OCP Secretariat Calls for Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Conciliar Unity

Monu John Phillip (Special Envoy – OCP Secretariat)
OCP News Service – 8/11/14

Read OCP Mission Statement here:

Talk by OCP Secretary on Orthodox Unity at I.A.O Conference here:

Global: The Secretariat of Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE Society has called for increased theological dialogues, exchange of visits and cooperation between Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches.

The Secretariat members commented that the division in eastern Christendom is truly unfortunate. There should be a joint effort from both families of Churches to over the existing schism. The challenging aspect is to revamp the existing dialogue that was halted during 1996-1997. There is also an immense challenge in following up the dialogue.

Recent hierarchal visits between Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches namely the Coptic and Alexandrian Papal visits to Finland, Coptic Papal visit to Russian Church, exchange of cooperation between Byzantine and Oriental Patriarchates of Antioch, historic visit of Coptic Orthodox Delegation to the Monastic Republic of Mount Athos has given us immense hope of reengaging in the dialogue for sacramental unity.

It is also important to stay united in the present scenario of Christin persecution. Orthodox Christian unity is based on Conciliarity. It is neither like Roman Catholic Hierarchical structure nor the Protestant styles of church management.

Orthodox Church has the true essence of unity in diversity.

George Alexander
(Secretary and Spokesperson)

Kisha D Dorado
(Director- Dept of Church Research & Studies)

Prakash Varghese
(Delegate of UAE, Gulf and Levant Region)

Abraham P Koshy
(Director – Dept of Finance)

Varghese John
(Director- Dept of Publications)

Source:
OCP News Service