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...
What the Archbishop fails to note is that according to the principles that Constantinople is so eager to share Australia is the territory of the Russian Patriarchate. The first Orthodox liturgies were celebrated here were by Russian clergy on russian ships in the first 2 decades of the 1800's. Then it was the :Lebanese and Syrians later that century who organised for a place of worship. It was only in the time of the heresarch Metaxis in 1920's did the greeks bother with Australia. We non greek orthodox do get somewhat miffed at the claims that the greeks should have pre eeminence. They are "johnny come lately's".
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