The Ecclesiology of the Holy and Great Synod

By Bishop Christopher of Karpasia

Before and after the convergence of the Holy and Great Synod there were expressed many different complaints and objections regarding whether the text "Relations of the Orthodox Church with the Rest of the Christian World" corresponds with the ecclesiology of the Orthodox Church.

On this question I would like to offer some initial theological thoughts, reserving to later, God willing, present something more comprehensive and integrated.

The Last Time the Head of the Russian Church Met the Pope of Rome

Metropolitan Isidore of Kiev and Moscow

Although the meeting that took place between Pope Francis of Rome and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in Cuba is historic, it is by no means the first time the head of the Russian Church met the Pope of Rome, as the media seems to be alluding. A typical example is USA Today, which issued a headline on February 12, 2016 that reads: Pope, Patriarch Meet in Cuba Nearly 1,000 Years After Split. And in the very first paragraph of the report it says:

"Despite famine, religious wars, worldwide conflict and the spread of civilization, the heads of the Roman Catholic and the Russian Orthodox churches haven't spoken since the Great Schism of 1054 shattered Christendom, so they had a lot of catching up to do when they sat down for their historic meeting Friday afternoon in Cuba."

There are two things that are specifically wrong with this statement.