To all of our faithful readers

A Greek Orthodox source in Australia has been complaining about content on our Archdiocesan website. He is specially unhappy that we have interesting websites listed on our links pages, for Churches which are not Eastern Orthodox, and not in communion with the Patriarch of Constantinople.

Another Greek Orthodox source has been complaining that our Metropolitan Archbishop does not follow the Pontificale of Constantinople for some of the services in our Tradition.

It is well know in educated Orthodox circles, that the Patriarch of Constantinople does not hold the same position or authority in the Orthodox Church, that the Bishop of Rome holds in the Catholic Church. The Patriarch of Constantinople is not the Pope of the East.

It is also well know in educated Orthodox circles, that past patriarchs of Constantinople, have been found by ecumenical councils and other church councils to be heretics, just like one or two past Bishops of Rome have been found to hold heretical views.

The Patriarch of Constantinople is not the voice for, and cannot set the standard of Orthodoxy. An archbishop or metropolitan bishop supposedly under the control of the Holy Synod of Constantinople has even less reason to claim control over bishops and archbishops in other Local Orthodox Churches.

It has been well known for the last hundred years that the Antiochian Patriarchate and its worldwide dioceses and archdioceses receive their instructions from the Holy Synod of the Antiochian Orthodox Patriarchate, and from no-one else.

We do not get involved in the internal affairs of any other jurisdiction. At the same time, we do not accept anyone from outside our jurisdiction telling us what to do, who to talk to, what to read, and who to be friends with.

The Prime Directive in the Church of Antioch is Love.  The Second Directive in the Church of Antioch is also Love.  Any rule or church law which is generally opposed to the Prime Directive and its corollary must be set aside and discounted.  Any rule or law which in a particular circumstance is opposed to the Prime Directive or its corollary must be set aside in that particular case.  The Church of Antioch is not a legalistic rule driven jurisdiction like the Church of Rome and some other jurisdictions. 

Since the Church of Antioch was founded in 34 AD we have always tried to follow the Primary Commandment of Christ - Love, and the auxillary command - Love also.

We are aware that some of the Local Churches founded by missionaries from the Church of Antioch have a history of being fractious and disputatious.  The primary missionary sent from Antioch wrote to some of these Churches telling them not to be so argumentative and divisive.  They were counselled to remember that Love must prevail over all.  It is regrettable that some who follow a tradition from that same general region today still do not place the Counsel of Love above all else, but persist in being divisive, and argumentative, and picky over minor or irrelevant matters.  

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ commands that we respect and love all people.

We choose to obey Our Lord's command to love, even if others seem to prefer to promote hatred.