Project Canterbury
Russo-Greek Committee
No. IX.
Report of the Committee
to the
General Convention,Holden at Philadelphia, in October, A D. 1865.
[24 pp]
The Committee appointed at the last General Convention "to consider the expediency of opening communication with the Russo-Greek Church, to collect authentic information bearing upon the subject, and to report to the next General Convention," beg leave to report as follows:
At the first meeting of the Convocation of the Province of Canterbury, of the United Church of England and Ireland, after the appointment of our Committee, a Petition was presented by the Lower to the Upper House of Convocation touching this matter, in the following words:
"To His Grace the President and their Lordships the Bishops in the Upper House of Convocation of the Province of Canterbury assembled: The humble petition of the undersigned members of the Lower House of the Convocation, Showeth:
"That your petitioners have learned with much interest that, in the recent Synod or Convention of the Bishops and Clergy of the United States of America, certain steps were taken with a view to promote Intercommunion between the Russo-Greek Church and the Anglican Communion:
"That your petitioners believe that the present time may be more favorable than former times have been, for efforts in that direction;
"They therefore humbly pray your Venerable House to use your endeavors to bring about such intercommunion.
"And your petitioners will ever pray," &c.
F. C. MASSINGBERD, Proctor for Lincoln Diocese.
EDWARD BICKERSTETH, Archdeacon of Buckingham.
G. ANTHONY DENISON, Archdeacon of Taunton.
JAMES WAYLAND JOYCE, Proctor Diocese of Hereford.
F. K. LEIGHTON, Proctor Diocese of Oxford.
H. A. WOODGATE, Proctor for Diocese of Worcester.
HENRY BURTON, Proctor for clergy Diocese of Litchfield.
JAMES KENDALL, Proctor Diocese of Ely.
ALWYNE COMPTON, Proctor for clergy Diocese Peterboro
AUGUSTUS P. SAUNDERS, Dean of Peterboro.
JOHN JEBB, D.D., Proctor for clergy Hereford.
W. B. OTTER, Archdeacon of Lewes.
E. HAROLD BROWNE, Proctor for clergy Diocese of Exeter.
J. BARTHOLOMEW, Archdeacon of Barnstaple.
K. W. JELF, D.D., Proctor for chapter of Oxford.
CHR. WORDSWORTH, D.D., Proctor for chapter of Westminster.
W. BOUVERIE, Archdeacon of Norfolk.
THOMAS MILLS, Proctor for Archdeacony of Suffolk.
GEORGE PREVOST, Proctor for clergy of the Diocese of Gloucester and Bristol
E. A. OMMANNY, Proctor for clergy of Bath and Wells.
JOHN BRAMSTON, Proctor Diocese of Rochester.
HENRY C. BAGOT, Proctor Diocese of Litchfield.
CHARLES F. KENNAWAY, Proctor for the Diocese of Gloucester and Bristol.
HENRY MOORE, Archdeacon of Stafford.
JOHN DOUGLAS GILES, Archdeacon of Stowe.
JOHN HUTCHINSON, Proctor for Litchfield chapter.
JOHN H. HORNER, Proctor Diocese of Bath and Wells.
S. BEST, Proctor Archdeaconry of Winchester.
THOMAS SANCTUARY, Archdeacon of Dorset.
H. T. FOWLKES, Archdeacon of Montgomery.
CHARLES LLOYD, Rector of Chalfort S. Giles, (Proctor Diocese of Oxford.)
HENRY MACKENZIE, Proctor for clergy of Lincoln.
JOHN DOWNALL, Archdeacon of Totness.
JOHN C. B. BIDDELL, Proctor for Diocese of Canterbury.
DOUGLAS H. GORDON, Proctor of chapter of Salisbury.
C. A. ST. JOHN MILDMAY, Archdeacon of Essex.
HENRY ALFORD, Dean of Canterbury.
HENRY THOMPSON, Proctor Archdeaconry of Lewes, Diocese of Chichester.
RICHARD BISCOE, Proctor Diocese of St. Asaph.
I. SANDFORD, Archdeacon of Coventry.
RICHARD SEYMOUR, Proctor for clergy of Worcester.
A. M. HOPPER, Proctor of clergy for Norwich.
JOHN GRIFFITH, Proctor of chapter of Rochester.
HENRY GLYNN, Proctor of chapter of St. Asaph
WILLIAM CRAWLEY, Archdeacon of Monmouth.
JAMES RANDALL, Archdeacon of Berks.
EDWARD A. DAYMAN, Proctor for Archdeaconry of Dorset.Owing to the pressure of business, this matter was not reached by the Upper House during that session of Convocation; but during the next session, in July of the same year, it was moved by his Lordship the Bishop of Oxford:
"That his Grace, the President, be requested to direct the Lower House to appoint a committee to communicate with the committee appointed at the recent Synod of the Bishops and Clergy of the United States of America, as to intercommunion with the Russo-Greek Church, and to communicate the result to the Convocation at a future session."
The Bishop of Chichester seconded the motion, which on being put, was agreed to unanimously.
Pursuant to this action of the Upper House of Convocation, the Lower House appointed the following committee:
The Archdeacon of Taunton, (DENISON).
The Archdeacon of Buckingham, (BICKERSTETH, Prolocutor of Convocation.)
Rev. Dr. LEIGHTON of All Souls, and Proctor for the Diocese of Oxford.
Rev. Lord ALWYNECOMPTON, Proctor for Diocese of Peterboro.
Rev. Sir GEORGE PREVOST, Archdeacon of Gloucester.
Rev. Chancellor MASSINGBERD, Proctor for Diocese of Lincoln.
Rev. J. RANDALL, Archdeacon of Berks.
Rev. CANON MACKENZIE, Proctor of clergy of Lincoln.
Rev. J. FINDALL, Proctor for the Diocese of Ely.
Rev. R. SEYMOUR, Proctor for clergy of Worcester.At the meeting of Convocation in February of 1864, this Committee reported progress, asking leave to sit again, and that Canon (now Archdeacon) Wordsworth be added to their number, which was carried by acclamation.
At the meeting of Convocation in February of the present year the Committee reported as follows:
The Committee appointed by command of His Grace the President and their Lordships of the Upper House, 1853, "to communicate with the Committee appointed at a recent Synod of the Bishops and Clergy of the United States of America, as to intercommunion with the Russo-Greek Church, and to communicate the result to Convocation at a future Session,"
Report as follows:
That, as the limited power conferred upon your Committee by the terms of their appointment did not authorise them to enter into direct intercourse with the authorities of the Eastern Church, the Report of their proceedings will be mainly occupied with the account of their communications with the Committee of the Convention of the Church in the United States on the same subject.
The action of Convocation in appointing this Committee was hailed with great satisfaction by the American Church, and the intercourse between the members of the two Committees has been of the most friendly and cordial character.
Your Committee were favoured by the Honorable Mr. Ruggles, a distinguished Statesman, and eminent Member of the American Committee of Convention, with some particulars of his visit to Russia.
And at their first meeting they had the advantage of personal communication with the Rev. J. F. Young, the Secretary of the Committee of the American Convention, and whom, in compliance with the terms of their commission, they had invited to attend their meeting.
But your Committee, not being required by the terms of their commission to report at the next session, were induced, in consideration of the extreme delicacy of the questions involved, to defer their report until the present time.
They now proceed to record the progress that has been made.
Mr. Young and Mr. Ruggles were both received in the most cordial manner by the Metropolitans of Moscow and St. Petersburg, and other members of the Holy Governing Synod, who expressed their earnest interest in the question, and their desire to co-operate in any measures having for their object the restoration of unity.
The Committee of the American Convention have begun to issue a series of papers, with the object of recording their own proceedings, and giving information as to the principles and practices of the Eastern Church.
It is an instance of the increasing interest that is taken in this question at home that your Committee are enabled to state to the House that there has been formed in England an association called "The Eastern Church Association," which already numbers among its patrons the Most Reverend the Archbishop of Belgrade, the Most Reverend the Archbishop of Dublin, with several more of our English Bishops, the principal objects of which are to inform the English public as to the state of the Eastern Churches, and to make known the doctrines and principles of the Anglican Church to the Christians of the East.
Your Committee have been favored, at their last meeting, with the presence of the Very Reverend Archpriests Popoff and Wassilieff, Chaplains to the Imperial Embassies of Russia at London and Paris, from both of whom they have received the most cordial assurances of personal co-operation.
It would be premature to lay down any principles or conditions on which it may seem to your Committee that such intercommunion as is contemplated may be brought about: further than this,
To establish such relations between the two Communions as shall enable the Laity and Clergy of either to join in the sacraments and offices of the other, without forfeiting the Communion of their own Church.
That any overtures towards such an object should be made, if possible, in co-operation with those Churches with which the Church of England is in Communion. And
That such overtures, whenever made, should be extended to the other Eastern Patriarchates, and not confined to the Russo-Greek Church.
With this view, your Committee ask leave to site again, and suggest that, if the Convocation of York should think fit to delegate any of its members to sit with them, they should be authorized to confer with them, and also to co-operate with any Committees of other Branches of the Anglican Communion.
Your Committee, citing the words of the Venerable Patriarch and Synod of Constantinople, [ * Addressed to the Very Reverend Archpriest Wassilieff and the Very Reverend Abbe Guettee, editors of the Union Chretienne, and quoted at p. 291 of the first Paper of the Russo-Greek Committee of the American Convention.] that "the Orthodox Church of the East has never ceased to offer, with tears, fervent prayers to her God and Saviour, Who maketh of two One, breaking down the middle wall of separation between them, that He may bring all Churches into One Unity, giving them sameness of Faith and Communion of the Holy Ghost," conclude with the words of the Prayer familiar to us all, "That as there is but one Body and one Spirit and one Hope of our Calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may henceforth be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of Truth and Peace of Faith and Charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Signed, on behalf of the Committee,
F. C. MASSINGBERD.
In two Synods, at least, of the Dioceses of the Church of Scotland, resolutions have been passed responsive to the movement towards Intercommunion of our last General Convention.
At the Moray and Ross Diocesan Synod, on July 26th, the following resolution was unanimously agreed to:
"That the Synod of Moray and Ross, having taken into consideration the subject of Intercommunion between the Eastern Church and the British and American Churches, resolves to petition the Episcopal Synod of this Church to take such steps as may appear desirable for co-operating with the Committee of the Convocation of Canterbury, and the Committee appointed by the General Convention of the American Church for the effecting of this object."
The following motion was also passed:
"The Synod considering the great evils the Christian World is in through its unhappy divisions, and the great duty of promoting unity and concord among independent Churches, further resolves that the Bishops be requested to take into their serious consideration the question of the orders of the Scandinavian Churches, and aid, as far as in them lies, any project for intercommunion with the same, provided it can be done on Catholic grounds, and in accordance with Catholic principles."
At the Aberdeen Diocesan Synod, on August 8th, the following motion respecting Intercommunion with the Eastern Church was carried unanimously:
"That the Synod of Aberdeen, having taken into consideration the subject of Intercommunion between the Orthodox branches of the holy Eastern Church, and the British and American branches of the Church Catholic, resolves to petition the Episcopal Synod of this Church to take such steps as may appear desirable for co-operating with the Committees which have been, or may be, appointed by the Convocations of the provinces of Canterbury and York, and the Committee appointed by the General Convention of the American Church, for the carrying out of this great object."
Besides the Synodical action of the Churches of England and Scotland above mentioned, as one of the results of the great interest upon the subject of Intercommunion in our mother Church, a voluntary association has been formed in England for the promotion of this end, called the Eastern Church Association.
Its objects, as embodied in the Resolutions passed at the General Meeting of April 13th, 1864, are:
I. To inform the English public as to the state and position of the Eastern Christians, in order gradually to better their condition through the influence of public opinion in England.
II. To make known the doctrine and principles of the Anglican Church to our Christian brethren of the East.
III. To take advantage of all opportunities which the Providence of God shall afford us, for Intercommunion with the Orthodox Church, and also for friendly intercourse with the other ancient Churches of the East.
IV. To assist, as far as we are able, the Bishops of the Orthodox Church in their efforts to promote the spiritual welfare and education of their flocks.
This Association numbers among its patrons the Archbishop of Dublin, the Metropolitan of Servia, the Bishop of Oxford, etc., etc., besides many of the most distinguished and influential of the Clergy and Laity of the Church of England. And for the diffusion of general information on this subject, they have commenced the issue of a series of Papers, similar to those issued by us.
And your Committee have learned, from various sources, and with the liveliest pleasure, that the movement towards Intercommunion has excited the interest, and enlisted the sympathies generally, of the whole Oriental Church. The Ecclesiastical Periodicals of Petersburg and Moscow, and other cities of Russia, those of Venice, Athens, Smyrna, and Constantinople, and other important towns in the Levant, have not only informed their readers, generally, in regard to this matter, but translated for their papers more or less of what has been published by us; and, so far as we have heard, the Oriental Church, in all its branches, is kindly and favourably predisposed in this matter.
During the summer of 1863, a member of our Committee, the Hon. S. B. Ruggles, having been commissioned by the Government of the United States as its Representative to the International Statistical Congress which assembled at Berlin, in Prussia, proceeded thence on a short visit to Russia. During his sojourn in that country he was favoured with several interviews with those of the highest official position, among whom was the venerable Metropolitan of Moscow.
In those interviews, the attention of the Imperial authorities was invited to the striking geographical analogies between Russia and the American Union, in the vast territorial extent of their lands and waters, physically constituting them the two great Continental Powers of modern days. The steadily increasing convergence of the two Nations in their march of civilization in the Northern Pacific, opening a new Hemisphere for inter-continental commerce, was also dwelt upon, and especially in connexion with the continental telegraphic enterprises so characteristic of both. It was claimed, that by their joint efforts, not only would New York and Washington be united, by daily intercourse, with Moscow and St. Petersburg, but that Asiatic branches, extending through Japan, China and Australia, practically placing the Pagan nations of the distant East, side by side with the Christendom of Europe and America, would ere long convert the Pacific into one vast theatre, not only of commercial movement, but also of religious advancement, triumphantly carrying the Cross and the Word of Christ into that long benighted portion of the globe.
In hastening such a final development, the peculiar importance of friendly and fraternal intercourse between the Orthodox Apostolical Churches in the two Nations, now presenting so many points of agreement, was respectfully but earnestly asserted. Expressly disclaiming any wish for the premature discussion of any theological or ecclesiastical questions, it was deemed to be neither ill-timed nor improper, to suggest to the ecclesiastical authorities in Russia, that any existing religious sympathies between the two Nations, would be materially strengthened by the mutual interchange, on the part of the two Churches, among the pioneers intermingling in those distant regions, of the religious offices common to both, and especially in the Christian duties of visiting the sick and burying the dead.
The General Convention will be gratified to hear that the venerable and benevolent Philaret, Archbishop, and Metropolitan of Moscow, to whom this suggestion was made, not only gave it his prompt and cordial concurrence, but, after listening with interest to the statement of the active efforts in progress for promoting the physical welfare of the two Nations on the Northern Pacific, expressed his willingness to submit, without delay, to the Holy Synod at St. Petersburg, the question of establishing a Russian Church at San Francisco.
We would add in this connection that we have been informed by the Bishop of Honolulu, since his Lordship's arrival here, that officers of the Russian Navy who visit the Sandwich Islands, eagerly avail themselves of the services of our church, in preference to those of the Papal or non-Episcopal Communions. To this we may add the fact, unimportant in itself, except as to the indication which multiplied instances of this sort afford of the practical importance this subject is assuming, that while our missionary to Mexico was temporarily sojourning last spring in the Capital of that Empire, he was called on to marry an Austrian Prince and Princess, both of whom were members of the Orthodox Church, and who sought and obtained permission of the Emperor Maximilian to be married according to the rites of the Anglo-Catholic instead of those of the Roman Catholic Communion; and the permission being granted, were married accordingly.
Just as Mr. Ruggles returned from Russia, the Secretary of the Committee, the Rev. J. F. Young, D.D., went abroad to remain for some months in Europe. While in England he enjoyed the privilege of meeting and conferring with the Committee of Convocation, by whom he was received with the most hearty cordiality, and whose deliberations he was invited to share in on several occasions.
From England Dr. Young, by desire of the Committee, proceeded to Russia, that he might officially, and in their behalf, acquaint the authorities of the Church in that Empire with our action in the premises, and learn, so far as might be done within the limits of our restricted powers, the disposition of those authorities respecting this movement.
On arriving in St. Petersburg he waited at once on the Ober-Procurator of the Holy Governing Synod of the Church of All the Russias; by whom he was courteously received, and referred, touching the matter of his mission, to his Eminence Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow.
On arriving in Moscow, he waited upon the Metropolitan as soon as due arrangements could be made for an interview, and, first of all, laid before him the letters of commendation and fraternal salutation in the Lord, with which he had been kindly favoured before his departure, by the Right Reverend the Bishops of Michigan, Western New York, Pennsylvania, Maine, New York, and the Assistant Bishops of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and which were addressed to the Patriarchs, Metropolitans, and Bishops of the Orthodox Eastern Church. Dr. Young had the honor of meeting likewise at this interview, besides the Metropolitan, the Bishops Leonidas and Sabas, Vicars to the Metropolitan of Moscow, and also the Rector of the University of Moscow.
The interview was of some three hours' duration, and the subjects of conversation were, for the most part, matters of fact respecting the history, doctrines, usages, and practical operations of the Anglo-Catholic Communion since the Reformation. At the close of this conversation, the Metropolitan invited his visitor to another interview, on a subsequent evening. At the close of this second interview, which was more cordial and satisfactory even than the first, as the Metropolitan handed back the letters of the American Bishops which had been left for his perusal on the previous evening, he said: "Will you inform the American Bishops who have been so kind as to send us these fraternal greetings, that the perusal of what they have written has given me great pleasure, and that the Russian Bishops, generally, will reciprocate the sentiments they have so kindly expressed. And for myself personally, will you bear from me the kiss of peace to the whole venerable Hierarchy of the American Church. Assure them of my warmest sympathy and love, and of my prayer and hope that we may soon be one in mind, as we are already one in heart, in Christ Jesus."
Returning to St. Petersburg, Dr. Young was favoured with a protracted interview with his Eminence Isidore, Metropolitan of Petersburg and President of the Holy Governing Synod, to whom likewise he presented the letters he had the honor to bear from the American Bishops. On perusing the letters, and noting their contents, the Metropolitan proposed to lay them before the Holy Synod on the following day, inviting the bearer of them to be present, when he had the honor of being presented to the members of the Synod individually, by whom he was courteously and cordially received.
At the suggestion of his Excellency the Ober-Procurator, the letters were left in the hands of the Holy Synod to be deposited in its archives, accompanied by a memorandum written at the special request of the Metropolitan of Petersburg, explanatory of the circumstances which called them forth. The following is a copy of the letters and memorandum:
Beatissimis et Sanctissimis Patriarchis, necnon Praestantissimis Metropolitanis et Episcopis, Orthodoxae in partibus Orientalibus Ecclesiae, in nomine Domini nostri Jesu Christi, Salutem dat Guilelmus Heathcote De Lancey, S.T.D., LL.D., D.C.L., Oxon. Dioecesis Novi-Eboraci occidentalis Episcopus.
Quum nuper magna, Ecclesiae Anglocatholicae in Civitatibus Americae Septentrionalis foederatis, Comita collegium quorundam virorum nominassent, cui partes venirent qucerendi utrum consilia cum Ecclesia Russo-Hellenica communicare expediret, necnon de ea re omnia colligendi quae fide digna reperirentur: ego quidem et in meo nomine et in nomine collegii supra-dicti, cujus Praeses sum, vobis, Fratres dilectissimi, notum facio et commendo virum reverendum Johannem Freeman Young, artium magistrum et presbyterum, qui ejusdem collegii et scriba est et particeps, et pro eo vestram fidem et opem magnopere flagito.
Permultis quidem viris, qui in hac terrarum regione Ecclesiam nostraml diligunt, cordi vehementer est arctioribus fraterni amoris vinculis complecti Ecclesiam Sanctam Orientalem, dum sacra beati Evangelii Domini Nostri Jesu Christi principia constanter teneamus, sicut ea a Sanctis Conciliis OEcumenicis proposita sunt et definita.
Quare virum hunc reverendum, qui has nostras litteras vobis tradit, quique optimam inter nostros clericos voluntatem ad eas res pramoveandas pree se tulit, et egregium inter presbyteros Ecclesiae S. S. Trinitatis Nov-Ebor. locum occupat, Dei imprimis praesidio et favori, deinde vestrae benevolentiae, opi, humanitati, studiosissime et amantissime commendo.
Cujus rei in testimonium his praesentibus nomen meum ipse subscripsi, meumque sigillum affixi, MDCCCLXIII, Kal. Dec.
[L. S.] GUILELMUS HEATHCOTE DE LANCEY.
Diocesis Novi-Eboraci Occidentalis Episcopus.
Benedictissimis et Sanctissimis Patriarchis et Preestantissimis Episcopis Sanctae in partibus Eois Orthodoxae Ecclesiae, Salutem.
Salutem vobis in Christo plurimam ex animo nuntiamus et a Deo. O. M., assidue precamur ut beati vivatis et optimo successu Regno Dei Nostri et Salvatoris Jesu Christi consulatis.
Hodie autem vobis in Christianam curam et fidem commendamus egregium nostrum amicum, virum Reverendum Johannem Freeman Young, qui inter presbyteros est Ecclesiae S. S. Trinitatis in urbe et Diocesi Novi Eboraci.
Excedit ille vir a patria rein magnam pro virili provecturus, et Patriarchas Episcoposque Ecclesiae Oricntalis certiores facturus de fraterno erga ipsos Episcoporum Ecclesiae Catholicem in civitatibus Americe Septentrionalis foederatis amore. Ex animo quidem cupimus arctioribus unitatis nexibus cum magna ista unius Ecclesiae Catholicae et Apostolicae parte conjungi. Tempus vero jam adest, in quo leviuscula omnia qua Ecclesiam dividunt aut negligenda sunt aut deponenda, et unitas Christianorum per orbem terrarum stabilienda. Huic nostro in Domino dilecto filio summam fidem et benevolentiam habemus, et magnopere a Deo petimus ut per ejus operam, vestris auxiliis provectam firmioribus fraternae voluntatis vinculis constringatur cuml venerabili ista et nobili Ecclesia Orientis Orthodoxa haec ejusdem familie pars, quae ex Eois plagis origines duxit, et sub Divini magistri tutela adhuc in hac occidentali regione permanet integra quamvis sub iniquo Patriarchee Romani imperio, dominium ejus injuste occupatum crudeliterque usurpatum per multa secula fuerit ei perferendum. Salvete, Fratres Dilecti, fausti este et felices in magno opere promovendo, quod vobis a Christo in manus permissum est. Ego sum frater vester in Christo amantissimus.
[L.S.] SAMUEL ALLEN McCOSKRY,
Episcopus Michiganensis.
DETROITAE DATUM, A. D. MDCCCLXIII.
Mensis Novembris, die vicessimo quinto.
MY DEAR DR. YOUNG:
We have but just received yours of the 23d inst. We rejoice to hear that you are to visit the East, and hope that your intercourse with the Hierarchy and other Ecclesiastics, and members of their Churches may be pleasant and profitable. One's heart yearns for more of intercourse and good understanding, and we welcome everything which tends to it, provided it be on terms which do not involve on our part any surrendering of important principles. We beg you, as opportunity offers, and in quarters where it may not seem obtrusive or unacceptable, to tender our fraternal and most cordial salutations to any Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Arch-Bishops or Bishops, whom you may meet, and indeed to any Priests or other members of the Orthodox Oriental churches.
Commending you to God, and to the word of His Grace, we are
Faithfully your friend and Brother,
[L. S.] ALONZO POTTER,
Bishop of Pennsylvania.[L. S.] WM. BACON STEVENS,
Ass't Bishop Diocese of Penna.PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA,
November 27th, 1863.Benedictissinmis Sanctissimisque Patriarchis ac Praestantissimis Metropolitanis Episcopisque Ecclesiae Sanctae Orthodoxae Orientalis.
Pax a Deo Patre, et Christo Jesu Domino Nostro!
Virum Reverendum Johannem Freeman Young, Presbyterum Ecclesiae Americanae, in terras Orientales peregrinantem, vestre caritati commendo, ut eum suscipiatis in Domino, et pro vestra benignitate in quocumque negotio ad Ecclesiae utilitatem unitatemque perficiendo adjuvetis. Nos autem, in littoribus his transoceanicis non cessabimus orare ad Deum omnipotentem Patrem Domini Nostri Jesu Christi, ut Ecclesia Sancta Orientalis, cum omnibus fidelibus in orbe terrarum, pacem habeat, et ambulet in timore Domini, et consolatione Sancti Spiritus repleatur.
Gardineri, in Republica Mainensi. Die vigesimo quinto Novembris, MDCCCLXIII
[L. S.] GEORGIUS BURGESS,
Episcopus Mainensis.
The original Greek version of the following letter, has through a misapprehension failed to reach us.
To the Most Blessed and Holy the Patriarchs, and the Most Excellent the Metropolitans and Bishops of the Holy, Orthodox, Eastern Church.
Health and peace in the Lord Jesus Christ!
MOST REVEREND BRETHREN:We desire to commend unto you our beloved in Christ the Reverend John Freeman Young, Presbyter, who, journeying to the East, desires to present himself to the venerable Bishops and Clergy of the Holy Orthodox Church, and to confer with them, they permit it, on matters pertaining to the Unity of the one Body of Christ, now so sadly rent and divided.
And we subscribe ourselves your unworthy Brother in Christ Jesus,
JOHN WILLIAMS.
MIDDLETOWN, CONN., November, 1863.Beatissimis Sanctissimisque Patriarchis atque Excellentissimis Episcopis, Sanctae Orthodoxae Ecclesiae Orientalis Gratia, Misericordia et Pax a Deo Patre et Christo Jesu, Domino Nostro. Nos, Horatius Potter, Sancte Theologie Doctor, Diocesis Neo-Eboracensis Episcopus, Fratrem in Christo dilectissimum Johannem Freeman Young, hujus Nostrae Dioecesis presbyterum, virum omnibus bonis artibus ornatum et sanctissima conversatione vitaque probatum, omnibus ubique Christi Servis fidelibus ex animo commendamus; omnesque Fratres dilectos in terris externis, pro amore Dei et benevolentia erga homines, ut Fratrem in Christo nostrum benigne excipiant, eique consilium suum atque operam praemebeant, oramus et obsecramus; ut legatio ejus Gratia Dei abundante ad Unitatem Spiritualem et Concordiam fraternam inter omnes in Jesu Christo Fideles promovendam multum valeat.
Quae omnia ad fidem confirmandam Subscriptione ac Sigillo Apostolico munivimus, in Urbe Neo-Eboracensi.
Kalendis Decembribus, Anno Domini Nostri Millessimo Octingentessimo sexagesimo tertio, et Episcopatus Nostri anno decimo.
HORATIUS POTTER.
Episcopus Dioecesis Neo-Eboracensis.MEMORANDUM.
To His Eminence
ISIDORE, Metropolitan of St. Petersburg: