Orthodox Churches Council Opens on Crete Despite Russia's Absence

BBC ^ | 6/19/16

[marshmallow]

A historic gathering of Orthodox Churches has opened on the Greek island of Crete, despite the absence of four denominations including the Russians.

The Holy and Great Council had been billed as the first meeting of fellow Church leaders since 787 AD.

The Russians decided to stay away after the Churches of Antioch, Bulgaria and Georgia refused to take part after disputes about the meeting.

The council, which began on Sunday, has been 55 years in preparation.

It will run until 27 June.

On Sunday morning, clerics attending the council celebrated Orthodox Pentecost in the Cretan town of Heraklion, the AFP news agency reports.

Fourteen Churches representing over 300 million faithful had been originally invited to the gathering.

Experts say the decision to stay away by the Russian Church, which represents some 100 million followers, highlights longstanding divisions among Orthodox Christians.

There is also a struggle for power between Russia and the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, considered the spiritual head and "first among equals". He is the driving force behind the meeting.

The disagreements ranged from seating plans to efforts to reconcile with the Vatican.

Moscow also fears that Patriarch Bartholomew will give support to the Ukrainian branch of the Church, fuelling what one Russian state-owned newspaper has called "a simmering religious war".

[knarf]

Anyone who believes they are called of God ... usually has no fear

[cloudmountain]

It's a start.
Better to start without the Russians and the three other denominations than to give up on the entire event.
Another one MAY be planned for the near future.

I hadn't realized that there was this division among Orthodoxy. Thanks for enlightening me.

[redgolum]

If Russia isn’t there, then the council will be limited.

Sort of like having the Roman Catholic church call a council, but the Latin Rite not showing up.

[Biggirl]

Not surprised, since the Russians are the powerhouse and headliner Orthodox Church.

[cloudmountain]

If Russia isn’t there, then the council will be limited. Sort of like having the Roman Catholic church call a council, but the Latin Rite not showing up.

Imagine, RUSSIA not showing up for a RELIGIOUS council and THAT being an enormous lacuna in the entire process...if you're comparing the Latin Rite to the Orthodox Rites.

Wasn't it just YESTERDAY that Russia was the key communist country on the planet...and that "God is dead" was their mantra? NOW, five minutes later, relatively speaking, the Russians are indispensable in this council.

Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.