Message from the General Secretary of the WCC
XXI International Ecumenical Conference
The Monastery of Bose with its way of life, worship, fellowship and research became a point of reference for spiritual ecumenism in Europe and beyond
XXI International Ecumenical Conference
on Orthodox spirituality
in collaboration with the Orthodox Churches
THE AGES OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
Monastery of Bose, 4-7 September 2013
2 September 2013
Your Eminences and Graces,
Dear Brother Enzo, Prior of the Community of Bose
Respected organizers and participants,
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
It is an honour for me to greet you all on behalf of the fellowship of the World Council of Churches.
The Monastery of Bose with its way of life, worship, fellowship and research became a point of reference for spiritual ecumenism in Europe and beyond. Your prayers for the unity of all Christians, the fellowship of members of different confessions of faith united in work and prayer that you experience daily in your community and the research especially on the spiritual dimension of Christian unity are highly appreciated by churches as well as by extra-ecclesial constituencies. Your way of promoting Christian unity reminds us that our Lord`s words “that all may be one” are at the same time a commandment and a prayer. Part of the struggle and efforts for the unity of all Christians is the prayer for unity. We are united in Christ by witnessing to the same Gospel and by sharing the same spiritual values expressed in a harmonious and rich diversity.
The theme of your 21st International Ecumenical Conference on Orthodox spirituality, “The Ages of Spiritual Life,” inspired by the famous book of the Orthodox theologian Paul Evdochimov, is also a reminder to the fellowship of WCC of the theme of the 10th Assembly that will take place in Busan, Republic of Korea, 30 October-9 November 2013, “God of Life, lead us to justice and peace.” It is not only the notion of “life” which connects the two themes, but also the fact that our life, being given by our God, the God of life, needs to be spiritual. Part of our spirituality is the promotion of justice and peace in the world. We as Christians are called to promote not our justice and peace, but the justice and peace of God of life which becomes ours. I am convinced that your reflections will bring inspiration for our spiritual journey to Busan.
Wishing you a fruitful conference, I remain
Yours in our common Lord,
Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit
General Secretary