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Letters concerning the Establishment of the Holy Synod (1723)

Eastern Patriarchs, tr. King, 1865

3. Letter 3: The Most Holy Patriarchs to the Most Holy Synod

Jeremiah, by the mercy of God, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Œcumenical Patriarch.

To the most pious, sacred, and most Orthodox Russian Holy Synod, sister beloved in the Holy Ghost, we give blessing from God, and salutation in Christ, in a holy kiss.

And now we explain to her, after the answer to the things proposed and sought by those who inhabit Great Britain, concerning which we wrote at large and sufficient, together with our other brethren the Patriarchs, who were here, and signed, (our names,) and called her sister. But the Patriarch of Alexandria has gone to the everlasting mansions, and at present a suitable person for his throne is sought for. And the Patriarch of Jerusalem, after he had signed the orthodox confession, and the letter which was written (with) regard to the orthodox confession, was taken ill, and is confined to his bed. On this account, each of us remained by himself, after having ratified and confirmed in this sacred Synod, according to the request, and as it (the request) contained that of ratification, our mediocrity ratified it, as also our brother, the most blessed Patriarch of Antioch, as his ratification also appears. And after this we have the care (to procure) the ratification by others, if sought for, that it may be sufficient. And if any thing else happens to be sought, let us freely have the news.

And may the grace of God and prayer, and the blessing of our mediocrity, be with it, (the Synod.)

September 23d, 1723.