Word Magazine April, 1984 Page 5-6--ORTHODOXY IN AMERICA:
SUCCESS
AND FAILURE
by Metropolitan
PHILIP
..."My
second vision concerns the Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in America
(SCOBA). Since the purpose of SCOBA is to bring organic unity to our churches
in America, I believe that SCOBA should be elevated to the rank of an Orthodox
Synod which will have the power to deal effectively and decisively with our
Orthodox problems in this country....My third vision, ladies and gentlemen,
concerns the Ecumenical Patriarchate. There is no doubt that we need a catalyst
to lead us from the wilderness of division to the promised land of unity and
fulfillment. I do not know of a better catalyst than the Ecumenical Patriarch,
himself, who continues to live like a prisoner in Istanbul. Let us prevail on
him to leave Turkey, come to America and unite our various jurisdictions under
his wings. The Greek remnant in Istanbul can be shepherded by an exarch who
would represent the ecumenical throne. The Ecumenical Patriarch will preserve
his traditional role in the world regardless of where he resides. We have
unlimited opportunities in this free land, but if we do not move forward with
faith and courage, our Church on this continent will remain an insignificant
dot on the margin of history. Finally, I would like to conclude this sermon
with the words of the late Alexander Schmemann. "One
can almost visualize the glorious and blessed day when forty Orthodox bishops
of America will open their first Synod in New York, or Chicago or Pittsburgh
with the hymn, 'Today the grace of the Holy Spirit assembled us together,' and
will appear to us not as 'representatives' of Greek, Russian or any other
'jurisdictions,' and interests but as the very icon, the very 'Epiphany' of our
unity within the Body of Christ; when each of them and all together will think
and deliberate only in terms of the whole, putting aside all particular and
national problems, real and important as they may be. On that day,
we shall 'taste and see' the oneness of the
Orthodox Church in America." Metropolitan PHILIP
was the celebrant and speaker at the Sunday of Orthodoxy Liturgy, sponsored by
the Council of Eastern Orthodox Churches of Central Massachusetts, on March 11,
1984.