December 1, 2003
The Pious Pastors of the Holy Metropolis of Denver
Beloved in the Lord,
Most of you are aware of ongoing discussions regarding the new Archdiocese Charter and the role of hierarchs, clergy, and laity in our Church in America.
Enclosed is an article entitled Authorities and Servants which addresses the matter. I ask that you print it in your parish newsletter and/or the weekly bulletin to ensure its widest dissemination among your faithful, or to send it directly to your parishioners as a separate item.
To put it succinctly, a charter is granted by a chartering entity to the organization it wishes to establish. The Ecumenical Patriarchate has issued its charter establishing the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America as one of its eparchies (provinces). The charter, it must be known, was first prepared by an Archdiocesan committee comprised of clergy and laity, and then presented to our Patriarchate for discussion, followed by combined meetings before the Patriarchate made its decision on the final draft.
When individuals speak of democracy
in the Church they reveal
a lack of clear understanding about our theology. The term democracy
derives in part from the word kravto meaning
power.
There is no place for us to exercise power in the Church,
for we say that all power and glory
is the Lord’s. God
alone rules
or has power
over His Church. On the other
hand, the Church is a hierarchy, by which we indicate that there is tavxi or order
so that all things may be
done in a proper manner. This order does not imply a supremacy, or a
power, of one senior in hierarchy over one junior; it merely means that
all things are to be done in good order.
This hierarchical
structure was established from the inception of the Church by our Lord
Jesus Christ, and has endured for almost two millennia as part of our
lasting and sacred tradition.
With Paternal Blessings,
Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver