The history of the Russian Orthodox Church's participation in diakonia of the World Council of Churches

The article briefly shows the etymology of the key concept of "diakonia," presents a historical characteristic of the modern ecumenism, prerequisites for the formation of the WCC. It shows the fundamental differences between orthodox and protestant interpretation of the key expression "Christian unity", the concept "diakonia." This essay highlights the most significant events in the history of the participation of the Russian Orthodox Church in the development of “diakonia” in the WCC in different periods, including its participation in the IX General Assembly of the WCC (2006, Porto Alegre, Brazil). It is known that the WCC was created as an institution of Christian charity which was supposed to work out the principles of coordinated and credible actions to provide necessary assistance. WCC assistance meant providing partner support from one or more churches of any Christian tradition in one part of the world to the Church in any other part of the world, any distance from the helping partners, regardless of religious affiliation. It is important to mention that the coordination role belonged to the Council. Christian ministry is understood as the provision of assistance to the partner's needs. This was developed and adopted as a sample of Inter-Church Aid, as an activity of diaconal profile. The Orthodox Church is a continuation of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. It has a universal character, although it exists as local Orthodox Churches. The resolution of the third Pan-Orthodox Pre-Council Conference (1986, Shambezi, Switzerland) says that the mission and duty of the Orthodox Church is to offer the fullness contained in the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Tradition of the Truth, thus giving the universal character to the Church. So the ROC can fulfill the world social service only while maintaining the fidelity of this position. Patristic understanding of diakonia as continuing the liturgy is the source and summit of all social activity. Today the ROC keeps such understanding of diakonia. From the outset, representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church participated in all activities of the WCC, in the meetings of the Central Committee of the WCC held in the framework of its meetings of representatives of the Local Orthodox and ancient Eastern (noehalki-donskih) Churches. The WCC was recognized as a fellowship of Churches at the assembly in Harare (1998). Consequently, the institutionalization failed. The WCC is a convenient platform for the organization of meetings of interfaith and religious persuasion, debate and policy-making, including in the field of diakonia. Today, the positive results of the Orthodox Churches’ activities, as members of the WCC, and their roles in the ecumenical movement are quite obvious. The documents of the WCC noted that the orthodox theologians had enriched the understanding of the faith for all Christians.

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