View source for Nonjuring Correspondence with the Orthodox Church (1716–1725)

'''Source:''' ''Papers and Letters Relating to What Passed Between the Greek Church and the Catholick Remnant of the British Churches, in Order for a Concordate Betwixt Them. Anno 1716, &c.''

== Overview ==
The '''Nonjuring Correspondence with the Orthodox Church''' refers to a series of theological exchanges between representatives of the '''Nonjuring bishops of the Church of England''' and the '''Eastern Orthodox Patriarchates''' in the early eighteenth century. Beginning in '''1716''', this dialogue sought to establish '''communion and concord''' between the separated branches of the Catholic Church—the English Nonjurors and the Orthodox East—on the basis of shared apostolic faith and episcopal order.

== Historical Context ==
Following the [[Glorious Revolution]] of 1688, several English bishops and clergy refused to swear allegiance to William III and Mary II, maintaining their oaths to James II. These became known as '''Nonjurors'''. Though deprived of their sees, they continued to view themselves as the '''"Catholick Remnant of the British Churches"'''.

Seeking union with other ancient communions, the Nonjurors—particularly '''Jeremy Collier''', '''Thomas Brett''', and '''Archibald Campbell'''—opened correspondence with the '''Patriarchs of the East''' through the intermediary of the '''Russian Synod in Moscow''' and the '''Patriarch of Jerusalem, Chrysanthus'''.

== The First Letter of the Nonjurors (1716) ==
The correspondence began with a respectful letter addressed:<blockquote>"To the Most Holy and Blessed Patriarchs, the Brothers, Co-Labourers, and Fellow-Ministers of the Great Shepherd and Bishop of our Souls, the Patriarchs of the Apostolical and Catholick Church of the East."</blockquote>In this letter, the Nonjuring bishops described their situation and intent:<blockquote>"We, who are called the Catholick Remnant of the British Churches, having long bewailed the unhappy divisions of Christendom, and particularly the breaches that separate the Churches of the East and West, do most earnestly desire to heal the same by reviving that primitive unity and communion which flourished in the first ages of the Church, before the rise of those controversies which now distract the body of Christ."</blockquote>They affirmed their agreement with the ancient faith:<blockquote>"We embrace with reverence the Faith once delivered to the Saints, as declared by the first General Councils, and do acknowledge the same Creeds and Doctrines which the Holy Fathers have delivered and the Catholick Church in all ages received."</blockquote>The Nonjurors proposed to the Patriarchs that, should agreement be reached on essential points, a '''concordat of communion''' might be concluded between the Eastern and British Churches.

== The Orthodox Reply ==
The Orthodox Patriarchs of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem issued a collective response in 1718, expressing both goodwill and caution. Their letter, sent through the Metropolitan of Smyrna, stated:<blockquote>"We received with joy the pious sentiments expressed in your letters, and we bless the Lord Who hath kindled in your hearts such zeal for the peace of His Church. We pray that this holy work may be brought to perfection by the guidance of the Holy Spirit."</blockquote>Yet the reply also included pointed theological questions regarding Western doctrine:<blockquote>"Explain to us, beloved brethren, what you hold concerning the Procession of the Holy Spirit, the Invocation of Saints, and the Veneration of Holy Icons, that we may understand whether we be of one mind in these things."</blockquote>

== Subsequent Letters ==
In their subsequent letters (1718–1725), the Nonjurors, particularly Bishop Thomas Brett, answered these inquiries in detail. Brett’s exposition affirmed belief in the Nicene faith and acceptance of the invocation of the Holy Spirit (''Epiclesis'') in the Eucharist, though he expressed reserve concerning invocation of saints and the use of images:<blockquote>"We allow a reverend remembrance of the faithful departed, but we know not of any invocation addressed unto them, which we judge not consonant with the simplicity of the Gospel."</blockquote>Brett also shared with the Patriarchs his own restoration of a primitive Eucharistic liturgy based on Eastern patterns, later published as ''A Collection of the Principal Liturgies Used by the Christian Church'' (1720).

== Theological Aims ==
The correspondence sought to establish:

* Mutual recognition of '''episcopal orders''' and sacramental validity.
* The restoration of '''Eucharistic communion''' apart from the Papacy.
* A shared confession of the '''Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed''' without the ''Filioque''.
* Agreement on '''primitive liturgical usage''', including an explicit Epiclesis.

Although no formal union was concluded, the exchange revealed striking theological sympathies and highlighted the Nonjurors’ insistence on apostolic continuity, catholic order, and patristic theology.

== Legacy ==
The Nonjuring-Orthodox correspondence had lasting effects on Anglican thought:

* It inspired later '''Anglo-Orthodox dialogues''' of the nineteenth century.
* It encouraged liturgical renewal, especially the recovery of the '''Epiclesis''' in Anglican Eucharistic prayers.
* It strengthened the Nonjurors’ self-identity as '''Catholic and Reformed''', distinct from both Romanism and Erastianism.

== Primary Sources ==

* ''Papers and Letters Relating to What Passed Between the Greek Church and the Catholick Remnant of the British Churches, in Order for a Concordate Betwixt Them.'' London, 1716 ff.
* Thomas Brett, ''A Collection of the Principal Liturgies Used by the Christian Church'' (1720)
* John H. Overton, ''The Nonjurors: Their Lives, Principles, and Writings'' (1902)

== See also ==

* [[Nonjurors]]
* [[Eastern Orthodoxy and Anglicanism]]
* [[Jeremy Collier]]
* [[Thomas Brett]]
* [[Archibald Campbell (Nonjuring Bishop)]]
* [[Anglo-Orthodox Relations]]
* [[Epiclesis in Anglican Liturgies]]
* [[Glorious Revolution]]

== External links ==

* [https://archive.org/details/papersandletters1716 ''Papers and Letters Relating to What Passed Between the Greek Church and the Catholick Remnant of the British Churches''] (1716, full text)
* [https://archive.org/details/nonjurorswritings1902 Overton, ''The Nonjurors: Their Lives, Principles, and Writings''] (1902)