Georgian Orthodox Church rejects ecumenical document for worldwide Orthodox council

February 25, 2016

The Georgian Orthodox Church has rejected a document on ecumenism, prepared for the worldwide council of Orthodox leaders scheduled to take place in Crete in June.

The rejection of the preparatory document by one of the world's fourteen autocephalous Orthodox churches poses the first serious challenge for the council's planners. A key organizing principle for the council has been that any statement or document produced by the participants must have unanimous support. The opposition of the Georgian hiearchy also illustrates the deep suspicions about ecumenical work within some Orthodox circles.

Patriarch Ilia II of Tbilisi, the leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church, announced that the Georgian Synod had rejected the document on ecumenism. "Our Church is that which saves our country and our people," he said. "In the future our Church will stand as a guard for Orthodoxy." 

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Georgian Orthodox Church Rejects Document on Ecumenism Drafted for the Great Council, 2016.
• Date and place set for pan-Orthodox council (CWN, 1/27)