| |
8.25.10
DAMASCUS DECIDES
• Antiochian Synod Reduces US Bishops
to Auxiliaries
• +Philip given "Full Jurisdiction" over
one Archdiocese as 9 Dioceses are
reduced
• Synod makes clear "Self-Rule" ends in
Damascus
A short statement, in English and Arabic, signed by all the members of Synod of Antioch, is scheduled to be posted on the Archdiocesean website later today. In the statement the Damascus Synod, which met August 17-20 near Saidnaya, Syria, offers clarification to a controversy that has wracked it's American Archdiocese for the past 18 months, announcing that the "...bishops of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America... are Auxiliary Bishops under the direction of the Metropolitan, who has the full jurisdiction over the Archdiocese." In addition the statement calls into question the American Archdiocese's "Self-Rule", re-affirming that the Damascus Synod "... under the chairmanship of the Patriarch, is the final and supreme authority in all matters related to all Archdioceses of the Patriarchate of Antioch." Lest there be any controversy over the meaning of the announcement, as happened in a previous synodal statement in June 2009 (read that here), the text concludes: "The Holy Synod affirms the Arabic Test (sic) is considered as the only reference."
The full text of the Statement follows:
"SYNODAL RESOLUTION
The Holy Synod of Antioch in its 46 (sic) Synodal session, after long and careful deliberation and following careful investigation of canonical studies submitted to the Holy Synod, including the study of Metropolitan Basil of Arcadia (Akar) who was commissioned by the Holy Synod Antioch, with regard to the historicity of bishops, hereby affirms that the bishops of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, chosen to dioceses and delgated to these diocese by the Metropolitan, are Auxiliary bishops uder the direction of the Metropolitan, who has the full jurisdiction over the Archdiocese. Furthermore, the Metropolitan, posseses the right and authority to transfer a bishop from one diocese to another, as he deems necessary for the benefit of the Archdiocese and after deliberating with the Archdiocesan Synod. The Dioceses within the Archdiocese are not considered, by any means, independent, but rather shall always remain under the direct authority and control of the Metropolitan. Further, the Holy Synod confirms and reaffirms that the Holy Synod, under the chairmanship of the Patriarch, is the final and supreme authority in all matters related to all Archdioceses of the Patriarchate of Antioch. The Holy Synod affirms that the Arabic Test (sic) is considered as the only reference.
This synodal resolution is issued at St. Christopher Covenant (sic) on the 19th of August 2010 "
You can read an unofficial translation of the Synodal report on the full three days of the meeting here; as well as the final communique praising Dr. Assad, the President of Syria.
-Mark Stokoe
|
|
