Introduction Situation Sub-committee III of the Special Commission met at the Orthodox Academy in Kolympari-Chania, Crete. The Academy proved an ideal setting for the work of the sub-committee, with many thanks to Alexandros Papaderos for ensuring the well-being of all participants. All of the members of the sub-committee were present, together with two WCC staff (Alan Falconer and Alexander Belopopsky), a translator/consultant (Tamara Grdzelidze), and the recently-appointed Consultant to the Special Commission (Peter Bouteneff). Church relations The participants were able to meet with local Bishops of the Orthodox Church, and were welcomed at a Jubilee celebration of the Church of Crete, as well as at an evening celebration of the namesday of Metropolitan Irinaios of Kydonia and Apokoronas, in Chania. The group was also received with great hospitality and warmth at a nearby convent, and was able to visit other places related to the life of the Church of Crete. On 23 August, the sub-committee was visited by Metropolitan Irenaios of Kisamos and Selinon. His Eminence is bishop of the local diocese, and president of the Orthodox Academy. He spoke with participants of his own experience with the WCC, which began with a visit to the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva in 1951, during the days of Visser 't Hooft. The bishop had also attended the New Delhi and Nairobi assemblies, and the meetings of several bilateral dialogues. He expressed his conviction that, despite the opinions of some to the contrary, the Orthodox should all remain in the WCC, citing the Gospel mandate for unity, and the interests of the churches and peace for the whole world. "The things which unite us are more numerous and more important than those which divide us."

Documents from Crete Report of Sub-committee III What are the Theological Issues that Lie at the Heart of the Orthodox Concerns?, Bishop Vasilios of Trimithus The Origins and Present Basis of the WCC Understood from an Orthodox Perspective, Constantine B. Scouteris Approaches to Doctrinal, Social and Ethical Issues from the Perspective of a Non-Orthodox Member Church, Anna Marie Aagaard Approaches to Doctrinal, Social and Ethical Issues from the Perspective of an Orthodox Member Church, Fr K.M. George

The work of the sub-committee
The work of the sub-committees followed closely the mandate set out at the inaugural meeting. The goals for the meeting were to:

• Outline the theological issues that lie at the heart of Orthodox concerns
• Give some account of different approaches to doctrinal, social and ethical issues
• Clarify whether there is some common understanding of the Basis of the WCC
• Outline the future agenda and prepare a report to the plenary session of the Special Commission.