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glicans and the Orthodox. This was due to the proselytistic attitude the
Anglicans had towards the Orthodox in the East, hence the latter re-
mained cautious towards the West, especially towards the American
Episcopalians. Proselytizing was eventually forbidden by the Ecumeni-
cal Patriarchate in a letter sent to Hatherly (27 February 1873). However,
this whole atmosphere resulted in the increase of polemics against the
West, especially towards Anglicanism and Protestantism.

The 19th century saw a revival of an interest towards the Ortho-
dox Church, which was sparked by the Oxford Movement, having as
one of its main objectives Christian reunion. Nevertheless, it was also
facilitated due to the Greek Independence that commenced in 1821
against the Ottoman Empire, resulting in the ?ea of countless Greeks
to the West, mainly England. However, the Oxford Movement had a
serious longing for the unity of all Christendom; hence it directed its
e?orts towards Rome and the Eastern Churches. It was a preparation
for the modern ecumenical dialogue and movement. The Oxford
Movement was, therefore, the “true ecumenical vocation of
Anglicanism.”19 The protagonists of the Movement, such as Newman,
stressed the Anglican Communion’s link with the “Primitive Church,
Episcopacy and the Apostolic Succession, the external forms and rituals
of Worship,”20 looking also forward towards missionary work and mo-
nasticism, which was not only an Eastern tradition but also a forgotten
Western practice. According to many within the movement, this objec-
tive was signi?cant since they believed that the Latin, Greek and Angli-
can churches comprise branches of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apos-
tolic Church. Many visits from West to East and vice versa were initi-
ated in order to achieve a better understanding of the other. However, it
is apparent that “to this great Movement, so far as human history can
measure, the Church of England owes her very existence.”21

19 Fairweather, Eugene, R., (ed.), The Oxford Movement, (New York, Oxford University Press, 1964),
p. 13.
20 Istavridis, V.T., Orthodoxy & Anglicanism, (London, S.P.C.K.1966), p. 8.
21 Bishop, Frank (ed.), “Editorial, Notes & Comments”, Journal of the Fellowship of St. Alban and St.
Sergius (New Series), No. 20, June-July 1933, p. 3.

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