Σάββατο 14 Μαΐου 2016

RELATIONS OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES

by Edith M. Humphrey, V. Rev. Maxym Lysack, Bradley Nassif, Rev. Anthony Roeber, and V. Rev. Theodore Stylianopoulos
 Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office
As recognized in the Chambésy pre-conciliar document, relations between the Orthodox Church and other Christians are challenging and complex.

ON ECUMENOCLASM: WHO CAN BE SAVED?

Paul Ladouceur
Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office
Orthodox ecumenists and anti-ecumenists both start from the same fundamental ecclesiological principle, succinctly expressed in an anti-ecumenical statement of the Sacred Community of Mount Athos in April 1980

IN THE HOPE OF RESTORATION OF COMMUNION BETWEEN THE ORTHODOX AND ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES


by Carrie Frederick Frost, Vigen Guroian*, Jennifer Haddad Mosher, and Valerie Zahirsky
  Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office
We wish to bring attention to one of the items not specifically included on the Great and Holy Council’s agenda or in its preconciliar documents: the restoration of communion between the Orthodox Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

A PETITION TO CREATE A SPECIAL DELEGATION OF WOMEN AS CONSULTANTS AT THE PAN-ORTHODOX COUNCIL

Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office

To view or sign the petition, click HERE.

Source:  Patricia Bouteneff on change.org
The Pan-Orthodox Council will meet in Crete at Pentecost. Its voting members will consist of hierarchs from each of the fourteen autocephalous churches. Those delegates will be accompanied by non-voting consultants that may include clergy, monastic, and/or lay participants, with no guarantee that any of them will be female.

UTLINES OF AN ECUMENICAL ECCLESIOLOGY


A. Edward Siecienski
  Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office
Before Orthodoxy can properly address the question of the ecclesial nature of other Christian bodies, it is perhaps necessary to deal with the question of whether the True Church of Christ is found exclusively in Orthodox Church or whether elements of it exist outside of her. 

CONCILIARITY ON THE LIGHT OF DAY - INTERVIEW WITH BISHOP MAXIM (VASILJEVIC) FOR THE SERBIAN NEWSPAPER "POLITIKA"



  Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office
Question: Why is a Pan-Orthodox Council being called at this time, after so long, and what thematics will the Orthodox Churches convey to the world?

ON CONSENSUS: A CANONICAL APPRAISAL


V. Rev. Alexander Rentel
  Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office
A key component of the document Organization and Working Procedure is the requirement for unanimity for the approval of any texts or amendments. The primates of the Churches can adopt procedures for the running of the council; nothing in the canonical tradition forbids the adoption of such rules, and consensus as a rule for decision making has a long history in the Church.

ΠΤΥΧΕΣ ΤΗΣ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΛΟΓΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΕΙΜΕΝΟΥ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΗΣΙΑΣ ΔΙΑΤΑΞΕΩΣ ΤΗΣ ΑΓΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑΛΗΣ ΣΥΝΟΔΟΥ ΤΗΣ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΥ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ «Η ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΗ ΤΗΣ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΥ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΕΝ ΤΩ ΣΥΓΧΡΟΝΩ ΚΟΣΜΩ»

Κωνσταντίνος Δεληκωσταντής
Ομότιμος Καθηγητής του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών
 Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office

Εισαγωγή
Είχα την τύχη να συμμετάσχω με την ιδιότητα του συνεργάτου της Γραμματείας επί της Προπαρασκευής της Αγίας και Μεγάλης Συνόδου της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας στις τρεις συνελεύσεις της Ειδικής Διορθοδόξου Επιτροπής (Οκτώβριος 2014 και Φεβρουάριος και Απρίλιος 2015), στην Πέμπτη Προσυνοδική Πανορθόδοξο Διάσκεψη (Οκτώβριος 2015), καθώς και στη Σύναξη των Προκαθημένων του Ιανουαρίου 2016 εν Chambésy Γενεύης.

Η ΑΓΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΣΥΝΟΔΟΣ ΔΕΝ ΕΝΔΙΑΦΕΡΕΙ ΜΟΝΟΝ ΤΟΥΣ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΥΣ


Αλέξ. Κ. Παπαδερός 
Φως Φαναριου 


Από τις πολλές ενδείξεις που λαμβάνουμε και φανερώνουν ένα παγκόσμιο ενδιαφέρον για την προσεχή Σύνοδο, σημειώνουμε εδώ τα λόγια του Καθηγητή Konrad Raiser, επί πολλά χρόνια Γενικού Γραμματέα του Παγκοσμίου Συμβουλίου Εκκλησιών. 
Γράφοντας από το Βερολίνο (11.5.2016) και ευχαριστώντας για το νέο Λεύκωμά μου At a glance. Orthodox Academy of Crete, προσθέτει: 

THE APOSTOLIC COUNCIL OF JERUSALEM: THE DECISIVE PARADIGM FOR THE CHURCH'S SYNODICAL MODE OF EXISTENCE: A TIMELY REMINDER FOR TODAY

  by (Dr) Philip Kariatlis
Academic Director, Senior Lecturer in Theology
St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College, Sydney, Australia
Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office

Introductory Remarks
In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the bishop of each local Church[1] is the authoritative organ charged with the responsibility to maintain the Church's identity and continuity with that of the apostolic Church. Accordingly, the bishop is not only the authorized teacher but also the guarantor and witness to the apostolic faith held by all within the worshipping community. Indeed, by virtue of that special gift of the Holy Spirit – specifically known as the charisma veritatis [the gift of truth][2] – bestowed upon him at his ordination, the bishop acts as the discernible link to the authentic faith of the apostles thereby safeguarding the continuity of the entire Church's life with that of the apostolic Ekklesia.

SYNODALITY AND CHURCH: AN INDISSOLUBLE RELATIONSHIP A REFLECTION ON THE FORTHCOMING HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL


by (Dr) Philip Kariatlis
Academic Director, Senior Lecturer in Theology
St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College, Sydney, Australia
Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office

In Orthodox ecclesiology, the nature and mission of the church is almost always presented from within the framework of koinonia.

THE SYNODAL STRUCTURE OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH

Lewis J. Patsavos

 Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office

Theological Basis[1]

Basic to the ecclesiology of the Orthodox Church is the concept of conciliarity. The Church is, in fact, at her core always synod, the literal meaning of the word "Ekklesia." The concept of conciliarity, i.e., the conciliar or synodal approach to managing the Church's affairs, is not confined solely to convening various types of synods, but also includes every expression of ecclesiastical life.

PREPARATION OF THE HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL: A COMPREHENSIVE TIMELINE

Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office
  Source:  Faith Matters, TOWARD THE HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL: Retrieving a Culture of Conciliarity and Communion

Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis

Introduction: primacy and conciliarity in context

COUNCIL TO ADDRESS SIX MAJOR THEMES IN ORTHODOXY-WITH GENERAL SUMMARY

Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office

OFFICIAL ADVANCE DOCUMENTS

THE PREPARATION OF THE HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL: A SUMMARY

Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office


Under the leadership of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Orthodox Church worldwide is preparing to hold a Great and Holy Council on the Island of Crete June 16 -27, 2016.

WEDSITES OF ORTHODOX CHURCHES


Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office

Council Participants

On the Feast of Pentecost, when the Church celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit, more than 500 men and women -- bishops, priests, monastics, and laity -- will participate in the Holy and Great Council, to be convened in Crete.

ΣΧΕΣΕΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΥ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΜΕ ΤΟ ΠΑΓΚΟΣΜΙΟ ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΩΝ ΚΑΤΑ ΤΗΝ ΠΡΟΣΥΝΟΔΙΚΗ ΦΑΣΗ (Α΄ ΜΕΡΟΣ)



του π.Αυγουστίνου Μπαϊραχτάρη, Επίκουρου Καθηγητή στην Πατριαρχική Ανώτατη Ακαδημία Κρήτης
AMEN
 Ας προχωρήσουμε στη συνέχεια σε μία πρώτη αξιολόγηση των διαχριστιανικών διαλόγων έχοντας ως οδηγό το κείμενοNπου θα παρουσιαστεί στην Αγία και Μεγάλη Σύνοδο στην Ορθόδοξη Ακαδημία Κρήτης στο Κολυμπάρι, δίπλα στην ιστορική μονή της Γωνιάς.

HISTORY OF THE HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL - ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE PRESS OFFICE

Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office
What is a Holy and Great Council? When was the last one? Why is it important? Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis, Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, explains the process that has brought us to this unique and important event. The Holy and Great Council is the first time in 1200 years that 14 autocephalous Orthodox churches are meeting.

MESSAGE FROM HIS ALL-HOLINESS ON THE HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL - ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE PRESS OFFICE


Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew offers his dreams and prayers for the Holy and Great Council, meeting in Crete in late June 2016. The Holy and Great Council is the first time in 1200 years that 14 autocephalous Orthodox churches are meeting, with a common desire for strengthened relations and to be a sign of “unity in a world afflicted by conflict and division.”

WHAT IS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL? - ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE PRESS OFFICE

 Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office
The Holy and Great Council will address important issues of concern to Orthodox Christians and all people. This includes the mission of the Orthodox Church in the modern world, the Orthodox diaspora, autonomy, marriage, fasting and relations with other Christians. Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis tells why these are matters important not only to the Orthodox, but to the entire world.

VOTING AND CONSENSUS AT THE HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL - ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE PRESS OFFICE



Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office
The deliberations by the delegates at the Holy and Great Council honor a long tradition in the Church, and are guided by the Holy Spirit. Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis explains the process, which was itself determined by a deliberative body.

WHO WILL ATTEND THE HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL? - ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE PRESS OFFICE

Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office
Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis, Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, talks about who will be participating in the Holy and Great Council and the 14 autocephalous (independent) churches they will represent.
YouTube

HOW WILL THE HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL AFFECT MY PARISH? - ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE PRESS OFFICE

 Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office
Rev. Dr. Nicholas G. Louh, himself a parish priest, explains how the Holy and Great Council impacts the everyday lives of Orthodox Christians, and how Orthodox Christians can support the Holy and Great Council.

ON THE GREAT AND HOLY COUNCIL, THE OCA, AND THE FUTURE

 Mark Stokoe
Thirty-one years ago this summer, the World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth, SYNDESMOS, invited scores of young people from around the globe to the Orthodox Academy of Crete, located in a small village in western Crete, named Kolymbari, for the inaugural World Festival of Orthodox Youth.

ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΥ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΟΥ: ΠΡΟΣΠΑΘΕΙΑΙ ΣΥΓΚΡΟΤΗΣΕΩΣ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΗΣ ΣΥΝΟΔΟΥ ΠΡΟ ΠΕΝΤΗΚΟΝΤΑΕΤΙΑΣ (1980)

Πηγή Εκκλησία της Ελλάδος
ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΥ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΟΥ ΠΡΟΣΠΑΘΕΙΑΙ ΣΥΓΚΡΟΤΗΣΕΩΣ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΗΣ ΣΥΝΟΔΟΥ ΠΡΟ ΠΕΝΤΗΚΟΝΤΑΕΤΙΑΣ (1980)
Τιμητικόν Αφιέρωμα εις τον Μητροπολίτην Κίτρους Βαρνάβαν, Αθήναι 1980, σ. 83-92.

METROPOLITAN PAVEL, ARCHBISHOP GURYI TO ATTEND HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL OF ORTHODOX CHURCH

MINSK, 5 May (BelTA) - Metropolitan Pavel of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus and Archbishop Guryi of Novogrudok and Slonim will attend the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church as part of the Russian Orthodox Church delegation, BelTA informs with reference to the official website of the Belarusian Orthodox Church.

ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΉ ή ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΣΤΙΚΗ ΘΕΟΛΟΓΙΑ;

 του θεολόγου-φιλολόγου Κωνσταντίνου Νούση
ΑΜΕΝ
Η απάντηση είναι αυτονόητη. Ωστόσο στις δύσκολες μέρες μας καλό είναι να επαναλαμβάνουμε τα αυτονόητα, προκειμένου να τα εμπεδώνουμε, να τα νιώθουμε πιο λαγαρά, πιο βαθιά, πιο ξάστερα.

Παρασκευή 13 Μαΐου 2016

THE HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL: SEPARATING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF

Evagelos Sotiropoulos,  
HUFFPOST RELIGION
CHRIST IS RISEN!
With the journey to Pascha having reached its ultimate destination at the glorious Resurrection of the Lord, the Orthodox Church has now embarked on the Pentecostarion period.

ΙL RUOLO DEL LAICO NELLA CHIESA


 Dott.sa Elisabeta Fimiani Calampouka,
 Arcidiocesi Ortodossa d'Italia e Malta
Nell'iniziare questo breve intervento, desidero porgere un vivo ringraziamento a Sua Eminenza Gennadios per l'affettuosa insistenza a portarmi qui come rappresentante laica e a parlare del ruolo del laico nella Chiesa.

Πέμπτη 12 Μαΐου 2016

SOME NOTES ON THE BYZANTINE PRACTICE OF (RE)BAPTIZING LATINS

Nicolas Kamas, 
Public Orthodoxy,
The impending Great and Holy Council has provoked a number of reactions, from joy to hostility, on many of the topics it has promised to address. Among these has been the relationship of the Orthodox Church to other forms of Christianity, which highlights the long-standing problem of the reception of converts who have already received some form of Trinitarian baptism

ΑΝΑΦΟΡΑ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΑΝΑΓΚΑΙΟΤΗΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΝΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΥ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΡΗΤΗΣ


H Ιερά Επαρχιακή Σύνοδος της Εκκλησίας Κρήτης, συνήλθε σήμερα 12 Μαΐου 2016 στο Ηράκλειο, σέ Συνεδρία, και εκτός από τα τρέχοντα υπηρεσιακά θέματα, ασχολήθηκε, σε τομείς που άπτονται της αρμοδιότητάς της, και με το θέμα της προετοιμασίας της Αγίας και Μεγάλης Συνόδου της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας, η οποία θα συγκληθεί στην Κρήτη, τον προσεχή Ιούνιο.

Η ΠΑΝΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ, Ο ΠΑΠΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΟ ΖΗΤΗΜΑ ΤΗΣ ΧΕΙΡΟΤΟΝΕΙΑΣ ΤΩΝ ΓΥΝΑΙΚΩΝ

Ο πάπας Φραγκίσκος άφησε σήμερα ανοιχτό το ενδεχόμενο να επιτραπεί για πρώτη φορά στις γυναίκες να γίνονται διακόνισσες της Καθολικής Εκκλησίας και να τελούν ορισμένα μυστήρια, όπως αυτό της βάπτισης, μετέδωσαν τα ιταλικά ειδησεογραφικά πρακτορεία.

ΕΠΙΣΤΟΛΕΣ ΤΟΥ ΣΕΒΑΣΜΙΩΤΑΤΟΥ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΤΟΥ ΠΕΙΡΑΙΩΣ Κ. ΣΕΡΑΦΕΙΜ

                                                   Ιερά  Μητρόπολη Πειραιώς

Μπορείτε να βρείτε παρακάτω τις επιστολές του Σεβασμιωτάτου Μητροπολίτου Πειραιώς κ. Σεραφείμ, προς τους Μακαριωτάτους Πατριάρχες Γεωργίας κ. Ηλία Β΄ και Βουλγαρίας κ. Νεόφυτο και τον Σεβασμιώτατο Μητροπολίτη Ουκρανίας κ. Ονούφριο.

ΑΠΟΦΑΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΔΙΑΡΚΟΥΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΣΥΝΟΔΟΥ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ MH ΣΥΜΜΕΤΟΧΗ ΤΟΥ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΤΗ ΕΔΕΣΣΗΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΑΝΤΙΠΡΟΣΩΠΕΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΥ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΕΙΟΥ


Δελτίο Τύπου Δ.Ι.Σ. της 12ης Μαΐου 2016
(12/5/2016).


Συνήλθε σήμερα Πέμπτη, 12 Μαΐου 2016, στη δεύτερη Συνεδρία Της για τον μήνα Μάιο, η Διαρκής Ιερά Σύνοδος της Εκκλησίας της Ελλάδος, υπό την Προεδρία του Μακαριωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αθηνών και πάσης Ελλάδος κ. Ιερωνύμου.

STEADFAST UNITY IN DIVISIVE TIMES: HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH

Conference of European Churches (CEC) 

Steadfast Unity in Divisive Times:
Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church

  The Conference of European Churches and the
World Association for Christian Communication Europe invite all to an online video presentation and discussion about the upcoming Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church. 

EASTER MESSAGE SERBIAN PATRIARCH IRINEJ WITH REFERENCE FOR PANORTHODOX SYNODO

The Serbian Orthodox Church to her spiritual children at Pascha, 2016
+IRINEJ
By the Grace of God
Orthodox Archbishop of Pec, Metropolitan of Belgrade Karlovci and Serbian Patriarch, with all the Hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church to all the clergy, monastics, and all the sons and daughters of our Holy Church: grace, mercy and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, with the joyous Paschal greeting:
Christ is Risen!
“Christ is risen, trampling down death and raising the dead. Rejoice, all you people!”
(Paschal Canon, Ode 9)

ΤΟ ΕΡΩΤΗΜΑ ΠΕΡΙ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΔΗΛΩΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΤΟΡΟΝΤΟ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΚΑΤΑΝΟΗΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΣΧΕΔΙΟΥ-ΚΕΙΜΕΝΟΥ ΠΡΟΣ ΕΓΚΡΙΣΗΝ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΝΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΥ




Ιωάννης Λότσιος
Τμήμα απο την Ανέκδοτη Μεταπτυχιακή Εργασία με τίτλο,Η Διαμόρφωση τῆς «Κοινωνίας» τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν στὸ Παγκόσμιο Συμβούλιο τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν Μὲ βάση τὰ κείμενα τῆς Γ’ Γενικῆς Συνέλευσης στὸ Νέο Δελχὶ τῶν Ἰνδιῶν , Θεσσαλονίκη 2006.

Η‘‘Δήλωση του Τορόντο[1]’’ αποτελεί ένα κείμενο μεγάλης σημασίας για το ΠΣΕ. Αρχικά επικυρώθηκε το 1950 αποκτώντας οικουμενικό χαρακτήρα, αποτελώντας δηλαδή την είσοδο κάθε εκκλησίας σε αυτό. Το κείμενο περιλαμβάνει πέντε παραγράφους στις οποίες τονίζεται τι δεν είναι το ΠΣΕ και άλλες οκτώ στις οποίες διατυπώνεται ο ρόλος του ΠΣΕ και των εκκλησιών.

ANALYZING THE HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL


  Evagelos Sotiropoulos
 huffingtonpost.com/religion/
The Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church to be held in Crete during Pentecost has prompted a great deal of discussion. The affirmation at the January Synaxis of Primates in Chambésy to proceed with the Council was historic and almost one hundred years in the making. With the stage set, this essay will examine three points

Τετάρτη 11 Μαΐου 2016

ΣΤΗΝ ΑΓΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΣΥΝΟΔΟ ΕΚΛΗΘΗ ΑΠΟ ΤΟΝ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟ ΘΡΟΝΟ Ο ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΤΗΣ ΕΔΕΣΣΗΣ


 Αντώνη Τριανταφύλλου
 Δημοσιεύτηκε στο ΑΜΕΝ
Στην επίσημη 24μελή Αντιπροσωπεία του Οικουμενικού Θρόνου για την Αγία και Μεγάλη Σύνοδο συμπεριελήφθη, σύμφωνα με πληροφορίες, με απόφαση του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαίου και ο σεβάσμιος Μητροπολίτης Εδέσσης, Πέλλης και Αλμωπίας Ιωήλ, ως εκπρόσωπος των Ιεραρχών των Μητροπόλεων των λεγομένων «Νέων
Χωρών».

THE 2016 GREAT AND HOLY COUNCIL OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH: IMPLICATIONS FOR UNITY



 Fr. George Morelli
SSJC-WR President's Message Spring 20161

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America 

There are many serious challenges to the unity of the Churches, ecclesial communities and confessions and religious groups in today's world. Among these are: secularization, religious pluralism, fundamentalism and ethnophyletism.