The ecumenical relations between Protestant and Orthodox Churches include the theological subjects, such as ecclesiology, that are still to be analyzed more completely. Being part of CEC, the two Churches are invited by the European ecumenical institution to be active actors in the third ecclesiological consultation to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, 27-30 April 2006.

Conference of European Churches – Office of Communications
Press Release No. 06-09/e 26 April 2006

The issues of unity and “catholicity” (the universal dimension of the Church), and the mutual recognition of baptism will be the theme of the third consultation on ecclesiology between Orthodox and Protestant churches in Europe, to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, 27-30 April 2006.

The meeting has been organised by the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE). Some twenty-five theologians from different confessions and countries will attend the consultation, hosted by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. On Friday, 28 April, participants will attend the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew I in the Holy Monastery of Valouki.

The previous consultations were held in Crete, Greece 2002, and Wittenberg, Germany 2004. “Orthodox and Protestant churches have worked together in the ecumenical movement for decades”, said Prof. Viorel Ionita, CEC Study Secretary in Geneva, “however we still need to learn much about and from each other. These consultations go a long way toward better understanding of the vision and mission of the Church from the point of view of different traditions”.

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The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship of some 125 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all countries of Europe, plus 40 associated organisations. CEC was founded in 1959. It has offices in Geneva, Brussels and Strasbourg.

For more information:
Luca Negro
CEC Office of Communications
Phone +41 22 791 64 85 or 791 63 25
Fax +41 22 791 62 27
e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.cec-kek.org

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