The Antiochian Orthodox Church will vote on Autonomy on July 27 at our National Convention in Los Angeles. Best wishes in your efforts. (West)


If the Patriarchate continues to strong-arm the GOA, there will be more dissatisfaction on the part of the congregations, especially as the immigrant population dies out, and American-born and converts become the dominant force. (New England)


It appears that when there are disagreements, too many collect their "marbles" and go elsewhere to play or pray. (South)


You would think it only logical for the Greek Orthodox Church in the U.S. to keep a strong relationship with the roots from which it came. (South)


It's not the Patriarch who is preventing us from making progress in the most important areas -- spiritual life, missions... liturgical renewal...Christian education, pan-Orthodox unity, etc. (New England)


I'd be interested in knowing how much these almost monthly junkets to the Phanar (that are making no real progress) cost. I'm sure that that money could be better spent by putting it to use at the Scholi. (New England) 

Please do not call the queen city Istanbul (Midwest)

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Archdiocese, Phanar Agree To Disagree On Church Autonomy

Four rounds of negotiations between the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople have concluded with both sides releasing a joint statement announcing "agreement...on all points." But the agreement throws out or waters down key measures proposed by the GOA, which was seeking more autonomy.

Which Way Orthodoxy?

The Ecumenical Patriarchate and a committee representing the Archdiocese of America have announced an agreement concerning the American church's new Charter. But sources from around the Orthodox community say that in fact the Patriarchate rejected key provisions of the proposed Charter, indicating it is not ready to allow more autonomy for the Church of America.

West Coast, Male: I am actually from the Antiochian Orthodox Church, which will vote on Autonomy on July 27 at our National Convention in Los Angeles. Best wishes in your efforts.

New England, Female: Although I'm in favor of maintaining ties to the Patriarchate, I would like to see us being able to make the decisions necessary for Orthodoxy to survive. In this view, is a dream of a combined Orthodox church -- at some future time. If the Patriarchate continues to strong-arm the GOA, there will be more dissatisfaction on the part of the congregations, especially as the immigrant population dies out, and American-born and converts become the dominant force. They don't have the strong ethnic ties their parents and grandparents did and even though the Church is a hierarchical one, they want more say so especially since we are the chief fundraisers who keep the Church afloat. Orthodoxy's future in America is closely tied in to a unified Orthodox presence and it won't happen if we continue to have a Patriarch who is short-sighted and is thinking mainly of maintaining the illusion of grandeur and his role as "head" of 300 million Orthodox. According to people belonging? To "other" jurisdictions here in America and abroad who post on Orthodox newsgroups, his arrogance is turning them off and they don't feel that unifying under the Ecumenical Patriarch is in the best interests of their particular jurisdictions. So autonomy is a more realistic goal for now, with autocephaly as a united American Orthodox church as the long-term goal. It's a difficult situation and not easily resolved quickly. It needs people who are more concerned with the future of Orthodoxy in America than those who are interested in the status quo of the ethnic enclave and the desire to keep "power" in their hands.

South, Male: Far too many of us resent anyone telling us what to do; but, in ecclesiastical matters, far too many of us are not aware of the dangers of being or becoming so diversified in these matters that we would lose any cohesion we now have in the beliefs and dogma of Greek Orthodoxy. It appears that when there are disagreements, too many collect their "marbles" and go elsewhere to play or pray. Why are we so keen on breaking away from the Phanar unless there are too many with super egos. Greek Orthodoxy should be coming closer together and accept once again the authority of the Phanar. As long as some democratic processes exist, we should make every effort to band together and have better understanding and acceptance of the highest Orthodox office. One should only look at the Catholic Church and recognize its cohesiveness in relation to the Pope. Looking at the other side of the religious spectrum, one only look at what the differences have taken place in the Protestant churches. When I go to Church, I am not looking to be entertained; I am looking for the word of God and how it is interpreted by the Head of Greek Orthodox hierarchy. Thank you for the opportunity of participating in your survey. I am not looking forward to the results because I can see the great PR which has taken place for breaking away from the Phanar.

South, Gender Unknown: I found it difficult to answer questions on a subject I know very little about. But you would think it only logical for the Greek Orthodox Church in the U.S. to keep a strong relationship with the roots from which it came.

New England, Male: Our connection to the Patriarchate is mutually beneficial. Perhaps there is a way to base the Patriarch more in NYC (or DC) without abdicating Constantinople. It's not the Patriarch who is preventing us from making progress in the most important areas -- spiritual life, missions (to the American people), liturgical renewal (e.g. more English, more congregational participation), Christian education, pan-Orthodox unity, etc. Severing our ties with the Patriarch will not help us in these areas. Rather, we would lose and so would the Patriarchate.

New England, Female: I'd be interested in knowing how much these almost monthly junkets to the Phanar (that are making no real progress) cost. I'm sure that that money could be better spent by putting it to use at the Scholi. I feel bad for Archbishop Demetrios. The Patriarch throws us a crumb (make the diocese Metros) and he is expected to try to sell this too us like it is a big deal. I hope we see an American Church soon, that includes ALL of the jurisdictions.

Midwest, Male: please do not call the queen city Instanbul; KNOW IT AS CONSTANTINOPLE.

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