phyletismn.
/ˈfʌɪlᵻtɪz(ə)m/, /ˈfiːlᵻtɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /ˈfaɪləˌtɪz(ə)m/, /ˈfiləˌtɪz(ə)m/ Orthodox Church.
An excessive emphasis on the principle of nationalism in the organization of church affairs; a policy which attaches greater importance to ethnic identity than to bonds of faith and worship; (originally) spec. the claim of the Bulgarian Church to jurisdiction over Bulgarian nationals in all parts of the world.This claim led to the condemnation passed in 1872 by the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, and to a schism between the Greek-speaking Orthodox churches and the Bulgarian Church which lasted until 1945.
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phyletism1875
1875 Catholic World Mar. 816/2 It was by appealing to the principle of nationality (phyletism) that the Bulgarians shook off the authority of the same patriarch.
1900 ‘Odysseus’ Turkey in Europe 285 The Patriarchate..stigmatised by the name of Phyletism the doctrine that persons of a particular race..are entitled to a separate ecclesiastical administration.
1907 A. Fortescue Orthodox Eastern Church iv. x. 278 He finds Philetism to be a deadly heresy. Poor Patriarch!.. Shall he denounce Philetism, stand out for the old rights of the hierarchy and of the chief sees, preach unity and ancient councils?
1974 Encycl. Brit. Macropædia VI. 159/1 The council [of 1872] condemned ‘phyletism’—the national or ethnic principle in church organization—and excommunicated the Bulgarians, who were certainly not alone guilty of ‘phyletism’.
2000 Independent (Nexis) 24 June (Features section) 10 If Hesychasm represents all that is best about the Orthodox Church, then Phyletism stands for everything that is unacceptable to a liberal conscience.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1875