Moscow Patriarchate bishop suggested postponing discussion of differences, because other churches will, not participate in the meeting of world's Orthodox Churches in the Crete Council, - The Guardian informs.
The Russian Orthodox Church has said it will not attend historic meeting of all of the world's orthodox churches, because other churches walked out. The meeting Greek Island of Crete due to start on Sunday would be the first in more than in millennium.
The Ecumenical Patriarch however seemed to open the door for further talks that could prevent the meeting from failing through. Orthodox Church leaders have not held such meeting since the year of 787, when the last of the seven councils reorganized by both Orthodox and Catholics, was held. The "great schism" that divided Roman Catholics and the Orthodox followed in 1054 amid disputes over the Vatican power.
Hilarion a bishop who heads Moscow Patriarchate's department of external church relations, said in a televised statement that Russia would not take part if other are walking out, and suggested the meeting be postponed.
