I suppose you can question the propriety of this. However, it is no more odd than the presence of Orthodox bishops at the coronation (assuming in advance). Also, the article vaguely hints at family connections to the Middle East but utterly fails to point out that the Kings grandmother, Princess Alice, is buried at the Monastery of Mary Magdalen.
I'm not sure that I do view it as improper, though it is certainly not normative. Does this cross a line into the realm of communicatio in sacris? The late Queen was (since 1978) the last religiously consecrated and crowned monarch in Christendom. Charles will soon take up that inheritance. Many Orthodox Christians will tell you that the anointing of a monarch is a sacrament of the Church. But there are no Orthodox monarchs left. And as far as I am aware, this is an Anglican party. Any Orthodox on hand will be merely guests. Sharing Holy Chrism to my mind is not quite on the same level as sharing Communion or any of the other sacraments. And Thomas is quite correct. The British Royal Family has strong ties to the Greek Royal Family through Prince Philip among others. Charles has always shown a friendly attitude towards Orthodoxy. So much so, that he used to spend long periods on Mt. Athos in seclusion and has been a patron of a number of churches and monasteries.
For now, I'm inclined to view this as a highly unusual gesture of good will to the new King and leave it at that.
Unusual, sure. But, I agree with John. Charles also has ties to the Russian Imperial Family through both his great (1 or 2 x, can't remember off hand) Aunt, St. Elizabeth the New Martyr (a granddaughter of Queen Victoria) and his Father (also related to the Imperial Family and whose DNA has been used in the scientific research to determine the authenticity of the Ekaterinburg remains). Even setting aside the speculative rumors about his or his late father's relationship to Orthodoxy, H.M. the King has been a friend towards Orthodoxy, recognizing it not only as a part of his own heritage but as representing a valuable and efficacious expression of Christianity. So, in a bit of speculation, if the Oil of Annointing, to be used in a Rite codified by an Orthodox Saint (Dunstan) according to the pattern of the Rite used to Crown the Eastern Christian Roman Emperors, has been consecrated by an Orthodox Patriarch, to be used on the only remaining "annointed" King in the world, who knows what God might do through it. It isn't like Britain doesn't need an "infusion" of renewed Christianity.
All very interesting. But let's remember that there is still a King of Sweeden and a few other places, too. With the exception of the Saudis and the Brits though I think few have the $$$'s to attract attention.... or bother to care about chrism or Christ. There's a part of me that wants to know more, and maybe a larger part where ignorance is bliss.
Strange
ReplyDeleteI suppose you can question the propriety of this. However, it is no more odd than the presence of Orthodox bishops at the coronation (assuming in advance). Also, the article vaguely hints at family connections to the Middle East but utterly fails to point out that the Kings grandmother, Princess Alice, is buried at the Monastery of Mary Magdalen.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that I do view it as improper, though it is certainly not normative. Does this cross a line into the realm of communicatio in sacris? The late Queen was (since 1978) the last religiously consecrated and crowned monarch in Christendom. Charles will soon take up that inheritance. Many Orthodox Christians will tell you that the anointing of a monarch is a sacrament of the Church. But there are no Orthodox monarchs left. And as far as I am aware, this is an Anglican party. Any Orthodox on hand will be merely guests. Sharing Holy Chrism to my mind is not quite on the same level as sharing Communion or any of the other sacraments. And Thomas is quite correct. The British Royal Family has strong ties to the Greek Royal Family through Prince Philip among others. Charles has always shown a friendly attitude towards Orthodoxy. So much so, that he used to spend long periods on Mt. Athos in seclusion and has been a patron of a number of churches and monasteries.
ReplyDeleteFor now, I'm inclined to view this as a highly unusual gesture of good will to the new King and leave it at that.
Unusual, sure. But, I agree with John. Charles also has ties to the Russian Imperial Family through both his great (1 or 2 x, can't remember off hand) Aunt, St. Elizabeth the New Martyr (a granddaughter of Queen Victoria) and his Father (also related to the Imperial Family and whose DNA has been used in the scientific research to determine the authenticity of the Ekaterinburg remains).
ReplyDeleteEven setting aside the speculative rumors about his or his late father's relationship to Orthodoxy, H.M. the King has been a friend towards Orthodoxy, recognizing it not only as a part of his own heritage but as representing a valuable and efficacious expression of Christianity.
So, in a bit of speculation, if the Oil of Annointing, to be used in a Rite codified by an Orthodox Saint (Dunstan) according to the pattern of the Rite used to Crown the Eastern Christian Roman Emperors, has been consecrated by an Orthodox Patriarch, to be used on the only remaining "annointed" King in the world, who knows what God might do through it. It isn't like Britain doesn't need an "infusion" of renewed Christianity.
All very interesting. But let's remember that there is still a King of Sweeden and a few other places, too. With the exception of the Saudis and the Brits though I think few have the $$$'s to attract attention.... or bother to care about chrism or Christ. There's a part of me that wants to know more, and maybe a larger part where ignorance is bliss.
ReplyDelete