Orthodox Presence and Unity in France

This article by Father Cyrille Argenti, rector of the Greek parish in Marseille and a theologian actively engaged with the World Council of Churches, examines the conditions for an authentic Orthodox presence in France. Written in the form of a synodal communication, it articulates a doctrinal and ecclesiological reflection in two stages. The author first defines what it means to be Orthodox — personal adherence to the Resurrection, to the divinity of Christ, to the Incarnation, to the Holy Spirit and to the Church — then identifies the constitutive criteria of a local Orthodox Church: fidelity to the Apostolic Tradition, liturgical continuity, monastic rootedness and conciliar structure. Applying these criteria to the diaspora in France, he observes that while the first three are partially met, the fourth is lacking: phyletism and the overlapping of jurisdictions prevent the formation of a genuine local Church, which represents a major ecclesiological counter-witness calling for urgent canonical reform.