Orthodox Priest-Guitarist Addresses Controversy Amid Accusations of Homophobia

Father Dionysios Tabakis, a Greek Orthodox priest and drone-metal guitarist, has responded to accusations of homophobia linked to blog posts that use derogatory language towards the LGBTQ+ community. The posts, published in 2024 on the blog "The Doors The Doors," label gay individuals as “Sodomites” and criticize the legalization of gay marriage in Greece as a “sodomitic monstrosity.”

In a statement obtained by Pitchfork, Tabakis expresses his adherence to traditional Orthodox beliefs while emphasizing the need for love and acceptance of homosexuals, acknowledging their struggles with rejection. He states, “I don’t like to hide what I believe… We owe homosexual people love and acceptance.” Despite this, he refers to same-sex attraction as a “sin,” adding, “It is better to sin with freedom than to be virtuous with oppression.”

Tabakis also faces scrutiny for his past involvement with Golden Dawn, a now-designated criminal neo-Nazi group in Greece, where he performed a blessing ceremony in 2013. He defends this action by explaining it was a standard practice for local priests, asserting his disdain for nationalism.

As he prepares for his debut live performance at Philadelphia’s Making Time ∞ festival next month, Tabakis reflects on the disparities between his beliefs and those prevalent in contemporary music culture.

Source: pitchfork.com