In the multidimensional sense of inter-Christian and inter-religious dialogue, as well as in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew welcomed the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, Rev. Dr. Jerry Pillay, Professor, and participants of the Permanent Committee on Consensus & Cooperation of this international inter-ecclesiastical organization to the Phanar on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.
The Committee, co-chaired by the Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and the Protestant Rev. Sally Dyck, consists of 14 members, 7 of whom are Orthodox, meeting these days in Constantinople at the invitation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Orthodox Times reports.
In his address, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his pride in the fact that the Ecumenical Patriarchate was one of the founding members of the WCC in 1948, and expressed his satisfaction with the work of this standing committee, encouraging its members to continue their mission in transparent and open dialogue with others.
He recalled the position of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, convened in Crete in 2016, that “Honest interfaith dialogue contributes to the development of mutual trust and to the promotion of peace and reconciliation. The Church strives to make ‘the peace from on high’ more tangibly felt on earth. True peace is not achieved by force of arms, but only through love that ‘does not seek its own’ (1 Cor. 13:5). The oil of faith must be used to soothe and heal the wounds of others, not to rekindle new fires of hatred” (Encyclical, par. 17). As the Patriarch said, The Church of Constantinople understands the power of dialogue in strengthening unity among Eastern Orthodox, in promoting reconciliation among Christians, and in building bridges of peace among religions. This openness to dialogue also embraces social issues, particularly the protection of the natural environment.
At another point in his speech, the Patriarch emphasized that in a world in crisis, with more than numerous conflict zones worldwide, we need to intensify our prayers to the Triune God for peace and justice. “We are particularly concerned about the unjustified war in Ukraine and the need for a peaceful end to the conflicts in the Middle East. We cannot fail to mention other cases in Africa, Asia, and Central America, where Christian communities are at stake. Our prayers are with the most vulnerable and those in need,” he said, wishing the Lord of Peace would enable the world to live peacefully again.
“Especially the present Ukrainian crisis, due to the unprovoked Russian aggression in February 2022, is the epicenter of a geopolitical earthquake and a spiritual threat. Europe has awakened from a deep illusion, according to which war on its continent was a thing of the past. Materially and intellectually unprepared, Europe has adapted rapidly to this unexpected situation, intellectually assisted by its new members. The outcome of this war will undoubtedly condition the future evolution of both Europe and the world.”
The Ecumenical Patriarch referred to the historical and ecclesiastical ties of the Church of Constantinople with the geographical area around the Kyiv-Moscow axis, which began with the baptism in 988 of the ruler of Kyivan Rus, Vladimir, and recalled that later, in 1589, the Church of Russia received the Patriarchal status from the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
“However, already after the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453, the unfounded ideology that Moscow could succeed Constantinople as the spiritual leader of the Orthodox world started to make its way. According to its proponents, Moscow would become the “Third Rome,” after the “fallen Second,” Constantinople. However, there has never been a “First” and a “Second Rome;” therefore, there can never exist a “Third Rome.” There is only the Elder Rome and the New Rome-Constantinople.
The present incarnation of ethnophyletism is the fundamentalist ideology of Russkii mir, the “Russian World.” This expression describes a supposed sphere of civilization including Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, as well as ethnic Russians all around the world, politically and religiously led and directed by the Moscow center. The “Russian World” is presented as the answer to the “corrupt West.” This ideology is the main instrument for a “spiritual” legitimation of the invasion of Ukraine”.
Referring to the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized that “Within this context, the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and its unique spiritual leadership are all the more important in today’s world. The Church of Constantinople intends to lead by example, demonstrating how Churches and religious leaders should be part of an advancement that would promote peaceful coexistence, justice, and equity. For this reason, it has been at the forefront of organizing international ecumenical and interreligious conferences, being aware that the tool of genuine dialogue can help prevent the terrible abuse of religions by fanatics and extremists and confront intolerance and prejudices, and following St Paul’s exhortation: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Rom. 12:18)”.
