Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Livestream Services for the Glorification of the Righteous Olga of Kwethluk
    • Washington state targets priests, confidentiality of confession with discriminatory law
    • Archbishop George of Cyprus Speaks Exclusively to “The National Herald” on the Dethroned Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos
    • ‘The heart of Orthodox monasticism’: Historic monasteries on Mount Athos damaged by earthquakes
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate Issues Statement on Status of Saint Catherine Monastery of Sinai
    • Council of Nicaea anniversary is call to Christian unity, speakers say
    • Call for Nominations: 2025 Medal of Saint Theodora Award
    • Save the Date: October 11, 2025 – Frederica Mathewes-Green to Headline OCL’s 38th Annual Conference
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
    • Home
    • OCL
      • About OCL
      • Leadership
      • OCL News
      • OCL Publications
      • Focused Study and Research Topics
      • OCL Archives at DePaul University
    • Orthodox News & Links
      • Orthodox News Stories
      • Headlines & News Archives
      • Governance & Unity
        • Governance Top Stories
        • Governance & Unity Essays
        • Grassroots Unity in Action
      • OCL Forums
      • Orthodox Christian Laity News
      • Web Links
    • Audio & Video
      • Audio Index
      • Video Index
    • Contact
    • Make a Donation
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    You are at:Home»Governance & Unity News»Governance & Unity Essays»Church must speak for human unity, says Greek Orthodox theologian

    Church must speak for human unity, says Greek Orthodox theologian

    0
    By Webmaster on January 21, 2013 Governance & Unity Essays, Governance & Unity News
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link
    Dr Petros Vassiliadis
    Dr Petros Vassiliadis

    Source: Ekklesia

    By agency reporter

    “It is impossible to speak exclusively for the unity of the church and be indifferent about the unity of humankind,” said Dr Petros Vassiliadis, at an academic gathering held in his honour in Thessaloniki, Greece.

    Vassiliadis, a Greek Orthodox theologian and formerly a representative of the Church of Greece on the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission for World Mission and Evangelism (CWME), called for a broader understanding of ecumenical dialogue.

    The symposium was entitled ‘Ecumenical dialogue in the 21st century: Realities, challenges and perspectives’. It was organised in Vassiliadis’ honour by the theology department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki from 14 to 15 January 2013, as he retired recently and became an emeritus professor.

    Vassiliadis stressed the need for the “enlargement of ecumenical dialogue beyond the search for visible unity of the church and towards the unity of humanity, but also the necessity of a broader ecumenical dialogue between religions.”

    An “informed” understanding of the “theology of religions” and a “new understanding of Christian witness as the ministry of reconciliation” together with a “practical ecological sensitivity”, he said, is needed for the preservation of the environment.

    Vassiliadis said these perspectives are important for the ecumenical movement “while promoting and safeguarding a Declaration of Human Duties and Responsibilities (alongside human rights)”. He stressed the significance of responding to the challenges of the global economy from a Christian viewpoint.

    The WCC General Secretary, the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit in his message expressed “thanks to God” for Vassiliadis’ academic career extending over many years and paid tribute to his “fruitful ecclesial and ecumenical ministry”.

    “We are all indebted for your contagious enthusiasm for inter-Christian and inter-religious relations, your creative participation in any form of dialogue,” said Tveit.

    “You have made significant contributions to the global ecumenical movement through your involvement with the WCC for the last three decades. And I am fully confident that you will continue making contributions in the coming years,” he added.

    Currently a professor of biblical studies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Vassiliadis also served as president of the World Conference of the Association of Theological Institutions. He was deeply involved with the WCC’s world mission conferences held in Greece and the United States, and with the WCC 8th Assembly in Harare, Zimbabwe.

    He also contributed to the new mission statement issued by the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME) in 2012.

    At the symposium, CWME moderator Bishop Geevarghese Mor Coorilos praised Vassiliadis’ participation in the areas of Christian unity, justice and peace issues, environmental concerns and inter-religious dialogue and relations.

    The symposium also gathered some of the Greek Orthodox participants active in the ecumenical movement. These included Fr George Tsetsis, former representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the WCC offices in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Among other participants were Dr Alexander K. Papaderos, co-founder of the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Greece and member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, and Prof. Dr Grigorios Larentzakis, director of the Eastern Orthodox theology department at the University of Graz in Austria.

    The symposium was well attended. Young speakers were included among the participants adding to Orthodox theological reflections on issues of ecumenical concern.

    The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity and works for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Catholic Church.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleArchbishop Demetrios Offered Benediction at Presidential Inaugural Luncheon
    Next Article Orthodox Christians to join Friday’s March for Life

    Related Posts

    June 17, 20251 Min Read

    Livestream Services for the Glorification of the Righteous Olga of Kwethluk

    June 16, 20254 Mins Read

    Washington state targets priests, confidentiality of confession with discriminatory law

    June 15, 20256 Mins Read

    Archbishop George of Cyprus Speaks Exclusively to “The National Herald” on the Dethroned Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Enter the Slogan Contest

    Share this page
    DISCLAIMER

    All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    Stay Informed!

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND SUPPORT!

    Your donation impacts and helps advance the unity of the Orthodox Church of America.

    DONATE NOW

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

    Upcoming Events
    There are no upcoming events.
    Recent Comments
    • Procopius on Leading Liturgists Reaffirm the Ordination of Women to the Diaconate
    • Procopius on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • John Fronime on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Nn on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Member on Ex-Clergyman, Sexually Abused at 17 by His Priest, Attempted Suicide
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Luke on Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery’s grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo
    • Webmaster on Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery’s grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo
    OCL Archives Online
    Project for Orthodox Renewal
    renewal-resize
    OCL Digital Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    MAKE A DONATION

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2025 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.