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orthodoxy. The Patriarchates of Constantinople, Jerusalem and Alexandria
made clear they would reject a text which did not use the word Church.
Other documents also caused lively debate. A conservative text on
fasting generated an important discussion on mission and culture. Despite the
reiteration of existing tradition the debate made clear that local cultural
adaptation would be discussed. For western churches the Orthodox stress on
fasting can also be an important corrective to consumerism. Throughout the
Council it became clear that the conciliar discussion was as important as the
text. The marriage text, for example, reiterates the ancient ban on marrying
outside the faith. But the discussion made clear that under the Orthodox
doctrine of ‘economy’ exceptions for pastoral reasons would be widespread, not
least in countries where mixed marriages were the norm. At other points the
history of the text and the necessary compromises made in long years of
preparatory discussion show up the composite origins of the documents. The
text on the mission of the Orthodox Church today is uneven in its treatment
of discrimination, nevertheless the general direction of engagement to the
dialogue with modernity is clear.
A long encyclical was authorised but a more accessible shorter message
was also approved. It was reportedly drafted by Archbishop Anastasios of
Triana and Albania. In addition to succinctly summarising the directions of the
Council, the message has some important things to say on science and religion,
avoiding the temptation to adopt positions on every new question. The
message also speaks of the ecological crisis, of young people and eloquently of
‘opening up Orthodox horizons’. The Orthodox understanding of reception
now means discussion and debate. In his closing homily Patriarch
Bartholomew said ‘the entire life of the church is a life ‘in synod’. The Synod as
‘event’ is now over, the synod as a process in the Orthodox Church has just
begun, and that will be true even for those who question its authority.

An Interview with Bishop Christopher Hil 2

SS: What was the role of an Observer and what contribution were you able to
make?
+C: I was technically representing the Conference of European Churches – the
Ecumenical Patriarchate has been a member from its beginnings. The Bishop

2 Interview conducted by Stephen Stavrou, Editor of Koinonia.

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