tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687886961771238263.post5455393478445342476..comments2023-12-28T14:51:34.281-05:00Comments on Notes on Arab Orthodoxy: The Holy Synod of Antioch Elects 12 New Auxiliary BishopsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687886961771238263.post-12492516178364400102011-06-23T15:29:45.565-04:002011-06-23T15:29:45.565-04:00I would think that the problem is with the circula...I would think that the problem is with the circular reasoning that is employed here: We are where we are because the Holy Spirit guided us. I do think that deference should be given to precedent but such deference should in no way over ride otherwise sound ecclesiastical and canonical principles. If we proceed on the basis I outlined above, it would be logical to view historical deviations with understanding and discernment rather than in a non-critical manner. <br /><br />Nonetheless, Ps-Iosifson put his/her finger on the problem: "as yet undefined understanding of primacy," that is, of the power relationships amongst bishops. If one's pouint of view is top-down, one could be sympathetic to the "plight" of Metropolitans, Archbishops and Patriarchs in the "herding cats" aspects of leading ruling bishops. If you look at this from bottom up,you could end up like me and emphasize the role of the parish priest as a deputy bishop, and the role of the deans as quasi auxiliary bishops. In other words, the role of the province or local church is not nearly as important as the local parish and/or the diocese. This is so particularly in a democratic and laic society. Unfortunately, our Church has existed so long as a state church that many folks think that the top-down approach necessitated in a state church context should be normative.Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13010690602523005763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687886961771238263.post-50612375197619170182011-06-23T13:43:25.753-04:002011-06-23T13:43:25.753-04:00I've never really understood the problem with ...I've never really understood the problem with auxiliary bishops. I think it stems from a certain reading of what the episcopacy is supposed to be, officially and really, and likely has something to do with the modern trend in understanding the local church as the Church in full. <br /><br />However, unlike something like idiorrythmia that had an extended while still contained period of normal use in Orthodoxy, the presence of auxiliary bishops seems to be universal and of extreme long-standing. I think our ecclesiology should take this reality into account, rather than our reality to take account of our theory.<br /><br />It all really comes down to Orthodoxy's as yet undefined understanding of primacy. How is a Metropolitan of a region 'first' over diocesan bishops in his region? How much standardization should there be in a region, or should diocesan bishops be allowed to do as they will? How is a diocesan bishop first over his presbyters and auxiliaries? How is a Patriarch or Synod 'first' over a given Metropolitan or diocesan bishop? Having few Metropolitans on a small Synod, but many auxiliaries, allows for the consolidation of power in few hands while still giving assistance to aged bishops who cannot or will not travel as their flocks needs. (the cost of a Metropolitan is also an undercurrent since they've gotten accustomed to a certain manner of life, and that may take more and more far flung small parishes to fund in full - at least in the diaspora.) I wonder, too, if part of this may be about staking any future Chambesy regional assemblies.123https://www.blogger.com/profile/14514075641944568806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687886961771238263.post-87445296653297152572011-06-23T13:26:57.997-04:002011-06-23T13:26:57.997-04:00Auxiliary bishops make no sense except when a ruli...Auxiliary bishops make no sense except when a ruling bishop is getting incapable to physically and mentally lead his diocese AND there is no provision for gracefully retiring such persons. In reality, parish priests are deputy bishops who could just as easily be called auxiliaries to the ruling bishop. The Greek/Antiochian system is nothing more than smoke and mirrors that mean to impress, Potemkin village style, designed to hide unfortunate realities.<br /><br />Carl KraeffCarlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13010690602523005763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687886961771238263.post-53148016538482295312011-06-23T13:26:34.520-04:002011-06-23T13:26:34.520-04:00Yes, well, 'archbishop' is only ever a ran...Yes, well, 'archbishop' is only ever a rank of honor - the person's still only a bishop. I think auxiliary Metropolitans are like Met. Hilarion who is running a major department or institution under the Patriarch and for the national church as a whole.<br /><br />i don't disagree that there are oddities in the Slavic practice, too.123https://www.blogger.com/profile/14514075641944568806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687886961771238263.post-42167388063019782772011-06-23T13:17:31.026-04:002011-06-23T13:17:31.026-04:00Axios!!!
And yet the Slavs have auxiliary bishops...Axios!!!<br /><br />And yet the Slavs have auxiliary bishops (and even auxiliary archbishops and auxiliary metropolitans) too :-).<br /><br />Thanks again for posting this!Jon Marchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17906335382429497204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7687886961771238263.post-52671695457503115662011-06-23T12:53:26.907-04:002011-06-23T12:53:26.907-04:00Sounds like Antioch has finally settled on a stand...Sounds like Antioch has finally settled on a standard understanding of auxiliary bishops since the NA kerfuffle. I find it interesting that all auxiliaries are no longer implicitly understood to be patriarchal auxiliaries assigned to various Metropolises are now direct auxiliaries to other Metropolitans.<br /><br />I still think silly the Greek understanding that every diocese is a Metropolis headed by a Metropolitan and that a mere bishop is only ever an auxiliary bishop. The Slavic practice makes more sense, and is more historically accurate (rather than just historically conditioned as in the Greek - and Arab - practice.)123https://www.blogger.com/profile/14514075641944568806noreply@blogger.com