wfn.org | WCC UPDATE: Inter-Orthodox Pre-Assembly Meeting takes place

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World Council of Churches - Update
Contact: + 41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org
For immediate release - 12/01/2005

INTER-ORTHODOX PRE-ASSEMBLY MEETING TAKES PLACE

An Inter-Orthodox Meeting in preparation for the ninth assembly of the
World Council of Churches (WCC) is taking place 11-16 January in Rhodes,
Greece.

With some 50 participants from Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches,
young Orthodox theologians and fraternal delegates, the meeting intends to
reflect on the assembly theme and to consider the work and recommendations
of the Special Commission on Orthodox Participation in the WCC, looking
for ways in which its insights and specific recommendations can be brought
to the Council's next assembly.

The Inter-Orthodox gathering started with a prayer service at the
Cathedral of the Annunciation, presided over by H. E. Metropolitan
Kyrillos of Rhodes who is hosting the meeting on behalf of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate.

In welcoming the participants, Metropolitan Kyrillos spoke of the
importance of the assembly theme, God, in your grace, transform the world.
He reminded participants that more than a title, the theme is a prayer,
and that the notion of transformation and transfiguration is deep in
Orthodox theology. It is only by God's grace, pre-eminently in the
sacramental life of the Church, that we can be renewed and transformed.

In other welcome speeches the Prefect of the Dodecanesian Islands, the
Mayor of Rhodes and a representative from the Ministry of the Aegean Sea
emphasized the relevance of the assembly theme for today's world.

Thoughts of the tsunami disaster were present in the minds of all
speakers. Christians today need to re-discover an awareness of the
presence of God and to realise that we are not masters of our own destiny.
The discussion between churches and between faith communities is vital.
But a sign of hope is the swift response from so many people all over the
world to alleviate suffering.

The speakers also referred to Rhodes as a place of past encounters between
East and West and between North and South - a place where Orthodox,
Catholics, Muslims and Jews brought the specific aspects of their
different cultures and found shelter and hospitality.

The opening session of the meeting was led by H. E. Metropolitan Gennadios
of Sassima, who explained the tasks and goals of the gathering, which is
ultimately intended to contribute to the life of the WCC and the one
ecumenical movement.

More information on the WCC ninth assembly is available at
http://www.wcc-assembly.info

More information on the Special Commission on Orthodox Participation in
the WCC is available at
http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/press_corner/index-e.html

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363
media@wcc-coe.org

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The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 342, in
more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works
cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly,
which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally
inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by
general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in Kenya.