The New York herald., 1871-11-26
Proposed IntercOmmuniOn Of the Russian
and American Episcopal Churches.
Action Of Triennial Conven-
tions Toward Union.
GREEK CHAPELS In AMERICA.
Movements Of the English Es-
tablished Church.
JERUSALEM AND THE HOLY PLACES.
Doctrines, Rites and Government
of the Russian Church.

Doctrines, Rites and Government
of the Russian Church.
Several interesting chapters could be written in
reference to the movements that have been in
progress curing the past seven or eight years TO
bring about union or intercommuniOn between
non-C Catholic churches. claiming to be OF apostolic
succession and the Oriental Greek Church. We will
present from the data we have been able gather,
scattered in varous quarters, correct account OF
the earnest and continued Efforts made In this d.
rectlon. AT the present moment the subject pos
sesses peculiar interest from the fact that son OF
the Emperor OF Russfa-a potentate who reigns
over s0,O 900 Of the human race, In great part
Greek Christians-is now among US as the nations
guest. The acquisition OF Alaska, by purchase,
Drought the Oriental creed into the family OF Ameri-
can denominations, and the Episcopal Church,
branch Of the mother Anglican communlon-lost no
time, as will be seen, In renewing its efforts to have
closer and more desirable relations with the Greek
Church, only second in age to the Roman Catholic.
The ecclesiastical student would at first, in all
probability, be surprised TO find the Greek
denomination so closely resembling In doctrine and
ritual the Oldest Christian faith having such decided
inclination for union or intercommunion with
Western Protestants. This feeling or sympathy
on the part Of the English Pr0teStanrs has been
fully reciprocated IN the MuscovIte and Moslem
empires. and goes on Notwithstanding some excep-
ttonal occurrences, and grows Gay BY day. The
student however, would not proceed far in
his reading before discovering that in Russia,
as in nearly every country OF the Old
World, the religious system IS closely con-
nected with secular policy. 1t is the same
in Catholic and Protestant nations and in nations
nSt1
champion OF Catholicism in Rome, CHINA, Syria;
England IS ever ready to maintain and protect
Protestant interests, and Russia will under every
circumstance, be ready to befrlend oppressed
Christians of the Greek profession in Turkey the
Holy Land and along the Danube. Peter the Great
encouraged good understanding between Russian
and English bishops because In his time the Cath0-
lie Church was very powerful, and the Poles were
devoted adnerents OF the Catholic Church.
UNION WITH ANGLICAN CHURCHES.
However this may be. the American Episcopal
Church has ardently gone with such preates as the
Bishops Of London, OF Edinburg and OF Lincoln,
and with q large and influential body Of churchmen
at the other side Of the Atlantic, to bring about
union with the Russian Church. lntercommunion
is the term employed. This means mutual inter-
course; union In religious faith; having one common
belief But In reality the principle OF the matter
joint participation in the Lords Supper-has already
been accomplished. Since 1869 all through
Russia and Turkey Anglican clergymen on proper
occasions have been at liberty, and nave availed
themselves OF the opportunity to celebrate and Join
in the Eucharistic service ana the Oriental ceme-
teries have been open and used for the burial OF
English and Americans with the ceremonies pre-
scriped in the Book Of Common Prayer. In many
parts OF England the Established Church has
reciprocated fully, and II we have not
IN Hntfo
States it Is solely because members OF the
Greek communion are SO few, or because IN the
cases mentioned II arising. no application was made
to the proper parties. The most august service in
any place OF worship Is the celebration OF the Lords
Supper, and as intercommunion has been Iully es-
tabllshed In practice between the two forms OF
faith 1t may be matter OF some surprise that the
Greek priest here, Rev. Mr.. Berrln0, has not had
placed at his disposal one OF the Episcopaian edi
fees IN New York, so that the Grand Duke Alexis
and suite could attend divine service therein
THE GREEK CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES.
The first Greek church in the United States was
opened In San Francisco toward the close OF 1867.
The Bishop and priests came from Sitka after the
ccssion OF Alaska to this country. The chapel, as in
New York, was in private house. the residence Of
the chaplain. The altar ornaments, the vestments,
the copy OF the sacred Scriptures were all brought
from Onoolaska Many Russians, Roumanians and
Greeks were residents OF San Francisco,
who constituted quite large congregation,
and punctually attended the services, and
no doubt continue to do SO. The funds for sustain
ing the church were supplied by the Car, including
the salaries OF the priests To relieve worshippers
OF all restraints incident TO oicial support II was
thought proper not to place the church under the
control oil the Russian Minister al Washington. The
chapel on Second avenue, In tnis city, exists under
the same conditions. All the money required for
fts support IS furnished by the kussian government
M.
management. The Grand Duke Alexis IS TO attend
ana there Is no instrumental music, though choral
singing Is allowed. All, high and low, have TO re-
main uncovered and standing, dor no seaS are
used as IN spanish countries. The doors remain
closed, SO tnat no one can enter or leave during
portion Of the celebration something IKE practice
in Jewish synagogues Tne Grand Duke to-day Will
be attended only by his suite.
FIRST PROPOSALS FOR UNION.
TO give history OF the rst efforts 70 bring aDout
Churches we have TO 60 back 10 tue time OF Peter
the Great. The matter. when reviewed few years
SINCE vas no new thing. In the beginning OF ihe
eighteenth century, at the suggestion OF Peter the
English and Russian bishops entered INTO corre-
sponaence on ,ne on1,er9cfin9 reIipoms
influence 10 the Roman Catholics OF Poland, and
this idea has ruled Inc actions OF nearly All kusslan
through the inability OF the Russian
bishops to give satisfactory EXPLANATION
M yeuers,sns rs,san images Of the virgin and saints.
and on the death OF Peter these communications
ceased. The revival OF the negotiations IL uue III
great measure to the publication eight years ago OF
correspondence between an English clergyman:
Rev. MI. Williams, and Admiral Putrattn, VINO had
returned from Japan TO take charge OF the Ministry
OF Public instruction IN St Petersburg. Mr. Wn-
llams suggested tnat Russians might send their sons
to study in the University OF Cambridge. and secure
the erection OF . Greek church there and the ap-
pointment Of chaplain.
MEETING IN LONDON
Both branches OF the Anglican Church took mp the
matter with zeal. IL found numerous anu innu.
ential body OIL supporters among the Episcopai
clcrgymen OF the United States, many OF whom de-
sired not alone communion with the Greek Churcn,
but with all branches OF the Christian fold. AS
might be expected all overtures to the Roman
Catholic preiates declined; but this re-
fusal app cared to inspire to greater energy
the Anglicans both sides OF the
Atlantic. The Russian government and clergy
gave ready ear to the overtures. meeting was