Ecumenical Relations and the Canadian Council of Churches

The participation of the Archdiocese of Canada in ecumenical activities is a major way of bearing witness to the Orthodox Church as the One, True and Full Church of Christ on earth. Our involvement in ecumenical bodies is an acknowledgement that numerous other Canadians are also seekers and followers of Christ, according to the light that they have received and to which they respond in all sincerity. The ecumenical movement in Canada, at a national level represented mainly by the Canadian Council of Churches, thus reflects the desire of all Christians to fulfil Christ’s words in his priestly prayer with his Apostles “That they may be One, even as we are One” (Jn 17:22).

The broadest and most accessible ecumenical body in Canada for the Archdiocese is The Canadian Council of Churches (CCC), founded in 1944. The CCC now has 25 members, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, the major Protestant Churches, a number of Evangelical communities, three Eastern Orthodox (Greek, Ukrainian, OCA) and three Oriental Orthodox Churches (Coptic, Ethiopian, Armenian). The CCC is the most comprehensive national association of churches in the world, representing about 85% of Christians in Canada. Its governance is vested in a Governing Board, to which member churches send one or more representatives. For the past 15 years the mode of operation and decision‐making at CCC has been by consensus; there are no votes (except on fiscal matters, a legal requirement). Each member church of the CCC is able to speak authentically and faithfully from its own fundamental principles and is received with respect by all the others. This “forum model” of decision thus allows smaller churches, such as the Archdiocese, to participate in the Council on a basis of equality with much larger churches.

The Archdiocese of Canada is represented on the major bodies of the CCC. Despite its small size relative to the major Christian denominations, the Archdiocese plays a leading role in the Council. The Archdiocese has unquestionably been the strongest and most consistent Orthodox participant in the CCC, especially since the other Orthodox members of Council are not always represented at CCC meetings. Thus Archdiocesan representatives are frequently the only Orthodox voice on issues discussed in the CCC. The contributions of our participants in the various CCC bodies are valued and respected by other CCC members.

Archdiocesan Representation to The Canadian Council of Churches