Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece (+ 2008) was absolutely clear on the distinct roles of faith and science.
Speaking at a scientific conference on organ transplantation, he remarked that "in our Orthodox Church we do not confuse Science with Faith and Religion. I could say, paraphrasing the word of the Lord, that we practice 'render the things of science unto science and the things of God unto God.' Our Church, during the centuries of the birth and development of modern science, not only did not oppose its discoveries, but its clergy themselves translated the new scientific data into Greek and were the teachers of the nation in its very difficult time of slavery to the Ottomans... In our Church you will not find cases of condemnation, such as those of Giordano Bruno or Galileo. On the contrary, you will find Aristotle and Plato, Solon and Thucydides painted in the exonarthex of its churches... For our part, we rejoice in the successes and in the progress of science and technology, and we do not hesitate to capitalize on their achievements."
At the same time, he did not negotiate the right to "express our opinions on issues that in our opinion affect man, as the image of God, and his rights in life."
Addressing students of Theology, he spoke about the way the Church perceives science and the common danger faced by believers and atheists: "If he tries to mix faith or atheism with science and logic he will commit a great mistake. Orthodox Theology avoided its conflict with science due to the double epistemological methodology of the Orthodox Fathers, which is based on the ontological distinction between the created and the uncreated. Orthodox Theology also treats science with respect, but within its limits and possibilities. He considers it a gift from God: 'God gave science to human beings, so that we would praise Him for the miracles He performs' (Sirach 38:6). As such a gift, he accepts it in thanksgiving to the Divine Giver, chooses it without fear, uses its findings and fruits to help man."
Addressing those who falsify and interpret the Holy Fathers according to their will and not according to the interpretation of the Church, in order to shield their negativism, demonizing every new scientific achievement, he was categorical: "I disagree with those who argue that because the Holy Fathers of our Church did not talk about the Science and Research of our days or saw certain issues scientifically with the knowledge of their time, it means that we either cannot talk about them or that we have to insist on their scientific understandings. The Holy Fathers gave us intelligence, the Rules of life, they gave us the model of love and above all they taught us discernment in our lives. On the basis of this inheritance we proceed and open ourselves to the sea of personal and social life. For the Church is in a state of movement, it does not have a static character. If this were to happen, she would be a fossil and would not be able to fulfill her duties, nor communicate with her flock."
Finally, he sends a clear message to that portion of scientists who disrespect the right of people to believe in God's saving Grace: "The Church is not afraid of education and science. After all, in her history we have brilliant minds of science who expressed their deepest religiosity. Let me remind you of this well-known scholar, who said: 'A little science distances you from God but a lot of science brings you nearer to Him' (Louis Pasteur). The more man measures the universe, the more he enters into the mysteries of the world, the more he recognizes the existence of God. Half-knowledge is what often makes man think he knows everything and, therefore, question this God."
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
Speaking at a scientific conference on organ transplantation, he remarked that "in our Orthodox Church we do not confuse Science with Faith and Religion. I could say, paraphrasing the word of the Lord, that we practice 'render the things of science unto science and the things of God unto God.' Our Church, during the centuries of the birth and development of modern science, not only did not oppose its discoveries, but its clergy themselves translated the new scientific data into Greek and were the teachers of the nation in its very difficult time of slavery to the Ottomans... In our Church you will not find cases of condemnation, such as those of Giordano Bruno or Galileo. On the contrary, you will find Aristotle and Plato, Solon and Thucydides painted in the exonarthex of its churches... For our part, we rejoice in the successes and in the progress of science and technology, and we do not hesitate to capitalize on their achievements."
At the same time, he did not negotiate the right to "express our opinions on issues that in our opinion affect man, as the image of God, and his rights in life."
Addressing students of Theology, he spoke about the way the Church perceives science and the common danger faced by believers and atheists: "If he tries to mix faith or atheism with science and logic he will commit a great mistake. Orthodox Theology avoided its conflict with science due to the double epistemological methodology of the Orthodox Fathers, which is based on the ontological distinction between the created and the uncreated. Orthodox Theology also treats science with respect, but within its limits and possibilities. He considers it a gift from God: 'God gave science to human beings, so that we would praise Him for the miracles He performs' (Sirach 38:6). As such a gift, he accepts it in thanksgiving to the Divine Giver, chooses it without fear, uses its findings and fruits to help man."
Addressing those who falsify and interpret the Holy Fathers according to their will and not according to the interpretation of the Church, in order to shield their negativism, demonizing every new scientific achievement, he was categorical: "I disagree with those who argue that because the Holy Fathers of our Church did not talk about the Science and Research of our days or saw certain issues scientifically with the knowledge of their time, it means that we either cannot talk about them or that we have to insist on their scientific understandings. The Holy Fathers gave us intelligence, the Rules of life, they gave us the model of love and above all they taught us discernment in our lives. On the basis of this inheritance we proceed and open ourselves to the sea of personal and social life. For the Church is in a state of movement, it does not have a static character. If this were to happen, she would be a fossil and would not be able to fulfill her duties, nor communicate with her flock."
Finally, he sends a clear message to that portion of scientists who disrespect the right of people to believe in God's saving Grace: "The Church is not afraid of education and science. After all, in her history we have brilliant minds of science who expressed their deepest religiosity. Let me remind you of this well-known scholar, who said: 'A little science distances you from God but a lot of science brings you nearer to Him' (Louis Pasteur). The more man measures the universe, the more he enters into the mysteries of the world, the more he recognizes the existence of God. Half-knowledge is what often makes man think he knows everything and, therefore, question this God."
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.