sides with the same faith in almost everything. Of course they would have to accept the whole of the Catholic faith. In that, no desire for reunion, no spirit of conciliation, can ever make the Holy See waive anything. There can be no compromise in matters of faith. But the Orthodox already have, and jealously keep, practically all that faith. As for the points they would have to concede, one cannot believe that they really think the question of the Filioque so vital, nor can they really be so unwilling to admit the special privilege of the all-holy Mother of God, to whom they are so devoted. Infallibility seems a big thing; but in this point, too, it should not be so difficult to make them see things. If God so carefully guides his Church, how can he allow the chief Patriarch to teach heresy, since he is the leader and judge of all the others? Other bishops can be put right by appeals to Rome: to whom could one appeal from the Pope? There must be a final court somewhere; no one could suggest any other than Rome, and the decision of the final court must be final. That means infallibility. Moreover, what did their fathers think when they continually appealed to Rome in questions of faith? Let the Orthodox think the same. But no one would think of asking them to accept all our ideas, our technical terms and philosophy. It would be a question of some such formulas as those of Florence again. And in all other matters there would be nothing to change. No one would dream of touching their venerable liturgies, their splendid ritual, their ancient Canon Law, or any of the customs that, maybe, would not suit us, but which evidently suit them. Not a metropolitan would be changed, not a prayer altered.[1] Still their strange chant would echo backwards and forwards through the gleaming Ikonostasis, while the deacon waves his ripidion over the Holy Gifts, and the clouds of incense are borne through the royal doors. Still the people would crowd up for the Antidoron and the Kolybas, dive for the cross at the Holy Lights, kiss each
- ↑ Very likely Rome would allow the Patriarch of Constantinople to keep even his title of Œcumenical Patriarch. It has become quite harmless, and only a little absurd, now that he has lost nearly all even of his lawful Patriarchate. His brother at Alexandria is Judge of the World. And if these things please them, what do they matter?
