The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-03-11
Bishop To Bless Unique Service
 Al St. John S Anglicans and Greek and Russian Orthodox Church
 to Unite MOVEMENT ONE OF
 VAST IMPORTANCE First Time Joint Service Has Been Held in 1, GOO Years
 For Church Unity 

One of the most interesting features of the attempt to procure church unity throughout the Christian world, Is 8 service which has been arranged for St. Johns <church. Fairfield and Park avenues, Thursday evening. at g o'clock. when worship will be con- ducted after a. fashion not possible before during eleven cantur5es.
 In the presence of Rt Rev. Chaun- sey B. Brewster, Episcopal Bishop of sConnecticut, and with his blessing, Ser vices will be conducted after the mana ner of the Greek and Russian Ortho- dox Catholic church, with the pern1is- sion of the Russian Archbishop P1aton of New York and the approval of the authorities Of the Greek church.
 The services will be under the aus- pices of the Anglican and Eastern Orthodox Churches Union, which is endeavoring to procure church unity. This service differs from any other that has been held. in that the vor-s ship after the forms of the Eastern church, is conducted in an Episcopal church. Hitherto each service has been celebrated in the building Of it's own creed
 In explaining the unique character of the service and the objects of the union, a member of it said, today:
 sIt is felt by the members of the Anglican and Eastern Orthodox Churches Union that the reunion of these two portions Of the church is more hopeful and practical than any other effort that can be put forth Just now in the direction of church unity. Both communions trace their history back to Christ and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets and are more alike in doc urine than either is with any other eae-- ta -sl-r- occurred about 300 the Eastern and Western churches have been divided and the object of the union,l and the purpose of this service. is to do some thing to help restore that unity which was then broken The first step is to know each other better and to create a widespread desire that the prayer all may be one"
 This service will also be noteworthy because conducted by clergy of the Orthodox Catholic churches of. the East exclusively.
 It is to be the regular evening ser. vice Of the Orthodox church, conddet- ed by the Rev. Fr. Pantelaief of the Russian Church Of the Holy Ghost of Bridgeport and the Arcl1imandrite, Rev. Dionysius Papadatos, pastor of the Greek Orthodox church, Bridge port, assisted by other orthodox clergy of the state.
 Invitations have been sent to eight parishes of the Orthodox church which are within easy distance from the city and to the rectors and congregations of the Episcopal churches of Bridge port and vicinity.
 The society which is arranging the service was started in England in 1906 and an American branch was organ ized in 1908. Its objects are to as sociate members of the Anglican and Eastern Orthodox churches in effort in order to promote mutual sympathy encourage action furthering reunion. world and many services have been Iscom munions were present. but it has church to conduct its own service in Lat St Johns is unique in that the vice in the Episcopal church, the clergy Of the Episcopal church taking I no part in 1t except that the bishop gives the blessing at the close. Addresses will be made by Rev. A. lPantelaef in Russian, the Rev. D. lPapadatos in Greek; the Rev. J. Stephanko of the Russian church, Passaic, N J., in English; the Rev. 1 the American branch secretary of the service was arranged by the Rev. R. D. Hatch of Southport the provincial secretary of the Union.
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