www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology www.goarch.org and Antiochian Autonomy

I read my posting and noticed my obvious mistake regarding the Greek Archdiocese's web site. www.goarch.org [goarch.org] is the correct one.

Please pray for the Antiochian Archdiocese. His Eminence Metropolitan Philip, is proposing a General Assembly Resolution for July in LA that the Patriarchate of Antioch be petitioned to grant autonomy to its North American Church. This was formally read in the parishes this morning and published for the faithful. Quoting the resolution:
"Therefore, the General Assembly of the 45th Convention of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese does hereby petition the Holy Synod of Antioch to grant the Archdiocese autonomy, the details of which would be worked out, in consultation with the Holy Synod, by the Metropolitan and his designees." www.antiochian.org [antiochian.org]

As our Melkite brothers and sisters on this forum know (who share our patrimony), this is monumental! Please keep us in your prayers.

In His Steadfast Love,

Three Cents

Dear Three Cents,

This is great news! Thanks for sharing it with us. I'll definetly add my prayers for the success of the Church's petition.

From how I understand it, autonomy would make it easier for the Antiochian Church in NA to minister to its members here on a practical level. Is my understanding correct?

In Christ,
Mike (poor sinner)

I am in the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America under Metropolitan Philip. The canonical form is one Orthodox church per nation. Having a number of distinct but canonical (from the apostolic succession perspective) jurisdictions is in the broader scheme uncanonical. Only the Russian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate
has so far granted autocephaly to its former
NA mission and Metropolia. That is now the OCA. Since the Ecumenical Patriarch (that too many identify as the pope of Orthodxy - bad, bad misperception) will not grant the same for the GOA leading towards the same goal (an American Orthodox Church), the Antiochian Archdiocese is moving ahead. It tips the balance in favor of an American Orthodox church.

Christ is in our midst!I, too, am in the Antiochian Archdiocese under Metropolitan PHILIP and agree that this is a very favorable development (among a number of them right now) for Orthodoxy in the US. We have also heard a rumor that the Greeks are planning to submit a similar request next year to the Ecumenical Patriarch, under whose jurisdiction they now lie. If all goes well, we may even see the unification of the Orthodox jurisdictions in the US within our lifetimes (something that only recenlt yseemd impossible). Metropolitan PHILIP has had some health problems lately, so please pray for his health.
With best wishes to you all,
Woody

Both Metropolitan Philip (ANT) and Metropolitan Theodosius (OCA) have had health problems resulting in rumors
of retirement for both. Its a nervous
time for American Orthodoxy.

It is my understanding that Metropolitan Theodosius will be requesting retirement in the near future. If this is so, it will lead to a lot of discernment in the OCA. I pray that the Metropolitan will regain his health and return to serve the people of the OCA. He has done so much to encourage the OCA to evangelize among the non-churched.

Blessings!

Glory to Our Lord Jesus Christ!

Dear Brethren,
Also as a member of the Antiochian Archdiocese, I was thrilled to hear about the request for Autonomy. When Ispoke with my pastor, he noted that this is not autocephalic status however. It is the first major step. With it all Bishops except for the Metropolitan would be appointed by the Synod of the Metropolitan. The Metropolitan would still be appointed by the Patriarchal Synod of which he would remain a member.


This is a logical step toward unifying the American Orthodox into one American Jurisdiction and is fully in accord with the Ligoner Accords. More importantly, it does not have to have the canonical approval of the EP like autocephalacy does. His Grace Metropolitan Philip, who does have great influence in the Patriarchal Synod, is the right person to propose this. God grant him many years!

Your brother in Christ,
Thomas

Dear Friends,

The Holy Antiochian Orthodox Church has a stellar record not only in terms of looking after its own faithful, but also in terms of serving other Churches and groups who immigrated here at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Ukrainians in particular were the beneficiary of assistance from the Antiochian Church.

What impresses me the most about this Church is its ability to adapt to North American conditions and accept within it two Western Rites along with the "Evangelical Orthodox."

Many Years and much further great success to that apostolic Antiochian Orthodox Church!

Alex