The month of January brings two annual events about which we invite hierarchs, clergy, monastics, and laypeople to write thoughtful reflections for us: the March for Life (January 18 in the US) and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25 in most countries). We welcome a variety of perspectives from Orthodox contributors as well as from those of other traditions.

What does it mean for the Church to be “pro-life?” What does this require of us pastorally? What does it require of the Church politically? What has the March accomplished? What has Orthodox participation in it accomplished? What is our obligation to women who have an abortion? To children after they are born? To the hungry and the poor? To refugees at our borders and around the planet? To those sentenced to death or losing their minds in solitary confinement? How do we expand our pro-life vision to include all lives, everyone’s life, at all stages and in all circumstances of life? How do we put this expanded pro-life vision into practice individually and ecclesially?

What is ecumenism? “Ecumenoclasm?” Should the Orthodox Church be involved in the ecumenical movement? Why or why not? Is there a difference between the ecumenical “movement” and ecumenical dialogue? What relevance does the canonical prohibition against “prayer with heretics” have, or not, in the 21st century? What is “Christian unity?” What will it look like? Is there a risk of exchanging the Orthodox Church’s doctrinal maximalism for a race to the lowest common denominator in a “communion of tolerance?” Do we ever honestly say to our partners in ecumenical dialogue that “Christian unity” can only be found in the Orthodox Church? (But how can we say this when we Orthodox break communion with each other at the slightest provocation?) Is Jn 17:21 no more than a handy slogan for ecumenism, or one of the most profoundly mystical and eschatological witnesses to theosis in the entire Bible?

Check our Submission Guidelines if you would like to write for us.

Orthodoxy in Dialogue seeks to promote the free exchange of ideas by offering a wide range of perspectives on an unlimited variety of topics. Our decision to publish implies neither our agreement nor disagreement with an author, in whole or in part.

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