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The word "ecumenism" is derived from the Greek word ecumene (oikoumenh), meaning the "world" or "universe." This term was used by the Romans as a synonym for the Roman Empire, in that it was believed that it stretched to the four corners of the world. Thus all general councils convened by the Christian Roman Emperors were called Ecumenical (i.e., Universal, Imperial) Councils. The Archbishop of Constantinople (New Rome) was also called the Ecumenical Patriarch. But this title is not to be understood in the sense of universal jurisdiction, but rather because Constantinople (New Rome) was the ecumenical (i.e., imperial, capital) city. After the fall of the Roman Empire to Ottoman forces in 1453, the Archbishop of Constantinople continued to be referred to by the title of Ecumenical Patriarch, as a sign of respect for the ancient capital of Christendom. The general councils after this date, on the other hand, were no longer called Ecumenical, but rather Pan-Orthodox Councils.
However, in the modern use of the term, Ecumenism refers to the syncretistic movement seeking intercommunion between all Christian denominations, despite doctrinal differences. Under the false pretenses of "love" and "peace," the Ecumenists even promote the union of Christianity with non-Christian religions. As a gesture of "love" the Ecumenists have forsaken the truth of Christ, forgetting that love without truth is false love. The fundamental belief of Ecumenism is that the whole truth does not exist in any single denomination or religion, but that all sects and cults contain a portion of the truth, and that the whole truth can only be found when all denominations, cults, sects and even religions unite. Since external unity cannot be achieved due to the sense of power each religion desires to retain, the Ecumenists have sought to form a union of all religions through compromising matters of the faith. Thereby all religions may keep their individual doctrines and traditions, but all should unite under the banner of a common belief in a divine power, whether this be God, Buddha or the numerous deities of Hinduism and other pagan faiths.
The modern Ecumenical Movement and its main vessel, the World Council of Churches (WCC), finds its origins in the fundamental beliefs of Freemasonry, a secretive cult promoting a New World Order with a united religion, a common market and a single universal government--that of Antichrist. For this reason, Traditionalist Orthodox Christians condemn Ecumenism as a Pan-heresy (a heresy embracing all heresies), and regard it to be the religion of Antichrist. The following articles expose the evils of Freemasonry and Ecumenism, and especially in regards to the modernists of "World Orthodoxy," who have severed themselves from the Body of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Orthodox Church, due to their involvement in the Syncretistic New World Order of the Antichrist. |