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A dangerous transition It is very strange to see, just in the year of its jubilee (1948-1998), the World Council of Churches (WCC) using the opportunity of the eighth assembly [...]

My interest in mission has no connection with my family history. Neither the backgrounds of my parents nor the context of my high school education directly pushed me to take [...]

An hermeneutical imperative It is difficult for Orthodox churches in Eastern Europe to grasp the relevance of the theme of the WCC's eighth assembly, 'Turn to God -- Rejoice in [...]

Reordering the Orthodox fellowship Some of the serious tensions to arise recently between the Orthodox churches and the World Council of Churches are related to a more general theological ambivalence [...]

Churches interested in finding a new spirituality must realize that it can come only through change and reform. The same is true for those seeking Christian union. In the past, changes have occurred that only created new churches rather than reuniting those that have changed some aspect so that they differ from each other. Recognition and acceptance of the need for change that results in unity is necessary for both new spirituality and for Christian union.

Three Recent Consultations Three recent consultations organized by the World Council of Churches with the assistance of the Society for Ecumenical Studies and Inter-Orthodox Relations in Thessaloniki, Greece, have allowed [...]

I. The Ambiguity of the Research on the Orthodox Church in Romania There are many entry points into the current religious and political situation of Romania. Both old and new [...]

Luther-Agricola-Society, Helsinki, 2000, 207pp. This study was presented by the author, a young Finnish researcher, as her master's thesis at the University of Helsinki. She is therefore not an 'eye-witness' [...]

Focuses on the issues of unity and mission linked to ecclesiology from the perspective of the local church. Integrity of the local church within the universal church; Need for threefold askesis to discipline commitment; Encounter and response to the challenges of the people by the church to discover full missionary and ecumenical vocation.

Focuses on the role of Willem A. Visser 't Hooft in bringing Eastern Orthodox churches into the membership of World Council of Churches (WCC). Factors influencing Orthodox participation in ecumenical movement; Emphasis on the need for ecumenical movement in European Churches; Problems in development of WCC and suggestions for improvements.

Examines the theological thought of Dumitru Staniloae, a professor of dogmatic theology at the Theological Institute of Bucharest in Romania. Establishment of an organic link between the articulation of the faith, spirituality and the knowledge of God; Reflections on the sacramental nature of the Church; Articulation of an Orthodox faith that does not alienate the authentic values of the people.

The article discusses the concepts of unity and models of union. It presents arguments on the identification of the undivided Church in its sacramental and historical reality, the ecclesial status of non-Orthodox Christians and churches, the distinction between legitimate diversity and sinful division, and the unity and catholicity of the Church. Any ecumenical discussion that involves the Orthodox understanding of unity must take into account the two elements of ecclesiology.