Antiochian Church breaks communion with the JP

Antiochian Church breaks communion with the Jerusalem Patriarchate

Internet Sobor: http://internetsobor.org/world-orthodoxy/tcerkovnye-novosti/world-orthodoxy/antiokhiiskaia-pravoslavnaia-tcerkov-razorvala-evkharisticheskoe-obshchenie-s-ierusalimskim-patriarkhatom My only comment on this story: Regardless of all other issues, [driving Orthodox today, world-wide] temporary schisms and splits between different local Orthodox churches, have been common through the past centuries, and often the cause has been, as this one seems to be: one church being perceived as infringing into the other's canonical territory.  Later, such breaks are usually healed, one way or another.  But if one looks at our Orthodox canon laws,  – that is why there are so many canons defining such local-church's prerogatives, [including the rights of their ruling bishops]  and the punishments  for those who try to usurp  them.  In past times, too, when we had Orthodox emperors, such disputes were often decided by them. To our traditionalist Orthodox perspective: We see both the current administrations of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and also of the Antiochean Patriarchate, both guilty of many canonical infractions, indeed of preaching and practicing many.. gross  heresies, – breaking of the canons.  Both are part of this world-wide end times mass Apostasy.  So, this current flap  about territorial rights being stolen, seems to be "the pot calling the kettle black."  It is nothing but crass worldly power politics, infringing into church life – quite disgusting in the end.  But, sadly this is really nothing new. And if 'ISIS" totally takes over the territory of where these Antiochean bishops reside, they will murder them and most of their flocks all off, anyway.  Then what? Just my views-Rd. Daniel Everiss in Oregon

June 29, 2015

In ended June 26, 2015 in Balamand Monastery in Lebanon under the chairmanship of the Patriarch John X session of the Synod of the Antiochian Orthodox Church adopted a special statement on the jurisdictional conflict between Antioch and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Qatar.  The statement was published in Arabic, Greek and French on the website orthodoxie.com .

The statement noted that violations of the Jerusalem Patriarchate canonical geographical boundaries of the Patriarchate of Antioch took place in connection with the creation of the Diocese of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem in Qatar and her appointment to the archbishop.

"Antioch Church tried to find a solution for peace, based on cooperation and coordination between the Orthodox sister Churches," - said in a statement that emphasizes the commitment of the Patriarchate of Antioch "dodge to undermine the unity of Orthodoxy."

At the same time the declaration indicates that the Antiochian Church used to date all possible means to reach a compromise, "including the mediation undertaken by the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the other sister Churches, as well as the Greek government", but it has not led to the decision problem.

The statement stated that "the Patriarchate of Jerusalem recently tears agreement concluded in the presence of representatives of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the promises given to the Primates of the sister Churches, which has offered to mediate." Patriarchate of Jerusalem continues to qualify regions, who are in the canonical jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Antioch, and rejects any attempt to overcome differences, sums up the Synod of the Antiochian Orthodox Church.

"All initiatives to resolve the deadlocked," - said in a statement. At the same time, everyone who has made ​​this initiative, recognized the indisputable right of the Patriarchate of Antioch jurisdiction over Arabia, and including - all the countries of the Persian Gulf, said the hierarchs of the Orthodox Church of Antioch.

In connection with the foregoing, the Holy Synod of the Antiochian Orthodox Church took the following decisions:

1) To break communion with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

2) Recognize that any decision should be based on the differences agreement concluded in Athens in June 2013

3) Antioch Church insists on the principle of unanimity on all pan-Orthodox meeting in addressing the presence of the sister Churches on the canonical territory of the other jurisdiction.

4) The provisions of this resolution shall come into force immediately, after which it becomes impossible for all the clergy of the Church of Antioch to participate in any worship service, held under the chairmanship of the clergy of the Jerusalem Patriarchate or with their participation.