Orthodox Christians around the world expect an important historical event - the convening of the Pan-Orthodox Council. Expectations from a meeting of representatives of all autocephalous Orthodox Churches were divided. Most Christians enthusiastically accepted the news of the convening of the Council on the island of Crete, while others are worried and talk about the terrible consequences of such an act.
The collection of primates of Christian Churches (hierarchs and leading experts in the field of dogma, church law, liturgical theology, etc.) is referred to in the Christian tradition as the Cathedral. In the ancient Christian Church, the practice of convening Councils was commonplace. The clergy discussed important issues of dogma, as well as the practical side of the life of Christians.
In 2016, an important historical event will be held on the island of Crete - the convocation of the Pan-Orthodox Council, in which delegations of all independent (autocephalous) Orthodox Churches will take part. The convocation of this Council began to be actively prepared since 1961. Such a large meeting of hierarchs of the Church will be the first in hundreds of years after the convening of the famous Ecumenical Councils.
As the date of the Council approaches (it will be held from June 18 to June 27, 2016), opponents of this action begin to appear among Christians. Some Christians actively condemn the Russian hierarchs in participating in the meeting, calling the Pan-Orthodox Council "wolf". The hearts and minds of some Christians are disturbed by the prophecy that after the 8th Ecumenical Council the antichrist will come into the world and the end of the world will draw near.
Some believers believe that resolutions will be adopted at the Pan-Orthodox Council in 2016 that discredit the holiness of the Orthodox Church. These include: unity with the Catholics, the abolition of posts, calendar reform, the introduction of a married episcopate, as well as the second clergy of the clergy. In this regard, dozens of letters and video messages are sent to the Moscow Patriarchate, expressing concern about the upcoming meeting of hierarchs of the entire Orthodox Church. The Russian hierarchy could not help but respond to accusations of derogation from the purity of Orthodoxy - a document was published on the Moscow Patriarchate’s website explaining the entire list of issues brought up for a conciliar discussion.
First of all, it is worth noting that the Pan-Orthodox Council is not 8 Ecumenical. This was clearly and directly witnessed by the Patriarch of Moscow Cyril. In addition, many saints and church writers called the Eighth Ecumenical Council the Cathedral in Constantinople, which took place in 879-880. At this meeting, changes to the Creed, which is now being proclaimed in all Orthodox churches, were condemned / The Councils of the mid-14th century that took place in Constantinople are of particular importance for the Church. They are known in history as the resolution of disputes about the "Tabor Light" (Palamite disputes) and about the knowability of God through His energies. Thus, the Pan-Orthodox Council of 2016 cannot be considered the 8 Ecumenical Council.
At the end of January 2016, at the Meeting of Primate of the Orthodox Churches, a decision was made to submit six questions to the Pan-Orthodox Council (they can be found verbatim on the website of the Moscow Patriarchate). Moreover, it has already been openly stated that no dogmatic issues of creed will be discussed in Crete, since it makes no sense to introduce innovations and any distortions into the field of Orthodox creed.
The main goal of convening the Pan-Orthodox Council is the coordinated opinion of the Orthodox Church on the pressing problems of modern society, as well as some issues of church law that have not received general recognition.
The list of documents preparing for consideration at the Pan-Orthodox Council in 2016 is as follows:
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"The importance of fasting and its observance today." This document not only does not abolish posts, but, on the contrary, emphasizes the special significance and universally binding nature of all four multi-day abstinence periods. The posts of Petrov, Uspensky and Rozhdestvensky were not historically fixed in Orthodox canons.
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"Autonomy and the way of its proclamation." A very important practical question will be devoted to one who has the right to proclaim the autonomy (independence) of the Church. The document expresses the opinion that each autocephalous Church itself has the right to give independence (autonomy) to any of its part. Thus, the question of the optional declaration of autonomy exclusively by the Patriarch of Constantinople will be considered.
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"The sacrament of marriage and the obstacles to it." This document clearly indicates the ban on the second-priesthood of the clergy, as well as on the marriage of monks (on the issue of the possibility of entering into a marriage union to bishops).
- Another document that will be considered at the Pan-Orthodox Council is called upon to resolve the issue of the canonical position of the Orthodox diaspora (believers geographically dispersed outside of any Orthodox Church). The issue of creating Episcopal assemblies in various regions will be discussed in order to realize a normal canonical life and help believers.
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"The mission of the Orthodox Church in the modern world" is a document designed to express the attitude of Orthodoxy to contemporary problems of morality. In addition, it displays the spiritual causes of the economic crisis, as well as the social and political spheres of modern society.
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"Relations of the Orthodox Church with the rest of the Christian world." This document does not imply a change in the article of faith. No dogmatic Catholic formulations will be included in the Nicene-Tsaregradsky Symbol. The document clarifies that the Orthodox Church must testify the truth of a doctrine to the whole world, to all faiths. At the same time, the concepts of “equality of faiths” and “equanimity” of those cannot be regarded as heterodox. The unity of Christians can be built only on the acceptance of the purity of faith of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, of which the Orthodox Church is.
The issue of calendar reform will not be discussed at all at the Pan-Orthodox Council.
Of particular importance is the method of making this or that decision at the Council. It provides for the unanimous consent of all representatives of the autocephalous Churches (“consent of the fathers”). Thus, the exclusive consent of all in a particular issue will be the main factor in the adoption of the decision (as opposed to voting through a majority). This is a clear example of the Unity of the Orthodox Church.
Based on the above, Orthodox believers have absolutely no need to worry about the upcoming Council. He is not heretical, he will not change and accept religious truths alien to Orthodoxy; he will not follow liturgical unity with Catholics. Therefore, the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church calls on some believers to abandon attacks on the Pan-Orthodox Council and stop confusing the minds of faithful children of the Church of Christ. Orthodox people are encouraged to offer prayers to God for the worthy conduct of the Holy and Great Cathedral on the island of Crete in 2016.
