"We have concluded that when the principle of racial division (i.e. phyletism) is juxtaposed with the teaching of the Gospel and the constant practice of the Church, it is not only foreign to it, but also completely opposed, to it. We decree the following in the Holy Spirit: 1. We reject and condemn racial division, that is, racial differences, national quarrels and disagreements in the Church of Christ, as being contrary to the teaching of the Gospel and the holy canons of our blessed fathers, on which the holy Church is established and which adorn human society and lead it to Divine piety. 2. In accordance with the holy canons, we proclaim that those who accept such division according to races and who dare to base on it hitherto unheard-of racial assemblies are foreign to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and are real schismatics."
Constantinople...1872
Re: Metropolitan PHILIP Discusses American Orthodoxy with SCOBA Hierarchs
It's better to start with five enlightened Bishops than a whole group which may contain one Bishop who can disable the whole process who would cause the meeting to be declared defunct. case in point:a hung jury caused by a single individual who doesn't care what others think.
on 5/10/2008, 10:52 pm, in reply to "Metropolitan PHILIP Discusses American Orthodoxy with SCOBA Hierarchs"