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hellenic times - January 27, 1995

Patriarch Bartholomew Demands Clarification and Retraction

Special to Hellenic Times:   A meeting of Orthodox North American Bishops in early December has drawn harsh criticism from Constantinople and His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew. The meeting took place during a three day retreat in Ligonier, Pennsylvania and concluded with Archbishop Iakovos of Manhattan and Metropolitan Philip of Englewood, New Jersey announcing, "The churches of North America will speak with one voice," and "may eventually form a single Church." It has now been reported that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has called upon Archbishop Iakovos and the North American Bishops to retract their statement.

Archbishop Iakovos

At no time during the retreat, or during the post retreat statement, was 'mention made how this "single Church" would fit into the newly resurgent world-wide Orthodox renewal led by His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew. In fact, mention of the Ecumenical Patriarch was specifically excluded. Under the energetic leadership of the young Patriarch, millions of Orthodox have seen the hope of a renewed and invigorated Orthodox Church as they emerge from years of repression from behind the Iron Curtain. The formation of this new "single Church" would unite six million Orthodox living in the per capita wealth of the United States and Canada. The "single Church" would immediately become North America's fifth largest church, and a major source of money and political influence at a critical time in the intended unification of Orthodox all over the world.

Patriarch Bartholomew

In a much circulated statement, roughly translated into English, His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch strongly stated that the creation of this or any "Autocephalous Church" is directly contrary to the goal of world-wide Orthodox Christianity. The creation of an Autocephalous Church in America will send a confusing message at a time when the world is watching the first real worldwide revival of Orthodox Christianity in over 200 years.

Patriarch Bartholomew called upon the leaders of the eleven Orthodox jurisdictions to immediately clarify their position with respect to the world Ecumenical movement and to immediately correct the perception in the American press which has interpreted the words of Archbishop Iakovos to mean he intends to create an autonomous church, independent of the Patriarch in Constantinople.

[ hellenic times | January 27 - February 9, 1995 | Vol. XXII, No. 2 | pp. 1 and 5 ]