Phanar hierarch in USA: Ecumenism is needed by everyone called Christians

Archbishop Elpidophoros with clerics of the GOC in the state of New York. Photo: orthodoxtimes.com

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America paid a visit to the District Clergy Syndesmos at the Greek Orthodox Church of Our Saviour in Rye, New York on December 7, 2021. He said, among others, that “I was encouraged by the visit of Pope Francis to Greece, and the reception accorded to him both by the government – since he is technically a Head of State – and the Church”, reports orthodoxtimes website.

He noted that ecumenical dialogue is not an easy thing “because of the often heavy baggage of past sins – sins of both omission and commission” and referred to his participation in the recent conference of US Catholic bishops in Washington, DC. The Phanar hierarch called on the clergy of the Church of Greece to make an effort to participate in ecumenism. “The ecumenical endeavour is a must for all of us who call ourselves ‘Christians’,” said Archbishop Elpidophoros.

As reported, the Phanar hierarch in the United States called on Catholics and Orthodox Christians for a "dialogue of love".

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