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"We have concluded that when the principle of phyletism (i.e. ecclesiastical nationalism) 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
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    Re: More on Orthodox Unity

    Posted by Al on 5/18/2009, 3:25 am, in reply to "More on Orthodox Unity"
    Message modified by user Al 5/18/2009, 9:38 am

    Father-

    Assume that the EP, or any foreign Patriarch with churches in the US, were to extinguish their "ethnocentricity" and turn their flocks toward a proper Orthodox Christian orientation. Assume that these Patriarchs were to only have pastoral concerns of the souls entrusted to their care as their objective.

    To who's leadership would they transfer their flocks? Sadly, the OCA has proven it's inability, and only now, 39 years after Autocephaly, are they trying to "clean up their act". But they are still in the "trying" stage. It will take time to see if they succeed.

    There are many more obstacles to Unity than ethnocentrism. Chief among them is the lack of an "American" jurisdiction that has a clear Orthodox vision for the continent and has shown the ability to lead a united "American Church".

    So, even if the "Greeks" and EP saw the error of their ways, we have not yet developed a proven local alternative. We still have a long road ahead of us.

    Al
    Paros Island, Greece
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