Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-01-11
Giterarp Selections.
From the National Magazine.
THE GREEK CHURCH.

tional Church of one of the great powers
in the worlds affairs, the Greek Church
has ordinarily no little interest. Closely
connected with the origin, and greatly af-
fecting and affected by the results.of the
Crimean war, it is just now exciting more
than ordinary interest and attention in
our own country as well as in England
and the other countries more Immediate
" affected by the conduct and results of
that war. For, far distant from the field
as we may be. as republicans and as prot
estants we will be affected by what is re-
ally the politico-reigious war between
Russia and Rome-the seven-hilled city
of St. Peter and ST. Petersburgh.
The Greek Church is ordinarily con-
sidered schism from the Latin or Ro-
mish Church. Even after the removal
of the seat of government of the Roman
empire from Rome to COnstantinople,
there were hot and ill=concealed jealous
les and conflicts between the chief bish-
ops (patriarchs) of the two cities The
patriarch of Constantineple claimed high
er dignity and superior authority, in con-
sequence Of his being over the see in
which were the court and imperial resi-
dence. The patriarch of Rome, on the
other hand, based his claim to the su-
premacy upon the antiquity and wealth
OF his see and his successorship to ST.
Peter. For several centuries there were
now and then quite violent disturbances
between these digaitar;eS and their adher
cnts. In the ninth century wide and
mo-; notable breach occurred; but 1t was
not natil in the eleventh that, in conse-
quence OF the accommodation of the
Bishop of ConstantinopIe by Pope Leo
IN, an open and entire separation took
place between the Churches of the Le-
want and that of the West. Proposals
have been repeatedly made for uniting
the two communions but the hatred of
the Latins to the Greeks, and of the
Greeks to the Latins, has hitherto been
insuperable.
At present the Greek Church embra-
ces nearly all of the inhabitants of Rus
sia-in Europe, Asia and America and
some twelve or more millions of people
residing in Turkey, Greece, Asia Minor
Palestine, and along the northern shore
of Africa. 1t includes population va
riously estimated at from fifty to sixty
millions, and subsists in the form of sew.
eral sects or divisions, separated, howev'
er, by lesser differences in doctrine and
ceremonies than the various denomina.
tions of our Protestant Church. The
largest, and to Us most interesting divis-
ion, is the Russian; and after having
stated some facts with reference to the
Greek Church in general, we shall ado
something with respect to the Russo
Greek Church in particular-simply pre-
missing that the Greek Church every
where, in learning and piety, is hardly
the shadow of what it was in forme
times.
The following statements viii exhibi
the main tenets of the Greek Church.
They do not usually baptize their chill
cren until three, six, ten, or even ffteel
years of age; but If is considered aImos
. sure damnation if they die unbaptized.-
Their form of baptism is treble imme1
sion. They require the Iaity to receiv
the communion in both kinds. and admin
lister it even to infants. They re-baptiz
those admitted from the Romish con
munion to their own. They deny ii
procession of the Holy Ghost from til
Son, insisting that it is only from Il
Father. They exclude from the sacr;
ment the Romish ones Of confrmatio
and extreme JUNCTION, and have no supe
stitious reverence for the Host. The
deny that auricular confession (priya
confession to a PRIEST is required by ar
divine precept. They deny that there
any such place as purgatory, though the
pray for the dead. They deny that Il
pope has any special authority, and
set times, in their ceremonies. hand hi
over TO the "evil one" They have
very molly horror Of the dissolutions
the marriage tie. They condemn .
fourth marriages. They deny that eth
usury or fornication are mortal sins,
They hold that such as may have tax
holy orders may become laymen aga
and they approve the marriage of tn
priests-provided that they marry befc
ordination.
The form of government Of the Grt
Church is Episcopal The highest p
late over the largest districts is Gale
patriarch, and his see a pratriachate
AT first, and for some time, the patria