Posted by Tom Kanelos
on 6/9/2011, 7:46 am, in reply to "Re: Greek Orthodox Christians renew calls for Arabising Church Leadership"
Dean,
I was pointing out to rj that his point about a "Patriarch of Paris and all Europe" was in direct contradiction to what you were saying. In other words, you said that church borders followed secular borders. In order for rj to be aqreeing with you, he would need to be saying "Patriarch of Paris and All France".
To say that the Church exists IN Greece, IN, Russia, IN America is accurate. What Met. Kallistos is NOT saying as that Church borders follow national borders.
As far as the ancient Patriarchates go, They ALL had jursdictions which extended beyond the borders of the empire. You do know that Russia was outside of the Roman empire, right? You do know that parts of Africa were outside the empire, right? You do know that many areas of the east which have always been under Antioch were not part of the empire, right? You do know that some areas of western and northern Europe which were under Rome before the schism, were not part of the empire, right?
From the earliest times ecclesiastical borders crossed national borders. It's a fact.
Warm Regards,
Tom K
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