A Brief Commentary on Ecumenism and Its “Reception” in Romanian Orthodoxy

Abstract

Ecumenism is a very generous and full of challenges topic that has generated extremely diverse opinions over the years, from hostility and vehement criticism to favorable, even enthusiastic attitudes. In the first part of this short essay, I want to talk about the difficulties in understanding the ecumenical movement and its role in establishing collaborative relationships between Christians from various denominations in Romania, noting the institutional and personalistic dimensions of ecumenism. In the second part, I will refer to the ecumenical dynamics of Romanian Orthodoxy (including the distorted reception of the decisions of the Holy and Great Synod of Crete, 2016), marked by the Church's openness to dialogue, the indifference or ignorance of contemporary society towards religious issues, but also of the necessity of God’s presence in the world, the only guarantee that reconciliation, understanding, collaboration and communication is possible among people of different beliefs, nationalities, cultures and traditions.