: Art. 24. At all Church ceremonies, the Bishops are to pray, first for the King, and then for the Synod, in these words:"Lord, remember, first, our holy Synod, which thou," &c. The department of the Secretary of State for religion and instruction is charged to make known and carry this into execution.* Nauplia, 4th August (23 July) 1833. In the name of the King, THE REGENCY. Count Armansperg, v. Maurer, v. Heideck, the Secretaries of State, S. Tricoupi, President. A. Mavrocordato, G. Psyllas, G. Praides, J. Coletti, v. Schmalz. MINUTES OF THE ACTS OF THE GREEK PRELATES ASSEMBLED IN NAUPLIA. PROCLAMATION. The Secretary of State for religion and instruction gives notice that, by a decree of 13th July, a commission will be named, consisting of the Minister of State for religion and instruction, and the two councillors of the said ministerial department, in order to direct the negociations with the Metropolitans, Archbishops, and Bishops of the Kingdom, summoned and respectively invited under the decree of the 13th July. To this end, four sittings have already been held, at which were present thirty-six prelates, viz. all those who have hitherto arrived, and who have unanimously decided upon the independence of the Greek Church of the Kingdom, and upon the establishment of a permanent Synod. The Protocol of these sittings, signed by the above-named Commissioners, is inserted In the event of the subjects of King Otho in London being desiroua of knowing the footing on which they stand in a religious point of view, they may see a copy, in Romaic, of the institution of the Holy Synod, at the Portfolio Office. herewith, according to the order of the day, so that in the signatures, the order is followed in which the Prelates signed their names, (without any prejudice to the relations of rank.) Record of the Opinion of the Metropolitans, Archbishops, and Bishops, of the Greek Church of the Kingdom of Greece, on the political independence of the Greek Church, and the establishment of a permanent Synod. This day, the 15th (27) July, the undersigned Metropolitans, Archbishops, and Bishops, appeared at 10 A. M. before the Commission, summoned by the Royal Rescript, consisting of the Secretary of State for Religion and instruction, S. Tricoupi; the two Ministerial Councillors, Constantine Demetrius Schinas, and Scarlatos Byzantios. The reason for their summons and invitation was first explained to those present by the Chairman of the Commission, and then by the two Ministerial Councillors; and it was minutely explained to them that "The Government intends to ameliorate by every means the situation of the Greek Church, and to secure it in perpetuity. That the Government aims at restoring to the Greek Church that necessary outward dignity, which it possessed before the conquest of the country, and must again of itself assume, in the interests of the Greek religion; and the principal means to attain so great an end, and in a manner, the foundation of all others, are the two following. 1. The solemn and immutable declaration of the defacto independence of the Greek Church of every foreign power, with regard to its external deportment (without injury to the unity of the Dogmas, as they have been hitherto acknowledged, by every Church of Eastern rites.) 2. The establishment of a permanent holy Synod, to be named by the King, as the highest spiritual power, after the example of the Russian Church. Although the Commission established under the decree of 15th (27) March, for the investigation of the state of the Greek Church, as also the entire Cabinet have unanimously resolved upon this, yet the Government intends to take no steps before having the advantage of the opinion of the reverend Prelates, as the spiritual representatives of the Church, upon both of these questions, und this is the reason of their summons and invitation." After the undersigned Metropolitans, Archbishops, and Bishops had listened to all this, they considered the thing at length.Upon this, the Secretary of State for Religion and Instruction. remarked to the assembled gentlemen that they might consult peacefully and alone upon this subject, because it was necessary that their opinions should proceed from a clear conscience and full conviction; and for this purpose the members of the Commission retired from the Council Chamber. On the invitation of the assembly, after a long time, the Commission returned, and gave new explanations of the subjects upon which they were to consult, which were admitted by the assembly itself, which, however, demanded to reflect alone again upon the questions laid before them. The Commission once more retired, returned again after a length of time, and received for answer from the assembly that the questions laid before them were fully acquiesced in; that in consequence the assembly ardently desires that the Government should solemnly declare,— 1. That the Orthodox Eastern Apostolic Church of the kingdom of Greece, as it spiritually acknowledges no other head than the founder of the Christian faith, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, is free and independent of every other power, with a reservation of the integrity of the dogmas, as they are acknowledged by all Eastern and orthodox Churches. In so far as regards the direction and government of the Church which appertain only to the royal throne, it acknowledges, as no ways interfering with the laws of the Church, His Majesty the King of Greece as her supreme head. 2. That a Synod, composed only of Prelates, and to be named by the King, may be established, which, according to the laws of the Church, shall conduct the affairs of the Church. This Protocol was read before them by the Councillor of State, C. D. Schinas, and approved and signed by all present.The Session ended at 4 P. M. Nauplia, 15 July, 1833. (Signed) Kyrillos, Metr. of Corinth. Jacob, M. of Eubæa. Parsios, M. of Thebes. Gerasimus, M. of Egina and Hydra. Dionysius, M. of Rheon and Praestos. Kyrillos, late M. of Larissa. Nicodemos, M. of Kea and Thermia. Jonas, B. of Damala. Neophytos, Bishop of Talanda. Agathangelos, late M. of Autrysa. Makarios, late M. of Silivria. Dionysios, M. of Tripolis. Kyrillos, B. of Karyoupolis. Ignatz, B. of Adramedion. Paisios, B. of Elaa. Meletios, B. of Metra. Anthimos, B. of Heliopolis. Joannikios, B. of Bethymna. Gregorios, B. of Eudokias. Prokopios, S. Bishop of Paramytha. Gregorios, J. B. of Mendenitza, for the Bishop of Meschonisi. Bartholomeus, Metropolitan of Larissa. The Commission, S. Tricoupi. C. D. Schinas. Scarl. D. Byzantios. RUSSIAN CATECHISM. The following is a Literal Translation of the New Catechism prepared for the use of the Schools and Churches in the POLISH Provinces of Russia. It was published by Special Order of the Russian Government, and printed at Wilna, the Capital of Lithuania, in the year 1832. Quest. 1. How is the authority of the Emperor to be considered in reference to the spirit of Christianity? Ans. As proceeding immediately from God. Quest. 2. How is this substantiated by the nature of things? Ans. It is by the will of God that men live in society: hence the various relations which constitute society; which for its more complete security is divided into parts called nations; the government of which is entrusted to a prince, king, or emperor; or, in other words, to a supreme ruler: we see then that, as man exists in conformity to the will of God, society emanates from the same Divine will, and more especially the supreme power and authority of our lord and master the Czar. Quest. 3. What duties does religion teach us, the humble subjects of his Majesty the Emperor of Russia, to practise towards him? Ans. Worship, obedience, fidelity, the payment of taxes, service, love, and prayer, the whole being comprised in the words, worship and fidelity. Quest. 4. Wherein does this worship consist, and how should it be manifested? Ans. By the most unqualified reverence in words, gestures, demeanour, thoughts, and actions. Quest. 5. What kind of obedience do we owe him? Ans. An entire, passive, and unbounded obedience in every point of view. |