Ut Sint Unum
• Belgique. Prix, Union Postale, 17.50 fr.) •
XT has always been the Christian method to produce from the humblest beginnings results which gradually spread to transform the face of the human world. Of such an inconspicuous beginning—so lost, that most of its actual details seem irrecoverable--the foundation of the Church itself is one of the most striking instances. Again, when 'a young man named Anthony suddenly decided that the 'Gospel meant what it said, and fled into the desert to train :himself to its demands, no one knew that he was. founding Christian monasticism. Nor, when another young man .named Francis was seized by the same noble passion for :reality, and expressed it in the humblest yet most direct . and fearless way, was it immediately apparent that a new . light had verily come into the world.
I think that it is with such examples as these in mind— with one eye, so to speak, on History, and the other on Eternity—that Christians of every type should watch the small beginnings, in the great Mother-Church of the West, of that which is perhaps destined to be one of the most :significant and influential spiritual movements of our time. .For this is a movement which has again at its source a , belief that the Gospel means what it says ; and that separation, hostility, mutual intolerance between the various Christian bodies, is repugnant to the Spirit of Christ. This perception, . which to many seems obvious, is nevertheless—at least so far as the great historic Churches are concerned--in its infancy. It is now stirring, and becoming ever more vigorous, in the Roman, Orthodox and English communions. It inspired the Lambeth Conference between Anglicans and Free Churchmen. It received a powerful impetus from the saintly and generous spirit of Cardinal Mercier, and from , those who took part with him in the Conversations of Malines. With the direct encouragement of the present Pope, it has now turned its gaze from West to East, and is working towards a union at least of sympathy and mutual com- prehension between the Latin and the Orthodox Churches : . the spiritual foundation of charity, on which alone the true reunion of Christendom can be based. Irenikon is the
organ of the Monks of Union ; a new Benedictine Con- ; gregation domiciled in Belgium, which has been charged by the Pope with the special duty of furthering by " a slow, peaceful, and brotherly action " the growth of this spirit of concord. The work is to be done by the characteristically Benedictine method of scholarly research, general instruction, , and steadfast prayer ; and in the characteristically Benedictine temper of prudence, moderation, and courtesy.
" Nous eonsiderons," says the Editor of Ir'enikon in the course . of a long article on La Question Anglicans, " l'oeuvre de l'Union ; des Eglises commo (Stant toujours, et surtout dam les commence- : molts, tin travail irinique qui doit debuter par tine pacification et tin rapprochement. des •esprits at des moms, pint& tine par tine franchise brutal° et two critique impitoyable et systematique. Cartes, it no faut pas nourrir d'fflusions ni crier l'impression qui on les nourrit, it faut dire la Write clairement, mais diseretement et charitablement, Id oh c'est opportun ; • mais un systeme arrote d'intransigeance, do pessimisme, de ` standoffishness ' et de moquerie . est- incompatible non settlement avec l'esprit unioniste, mais avec l'esprit chretien . . . Nous croyons avant tout clans la grike do ; Dieu, dam le puissant souffle de l'Esprit divin qui agit si evidemment de nos jours sur les trois Brands corps de la ehretiente devisee. pour lour inspirer le desk do tout ramener ii l'Unite. Si on le reconnait dans un ca.s, pent-on le meconnaitre dam l'autre, bien different sans doute, maid qui pre-dente certains traits importants d'identite ? L'Esprit souffle oh it vont, of l'amour, qui est volont4 et &sir, sa manifestation. II petit donner deux inspirations qui seta diffleilement conciliables x rhomme ; mais tout est possible it Diet In this spirit and for this work fifteen monks—of w two are English, and others Belgian, Dutch, Austrian, Iht --after a special course of study in Eastern Christianity Rome, are now established in a small house at Away Meuse, Belgium. They have been joined by nine not' and a second house has already been opened near Ant In these the magnificent Byzantine rite is Celebrated morning, and is the central religious act of the day - 'creating a liturgic link between West and East. • The st of Orthodox theology, liturgy and practice—and, (II important, of Orthodox mentality—is carried on, and result will probably be to unveil at last to Western. Christ* the mysterious life of the Christian East. " Days of Study in different districts arc also arranged ; when the Byzant.• liturgy is celebrated and explained, and addresses are g upon the Churches, spirit, and religious practices of East.
The attractive monthly review Irenikon, by which it hoped that the movement will be spread, contains interest and well-informed articles on all these subjects, on difference between the Western and Eastern outlook, -the lessons the Catholic West has yet to learn from Orthodox East, and--perhaps most significant of all those rightful differences and variations possible wit one Universal Church,- which the Latin passion for undo tends to ignore. There is a full :chronicle of :events in the Eastern churches, giving facts often difficult to o elsewhere ; and considerable space is also given to Eng church news.. All the writers emphasize the need fur deepened understanding and sympathy between the divided Churches of Christendom ; best achieved by learn more of each other's institutional methods and spirit altrait. Since mutual comprehension comes by the as well as by the car, each month a reproduction of unfamiliar masterpiece of Byzantine art is given. Set of these are of exceptional interest and beauty, espee
the ninth century mosaics of the Crucifixion and Anas from the monastery of Daphni. During the first th
months of 1927, Irenikon will also publish. a set of • monographs ; of which the first, " Les Orientations de Pence Religieuse Busse Contemporaine," by a Hue'
member of the community, has already appeared.
Those who formed part of the congregation of 6,000 pe present at the wonderful Slavonic Mass in Westnu
Cathedral last October, had the opportunity of seeing spirit of " Irenikon" at work. This most beautifulandsol ceremony—to many, a revelation of the spirit which info the intensely ceremonial Christianity of the East - arranged by the Society of St. John • Chrysostom in collo ation with the Monks of _Union ; and five of the Fat took part in it. Nor arc the interests of Irinikon co to a rapprochement between the Latin and Ortl Churches. The " question anglicane, absolument inset:min de mile de l'Eglise orthodoxe," is discussed in the n friendly spirit in these pages ; which testify to the k and intelligent watch kept upon Anglican activities, real understanding of the difficulties surrounding all inn of reunion, and nevertheless the continued vitality of t spirit of faith, hope, and charity which was born at Mali EVELYN UNDEB1EL6
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