scholarly journals ECCLESIOLOGICAL CONDITIONALITY OF THE AUTOCEPHALOUS SYSTEM OF THE UNIVERSAL ORTHODOXY

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-17
Author(s):  
Andriy Kobetіak
Keyword(s):  
The State ◽  
Natural State ◽  
Byzantine Empire ◽  
Ancient Rome ◽  
Local Churches ◽  
Church Management ◽  
Political Bargaining ◽  
Church Structure ◽  
Church Law ◽  
The Church

The article deals with one of the fundamental problems of the whole corps of the church law – autocephalous principle of the existence of the church. This problem drives the researchers' attention to the very essence of the existence of orthodoxy in general. The preaching of Christ and the Gospel leave no direct pointers of the internal organization of the church. The apostles make only the subtle hints to the administrative arrangement of the church in general. Their mission preaching and spreading the faith to all nations, however, they did not envisage any other administrative system than autocephaly. Church dogmas and canons, which regulate all aspects of the life of the Church, were formed during the heyday of Christianity in the Byzantine Empire. However, the significant politicization and dependence of the church on imperial power led to the proclamation of a number of canons that contradicted the original nature of the church. This also applies to autocephaly. Under the pressure of the state authorities, the primacy of honor together with ancient Rome is shared by the capital's Constantinople chair. The theory of the "Five Patriarchates" is be- ing formed, which are called to rule the world Orthodoxy. During the Ecumenical Councils, autocephaly was transformed from a basic and natural state of the Church existence into a certain privilege and a subject of political bargaining in the international arena.Despite the long process of forming the canonical and legal corps of Orthodoxy, there is no clear regulation of the procedure for proclaiming a new autocephalous church today. This led to significant misunderstandings and the termination of Eucharistic communion by a number of Local Churches after granting autocephalous status to the Ukrainian Church. Theological disputes over the very procedure of signing the Tomos still take place today. Besides theoretical justification, the internal church structure also has a practical value for the process of bestowing autocephaly on the new national Local Churches. This is relevant due to the struggle of a number of modern countries for the church independence and the Ecumenical recognition. Starting since the Byzantine Empire times, the state power has constantly imposed its own church management principle and methods, which often was going against traditions and canonical norms. Orthodox ecclesiology offers its own approach to church-administrative management. It is proved that merely the autocephalous system is the only acceptable option of the existence of the Universal Orthodoxy.

Old Pastor and Local Bureaucrats: Recasting Church-State Relations in Contemporary China

Modern China ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 564-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jifeng Liu ◽  
Chris White
Keyword(s):  
Church Leaders ◽  
The State ◽  
Local State ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Contemporary China ◽  
Church Structure ◽  
Church State Relations ◽  
State Relations ◽  
The Church ◽  
Local Levels

In examining the relationships between a state-recognized Protestant pastor and local bureaucrats, this article argues that church leaders in contemporary China are strategic in enhancing interactions with the local state as a way to produce greater space for religious activities. In contrast to the idea that the Three-Self church structure simply functions as a state-governing apparatus, this study suggests that closer connection to the state can, at times, result in less official oversight. State approval of Three-Self churches offers legitimacy to registered congregations and their leaders, but equally important is that by endorsing such groups, the state is encouraging dialogue, even negotiations between authorities and the church at local levels.

scholarly journals STATE SYMBOL OF RUSSIA AND ALBANIA: COMPARATIVE ASPECT

2019 ◽  
pp. 28-38
Author(s):  
Y. Romanenko
Keyword(s):  
The State ◽  
Political Elite ◽  
Military Coup ◽  
Byzantine Empire ◽  
Authoritarian State ◽  
Head Of State ◽  
Comparative Aspect ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
The Church ◽  
Comparative Description

The purpose of this research is a comparative description of the visual features of the national flags of Russia and Albania as symbols of diffusion of macroidentity, which is expressed in the contradictory vectors of their foreign policy and focus on both European and Asian macroidentity. Based on color semantics, the article analyzes the state flags of Russia and Albania, which, as in state symbols, reveal the features of the geopolitical positioning of states. The connection between the axial symbol of identity – the double-headed eagle – and the bifurcation (diffuseness) of political macroidentity is shown. The features common to the two states are shown: a tendency toward geopolitical isolationism, authoritarian state power, the dependence of the institution of the church on the state and statist atheism, the prevalence of corrupt practices, the emphasis on forced modernization and extraordinary technologies for overcoming situations of foreign political challenges. It is stated that in both countries there is a corruption of power, a sign of which is a fierce struggle for power during most of Byzantine history. It was determined that this struggle was not waged by political methods, but by force – a military coup, uprising or assassination of the current head of state. In the geopolitical position of Albania, this was due to Skannerberg’s attempt to combine two in one: Islamic and Orthodox identities, as well as situational adaptation of the country’s political elite to the next occupier: from 1443, i.e. the years of struggle against Turkish rule and until 1944 the coat of arms acquired alternately Turkish, Austrian, Greek, Italian and Soviet-Russian details. The coat of arms of the Russian Federation also contains Byzantine elements, which indicates a spiritual succession with the Byzantine Empire, however, with less borrowing.

The Caucasian Territorial Churches and the Sāsānid Commonwealth

2021 ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Frank Schleicher
Keyword(s):  
Power Factor ◽  
The State ◽  
Seventh Century ◽  
Sixth Century ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Local Power ◽  
Central Administration ◽  
Contact Person ◽  
Church Structure ◽  
The Church

At the beginning of the sixth century, the kingships in Caucasian Iberia and Albania were eliminated by the Sāsānids. Thus, the system of vassal kings that served well for centuries was suddenly replaced by direct rule across the board. In this study, we want to ask why this change suddenly became possible. For the Sāsānian administration always needed a central contact person in the countries who could control the local nobility. It is striking that the establishment of a strong church structure always preceded the end of kingship. This can be seen particularly well in the example of Armenia, whose kingship had already been eliminated a century earlier. It is therefore reasonable to assume that after the end of kingship in Armenia as well as in Iberia and Albania, the regional churches took over its central functions of cooperation with the Sāsānian central administration. Now the church served the administration as an important local power factor, and allowed it he control of the powerful dynastic clans. Despite occasional conflicts, the churches cooperated with the Sāsānids and they were able to benefit greatly from this cooperation. Their advantages consisted in access to financial resources and, above all, in strengthening their position of power vis-à-vis the leaders of the local noble clans. Ecclesiastical power reached its peak when the Katholikoi finally also led their countries politically, as Kiwrion did in the case of Iberia at the beginning of the seventh century. Thus, the church became the state-forming institution in the Caucasian countries.

scholarly journals "CHURCH BOUNDARIES" AND CANONICAL TERRITORY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE AUTOCEPHALIC SYSTEM OF UNIVERSAL ORTHODOXY

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-19
Author(s):  
Andriy Kobetіak ◽  
Oleh Sokolovsky
Keyword(s):  
Hierarchical Structure ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Fundamental Problem ◽  
Initial Moment ◽  
Byzantine Empire ◽  
Local Churches ◽  
Institutional Formation ◽  
Ecclesiastical Law ◽  
Administrative Division ◽  
The Church

The article analyzes the fundamental problem of the corpus of ecclesiastical law – the autocephalous principle of the existence of the church. The study found that since the time of the Byzantine Empire, state power imposed its own principle of administrative division and management methods. Already in the II-III centuries, a clear hierarchical structure of church government has been formed. It is specified that the foundation of the first apostolic communities took place exclusively on the basis of the autocephalous principle. It is determined that the institution of autocephaly has been through a difficult path of formation: from the basic state of existence to a church-political phenomenon. It has been proved that it is the autocephalous system that is the only acceptable version of the existence of the Ecumenical Orthodoxy. Therefore, the struggle of a number of national churches for its independence and recognition is fair. The absence of a clear regulation of the procedure for proclaiming a new autocephalous church is specified. It is established that the principle of having a "canonical territory" in each of the churches was constantly violated. This is due to the problem of "parallel jurisdictions". The problem has been arising after the Fourth Ecumenical Council, when parallel hierarchies has been formed on the same territory. Nowadays, the problem of "parallel jurisdictions" is particularly acute in Western Europe and the American continents. The article establishes that the institutional disputes of the Local Churches, related to the borders and the "canonical territory", can be resolved only in a conciliar way and with the participation of all Orthodox hierarchs. Existing approaches to solving the "temporary" problem of "parallel jurisdictions" have led to the incorporation of existing non-canonical entities into recognized churches. The study emphasizes that the borders of the "canonical territory" in the vast majority should coincide with state borders, given that the state is politically sufficient, strong and constitutionally capable of supporting the church. Therefore, the church needs to return to the initial moment of institutional formation, when church borders corresponded specifically to national borders rather than territorial ones.

scholarly journals Inculturation in the Catholic Church in Indonesia

2019 ◽  
pp. 31-48
Keyword(s):  
Catholic Church ◽  
The State ◽  
Local Churches ◽  
Concrete Situation ◽  
The World ◽  
The Church ◽  
Descriptive Method ◽  
The Catholic Church

Indonesia consists of different ethnicities, cultures, religions, and beliefs. This diversity is a gift, but also a challenge for the Indonesian nation. Differences that exist often cause problems and conflicts between tribes and between religions and beliefs. In the midst of this pluralistic situation, the Church in Indonesia needs to develop inculturation in order to be open and to be able to make dialogue with every culture that exists in Indonesia, with different religions and beliefs as well as with the concrete situation occurring in Indonesia. This paper uses an analytical descriptive method to describe and analyze the concrete situation of the Church in its efforts to respond to socio-religious and political problems and challenges in Indonesia. It appears that the Church in Indonesia is very open and fully respond to every problem and challenge that exist in the midst of Indonesian people and society. This paper is expected to be an inspiration for the local Churches in developing its role to contribute to the development of the nation and the State of Indonesia, as well as to be an inspiration to other Churches in other parts of the world wherever experiencing situations more or less similar to the pluralistic situation in Indonesia.

Monasteries, Society, Economy, and the State in the Byzantine Empire

2020 ◽  
pp. 154-167
Author(s):  
Kostis Smyrlis
Keyword(s):  
Fifteenth Century ◽  
Ottoman Empire ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The State ◽  
Byzantine Empire ◽  
Regional Economies ◽  
Substantial Role ◽  
Long Period ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Church

The chapter provides an overview of the social, political, and economic functions of Byzantine monasteries from the ninth to the fifteenth century. Relations between monasteries and the state, the Church, and lay society were complex. The monks received donations and protection in exchange for various spiritual and material services. The great landowning monasteries engaged in large-scale agrarian production and trade, and they played a substantial role in local and regional economies. Finally, the chapter addresses the fate and significance of monasteries in the long period of crisis that began in the middle of the fourteenth century and ended with the replacement of the Byzantine by the Ottoman Empire.

scholarly journals Legal Aspects of Church–State Relations in New Zealand

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-33
Author(s):  
Noel Cox
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Church Of England ◽  
Legal Aspects ◽  
The State ◽  
Anglican Church ◽  
Ecclesiastical Law ◽  
Church Law ◽  
State Relations ◽  
The Church ◽  
Body Subject

AbstractEven though the church law of the Anglican Church in New Zealand is based upon the consensus of the members of the Church, the laws of the State also have an important part to play. In particular, not only is the Church, as a juridical body, subject to the law of the land, it has also relied upon the State for the enactment of certain laws. This has been necessitated by the evolution of the Church in New Zealand, and is also a legacy of the pre-colonial Church of England. This is also affected by the lack of an indigenous method or style of approach in the exposition of ecclesiastical law.

scholarly journals Assessing the Impact of Good Governance, Church Management and Structure on the Growth and Development of the Church

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Ransford Kwabena Awuku- Gyampoh ◽  
Andy Ohemeng Asare
Keyword(s):  
Church Growth ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Church Management ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Church Structure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Church

Management is a business function that provides leadership support to organizations’ resources to realize strategic goals and objectives. While churches are not precisely business organizations tied with specific management practice as requirements including other complex legal requirements such as filing returns and payment of taxes, they engage in activities that require adequate planning and execution if they are to be successful and impact to the church's growth and development. Hence, there is a need for an effective governance system for churches that will ensure efficient and effective utilization of resources and management practices in the growth and development of Churches. This paper, therefore, aims at presenting an analysis of good governance, effective managerial strategies and church structure for church growth and development. This study will employ the use of content analysis of literature as the main components in the study in the areas of effective managerial practices, corporate governance and organizational structure and its impact on Church growth and development. The study will systematically answer various questions under the study which eventually contributes towards the establishment of good governance, effective management and Church Structure on the growth and development of Churches. The study will, therefore, unearth the relationship between good governance, church management and structure on the growth and development of churches. It will further recommend leaders of churches the elements of good governance, management and the structure of their church that have to be taken into consideration in their decision making.

Clergy Participation in Elections, Political Parties and Government from the Perspective of Secular and Church Law

Orthodoxia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 175-190
Author(s):  
Nun Elena (E.P. Garanova)
Keyword(s):  
Political Parties ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
The State ◽  
Theoretical Formula ◽  
Russian Orthodox ◽  
Orthodox Church ◽  
Russian Orthodox Church ◽  
Official Position ◽  
Church Law ◽  
The Church

This article presents a comparative analysis of solving the issue of Orthodox clergy's participation in elections, political parties and public bodies previously and in modern times from the standpoint of secular and church law. At different stages of history, there were both times when the clergy took active part in the legislative bodies of our country and abstained from it. The relevance of this question is conditioned by the following fact: while the Church is unified and its establishments are inviolable, there are historically many states of many types, and the relations between them should always be adjusted specifically to each case. There is no general theoretical formula that would suit them all. The clergy participated in political parties, elections and the State Duma before the revolution, but the results of this participation were very mixed. In the post-Soviet years, after the constitutional crisis of October 1993, the Church made the only right decision. At an expanded session on October 8, 1993, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church adopted a resolution that instructed clergy to refrain from participating in the elections to the Federal Assembly as candidates for deputy, and to abstain from membership in political parties under the penalty of prosecution. As for the Church law, the canons of the Orthodox Church do not permit clergymen to hold secular positions of authority. This is confirmed by the Apostolic Rules and decrees of the Ecumenical Councils. Adopted in 2000 by the Jubilee Council of Bishops, “The Fundamentals of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church” reflected the official position of the Moscow Patriarchate in its relations with the state and secular society . The Fundamentals formulate a concept of the state-church relations, the key concept of which is “the cooperation between state and church”. However, by prohibiting the clergy to participate in government bodies, the Church emphasizes its another resource: the participation of Orthodox laymen in the activities of government bodies and parties. The contemporary challenges include an enormous increase in the influence of the Internet, mass media, the ethical problems of modern technology, the lack of an Orthodox component in educational programs — they are only a few problems and challenges to the dialogue between church and state.

VIEWING THE PRACTICE OF TODAY'S CHRISTIAN POLITICS: POST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION REFLECTION

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Togardo Siburian
Keyword(s):  
Presidential Election ◽  
Democratic Party ◽  
Political Attitudes ◽  
The State ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Movements ◽  
Local Churches ◽  
Church Members ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church

This paper wants to rethink the political attitudes and views of the churches at the time of the last democratic party. the aims also to reflect them broadly and enrich their discussion with the study of literature. There are practical political concerns carried out by the churches as institutions that consciously and systematically become partisans, as well as the ambivalence in the attitude of the leaders of the local churches when facing the five-year presidential election. By actively campaigning for covertness in the middle of the church even on the pulpit of the church. There is a dilemma in the behavior of church members about the relationship between faith and politics, there is less undestandeing of the apolitical attitude of the church that separates religion and the State. The unity of political movements in the "false" coalition to win certain candidates of presidential election contestation.

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