Constantin G. Patelos

This article constitutes the introduction to a collection of Orthodox theological documents prepared for the Fifth Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC), held in Nairobi in November 1975. Introductory and documentary in nature, it presents the historical and institutional context in which the gathered texts are situated, covering the period 1968-1975. The central idea is that Orthodox theology, engaged in the ecumenical movement, must articulate a coherent response to questions of salvation, ecclesial unity and mission in the contemporary world, without reducing christological faith to socio-political ideologies. The contribution of this introduction lies in highlighting the specific Orthodox contribution to ecumenical dialogue, through a series of multilateral consultations on soteriology, ecclesiology, mission and Christian education.