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Episcopalians and Russian Orthodox Begin New Era of Cooperation

Episcopal News Service. May 14, 1991 [91117]

Relations between the Episcopal Church and the Russian Orthodox Church entered a new era, according to a team of four Episcopalians who returned from an official visit to Moscow at the invitation of Patriarch Alexy II.

The Moscow meeting was a follow-up to one held last fall in the United States at which a Joint Coordinating Committee was established to work on a wide range of common issues. The idea for the committee stemmed from an official 1989 visit to the Soviet Union by Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning.

"We were somewhat surprised by the warmth of our reception," said the Rev. William Norgren, ecumenical officer of the Episcopal Church. "We met three times with the patriarch, a clear signal that he is personally involved and committed to the work of our committee."

The committee is shaping a set of proposals for cooperation between the two churches in areas such as youth work, social ministries, religious education, communication, and the role of bishops in the life of the church.

"The church in the Soviet Union is entering a very exciting time -- but one with overwhelming problems," said Bishop Roger White of Milwaukee, leader of the delegation. After 70 years of persecution and severe restrictions on its ministry, the church finds itself with vast new opportunities for mission in Soviet society.

"Suddenly people -- including the head of state -- are looking to the church for spiritual leadership," Norgren added. "People are literally throwing themselves at the church. Most parishes are baptizing an average of 250 persons each Sunday. There is a tremendous yearning for religious experience and deeper understanding."

The church is committed to respond, but in order to do so it must train its people and develop education and other ministries, members of the delegation observed.

Norgren said that there is a "certain kindred nature" between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion, a trust developed over a century. As a sign of that trust, the group was taken to meet people in village parishes and children in orphanages.

"This is a church that recently celebrated a millennium anniversary," Norgren said. "It has a rich history, with roots that go deep into the Russian culture. It has also experienced periods of persecution -- and it now faces a huge mission challenge within an officially secular nation. We hope to offer whatever help we can as they face that challenge," he concluded.

In addition to White and Norgren, the delegation included Dr. J. Robert Wright of General Seminary in New York and Suzanne Massie, fellow at Harvard University's Russian Research Center.