Rekindling the oldest ecumenical relationship in Christian history, Metropolitan Jonah addressed delegates and attendees by saying, “I am seeking an ecumenical restoration by being here today. This is God’s call to us.”

Metropolitan Jonah represents the North American branch of the Orthodox Church, a Christian denomination with a long history of strong relationships with the Anglican Church. “We have to actualize that radical experience of union in Christ with one another. Our unity transcends our particularity,” he said.

This significant gesture represents the possibility of full communion being exchanged between the churches.

Metropolitan Jonah’s message focused on unity but contrasted beliefs between the two churches. United in upholding the authority of the Bible and uniqueness of Jesus Christ, the Orthodox Church and Anglican Church in North America differ on the ordination of women and other doctrinal issues. Despite this, Metropolitan Jonah told the audience “our arms are open wide.”

Jurisdictions that have joined together to form the 28 dioceses and dioceses-in-formation of the ACNA are: the dioceses of Fort Worth, Pittsburgh, Quincy and San Joaquin; the Anglican Mission in the Americas (including the Anglican Coalition in Canada); the Convocation of Anglicans in North America; the Anglican Network in Canada; the Reformed Episcopal Church; and the missionary initiatives of Kenya, Uganda, and South America’s Southern Cone. The American Anglican Council and Forward in Faith North America also are founding organizations.

The ACNA unites some 100,000 Anglicans in 700 parishes into a single church.

For more information, visit www.united-anglicans.org. For complete coverage of the provincial assembly, go to www.acnaassembly.org.

Rebekah Montgomery, author/speaker/teacher, is a gifted, dynamic communicator. She is the author of more than five books and has penned 1,100 articles. She shares tough real-life topics and biblical application in a simple easy to grasp manner. To book Rebekah for your next event visit www.rebekahmontgomery.com. Rebekah is also the editor of Right to the Heart of Women and a publisher at Jubilant Press.