The Episcopal Church has blessed the Akathist to King Charles for private use.

Ah ha! So this is why you believe that he is on his way to Orthodoxy?

Dear Aklile,

That's not the only reason by far.

King Charles was a very religious man who travelled throughout Europe and spoke with leading Catholic AND Orthodox people of his time.

He received a copy of the Alexandrian canon of Scriptures from Patriarch Cyril Lucaris, for example.

He also believed himself to be the head of the "Orthodox Church of England" as opposed to the "Puritans."

When appointing bishops, he always asked Archbishop William Laud to mark off the "orthodox" bishops with an "O."

And his theology leaned toward High Church all around.

There are Western Rite Orthodox who venerate him privately - and even publicly. Fr. Stephen Walinski of the Antiochian Orthodox Church in Omaha, Nebraska, had a beautiful icon of him written.

Alex

Ah the Stuart Kings (I still retain a romantic love for them)

They were often at their best in the ends of their lives rather then as rulers. Witness Charles I's advice to his children (Prince Henry ad Princess Elizabeth) before his execution, his last words at the execution or Charles II's conversion to Catholicism on his deathbed (he called out to the Benedictine priest who received him "ah! You who once saved my body, now have come to save my soul!!!", his attempt, although in great pain to kneel to receive the Blessed Sacrament etc. All of these scenes from history still move me to tears!

Brian

Dear, in Christ,

This topic has gone to the tenth page! It has also wandered far from our Brother Peter's original question.

May I suggest that if there is more to say on Byzantine Vocations' promotion, (or any other topic) it might better be begun in a new thread, as this one has wandered far.

Elias