In a meeting between the World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow on 23rd June, the ecumenical relationship between the two parties has been renewed.
Currently, the WCC delegation is on a 7-day visit from 18th to 24th June in Moscow led by the WCC General Secretary Rev Dr Samuel Kobia. This is Kobia’s first official visit to the largest WCC member church - the Russian Orthodox Church.
Kobia's presence coincides with the visit of Cardinal Kasper, head of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, marking a very special moment for the ecumenical movement of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Archbishop Nifon of Targoviste of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Dr Mary Tanner of the Church of England, Dr Robert Welsh of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, USA and WCC deputy General Secretary Mr Georges Lemopoulos are accompanying Kobia.
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexis II, has expressed gratitude for actions of "authentic Christian solidarity" by ecumenical organisations during the Soviet period, and affirmed the commitment of his church to fully participate in the WCC.
He said membership in the WCC had helped the Church endure a period of isolation and persecution during the communist period.
New developments in some churches nowadays were said to be obstacles facing Christian unity, according to the patriarch. "We see growing divergences in the teaching and practice of church life. But we should continue the road of collaboration which we have together followed for decades."
