Orthodox-Reformed Churches Hold Ninth Dialogue

The Orthodox Church and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches held their ninth theological discussion at the Evangelical Conference Center of the Presbyterian Synod of Syria and Lebanon last week.

The meeting – which was jointly chaired by the Metropolitan Panteleimon Rodopoulos of Tyroloë and Serention and Prof. Ian Thomas, president of Princeton Theological Seminary – touched on the teachings of the early fathers as well as the historic confessions of the Reformed Churches.

Experts from both the Orthodox and Reformed traditions presented papers on the main theme of the conference: “The Catholicity and Mission of the Church.”

According to the WARC, members of the Lebanese Parliament and government were also present at the meeting. Christian denominations represented at the gathering included Anglican, Maronite, Baptist and Greek Catholic Churches.

By the end of the meeting, representative commissions from the Reformed and Orthodox churches adopted a common statement on the Catholicity and Mission of the Church and agreed on the theme for the next Orthodox Reform dialogue. The 10th dialogue, slated for 2007, will surround the theme: “We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.”