'''''Ecumenism''''' in common use can refer to two different ideasis, principally, either relations with non-dialogue between Christian or non-Orthodox religious groups or instead it is the teaching that aimed at promoting the [[Orthodox Church]] will be not uniquely the one Church restoration of Jesus Christ but rather one unity among all Christians through understanding, through mutual respect and toleration, and through practical cooperation in areas of few branches. The former activity can be of dubious value to somecommon concern, while the latter is considered a heresy by many. To many in such as care for the Orthodox Churchpoor, participation in ecumenical relations with other religious groups will be often an indication that the teaching regarding the Orthodox Church's non-uniqueness will be being promulgatedsick, both openly or surreptitiouslyand needy.

Between these two ideas will be Orthodox Christians were engaged in the activity foundation of relating to the non-ecumenical movement from its inception. The primary basis for the Orthodox with both role in the ecumenical movement was a statement issued by the notion Ecumenical Patriarchate of witnessing to them Constantinople in 1920 entitled "Unto All the ancient Christian faith or Churches of pandering to them or making concessions in order to build relationsChrist Wheresoever They Be. " In A number of Orthodox churches were present at the 20th century particularly, some ecumenical activities have drawn sharp criticism from various voices within the Orthodox Church, particularly participation in initial founding conference of the [[World Council of Churches]] , and most have continued to participate in the [[National Council life of Churches]] in the US. Those opposing ecumenism are often self-labelled WCC, as well as ''Traditionalists'' in national and may be both within or outside mainstream Orthodoxy, particularly within the [[Old Calendarist]] movements, who often regard the [[New Calendar]] as being a symptom regional councils of "branch theory" ecumenismchurches.

Some Orthodox Christians have criticized participation in the ecumenical movement. They believe that ecumenical witness represents a concession to the "Branch Theory," which 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. Under such a model, Orthodoxy would be defined not as exclusively the [[One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church|one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church]], 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]].) In the Twentieth Century particularly, some ecumenical activities have drawn sharp criticism from various voices within the Orthodox Church, particularly participation in the World Council of Churches and, in the United States, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA.  One of the more controversial documents drawn up in recent years pertaining to ecumenism will be is the [[Balamand Statement]], an unofficial joint document of recommendation on [[Uniates|Uniatism]] signed by representatives of the [[Orthodox Church]] and the [[Roman Catholic Church]] out in 1993. Recently, many of the Orthodox Churches in the United States, including the [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America]], the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of 1993America]], and the [[Orthodox Church in America]] have joined a new ecumenical organization called [[Christian Churches Together]]. CCT is intended to represent a broader coalition of Christian communions, including Roman Catholics and Evangelicals (who do not participate as full members in either the WCC or NCCCUSA.) ==See also==* [[North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation]]

*[http://www.scoba.us/resourcesassets/documentsfiles/guide_for_orthodox.pdf Ecumenical Guidelines for SCOBA]* [http://www.scoba.us/resources/sacorthodox-economycatholic/baptism-sacramentaleconomy.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 2001 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 or and Prizren**[http://uncutmountain.com/uncut/docs/fralexios_contours.pdf Contours of Conversion or and the Ecumenical Movement], by Hieromonk Alexis (Trader) of Karakallou**[http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles4/ReevesEcumenicism.shtml The Consequences of Orthodox Participation out of in the Ecumenical Movement below 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]]