Inter-Orthodox Conference on Ecumenism-University of Chicago

[drewmeister2]

Inter-Orthodox Conference at the University of Chicago entitled "Orthodoxy and Modern Ecumenism: Theological, Ecclesiological, and Moral Problems", organized by "Romaiosyni", the Diocesan Bulletin of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of America of the Old Calendar, and St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church in Willow Springs, Illinois. It will be on March 18, the Sunday of St. John of the Ladder, from 3PM to 6PM.

The goal of the conference is to foster a sincere and sober dialogue within Orthodoxy on the topic of Ecumenism, bringing together the elements of traditionalist Orthodox Christians in a common and open forum. It is tragic that there is much discussion today about dialogue, intercommunion, openness, mutual recognition, and unity between the various heterodox Christian denominations, yet within Orthodoxy there has not been a healthy dialogue, as the various voices that object to Orthodox participation in Ecumenism are shunned and marginalized as "fanatical". The participation of both Old Calendarists and New Calendarists is encouraged.

Formal papers will be presented by a number of speakers and there will be an open forum for discussion. The conference is open to the general public.

http://orthodoxyandecumenism.blogspot.com/index.html

[joasia]

The participation of both Old Calendarists and New Calendarists is encouraged.

Yeah, right. So now they got to the Old Calendarists! The New Calendarists can't beat them, so they want them to unite. They've dropped their sticks and are handy out bread smothered with honey, but the stick is sitting in the corner.

I think this sounds suspicious. Don't you think that the New Calendarist clergy know what the Orthodox tradition requires, especially the bishops? They just don't care, because they don't hold the love of God's Truth. They can't even follow the church calendar...how are they going to understand the spiritual disease of ecumenism.

And with the pathetic actions of Patriarch Bartholowmew against the Esphimenou monks and his views in general...who can believe the New Caledarists have good intentions.

Joanna

Joanna

[drewmeister2]

Lol the GOC under Met. Pavlos, not the New Calendarists, is holding this meeting about ecumenism, so an Orthodox perspective will be presented, not a heretical perspective on ecumenism.

[Helen]

Sounds like a constructive step in the right direction. Let us know how it goes if you decide to go

[drewmeister2]

Unfortunately I cannot go . I am not near where the conference will be, but hopefully somone else here is near there and can go.

[Sean]

I think this is a very good thing. I have always believed that there needs to be a grass roots dialogue between various Old Calendarists, without necessarily touching upon matters of ecclesiastical union between the many Old Calendarist jurisdictions. This, of course is what it should ultimately lead towards, but baby steps like this are absolutely necessary for Old Calendarists; especially the laity. If a large grass roots movement of Old Calendarist laity and sympathetic clergy were to collectively affirm that their faith is identical, then all of the semantics would of necessity have to go.

Of course I realize that this is also intended for participation by traditionally minded members of Ecumenist jurisdictions. This also has potential for being very constructive. I wished I had known about this earlier.

[buzuxi]

I agree this is a good thing. Keep in mind that the greek old calendarist movement was a grassroots movement among the laity only. Unfortunately when the bishops got involved they screwed it up. Scattered the old calendarists among various synods and weakened their witness.

I am an ethnic greek cradle whose Orthodox roots can be traced to the preaching of the Apostle St. Paul. I'm also opposed to ecumenism and belong to a new calendar juridiction. For me administrative unity can only be accomplished thru a grassroots movement among the laity.

As far as bishops are concerned, i can care less what they think. Part of greek culture has always fostered a bit of irreverance towards the episcopal ranks thus whether you are a bishop of an old or new calendar does not concern me, And any priest that knows me, knows if a bishop tries to use his "guru" nonsense on me, it simply wont work.
For me there is only ONE Orthodox faith and the unity of that faith is based on the Holy Eucharist as the Church has always held, not on bickering bishops trying to advance speculative ecclesiologies.