WCC News: WCC receives delegation from Russian Orthodox Church

On Tuesday 15 September, the WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay received a delegation from the Russian Orthodox Church, headed by H.E. Metropolitan Anthony, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee, also took part in the meeting via remote link. World Council of Churches leadership meets with the representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, 15 September 2026. Photo: Marianne Ejdersten/WCC 15 September 2026 The WCC general secretary had invited HE Metropolitan Anthony for mutual consultations in the context of WCC’s efforts for dialogue and peace, and in the context of current reflections on the Ecumenical Call to Just Peace, 15 years after it was issued. “The meeting was a frank, open and constructive exchange of views on war, peace, religious freedom, church relationships, nuclear weapons and the message and actions of the church in such a context”, said general secretary Pillay after the meeting. “It was clear to all participants in the meeting that we need more such conversations, not fewer,” observed Pillay. “The church must speak together against violence and injustice, and the path to that common witness is dialogue. The alternative to encounter and dialogue is only more division and confrontation.” Pillay recommitted the WCC “to serve as a bridge across the divisions and conflicts of the world.” World Council of Churches leadership meets with the representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, 15 September 2026. Photo: Marianne Ejdersten/WCC See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland