www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Journey begins toward convening of pan-Orthodox synod

According Asianews (link [asianews.it]) the Ecumenical Patriarchate has started the procedures to prepare a pan-Orthodox synod.

The synod will debate about:
1. The Orthodox diaspora, where the jurisdiction over the Orthodox flock beyond national borders will be defined. According to the canons now in effect, before the growth in the phenomenon of emigration the faithful outside of their home country belong to the ecumenical patriarchate.
2. The manner of recognizing the status of autocephalous Church.
3. The manner of recognizing the status of Church autonomy.
4. Dypticha, meaning the rules of mutual canonical recognition among the Orthodox Churches.
5. Establishing a common calendar for feasts. For example, some Churches celebrate the Nativity on December 25, others 10 days later.
6. Impediments and canonicity of the sacrament of matrimony.
7. The question of fasting in the contemporary world.
8. Relationships with the other Christian confessions.
9. The ecumenical movement.
10. The contribution of the Orthodox in affirming the Christian ideals of peace, fraternity, and freedom.

Do you consider the pan-Orthodox synod a positive event concerning the Catholic Church? Which ecclesiology is under such synod? The Eastern Catholic Churches will be invited to participate as full members?

Sounds like a positive development to this Catholic! I just hope the Orthodox don't have their own little "spirit of Vatican II" moment (or...decades) to deal with.

Alexis

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Notice I said "spirit of Vatican II," not "Vatican II!" Just wanted to make that clear.

Alexis

They've been announcing and "preparing" that "pan-Orthodox synod" for at least fifty years. Don't order your tickets and hotel rooms just yet.

Fr Serge

I'm not booking anything yet

INDEED!!

This truly warranted a response of: Laughing Out Loud!!!

Thank you for your wit, which is always much appreciated, dear Father, and for the much needed giggle too.

Respectfully,
Alice

This is simply inaccurate. It is the current position of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and not clearly taught by the canons. I don't know about anyone else, but I do not consider myself as living in the "barbarian lands."

Fr David Straut

At the International Orthodox Youth Conference in Constantinople in 2007, one of the hierarchs--I think it was Gennadios of Sassima, but I am not positive--basically said that his generation failed at convening the Great and Holy Synod, and that it was up to our generation to make it happen.

When my generation gets around to it, I will post on the Forum and let you all know when to book your hotel rooms.

Dave

First of all, all Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate the Nativity of Christ on 25 December! The debate is about how 25 December is calculated, i.e. according to the ancient Julian Calendar or according to the modern Gregorian Calendar.

Secondly, this statement is several centuries out of date. The drift between the two Calendars is now thirteen days, not ten.

Fr David Straut

I think I agree with Blessed Justin Popovich, who believed it would be a grave mistake to convoke such a Council. The political ambitions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which sees itself as an Eastern Orthodox Papacy, are not going to be able to be reconciled (humanly speaking) with the more traditional positions of the Russian Orthodox Church and other non-Greek Orthodox Churches. Better not to air our dirty laundry in public.

Fr David Straut

Priceless. And absolutely true!

Fr David

I dunno, Father... I mean, you are in 'Jersey.

I've driven through New Jersey. It was pretty barbaric to me. (Just kidding!)

Alexis

Dear crule,

It would be nice to live on one of the Channel Islands, but I have to content myself with living in the State of New Jersey on the other side of the Atlantic.

I'm not only a New Jerseyan born and bred, but my Dutch Ancestors settled here in the mid-1600's when there was no New York or New Jersey, but these parts were called New Netherlands. My family has been here ever since.

Oh, and considering the little photo you have posted with your identity, I'll take your opinion concerning "barbarian lands" with a grain of salt.

Fr David