OCU, UGCC, and RCC gather for ecumenical conference in Odesa
An Ecumenical Conference in Odesa. Photo: ugcc.ua
In Odesa, representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), and the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) gathered for an ecumenical conference dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, reports the UGCC website.
On May 14-15, Odesa is hosting a scholarly-theological conference titled: "1700 Years after the First Ecumenical Council: Lessons from the Past and Significance for the Ukrainian Churches Today."
The event is organized by the UGCC’s Commission for Interfaith and Interreligious Relations in cooperation with the Institute of Ecumenical Studies of the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU).
The conference was opened by the chairman of the commission, Ihor Shaban, who noted in his welcome address: “Today, just as 1700 years ago, the Church faces challenges of unity, truth, and faithfulness to apostolic teaching. The example of the Council of Nicaea reminds us that unity is not simply a compromise, but the fruit of a shared search for truth in Christ.”
Presentations by participants focus on the historical context of the Council of Nicaea in 325, its decisions (including the Nicene Creed), the struggle against Arianism, the role of Emperor Constantine, and the significance of conciliarity for contemporary ecclesiology. Particular attention is given to how these theological principles can be applied in today’s interchurch dialogue in Ukraine.
Roman Nazarenko, head of the Ecumenical Commission of the UGCC Exarchate of Odesa, noted, “The Council of Nicaea not only defined the foundations of the faith but also established the tradition of universal discussion of Church matters. Today, this model of dialogue is especially important for Ukrainian Christianity, which is undergoing transformation and seeking new forms of unity.”
As previously reported by the UOJ, Ukrainian Greek Catholics wish to be a catalyst for ecumenism.
Read also
Удар по Лавре вызвал у меня ярость, мы вернем войну в Рашку, – ЗеленскийTranslation:The strike on the Lavra enraged me, we will bring the war back to Rashka, – Zelensky
The President of Ukraine stated that the Russian strike on the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra filled him with rage, and promised to "bring the war back" to Russian territory.
Глава УГКЦ: Нас с Польшей разделяют не сами факты борьбы УПА, а мифы о ней Head of the UGCC: What divides us from Poland is not the facts of the UPA's struggle themselves, but the myths about it
Sviatoslav Shevchuk called for a return to the papal formula of reconciliation "we forgive and ask for forgiveness" and urged not to leave the topic of Polish-Ukrainian dialogue in the hands of politicians.
RCC priest killed in Sudan after reporting theft of medicine for the poor
In the Nuba Mountains, a Catholic parish cleric was killed by militants after reporting the theft of medicines.
DESS begins checking Pochaiv Lavra for ties to ROC
Viktor Yelensky signed an order to conduct a study into whether Pochaiv Lavra is affiliated with a religious organization banned in Ukraine.
Authorities show Honduran president and U.S. diplomat damage in Kyiv Lavra
The National Reserve noted that the involvement of international partners in documenting the destruction is of great importance.
First openly transgender U.S. lawmaker sentenced for child sex abuse
Former New Hampshire lawmaker sentenced to 33 years in prison for receiving explicit images of young children secretly taken at a daycare center.