Page 21 - Orthodoxy Zizioulas

T H E G R E AT N E S S O F O R T H O D O X Y
State: a principle of peaceful coexistence and cooperation be-
tween these two institutions.
In this way, Orthodoxy avoided secularization, preserving
intact her eschatological orientation even as she engaged with
the affairs of the world.
After the eleventh century and the sorrowful schism be-
tween Rome and Constantinople in 1054 A.D., the wound
inflicted upon the Body of Christ was exceedingly grave. Or-
thodoxy was compelled to remain within the “East” and to
develop apart from Western Christianity—and the same oc-
curred in reverse. A spirit of opposition between Orthodoxy
and Western Christians replaced the unity of the Church of
the first millennium.
The Crusades launched by the West against Orthodoxy
further wounded the unity of the Church and deepened the
psychological divide between the two—one that has endured
for centuries, even to the present day. The emergence of Prot-
estantism fragmented Christianity into “denominations,” and
Orthodoxy came to be classified among them. At the same
time, a gradual yet profound penetration of Western theology
into the life of Orthodoxy brought about certain distortions of
its original spirit, as described earlier.
In the 21st century, Orthodoxy strives within the frame-
work of the Ecumenical Movement to manifest its authentic
and unadulterated self, and to restore the wounded unity of
Christians on the basis of the ancient undivided Church. The
effort is difficult, yet the Orthodox Church holds firmly that
the unity of the Church is the will of God—and that He Him-
self will ultimately restore it, blessing our humble efforts to-
ward this sacred goal.
The greatness of Orthodoxy is undoubtedly overshadowed
by the missteps, failures, errors, and sins of those who repre-
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