Ecumenism

[Jason H.]

How strongly is ecumenism considered in today's Orthodoxy? I was recently browsing through the Canons of the Church and found some that say we should never pray or initiate with heterodox.

Also, is there a degree at which Priests should not participate with the heterodox. I saw an article recently where and Orthodox priest celebrated a prayer service with a Catholic priest and an Anglican priest.

-Jason-

[Eric Peterson]

That depends on how you define ecumenism. There is no one, singular definition.

[Jason H.]

Ecumenism as in the cooperation with other Churches in functions and the participation of the laity/Fathers.

I'm trying to give a good example of what I'm trying to get at and it's not coming out right...*humph*

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

Without trying to stray into turbulent waters- how did it occur that we forgot the basic liturgical/Patristic principle that prayerful needs of any sort, including catastrophes, or the need for harmony & peace, etc, are always responded to within our parish? The most basic principle of Church life after all is that through the parish we touch the whole of creation, both created & Uncreated, material & immaterial, past & present & future. It must be that in modern times we no longer see the parish as a spiritual reality that touches already in potential the whole cosmos.

In Christ- Fr Raphael

[Rick H.]

The most basic principle of Church life after all is that through the parish we touch the whole of creation, both created & Uncreated, material & immaterial, past & present & future.




That's the way it's supposed to be anyway.

This is an example of what I read in books before I became Orthodox and when I was more of an idealist. It seems like the older I get, while I can still clearly see what outta be as opposed to the way it is, it seems like it doesn't matter as much. Ahh . . . those were the days, reading Fr. Schmemann and seeing what was waiting for me at the local parish.





It must be that in modern times we no longer see the parish as a spiritual reality that touches already in potential the whole cosmos.



I would say this is generally true.

I wonder why that is?

[Jason H.]

Thank you Father Raphael for your answer! It was right on the spot.