Evening star., 1923-05-12
EASTERN PRELATES
FOREGOING BEARD
Picturesque Hirsute Adorn-
ment Dropped-Other Re-
forms Under Way.

Tho modern movement has pene-
trated the near east and sounded the
death knell of the long, picturesque
characteristic features Of the prelates
or the eastern orthodox church, ac-
cording to advices received by Episco-
pal churchmen, who are engaged in
the promotion OF the world confer
ence on faith and order, which will
be held in 1925. From Athens comes
word that his holiness Meletios ",
who was recently enthroned at Con-
stantinoDle as oecumenical patriarch
of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and
who was elected to this position while
he was undergoing the Americanizing
infuence Of temporary residence in
New York, is instituting some inter-
estlng reforms among the orthodox
Churchmen not only in the Balkan
states but throughout the near east
among these reforms he plans to en-
courage orthodox priests to abandon
their long boards.
IT Will be recollected by those who
nave seen the many eastern church
prelates that have visited America
recently. that almost without excep-
tfon their faces have been adorned
by great. bushy. hirsute Erowth>
Meletios himself, upon his first ar
riVhi IN america, wore q long beard
which ultimately was so reduced in
size, that upon his departure to as
sumo his duties at Constanttnople. il
was not much longer than that which
adorns the features of Secretary
OF State Hughes. No reason Is given
in the reports from Constantinopln
Tor this reform which, whatever else
IL may accomplish, will rob the east
ern prelates of a largo amount of
the picturesqueness which has dis
tlnsulshed them among their broth
ers OF other churches at the eccIesi-
astical convocations in Amerira
which they have attended
Urges Calendar Reform.
Another reform which Meletios "
Is advocating IL that of a movement
Tor the adoption in the near east Of
the Gregorian or western calendar
lor all civil purposes. The Greek
government at Athens has lust in
stituted this reform and the western
calendar Is now in force throughout
tbe Kingdom of Greece. The oIder
Julian calendar. which Iags thirteen
Gays behind ours. is still being used
.or ecclesiastical purposes. though
MeletloS has urged that the compIete
change be made so that the wastern
calendar shall be used upon ali oc.
ca Sions 80 -
Meletios is an ardent advocate Of
the organic union of the Christian
churches throughout the world upon
the unshakable basis Of the orthodox
taith- He is thoroughly conversant
with western theology and with
Ahmerican hdne.,I life and thought, and is
nearby cooperating with the contin-
uation committee of the world CON
ference on faith and order, a call
from which has just been issued for
a prayer period during the eight days
from May 13 to 20, 'on behalf Of the
visible unity OF Christianity" This
cal. which IS now repeated for the
nfth year, comes from the Worldwide
org @orsanization representing the Angli-
can. Armenian, Baptist, Congreea-
tional. Czechoslovak, Disciples. East
ern Orthodox. Friends. German Evan
selica5, Lutheran. Methodist, Moravi-
ans, Old Catholic. Presbyterian, Re-
formed and South Indian United Com
nlunions. The continuation commit
tee is arranging in behalf of these
Tor tho calling Of e. world conference
on an christian churches to consider
questions Of faith and order as the
LeAL step toward Christian unity.