We take up one more myth for a review today:

1.)Myth: The demand for co-equal status between the Catholicos and the Patriarch cannot be entertained because it is an exclusively Byzantine concept.
Fact:The Byzantine Church is composed of the four ancient sees of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, and 11 other autocephalous churches.(Source:encarta) The heads of all these churches are considered equals with only the primacy of honour granted to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople (Istanbul)*. In other words, he is considered the first among equals and exercises only moral authority over the 14 other autocephalous churches in the Byzantine communion. The Metran faction of the Malankara Orthodox Church wants the same concept adopted in the relationship between the Syriac Patriarch and the Catholicos of Malankara. Our Jacobite brothers counter it by saying that the concept of first among equals does not exist among the Oriental Orthodox communion. This contention is not based on a correct interpretation of the facts on the ground:

a.) Let me quote from articles 1 and 2 of the protocol signed between the Eritrean Orthodox Church (EOC) and the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Article 1: The Church of Alexandria recognises the autocephaly (independence) of the Eritrean Orthodox Church

Article 2: His Holiness, the Pope of Alexandria, being the successor of St. Mark the Apostle, has the first position of honor, in accordance with the Church traditions and the resolutions of the canonical ecumenical councils confessed by the two Churches and also due to the historical links between the two Churches, in a manner that does not belittle the independent status of the EOC.

This protocol clearly states that for the EOC, the status of the Patriarch of Alexandria is that of first among equals. It also makes it clear that such an honour does not take way from the independent status of the EOC. Here's a link for those interested.(I thank Thomas Paul for bringing this page to my notice. I wouldn't have located it on my own.)

b.) Let me also quote from the history page on the website of the Catholicate of Cilicia at Antilyas (Lebanon), narrating the relationship between the Catholicate of Cilicia and the Catholicate of Ejmiadzin: "Therefore, since 1441, there have been two Catholicates in the Armenian Church with equal rights and privileges, and with their respective jurisdictions. The primacy of honor of the Catholicate of Etchmiadzin has always been recognized by the Catholicate of Cilicia."

This makes it clear that both the Catholicoi at Antilyas and Ejmiadzin enjoy "equal rights and privileges", but the Catholicos at Ejmiadzin enjoy the honour of being first among equals. Here's a link.

Conclusion:The concept of first among equals is generally associated with the Byzantine Church. But the examples of the Armenian Church and the Eritrean Church show that it's not non-existent among the Oriental Orthodox communion. Our Jacobite brothers should at least be willing to discuss the issue calmly for arriving at a meeting of minds.

Note: *Present incumbent Bartholomew I (since 1991).

Next: Can There Be A Saint In Malankara? Why We Are The True Legatees Of Parumala Thirumeni.