We have already discussed Met. Raphael in other threads and debunked the accusation that Met. Raphael is into New Age practices. The use of herbs and reflexology is not New Age. Besides, the topic of discussion is Father Michael Woods, not Met. Raphael.
However, there is a "so-called" Great Council 2016 document that has been recently produced by world orthodox hierarchs who claim that the use of herbs is the practice of witchcraft. Not only is this is an obvious attempt to discourage and prevent the use of alternative medicine (herbs, supplements, chiropractic, and reflexology) in favor of western medicine, but also this would allow priests to excommunicate those who practice or use herbs, reflexology, chiropractic or any alternative medicine. With their vast armory of dangerous fluoridated drugs including antibiotics (Keflex, Cipro and Zithromax) and most psychoactive drugs that cross the brain barrier and leave one with a foggy mind, pharmaceutical companies cannot be trusted. I speak from experience because about 20 years ago, I was on Cipro and crashed my car into some rocks due to confusion and brain fog. Only after I complained to the pharmacist did he put a warning label on my prescription bottle, after the fact, of course, advising me not to drive or operate any heavy machinery. Since that time, I have refused Cipro and any drug because I now have a chemical sensitivity to any fluoridated drug as it leaves me severely incapacitated with gastro-intestinal cramps and dysfunction, sweats, tremors, migraine headaches, and hives all over my body. Basically I go into anaphylactic shock like a rat with symptoms of fluoride poisoning.
Since the MP's representative has recently signed this Great Council of 2016 document, this shows that the MP and the ROCOR are now against alternative medicine and that both agree that the use of herbs is an occult practice. Therefore, anyone who uses herbs, and that includes myself, can be charged with witchcraft, so if any of us were to purchase an over-the-counter medicine that contains peppermint and eucalyptus oil to help relieve cold symptoms, this would now be considered witchcraft. Lord have mercy.
For more information about the Pre-Great Council 2016 document that condemns alternative medicine as witchcraft:
http://www.euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/vi ... 415#p61415