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Correspondence (1716–1725)
Eastern Patriarchs and the Nonjurors, ed. Williams, 1868
20. No. 20: The Nonjurors to the Metropolitan of Thebais
To the most illustrious and most Reverend Father in Christ, and Lord, the Lord Arsenius Archbishop of Thebais our dearest Brother at Petersburgh.
We cannot but acknowledge the great Obligations we lye under to your Lordship for so long continuance in Muscovy in order to promote an happy Union betwixt our Church and your own: For by that Means we have been enabled to treat with the most Holy Patriarchs of the East in a much better Manner than we could have hoped for by any other Means. It is your Merit and Interest, next to your own innate Goodness, that has obtained for us the Favour of the Great Emperor of Russia, and has engaged him to condescend to take Notice of us, and not only to order the Transmission of our Letters to the most Holy Patriarchs, and the Return of their Answers, but also to encourage the sending two Persons to confer with such as may be appointed to discourse the matters wherein any difference remains. Accordingly we acquainted the Reverend Archimandrite and Protocyncellus that we would forthwith send them. But one of those whom we had chosen for this Purpose being at a great Distance, it was so long before he arrived and could settle his private Affairs as made their coming this Summer impracticable. But if it please God they will not fail to wait on you as early as conveniently may be the next Summer. In the mean time we must desire you to make an Apology for us to the Emperor, the Chancellor and the great Synod, that they may not think us negligent in an Affair of such Moment, which indeed we have much at Heart. May Almighty God pour forth his Blessings upon our Endeavours, upon you, and upon all who give a helping hand to the Advancement of this great Work. We commit your Lordship to His Protection, and subscribe our selves,
Your Lordship’s most humble Servants,
ARCHIBALDUS Scoto-Britanniæ Episcopus.
JEREMIAS primus Anglo-Britanniæ Episcopus.
THOMAS Anglo-Britanniæ Episcopus.
JOHANNES Anglo-Britanniæ Episcopus.
July 13, 1724.