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Orthodox Christianity has a long history of religious tolerance that has evolved towards some degree of [[w:Religious pluralism|religious pluralism]]. Advocation of justice and peace towards members of other faiths is seen in a 16th century encyclical written by Ecumenical Patriarch [[Metrophanes III of Constantinople|Metrophanes III]] (1520-1580) to the [[Greek Orthodox]] in Crete (1568) following reports that Jews were being mistreated. The Patriarch states:

:"Injustice ... regardless to whomever acted upon or performed against, is still injustice. The unjust person is never relieved of the responsibility of these acts under the pretext that the injustice is done against a heterodox and not to a believer. As our Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospels said [[w:Ministry_of_Jesus#General_Ethics|do not oppress or accuse anyone falsely]]; do not make any distinction or give room to the believers to injure those of another belief."

In 1943 the Nazi attempt to exterminate the Jews of Athens failed thanks to the combined efforts of Archbishop [[Damaskinos (Papandreou) of Athens]], Greek resistance groups and the Greek people.

==Views on Salvation and Pluralism==

:"In our times. Professor John N. Karmiris, University of Athens, based on his studies of the Church Fathers, concludes that the salvation of non-Christians, non-Orthodox and heretics depends on the all-good, allwise and all-powerful God, who acts in the Church but also through other "ways." God's saving grace is also channeled outside the Church. It cannot be assumed that salvation is denied non-Christians living in true piety and according to natural law by the God who "is love" (1 John 4:8), In his justice and mercy God will judge them worthy even though they are outside the true Church. This position is shared by many Orthodox who agree that God's salvation extends to all who live according to His "image" and "participate in the [[Logos]]." The Holy Spirit acted through the prophets of the [[Old Testament]] and in the nations. [[Soteriology|Salvation]] is also open outside the Church."

:"You ask, will the heterodox be saved... Why do you worry about them? They have a Saviour Who desires the salvation of every human being. He will take care of them. You and I should not be burdened with such a concern. Study yourself and your own sins... I will tell you one thing, however: should you, being Orthodox and possessing the Truth in its fullness, betray Orthodoxy, and enter a different faith, you will lose your soul forever."

The Fifth Academic Meeting between Judaism And Orthodox Christianity was held in Thessaloniki, Greece, on May 27-29, 2003. The meeting was organized by Metropolitan [[Emmanuel (Adamakis) of France]], who heads the Office of International and Intercultural Affairs to the [[Liaison Office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the European Union]], Brussels, in cooperation with the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations, New York, Co-Chaired by Rabbi Israel Singer who is also Chairman of the World Jewish Congress, and Rabbi Joel Meyers who is also the Executive Vice President of the Rabbinical Assembly. In his opening remarks, Ecumenical Patriarch [[Bartholomew I (Archontonis) of Constantinople|Bartholomew I]] denounced religious fanaticism and rejected attempts by any faith to denigrate others. The following principles were adopted at the meeting:

Participants agreed to establish a permanent coordinating committee to maintain and foster continuing relationships. The Committee would jointly monitor principles enunciated at the meeting and would further enhance the dialogue and foster understanding between the respective religious communities.

The Sixth Academic Meeting between Judaism and Orthodox Christianity on ''“Religious Liberty and the Relationship Between Freedom and Religion”'' took place from March 14-15, 2007, in the Jurisdiction of the [[Church of Jerusalem|Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem]] and held at the Van Leer Institute. The meeting was also made possible with the generous support of the Sapir Center for Jewish Education and Culture and of the [[Archons of the Order of St. Andrew]], Ecumenical Patriarchate. The meeting was co-chaired by Chief Rabbi David Rosen, President of the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations and His Eminence Metropolitan [[Emmanuel (Adamakis) of France]], who heads the office of Interreligious and Intercultural Affairs to the [[Liaison Office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the European Union]], Brussels.

"Following on from the above principles, we call upon governments to recognize the important role of religion within their states and broader society, and to implement the above-listed principles in all state legislation impacting religious practice and expression."

==See also==

* [[Judaism and Early Christianity]]

* [[Introduction to Orthodox Christianity]]

* Rev. Dr. George C. Papademetriou. ''[http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith8089 An Orthodox Christian View of Non-Christian Religions].'' '''Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America'''.

* ''[http://www.jcrelations.net/en/?item=1988 Fifth Academic Meeting between Judaism and Orthodox Christianity in Thessaloniki, Greece].'' '''Jewish-Christian Relations'''. 2003-06-05.

* ''[http://www.jcrelations.net/en/?item=2802 Communique of the 6th Academic Meeting between Judaism and Orthodox Christianity, Jerusalem, March 14-15, 2007].'' '''Jewish-Christian Relations'''. 2007-04-01.

[[Category:Church Life]]

[[Category:Judaism]]

[[Category:Non-Orthodox]]