Is this subject too touchy?

Look more closely at what the actual involvement is.

When did the Orthodox Church join the WCC?

When was the WCC founded? Some people say that the WCC was founded by people who were pro-communists, so I too have a question. Since we know that the Patriarchate of Russia was under the control of the KGB during the communist era, did the MP have any choice in the matter? Did this also influence the EP to join?

The EO's involvement in the WCC goes to the very beginning of the organization. The EO were some of the founding members. I know Fr Georges Florovsky was instrumental in it. Many Orthodox clergy and theologians at the time viewed it as a positive thing. Since then, needless to say, Florovsky, Schmemann, and others became disillusioned with the organization. It is not what the EO thought it would be.

Dn Kevin

Personally, I was very glad when the Antiochians pulled out of it. The Orthodox presence is not going to change it, and in my opinion, Orthodox involvement in it only reflects poorly on the Orthodox Church.

ufonium2 said:

Personally, I was very glad when the Antiochians pulled out of it. The Orthodox presence is not going to change it, and in my opinion, Orthodox involvement in it only reflects poorly on the Orthodox Church.

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I agree and the WCC membership fees could be used for better purposes, especially in Russia.

Kumbayyyyyyyyaaaaaa........

Spare me the bilge

soon to be the World Council of Spiritual Places.

EricTheRed said:

soon to be the World Council of Spiritual Places.

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[sarcasm]

Didn't you hear? According to many Protestants, (or so I've heard in the past few days) God doesn't like holy buildings.

Sorry folks, we've lost this one.

That means we loose one point on the "Holiness Scale"

Orthodoxy: 999,999
Protestantism: 1,000

[/sarcasm]

In all seriousness, as far as I can tell, the WCC is merely a Pan-Protestant organization. If not, it may as well be.

Here is an interesting article on this subject by His Grace, Bishop +HILARION.
Peace,
Don

wasnt one of ROCOR's stipulations for recommuning with the MP that the MP must leave the WCC?

It has been a touchy subject especially with the churches of Russian heritage (ROCOR against, OCA for). I am OCA and I would be glad to see us leave the WCC.

M.

I am surprised to hear this. In my studies, I learned that the Catholic church is not a member of the WCC, though occasionally there is some interaction. I thought I had also read that the Orthodox church did not participate, though perhaps I read instead that the Orthodox church refrained from membership until more recently.

I am very wary of the concept of the WCC and am certainly not fond of an "if you're happy, I'm happy" approach. Assuaging the doubts and concerns of heterodox Christian sects by telling them that all's well is not the proper approach to breaching the subject of unity. If anything, it gravely wounds that possibility.

Facilitating discussion among Christian sects is not necessarily a bad thing, so long as one does not water down or veil one's true position in matters of the faith in favour of making error feel more comfortable.

It truly is a touchy subject. I would love to see the EO pull from the WCC. What does the Orthodox Church have anything to discuss with the Mt. Zion Holiness Pentecostal Spirit-Filled Full-Gospel Methodist Episcopal Church? (Pardon the hyperbole)

Yes, I would also like to see the Orthodox Churches pull out of the WCC and the USA's NCC. It is a waste of our diocesan assessment monies.

As someone said, when we joined that was supposed to be something else than it is now - Serbian Church is at this time re-considering the membership - I hope that the final decision will be made by the next session of the Holy Synod in May 2008.

At this stage I am against our involvement – so I hope that the decision will be to withdraw the membership – however, even if the synod decides to stay as a member I hope that they will be able to explain the benefits, reasons for such a decision.

On the inside information – as far as Diaspora is concerned, Synod will have to have better than good reason to stay in the WCC.

I think that there is a shift from the “Orthodox ecumenism” that was prevalent during the communist years towards more of an “Athonite view”.

Silouan said:

Mt. Zion Holiness Pentecostal Spirit-Filled Full-Gospel Methodist Episcopal Church

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Are they affiliated withe the Apostolic Holiness Church of Jesus Christ Incorporated?

(Seriously, their sign says "Incorporated" on it like that. I don't want to be the one to tell them that all churches are incorporated, and refrain from proclaiming it on their signs, but someone should.)

That the Orthodox Church should pull out of the WCC is common sense. Unfortunately the Orthodox ecumenists especially the E.P. think otherwise. They love to use propaganda to put a spin on what goes on there.

Anyone who goes to the WCC website and begin to access their archives know full well, that all members MUST adhere to the branch theory, or they woud be denied membership. (of course each church can tinker with the language used in defining the branch theory in order not to make the laity too suspicious). We also know that regarldess of what the Orthodox ecumenists tell us , they openly confess the branch theory during WCC sessions, if you dont believe this try to get back issues of Frank Shaeffers "Christian Activist" who has chronicled what has been said there.

For any Orthodoxy who are in denial about this, i like to point to the response given by the RCC as to why they refuse membership in the WCC. And it comes right from the WCC website:

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) (it should take you right to it, if not its the 7th question, emphasis on the word "self- understanding")


Orthodox involvement with the WCC should be limited to observers only- to know exaclty what this organization (which may very well be demonic) is up to.

Just out of curiosity, I dug up the Orthodox Churches listed as members on that site - the short version:

Ethiopia/Eritrea
Albania
Finland
Czech
Romanian
RUSSIAN
Coptic
Greek in Africa/Middle East
OCA

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Obviously, the Russian and OCA membership bother me the most, as they are big players. The lack of Orthodox unity in general on this issue also concerns me. Makes me envy the RCC structure and stance.