The San Francisco call., 1895-07-19

church, who has al missionary field that
extends from the south of California to
British Columbia.
In his wanderings the missionary has
been strengthened in his conviction that
much spiritual good would accrue from a
union OF the Greek orthodox with the
Anglican church.
When asked yesterday about the posi-
bility of this union he said: 1.-The question
is being considered by the church authori-
ties No doubt decision will be reached
before long. Personally, l consider that
we were never so near q union as at
present.
Father Dabovich then went on to tell
how, although priest of the Greek ortho-
dox church, he was a native Californian
and in his early youth had been an intl-
mate friend of Rev. Henry Scott Jeffries,
and had learned through him to know
something of Episcopal doctrines, and to
see their great similarity in many points
to his own.
although I always favor the thought
of this union,' he said, there is no one
who inculcates the doctrines of his own
church with more severity than /, but
with the similarity that exists it will not
be necessary to make concessions that
for one should be very sorry to see made.
Once let it be clearly understood that they
believe in the apostolic succession and
there remains but little more to overcome
in order to effect a union, and it is my
opinion that the time is not far off when
the orthodox Eastern church will be able
to unite with the Anglican and Episco-
palian church and the Catholic.
1.-The Eastern church is more progressive
now than it ever was before. In past gen.
erations it has had to struggle for its very
existence against the Turks, the Mongol-
ians and the Magyars, but to-day it is more
secure and can turn its attention toward its
own internal progress"
Speaking of Bishop Nicholas, he said
that he was expected back in San Fran
cisco at the end of November. He has
been visiting in st. Petersburg and Mos
COW, and at present he is in Southern Rus
sia. Whether he decides to make his head
quarters in New York or here, he will GER
tainly pay visit to the coast. So far as |
know, decision has not been reached
with regard to the Bishops ultimate resi-
dence. Personally 1t is my opinion that he
will be left free to make the decision as he
sees best. His see embraces the whole of
North America, and with such vast terri
tory he has to consider the interests of the
whole diocese in selecting his head
quarters.
''In Alaska he has number of parishes,
in Pennsylvania there are five Greek or
thodox congregations, one in New York,
two in Illinois, two in Minnesota, one in
New Orleans, two in California, and one at
Portland, Or"
When asked about the California
churches the missionary stated that before
long a third would be added, as Los An
geles had shown itself anxious to build
sanctuary of its own and have a resident
priest. Most of the mem bers of the Creek
communion in Los Angeles are Russians.
Temporary services have been held among
them for some time, whenever mission
ary of their church visited Los Angeles,
but it has been decided to build within the
next few months.
The Los Angeles church will be of very
much the same character as the building
which was erected by members of the
Greek church at Jackson Amador County,
about year ago. Some members of this
live as far as thirty miles
from the church, but they manage to get
there pretty regularly Notwithstanding
Buggies, wagons and horses that have
travelled from afar are congregated round
the little church every Sunday. Not
few of the flock come from far beyond the
county line. 1t is energy such as this that
makes the Greek priests realize that there
is more vitality than ever before in their
h. +r,-H Haxv