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Letters concerning the Establishment of the Holy Synod (1723)

Eastern Patriarchs, tr. King, 1865

11. Article 11

We believe that all the faithful, and only they, are members of the Catholic Church; that is to say, those who, without doubting, profess the unblemished faith of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, (as shown by Christ himself and the Apostles, and the Holy Œcumenical Councils,) although some of them may be guilty of manifold sins. For if the faithful were not indeed members of the Church, and were living in sin, they would not be judged by the Church. But now, as they are judged by her, and called to repentance, and as they are led in the way of saving commandments, although they may still be defiled by sin, for this reason only, that they have not fallen into despair and that they cling to the Catholic and pious faith, they are, and are recognized as, members of the Catholic Church.