Greek Orthodox Church calls for unity for Pan-Orthodox Council

The Greek Orthodox Church believes that the decision taken on the Pan-Orthodox Council should be carried out and it must take place as scheduled, said Archimandrite Ignatios Sotiriadis, a member of the Committee for External and Internal Church Relations of the Holy Synod to RIA Novosti.

"The Pan-Orthodox Council will take place. It's all games played around it. For so many years we have been going to it. And if we do not gather together what will Catholics, Protestants, Anglicans say – that the Orthodox cannot achieve unity?" – Archimandrite said answering the question whether the Council will be held as scheduled in connection with the decisions of the Orthodox Churches of Bulgaria and Antioch not to participate in the Pan-Orthodox Council.

According to Archimandrite, the Pan-Orthodox Council is essential for the unity of the Orthodox Church and all the churches should take part in it. "The reason to convene the Holy and Great Council is the unity of the Orthodox Church and every Church must keep this unity and witness the unity of Orthodoxy in front of other churches, in front of other Christian denominations and the modern world. It is the duty that we must fulfill," said Archimandrite.

"It has been under preparation for so many years, so many decades, so many people have put efforts in its preparation, so I think all – Russians, Greeks, Bulgarians – all the Orthodox should fight together and put their “ego” and their demands in the second place and, above all, behave as one family, to put more correctly, – as one body, as one church," said Father Ignatios Sotiriadis.

Answering the question whether it is possible to find a solution to disputes, Archimandrite said, "Sure. As in a family, there are different points of view, but everyone makes small concessions and all problems are solved. As long as we live, there is a possibility to solve the problem..."

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