For many decades now, there has been talk of preparing for a Great Council. Some say that it should not take place. Others worry about what it should be called or what topics it ought to be dealing with.
The great and holy duty placed upon the Orthodox is not just to do something, but to manifest the riches of grace that we experience liturgically in the Church. This remains unmoved, though the earth be shaken and the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.
The Orthodox Church has the consciousness of being the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. That is not simply an assertion, but rather a blessing that stems from the God-man’s sacrifice on the Cross which culminates in the Resurrection. And also from the sacrifice of the saints who follow His example. They are His body. And they make up the Church, as the little leaven which raises to heaven our earthy lump.
The Lord’s exhortation is clear: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mk 8:34). And again, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14:27).