Kosta:
We are in agreement. I do hope this synod will correct a lot of things, like the EP’s interfering in other jurisdictions, using the “barbarian lands” canon as an excuse......
His jurisdictional authority also is a matter of dispute. The Orthodox Church in Finnald celebrates Easter according to the western calendar, by EP's permission, etc. His idea of jurisdiction over "barbarian lands" is certainly stretched, and the ambiguous "little deal" that exists between EP and the Church of Greece.
The MP, rightfully, feels that the EP is a "Prisoner of Phanar" with barely 2,000 parishioners, and presides over a fictitious city (Constantinople), and is in no position to be the leader of the world's Orthodox. His patriarchate, in name only, is a vestige of history and a pretense. MP is certainly in much better position to defend the world Orthodox community and to do so effectively while exercising jurisdiction over 80% of the world Orthodox 350 million believers.
Because of EP's overt ambitions to be the Orthodox "pope," as the perception goes, Serbian hierarchs who have been "educated" in Greece or in Greek institutions under EP's jurisdiction, have returned with novel ideas about how to serve liturgy which are evident in Greek churches. These innovations smack of yet another westernization attempt by the EP (the doors are kept open throughout, the silent prayers are said aloud, the Ambo Prayer is recited by the priest facing the poeple, etc.
These changes are uncanonical and have caused a great deal of trouble in the Serbian community, effectively splitting the Church at home and ignoring the decision of the Synod last fall to cotinue serving the liturgy according to the established typikon.
I have to say that I am extremely upset about this subversive influence that has been done through EP and this unorthodox relationship that exists between the EP and the supposedly independent Church of Greece. To say that the differences pale is as understatement.