Western Europe archdiocese goes to Phanar to discuss status

(AROC-WE) - A delegation, composed of Archpriest Alexander Fostiropoulos (London), Archdeacon Vsevolod Borzakovsky (Rome) and Professor Cyrille Sollogoub (Paris) was warmly received by His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in the presence of Metropolitan Emmanuel of France .

The delegation handed over to H.H. the Ecumenical Patriarch the letter written by the Council of the Archdiocese, following the Extraordinary General Assembly of 23 February 2019, which refused to accept the dissolution of the Archdiocese by nearly 93% of the votes.

A constructive exchange has begun; it is planned to continue this consultation to consider the future of the Archdiocese.

Comments

  1. Matvey CassApril 3, 2019 at 1:46 AM

    Patriarch Bartholomew doesn't look too happy...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SojournerApril 3, 2019 at 3:40 AM

      Does he ever smile? He has that much in common with Russians at least

      Delete
  2. VanOldenPhattApril 3, 2019 at 10:47 AM

    Could someone please explain what the Rue Daru sees in the Fener? What is there to talk about? Do they feel as though they are cast adrift without Fener imprimatur? Is the prospect of functioning as an Autocephalous Church (or joining one) frighten them?

    At this point what real purpose other than self-preservation does the Fener serve? Who depends on them for anything real? The GOA (recently deprived of its Synod by the Fener to prevent independence arising)?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael LApril 3, 2019 at 12:57 PM

      The EP would need to give his blessing for Autocephaly or to leave to anyone but the MP (not in communion) for that matter. Autocephaly is one option they would love to have on the table.

      You would find the same reaction if you told the OCA or most of ROCOR that they leave-to/disolve into the MP. A concern of that the Russia-centric culture of MP may stifle the unique local identity (i.e. French with russian roots), a concern about the political influence on the MP, and the lack of local autonomy (see how many bishops get shuffled in the diaspora by the MP). Finally you will find a concern that the Neo-Patristic theology would be stifled by the literal-patristic school that dominates the MP (less so among ROCOR). Remaining autonomous under the EP offer them the best chance of this. Most of the same issues come up being dissolved into the EP.

      I suspect the next best option would be to negotiate a autonomous church for Western Europe (France, Belgium etc) that combines the Ukrainian, Georgian & Albanian Exarchates. This is basically saying to apply fairly the rational your giving us. If not to negotiate with the MP.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

EP calls different Paschal dates a "scandal"

( Orthodox Times ) - Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew extended in his homily his heartfelt wishes to all the non-Orthodox Christians who celebrated the Holy Easter on Sunday, March 31, after presiding over the Sunday Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Theodore of the Community of Vlanga. “On this day, the timeless message of the Resurrection resonates more profoundly than ever, as our non-Orthodox Christian brethren and sisters commemorate the resurrection of our Lord from the dead, celebrating Holy Easter. We have already sent our representatives to all the Christian Communities of the confessions here, to extend our heartfelt wishes of the Holy Great Church of Christ and our Patriarchal congratulations. But also from this position we extend a heartfelt greeting of love to all Christians around the world who celebrate Holy Easter today. We beseech the Lord of Glory that the forthcoming Easter celebration next year will not merely be a fortuitous occurrence, but rather the beginning...
Read more

Coptic Church SUSPENDS dialogue with Catholic Church

Image
( OCP ) - Cairo – Egypt: The plenary session of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church was held on March 07.2024, at the Logos Center at the Papal Residence in the Monastery of Saint Anba Bishoy in Wadi Natroun, headed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, and attended by 110 of its 133 members. His Holiness the Pope delivered a speech at the opening of the session, in which he spoke about the importance of fruit in the life and service of the shepherd through “the parable of the unfruitful fig tree” (Luke 13:6-9). The main committees of the Holy Synod held their annual meetings starting last Monday and for three days, at the papal headquarters in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Abbasiya, to discuss the reports submitted to them by their subcommittees.  It issued its recommendations, which were presented to the members of the Academy in today’s plenary session for approval. The Church announced its opinion on the issue of “homosexuality” through a statement issued by the Holy Synod (to b...
Read more

"Those people in the back" - a quandary

Image
"I am the door. By me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture." - John 10:9 At every parish where I have had the pleasure of attending services, there is always a small group of people who find their way all the way up to the church building but don't actually attend services. At one parish it was a group of male gypsies who talked on cellphones or smoked cigarettes. At another it was a few Protestant husbands who, though they never attended services, opened the parish doors for people as they filed in. At yet another parish the men stood in the narthex and chatted until it was time to receive and then got in line. Latin or Greek Catholic, Eastern or Oriental Orthodox I see the same small throng of men standing next to the front door, but not standing, sitting, or kneeling amongst the people. If it were me (and I can only speak for myself here) this option would be an unsavory one. The boredom would be immediate. The anxiety of som...
Read more