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WCC leadership delegation meets with churches in Ukraine

Against the background of the Russian invasion and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a high-level WCC leadership delegation visiting Ukraine undertook an intensive series of consultations in Kyiv on 11 May 2023, with church leaders, Ukrainian government officials, and others.

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.

1920 (4): Towards a Universal Conference of the Church of Christ on Life and Work

Hotel Beau-Séjour, Geneva, 8 August 1920. It’s been too cold an August, with average temperatures around 17.3 Celsius. Tomorrow is the opening day of a very promising post-war international consultation. Its title is “The Preliminary Meeting to Consider an Ecumenical Conference of the Church of Christ on Life and work.” However, I can tell you that a Church of Scotland delegate, J.-A. MacClymont, will certainly object to this awkward use of the word “ecumenical.”

Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Holy Synod convenes

Between 23-25 June, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate was convened for its regular meeting of the current month at the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy, Geneva. Items under discussion included the issue of the mode of distribution of Holy Communion after the appearance of the coronavirus pandemic

WCC interim general secretary meets with Patriarch Bartholomew I

World Council of Churches interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca met earlier this week with Patriarch Bartholomew I at the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy, Geneva, to discuss preparations leading up to the WCC 11th Assembly, which will occur in 2022. They explored together how to strengthen relationships within the ecumenical movement, and augment the role of the Orthodox churches. Patriarch Bartholomew convened greetings and blessings to Sauca, who is the first Orthodox serving in this leading role.

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.

1920 (2): “God wills fellowship”: The Anglican Bishops’ Appeal to Unity

End of June, early July 1920: 252 Anglican bishops from around the world converge to London. I travel the yellowish pages of the list of dioceses they represent: Zanzibar, Nagpur, Zululand, Adelaide, Argentina, Polynesia, Singapore, Bombay, Southern Brazil, Mombassa, Antigua, Tokyo. They are gathering for a conference called “Lambeth,” from the name of London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, then Randall Davidson, whom they recognise as spiritual leader.