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''Neither pray I for these alone'Ecumenism''' is, principally, but for them also that shall believe on me dialogue between Christian groups aimed at promoting the restoration of unity among all Christians through their word: That they all may be one; as thouunderstanding, Father, art in methrough mutual respect and toleration, and I through practical cooperation in theeareas of common concern, that they also may be one in us: that such as care for the world may believe that thou hast sent mepoor, sick, and needy.'' (Joh 17:20-21)

'''''Ecumenism''''' is, principally, dialogue between Christian denominations aimed Orthodox Christians were engaged in the foundation of the ecumenical movement from its inception. The primary basis for the Orthodox role in the ecumenical movement was a statement issued by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1920 entitled "Unto All the Churches of Christ Wheresoever They Be." A number of Orthodox churches were present at promoting the restoration initial founding conference of the World Council of unity among all Christians through understandingChurches, through mutual respect and tolerationmost have continued to participate in the life of the WCC, as well as in national and through practical cooperation in areas regional councils of common concernchurches.

Some Orthodox Christians take widely different attitudes toward ecumenismhave criticized participation in the ecumenical movement. A few embrace They believe that ecumenical witness represents a concession to the Anglican "branch theoryBranch Theory," which implies suggests that the various divisions in Christianity all represent branches of the same Church just as the branches of a tree are all integrally part of the same living tree. Many object to this theory on the ground that it tends to minimize Under such a model, Orthodoxy, reducing its stature would be defined not as exclusively the [[One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church|one , holy , catholic , and apostolic Church to that of ]], but rather as a relatively small segment of the Church: one denomination among many. (However, this understanding of ecumenism is not supported by the agreements which define ecumenical structure, most notably the [[Toronto Declaration]].)

Some regard ecumenism as an opportunity to present Orthodoxy to In the world as a unique witness to the ancient Christian faith and to Twentieth Century particularly, some ecumenical activities have drawn sharp criticism from various voices within the Orthodox Church as , particularly participation in the indivisible body World Council of Christ. Others feel that ecumenism necessarily undermines this witness Churches and feel that , in the Orthodox will be forced to alter traditional practices and even United States, the very content National Council of Churches of Christ in the ancient apostolic faithUSA.

In One of the Twentieth Century particularlymore controversial documents drawn up in recent years pertaining to ecumenism is the [[Balamand Statement]], some ecumenical activities have drawn sharp criticism from various voices within an unofficial joint document of recommendation on [[Uniates|Uniatism]] signed by representatives of the [[Orthodox Church]] and the [[Roman Catholic Church]] in 1993. Recently, particularly participation many of the Orthodox Churches in the United States, including the [[World Council Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of ChurchesNorth America]] and , the [[National Council Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of ChurchesAmerica]] in , and the US. Those opposing ecumenism are often self-labelled as ''Traditionalists'', particularly [[Old CalendaristOrthodox Church in America]] jurisdictions, who often regard the have joined a new ecumenical organization called [[New CalendarChristian Churches Together]] as being . CCT is intended to represent a symptom broader coalition of branch theory ecumenismChristian communions, including Roman Catholics and Evangelicals (who do not participate as full members in either the WCC or NCCCUSA.)

One of the more controversial documents drawn up in recent years pertaining to ecumenism is the [[Balamand Statement]], an unofficial joint document of recommendation on [[Uniates|Uniatism]] signed by representatives of the ==See also==* [[North American Orthodox Church]] and the [[Roman -Catholic ChurchTheological Consultation]] in 1993.

*[http://www.scoba.us/resourcesassets/documentsfiles/guide_for_orthodox.pdf Ecumenical Guidelines for SCOBA]* [http://www.scoba.us/resources/sacorthodox-catholic/baptism-economysacramentaleconomy.asp html Baptism and "sacramental economy": An agreed statement of the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation] - Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary, Crestwood, New York - June 3, 1999* [http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/ Orthodox Information Center: Ecumenism Awareness]*[http://uncutmountain.com/index.php/uncut/pages/ecumenism_origins_expectations_disenchantment_table_of_contents/ Ecumenism: Origins - Expectations - Disenchantment], September 2004 Conference on Ecumenism, held at Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece**[http://uncutmountain.com/uncut/docs/Conclusions_of_the_Conference_on_Ecumenism.pdf Conclusions of the Conference on Ecumenism]**[http://uncutmountain.com/uncut/docs/bpartemy_soc.pdf The Church of Serbia vis-à-vis Ecumenism], by Bishop Artemije of Raska and Prizren**[http://uncutmountain.com/uncut/docs/fralexios_contours.pdf Contours of Conversion and the Ecumenical Movement], by Hieromonk Alexis (Trader) of Karakallou**[http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles4/ReevesEcumenicism.shtml The Consequences of Orthodox Participation in the Ecumenical Movement on the Orthodox Witness to the Heterodox West], by Fr. John Reeves**[http://uncutmountain.com/uncut/docs/heers_baptism.pdf The Mystery of Baptism and the Unity of the Church], by Fr. Peter A. Heers* [http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/Heers-TheMissionaryRootsofModernEcumenism.pdf The Missionary Origins of Modern Ecumenism] by Fr. Peter A. Heers* [http://www.oca.org/QA.asp?ID=27&SID=3 Orthodox Christianity and The "Branch Theory"]. OCA - Q & A.* [http://cjshayward.com/ecumenism/ An Open Letter to Catholics on Orthodoxy and Ecumenism, by C.J.S. Hayward]* [http://www.incommunion.org/articles/essays/orthodoxy-ecumenism In Communion: Orthodoxy & Ecumenism]* [http://incommunion.org/articles/ecumenical-movement/ In Communion: Ecumenical Movement], resources on the Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Movement* [http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/ Orthodox Information Center: Ecumenism Awareness]* [http://www.oca.org/QA.asp?ID=188&SID=3 OCA Q&A: Ecumenism and Church Leaders]* [http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/assembly/porto-alegre-2006/4-messages-other-statements-sermons/pre-assemblies/17-02-05-report-of-the-orthodox-pre-assembly-meeting.html Report of the Orthodox Pre-Assembly Meeting (WCC), Rhodes, January 10-17, 2005]* [http://sites.google.com/site/orthodoxresistance/ Resistance to Ecumenism in the Orthodox Church]

===Ecumenical organizations=== *[http://www.wcc-coe.org/ World Council of Churches] *[http://www.ncccusa.org National Council of Churches] *[http://www.christianchurchestogether.org Christian Churches Together]*[Categoryhttp://www.churchworldservice.org Church Life]World Service] [[Category:HeresiesChurch Life]]