Because of a successive series of synods, ecumenical councils, general assemblies, and graduating classes of the seminaries, the Christian people of the land were greatly impoverished in their souls. Because of this, a great lament arose, and the people of all the congregations were greatly discouraged and wept most copiously. A traveler from another region happened to be walking through that territory, and so he asked them why they cried aloud as they did. “Because,”said the people, “the scribes and fairisees have taken from us every consolation we have, but one. But they have not yet taken from us our hope of Heaven. Thank God, at any rate that is secure.”
But of course, this was before the General Assembly of 2005.