This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36569416
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Orthodox Churches council opens on Crete despite Russia's absence | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A historic gathering of Orthodox Churches has opened on the Greek island of Crete, despite the absence of four denominations including the Russians. | |
The Holy and Great Council had been billed as the first meeting of fellow Church leaders since 787 AD. | |
The Russians decided to stay away after the Churches of Antioch, Bulgaria and Georgia refused to take part after disputes about the meeting. | |
The council, which began on Sunday, has been 55 years in preparation. | |
It will run until 27 June. | |
On Sunday morning, clerics attending the council celebrated Orthodox Pentecost in the Cretan town of Heraklion, the AFP news agency reports. | |
Fourteen Churches representing over 300 million faithful had been originally invited to the gathering. | |
Experts say the decision to stay away by the Russian Church, which represents some 100 million followers, highlights longstanding divisions among Orthodox Christians. | |
There is also a struggle for power between Russia and the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, considered the spiritual head and "first among equals". He is the driving force behind the meeting. | |
The disagreements ranged from seating plans to efforts to reconcile with the Vatican. | The disagreements ranged from seating plans to efforts to reconcile with the Vatican. |
Moscow also fears that Patriarch Bartholomew will give support to the Ukrainian branch of the Church, fuelling what one Russian state-owned newspaper has called "a simmering religious war". | Moscow also fears that Patriarch Bartholomew will give support to the Ukrainian branch of the Church, fuelling what one Russian state-owned newspaper has called "a simmering religious war". |
Russian Patriarch Kirill said he considered the Crete gathering a preparatory session for a synod that will unite all the Churches "without exception." | Russian Patriarch Kirill said he considered the Crete gathering a preparatory session for a synod that will unite all the Churches "without exception." |
Orthodox Christians | Orthodox Christians |
What is the Orthodox Church? | What is the Orthodox Church? |