.

He had been a disciple of Saint Joseph the Hesychast.

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