An integral part of Turkey's heritage, Antakya's Orthodox Christian community have, for 2000 years, withstood the test of time. But the shattering effects of the earthquake threaten the group's existence, a threat worsened by state ambivalence.
There is, then, nothing particularly special about Heagy’s story. Obviously as a Christian, I find it sad. But I don’t think he’s a cynical conman or doing anything consciously malicious (though he should return the money, I suspect that is more of an oversight than a planned absconding). His decision to post an image of the Muslim profession of faith right before deleting his account does not suggest great maturity. Nothing I’ve seen so far does. But I pray that Heagy may grow, whether in his new faith or in some other. I hope he'd do the same for me.
Further, it’s clear that those who met at that council identified with the group that spent two centuries defining its identity over and against various heterodox and heretical groups by appealing to Matthew’s Gospel. In this sense, Jesus founded the Catholic Church there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.