24 APRIL 1909, Page 11

THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem. By Archdeacon Dowling, (The Blackheath Press. is. Od. net.)—This is an interesting account of the actually existing ecclesiastical order of the Greek Church in Palestine. First conies the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Damiaaue by name, who has held the office since 1897. Then there are five Metropolitans, and twelve Archbishops. This looks like a mag- nificent provision of spiritual rulers ; but, as a matter of feet, two only of the five Metropolitans are resident prelates, and two of the Sees are vacant, while most of the Archbishops reside in the Convent of Constantine in Jerusalem. The peculiar position of the Church under a Moslem Government must be taken as accounting for much that seems strange. It is pleasant to road of the friendly feeling that exists between Greek ecclesiastics and the Anglican sojourners in their province. Ono wonders how far it really goes. Other questions occur. Does the Orthodox Church require reform? Is our presence likely to help or to retard? But these questions do not trouble the party which regards our own Reformation as a deplorable mistake to ha repented of in sackcloth and ashes, .according to the most powerful of Anglican laymen. •