Recensioni
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This may be a misread on my part, but I felt a deep lament in the work as the author progressed from the concept of early Bishops as "of the people, by the people, for the people", to one which has become more rigid and distanced in structure, formalized and made more aggrandized, as though this progression has somehow stinted the role of the Episcopacy. I personally do not believe this to be so. It is different for certain, but not damaged or stinted. Has this growth of two millennia harmed Apostolic Tradition or Succession? I would definitely think not.
One point which came across well is that of the accessibility of a Bishop to his diocese in the present; whilst the ancient practice of having a Bishop presiding over every Liturgy and sacramental experience for one given community and living with them all the time is no longer practical, it will do well for the Church going forward to have the diocesan Bishop meet with parishes more frequently, and as Fr. Lawrence put it, not only on those "special" occasions with fanfare and dinners, but for a simple weekend visit, when normal parish services and activities can just resume and the pastor can move amidst his flock. I've heard of stories in my youth where a Bishop visited a small parish and served Vespers as a chanter on the kliros (choir) that evening. It's a beautiful image.
I personally over the last 40 years have witness an enormous change in interactions with Bishops and parishes, most notably in the frequency of visits, but also in the accessibility of the people to their spiritual pastor. This book appears to also reflect this, in the final observations in the "Practical Conclusions" chapter. As a child I would always remember the announcement "Vladyka is coming!" to be met with white faces and fear. I pray this will change, and we will see our Bishops more in a spirit of loving children who miss their earthly father.