Dumitru Stăniloae and the Interpretation of the Church Fathers in an Ecumenical Context

This article examines the thought of Romanian Orthodox theologian Dumitru Stăniloae on the ecumenical question, particularly his way of interpreting the patristic heritage in the context of interconfessional dialogue. The study analyzes how Stăniloae articulates the theological diversity inherent in the ecumenical movement with the tradition of the Church Fathers, without dissolving doctrinal differences. The central idea is that this diversity can be read positively as a dimension of the process of deification: it fosters both a deepening of the knowledge of God and an increased desire for communion among persons. The contribution of the article lies in highlighting an original Orthodox contribution to contemporary ecumenical dialogue, rooted in patristic theology and capable of integrating confessional plurality without abandoning doctrinal rigor.