Please forgive this rant.
I don't know why, but it still doesn't cease to amaze me how ridiculous the heirarchs of my former juristiction (EP) can be.
I was so flabergasted, I have this evening ordered my "Orthodoxy or Death!" long sleeve tee-shirt from the cafe store, and I'm writing (yet another) letter to the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Fraternal love is fine, and there is no argument between love and dogma, but I still cannot believe that, after all the protest about what is painfully obvious elementary ecclessiology to the most simple Orthodox Christian Faithful, after all the painful division this is causing in the Orthodox Church, the Phanar still insists there is more than one Church, that the pope heads the "Sister Church" of the Orthodox Church, and blatanly states it on the internet for all to see.
I'm at a loss...really at a loss for words. :ohvey:
George
http://www.ec-patr.gr/deltiotypou/engdi ... ata&lang=1
Message of the Ecumnical Patriarch to Pope John Paul II upon the 40th anniversary of the meeting of Patriarch Athinagoras and Pope Paul VI in Jerusalem.Code: Select all
Your Holiness John Paul II, Pope of the Elder Rome: Rejoice in the Lord. In these days, in which a forty-year period is completed since the historical and blessed meeting in Jerusalem between our predecessors Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras of blessed memory, we turn our thoughts, in gratitude, to their sacred memory and to the vision of the complete union of our sister Churches in the common faith and in the sacraments.It was this vision that they served through brave initiatives and steps. Hence, we assure Your Holiness that the Ecumenical Patriarchate and our Modesty personally are ready to continue these steps until we come into “the unity of the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit.”
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Thus, praying for the long healthy life of Your Holiness, we embrace you and remain with invariable fraternal love and honour. At the Patriarchate, 5 January 2004 Bartholomew of Constantinople[/quote]
