The New York herald., 1869-12-26
The Greek Patriarch on the
Ecumenical Council.
Ball Room Scenes and Outdoor AdVen-
ventures at ISmailia.
Financial Situation Of the Vicercy
as Reported in England.
TURKEY.


The Greek Patriarch and a Herald Special
Correspondents Reception by His "Hoii-
ness,, Of the Easi-IIs Manner and style OF
Iiviug-views Of the Council in Romc-The
Position and Authority Of the Pope.
CoNsrAsTNoPLE, Dec. g. 1869.
shall cndeavor to-day to give an account Of my
recent interview with the Greek Patriarch, and to
present resume or his opinions ON some important
religions questions. This, 1t seems 10 ne, cannot be
without interest now, when we are on the eve o tue
opening OF the Ecumenlcal Council at Rome.
After having made application through the proper
authorities received note stating that the Patri-
arch would be glad 10 see me at two O'Clock IN the
afternoon Starting from my hotel in Pera, the
European quarter OF the city, followed my guide
through ono OF the most characteristic parts OF Con-
stantinople. From the heights OF Pera are to be
scen stamboul or The ancient city, buit ike Rome,
on seven hills, with the land-ocsed and unrlvalcd
harbor OF the Golden Horn one side and the broad
and swiftly flowing waters OF the Bosphorus on the
other. on the slope OF the hill is the old Turkish
cemetery, with its thousands OF tombstones-some
erect and well preserved, others broken and IN
ciined. and many lying on the ground Passing
through the narrow, crooked and 0lthy streets below
lhe cemetery, soon arrived at the waters edge,
and stepping into caiqne, was rowed quickly
across the Golden Horn. inc Patriarchai residence
is In part OF Stamboul called Phansr- P hanar is
Inhabited mostly By Greeks From this name Is de-
rived the term Pbanarioie, often applied to the
Greeks OF Colstantinoplel-a is not more than q
couple or minutes walk from the laDdtng place.
Upon my arrival found q servant awaiting me,
by whom was conducted to the room OF the vicar,
Keohulos. After exchanging few words with the
reverend gentleman was informed that his Holiness
she Patriarch was ready to receive me- After pass
ting through two outer rooms, very modestly fur
nished was ushered into the presence Of Gregory,
Patriarch OF Constant,nople.
As entered the room the Patriarch arose from
the sofa ON which he was sitting and when the
Formally Of Introduction over invited me TO
take a seat near him. The room In which we were
was similar 10 the preceding ones In the modesty OF
Its appointments. table, few chairs, a stove,
sofa occupying one end and the greater portion o.
two sides OF the room, completed the furniture. The
PatIarch occupied one corner Of the sofa sat on
nis right and the vicar on his left.
Knowing already that came from America the
Fat,iarch sand he was always graiiaed TO see my
countrymen. and inquired what part OF the United
States came from. When informed him that
came from the State of Wisconsin he remarked,
''Your state forms portion OF the Great West, The
heart OF America. the country OF the future"
servants now appeared bringing JeliieS, preserves
ana TURKISH colee.
While partaking OF these refreshments tpe conver-
sasion turned on religion IN America subject with
which the Patriarch seemed very familiar. lie spoke
OF the letter recently addressed 10 the Pope By Right
Rev. Or. Cox, Bishop OF Buffalo. With this letter he
expressed hiAseA saslsAea Sha saia we pos.on
taken by the writer was entirely IN accordance with
that maintained by the Churches Of Greece Russia
and other orthodox sees Of the orient
now asked what the Eastern Church thought OF
the position claimed BY the Pope.
The answer | received was substantially as fol-
lows:"The Pope by right only Bishop OF The Dio.
Rome. BfprpIpurp "a 81
by the early Church, but for centuries neither the
Roman bishop nor any OF his brother bishops imag.
iDed that ne had jurisdiction beyond the limits OF MS
own diocese"
"Unity oil the Church. as now understood al Rome,
therefore DID not exist In the nrst centuries 81
asked.
mo y was the reply ''The unity OF the Church up
10 the tirue Of the Latin schisn was everywhere main
Ianed by communion between tne sees or, as ihey
Ole Church, the Church In its entirety, was governed
by COUNCILS formed of deegates meeting as equals
and senl from all parts Of the Christian word. All
bishops were equal. No one dared 10 dictate 10
other or TO arrogate 10 himself authority not granted
by Council OF the Universal Church. The Bishop of
Rome was simply prihtHs inter potes, '-Ihe
first among equals. This constitutional form
OF government IS still preserved in oil
the orthodox Churches OF the Orient The contrary
has taken place In the West. The Bishop OF Rome
having usurped power over all the other sees sue
ceeded IN reducng his brother bishops 10 the posi-
ncn Of heutenanis, ruling in snGct provinces, ana
Obliged TO look TO Rome for countenance and
supports
''The early Christian Churches and the Churches Of
Russia, Gr.eie aud 9tner eopnires in communion
with them may be looked upaG." then ! asked, ''as
forming, IN a certain sense, f9hieaefatioh or
United states Of Ghrlstanity'
fnat gives y said the Patriarch "tne idea to great
degree Each church had. during the nrst centuries,
autonomy In ADMINISTRATION lnd in Affairs having
purely local significance each country was allowed
10 retain ts language IN the ritual well
have all sacred books IN the vernacuar tongue. In
everything relating TO the doctrine and discipline OF
the whole Church council alone had Authority
Pope. This is q subject upon which the Patriarch
Las yer5 oeclded OPINIONS. They are foliows:--
For any man 10 affirm that be Is the vlcegerent or
God aud tutallihe IA nothing legs than blasphemy
1nfabllity was promised 10 the Church, and not 10
q rev men OF 10 one man. Even ii the prlmacy had
been granted by our saviour 10 Peter could Dy no
merely one OF The twelve Apostles. Christ is the
Head OF the Church, aud has promised that HIS
spirit shall depart from IL therefore no visible
aud mortal head Is necessary.
Nnen asked how the Eastern patriarchs looked
upon the invitation TO attend The CouDcil his Holt
ness answered:-"We augured no g0oI OF lt. We
Knew tnat Rome has never made move when has
not tended 10 the further ensavomcnt OF the Church.
tion.n
Here the conversation ended; another audience
was promised 10 me two DAYS later | nave given
the views Of the Patriarch without Comment or adj
6itlon OF my own Tney Mlii tend, tnius TO show
that the great difference between Rome Coustanti-
nopie and the other Eastern j. ne that relates
90 the whole structure OF the CnTch as well ~ to
doctrines. The main dispute ia ecclesiastical gov.
crntnent relates To the temporal and spiritual power
OF the Pope, Witch Is held la almost greater aversion
In the East than in Protestant countries.
ON the day appointed for lBy second interview
met General Banks, Who as ] informed you in ny
last letter WAS IN this city On his way TO the sue
Canal. The General, on discovering that ! wa
about to visit The Patriarch, concluded to go Wit
me. Mr. Morris, our ninister here, Mr. Appleton. o
Boston. and Mr.. Schebalsky. Russian historian
also Joined Us.