ANGLICAN ORDERS

Evening Star, Issue 18120, 9 November 1922, Page 9

ANGLICAN ORDERS

EASTERN CHUTIOU’S RECOGNITION. The following is tho translation of a letter from the Patriarch of Constantinople to the Archbishop of Canterbury on the subject of Anglican ordinations : “ Most Reverend Archbishop of Canterbury and Chief Hierarch of all England, —Brother, beloved and yearned for in Christ our God, Lord Randall, greetings ; your Reverence, wdl beloved by uS, fraternally in the Lord, we address you with .gladness. “Our special .committee dealing with tho Union of Hie Churches has drawn our attention and that of our Holy Synod to tho question of the validity of Anglican' ordinations from the Orthodox point of view; for that it would bo profitable in regard to the whole question of union that tho opinion of tho Holy Orthodox Church should be known upon tins mattor.. “Accordingly the Holy Synod on this opportunity nave taken under our presidency the matter under consideration, and having examined it from every point of view has concluded that as before tho Orthodox Church the ordinations of the Anglican Episcopal confession of bishops, priests, and deacons possesses, the same validity as those of the Roman, Old Catholic, and Armenian Churches possess, inasmuch as all essentials are found in them which are held indispensable from the Orthodox point of view for the recognition of tho ‘Charisma’ of the priesthood derived from Apostolic succession.

- “ Indeed, on tho one hand, it is plain that there is no matter here as yet of a decree by tho whole Orthodox Church. For it. is necessary that the rest of tho Orthodox Churches should bo found to be of the same opinion (in tho matter) as tho Most Holy Olmrch of Constantinople. “ But, oven" so, it is an event not without significance that tho synod of one, and that tho Primatial Throne of tho Orthodox Churches, when taking Hie matter into consideration has come to this conclusion.

“Therefore, with great joy we, communicate the matter to your beloved Grace as the chief hierarch of the whole Anglican Church, being sure that your Grace will ■!» equally favorably disposed towards this conclusion as recognising in it a stop forward in that work of general union which is dour to God. “ May the Heavenly Father grant us to be of the same mind, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is blcssod for ever and ever. Your well beloved Grace’s beloved brother in Christ and altogether well disposed “ Mew.l'lo3. “July 28, 1922.” The ‘Church Times’ (London,) explains that—(l) The decision, which has not been made swiftly but after many years of patient and thorough investigation, places Anglican Orders on a parity with Roman Catholic, etc. This is the most, which the Orthodox can do, seeing that Orthodox theologians do not recognise the validity “per se" of any sacraments out. aide the Orthodox Church. (2) Before the decision becomes that of the whole Orthodox Church; the assent of the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Russia, as well as of tho Churches of Cyprus, the Kingdom of Greece, Jugo-Slavia, Rumania, find Ozcclio-Slovokia will be needed. The political estrangement of Constantinople from -'Alexandria and the kingdom of Greece and the State of Russia may delay the assent of those, three Churches. That of the others will probably bo given in tho near future. (3) There is no present probability cf ether than emergency' intercommunion between the Anglican and Orthodox Churches. Full intercommunion must wait for complete dogmatic agreement. But (ho Constantinople decision will open tie floor to a, very close understanding between the two Churches, and may well produce a. real solidarity hot,ween them, the effect of which will' prepare the way for • future aexeamoaU ■