Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-08-05
The Greek Church in Turkey.

The dispute in agitation between Turkey and
Russia is reduced, by the late maniestos of the Gar
to question as to the amount of freedom accorded
to the Greek churches in Turkey, by the Sultan. A
statement of the rights and privileges Of these
churches, therefore, will show the arrogance and
absurdity of the Russian claims in the proper ght
Russia asks for diplomatic convention, overrul-
ing all prior agreements, and binding all future min
istries give her. the head of the Greek Church,
control all the subjects of the Sultan protesting
and believing that creed
The Greek clergy unite spiritual and temporal
authority, and the following, says the New York
Evening Post, Of their privileges: The
Patriarch of Constantinople is the present head of
Synod, DEGREES all civil and egous cases referred
to him, and he, as we'll as the twelve metropotans
OF his church, IS exempt from the tax known as
Harad. or capltation tax.
BY virtue of their position, the archbishops and
bishops members of the Municipal Council. The
Patriarch, the Archbshops, and Bishops, preside
over the Council, which fixes the amount of taxes,
to be paid by the Greek nation to the Porte
Inc Cadls, and other governmental officials, are
constrained to carry out the judicial sentences pro-
nounced by the Patriarch with regard to the Greek
Christians and also those of the Archbishops with
in their dioceses, and to assist the clergy in the
maintenance of their rights, and in collecting their
revenues
BY law, the Patriarch and metropolitans lay tax
OF III per cent. upon the amount involved in every
cause brought before them. They also have abso-
Lutte power to fix all indennifcatons to award i'm
prlsonment, corporal punishment or exile, and they
can, and not untrequenty do, excommunicate.
Add to the above 1" light and privilege - that all
the sacerdotal functions bought and Sold and
doubtless it will be generally admitted that the
Greek Church in Turkey has but little room for
complaint the score of religious intolerance and
certainly is not prosecuted as to need the profer
ed protection of Russia. With such freedom, it is
not surprising that the Greeks in Turkey, one and
all protest against being brought within the scope
of Russian interference.
1t necessarily follows, from this statement that il
the Emperor OF Russia could only far work upon
the tears OF the Sultan as to him to acquesce
IN what ne terms necessary measure of precaution
10 insure the statu quo of the Greek Church, he
would virtually rule of the most energetic
| and important sections of the Sultans subjects
would establish an imperium in impero; and whilst
the substance OF the present Sultan's power would
be vlslbly diminished, his successor might be left
without even the shadow of authority over dis
membered realm.
ms is the present purpose of the Gar of the
husslas and 1T is marvel that not only the Sultar
but all Europe arming for the contest IF thi;
most monstrous demand is granted, and the KEYS O.
the Turkish Empire thereby placed in his hands
the next step will be the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of some
portion OF the territory in the possession of tn,
sultan, to he followed by planting the flag of Russi;
above the domes and palaces of Constantinople-
mat this is the ultimate object of this Russia,
| movement no one can doubt, W no is at all acuuint
ed with all the circumstances surrounding this aeg
ed interference in behalf of the Greek Church !,
Turkey.-PhH Enquirer