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WCC general secretary visits Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay visited the Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul, Turkey on 12 March. His Beatitude, Archbishop Sahak Mashalyan, the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, welcomed the WCC general secretary and congratulated him on his election, wishing him successful years in his service to the worldwide churches.

The Ecumenical Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI

In an address the day after he was elected pope, Benedict XVI pledged to work for the full and visible unity of all Christ’s followers and to do everything in his power to promote the fundamental cause of ecumenism.

International conference explores neglected topics of Nicaea and its creed

An international conference entitled WE BELIEVE: The Status Quaestionis and the Neglected Topics of Nicaea and its Creed” was held in Istanbul on 1-2 December. WIth the theme The Churches and Nicaea: An Anniversary for New Beginning,” the conference inaugurated a series of scholarly events on the occasion of the forthcoming 1700th anniversary since the convocation of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea.

Nikolaos Manginas: his camera flash may be extinguished, but his gaze lives on

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is mourning the loss of Nikolaos Manginas, who documented the actions, contributions and gatherings of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for more than 30 years. 

The official photographer of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Manginas leaves behind a photo collection that is a deeply meaningful legacy not only for the Ecumenical Patriarchate but also for Orthodox churches worldwide and the entire ecumenical fellowship.

Orthodox and Anglican appeals from 1920 remain inspiration for unity

One of the foundational moments in the modern ecumenical movement is an encyclical letter issued 100 years ago by the Ecumenical Patriarchate on 1 January 1920. As its opening words state, it was addressed “Unto the Churches of Christ everywhere” and sent as a letter to the leaders of key Christian churches. Its first words are an appeal to “Love one another earnestly from the heart,” quoting from 1 Peter 1:22. The thrust of the letter is the suggestion that doctrinal differences among Christian churches do not, or at least should not, prevent “rapprochement” between Christians.

Eager ecumenists embark on new missions

Monday 28 January was a very special day for 25-year-old student Kezia Wairata from Jakarta, Indonesia. Along with 30 dedicated peers she received her diploma in advanced studies of ecumenism at the WCC Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland.

Forum on Modern Slavery: “Liberate them from tyranny and exploitation”

In an opening address at a Forum on Modern Slavery in Istanbul on 7 January, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew spoke on “Awareness, Action and Impact.” After many centuries of progress and advancement, we still live in a world where injustice and slavery continue to thrive, and where human dignity is exchanged for the sole purpose of greed, gain, and profit, reflected Bartholomew.

World Children’s Day Celebratory Event

The World Council of Churches and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) invite the media to celebrate World Children’s day on Wednesday, 21 November at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva.

#WCC70 Amsterdam, 1948 (1): Covenanting in prayer

Dam Square, Amsterdam, 22 August, 03:00 PM. A considerable crowd is gathered outside the New Church, which unlike its name may suggest was built at the end of the 14th century and dedicated in 1409. The weather has improved after a grey morning of low clouds and light rain.