From the recent single issue meeting of the Holy Synod of Antioch...
THE DECISION REGARDING THE AMENDING OF ARTICLES CONCERNING BISHOPS ACCORDING TO THE BY-LAWS OF HE PATRIARCHATE
CHAPTER VI, THE BISHOPS
Article 75: The Patriarch is the reference point of all bishops in Damascus, Patriarchal Monasteries and Vicariates; and they are under his authority[.]
Article 76: The Metropolitan is the point of reference of all bishops in his Archdiocese and they are under his authority.
Article 77: All bishops within the Antiochian See are auxiliary bishops and are directly under their spiritual authority.
Article 78: The Metropolitan defines the responsibilities of the bishops and the place where they should serve. The bishop does not do anything contrary to the will of the Metropolitan.
Article 79: The aforementioned articles 75, 76, 77 and 78 are applicable in all Antiochian Archdioceses and whatever contradicts these articles is null and void.
Issued by the Holy Synod of Antioch, Damascus, February 24, 2009
Signed by:
His Beatitude, IGNATIUS IV, Patriarch
His Eminence, ILYAS, Tripoli
His Eminence, ELIA, Hama
His Eminence, ELIAS, Tyre and Sidon
His Eminence, GEORGE, Homs
His Eminence, PAUL, Australia
His Eminence, DAMASKINOS, Brazil
His Eminence, ESPER, Houran
His Eminence, BASILIOS, Akkar
Source
Does anyone have any idea what is going on here? My warning radar is flashing red right now. Maybe it is a false alarm.
Hat tip to Bill (aka The Godfather)
The Antiochians I've talked to trust Met Philip implicitly and believe that if anything is going on it's at his requests and for the good of his flock.
ReplyDeleteOne person told me, "this is how we were just a few years ago, there must have been some reason to revert."
I have always thought that Metr Philip is a good man, and I still think so. But this is not necessarily Metr Philip's doing, nor do we know whether it was done with his consent or over his objection. Of course Metr Philip enjoys the trust and confidence of the great majority of his clergy and laity, but the question is, does he enjoy the trust and confidence of Patr Ignatius and the other members of the Holy Synod? On the face of it, it would appear that he does not.
ReplyDeleteI note that several members of the Holy Synod signed the document, but Metr Philip's signature is not on it. I don't know if that means anything or not, but I could not help but notice it. And I have to wonder if this means that the highly-touted autonomy of the Antiochian Archdioces has been revoked.
I wish we had a straight story and I bet I am not the only one.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteI wish we had a straight story and I bet I am not the only one.
I guarantee your not the only one.
In ICXC
John
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ReplyDeleteWell we know that Antioch is in Charge and that none of our bishops were present.
ReplyDeleteIt may just be the American in me but no taxation without representation.
If you're interested in a pretty damning story on all of this, take the time to read through the excellent and well-researched Timeline that a group of Orthodox attorneys posted on their site: http://www.orthodoxattorneys.org/resources.html. It's the "straight story" Chris is looking for.
ReplyDeleteOnce you read through it, you don't need to be a rocket scientist to connect the dots as to the story, here.