A ROCOR Discussion on Ecumenism (1971)

A translation of the Minutes of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on September 3/16, 1971.

 

 

VIII. Protopresbyter George Grabbe reads his report on Ecumenism (Appendix 27).

Archbishop Vitaly reads aloud a letter from Athanasius Zacharides concerning certain aspects of church life connected with Ecumenism.

Archbishop Nikon believes that, in view of the contents of Protopresbyter George Grabbe’s report, a special resolution should be drawn up, and asks him what he would propose.

Protopresbyter George Grabbe replies that the Metropolitan should be asked to write to all the Primates of the Churches and to all Orthodox Hierarchs a second Sorrowful Epistle, pointing out the danger of Ecumenism.

Archbishop Averky believes that the time has come to declare Ecumenism a dangerous heresy that undermines the foundations of the Church.

The Chairman [Metropolitan Philaret] remarks that the speaker says the same thing.

Bishop Savva expresses doubt as to whether it would be beneficial to press the issue too sharply. Would we not thereby give the Eastern Churches grounds to place us under suspension?

It would be better to develop this question further, in order to present it to a future Council.

Archbishop Anthony of San Francisco says that he understands the zeal for God’s truth in this matter, but heresies were ordinarily dealt with by Councils specially convened for that purpose. Our Council, however, has assembled to address many matters, while this question stands among the other items on the agenda.

Protopresbyter George Grabbe replies that, in the history of the Church, the condemnation of a heresy was not immediately carried out by a great Council, but initially proceeded from the Council of some one particular Church.

Archbishop Nikon proposes the text of a resolution.

The Chairman remarks that we have already spoken about Ecumenism before. Archbishop Vitaly delivered an excellent report on the subject at the previous Council. Our new statement must now be still more resolute and forceful.

Archbishop Seraphim of Chicago proposes referring this question to the All-Diaspora Council.

The Chairman objects that an All-Diaspora Council with the participation of laypeople cannot examine dogmatic questions.

Archbishop Averky agrees with the Chairman. We have been speaking about Ecumenism for many years, and the faithful are awaiting a firm word from us. We have spoken definitively concerning the Moscow Patriarchate, but the sin of Ecumenism is even greater.

Archbishop Anthony of Geneva agrees that an epistle must be issued, but that it should speak not of entire Churches as promoting Ecumenism, but of individual persons.

Archbishop Philotheus agrees that an epistle against Ecumenism is necessary, but that it must emphasize that the Moscow Patriarchate is following this path because it is not free. Our Russian Church Abroad is free and must defend the truth.

Archbishop Anthony of Los Angeles believes that, if it is clear to us that Ecumenism is a heresy, then we must declare this openly. We may, of course, thereby damage our relations with some; in certain respects, this may be painful, but it must not deter us. The truth is more important than personal relations.

Archbishop Seraphim of Chicago objects that our relations with the Jerusalem Patriarchate are now improving somewhat, yet it sends representatives to ecumenical conferences. The Serbian Church does the same. The Serbs say that they participate in them for the sake of self-defense. In Germany, we make use of Catholic churches. In Cincinnati, we rent an Episcopal church. If we declare Ecumenism a heresy, then we must break off ordinary relations with heretics.

Archbishop Averky particularly welcomes the statement of Archbishop Anthony of Los Angeles, for decisive declarations are expected from us precisely now, when we are commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the Russian Church Abroad.

Archbishop Anthony of San Francisco agrees that we must bear witness to the truth, but it is more important for us to point out the errors of the unfree Church in the USSR. Then our role will be more modest.

Archbishop Averky, replying to Archbishop Seraphim, observes that the use of a church building does not in itself constitute Ecumenism.

Archbishop Anthony of Geneva believes that we must judge Ecumenism, and not individual Churches.

Archbishop Vitaly agrees with Archbishop Anthony.

Archbishop Philotheus believes that it is Ecumenism itself that is a heresy, and not attendance at some gathering of ecumenists while defending the Orthodox faith there.

Bishop Savva believes that we should not hurry to dot the i’s. Epistles have been written previously. The material must be worked out. It would be better to adopt this at an All-Diaspora Council. Although the people do not decide such questions, this would be more authoritative, for it would rest upon the support of the Church’s people. We have many other difficult questions.

The Chairman observes that, in that case, if we have troubles in Argentina or Australia, we should not concern ourselves with an important dogmatic question.

Archbishop Averky is likewise surprised at such a framing of the question. What is taking place in Argentina or Australia is insignificant in comparison with Ecumenism. It undermines the very foundations of the Church.

Archbishop Vitaly agrees with Archbishop Averky. Ecumenism is indifference toward Christ’s truth and destroys the boundaries of the Church.

Archbishop Averky believes that, in the way he has framed the question, Bishop Savva probably has in mind the Encyclical of the Eastern Patriarchs, which states that among us the guardian of the truth is the entire people. But this would apply to us if we were preaching falsehood; when we are refuting heresy, however, the people have no authority.

The Council adopts the following resolution: Having heard the detailed report of Protopresbyter George Grabbe on Ecumenism, and recognizing Ecumenism as a heresy against the dogma of the Church, the Council of Bishops requests that the Chairman of the Council address the Orthodox world with a New Sorrowful Epistle, warning it against this heresy.

 

Chairman of the Council:

+Metropolitan Philaret

 

Council Members:

+ Archbishop Nikon,

+ Archbishop Seraphim,

+ Archbishop Philotheus,

+ Archbishop Vitaly,

+ Archbishop Anthony,

+ Archbishop Averky,

 + Archbishop Anthony,

+ Archbishop Anthony,

+ Archbishop Seraphim,

+ Bishop Sava,

+ Bishop Constantine,

+ Bishop Theodosius.

 

Secretaries of the Council:

+ Bishop Paul

+ Bishop Laurus

 

 

Russian Source: https://sinod.ruschurchabroad.org/Arh%20Sobor%201971%20Prot.htm