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Justin Farr
08-03-2008, 07:21 PM
Hello all! :) I've recently met a nice fellow, but in our discussions of the heresy of Ecumenism, Orthodox disunity, the EP, and such, he often points out how this shows the need for an Orthodox Emperor, to uphold the political side of things so the Patriarchs and such will not be bickering their internal politics. Is this true? And what is the position of Orthodox emperors? Are they needed? Good? Etc. Thanks!
Owen Jones
08-03-2008, 07:55 PM
The question is begged, what was wrong with ante-Nicene Christianity? Was there something deficient about it? Why shouldn't that be our example? It is more like the Orthodox Christian's contemporary situation, with competing interpretations of the Gospel, and what we call Orthodoxy being the minority view. So what's wrong with that? Why can't we accept that? And why can't we regain our eschatalogical attention, and let Rome be Rome. Why do we have to be a citizen of a republic or a subject of a monarchy for identity purposes, when these are always secondary to being a subject of the Holy Trinity? And why can't we shun hearth and home and travel the globe, like the ancient Christian pilgrims who knew that they had no home here on earth?
Kosta
13-03-2008, 04:18 AM
Emperors are the heads of states and empires not Churches. Orthodox Emperors under the Byzantine Empire simply had the authority to enforce councils and canons, but only if he wished. It was also his personal judgement as to whose side of a controversy he should take.

There is no need for an Emperor, only to be faithful to what the Church teaches. There will always be bickering but Christ Reigns!
Herman Blaydoe
13-03-2008, 01:38 PM
Emperors are the heads of states and empires not Churches. Orthodox Emperors under the Byzantine Empire simply had the authority to enforce councils and canons, but only if he wished. It was also his personal judgement as to whose side of a controversy he should take.

There is no need for an Emperor, only to be faithful to what the Church teaches. There will always be bickering but Christ Reigns!

Psalm 146 (145 Septuagint) which says "Do not put your trust in princes, in sons of men, in whom there is no salvation..."