The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Conciliarity in Modern Orthodox Christianity by Irina Paert, Andrey Shishkov, Alison R. Kolosova ISBN 9781394195862, 394195869 instant download

The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Conciliarity in Modern Orthodox Christianity by Irina Paert, Andrey Shishkov, Alison R. Kolosova ISBN 9781394195862, 394195869 instant download

Conciliarity has long been a defining feature of Orthodox Christian identity, shaping governance, theology, and communal life. The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Conciliarity in Modern Orthodox Christianity offers a comprehensive examination of how this foundational principle has evolved from the nineteenth century onward. Bridging theological inquiry with historical and sociopolitical analysis, this volume brings together leading scholars to explore the paradigm shift in Orthodox ecclesiology, moving from a hierarchical model centered on the bishop to a more dynamic, participatory understanding of conciliarity as embracing both leadership and laity.

Filling a critical gap in English-language scholarship on modern Orthodox ecclesiology and conciliar thought, the Companion provides crucial insights into key historical moments, including the 1917-18 Moscow Council and the 2016 Council of Crete, while also addressing ongoing challenges such as inter-Orthodox conflicts, the role of the laity, and ecumenical relations. The contributing authors use historical analysis and contemporary case studies to highlight diverse expressions of conciliar and synodal practice across global Orthodox communities, from traditional heartlands in the Middle East, Russia, Greece and Romania to diaspora and missionary contexts in Africa, the Americas and Western Europe.