ecumenism" "
“Europaica” is born! Published by the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church to the European institutions in Brussels, the bulletin contains news and reports in both English and French. “The main aim of this bulletin says the Patriarchate in a press release is to publicize the activity of the Representation and the role of the Russian Orthodox Church and of the other Christian Churches in the process of European integration and to present and interpret the official position of the Russian Church on issues of the day”. In this first number, the bulletin presents news on the creation of a European interreligious Council and on a conference held at the University of Rome. It also contains a long reflection by Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev on “Christian witness in united Europe”. The bishop believes that the model of Europe risks being founded on “a secular construction of society, according to which religion has a place only in the private sphere and must be separated not only from the state but also from society”. There are many people in Europe who are of the view that “religion must not influence social development, nor interfere with political life”. Such a model continues Hilarion Alfeyev reduces to zero the social dimension of every religion”. “For the Christian Churches adds the bishop this model represents a challenge since it prevents any possibility of spreading the Gospel among the nations”. From this point of view, the Russian Church may make her contribution, because she lived in a ghetto for many decades”. “Many Europeans adds Bishop Hilarion ask themselves how Christian witness in the world can be preserved”. “The Russian Orthodox Church, thanks to the experience gained during the years of persecution says the bishop may help European countries to find responses to such questions”. “Europaica” is distributed free and may be received by registering on the site: http://www.orthodoxeurope.org/newsletter.php.
