Document 4:1 "Orthodox Perspectives on Creation"

"Orthodox Perspectives on Creation" uses the Orthodox understanding of the human being as a "microcosm" of the whole creation to stress the inextricable linkage between God, humanity and the rest of creation. Since humanity is endowed with freedom, there could be "a positive or a negative involvement in the God-established order and harmony in the world and for the restoration of this order". Sin is the presence and consequence of a negative involvement resulting in the degradation of human beings (racism, sexism, economic injustice) and the disintegration of creation (the environmental crisis). There is a ringing call for humanity to exercise its priestly function in creation and as co-worker with God to strive with God's grace for a re-integrated and transfigured creation.

11.17 Poverty and Economic Injustice

The poverty of millions of people in some parts of the world and the accumulation of unmerited wealth in some other parts reveal to us the demonic face of injustice created by human beings in God's creation. It has become clear today that political, economic and technological forces, operating at transnational levels, can arbitrarily inflict poverty and socio-economic crises wherever they want, as well as inordinate and unjust affluence. Two thirds of humanity suffer from the loss of dignity, which is one of the chief marks of the divine image in the human person, Consumerism, profligate styles of life, exaltations of money and material values, catering to illegitimate pleasures of the senses, greedy competition for material success, etc, are other prominent elements of the syndrome of injustice which result in the increasing impoverishment of our world.

11. 18 The Environmental Crisis

Environmental issues like air and water pollution, depletion of non-renewable resources, destruction of the ozone layer, increasing nuclear radiation, deforestation and desertification of vast areas etc. threaten the life itself of this planet. The gifts of science and technology are being misused by human beings to the extent of abusing nature and turning today's life on earth into a hell, not only for the many millions of existing people but also for the generations to come. The voice of those who call for a just development, equal distribution of resources and ecological life-styles is being systematically suppressed. Advances in biotechnology and genetic engineering need to be seen in the light of the Holy Spirit because without adequate knowledge of the transcendent (divine) vocation and spiritual nature of humanity, these new techniques run the risk of initiating biological turmoil which incurs disastrous mutations and Is extremely dangerous for the true life of the earth. While human creativity and freedom can be affirmed as supreme gifts of God, it should also be emphasized that they should be rooted in divine wisdom and in human spiritual maturity.

11.19 Racism and Discrimination

It is a great insult to the God-given dignity of human beings that various forms of discrimination on the basis of race, colour, creed, (gender) and culture are practised in our world today. Very often an alliance between dominant economic forces and powerful political forces supports and helps to maintain racial, political, cultural and religious discrimination. The cry of millions of people who are oppressed because of their race or their cultural identity is a serious concern of all Christians and of all other people of goodwill. Racial discrimination with all its violent and inhuman manifestations is one of the tragic consequences of colonial and imperialist domination (over many centuries). Christian faith affirms that diversity of race and culture reflects the beauty of God's creation. To deny the inherent right of people to affirm their identity with self-respect, dignity and openness to others is a sin against God's creation.

11.20 Injustice to Women

Injustice to women all over the world is another sign of the human fall and the disintegration of the creation. In many parts of the world, women's dignity as human beings is trampled upon through sexism, inequality in wages and discrimination. The conditions of life in many parts of the world are such that women are subject to physical and mental harassment, insults and insecurity. There is a genuine issue of injustice towards women and the churches need to be seriously concerned with this.

11.21 Orthodox Church calendars have a long list of women martyrs and saints, Orthodox women participate responsibly in the teaching of the Christian faith, diakonia, church choirs and other vital activities in the life of the Church.
However, It must be admitted that, due to certain socio- historical factors, the women have not always been provided with opportunities for active participation In the Church's life at parish and diocesan levels.

11.40 Women in the World and the Church

Both in personal attitudes and in institutional life the world has a long history during which women have been unjustly treated, and their essential humanity as 6od's image and likeness has not been fully respected. Such sinful divisiveness is not acceptable from an Orthodox Christian perspective (cf. I Cor, 11: 11). In the world recreated by Christ, both male and female dimensions are integrally related to each other (6al. 3:28).The genuine harmony between these two dimensions is a symbol of the integrity of creation in its diversity. We Orthodox must recommit ourselves to the truth of our faith according to which women's true dignity is as "joint heirs to the grace of life" ( I Pet. 3:7) existing together with men. We must raise in our consciousness the important affirmation of our faith that, as members of the Body of Christ, women share In the "royal priesthood' ( I Pet. 2:9) of all believers. It is of fundamental importance in the Orthodox Church that a woman became the mother of our Incarnate Saviour and that she remains the model par excellence of the integral humanity to which all Christians, men and women, aspire. Historically, we have always recognized in the Church the diaconal (Rom.16:1 Jim. 5:9-10).witnessing (Mt 28: 10) and nurturing roles of women (2 Tim 5:9-10).

In particular Orthodox men must acknowledge that, as full members of the Church, women share in the intercessory vocation of the Church to stand in the presence of the Lord on behalf of all creation. In concrete terms we must find means to allow the considerable talents of women in the Church to be devoted as fully as possible in the Lord's service for the building up of the Kingdom. This means more opportunities for theological education for women and the opening of career opportunities In the Church for women. Serious consideration must be given to the re-introduction of the ancient order of Deaconess by the hierarchies of the local churches.

11.44 Other Concerns

Many other tasks relating to the integrity of creation and the world in which we live face us. Among these we mention two in particular. Orthodox Christians and churches need to enter more fully and more responsibly into intellectual discussion of the major problems related to the integrity of creation: the considerable resources of the Orthodox faith must be brought to bear on these problems together with the insights of other faiths. This makes it imperative for the churches to use all means at their disposal, including communications/mass media to witness to the faith, especially to youth. We need a deeper and more studied approach to the contemporary issues which face us. Among those are the problems of the modern family and the stress it faces, including powerful forces seeking its disintegration.