wfn.org | WCC UPDATE: Russian Orthodox Church: "new page" in WCC

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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 - 24/06/2005

RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH HOPES FOR "NEW PAGE" IN WCC RELATIONS

	Free photos available - see below

Meeting with a World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation in Moscow, the
head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexis II, has expressed
gratitude for actions of "authentic Christian solidarity" by ecumenical
organizations during the Soviet period, and affirmed the commitment of his
church to full participation in the WCC. However, the patriarch warned
that new developments in some churches may undermine ecumenical relations.

Alexis II emphasized how, during the communist period, membership in the
WCC had helped the church endure a period of isolation and persecution.
"We recall with gratitude those who were in the leadership of the Council
at that time. They trusted us, and supported our church. We remember this
authentic Christian solidarity," he said during a meeting with the WCC
general secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, who visited Moscow with a
delegation 18-24 June 2005.

> Enabling the Orthodox voice in WCC

The patriarch also noted new obstacles facing Christian unity, caused by a
"free interpretation" of principles of Christian morality. "We see growing
divergences in the teaching and practice of church life. But we should
continue the road of collaboration which we have together followed for
decades," patriarch Alexis stated.

The patriarch welcomed the results of the Special Commission on Orthodox
participation in the WCC, which was set up by the Council in 1998 to
address the concerns of its Orthodox membership and enable the Orthodox
voice to be more effectively heard.

Patriarch Alexis has been actively involved in ecumenical work since the
Russian Orthodox Church joined the Council in 1961, and was a member of
the WCC central committee before becoming patriarch.

In response, the WCC general secretary confirmed that "a new institutional
culture is emerging. Radical changes had been introduced in more than one
area of the Council's life and witness, as well as at the level of its
institutional and organizational expressions."

Kobia underlined that the Special Commission allowed the fellowship of
churches to go forward "with a new understanding of the necessity and the
possibility of praying together and responding together to our common
calling."

> Ecumenical movement needs "tangible progress"

Concern about how the ecumenical movement can maintain its integrity in
the light of growing diversity among churches was reiterated during a
meeting with the chairman of the church department for external church
relations, Metropolitan Kyrill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad.

Pointing to a "growing gap" in the area of the churches' theological and
ethical teaching today, Kyrill questioned whether the ecumenical movement
had achieved tangible progress towards church unity.

Endorsing the results of the Special Commission, he affirmed that, on the
eve of the WCC's 9th Assembly, "We can open a new page in the history of
the ecumenical movement."

Kyrill and Kobia compared notes with regard to recent developments in the
Roman Catholic Church, and expressed optimism on renewed ecumenical
perspectives. The visit of the WCC delegation coincided with the presence
in Moscow of Cardinal Kasper, head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity.

> Extraordinary transformation and growth

During its time in Moscow, visits to several spiritual, social and
educational centres, including the Moscow Theological Academy, the St.
Tikhon's Orthodox University, where they met students and faculty, and the
social work of the St Dimitri Sisterhood allowed the WCC delegation to
witness the revival of these institutions.

Churches' social and educational work was banned or heavily restricted
during the communist era. During the visits, particular emphasis was given
to the experiences of theological education as a way of transmitting moral
values in society.

Commenting on the "extraordinary history of transformation and growth"
which the visitors had witnessed, the WCC general secretary underlined
that "After difficult years of martyrdom and persecution, the church has
lived a concrete experience of Pentecost."

> Shared ecumenical concerns

Patriarch Alexis II noted that the Russian Orthodox Church shares the
WCC's serious concern at the growth of religious extremism and violence in
the world. "Any crime in the name of religion is a crime against religion," he stated. "War is evil and can only be overcome by our common
efforts."

The patriarch expressed the Russian church's desire to collaborate with
WCC work, notably in the areas of peacemaking, interreligious dialogue,
and the protection of the creation. The church leadership affirmed that
the work of the Council in proposing alternatives to economic and cultural
globalization was of particular relevance in the contemporary Russian
context.

Some of the same preoccupations were discussed in meetings with representatives of the Russian Federation, including the minister of culture and
communication, Dr Alexander Sokolov, and the first vice-chairman of the
Russian parliament (Duma) Mrs Liubov Sliska, who invited the WCC to
develop its work in Russia.

> Ecumenical encounter

In the context of its official visit to the Russian Orthodox Church, the
WCC delegation met on 21 June with representatives of other Christian
churches, organizations and movements in Moscow, including members of the
Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Pentecostal and Armenian churches.

WCC general secretary Kobia presented an overview of the WCC's main
priorities and issues facing churches and the ecumenical movement. The
discussion covered concerns for religious freedom and tolerance in Russia,
developments in world Christianity, and the renewed focus on spirituality
in ecumenical life.

For his first official visit to the largest WCC member church, the WCC
general secretary was accompanied by Archbishop Nifon of Targoviste
(Romanian Orthodox Church), Dr Mary Tanner (Church of England), Dr Robert
Welsh, (Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, USA), and WCC deputy
general secretary Mr Georges Lemopoulos.

Free high resolution photos of the WCC delegation visit to the Russian
Orthodox Church are availabe on the WCC website at:
http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/photo-galleries/travel/sam-moscow/moscowvisit2005.html

For additional information on the visit, see our press release at:
http://www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/index/pr-05-36.html

This material may be reprinted freely.

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 347, 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.