Baptism & the Reception of Converts

You may not realize this, but one of the most obvious manifestations of ecumenism in the Orthodox Church today is the controversy over how heterodox converts to Orthodoxy should be received into the Church (i.e., by Baptism or Chrismation). This controversy derives from the so-called "Baptismal ecclesiology" of the Ecumenical Movement, which contradicts traditional Orthodox teaching.

For further reading on this important issue there is none better than The Unity of the Church, by the Holy New-Martyr Archbishop Hilarion (Montreal: Monastery Press, 1975). Though written in the early part of this century, it anticipates the connection between ecumenism and the recognition of heterodox mysteries per se (i.e., outside of the Church). In this way it is surprisingly up-to-date. At only 72 pages it is easy to read and a very important work. I also highly recommend I Confess One Baptism, by Fr. George Metallinos and The Non-Orthodox, by Patrick Barnes.

Baptism and Grace: by Fr. Gregory Telepneff, ThD

Strictness and Economy, by Protopresbyter Gregory Grabbe. Also contains the 1971 Resolution of the ROCA Synod of Bishops on the Reception of Converts.

The Development of Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia’s Attitude Toward Other Local Orthodox Churches and Non-Orthodox Christians, by Reader Andrei Psarev.

The Non-Orthodox: The Orthodox Teaching on Christians Outside of the Church: by Patrick Barnes. Addresses many of the issues concerning Holy Baptism and the reception of converts.

The Reception of Converts: Reflections on a Letter By Elder Maximos.

Contours of Conversion and the Ecumenical Movement: Some Personal Reflections, by Hieromonk Alexios Karakallinos. A talk delivered at the September, 2004 conference "Ecumenism: Origins, Expectations, Disenchantment", sponsored by the School of Pastoral Theology, The Aristotelian University, Thessaloniki, Greece.

The Reception of Heretic Laity and Clergy Into the Orthodox Church: A Reply to Bishop Tikhon's Letter of Instruction #10

A Letter to a Priest Concerning Corrective Baptism, by Archbishop Chrysostomos of Etna.

BEM and Orthodox Spirituality: by [Arch]bishop Chrysostomos of Etna; an extremely important assessment of the Holy Cross Seminary response to the 1982 Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry Statement (the socalled "Lima Document" or "BEM"). Fr. Daniel Degyansky notes: "The Orthodox Church has always allowed a relaxation of the Canons in individual cases of oikonomia, but never as an excuse for altering ecclesiastical policy. The contemporary practice of receiving converts to Orthodoxy by Chrismation alone, making what is an exceptional practice in individual circumstances a general sacramental policy, is a direct and obvious consequence of the ecclesiastical relativism implicit in the BEM statement." (Orthodox Christianity and the Spirit of Contemporary Ecumenism, below, 63 fn 96). Fr. Daniel is a priest in the OCA.

Protopresbyter Georges Florovsky: a brief article on this eminent Orthodox scholar, by a former faculty member and friend, Archbishop Chrysostomos of Etna. I include this article in this category because Fr. George's famous essay "The Limits of the Church" (Church Quarterly Review, Oct. 1933), written very early in his theological career, argues strongly against the principle of economia.

Baptism and the Reception of Converts: an excerpt from the Q&A section of Orthodox Tradition, XIV, 2-3 (1997) dealing with the position of Fr. Thomas Hopko, Florovsky, et al on this issue.

Further Thoughts on the Ecclesiology of Father George Florovsky, by Archbishop Chrysostomos of Etna and Father John Abraham.

Ecumenism and the Ecclesiology of St. Cyprian of Carthage: an excerpt from Orthodox Christianity and the Spirit of Contemporary Ecumenism, by Fr. Daniel Degyansky, a Priest of the Orthodox Church in America.

Father Thomas Hopko on BEM: by Archbishop Chrysostomos. BEM stands for the 1982 ecumenical document entitled "Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry" (a.k.a, the "Lima Document").

Common Misunderstandings on the Reception of Converts: A Reply to  Antiochian Priest John Morris.

Some Comments on Officialdom, the Sacred Canons, St. Nicodemos of the Holy Mountain and the Continuity of Byzantine Thought, by Archbishop Chrysostomos.

The Basis on Which Economy May Be Used in the Reception of Converts, by Metropolitan Anthony Khrapovitsky.

The Reception of Converts and Related Matters: by Archbishop Chrysostomos. Contains comments on the views of Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky), recently used by the OCA to justify an improper use of economia.

Against Baptism By Pouring: An Epistle of Archbishop Nikiphor of Slovania and Kherson, 1754.

Pastoral Direction and Instruction on Orthodox / Episcopal Relations and Ministrations in America: the pastoral writings of Bishop Raphael of Brooklyn concerning the differences between the Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion. Includes extensive comments about Anglican Mysteries [Sacraments]. Orthodox Life, Vol. 43, No. 6, 1993.

When Is a Chrismation Not a Chrismation? A Critique of the Recent "Agreed Statement" of the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation, by Hieromonk Patapios.

A Critique of a Critique: In Response to Professor John Erickson

"Reception of Converts: Converts to our Faith, coming to us from the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant churches that baptize with a Trinitarian formula are received into our Church through the Sacrament of Chrismation. They are not received through the Sacrament of Baptism. Any one that receives such a convert through Baptism and not Chrismation will be immediately suspended and brought to a Spiritual Court hearing. This is not a new policy or directive. No one has the authority or right to arbitrarily change this practice of our Church."

Excerpt from a May 19, 1997 "Memorandum" by Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh (Greek Archdiocese) to his diocesan clergy. Emphasis ours.)