[Greek] ψηφίζω (psēphizō), [Latin] calculare

[Greek] ψηφίζω (psēphizō), [Latin] calculare: to vote, to count, to compute, to calculate, to count with pebbles, to figure out: Lk.14:28, Rev.13:18

Pope Pius X calculated (prophesied) that the Modernists (and later Synodalists) would take over leadership of the Church. The current crisis between the SSPX and the Vatican illustrates this division between traditionalists and Modernists/Synodalists in the Church.

Background information:

Greek Hellenism: This term means to count or calculate with a stone, to reach a verdict (decision), and to condemn.

Psephos (small stones):

1. These stones were used in board games, counting, voting, astrology, and magic.
2. A stone was synonymous with a voice (and opinion).
3. The process of voting often occurred by placing a stone in an urn.
4. Making a decision or having the resolve occurs in many situations and contexts.
5. Political and government leaders vote (make decrees) with their authority.
6. Ostracism: The ancient Greeks sometimes voted whether or not to expel or banish a person from Athens. They voted with a broken pottery shard (ostrakon).

Xenophon’s Hellenica 1.7.9:  “Cast their vote (stone) into the urn.”

Herodotus’ The Histories 2.36.4:  “Calculate from left to right.”

Aeschines’ On the Embassy 2.84:  “Put the motion to a vote.”

Lysias’ Against Eratosthenes 12.44:  “What measures be passed by their votes.”

Antiphon’s Against the Stepmother for Poisoning 1.12:  “To find them guilty.”

Ostracism: In a related matter with voting, the ancient Greeks sometimes voted whether or not to expel or banish a person from Athens. The Greeks voted with a broken pottery shard (ostrakon). Those persons, who were forced to leave, were ostracized.

Old Testament: This term means to reckon or to count.

New Testament: This term, found only twice, means to calculate and to figure out.

Scripture

Lk.14:28: “Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?”

1. Jesus begins with discussing what it means to be a disciple.
2. This requires removing attachments to family and possessions which stand in the way for a total commitment for being a disciple.
3. This acceptance demands readiness to accept persecution and suffering.
4. Like calculating the cost of constructing a tower, this decision requires a realistic assessment of the hardships and costs for such a commitment.

Rev.13:18: “Wisdom is needed here; one who understands can calculate the number of the beast, for it is a number that stands for a person. His number is 666.” (This number represents man, imperfection, incompleteness, and evil in their most superlative form of imperfection.)

ψῆφος (psēphos), [Latin] sententia

Acts 26:10: “I am imprisoned many of the holy ones with the authorization I received from the chief priests, and when they were to be put to death, I cast my vote [voice] against them.” (Paul [Saul] was a zealous Pharisee persecuting the Christians. Paul imprisonment of the them illustrates the severe persecution the early Church faced. Paul’s vote suggests that he was perhaps a member of the Sanhedrin or had great influence in its decisions.)

Rev.2:17: “To the victor I shall give some of the hidden manna; I shall also give a white amulet (stone) upon which is inscribed a new name.”

1. Pergamum was known for its devotion to the cult of Augustus Caesar and the goddess Roma.
2. This city earned the reputation for the “throne of Satan”.
3. The Church is chided for following the Nicolaitans who practiced a watered-down Christianity involved with paganism, worldliness, sin, and tolerance.
4. To those who have overcome these influences (obstacles), an amulet (stone) was given as a token of victory for perseverance and faithfulness.
5. Being given a new name reflects the believer’s new life in Christ and unique identity in the kingdom of God.

συμψηφίζω (sumpsephizo), [Latin] invenire:

Acts 19:19: “A large number of those who practiced magic collected their books and burned them in public. They calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand silver pieces.”

1. Ephesus was known to be involved with sorcery, occult practices, and magic arts.
2. The act of bringing out these books indicates a public renunciation of their past practices and a commitment to their new faith.
3. The public calculation of these books’ value underscores the significant sacrifice made by these believers. This indicates their sincerity of their conversion.
4. This enormous sum indicates the extensive nature of this practice. This event also illustrates the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about radical change.

Timeline of the recent conflict with Vatican II/Synodal Church vs. the SSPX:

1. The SSPX masterfully pointed out the Modernist/Synodal errors, human traditions, questionable ecumenism, and heresies since Vatican II.
2. Pope Leo issued a personal appeal to the SSPX to not consecrate bishops.
3. The SSPX defied the pope and consecrated four bishops.
4. The Vatican declared the SSPX to be in schism. The Vatican enacted severe penalties on all SSPX priests, clergy. The Vatican warned that laity face potential excommunication.
5. The SSPX formally rejected the Vatican as invalid. They defended the ordinations as act of absolute necessity to preserve Catholic tradition during a time of doctrinal crisis.
6. The SSPX declares it is ready to obey the pope, provided that its order do not adhere to the modernist doctrines of Vatican II and the post-conciliar period.

Conclusions: This draws attention to current situation of the post-Conciliar/Synodal Church

1. This crisis points out how far Vatican II/Synodality has strayed away from Church teachings.
2. This crisis becomes the primary purpose and reason for the SSPX to consecrate new bishops.
3. The Vatican, declaring the SSPX to be in schism, uses the post-Conciliar/Synodal Church as a moral measuring stick for Catholic teaching.
4. The SSPX uses traditional Catholic teachings a moral measuring stick for Catholic teaching.
5. This crisis continues to illustrate the great doctrinal divide between traditional Catholic teaching and post Conciliar/Synodal Catholic teaching.
6. The SSPX indicates its fidelity to the pope, but not to modernist doctrines.

Conclusion:

Calculate, calculation

It was interesting to discover that the ancient Greeks used stones (pebbles) in settling and deciding important matters. Not surprisingly, stones were also used in board games. Aside from stones, I found many examples pertaining to making decisions, condemning prisoners, and implementing decrees.

This term is used less frequently in the Old Testament. However, the Hellenistic philosophers Philo and Josephus make frequent references to resolving and decreeing.

666: In Jn.6:66, many disciples walked away when Jesus claimed that one must eat His Body and drink His Blood. In a sense, you could say that the devil made the disciples walk away. (The devil made them do it?)

WARNING—USELESS WORDS ALERT–  (These words certainly get my vote for this distinction!)

Psephology: the statistical study of elections and trends in voting.

Psephologist: one who studies elections and electoral trends. (Frank Luntz, Karl Rowe, Larry Sabato, Nate Silver )

Ostrakon: pottery shard used in voting.

People who were given new names: Mary ==>Full of Grace, Abram ==> Abraham, Sarai ==> Sarah, Jacob ==> Israel, Simon ==> Peter,

Update: A vast majority of Americans (Republicans and Democrats) support the Save America Act. Yet, the Congress have not still have not passed it.

Homosexuality/Sodomy continues to play a prominent role in the Church:

1. A Synodal study group has claimed that the homosexuality is no longer sinful. Not surprisingly, the Vatican had to dissociate itself from this Synodal study.
2. Pope continue to appoint scandalous bishops who claim that sodomy is not longer sinful.

Why did Pope Leo select this bishop who says sodomy is no longer sinful? Perhaps Pope Leo has calculated that people are open to changing doctrine?? If so, that is scandalous!

Pope Leo believes that attitudes can change Church doctrine. Let that sink in. Pope Leo is open to the idea that immutable Church teachings can change. Perhaps that is also why there will be continuous Synodal study groups to see what people will accept next.

Many scandalous and pro-LGBTQ clergy will eventually discover the costs for ignoring or refusing to state Church teachings against. They will most likely be severely examined at their judgment in heaven.

In their effort to promote their Synodal ideology, many clergy continue to implement Traditiones Custodes in their efforts to marginalize the Catholic faithful.

In a counter-response to Synodality and doctrinal and liturgical confusion, there continues a Holy Spirit inspired organic movement (inside the Church) toward Tradition and the TLM.

Many have not fully realized that Traditiones Custodes appears to be the only administrative tool in the “Synodal toolbox” to try to stop the TLM. Aside from that, they are NOT able to stop this movement. (Acts 5:38-39) What comes from God cannot be stopped!

Like the Nicolaitans, the Vatican/Synodal Church also have implemented a more watered-down Catholicism, influenced by human traditions, redefining sin, worldliness, “smoke of Satan”, and questionable ecumenism.

In Maine, many Democrats/leftists/socialists evidently believe that political ideology (socialism and communism) should take precedence over moral character. Graham Platner was forced to withdraw from the race.

The political leftists in the Democratic party actually think that their ideology will be embraced by the moderates in their party. This is how the Democratic Party will continue to lose national seats.

The Synodal Church, beholden to the LGBTQ community (lobby) refuses to remove its attachment to de-stigmatizing and normalizing homosexuality (sodomy) in the Church.

California has intentionally have made a mockery of their elections. These politicians have actually embedded their fraudulent practices into their laws.

President Trump and Trump supporters have been continually ostracized by opponents. This is called Trump Derangement Syndrome.

“We count on God’s mercy to give and not count the cost.” St. Ignatius of Loyola

“Counting on her [the Church] with the crucified Christ for the strength to voluntary accept and love the suffering as an authentic path to sainthood.” St. John Paul II

https://fsspx.org/en/publications/declaration-catholic-faith-addressed-pope-leo-xiv-59111 

https://x.com/silerenonpossum/status/2073070370710532264/photo/1

https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2026/06/breaking-pope-leo-xiv-writes-i-plead.html