Library › Eastern Patriarchs and the Nonjurors › Correspondence (1716–1725)
Correspondence (1716–1725)
Eastern Patriarchs and the Nonjurors, ed. Williams, 1868
8. No. 8: The Nonjurors to the Governing Synod of Russia
To the Right Honourable Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs at his Imperial Majesty’s Palace in Petersburgh.
We the underwritten Bishops of the Catholick Remainder in Britain have thought ourselves obliged in point of Regard to this Right Honourable Board, to acquaint your Lordships, that by the Hands of the Reverend Gennadius Archimandrite, and the Reverend Jacobus Protocyncellus, we have lately received an Answer from the four Patriarchs to some Proposals of ours in order to a Coalition. To which Answers we have now returned a Reply, with a Transcript of it to your Lordships: Humbly desiring your Lordships would please to give the Greek Copy a Conveyance to the most Reverend Patriarchs. And the Design of this projected Union being apparently undertaken upon true Christian Motives, without any interested Views on either Side, we hope your Lordships’ Countenance and recommendation will second our Endeavours. And being sensible that some Difficulties with respect to Authority and Expence may probably arise, which neither Party are in a Condition to remove, we most humbly beg his Imperial Majesty would please to condescend so far as to lend his Favour and Assistance. And thus having the Honour of Encouragement and Protection from so glorious a Monarch, the Affair, by the Blessing of God, may be conducted to a happy Conclusion. And we entreat this Right Honourable Board would please to believe we have nothing more at heart, than that the Issue may prove successful, and answer the Overtures made by us, who are with the greatest regard,
Your Lordships’ most obedient Servants
ARCHIBALDUS Scoto-Britanniæ Episcopus.
JEREMIAS Primus Anglo-Britanniæ Episcopus.
JACOBUS Scoto-Britanniæ Episcopus.
THOMAS Anglo-Britanniæ Episcopus.
May 30, 1722.