If this is the case, then who actually is in charge of the Orthodox Church? Not the bishops, for sure. You've already assured us that the laity kicked their butts once and would do it again if the situation called for it.
We had this discussion yesterday when I mentioned that the Orthodox attitude to the papacy (at least as expounded by you) bore certain marked similarities to the Protestant one. No, no, you said.
Yet here we find another example a day later. You're telling us that the Orthodox Church is some sort of "bottom up" structure which follows its bishops in general terms but that the court of last resort rests with the faithful.
That's a Protestant model of ecclesiology, chum. Aren't you the guy that's always giving us Western heretics sermons about ecclesiology?
Well, yes and no. All the orders within The Church have their proper role. No decision of the hierarchy, even in a council, even as a matter of dogma, can be considered binding unless it is accepted by the People of God. Even something as simple as an ordination to the deaconate, let alone to the priesthood or hierarchy, must, must receive the AXIOS of the people.
On the other hand, the people can do nothing without the clergy and hierarchy. But the people are the guardians of Orthodoxy.
So, chum, perhaps you should rethink running after us for a reunion. We'd so throw monkey wrenches into your already fragile ecclesiology, especially in 1st world. We'd spend our time telling your people to overthrow their bishops when they got out of line. It would be great fun!