First Meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the 18th Plenary Session
of the International Joint Commission on the Theological Dialogue
between the Lutheran World Federation and the Orthodox Church
of the International Joint Commission on the Theological Dialogue
between the Lutheran World Federation and the Orthodox Church
Tirana, Albania, 24th September - 1st October 2019
The First Meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the 18th Plenary
Session of the International Joint Commission on the Theological
Dialogue between the Lutheran World Federation and the Orthodox Church
was held in Tirana, Albania, from the 24th of September to the 1st of
October 2019. The Meeting was hosted by the Orthodox Church in Albania
with the generous hospitality of H.B. Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana,
Durrës and All Albania, and took place at the Skete of the Holy
Myrrh-Bearing Women, next to St. Vlash Monastery/ Orthodox Theological
Academy.
The Meeting, Co-chaired by H.E. Metropolitan Prof. Dr. Gennadios of
Sassima (Ecumenical Patriarchate) from the Orthodox side, and by Bishop
Dr. Johann Schneider (Evangelical Church in Central Germany/EKMD) from
the Lutheran World Federation side, discussed the theme of "The Place and the Role of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church".
Orthodox participants were: H.E. Metropolitan Prof. Dr. Gennadios of
Sassima (Ecumenical Patriarchate) and V. Rev. Archimandrite Agathangelos
Siskos, Archivist (Co-secretary, Ecumenical Patriarchate), V. Rev.
Archimandrite Dr. Alexi Chehadeh (Patriarchate of Antioch), V. Rev.
Protopresbyter Prof. Dr. George Dion Dragas (Patriarchate of Jerusalem),
Rev. Dr. Cosmin Pricop (Patriarchate of Romania), H.E. Metropolitan Dr.
Isaias of Tamasos and Oreini (Church of Cyprus), Prof. (Em.) Dr.
Christos Voulgaris (Church of Greece), Dr. Nathan Hoppe (Church of
Albania), V. Rev. Dr. Václav Ježek (Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands
and Slovakia), and Consultant V. Rev. Protopresbyter Stefanos
Chrysanthou (Church of Cyprus).
Lutheran participants were representing various member churches of
the Lutheran World Federation: Bishop Dr. Johann Schneider (Evangelical
Church in Central Germany/EKMD), Bishop Dr. Donald McCoid (Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America, U.S.A./Representing the LWF - Office
Geneva), Prof. Dr. Kenneth G. Appold (Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, U.S.A.), Rev. Dr. Heta Hurskainen (Evangelical Lutheran Church
of Finland), Rev. Prof. Dr. Stefan Tobler (Evangelical Church of the
Augsburg Confession in Romania), and Prof. Dr. Jennifer Wasmuth
(Consultant, Institute for Ecumenical Research, Strasbourg, France).
The Committee members heard presentations on the theme from both
sides, about the place and the role of the Holy Spirit: a) in the Life
of the Church, b) into the World, c) in Baptism and Ministry, and d) in
Eucharist:
Rev. Prof. Dr. Jennifer Wasmuth, “The work of the Joint Commission on the understanding of the Holy Spirit from the beginning until today,” H.E. Metropolitan Prof. Dr. Gennadios of Sassima, “The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church, and into the world. Some General Thoughts,” Bishop Dr. Johann Schneider, “A Lutheran Approach to the Orthodox Understanding of Pneumatology,” Rev. Prof. Dr. Stefan Tobler, “The Role of the Spirit in the life of the Church and into the world. A General Approach,” V. Rev. Dr. Václav Ježek, “Luther’s understanding of the Holy Spirit. An Orthodox Approach,” Rev. Dr. Heta Hurskainen, “The Action of the Holy Spirit in Baptism, and Ministry,” V. Rev. Archimandrite Dr. Alexi Chehadeh, “The action of the Holy Spirit in Baptism, and Ministry (Ierosyni),” Rev. Anne Burghardt (presented by Prof. Dr. Kenneth G. Appold), and Rev. Dr. Cosmin Pricop, “The Action of the Holy Spirit in Eucharist.”
Discussions on papers reflecting these themes identified areas of
agreement between the two traditions, particularly in the understanding
of the place and the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church. A
considerable number of open questions and differences still need
further discussion. In addition, discussions were held on pneumatology,
as related to Baptism, Ministry and Eucharist. The Committee prepared a
common paper, based on previous statements of the Commission, on the
works, role and place of the Holy Spirit. It was decided that the new
theme for the next stage of the dialogue will be: “The Holy Spirit, the Church and the World.”
The working sessions of the Preparatory Committee started with an
Opening Prayer at the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women Chapel, officiated by
Metropolitan Isaias. The Commission members participated in working
sessions after daily Morning Prayer.
On Friday, 27th of September, the participants had the opportunity to
visit places of historical, archaeological and religious interest, such
as the Monastery of the Dormition of Theotokos, at the ancient city of
Apollonia, and the Tomb of the New Martyr Cosmas the Aetolian, near
Fier. They were accompanied by H.E. Metropolitan Nikolaos of Apollonia
and Fier.
On Sunday, 29th of September, the members attended the Divine Liturgy
at the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Tirana, celebrated by
Archbishop Anastasios. After that, the members had the opportunity to
meet him. The Archbishop welcomed the members of the Committee, spoke
about the revival and the history of the Orthodox Church in Albania
since the collapse of communism, and about his pastoral and spiritual
efforts to regenerate the Church after its complete destruction. In the
afternoon they visited the Castle of Krujë.
The Committee expressed deep appreciation and gratitude to Archbishop
Anastasios for his generous hospitality, as well to all the Staff of
the Orthodox Theological Academy, and Sister Rachel at the Skete.
The Committee decided that the next Preparatory Meeting will be held
from the 29th of May to the 4th of June 2020, under the hospitality of
Bishop Schneider (venue to be determined).
Tirana, 30th of September, 2019