A Study of the Eastern Orthodox Church

8/12/2019 A Study of the Eastern Orthodox Church

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AUTHOR, THOMAS JAMES

TITLE:STUDY OF THE EASTERNORTHODOX CHURCHPLACE:NEW YORKDATE[PREF. 1911]


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PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE.fCourtesy of the Churchman.)


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PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE(Courtesy of the Churchman.)


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A STUDY OF THEEASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH

BYThomas James Lacey

RECTOR OFThe Church of the Eedeemer

BROOKLYN. NEW YORK

EDWIN S GOPHAM,NE'V YORK.


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BY THE SAME AUTHOR

THE GOSPEL OF OPTIMISMBEGINNING AT JERUSALEM


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TO

The Bishop of HarrisburgIN

Warm AdmirationOF

His Statesmanlike InterestIN THE CAUSE OF

CHRISTIAN UNITY

THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS INSCRIBED WITHPROFOUND VENERATION


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CONTENTS

PREFACETHE ANCIENT PATEIARCHATESTHE EASTERN COMMUNIONTHE ORTHODOX IN AMERICA


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PREFACE.

Y iuterest in the Eastern Church began twenty years^X ago at Griswold College in Iowa, where I came under

the instruction of the late Chas. R. Hale, whose name Imention in the spirit of the classic lines:

* llic ego centenas ausim deposcere vocesrt quantum niihi te sinuoso in pectore flxiVoce trahaiu.

A master of many languages and a profound liturgicalacholar, Dr. Hale directed his ripe learning to a study ofthe religious movements of the East. As secretary of thecommission on ecclesiastical relations he corresponded withthe Patriarchs and with the :Metroi)olitan of Athens. Theoummunications that passed between the churches at inter-vals beginning with 1872 form an interesting chapter in ourhistory. Visiting Alexandria in 1885, Dr. Hale saw framed inthe reception room of the patriarch's palace the engrossedletters which he himself had sent some years before on be-


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10 PREFACE

half of the American Church. At Jerusalem he was ac-corded the privilege of celebrating the eucharist in thechapel of the Monastery of Abraham.During my ministry I have been brought into freijuent

contact with the Eastern Church in its various brandiesand my veneration has deepened with more intimate knowl-edge. Bishop Raphael is my neighbor and his devoted workamong the Syrian people has won my admiration. Hisfriendly attitude toward our communion was manifest byhis presence recently in the sanctuary of my church. Hevisited the last General Convention and I venture to believethat his letter setting forth the conditions under which theSyrian Orthodox may receive the sacraments at the handsof our clergy will establish a far-reaching precedent.We have been accustomed to regard the Eastern Church

as very remote. In ISCtS our Russo-Greek committee wascautious about entering into relations with a communionso little known and so far away. It had no adherents inthis country. It was separated from us by the great oceansof the world. There was no opportunity to observe itsworship and rites. Its theological literature was inacces-sible.

The earlier immigration to America was Celtic or Teu-tonic, closely allied to us in history, customs, religious tra-

THE BISHOP OF SOUTHERN FLORIDA.


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10 PREFACE

half of the Ainericaii Church. At .h'nisaleni lie wai ac-c-orded the in-ivlle^'e of celebrating the eueharist in theehapel of the Monastery i>f Abraham.During my ministry 1 have been brought into frequent

contact with the Eastern I 'hurch in its various l)ranchesand my veneration lias deeitened with more intimate knowl-edge. Bishop IIaihael is my neighbor and liis devoted workamong the Syrian i>coiile has won my admiration. Ilisfriendly attitude toward our eonununion was manifest byills presence recently in the sanctuary of my church. Hevisited the last General Convention and I venture to believethat his letter setting forth the conditions under which theSyrian Orthodox may receive the sacraments at the handsof our clergy will estalilish a far-reaching precedent.We have l)een accustomeil to regard the Eastern Church

as very remote. In is;s our Kusso-Greek committee wascautious about entering into relations with a eonununionso little known and so far away. It had no adherents inthis country. It was sei)arated from us by the great oceansof the world. There was no opportunity to observe itsworship and rites. Its theological literatiu'e was inacces-sible.

The earlier immlgratiou to America was Celtic or Teu-touic, closely allied to us in history, customs, religious tra-

THE BISHOP OF SOUTHERN FLORIDA.


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PREFACE 11

dltloiis and Ideals, but for some years past the Incomingtide has been chietly from southern and eastern EuropeLatin, Greek, Slavic. The transplanting of the OrthodoxChurch to our shores is a development of this immigration.To-day it is represented everywhere: in our large cities,in the New England towns, in the mines and shops of themid-west, on the Pacitlc slope, on the gulf coast. Itsliturgy is celebrated in New York in three languages. Itsgrowth has been extraordinary and it is destined to becomean important factor in the religious life of the UnitedStates. Our study has a sociological as well as a religiousand an historical interest.The existence in our midst of growing congregations of

Orthodox, representing the most ancient communion ofChristendom, not only witnesses to the strength of ourposition against the Roman pretensions but affords the op-portunity of that mutual acquaintance and service whichmust precede and prepare the way for organic union.Recent years afford numerous illustrations of friendli-

ues* between our own church and the East. In the springof 1908 the Bishop of Southern Florida was in the holyland. He bore a letter of greeting from the House ofBishops and was granted an audience by Damianos, thePatriarch of Jerusalem, who received the communication


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PREFACE

graciously, welcomed the bishop and bis company cordiallyand gave each one a necklace and his photograph. BishopGray carried on a lengthy conversation through an inter-preter. Finally the patriarch knelt, offered prayer andpronounced the benediction. The spirit of the interview Issignificant of the sympathetic approach of the two churches.There is a mutual yearning for and reaching after unityin God's own time and in Ills own way.From the East come many evidences of good will. The

Greek patriarch attended the consecration of the EnglishChurch in Jerusalem last full. A voice is heard fromSmyrna, Illustrious through Polycarp the martyr. Chrysos-tom, archbishop of this ancient see, has issued a remarkabledocument asserting his conviction of the validity of Angli-can orders and as this goes to press there comes the accountof the reception accorded our distinguished layman, Mr.Silas ArcBee, by rei^rcsfntatives of the Eastern Church.The papers gathered in tliis little volume are a humble

contribution to the fullillment of the consummation sofondly cherished that all may be one. TT T

Church of the Redeemer,Brooklyn.

Feast of the Transfigurationof Our Blessed Ix>rd,

1911. THE PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA.


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12 PKEFACE

grHiiuusly, welcomed the bishop and hU eonipaiiy cordiallyHiul gave each oue a necklace and his pliotograph. Bishop(iray carried ou a lengthy coiiversathm throujfh an iuter-preter. Finally tlie patriarch knelt, nthetic aiiiiroacli of the two churches.There is a mutual yearning for and reaching after unityin God's own time and in His own way.

Froui tile East come many evidences of gncKl will. TheGreek iiatrinrch attended the conserraliou of the EuirlishChurch in Jerusalem last fall. A voice is heard fromSmyrna, illustrious through Polycarp the martyr. C'hrysos-toui, archbishop of this ancient see, has issued a remarkabledocument assertinj? his conviction of the validity of An^jll-CHU orders and as this goes to i>ress there comes the accountof the reception acc( inled our distinguished layman, Mr.Silas ^fcBee, by representatives of the Eastern Churcli.The palters gallicred in this little volume are a humble

contribution to the fullillment of the consummation sofondly cherished tliat all may be one.

T. J. L.Church of the Iledeemer,

Brooklyn.Feast of the Transtiguration

uf Our Blessed Ijord,19U. THE PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA.


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THE ANCIENT PATRIARCHATESAN HISTORICAL PAPER


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14 THE ANCIENT PATRIARCHATES THE ANCIENT PATKIARCHATES 15

STUDY of the Eastern Church is timely.Our age is interested in survivals.

Science rings with the note. In these days ofrenewed research into tlie origins of Christianhistory and antiquities this church, so vener-able in its traditions, rightly claims attention.1 fere is a churcli tliat has survived. Her theol-

V ogy bears the impress of the ancient masters.She is the oldest communion of Christendom, thechurch of Athanasius and IJasil, of GregoryNazianzen and Gregory of Nyssa, of the golden-tongued Chrysostom. When Britain was un-known and before the faith was planted in Romethe Eastern Church was rooted in the strong-holds of Jerusalem and Antioch, where her patri-archs still rule in unbroken succession fromapostolic days. She never at any time owned the

sway of the papacy or submitted to its arrogantclaims. A sympathetic study of this ancientcommunion will contribute to an intelligentgrasp of liie issues involved in the endeavor toheal the divisions of the church of Christ. Itwill help us to gain the perspective implied in** Unity in essentials; liberty in non-essentials;charity in everything. It will reveal the forceof Gregory's saying: Things are not to be lovedfor the sake of places but places for good things.At the very beginning Christianity took pos-

session of the cities. The word pagan villager ''came to mean unbeliever. Unbelief was confinedto the rural districts. The cross won the large|entres. Jerusalem was mother of churches.From the Jewish capital the gospel spread. Themessage struck root in Antioch in Syria wherethe disciples were first called Christians. Gen-

y


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16 THE ANCIENT PATRIAKCHATES

eroiLS ill its charities and iuilitv in missionaryenthusiasm this eluireh was quick to ^rasp theworld-wide destination of the faith. Thence St.l*aul started fortli to proclaim the tidings

:

*' O Autioch, thou teacher of the worldlYom out thy portals passed the feet of thoseWho banished and despised have made thy nameThe next iu rank to proud Jerusalem.Within thy gates the persecuted few,Who dared to rally round the holy cross,And worship Him whose sacred form it bore,Were first called Christians.

Closely connected in its early history withboth St. Peter and St. l*aul, Antioch took prom-inent place in the second century in the personof its martyr bishop, St. Ignatius, ^^ hose lieroismreflects undying splendor on this see.

Anotlier stronghold was Alexandria, whereChristianity was brought into contact with phil-

THE PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH.


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16 THE ANCIEXT PATKIARCHATES

eroiis in its fluirities ami miilitv in missionarveiitliiLsiaJsni this ciiurcli was on:ils passed the feet of thoseWho banished and tU'spised have made thy nameTlie next in rank to jirond JerusakMu.Witiiin thy i;ales the persornted few,Who dared to rally round the holy cross.And worshii* Ilini whos*' sacred torni it bore,Were tirst called Christians.

( Uoseh eonneited in its earlv history with' * %iboth 8t. l*eter and St. Tanl, Antioch to(k prom-inent phiee in ihe second renlnrv in the i)ersonof its martyr tdshop. Si. Ignat ins, whose lieroismreflects niidyin*; sph*ndor on tliis see.Another stronghohl was Alexandria, wliere

(Miristianity was bronght into contact with phil-THE PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH.


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THE ANCIENT PATRIARCHATES 17osophy. Founded by Alexander the Great as amemorial of his victorious Egyptian campaignthe city became a literary centre. Its busy lifewas an epitome of the world. Theocritus, inhis fifteenth Idyll, has drawn a vivid and in-tensely liuman picture of the stir and activityof Alexandrian society. Here a catecheticalschool was established. It became the cradle oftheology which developed under the masterminds of Clement, Origen and Athanasius. TheCouncil of Nice made Alexandria custodian ofthe calendar.The beginning of Christianity in Rome is ob-

scure. Ti'aditions have gathered around thename of St. Peter but there is no historical evi-dence that he ever bore official relation to thischurch. Perhaps a clue to its origin is affordedby the mention of strangers of Rome in the ac-

ii]t


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18 THE ANCIENT PATRIARCHATES THE ANCIENT PATRIARCHATES 19

Nif

count of Pentecost. May not these strangers havespread report of the things they witnessed. Tid-ings would be carried to the city with which thewhole world was in comnuinication and traditionwould naturally gather around the name of St.Peter who was spokesman on that day. Certainit is that the faith was planted in Rome at anearly time. To this church St. Paul wrote andwhen he journeyed thither as prisoner of theLord, Christians came to meet him whom whenPaul saw he thanked God and took courage.The church was Greek in language and litera-ture. North Africa, not lionie, was the home ofLatin theology; Tertullian, Cyprian and Augus-tine were its parents.The Council of Nice recognized Eome, Anti-

och and Alexandria as the chief ecclesiasticalcentres and the sixth canon confirmed their an-

cient privileges. By the time of the second ecu-menical council Constantinople had arisen. Itsfoundation marked the recognition of the Chris-tian faith in the Roman empire. The bishop ofConstantinople was given the second place be-cause it is the new Rome. The political impor-tance of the city determined its rank as an eccle-siastical see. Secular greatness was the groundof precedence. So rigorously did the church ad-here to this principle that Jerusalem was notraised to patriarchal dignity until the Councilof Chalcedon. Then the Holy City won recog-nition by reason of its connection with both dis-pensations and the consequent veneration inw hich it was held.Primitive polity is in striking contrast to the

papal theory. Church organization followed thepolitical divisions of the empire. The bishop of


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THE ANCIENT PATRIARCHATES

/

V

Kome had a priiiiaey of houor itrimns inter pares.He had no greater authority than the hish()[)s ofC^onstaiitinople, Alexandria or Antioeli. Thestrength of the church was in the East. Chris-tianity was born in the East. The Greek lan-guage was the medium of revelation. The NewTestament was written in Greek. The early fath-ers, apologists and church historians were Greek.The Greek intellect, speculative, dialectic, philo-sophic, came to the service of the church at thevery time when it was necessary to defend thefaith against heresy, and the language, rich ininflection and caiiable of expressing the mostdelicate shades of meaning, offered itself as themedium of theologj^ when tlie churcli found itnecessary to formulate her creed in preciseterms. The Nicene creed is an eastern symbol.The historical setting of the ecumenical coun-cils is Greek.

THE PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM.


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20 THE ANCIENT PATFJAHCHATESKome had a inniuacy of honor itr'untis inter (tans.He had no greater autliority than the lnsho[).s ofConstantinople, Alexandria or Antioeh. Thestrength of the ehureh was in the East. Chris-tianity was born in the East. The (Ueek lan-guage was the medium of revelation. The NewTestament was written in (Ireek. The early fath-ers, apologists and ehureh historians were Greek.The Greek intellect, speculative, dialectic, philo-sophic, came to the service of the church at thevery time when it was necessary to defend thefaith against heresy, and tlie language, rich ininflection and cajjahle of expressing the mostdelicate shades of meaning, offered itself as themedium of theoloiiv when the churcli found itnecessary to formulate her creed in preciseterms. The Nicene creed is an eastern symbol.The historical setting of the ecumenical coun-cils is Greek.

THE PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM.


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22 THE ANCIENT PATRIARCHATES THE ANCIENT PATRIARCHATES 23

jBack of the tlieologieal controversy there lay

racial distinctions, differences of temperament,^ the political cleavage between East and West

and the opposition of the East to the growing/ claims of the papacy.

Meantime the church had been weakened bythe progress of Mohamedanism. Forces were atwork which threatened the very existence ofChristianity. Andrew of Crete in the eighth cen-tury crystallized the history of the age in thehvmn, Christian, dost thou see them. Moslemhordes were sweeping like a scourge over theworld. A path of blood, carnage and desolation

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J marked their progress. iJamasciis, Antiocli,Jerusalem, Alexandria fell into the hands of theenemy. Province after province was lost to theempire. The sacred shrines came into possessionof an alien power. The holy places were defiled.

The spirit of the time finds expression in themournful cadence

Christian, dost thou see them,Ou the holy ground,

How the powers of darknessRage thy steps around.

It was the beginning of the endthe harbingerof darker centuries to come. Eastern Christian-ilv never regained ascendancy. Disaster fol-^lowed disaster until finally in the fifteenth cen-tury Constantinople itself, the metropolitan city,fell into the hands of the Turks and the last ofthe CcTsars lay dead among the slain. In vain /did valiant men endeavor to fight back the foe.The crescent supplanted the cross on the dome ofSt. Sophia. Yet even in that day of calamityscholars driven from the Byzantine capitalbrought the treasures of Greek learning to the


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THE ANCIENT PATRIARCHATES THE ANCIENT PATRIARCHATES 25

West and iuaiiijiirattMl the renaissance in Eu-rope. Thus the Eastern Church made Western

/n/ Cliristendom its debtor.

I have a profound veneration for tliis ancientcommunion. I believe she has yet an importantpart to play in the life of Christendom. ^Men-aced on every side she keeps a light shining inthe laiul where the gospel dawned in splendor.8he holds the custody of the Holy Sepulchre andwaits in hope of a brighter day. ^^^i admire hercrupulous fidelity to tlie ancient creed, her firmresistance to papal aggressions, lier patient wit-ness for Christ under oppression. In manyplaces she finds herself in the condition of theapostle, ** troubled on every side yet not dis-tressed; perplexeil but not in despair; persecutedbut not forsaken ; cast down but not destroyed.But day is breaking. Already there is a glim-

mer on the horizon. Moslem misrule cannot con-tinue. The Mohamedan yoke must yet be broken

and with the termination ofOttoman power a

new era will dawn. Christianity will flood theland of her birth with the radiance of middayand to this ancient communion w ill come a voice,*' Behold I have set before thee an open door and110 man can shut it.There is a curious legend in connection with

an old mosque w^hich was once a church. TheMoslem covered every Christian symbol and atradition arose that w^hen those symbols reap-pear the power of the crescent w ill wane. Trav-elers tell us that the plaster is wearing away.The hidden picture of the Christ is dimly visible.The time is at hand The day of awakening isnigh When the banner of the cross is un-


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26 THE ANCIENT PATRIARCHATES

furled over the East the vision of the poet-bishopwill find realization

:

The cross to old Byzance restore,There let Christ reign, our king and priest,

Basils and Chrysostoms once moreBe born to christen all the East.

THE EASTERN COMMUNIONA STUDY IN CHRITIAN UNITY


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28 THE EASTERN COMMUNION THE EASTERN COMMUNION 2D

I

aHRISTIAN unity is in the forefront of re-ligious thought and unity must be

grounded in the historic past. It was grand oldBishop Ken who said, I die in the faith of theCatholic Church before the disunion of East andWest. The faith of the undivided church af-fords a basis on which the scattered members ofGod's household may yet be brought together.The student of organic evolution traces the

development of the organism from the simpleto the complex, notes the slightest divergencein the life stages of individuals and beneath in-finite variation discovers fundamental agree-ments in type and structure that point to com-mon ancestry. In a similar way we approachthe history of the church. Like the river ofEden, dividing into four heads, the stream of

Christian truth was moditied under iflie influ-ence of national and racial adaptation. Thefaith found expression according to the varyingtemperaments and spiritual needs of differentpeoples called by God into the church's fold.National churches developed customs which reg-istered themselves in the worship, the calendar,the ceremonial. The rise of the Kile becomes asubject of intercession in the Alexandrian lit-urgy. Tlie break-up of the empire, whennorthern invaders knocked at the gates of Rome,echoes plaintively in the collects of the West.Milan preserves the primitive features of the

Anibrosian rite.It is interesting to note how the adminis-

trative policy of the Roman Empire, with its cen-tralized authority, survives in the ultra-montaneconception. The Latin Church is organized on


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30 THE EASTERN COMMUNION

the imperial model with the pope in place ofC^iesar. The cardinals correspond to the senate.

A like comparison might be drawnbetween the

Eastern Ohnrch and the political traditions ofclassic Greece. The Greek genius never inclinedtoward centralization. The city states were char-acterized by the passion for local autonomy.This spirit is embodied in Eastern Christianity,which has developed the principle of nationalchurches independent of any supreme earthlyhead. The papacy is foreign to the East. TheEastern communion is a confederation, complexcin its make-up. Older than Rome, older thanCanterbury, the Holy Eastern Ortliodox Churchholds the four patriarchal tlirones, Constanti-nople, Alexandria, Antiocli, Jerusalem. Withinits fold are embraced the church of Cyprus,autocephalous from earliest times, the national

THE EASTERN COMMUNION 31

/churches of Russia, Servia, Montenegro, Rou-mania, Bulgaria, Greece and the metropolitansees of Karlowitz, Hermannstadt, Bukowina andDalmatia, in Austro-Hungar^ It is a world in it-self representing endless diversity of language,tradition, racial and national life. It is the faithalike of lordly Muscovite and hardy Montenegrin,to whom Tennyson pays graceful tribute

O, smallest among peoples rough rock-throneOf freedom warriors beating back the swarmOf Turkish Islam for five hundred years,Great Tseruogora

The principle of unity is dogmatic agree-ment. Men of diverse races celebrating the lit-urgy in different languages are one in the ac-ceptance of the Nicene creed and the ecumeni-cal councilsJ^

/The worship expresses religious devotion in a V


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32 THE EASTERN COMMUNION THE EASTEEN COMMUNION 33

way adapted to the eastern mind. The temper-ament of the east inclines to the metaphysicaland loves to dwell on the subtle mysteries. Theritual inspires awe and is marked by lengtliyrhetorical commemorations in contrast to ourown terse collects. The Byzantine is its nativearchitecture. The ornamentation is rich in col-oring, blue and vermilion. The churches areadorned with sacred icons. They are built to-ward the east. There are no organs. Thereis no instrumental music. The absence ofseats is a reminiscence of the Nicene canonwhich enjoins the standing posture in prayer.The Eastern Church uses the Julian cal-endar which differs from our own by thirteendays. The Scripture is freely circulated. Thepriests are married. Long beards and flowinglocks are distinguishing marks of eastern eccle-

siastics. I^aptism is by trine immersion. Leav-ened bread cut from a whole loaf is employed inthe Holy Communion. Wafers are not used. St.Iaurs imagery is carried out : We are all par-takers of that one bread. The sacrament is ad-miuistered in both kinds. The service is in thevernacular and is rich in symbolism. Each de-tail is designed to set forth some truththespear, the silver star, the solemn procession, thefanning of the elements, the opening and closingof the doors of the iconostas, the gorgeous vest-ments resplendent in jewels. The bishop's man-tle, with the attached bells, carries us back to theliigh priest's vesture in the Jewish Church^The impressiveness of the ceremonial had

much to do with the establishment of the churchin Russia. Tradition is that Vladimir sent an

/

Vnibassy to investigate the religions of the world.


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THE EASTERN COMMUNION

The ambassadors returned witii a report of tliesplendor of St. Sophia. Wheu we stood in thetemple we did not know where we were for therei& nothing like it on earth. There in truth Godhas his dwelling and we can never forget thebeauty we witnessed. No one who has oncetasted sweets will afterward want the bitter.We can no longer abide in heathenism. Tliescale turned in favor of the Byzantine faith.We note in passing how the missionary work ofEast and West witnesses to the quiet, indirectinfluence of women. St. Paul remembered Lydiaand Damaris and those women that labored withhim in the gospel. England owes a debt to Ber-tha, Ethelburga and Hilda. The conversion ofthe Franks was brought about through Clotihla.History repeats itself in the missionary acliieve-ments among the Slavs. Back of Vladimir's con-

THE EASTERN C0MMI3NI0N 35

version lies the work of his grandmother, thePrincess Olga, in shaping his education. Bul-garia was won through the sister of King Bo-roris, who was a hostage at the Byzantine court.How far-reaching the power of consecratedwomanhood, whether East or West, among Teu-ton or SlavI The Eastern Church has been pre-eminently i

Nthe home of monasticism. ; The contemplativelife accords with its conservative, immobile tem-per. The prelates are taken from the ranks ofthe monks and are unmarried. Monasteries areintrenched in quarters most remote and haveplayed a large part in ecclesiastical policy.What memories gather around Mar Saba, Athos,(^rc^tan Arcadion and the fortress monastery ofSt. (Catherine on Mt. Sinai, built by Justinian.The Sinaitic peninsula is an independent see of


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36 THE EASTERN COMVIUNION

the Orthodox Church. Hither Tiseheiulorf joiir-ueyed and iu the spriii^^ of 1844 he made his wayup the rugged height of this mountain sanctuary.The monks pulled him to the narrow entranceby a rope and allowed him access to the manu-Bcripts. He perceived in the hallway a basketof mouldering parchments about to be throwninto the fire. Examining them, he discoveredpages of a Bible, the most ancient he had everseen. This led to the recovery of the CodexSinaiticus, now in St. Petersburg.

I am impressed by the simihirity between theGreek system and our own. Historically therehas ever been a close affinity between the twocommunions. There are those who believe thatearly British Cliristianity was Eastern in itsorigin coming by way of Gaul along the path ofthe Mediterranean commerce. Theodore of Tar-


sus, the second Archbishop of Canterbury, was aGreek. It is not without significance that Wic-lif was charged by his enemies with maintainingthat All Christendom ought to live independ-ently like the Greek Church.'' The Alexandrianmanuscript of the Bible in the British Museumwas the gift of the Patriarch Cyril Lucar, whosestrange and varied career forms a striking chap-ter in the annals of the Eastern Church. Themisguided, non-juring bishops sought succorfrom tlie patriarchs.Turning from these incidental instances of

contact to a study of the book of CommonPrayer we are struck by the influence of the Eastupon our worship. This is especially marked inthe eucharistic service of the American Church,which follows closely the ancient models, in thej>tress laid on the invocation of the Holy Spirit.


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lo THE EASTERN COMMUNION

* 'i

J The closing collect in our daily offices is from theGreek. ( 'rannier was a close student of the East-ern liturgy and through his intiuence the prayerof St. Chrysostom from St. Basil's liturgy hasbeen set like a precious gem in our worship,linking us to the ancient East.The Greek Church has made large contributions

to our hymnal. Clement of Alexandria wrote Shepherd of Tender Youth.'' The authorshipof The Day is Past and Over is ascribed toAnatolius, and Neale tells us that its plaintive,touching melody lingers still among the scatteredhamlets of Chios and ^litylene. John of Damas-cus was the great theological writer of EasternChristendom. His memory lingers amongst usin liis Easter hymns, ^^ Tlie Day of Resurrec-tion and Come Ye Faithful Kaise the Strain.*'The former is sung at Athens at midniglrt when

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the stroke of twelve proclaims Easter day. Thearchbishop elevates the cross exclaiming,^' Christos anesti. The people take up the cryand amid the gleaming of tapers and the roll ofdrums king, queen and populace proclaim theresurrection, wdiile from shore and mountainrockets illumine the ^^J-Jj

In 1870 the Archbishop of Syra and Tenosvisited England, met a number of Anglican pre-lates, was present at two episcopal consecra-tions, was honored bv the universities and his re-port of the cordiality of his reception called forthan appreciative letter from the Holy Synod of(heece to the Archbishop of Canterbury. It w^asmade clear to the East that the Anglican Churchcherishes a particular sympathy and love for theOrthodox, and it was also apparent to the acutemind of the Greek prelate that tlie English

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40 THE EASTERN COMMUNION THE EASTERN COMMUNION 41

Cliiireh, though generally eininierated with theProtestant communities, is altogether different

from them in maintaining both the episcopateand the ancient traditions and customs.

With the more frequent intercourse betweenthe representatives of the churches it is gener-ally recognized that the Eastern Church and ourown are closely akin. Beneath variations innational temperament we discover unmistak-able traits that witness to a common origin andan intimate relationship. In these two historicchurclies there is a common life, a common spirit,a common iidelity to the historic creed, the com-mon possession of an apostolic ministry.

Visiting a Syrian priest a fortnight ago I wasvery much impressed as he grasped my hand ex-claiming fervently, I pray tlie day is not dis-

tant when your church and mine shall be one.'^The union of the East and West has been the7 prayer of devout Christians through the ages. 'It was the dream of crusaders. It was themoving thought alike at Lyons in the thirteenthand Florence in the fifteenth century. It wasthe cherished hope of the Bonn conference inthe nineteenth century. To him who can discernthe signs of the times there are stirrings in thehearts of God's people that indicate the timedraweth nigh.


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44 THE ORTHODOX CHUECH IN AMERICA

Slavonic, giving conimnnion in botli kinds, fol-lowing the eastern calendar, retaining the Greekrites and chanting the service without instru-mental accompaniment. The Eastern Churclioffers a vehicle of religious expression that seemsto answer the needs of the Slavic people. TheBohemians, Poles and Croatians are the chiefSlavic peoples of the Latin faith. There arethose who have interpreted the Hussite move-ment as the striving of the Bohemian peopleafter the ideals of Orthodoxy which had neverbecome entirely extinct among those who lookedto Cyril and Methodius as their evangelizers andteachers.r Our first contact with the Orthodox in Amer-ica was through its Slavic adherents. The Rus-sian Church was established in Alaska at anearly date and its influence could not but be felt

THE BISHOP OF ALASKA.


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44 THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA

Slavonic, giving coiiiiiiiiiiiou in both kinds, fol-lowing the eastern calendar, retaining the (5 reekrites and chanting the service without instrn-niental accompaniment. The Eastern Churchoffers a vehicle of religious expression that seemsto answer the needs of the Slavic people. The15ohemians, Poles and Croatians are the chiefSlavic peoples of the Latin faith. There arethose who have interpreted the Hussite movement as the striving of the Bohemian peopleafter the ideals of Orthodoxy wiiich had neverbecome entirely extinct among those who lookedto Cvril and Methodius as their evangelizers andteachers.Our first contact with the Orthodox in Amer-

ica was througli its Slavic adherents. The Kus-Hian Church was established in AUiska at anearly date and its influence could not but be felt

THE BISHOP OF ALASKA.


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THE ORTHODOX CHDRCH IN AMERICA 45

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on the Pacific slope.Jit is not without signifi-cance that when our church in California wasisolated and felt the need of episcopal oversightthe idea of applying to the Greek Church for abishop was in the minds of some and freely men-tioned. Doubtless the proximity of Alaska sug-gested the Greek Church to these pioneerchurchmen. With the purchase of Alaska by theUnited States in 1867 our church was broughtinto direct relations with the Russian commun-ion and the creation of a missionary jurisdictionby the General Convention of 1895 has strength-ened the mutual friendliness. The apostoliciU>we labors side by side with the Orthodox onterms of intimacy and cordiality. The centre ofRussian influence has shifted from Alaska east-ward. New York is now the seat of the arch-bishop and the number of congregations through-


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out the country is growing. In many places thereis a warm sympathy between our people and theRussians. Bishop Parker has used his influ-ence effectively on l)ehalf of the Russian millworkers in New^ Hampshire, and instances arenot wanting where Anglicans and Russians haveworshipped together as at the Peace servicein Portsmouth. Americans can never forget thatRussia w^as our friend when the world was ourfoe and while we deplore the Jewish massacreswhich in many quarters have created a feelingunfavorable to Russia yet we should labor for therestoration of the old time attitude of friendli-ness, and for myself I can echo with all my heartthe sentiment of our poet

:

God bless the Eiikpire that loves the great UnionStrength to her people. Long life to the Czar.

THE ORTHODOX CHIJRCH IN AMERICA 47

The Russian Church has a great opportunity-amongst her people in America and is destinedto make a worthy contribution to the religiouslife of this land.Some time ago I was passing through a little

town in Pennsylvania where there is a Serbchurch. The priest was aw^ay but a friendlySerb acted as my guide and gave me such in-formation as his meagre vocabulary permitted.Back of the Servian people lies a long varied

history which contains many a brilliant chapterThe name of Stephen Dushan is synonymouswith an era of national glory when they badefair to effect a union of the Balkans. Hisuntimely death defeated the plan and Kossovo'sfatal day reduced them to the Turkish yoke.Through the dark days of Moslem oppression thechurch kept alive the memory of the past. Under


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the lead of Kara George and Miloscli, the oldtime martial spirit asserted itself and Serviansfreedom was won in the last century. The Serbsare a courageous, attractive, intelligent people.They have been finding their way to Americaduring the past sixty years and some have risento places of distinction in educational and scientitic fields. There are nineteen congregationspresided over l)y Arcliimandrite Sebastian Dabo-vitch who was born in San Francisco of Dal-matian parentage and educated in Servia andRussia. He is a zealous and efficient workeramong his people. His relations with our com-munion are most cordial and at the corner stonelaying of the cathedral in San Francisco he waspresent in his roles.For the last eight years there has been a steady

stream of Bulgarian immigration centering in

Servian Archimandrite in procession at corner-stone laying of San Francisco Cathedral.

(Courtesy of Pacific Churchman.)


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the lead of Kara George aiul ^Miloseli, the oldtime martial si)irit asserted itself and Servia's

freedom was won in the last ceiitiiry. The Serbsare a eoiirageoiis, attractive, intelligent people.They have been tinding their way to Americaduring the past sixty years and some have risento places of distinction in educational and scientitic fields. There are nineteen congregationsjjresided over by Archimandrite Sebastian Dabo-vitch who was lorii in San Francisco of Dal-matian ijarentage and educated in Servia andKnssla. He is a zealous and efficient workeramong his peoide. His relations with our com-munion are most cordial and at the corner stonelaying of the cathedral in San Francisco he waslresent in his robes.

For the hist eight years there has been a steadystream of IJulgarian immigration centering in

Servian Archimandrite in procession at corner-stone laying of San Francisco Cathedral.

.Courtfsy of Pacific Churchman.)


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THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA 49Illinois. My interest in the Bulgarians begansome years ago when I happened to visit Chicagowhen Ivan Doseff was endeavoring to enlist sym-pathy for his starving countrymen there. Agraduate of Chicago University whose foot-ballachievements made hiin the envy of every schoolboy this youth impressed me as a remarkableinstance of the capabilities of his nation.The Bulgarians are a Slavic people taking

their name from their non-Slavic conquerors whoMjalesced with the subject race. Ancient Bul-garia had a splendid history. Its tzar rivalledthe Byzantine emperor. Pope and patriarch con-lepiled for the allegiance of its church. Towardthe end of the fourteenth century the kingdomfell before the Turks. Then came five hundredyears of grievous oppression culminating in oneof the most frightful and revolting massacres


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50 THE ORTHODOX CHUECH IN AMERICA

kuowu ill liistory. The fields were drenelied w itljblood. A carnival of death held sway. Theheart of Christeiuloiu was stirred l)y the appal-ling cruelty, liiissia came splendidly to theirsuccor and made tlie cause her own. Solemnlyinvoking divine help the Czar's army advancedand Bulgaria's freedom was won. The peopleare simple, good-natured, peaceful, democratic,physically strong and hardy. Tlie national dressof sheepskin indicates their peasant occupation.Their sufferings have given them a claim on theworld's affection.

There are five hundred Bulgarians in Steel-ton, Pennsylvania. Visiting there last summer Ialighted from the car in front of the neat build-ing which bears the inscription, BulgarianChurch of St. Blagoveshtenie.'' Walking alongFranklin street I came to the store of Minoft* anu

THE BISHOP OF HARRISBURG LAYING THE CORNERSTONEOF THE BULGARIAN CHURCH AT STEELTON, PA.


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50 THE ORTHODOX CHrU(;H IX AMERICA

k 1 i(jw 11 ill hint ( try . T 1 1 e liehis \\v n^ 1 1 vvuvU vi I w i 1 1bloiKl. A carnival of death hehl sway. Tht^heart of Cliristeiuhnu was stiired by the api>al-lin^ eriielty. Kiissia eaine sideiulidly to theirsueeor and made the eansi' her own. Scdennilyinv( )kiii' divine htdp the ( 'zar's army advancedand Bulgaria's freedom was won. The jjeopleare simijh', ^0( >d-iiatnred, peaceful, democratic,physically strong and hardy. The national dressof sheepskin indicates their peasant occn]ation.Their sufferings have given them a claim on theworld's affection.

There are five hundred IVulgarians in Steel-ton, Pennsylvania. Msiting there last summer 1alighted from the car in front of the neat build-ing which bears tlie inscription, IVulgariari(Inirch of St. lMag(>veshtenie. Walking alongFranklin street I came to the store of Minoff ami

THE BISHOP OF HARRISBURG LAYING THE CORNERSTONEOF THE BULGARIAN CHURCH AT STEELTON, PA.


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THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA 51Dimitrott' with its conspicuous sign in Bulgariancharacters. I inquired where I might find tlW:priest and Mr. A. S. MinolT, a splendid specimenof his race, took me to the unpretentious homeof Kev. Theophylacte, who welcomed me cordiallyand showed me the church with its beautifulicons and service books in classic Slavonic. Imet a number of his people whose thrift and solidcharacter promise well for the development ofthe best type of citizenship. The great heartedBishop of Harrisburg has taken deep interest inthe congregation and laid the cornerstone of their

mmmchurch. The Bulgarian Church is independent 'under the supervision of its own exarch. Thoughholding the Orthodox faith it is estranged fromtlie Ecumenical Patriarch. The controversy con-cerns jurisdiction not doctrine. I

Ihit perhaps the most interesting representa-

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tives of the Orthodox Church are not the SlavsImt the Greeks because back of the humblest,poorest Greek ou our streets are racial traditionsconnected with the most splendid triumphs ofthe human mind in art, letters, philosophy, poli-tics. The language became the vehicle throughwhich the New Testament was given to theworld and it is spoken to-day on the streets ofAthens in a form less changed than our own Eng-lish since the days of Chaucer. The Greeks arepenetrating every section of this country, themetropolitan centres, the Ohio valley, the townsof Illinois and Iowa, the Nevada desert, Savan-nah, Cliarleston and the cities of the south. AtTarpon Springs, Florida, within a dozen yearsthere has grown up such a Greek communitythat the local newspaper is planning a dex)art-ment in the Greek language. On a recent visit

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THE ORTHODOX CHI3RCH IN AMERICA 55clnirchineii were prouoiiiiced in their attitude ofsympathy. The elder Doaiie gave voice to iiisinterest in a translation of Kiga's clarion call,** Sons of the Greeks Arise/^ which goes even be-yond I\vron's verses in representing the spirit ofUh^ original. The feeling with which the outcomewas viewed in many a Christian household foundexpression years after in Coxe's lines

:

*' Then swelled my boyhood's soul to hearThe tale of Navariuo told :When a sweet mother drew me near.Showed the new map and burned the old.Here child, she saidthank God for peace,Here Turkey wasonce more 'tis Greece.The American church gave immediate practi-

cal manifestation of her affection for Greece bvsending a mission of help in the person of Kev.John J. Hill and his wife, who arrived in Athensbefore the Turks had surrendered the city to thenew government. They found not a single build-ing fit for a dwelling. Under most untoward


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56 THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA 57

circHiiistaiiees they opeiied a school for girls.With profound insight they realized therewas no nobler work than to train thefuture mothers of Greece. They sought tostrengthen the people in their allegiance to theiraMcient faith and ecclesiastical heritage. Forfifty years they labored untiringly, winning theatfection and contidence of the nation. The nameof Dr. Hill is venerated in Greece to-day. ThusAmerican churchmen have been brought intomore intimate contact with the church in Greecethan with any other liranch of the Eastern com-munion. Wiien the late rishop Littlejohn visitedAthens he had several interviews with Germanos,the metropolitan, and on Christmas day, 1894,lie wrote a letter giving admirable expression tothe warm regard which Americans cherish to-ward the East. '' There are many reasons,'^ he

says, why we of the remoter West should re-gard with att'ectionate veneration all branchesof the Holy Eastern Church in communion withtiie l*atriarch of Constantinople. We are notunmindful of what she has sutfered and achievedthrough ages of change, oppression and disaster.Wii are grateful for her patient and courageouswitness in times of peril and persecution to thefaith and order of the primitive church. We areglad to recognize her dignity and honor as themother church of Christendom. It is part of ourhappiness, as it is also of our strength, to knowthat we have much in common with the Easterndiurch and that in some degree we are sharersin her noblest treasures.'^For years I have watched the settlement of the

Orthodox Church in America. Beginning as acloud the size of a man's Iiand this communion


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has taken on strength. I have come upon congre-gations in most unexpected places, representingsome of the most picturesque races of the world.

They will be welded with us in this meltingpot

of the nations and American character will bestrengthened by coalescing with these new fac-tors*. If I interpret aright the movements of di-vine Providence the coming of these people,briujrin


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