In a recent article on the Midwest Diocese’s Parish Life Conference, The Toledo Blade interviewed Bishop Mark of Toledo, who you will recall “overstepped his bounds” in the past by acting like a bishop. The lesson this author has learned through the mess is that Ameriki bishops have authority only over the Ameriki. Wealthy Lebanese have the option of respecting who they want. The article says:
one reason the simmering controversy is not heating up now is that the issue has been overshadowed by global developments in Orthodox Christianity.
“We are in a very unusual transition,” Bishop Mark said.
That transition started when Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of the world’s 200 million Orthodox Christians, called for an ecumenical council of all the world’s Orthodox denominations, including Antiochian, Greek, Ukrainian, Albanian, Serbian, and Romanian.
(http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100703/NEWS10/7030354)
I would have liked to have read more of His Grace’s comments. As it often happens in articles on the Church, the journalist is stretched to provide as much background information as possible, so there isn’t much we learn from the interview.
The article does make reference to the trial that beset Bishop Mark, the roots of which were simply an alpha male game the the part of wealthy laity. Shouldn’t we let sleeping dogs lie? Isn’t it best just to let go of something that happened so long ago? No, because as long as wealthy parishioners feel entitled to intimidate bishops, priests, and other laity for no more than disagreeing, this kind of thing is going to happen again. For this reason we should pray for Bishop Mark.
The adversary never ceases from warring. Satan is merciless in his hatred of men; therefore he never shirks from warring against every man. But he is not seen to set upon all to the same degree. There are some Christians who are vigorously warred upon and scraped by sin; and yet they become the firmer and the wiser for the wars, despising the power of the adversary.
- St. Macarius the Great quoted in The Veil (Vol. 16, No. 2, 2009)
This isn’t to accuse Bishop Mark of sin, but rather to say he is warred upon by the malignant passions of others. It has even been questioned elsewhere online whether the Holy Synod has been given an inaccurate picture of the AOANA by those few who can afford to travel to Antioch’s See.
Even issues of order and clerical appearance are decided according to what pleases the eyes of people who spend their off hours in “country club casual”. But this is the west, riassas and jibbis will alienate Americans. They will think we are Muslims or something. No, these are unfounded excuses. Americans are more sophisticated than that. Believe me- the culture that gave you hippies, punk rockers, and cowboys can handle seeing a priest in a riassa.
Those who want all priests to wear the black business suit are under the false impression their sesitivities are universal. That opinion originates from one socio-economic group, mainly upper middle class baby-boomers, who want their preferences applied everywhere. Some people would sacrifice having a spiritual father of the ancient tradition for a nice, clean cut boy.
The real reason: Antiochian clergy are often part of gala dinners and business events. While this is an endearing example of how Church and community remain close, image-obsessed Antiochians want their priests to conform to professional aesthetics. They are afraid of losing face or making a bad impression in front of business associates and politicians. This over-concern for status and professional relationships is also the reason why some wealthy Antiochians do not make donations to Palestinian Christian relief or even to their own distant relatives in war-torn Lebanon.
This author is not advocating that every priest should wear the riassa at all times. But there is no reason to mandate the suit as universal either.
If “The Ancient Church” is our marketing slogan, why begrudge people who want something which is actually more ancient? A couple parishes without pews isn’t going to hurt anyone. A few riassas out on the street isn’t going to hurt anyone. In fact, allow riassas and pew-free parishes and you will see a far greater interest in the Church by Gen X and Gen Y. We shouldn’t constrain our practice according to the visual comforts of a few who have never stepped out of their narrow, upper middle class community. We shouldn’t advertise “The Ancient Church” if we aren’t going to offer it.
