The Orthodox theologians’ cooperation with the ecumenical movement has been causing mixed reactions among believers for many years, sometimes leading to completely contradictory conclusions about its effectiveness and expediency. Generally, anti-ecumenical tendencies stem from a fear of losing one’s spiritual identity. Also, they are often artificially encouraged by anti-intellectual Church circles, where the very concept of ecumenism is almost a curse word. Therefore, a balanced analysis of the experience of Orthodox scholars’ involvement in interfaith dialogue is a topic that will not soon lose its relevance and demand.
In 2021, Tamara Grdzelidze, a renowned Orthodox expert on ecumenical issues, made an important contribution to The Oxford Handbook of Ecumenical Studies. In her article, Grdzelidze outlined the history of the most significant ecumenical assemblies of the 20th century and the dynamics of fluctuations in the Orthodox approach to them – from absolute openness to the official withdrawal of some national Orthodox Churches from the World Council of Churches. Grdzelidze also paid attention to the thematic diversity of ecumenical meetings, which included an in-depth study of the theology of the Holy Spirit, an analysis of humanity’s ecological abuses, and an increased focus on the existential concerns of a person in the modern world.
Archpriest Andrii Shymanovych has written a summary of Tamara Grdzelidze’s article, which includes some of his own ideas. The text is available at this link:
