An Orthodox-Protestant consultation on “Ecclesiology as basis for friendship between the Churches” was held at the Orthodox Academy of Crete (Greece) from 28 November to 1 December. The meeting promoted by the Conference of the Churches of Europe (KEK) brought together 20 theologians (10 Protestant and 10 Orthodox) from various European countries. The consultation analyzed, both from a Protestant and an Orthodox viewpoint, a document on ecclesiology (the branch of theology that studies the nature and constitution of the Church) with the title “The Church of Jesus Christ”, which is the result of a long dialogue pursued with a view to “the full communion of the Churches”. “One of KEK’s major commitments says Father Viorel Ionita, Orthodox theologian from Romania and head of KEK’s Studies Secretariat is to promote theological dialogue between the Orthodox and Reformed Churches. It sponsored similar consultations in 1999 and in 2001. The Crete consultation examined the significance of the Church, as the crucial question for the progress of ecumenical dialogue. The hope is that this consultation may formulate proposals for further joint endeavour”.
