Search results

In a pastoral letter to the churches and people in Serbia, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed his deep sadness and shock at the tragedy that occurred at the Vladislav Ribnikar primary school in Belgrade on 3 May.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has appointed Dr Andrej Jeftić as the new director of the Commission on Faith and Order.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) gave thanks to God for the three decades-long ministry of His Beatitude Anastasios, archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania.

As wildfires continue to rage in Greece, the USA, Albania, and Russia, the World Council of Churches (WCC) reached out in solidarity to churches and communities that continue to be evacuated as well as those who have lost everything. 

World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca received with joy the election of His Holiness Porfirije as Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

In a letter of condolence to the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, World Council of Churches interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca expressed sadness at the passing of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej, head of Orthodox Church of Serbia.

The world’s 300 million Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter on 19 April, carrying forth time-honored traditions even in difficult times.

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, in a letter to the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, extended condolences on behalf of the WCC fellowship upon news of the devastating earthquake that struck on 26 November.“I write to you with great sadness after receiving news of the strong earthquake that struck the country of Albania, and the ongoing news, as rescue operations continue, of the people who have perished and the many who have been injured,” reads the letter, which Tveit addressed to His Beatitude Anastasios Archbishop of Tirana, Durres, and All Albania.

A consultation held on the campus of Saint Vlash in Durres, Albania on 3-7 October brought together Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox women involved in the work of the World Council of Churches (WCC) since the 10th WCC Assembly in Busan, Korea in 2013.

Discussions between Lutheran and Orthodox theologians on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church have identified areas of agreement, though they agreed considerable open questions and differences merit further discussion.

Religions for Peace is the world's largest and most representative multi-religious coalition, and as in other multi-faith groups, the World Council of Churches (WCC) and its ecumenical family figure strongly in its leadership bodies.

The Civil Society Partnership for Development Effectiveness, Civicus, Action for Sustainable Development, Civic Initiatives and the Balkan Civil Society Development Network held a gathering in Belgrade, Serbia to discuss deteriorating conditions for civil society and attacks on human rights defenders around the world.

Church leaders in Europe stand together for an approach on refugees and migrants “based on dignity, respect, and where possible compassion”. This is the conclusion of a festive ceremony in which the leaders of the Churches Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) handed over on 4th December a European Church leaders Christmas statement to the European Parliament’s 1st Vice President Mairead McGuinness.

As students gathered at the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey for an interreligious summer school, they reflected on what brought them to the institute, and what knowledge and insights they will take home.

As the Conference of European Churches (CEC) convened in Novi Sad, Serbia for its 15th general assembly, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit conveyed a greeting on behalf of the WCC.

The Orthodox Church of Albania, with a Festive Divine Liturgy on 2 August, celebrated the 25th anniversary of the election and appointment of Archbishop Anastasios as the head of the church.

Following the WCC/UN High Level Conference on the Refugee Crisis in Europe, which took place at the Ecumenical Centre Geneva on 18-19 January, a statement has been issued entitled "Europe’s Response to the Refuge Crisis, From Origin to Transit, Reception and Refuge, A Call for Shared Responsibility and Coordinated Action”.

The Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe and the WCC have published a revised and updated edition of their joint study, Mapping Migration: Mapping Churches’ Responses in Europe. The 2016 text explores challenges and changes in the European church landscape in light of international migration.

Renowned for his friendly attitude and his inspiring speeches, nothing seems impossible for this man. He has faced a multitude of difficulties including severe illness and persecution. At age 62, he committed to rebuild the church in the only officially declared atheist state.