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Letters concerning the Establishment of the Holy Synod (1723)
Eastern Patriarchs, tr. King, 1865
1. Letter 1: The Most Holy Patriarchs to the Most Holy Synod
Letters of the Most Holy Patriarchs to the Most Holy Synod.
Jeremiah, by the mercy of God, Archbishop of Constantinople, and Œcumenical Patriarch.
Our mediocrity, by the grace and authority of the all-holy, life-giving, and consecrating Spirit, ratifies, confirms, and declares the Synod in the Russian, holy, great kingdom, appointed by the most pious and most serene Autocrat of the holy kingdom, of all Muscovy, Little and White Russia, and of all the Northern, Eastern, Western, and many other places, the possessor, Peter Alexiades, the Emperor, according to the Holy Spirit, beloved and greatly desired, to be and to be called our sister in Christ, a holy and sacred Synod by all the pious and Orthodox Christians, both clerical and laic, governors and governed, and by every one in office; and it has permission to perform and do whatever the four apostolical most holy patriarchal thrones perform; and warns, exhorts, and commands it (the Russian Synod) to observe and keep immovable the customs and canons of the Sacred Œcumenical Holy Seven Councils, and all whatsoever the Eastern Holy Church keeps and observes; and to remain immovable for ever; and may the grace of God, and the prayer and blessing of our mediocrity, be with it, (the Russian Synod.)
September 23d, 1723.
Jeremiah, by the mercy of God, Archbishop of Constantinople, and your brother in Christ.