I don't see the two formulations as mutually exclusive, although I am happy to live with yours. Two lungs exist within one body, and it is clear that there are legitimate differences of rite and small "t" traditions in the east and west, and all coexist within the one Church of Christ. I was also viewing the Ecumenical Patriarch as more of a symbol of the Eastern churches, not making a statement that he has exactly the same authority as the Pope. Anyways, thanks for your comments.
Hardly. A virtual prisoner of Islam, uncertain even if he will be allowed to live where he lives now, he would be a sad reminder that Orthodoxy is an orphan more than a vibrant and resiliant Church of God that has endured centuries of persecution and dhimification under Islam.
The EP is a presiding bishop of a community of bishops, not a symbol. We don't need a flag. Our symbol is The Cross. We don't need a Prince. Our King is Christ.
One thing I noticed in reviewing the Holy Mass in the Turkish Catholic Cathedral in Instanbul was that hardly anyone paid any attention or reverence to the Holy Gospel being carried into the church, but everyone paid attention and showed ample revrence to the Pope who walked some distance behind the Holy Gospel.
I would say, our mindset and priorities are a little different, don't you think?