The Wheel exclusive: Gayle Woloschak interviews Archdeacon John Chryssavgis at the Holy Council
During the Holy & Great Council, The Wheel secured an exclusive interview with the Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis, Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Throne, theological advisor to the Ecumenical Patriarch, and Director of the Press Office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the Council. Fr. John was interviewed on the island of Crete by Dr. Gayle E. Woloschak, who has written for The Wheel and sits on the journal’s Advisory Board. She participated in the work of the Press Office at the Council.
GW: Father John, thank you for taking time out of your hectic schedule to talk to The Wheel at this exciting time in the life of the Orthodox Church.
JC: I appreciate the unique work that The Wheel has done in maintaining a website and blog about the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church. Getting the word out—in a sincere and solemn manner—to the Faithful, as well as to the broader community, about the work of the Council is vital for both a balanced understanding of what took place at the Council, but also for the process of reception of its documents and decisions. 
JC: I appreciate the unique work that The Wheel has done in maintaining a website and blog about the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church. Getting the word out—in a sincere and solemn manner—to the Faithful, as well as to the broader community, about the work of the Council is vital for both a balanced understanding of what took place at the Council, but also for the process of reception of its documents and decisions.
Archdeacon John Chryssavgis and Archbishop Jog of Telemessos in conversation with a member of the press at the Press Briefing on the first day of the Holy and Great Council. PHOTO: © JOHN MINDALA.
GW: First, we would like to ask you to reflect on one aspect of the ongoing conciliar process. After the publication of drafts of the six proposed Council documents several months ago, Orthodox theologians around the world began a period of intensive reflection on these texts and produced a large number of important commentaries, drawing on their wide range of expertise. Much of their work was undertaken as part of a Special Project arranged by the Orthodox Theological Society in America (OTSA), and the results were made available immediately online at publicorthodoxy.org and in print. Other commentaries have been printed and posted on blogs and websites in several official languages. We have heard that some serious theological discussion has already taken place in the opening days of the Council but the first document to be discussed—”The Mission of the Orthodox Church in Today’s World”—has received only light editing, despite the serious concerns expressed by scholars. To what extent are the bishops aware of and engaging with these commentaries and the work of professional theologians outside their own group?
JC: The official documents for consideration by the Council that had been unanimously approved by the primates of the Church were released in January 2016. The members of the Council are fully aware that there has been on-going discussion about the Council documents, and in fact welcomed it. This Council has been associated with unprecedented discussion on the documents, with specific commentaries given at every level from national Churches to eparchies to parishes, from clergy and laity, even to theologians, as you rightly observe. It has really been remarkable. I don’t know if this has ever taken place to quite such an extent at any other point in the history of the Church. Everyone is invited to comment; everyone is interested; and everyone awaits the decisions of the Council.
The hierarchs at the Council have undoubtedly heard and been exposed to this discussion, much of which will be in their minds as they review the documents this week. In the Council room, discussion of the documents has been vigorous and challenging, but also transparent and respectful. The final documents are still being modified and will be approved by consensus of the Council members for publication and dissemination toward the end of the Council.
However, your question also alludes to a deeper issue, if not a problem, in our Church. It is very important for all of us to engage in conversation about issues in the Church, without feeling threatened by such an open exchange and dialogue. And the truth is that hierarchs and scholars have not traditionally been partners in the journey toward a more unified and more informed Church. It is my hope and prayer that this Council may be yet another small step toward that goal.
JC: The official documents for consideration by the Council that had been unanimously approved by the primates of the Church were released in January 2016. The members of the Council are fully aware that there has been on-going discussion about the Council documents, and in fact welcomed it. This Council has been associated with unprecedented discussion on the documents, with specific commentaries given at every level from national Churches to eparchies to parishes, from clergy and laity, even to theologians, as you rightly observe. It has really been remarkable. I don’t know if this has ever taken place to quite such an extent at any other point in the history of the Church. Everyone is invited to comment; everyone is interested; and everyone awaits the decisions of the Council.
The hierarchs at the Council have undoubtedly heard and been exposed to this discussion, much of which will be in their minds as they review the documents this week. In the Council room, discussion of the documents has been vigorous and challenging, but also transparent and respectful. The final documents are still being modified and will be approved by consensus of the Council members for publication and dissemination toward the end of the Council.
However, your question also alludes to a deeper issue, if not a problem, in our Church. It is very important for all of us to engage in conversation about issues in the Church, without feeling threatened by such an open exchange and dialogue. And the truth is that hierarchs and scholars have not traditionally been partners in the journey toward a more unified and more informed Church. It is my hope and prayer that this Council may be yet another small step toward that goal.
On June 20, 2016, the primates of the Local Orthodox Churches and their delegations participate in the Opening Session of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church at the Orthodox Academy of Crete. Here, we see (center) His Eminence Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia and His Eminence Metropolitan Ambrosios of Korea, both of whom minister to Orthodox in the diaspora. PHOTO: © JOHN MINDALA.
GW: A topic very much related to that of the influence of (lay) theologians on the work of the Council is that of the so-called “diaspora.” Several of the episcopal delegates, who were carefully chosen by their Synod to attend the Council, exercise their ministry outside the territories of the ancient patriarchates and a great many more were educated there. In addition, several members of the Press Office Staff and other auxiliary staff and resources come from these regions. Does this perhaps signify a greater openness among the Council fathers towards the “diaspora” communities, and a willingness to embrace them as other than a diaspora, and swiftly resolve the canonical issues which continue to impede the Church’s mission? Is the life of the Orthodox Church in the “diaspora” perhaps spoken of so often and easily as a problem to be solved by the historical canonical churches that its many gifts and opportunities have been overlooked?
JC: Prior to the Council, many comments were forthcoming about the diaspora document, which would have impact on most of the Orthodox Churches throughout the world. Discussion on the diaspora document during the Holy Council has also been lively, with some modifications proposed and incorporated by the delegates. The hierarchs are certainly aware of the pressing problems of the diaspora, and they are more or less in agreement about the establishment of canonical normality in Churches of the diaspora, but there is no unanimity among them about exactly how this should be achieved. Of course, we will not know the result of this until later this week, but it is clear that this is an important issue for the hierarchs because of its broad-ranging impact both now and in the future.
But I would like to suggest very humbly that it is almost escapist for us in the United States to wait for an answer to our situation. The answer was given in Chambésy several years ago, in 2009, when the decision was taken by all of the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches about establishing the Assemblies of Bishops in several regions throughout the world.
The creation of the episcopal assemblies in the diaspora is a provisional and transitional measure that affects all Churches in the non-traditional Orthodox countries, including the United States of America. In fact, the Assembly of Bishops in the U.S. is one of the most active throughout the world. However, the measure is provisional, because the goal is to work towards the reality of one Orthodox bishop in one city. By discussing the documents on diaspora and autonomy, the Holy and Great Council is advancing the cause not only of global, but also local Pan-Orthodox unity.
Any inactivity or delay in responding to the mandate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches with regard to the work of the Assembly is simply an excuse that betrays the responsibility of Church leaders to their faithful. I don’t know how more simply to put it than that. 
JC: Prior to the Council, many comments were forthcoming about the diaspora document, which would have impact on most of the Orthodox Churches throughout the world. Discussion on the diaspora document during the Holy Council has also been lively, with some modifications proposed and incorporated by the delegates. The hierarchs are certainly aware of the pressing problems of the diaspora, and they are more or less in agreement about the establishment of canonical normality in Churches of the diaspora, but there is no unanimity among them about exactly how this should be achieved. Of course, we will not know the result of this until later this week, but it is clear that this is an important issue for the hierarchs because of its broad-ranging impact both now and in the future.
But I would like to suggest very humbly that it is almost escapist for us in the United States to wait for an answer to our situation. The answer was given in Chambésy several years ago, in 2009, when the decision was taken by all of the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches about establishing the Assemblies of Bishops in several regions throughout the world.
The creation of the episcopal assemblies in the diaspora is a provisional and transitional measure that affects all Churches in the non-traditional Orthodox countries, including the United States of America. In fact, the Assembly of Bishops in the U.S. is one of the most active throughout the world. However, the measure is provisional, because the goal is to work towards the reality of one Orthodox bishop in one city. By discussing the documents on diaspora and autonomy, the Holy and Great Council is advancing the cause not only of global, but also local Pan-Orthodox unity.
Any inactivity or delay in responding to the mandate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches with regard to the work of the Assembly is simply an excuse that betrays the responsibility of Church leaders to their faithful. I don’t know how more simply to put it than that.
His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos of Nova Justiniana & All Cyprus speaks at the Opening Session of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church at the Orthodox Academy of Crete. PHOTO: © ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH/ROBERT NICOLAE.
GW: On Monday, we heard some very strong words from Archbishop Chrysostomos of Nova Justiniana & All Cyprus in his opening speech to the Council [which has yet to be translated into English] concerning the serious problem of fundamentalism in the Orthodox Church. He said that “the fundamentalist groups, the fanatics—among whom are found both theologians and hierarchs, and who themselves do little, and who are pretty much everywhere in the Orthodox world today, equally merit serious consideration: not only on account of the delay in convening the Holy and Great Council, but also on account of the danger threatened [by them]. The opposition of these groups to every notion of rapprochement with other Christians has indirectly affected even our local councils, which have attempted and continue to attempt to make profuse amendments to the texts and regulations of the documents that were prepared by the Pre-Conciliar Meetings. We have no illusions. For these groups, we have been found to be mired in heresy and apostasy.” In the Press Briefing on Tuesday, you also spoke boldly about the need for the Church to articulate new answers to the many issues which today confront the Church, formulating “an inspiring, a prophetic, a constructive, a consoling word to its people throughout the world.” Can you comment on the way the Council has begun to think about the rising influences of Orthodox fundamentalisms (Biblical, Patristic, Byzantine, anti-Western) and the extent to which the delegates are willing to engage the most urgent issues of the day?
JC: I have heard Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus speak on several occasions to his fellow primates and, now, to the members of the Council. He speaks clearly and boldly, hitting the nail on the head each time. As you rightly point out, he commented on the problems of rising fundamentalisms in the Orthodox world and concerns about how best to face these issues. The document on “The Mission of the Orthodox Church in Today’s World” helps to address some of these concerns, but similar discussion has also followed, related to the document on fasting.
It is clear that the bishops—as pastors and leaders—face and understand this problem, which has proved toxic in the life of the Orthodox Church. It is not a new phenomenon; in fact, it has always been with the institutional Church—probably as a result of waning standards among Church leaders and in the effort of Christian faithful to lead consistently spiritual lives in the Church. But, as the bishops in the Council underlined, there needs to be a closer connection between the charismatic and the canonical in the Church, a closer connection between the institutional and the missionary aspects of the Church.
GW: Finally, Father John, much media attention has been focused on the small but significant number of autocephalous Churches, which decided at the last minute to withdraw from participation in the Council’s sessions this week. There seems to be a growing opposition between those attending the Council, who continue to insist on its legitimately pan-Orthodox character and binding authority irrespective of the attendance of particular local Churches this week, and those, on the other hand, who insist that there can be no pan-Orthodox council without pre-existing unanimity on all matters, and who therefore consider this Council to be, at best, another stage in the pre-conciliar process which has been ongoing for many decades. How much confidence do the Council fathers have that their deliberations will be taken seriously by all Orthodox Churches? And what historical significance do you attribute to the Holy & Great Council at this stage?
JC: Certainly the documents of the Council will generate further discussion in the Church and the broader community. The ultimate acceptance of the Council will come about when it is received by the people of the Church—not, mind you, only by the leaders and churches that were absent. Many of the hierarchs, including the Ecumenical Patriarch, have expressed the hope that this council will be the renewal of conciliarity at the global scale in the Church, with councils occurring periodically in years to come. In his opening message to the Council, His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew expressed this thought: “Only insurmountable historical circumstances can justify the inactivity of the synodal institution on any level, including the global level.” With this in mind, we are surely justified in hoping that conciliarity will become a normal process for the Church in the future, as it was in the first millennium, and thus continue the work begun at this Council.
The Church teaches that the salvation offered in Christ brings healing to the humankind and transfiguration to the whole creation. In this cosmic vision, there must be no place for isolationism and sectarianism, triumphalism and obscurantism, nationalism and imperialism. Moreover, in a world that is witnessing the most horrendous humanitarian crisis since the Second World War, the Church should have a word of hope and consolation.
That was the miracle of Pentecost, the feast on which the Holy and Great Council began with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist by all the Orthodox primates. On the day of Pentecost, the disciples—broken and confused after the turmoil and scandal of Christ’s crucifixion—were inspired by the gentle and renewing breath of the Spirit, which called them all to unity. And they were called to share the good news “to the ends of the earth.” We should remember that they were called to unity, which means that unity is the goal and the gift—it is not the starting-point or the way.
JC: I have heard Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus speak on several occasions to his fellow primates and, now, to the members of the Council. He speaks clearly and boldly, hitting the nail on the head each time. As you rightly point out, he commented on the problems of rising fundamentalisms in the Orthodox world and concerns about how best to face these issues. The document on “The Mission of the Orthodox Church in Today’s World” helps to address some of these concerns, but similar discussion has also followed, related to the document on fasting.
It is clear that the bishops—as pastors and leaders—face and understand this problem, which has proved toxic in the life of the Orthodox Church. It is not a new phenomenon; in fact, it has always been with the institutional Church—probably as a result of waning standards among Church leaders and in the effort of Christian faithful to lead consistently spiritual lives in the Church. But, as the bishops in the Council underlined, there needs to be a closer connection between the charismatic and the canonical in the Church, a closer connection between the institutional and the missionary aspects of the Church.
GW: Finally, Father John, much media attention has been focused on the small but significant number of autocephalous Churches, which decided at the last minute to withdraw from participation in the Council’s sessions this week. There seems to be a growing opposition between those attending the Council, who continue to insist on its legitimately pan-Orthodox character and binding authority irrespective of the attendance of particular local Churches this week, and those, on the other hand, who insist that there can be no pan-Orthodox council without pre-existing unanimity on all matters, and who therefore consider this Council to be, at best, another stage in the pre-conciliar process which has been ongoing for many decades. How much confidence do the Council fathers have that their deliberations will be taken seriously by all Orthodox Churches? And what historical significance do you attribute to the Holy & Great Council at this stage?
JC: Certainly the documents of the Council will generate further discussion in the Church and the broader community. The ultimate acceptance of the Council will come about when it is received by the people of the Church—not, mind you, only by the leaders and churches that were absent. Many of the hierarchs, including the Ecumenical Patriarch, have expressed the hope that this council will be the renewal of conciliarity at the global scale in the Church, with councils occurring periodically in years to come. In his opening message to the Council, His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew expressed this thought: “Only insurmountable historical circumstances can justify the inactivity of the synodal institution on any level, including the global level.” With this in mind, we are surely justified in hoping that conciliarity will become a normal process for the Church in the future, as it was in the first millennium, and thus continue the work begun at this Council.
The Church teaches that the salvation offered in Christ brings healing to the humankind and transfiguration to the whole creation. In this cosmic vision, there must be no place for isolationism and sectarianism, triumphalism and obscurantism, nationalism and imperialism. Moreover, in a world that is witnessing the most horrendous humanitarian crisis since the Second World War, the Church should have a word of hope and consolation.
That was the miracle of Pentecost, the feast on which the Holy and Great Council began with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist by all the Orthodox primates. On the day of Pentecost, the disciples—broken and confused after the turmoil and scandal of Christ’s crucifixion—were inspired by the gentle and renewing breath of the Spirit, which called them all to unity. And they were called to share the good news “to the ends of the earth.” We should remember that they were called to unity, which means that unity is the goal and the gift—it is not the starting-point or the way.
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew concelebrates the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of Pentecost with the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches at St. Menas Cathedral in Heraklion,Crete. PHOTO: © JOHN MINDALA
Similarly, during this week after the Feast of Pentecost, as the successors of Christ’s disciples, the primates and bishops of the Orthodox churches throughout the world are meeting in council in order to implore and invoke the Spirit of God—which fills all things that are lacking—in order to affirm and demonstrate their unity, as well as in order to empower and energize them to be a credible witness to the Lord’s Crucifixion and Resurrection in the contemporary world. But in order for this to happen, the bishops must be assembled—as the disciples were 2,000 years ago—“in the same place, together.” It is helpful to remember that the Greek word for council, synodos, means precisely “being on the same road with one another.” That is my own prayer, and that of many Orthodox faithful, for the Holy and Great Council.
GW: Father John, thank you for your time.
The Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis is an author and theologian, who serves as Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and theological advisor to the Ecumenical Patriarch. He is a clergyman of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Born in Australia, he graduated from Athens University and the University of Oxford. He has published over thirty books and numerous articles in several languages. He lives in Maine.
Dr. Gayle E. Woloschak is Professor of Radiation Oncology at Northwestern University in Chicago and Adjunct Professor of Religion and Science at the Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago, and at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Toledo (Medical College of Ohio) and a DMin in Eastern Christian Studies from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Her laboratory interests include molecular biology, radiation biology, and nano-biotechnology, and her science-religion fields include biological evolution, stem cell research, and ecology.
