VI. Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations

This article constitutes the sixth chapter of an Orthodox theology document devoted to the ecumenical and interreligious relations of the Orthodox Church. Belonging to the genre of doctrinal exposition, it systematically presents the Orthodox position on engagement with other Christians, the Abrahamic religions, and non-Christian traditions. The central idea is that dialogue, theologically grounded in the divine Logos present in all things, constitutes an ecclesial obligation rather than a doctrinal concession: the Orthodox Church, recognizing itself as the fullness of the apostolic Church, engages in dialogue not to relativize its faith, but to bear witness to it and to recognize the traces of the Logos in all traditions. The theological contribution lies in the articulation between exclusive Orthodox ecclesiology and interreligious openness, supported by the patristic doctrine of the logoi spermatikoi, notably in Justin Martyr and Maximus the Confessor, as well as by the decisions of the Holy and Great Council of Crete.