To: Kingdom of Armenia
From: Roman Empire
Do you understand anything about the operations Orthodox Church? All the Patriarchs lead their respective churches, which are held together in communion, making the church catholic. The Orthodox Church has no central authority. All we ever asked was that you recognize the restored Patriarchate of Constantinople to once again be the Ecumenical Patriarchate. We ask this because the restored Orthodox Church of Constantinople is a direct continuation of the old Orthodox Church of Constantinople, which was the original church. The first Archbishop/Patriarch of Constantinople was the spiritual leader of the underground church in Constantinople when it emerged from hiding after the great Edict of Tolerance issued by Constantine VIII the Enlightened, Roman Emperor and Protector of Sicily.
Perhaps now I should explain that the Patriarch of Constantinople (through whatever method is used, I have no idea what that method is) rises to his position through the Church of Constantinople, just as the Patriarch of Angora does, or the Patriarch of Jerusalem, or of Sicily, or of Alexandria, or even of Armenia did, and we pray still does.
I should also now say that the Imperial government exercises no control over the actions of the Church, which is fully independent. For this reason, we tell you that your request is absurd. For us to direct the actions of the religious body of the Church of Constantinople because could conceivably do so would make us no better then the lot that Jesus cast out of the Temple in Jerusalem. Finally, to accuse the church of corruption is to accuse God of corruption. Are you prepared to face Gods wrath for slandering his name?
One more thing. Who are these Byzantines you speak of? We are Romans, or if you prefer, Greeks. Are you perhaps confusing us with a tribe that we have not yet heard of?