An Eirenic Itinerary; Impressions of Our Tour, with Addresses and Papers on the Unity of Christian Churches (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911 Excerpt: ...shout that went up from that great mass of soldiers was soul-stirring and when, with the cross in his hand, the venerable Patriarch gave them his benediction, the solemnity of the occasion was most impressive. Only a few weeks before I had read the Patriarch of Constantinople's letter in reply to the very severe letter from the Vatican to Prince Maximilian. The severity of the letter was as great against the Orthodox Eastern Churches as it was against the Prince Maximilian's own position. The Patriarch had replied in a very able and powerful argument, condemning as unfair and unhistorical the position taken by the Vatican, and then he had turned to deal with Prince Maximilian, condemning him for having raised an issue at a time so inopportune as not only to defeat the purpose that he had in hand, but actually to put whatever of truth there was in his letter in such perspective as to prevent its being recognized as truth. The Patriarch's letter made a deep impression upon me and I told His Holiness how I had felt about it. It was clearly the writing of a strong man, but I was unprepared to find so great a man as I believe him now to be. He told me that nine years ago he had written a letter to the Patriarchs of the Orthodox Eastern Churches urging that they should all combine to change their antagonistic attitude toward both the Roman Catholics on the one side and Protestants on the other into one more in accordance with Christ's mind. He had not been encouraged by their reply, but he had not changed his mind. He felt, as the Patriarch of Constantinople, that he should do what was in his power to bring about that fraternal attitude which alone represents the mind of Christ. Again three years ago he had asked his Synod to join him in the effort to have the &q...