The Magnaura

[_Tristan_]

Still looking drawn, his skin with a feverish sheen, Methodios stands.

My Lord,

If you please, seeing how I should be the one to claim Alexandria, if God wills it... I think I should be asked if I wish to enjoy the Patriarch's company...

There was once a Patriarch in Antioch : why isn't there one now ?

I do not like to have decisions forced upon me. Cairo would be a better seat for the Patriarch, as his views are closer to those of the Order who are about to claim it.

With a slight bow to the Basileos, Methodios sits down.

[Ignoramus]

Ioannis Komnenos rises to speak.

Strator Tagaris, Alexandria has always been a patriarchate. Cairo is a city founded by the infidel, populated by the infidel, and in essence is infidel.

Sitting back down, Ioannis begins to write.

[_Tristan_]

Methodios adresses the Caesar.

Much as Antioch was also a Patriarchate, why isn't it one now, then ?

[Ignoramus]

Looking up from his papers, Ioannis responds.

Antioch is closer to Constantinople than Alexandria. While I also would like to see a Antioch receive her Patriarch, Alexandria has a greater need. Remember, we have not held the city for almost 500 years.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Patriarchal Representative:

Very cute, Basileus. I didn't think you would have had the balls to propose it at this Session.

For your information, Senators, the Basileus does have an ulterior motive for proposing this:

Ioannis, Anna and Senators (OOC: And TC as I want to run this by him):

While no hard evidence has emerged to implicate Patriarch Nicholas III with involvement in triggering a crisis in Egypt or with the Organization, the man is obviously rife with sin. He has exceeded, by a far measure, his God given authority, suborning the foreign policy and military resources of the Empire. I tire of his lackey's slander and insinuations in the Senate. There is only room enough in the Empire for one Vice-Regent of the Lord, and that would be the Basileus.

He must be dealt with before he can threaten Imperial succession. It is the Patriarch of Constantinople, after all, who serves at the Coronation of a new Basileus. While his direct control of the title of Basileus is less than those schismatic Popes and their sham Emperors in the west, he could cause problems.

Therefore I am thinking of proposing the following Charter Amendment, technically it will not change the Charter, but I believe it will need a super majority to be legal:

Charter Amendment 4.x: Patriarch Nicholas III will be transferred to the newly recreated Patriarchate of Alexandria. A Synod of the Church, chaired by the Basileus, will be called to select his replacement as Patriarch of Constantinople.

I will introduce this by speaking of a need for a gifted and strong man to restore the Word of God in liberated Egypt. Since the Patriarch has shown such concern for the Christians there, he is the natural choice for such a holy task, to continue the work of the Crusade he called.

Thoughts? (OOC: TC, would this be acceptable?)

Basileus Aleksios

Unfortunately, this is nothing more than a blatant power grab to keep His Eminence out of the Emperor's way. You'll notice that His Eminence and myself have not exactly been the most praising of the Basileus and his son? Exactly. This is just a plan to remove a critic with one fell swoop as well as extend more control over Orthodoxy, a recipe that has never worked.

[Warmaster Horus]

Exactly who received this information? And how did the Patriarch get it?

[GeneralHankerchief]

Patriarchal Representative:

The Basileus, I suppose, sent this out to the group of Senators whom he considered loyal right around the start of the session. At least one of them recognized the work for what it was and forwarded it to His Eminence.