The Thyateira Confession, pg.61

尼古拉前执事 · Post by **尼古拉前执事** » Mon 15 March 2004 1:50 pm

I found this on the Paradosis list today and was shocked at how anti-Patristic and anti-Canonical this is.

Orthodox Christians believe that the following Churches have valid and true Priesthood or Orders: The Orthodox, the Roman Cathoic, the Ethiopian, the Copto-Armenian and the Anglican. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Patriarchate of Alexandria, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Patriarchate of Romania and the Church of Cyprus half a century ago* declared officially that the Anglican Church has valid Orders by dispensation and that means that Anglican Bishops, Priests and Deacons can perform valid Sacraments as can those of the Roman Catholic Church. (The Thyateira Confession, pg.61. PUBLISHED WITH THE BLESSING AND AUTHORISATION OF THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLE) *This was done after the change of the Church calendar.

尼古拉前执事 · Post by **尼古拉前执事** » Mon 15 March 2004 1:53 pm

The Russian Church Abroad's Anathema on Ecumenism wrote:
"Those who attack the Church of Christ by teaching that Christ's Church is divided into so-called "branches" which differ in doctrine and way of life, or that the Church does not exist visibly, but will be formed in the future when all "branches" or sects or denominations, and even religions will be united into one body; and who do not distinguish the priesthood and mysteries of the Church from those of the heretics, but say that the baptism and eucharist of heretics is effectual for salvation; therefore, to those who knowingly have communion with these aforementioned heretics or who advocate, disseminate, or defend their new heresy of Ecumenism under the pretext of brotherly love or the supposed unification of separated Christians, Anathema!"

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Mon 15 March 2004 1:58 pm

Ack Also important (but often overlooked) in the 1983 anathema is the word "defend". Saying "well, we don't really believe that, it's just a piece of paper" doesn't make things ok. To even defend ecumenism was included in the anathema. I am not the one to apply the anathema and decide who falls under it: I do not say this because I wish to judge. I say it because it is fearful, and should not be overlooked.

Mor Ephrem · Post by **Mor Ephrem** » Mon 15 March 2004 4:44 pm

What on earth is a "Copto-Armenian"?!

Joseph D · Post by **Joseph D** » Wed 17 March 2004 10:07 am

Are we to apply the method of division here and find a difference between a theory of dispensational validity and one of providencial validity? It is an argument we find in the NT regarding Samaritans on the side of dispensation, and Jews on the side of Providence. We find the same thing in St. Clement of Alexandria with the Christians on the side of Providence, and the Greek pagan inheritance on the side of dispensation. I hesitate here to explore St. Paul's letter to the Romans 2:13-15, for a very great amount of ink has already been spilled over the centuries in endeavor to explain it:

Romans 2

(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

I suppose this could be read to support either side of any argument, as is the general nature of Scripture...

Sincerely:
Joseph

尼古拉前执事 · Wed 17 March 2004 12:34 pm

Mor Ephrem wrote:
What on earth is a "Copto-Armenian"?!

I think it is Thyateira slang for Monophysite