4.1297 Primus Inter Pares (2/29)
Elaine Brennan & Allen Renear (EDITORS@BROWNVM.BITNET)
Mon, 29 Apr 91 23:20:51 EDT
Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 4, No. 1297. Monday, 29 Apr 1991.
(1) Date: Tue, 23 Apr 91 21:56 CST (13 lines)
From: <THEOBIBLE@STMARYTX>
Subject: PRIMUS INTER PARES
(2) Date: Wed, 24 Apr 91 14:16:11 IST (16 lines)
From: "David M. Schaps" <F21004@BARILVM>
Subject: Re: 4.1277 Primus inter pares (2/24)
(1) --------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 91 21:56 CST
From: <THEOBIBLE@STMARYTX>
Subject: PRIMUS INTER PARES
The expression "primus inter pares" has been used for a long time in
theological circles to indicate the Orthodox valuation of the Patriarch
of Constantinople vis-a-vis other orthodox bishops, or the Patriarch of
Rome vis-a-vis other patriarchs and bishops. It would appear to be
perhaps a translation from Greek. Does anyone know of something roughly
equivalent in medieval Greek Orthodox writings?
Charles Miller
(2) --------------------------------------------------------------22----
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 91 14:16:11 IST
From: "David M. Schaps" <F21004@BARILVM>
Subject: Re: 4.1277 Primus inter pares (2/24)
I thank all those who have answered my question about "primus inter
pares" and still hope for something more tangible, but I do wish to
add a note to D. Coleman's suggestion that the pope could be referred
to as "primus inter pares". This was exactly the suggestion that my
student had sent to the Vatican, and it was apparently not looked upon
with favor. Although I have known questions that seemed much more
impertinent to get a courteous and even courtly reply from the Vatican,
my student's letter was returned to him with the single word "No!"
writ large across it.
David Schaps
Bar Ilan University
Ramat Gan, Israel