First Conciliar document “The Mission of the Church in the Modern World” unanimously approved

The first of six texts up for discussion “The Mission of the Orthodox Church in the Modern World” was unanimously approved at the afternoon session of the Council in Crete on Monday, June 20, reports RIA Novosti.

"We travelled together in theological dialogue and ecumenical cooperation in our readiness to respond to theological separation of the past and the global challenges of our time," Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew addressed the members of the official delegations of the Orthodox Churches who came to Crete. He stressed the importance of unity, expressing regret over the absence of four Churches.

Archbishop Hieronymus of Athens and All Greece said that "the Council must emphasize the need for unity in a divided world" and it is necessary to prevent "its transformation into parliament." "The Holy Council must sacrifice self-interest and personal considerations in order to achieve expression of our unity and to overcome all obstacles and circumstances, which could lead to the fact that conciliarity could take the parliamentary character. Conciliarity is the only way to express the universality of the Church. We all carry out responsibility for holding this summit," the Archbishop said.

"After careful consideration of the text, the hierarchs of the Council participated in an open dialogue. Individual bishops, as well as individual delegations of the Church, presented their proposals on how to improve the text. Conciliar Secretariat will make corrections and resubmit it to the fathers of the Council," reported the press office of the Council.

Recall that the Council started its work on Monday with the addresses of Patriarch Bartholomew and the Primates of the other nine local Churches thet arrived in Crete.

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