Can't we agree that Ecumenical means two different things? 
The Patriarch of Constantinople was called the "Ecumenical Patriarch" over a thousand years ago. So, saints like Photius held a title that included the word Ecumenical (meaning throughout the civilized world, or known cosmos, or whatever). Nowadays, the word is normally used in a negative sense, and equates to syncretism and can't-we-all-just-get-alongism. If the Ecumenical Patriarch is Orthodox, he's ecumenically great, and if the ecumenical movement is heterodox, then it's ecumenically bad.
The OCA
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Justin Kissel
Justin Kissel wrote:Can't we agree that Ecumenical means two different things?
For normal, rational, non-conspiracy minded people, yes.
But those of a different mind (i.e., those who are in open schism with the true Church under the EP), no way.
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Justin Kissel wrote:Please Tom, your neo-papal-patriarchalism is a subject for a different thread.
My post above should have read "In communion", not "under" the EP.
If you read my posts over at OC.Net you know that I am no fan of the EP and his tactics. I think the GOA should be autocephalous.
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Anastasios
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Ecumenical means from the oikoumene--the Roman Empire. It later developed into "all Christians together."
anastasios
Disclaimer: Many older posts were made before my baptism and thus may not reflect an Orthodox point of view.
Please do not message me with questions about the forum or moderation requests. Jonathan Gress (jgress) will be able to assist you.
Please note that I do not subscribe to "Old Calendar Ecumenism" and believe that only the Synod of Archbishop Kallinikos is the canonical GOC of Greece. I do believe, however, that we can break down barriers and misunderstandings through prayer and discussion on forums such as this one.
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Justin Kissel
Elijah:
I do not even know what to say. The ROAC teaches the Seven Ecumencial Councils, does that make the ROAC Ecumenical! Concilliar Church history is inseperable from Roman history. Your philological "evidence" that the word comes from a Mehmet II era ethos is simply not good enough to convince me. Obviously your education cannot be corrected by me alone via an internet discussion group, riddled as it is with insane fanatics. Oh, and by the way, Noah Webster killed the English language, I commend you to his legacy. Good luck.
Very Sincerely:
Joseph
Christ is Risen!
I think you misunderstand and missing the real issue at hand. When the word formed is really beside the point. Here is the real issue: There are two types of ecumenical reguardless of the exact definition. Orthodox ecumenical and heterodox ecumenical. The Seven Ecumenical Councils were "Orthodox ecumenical" which were made to get rid of all the heresies, which were rampant in the early Christian Church. That is a good thing. On the other hand there are heterodox ecumenical organizations, which are very very bad such as the WCC, which threaten true Orthodox beliefs. I am saying that many Orthodox churches such as the OCA and the MP are members of a heterodox ecumenical organization, the WCC, which not right.
With love in Christ,
Elijah