THE HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL AND THE ORTHODOX DIASPORA. NATIONAL TEMPTATIONS AND MISSIONARY CHALLENGES

Abstract

This article explores the issue of the Orthodox diaspora from an ecclesiological, nationalist and missionary perspective. To achieve these themes, the article is divided into four main parts. In the first part, is evaluated the new situation of the Mother Orthodox Churches, founding new canonical territories. At the same time, the rule of having only one bishop in a city was violated, leading to parallel canonical jurisdictions. Unfortunately, most of the time this reality is created because of national interests and not missionaries. However, the solution can only be obtained synodically. In the second part, where he talks about the document Orthodox Diaspora, approved at the Holy and Great Synod in Crete, the article criticizes certain decisions, as well as the lack of reaching a final consensus regarding diaspora. Exploring this non-canonical situation, the article proposes two solutions that do not exclude each other. The first of these refers to the possibility of an ecclesiastical emancipation of the Orthodox diaspora. The second concerns the establishment of a “First” by delegation. The last part of the article talks about the missionary witness of the diaspora. In essence, the mission is just a natural continuation of the Liturgy. That is why the article proposes as a typological model the proclamation-dialogue-cooperation.