Changes

:''This article discusses Erasmus, the Greek Orthodox bishop. For other meanings, see [[Erasmus]].''

:''This article discusses Erasmus, the Greek Orthodox bishop. For other meanings, see [[Erasmus]].''

{{Infobox bishopbiog

{{Infobox bishop

| name          = Erasmus<br/>Εράσμους  

| name          = Erasmus<br/>Εράσμους  

| image          =  

| image          =  

| caption        =  

| caption        =  

| religion      = [[Greek Orthodox Church]]

| religion      = [[Greek Orthodox Church]]

| See           =  

| see           = Diocese of Arcadia

| Title         = Bishop of Arcadia

| title         = Bishop of Arcadia

| Period         = 1700s

| period         = 1700s

| consecration  =  

| consecration  =  

| Predecessor   =  

| predecessor   =  

| Successor     =  

| successor     =  

| ordination    =  

| ordination    =  

| post          =  

| post          =

| bishops        =  

| bishops        =  

| date of birth =

| birth_date =

| place of birth = Crete

| birth_place = Crete

| date of death =

| death_date =

| place of death = }}

| death_place = }}

'''Erasmus of Arcadia''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Εράσμους της Αρκαδίας) was a [[Greek Orthodox]] [[bishop]] of the Diocese of [[Arcadia]] in [[Crete]],<ref name="Oxford Journals">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=629zXVqXp_8C&pg=PA516&dq=erasmus+arcadia+bishop+born&cd=2#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia%20bishop%20born&f=false|title= Notes and Queries|quote= Erasmus, "Bishop of Arcadia in Crete," visited London in 1763, according to Myles' ''Chronology of the Wesyleyan Methodists''.|publisher =Office, 32 Wellington Street, Strand, W.C.|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref><ref name="W John Alfred Faulkner">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=dzoFAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA141&dq=erasmus+crete&cd=1#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20crete&f=false|title= Wesley as sociologist, theologian, churchman|quote= In 1763 Bishop Erasmus, of Crete, of the Greek Church, visited England, and at the request of Wesley ordained as presbyter John Jones, an able and learned preacher of Wesley's band. It seems also that Samson Staniforth and Thomas Bryant were also ordained by Erasmus, but whether at Wesley's request, we do not know.|publisher =The Methodist Book Concern|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> operating under the Patriarch of Smyrna.<ref name="Luke Tyerman - Patriarch of Smyrna">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=EHpJAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA487&dq=erasmus+arcadia&cd=1#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia&f=false|title= The life and times of the Rev. John Wesley, founder of the Methodists, Volume 2|quote= By his direction, Jones wrote to the patriarch of Smyrna on the subject and received an answer, stating that Erasmus was bishop of Arcadia in Crete. To this was added the testimony of several gentlemen who had met the eastern prelate in Turkey. Wesley says, "he had abundant unexceptionable credentials as to his episcopal character."|publisher =[[Hodder & Stoughton]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref><ref name="The Churchman - Episcopal Character">{{cite book|url =http://books.google.com/books?id=fyDnAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA257&dq=erasmus+arcadia+ordained&cd=3#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia%20ordained&f=false|title=The Churchman, Volume 40|publisher =[[English Churchman]]|quote=Erasmus was the Bishop of Arcadia, in Crete. In 1763 he visited London. Wesley found his credentials unexceptionable, and Dr. Jones, on of the preachers who he ordained, obtained testimonials concerning him from Smyrna. There were also various gentlemen in London who had known him well in Turkey.|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> {{quotation|He [Erasmus] had abundant unexceptionable credentials as to his episcopal character.<ref name="Luke Tyerman - Patriarch of Smyrna">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=EHpJAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA487&dq=erasmus+arcadia&cd=1#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia&f=false|title= The life and times of the Rev. John Wesley, founder of the Methodists, Volume 2|quote= By his direction, Jones wrote to the patriarch of Smyrna on the subject and received an answer, stating that Erasmus was bishop of Arcadia in Crete. To this was added the testimony of several gentlemen who had met the eastern prelate in Turkey. Wesley says, "he had abundant unexceptionable credentials as to his episcopal character."|publisher =[[Hodder & Stoughton]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref>|[[John Wesley]]}} In 1763, the Greek bishop, who was visiting London at the time,<ref name="Luke Tyerman">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=EHpJAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA487&dq=erasmus+arcadia+wesley&lr=&cd=2#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia%20wesley&f=false|title= The life and times of the Rev. John Wesley, founder of the Methodists, Volume 2|quote= Just at this juncture, Erasmus a bishop of the Greek church, visited London.|publisher = Regent College Publishing|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> consecrated Rev. John Wesley a bishop,<ref name="Wesleyan-Methodist magazine - Consecration of Rev. John Wesley">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=STVAAAAAYAAJ&q=erasmus+arcadia+wesley+bishop+dare&dq=erasmus+arcadia+wesley+bishop+dare&lr=&cd=18|title= Wesleyan-Methodist magazine: being a continuation of the Arminian or Methodist magazine first publ. by John Wesley

'''Erasmus of Arcadia''' ({{lang-el|Εράσμους της Αρκαδίας}}), also known as '''Gerasimos Avlonites''' ({{lang-el|γεράσιμος Αυλωνίτης}}),<ref name="Name">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=2rAWAAAAMAAJ&q=Gerasimos+Avlonites&dq=Gerasimos+Avlonites&hl=en&ei=9fcETvvsGouqsAObmNG4DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAQ|title=Proceedings of the Wesley Historical Society|quote= Gerasimos Avlonites [Bishop Erasmus] 81, 97|publisher =Wesley Historical Society|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> was a [[Greek Orthodox]] [[bishop]] of the Diocese of [[Arcadia]] in [[Crete]],<ref name="Oxford Journals">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=629zXVqXp_8C&pg=PA516&dq=erasmus+arcadia+bishop+born&cd=2#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia%20bishop%20born&f=false|title= Notes and Queries|quote= Erasmus, "Bishop of Arcadia in Crete," visited London in 1763, according to Myles' ''Chronology of the Wesyleyan Methodists''.|publisher =Office, 32 Wellington Street, Strand, W.C.|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref><ref name="W John Alfred Faulkner">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=dzoFAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA141&dq=erasmus+crete&cd=1#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20crete&f=false|title= Wesley as sociologist, theologian, churchman|quote= In 1763 Bishop Erasmus, of Crete, of the Greek Church, visited England, and at the request of Wesley ordained as presbyter John Jones, an able and learned preacher of Wesley's band. It seems also that Samson Staniforth and Thomas Bryant were also ordained by Erasmus, but whether at Wesley's request, we do not know.|publisher =The Methodist Book Concern|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> operating under the Patriarch of Smyrna.<ref name="Luke Tyerman - Patriarch of Smyrna">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=EHpJAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA487&dq=erasmus+arcadia&cd=1#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia&f=false|title= The life and times of the Rev. John Wesley, founder of the Methodists, Volume 2|quote= By his direction, Jones wrote to the patriarch of Smyrna on the subject and received an answer, stating that Erasmus was bishop of Arcadia in Crete. To this was added the testimony of several gentlemen who had met the eastern prelate in Turkey. Wesley says, "he had abundant unexceptionable credentials as to his episcopal character."|publisher =[[Hodder & Stoughton]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref><ref name="The Churchman - Episcopal Character">{{cite book|url =http://books.google.com/books?id=fyDnAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA257&dq=erasmus+arcadia+ordained&cd=3#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia%20ordained&f=false|title=The Churchman, Volume 40|publisher =[[English Churchman]]|quote=Erasmus was the Bishop of Arcadia, in Crete. In 1763 he visited London. Wesley found his credentials unexceptionable, and Dr. Jones, on of the preachers who he ordained, obtained testimonials concerning him from Smyrna. There were also various gentlemen in London who had known him well in Turkey.|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> {{quotation|He [Erasmus] had abundant unexceptionable credentials as to his episcopal character.<ref name="Luke Tyerman - Patriarch of Smyrna"/>|[[John Wesley]]}} Erasmus' [[Eastern Christian monasticism|monastery]], located south of [[Rethymon]] in central Crete, was a centre of resistance to foreign domination by the [[Turkish régime]].<ref name="Exile">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=InS0Ey5Q56QC&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=bishops+of+arcadia+crete#v=onepage&q=bishops%20of%20arcadia%20crete&f=false|title= Authority and Order: John Wesley and his Preachers|quote= Sackett asserted that Gerasimos Avlonites of Arkadia would have been a resident of the monastery south of Rethymon in central Crete. This place was a centre of resistance to foreign domination so he had probably been driven into exile around 1739 by the oppressive Turkish régime. The Greeks in Amsterdam, rather than denounce him as an imposture, ackowledged him as founding the first Greek Church there. He was not an ignorant man, but a renowned scholar, having participated in the publication of a serious work in London and Amsterdam.|publisher = [[Ashgate Publishing]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref>  As such, the bishop was driven into exile around 1739.<ref name="Exile">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=InS0Ey5Q56QC&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=bishops+of+arcadia+crete#v=onepage&q=bishops%20of%20arcadia%20crete&f=false|title= Authority and Order: John Wesley and his Preachers|quote= Sackett asserted that Gerasimos Avlonites of Arkadia would have been a resident of the monastery south of Rethymon in central Crete. This place was a centre of resistance to foreign domination so he had probably been driven into exile around 1739 by the oppressive Turkish régime. The Greeks in Amsterdam, rather than denounce him as an imposture, ackowledged him as founding the first Greek Church there. He was not an ignorant man, but a renowned scholar, having participated in the publication of a serious work in London and Amsterdam.|publisher = [[Ashgate Publishing]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> He is regarded as the founder of the first Greek Orthodox [[Local church|congregation]] in [[Amsterdam]].<ref name="Exile">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=InS0Ey5Q56QC&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=bishops+of+arcadia+crete#v=onepage&q=bishops%20of%20arcadia%20crete&f=false|title= Authority and Order: John Wesley and his Preachers|quote= Sackett asserted that Gerasimos Avlonites of Arkadia would have been a resident of the monastery south of Rethymon in central Crete. This place was a centre of resistance to foreign domination so he had probably been driven into exile around 1739 by the oppressive Turkish régime. The Greeks in Amsterdam, rather than denounce him as an imposture, ackowledged him as founding the first Greek Church there. He was not an ignorant man, but a renowned scholar, having participated in the publication of a serious work in London and Amsterdam.|publisher = [[Ashgate Publishing]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref>  

|quote= Mr. Wesley thus became a Bishop, and consecrated Dr. Coke, who united himself with ... who gave it under his own hand that Erasmus was Bishop of Arcadia, ...|publisher = [[Wesleyan Methodist Magazine]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref><ref name="David Lyle Jeffrey - Bishop">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=yhqzG-kOic4C&pg=PA205&dq=erasmus+arcadia+wesley+bishop&lr=&cd=22#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia%20wesley%20bishop&f=false|title= English Spirituality in the Age of Wesley|quote= By 1763, Wesley was desperate to obtain ordination for some of his lay preachers and when bishop after bishop refused, he took the dubious expedient -against the council of all his close friends and associates-of asking one Easmus, who claimed to be bishop of Arcadia in Crete, to do the job. Erasmus knew no English, but agreed.|publisher = Regent College Publishing|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> and ordained several Methodist lay preachers as [[Elder (Methodism)|priests]], including [[John Jones (Talysarn)|John Jones]].<ref name="Rollmann - Ordination of lay preachers">{{cite web|url = http://www.mun.ca/rels/meth/texts/origins/earlym2.html|title=Early Methodism in Newfoundland|quote= During Wesley's absence from London in 1764, several Methodist lay preachers were ordained by the Greek emigr‚ from Amsterdam.|publisher =[[Memorial University of Newfoundland]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref><ref name="The Churchman">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=fyDnAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA257&dq=erasmus+arcadia+ordained&cd=3#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia%20ordained&f=false|title= The Churchman, Volume 40|quote= Erasmus was the Bishop of Arcadia, in Crete. In 1763, he visited London. Wesley found his credentials unexceptionable, and Dr. Jones, one of the preachers whom he had ordained, obtained testimonials concerning him from Symrna.|publisher = [[University of Michigan]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> However, Wesley could not openly announce his episcopal consecration without incurring the penalty of the [[Praemunire|Præmunire Act]].<ref name="Richard Joseph Cooke">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=mVVIAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA145&dq=erasmus+arcadia+wesley+bishop&cd=5#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia%20wesley%20bishop&f=false|title= The historic episcopate: a study of Anglican claims and Methodist orders |quote= Dr. Peters was present at the interview, and went with and introduced Dr. Seabury to Mr. Wesley, who was so far satisfied that he would have been willingly consecrated by him in Mr. Wesley would have signed his letter of orders as bishop, which Mr. Wesley could not do without incurring the penalty of the ''Præmunire'' Act.|publisher =Eaton & Mains|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> In light of Wesley's episcopal consecration by Erasmus, the [[Methodist Church]] can lay a claim on [[apostolic succession]], as understood in the traditional sense,<ref name="William Joseph Whalen - Membership">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=sw9ILcqw2hsC&pg=PA71&dq=methodism+our+separated+brethren&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=Separated Brethren: A Review of Protestant, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox & Other Religions in the United States|quote= Today the World Methodist Council represents twenty-nine million members of some sixty churches that trace their heritage to Wesley and his brother Charles.|publisher =[[Our Sunday Visitor]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> since the Rt. Rev. John Wesley ordained and sent forth every Methodist preacher in his day, who preached and baptized and ordained, and since every Methodist preacher who has ever been ordained as a Methodist was ordained in this direct "succession" from Erasmus.<ref name="William A. Bowen - Apostolic Succession">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=Qz3TAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA12&dq=apostolic+succession+methodist&lr=&cd=16#v=onepage&q=apostolic%20succession%20methodist&f=false|title=SWhy two Episcopal Methodist churches in the United States?: A brief history answering this question for the benefit of Epworth leaguers and other young Methodists|quote= And since he himself ordained and sent forth every Methodist preacher in his day, who preached and baptized and ordained (except such as, like himself, had been ordained by a bishop of the established Church), and since every Methodist preacher who has ever been ordained as a Methodist was ordained in this direct "succession" from Wesley, then have we all the direct merits coming from apostolic succession, if any such there be.|publisher =[[Methodist Episcopal Church, South|Publishing House of the M.E. Church, South]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> Nevertheless, there are some individuals who dispute Wesley's consecration by Bishop Erasmus or condemned it, most notably [[Augustus Montague Toplady]].<ref name="Wesley Centre Online - Erasmian Consecration">{{cite web|url =http://wesley.nnu.edu/wesleyan_theology/mreview/1870/A_%201878_%20Was%20Wesley%20Ordained%20Bishop%20by%20Erasmus_%2088-111.htm|title=Article V - Was Wesley Ordained a Bishop by Erasmus?|publisher =Sprinkle Publications|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref><ref name="Toplady - Erasmian Consecration">{{cite web|url =http://www.btinternet.com/~alan.s.flint/toplady/wesley.htm|title=Toplady: Letter - Relative to his Pretended Abridgement of Zanchius on Predestination|publisher =[[Northwest Nazarene University]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> According to ''The Greek Orthodox Theological Review'', Bishop Erasmus of the Diocese of Aracadia also ordained other famous clergymen, including Samson Staniforth, Thomas Bryant, Alexander Mather, among other men, as presbyters:<ref name="Holy Cross School of Theology - Ordinations by Erasmus">{{cite book|url =http://books.google.com/books?id=tMATAAAAIAAJ&q=Samson+Staniforth+and+Thomas+Bryant&dq=Samson+Staniforth+and+Thomas+Bryant&cd=5|title=The Greek Orthodox theological review, Volumes 1-2|publisher =[[Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology]]|quote=Erasmus obliged and ordained John Jones, Samson Staniforth, Thomas Bryant, Alexander Mather, and others.|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref><ref name="Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Ordinations by Erasmus">{{cite book|url =http://books.google.com/books?id=4nHUAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA657&dq=Samson+Staniforth+and+Thomas+Bryant&cd=3#v=onepage&q=Samson%20Staniforth%20and%20Thomas%20Bryant&f=false|title=The True Latter-Day-Saints' herald, Volume 22|publisher =[[Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]]|quote=It would further appear from Mr. Tyerman's "Life and Times of Wesley," that, Mr. Wesley procured the ordination of John Jones, by Erasmus, Bishop of Arcadia, in Crete. Samson Staniforth and Thomas Bryant, were also so ordained:|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref><ref name="Arnold A. Dallimore - Ordinations by Erasmus">{{cite book|url =http://books.google.com/books?id=nmKQAAAAMAAJ&q=Samson+Staniforth+and+Thomas+Bryant&dq=Samson+Staniforth+and+Thomas+Bryant&cd=6|title= A heart set free: the life of Charles Wesley|publisher =[[Crossway Books]]|quote=The bishop also ordained two other lay preachers, Sampson Staniforth and Thomas  

 

Bryant|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> {{quotation|Our measure from the grace, gift, and power of the all-holy and life-giving Spirit, given by our Saviour Jesus Christ to His divine and holy apostles, to ordain sub-deacons and deacons, and also to advance to the dignity of a priest! Of this grace, which hath descended to our humility, I have ordained sub-deacon and deacon, at Snow Fields Chapel, on the 19th day of November 1764, and at West Street Chapel, on the 24th of the same month, priest, the Rev. Mr. W.C., according to the rules of the holy apostles and of our faith. Moreover, I have given him power to minister and teach, in all the world, the gospel of Jesus Christ, no one forvidding him in the Church of God. Wherefore for that very purpose, I have made this present letter of recommendation from our humility, and have given it to the ordained Mr. W.C. for his certificate and security. —Given and written at London, in Britain, Nov. 24, 1764.<ref name="Robert Southey - Certificate">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=Wl5GAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA454&dq=erasmus+arcadia&cd=3#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia&f=false|title= The life of Wesley: and the rise and progress of Methodism|quote= Our measure from the grace, gift, and power of the all-holy and life-giving Spirit, given by our Saviour Jesus Christ to His divine and holy apostles, to ordain sub-deacons and deacons, and also to advance to the dignity of a priest! Of this grace, which hath descended to our humility, I have ordained sub-deacon and deacon, at Snow Fields Chapel, on the 19th day of November 1764, and at West Street Chapel, on the 24th of the same month, priest, the Rev. Mr. W.C., according to the rules of the holy apostles and of our faith. Moreover, I have given him power to minister and teach, in all the world, the gospel of Jesus Christ, no one forvidding him in the Church of God. Wherefore for that very purpose, I have made this present letter of recommendation from our humility, and have given it to the ordained Mr. W.C. for his certificate and security. —Given and written at London, in Britain, Nov. 24, 1764.|publisher =[[Frederick Warne & Co]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref>|Erasmus of Arcadia|Certificate presented to Rev. W.C. after ordination}} The eastern prelate was also well respected in London, by men who had known Erasmus in the [[Ottoman Empire]].<ref name="Luke Tyerman - Patriarch of Smyrna"/><ref name="The Churchman - Episcopal Character"/>  

In 1763, the Greek bishop, who was visiting London at the time,<ref name="Luke Tyerman">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=EHpJAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA487&dq=erasmus+arcadia+wesley&lr=&cd=2#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia%20wesley&f=false|title= The life and times of the Rev. John Wesley, founder of the Methodists, Volume 2|quote= Just at this juncture, Erasmus a bishop of the Greek church, visited London.|publisher = Regent College Publishing|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> consecrated Rev. John Wesley a bishop,<ref name="Wesleyan-Methodist magazine - Consecration of Rev. John Wesley">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=STVAAAAAYAAJ&q=erasmus+arcadia+wesley+bishop+dare&dq=erasmus+arcadia+wesley+bishop+dare&lr=&cd=18|title= Wesleyan-Methodist magazine: being a continuation of the Arminian or Methodist magazine first publ. by John Wesley

|quote= Mr. Wesley thus became a Bishop, and consecrated Dr. Coke, who united himself with ... who gave it under his own hand that Erasmus was Bishop of Arcadia, ...|publisher = [[Wesleyan Methodist Magazine]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref><ref name="David Lyle Jeffrey - Bishop">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=yhqzG-kOic4C&pg=PA205&dq=erasmus+arcadia+wesley+bishop&lr=&cd=22#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia%20wesley%20bishop&f=false|title= English Spirituality in the Age of Wesley|quote= By 1763, Wesley was desperate to obtain ordination for some of his lay preachers and when bishop after bishop refused, he took the dubious expedient -against the council of all his close friends and associates-of asking one Easmus, who claimed to be bishop of Arcadia in Crete, to do the job. Erasmus knew no English, but agreed.|publisher = Regent College Publishing|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> and ordained several Methodist lay preachers as [[Elder (Methodism)|priests]], including [[John Jones]].<ref name="Rollmann - Ordination of lay preachers">{{cite web|url = http://www.mun.ca/rels/meth/texts/origins/earlym2.html|title=Early Methodism in Newfoundland|quote= During Wesley's absence from London in 1764, several Methodist lay preachers were ordained by the Greek emigr‚ from Amsterdam.|publisher =[[Memorial University of Newfoundland]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref><ref name="The Churchman">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=fyDnAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA257&dq=erasmus+arcadia+ordained&cd=3#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia%20ordained&f=false|title= The Churchman, Volume 40|quote= Erasmus was the Bishop of Arcadia, in Crete. In 1763, he visited London. Wesley found his credentials unexceptionable, and Dr. Jones, one of the preachers whom he had ordained, obtained testimonials concerning him from Symrna.|publisher = [[University of Michigan]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> However, Wesley could not openly announce his episcopal consecration without incurring the penalty of the [[Praemunire|Præmunire Act]].<ref name="Richard Joseph Cooke">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=mVVIAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA145&dq=erasmus+arcadia+wesley+bishop&cd=5#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia%20wesley%20bishop&f=false|title= The historic episcopate: a study of Anglican claims and Methodist orders |quote= Dr. Peters was present at the interview, and went with and introduced Dr. Seabury to Mr. Wesley, who was so far satisfied that he would have been willingly consecrated by him in Mr. Wesley would have signed his letter of orders as bishop, which Mr. Wesley could not do without incurring the penalty of the ''Præmunire'' Act.|publisher =Eaton & Mains|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> In light of Wesley's episcopal consecration by Erasmus, the [[World Methodist Council|Methodist Church]] can lay a claim on [[apostolic succession]], as understood in the traditional sense,<ref name="William Joseph Whalen - Membership">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=sw9ILcqw2hsC&pg=PA71&dq=methodism+our+separated+brethren&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=Separated Brethren: A Review of Protestant, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox & Other Religions in the United States|quote= Today the World Methodist Council represents twenty-nine million members of some sixty churches that trace their heritage to Wesley and his brother Charles.|publisher =[[Our Sunday Visitor]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> since the Rt. Rev. John Wesley ordained and sent forth every Methodist preacher in his day, who preached and baptized and ordained, and since every Methodist preacher who has ever been ordained as a Methodist was ordained in this direct "succession" from Erasmus.<ref name="William A. Bowen - Apostolic Succession">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=Qz3TAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA12&dq=apostolic+succession+methodist&lr=&cd=16#v=onepage&q=apostolic%20succession%20methodist&f=false|title=SWhy two Episcopal Methodist churches in the United States?: A brief history answering this question for the benefit of Epworth leaguers and other young Methodists|quote= And since he himself ordained and sent forth every Methodist preacher in his day, who preached and baptized and ordained (except such as, like himself, had been ordained by a bishop of the established Church), and since every Methodist preacher who has ever been ordained as a Methodist was ordained in this direct "succession" from Wesley, then have we all the direct merits coming from apostolic succession, if any such there be.|publisher =[[Methodist Episcopal Church, South|Publishing House of the M.E. Church, South]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> Nevertheless, there are some individuals who dispute Wesley's consecration by Bishop Erasmus or condemned it, most notably [[Augustus Montague Toplady]].<ref name="Wesley Centre Online - Erasmian Consecration">{{cite web|url =http://wesley.nnu.edu/wesleyan_theology/mreview/1870/A_%201878_%20Was%20Wesley%20Ordained%20Bishop%20by%20Erasmus_%2088-111.htm|title=Article V - Was Wesley Ordained a Bishop by Erasmus?|publisher =Sprinkle Publications|accessdate = 2007-12-31 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071201063647/http://wesley.nnu.edu/wesleyan_theology/mreview/1870/A_+1878_+Was+Wesley+Ordained+Bishop+by+Erasmus_+88-111.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-12-01}}</ref><ref name="Toplady - Erasmian Consecration">{{cite web|url =http://www.btinternet.com/~alan.s.flint/toplady/wesley.htm|title=Toplady: Letter - Relative to his Pretended Abridgement of Zanchius on Predestination|publisher =[[Northwest Nazarene University]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> According to ''The Greek Orthodox Theological Review'', Bishop Erasmus of the Diocese of Aracadia also ordained other famous clergymen, including Samson Staniforth, Thomas Bryant, Alexander Mather, among other men, as presbyters:<ref name="Holy Cross School of Theology - Ordinations by Erasmus">{{cite book|url =http://books.google.com/books?id=tMATAAAAIAAJ&q=Samson+Staniforth+and+Thomas+Bryant&dq=Samson+Staniforth+and+Thomas+Bryant&cd=5|title=The Greek Orthodox theological review, Volumes 1-2|publisher =[[Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology]]|quote=Erasmus obliged and ordained John Jones, Samson Staniforth, Thomas Bryant, Alexander Mather, and others.|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref><ref name="Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Ordinations by Erasmus">{{cite book|url =http://books.google.com/books?id=4nHUAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA657&dq=Samson+Staniforth+and+Thomas+Bryant&cd=3#v=onepage&q=Samson%20Staniforth%20and%20Thomas%20Bryant&f=false|title=The True Latter-Day-Saints' herald, Volume 22|publisher =[[Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]]|quote=It would further appear from Mr. Tyerman's "Life and Times of Wesley," that, Mr. Wesley procured the ordination of John Jones, by Erasmus, Bishop of Arcadia, in Crete. Samson Staniforth and Thomas Bryant, were also so ordained:|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref><ref name="Arnold A. Dallimore - Ordinations by Erasmus">{{cite book|url =http://books.google.com/books?id=nmKQAAAAMAAJ&q=Samson+Staniforth+and+Thomas+Bryant&dq=Samson+Staniforth+and+Thomas+Bryant&cd=6|title= A heart set free: the life of Charles Wesley|publisher =[[Crossway Books]]|quote=The bishop also ordained two other lay preachers, Sampson Staniforth and Thomas  

Bryant|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref> {{quotation|Our measure from the grace, gift, and power of the all-holy and life-giving Spirit, given by our Saviour Jesus Christ to His divine and holy apostles, to ordain sub-deacons and deacons, and also to advance to the dignity of a priest! Of this grace, which hath descended to our humility, I have ordained sub-deacon and deacon, at Snow Fields Chapel, on the 19th day of November 1764, and at West Street Chapel, on the 24th of the same month, priest, the Rev. Mr. W.C., according to the rules of the holy apostles and of our faith. Moreover, I have given him power to minister and teach, in all the world, the gospel of Jesus Christ, no one forvidding him in the Church of God. Wherefore for that very purpose, I have made this present letter of recommendation from our humility, and have given it to the ordained Mr. W.C. for his certificate and security. —Given and written at London, in Britain, Nov. 24, 1764.<ref name="Robert Southey - Certificate">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=Wl5GAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA454&dq=erasmus+arcadia&cd=3#v=onepage&q=erasmus%20arcadia&f=false|title= The life of Wesley: and the rise and progress of Methodism|quote= Our measure from the grace, gift, and power of the all-holy and life-giving Spirit, given by our Saviour Jesus Christ to His divine and holy apostles, to ordain sub-deacons and deacons, and also to advance to the dignity of a priest! Of this grace, which hath descended to our humility, I have ordained sub-deacon and deacon, at Snow Fields Chapel, on the 19th day of November 1764, and at West Street Chapel, on the 24th of the same month, priest, the Rev. Mr. W.C., according to the rules of the holy apostles and of our faith. Moreover, I have given him power to minister and teach, in all the world, the gospel of Jesus Christ, no one forvidding him in the Church of God. Wherefore for that very purpose, I have made this present letter of recommendation from our humility, and have given it to the ordained Mr. W.C. for his certificate and security. —Given and written at London, in Britain, Nov. 24, 1764.|publisher =[[Frederick Warne & Co]]|accessdate = 2007-12-31}}</ref>|Erasmus of Arcadia|Certificate presented to Rev. W.C. after ordination}} The eastern prelate was also well respected in London, by men who had known Erasmus in the [[Ottoman Empire]].<ref name="Luke Tyerman - Patriarch of Smyrna"/><ref name="The Churchman - Episcopal Character"/>

 

==References==

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Methodism]]

[[Category:Methodism]]