[Kolokotronis]

"Festina lente, though."

Indeed!

"I assume you mean by this that a Council or Synod is not considered authoritative until it has been received by the whole Church?"

Exactly. I know he understands the import of the disasterous Council of Florence.

[Tantumergo]

I can't see a repeat of the Florentine Council happening (at least from the East's p.o.v.) if for no other reason than that communications are a little better than they were 550 years ago.

Any Council of the future would have a fair idea of how their deliberations were being received as they were going along. Obviously instant reactions aren't the same as reception, but it would prevent any outright howlers being adopted!

[Lion in Winter]

According to my nephew and Orthodox convert, he thinks it would be "fun" to see the RCs accept the stricter Orthodox way of fasting, married priests with children and watching the Pope become JUST the Bishop of Rome, Italy, instead of the ENTIRE world. Oh, and changing the way they view just about everything about "original sin".

He says the Orthodox will not change "one whit" of their beliefs to "blend" with the Pope since the Orthodox believe they are RIGHT.

Now, I will just sit back and watch to see if any sparks fly tonight on FR.