Having seen all its successive developments and its gradual distancing from its initial aims, the Orthodox faithful are justifiably wondering:  Hasn’t it become more than obvious, that the purpose of Ecumenism is NOT the unification of Christians, but the prevalence of a pan-Religion, the flattening of everything around, and the conversion of the Church of Christ into a “Religious people’s club”, a secular organization like the United Nations Organization, de-nerved and a-spiritual?

            So, how does our traditional Orthodoxy evaluate Ecumenism?  

            «Indeed, Ecumenism in the way the meaning of this term has prevailed, is of course a heresy, because it signifies the denial of the basic qualities of the orthodox faith, as is for example the acceptance of the branch theory; that is, that each Church supposedly possesses a part of the Truth and that all churches should become united, put all those portions of the truth on a table so that the Whole may be composed.  We believe that Orthodoxy is the One, Holy, Catholic (overall) and Apostolic Church. Full stop. There can be no discussion on this. Therefore, whoever asserts the opposite can be called an ecumenist and consequently be a heretic» (Archbishop of Athens Christodoulos, Interviewed by the Radio Station of the Church, on the 24-5-1998).

            «Ecumenism is a common name, for pseudo-Christians and the pseudo-Churches of Western Europe. All this pseudo-Christianity, these pseudo-churches, are nothing more than one heresy alongside another heresy. They are commonly referred to in the Gospel, with the name of pan-heresy (a fully-fledged heresy).   Why?  Because, throughout History, the various heresies had denied or distorted some of the characteristics of the God-human and Lord Jesus Christ; but these European heresies are removing the God-human altogether and have placed in His stead the European man.» (Archmandrite Justin Popovic).

            «Ecumenism is not a heresy and a pan-heresy, as it is usually called.  It is much worse than a pan-heresy.  Heresies were tangible enemies of the Church, and it was capable of confronting them and vanquishing them. Ecumenism, however, is indifferent to the dogmas and the dogmatic differences of the Churches.  It is a transcending, an amnesty, a disregard – not to mention a legalizing and a justification of heresies.  It is a wily adversary, and that is precisely where the mortal danger lurks» (Professor Andrew Theodorou).