LWF and Orthodox Church issue Common statement on the Holy Spirit, the Church, and the World

Press Release

On the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and in preparation for Pentecost Sunday, the Lutheran World Federation and the Orthodox Church are issuing a Common Statement on the Holy Spirit, the Church, and the World.

The statement was prepared by the Joint International Commission on Theological Dialogue between The Lutheran World Federation and the Orthodox Church. It offers a shared reflection on the Spirit’s role in creation, liturgy, and the mission of the Church in today’s world and follows on the significant Joint Statement on the ‘Filioque’.

The statement opens with an affirmation of the Holy Spirit’s life-giving presence in creation and redemption, calling for a renewed relationship between humanity and the natural world. It underscores the Spirit’s empowering role in proclaiming the Gospel and sustaining the Church’s witness through Word and Sacrament.

Together, Lutherans and Orthodox affirm, that “the Holy Spirit continually opens ways of reconciliation within the Church and in the world,” and that each celebration of the liturgy is a participation in Pentecost.
The common statement concludes by encouraging deeper Trinitarian reflection and calling for further theological and liturgical engagement with themes of creation and renewal. It also supports efforts to establish a common ecumenical Feast of Creation.