BriaIon- Vassiliadis Petros, Orthodox Christian Witness, EKO series, no 1, Tertios Publications, Katerini 1989, pp. 214.
The present work is actually the fruit of research and quest of the second writer for the expression of a widely accepted theological articulation of the Christian Orthodox witness, as it results from the authentic interpretation liturgical, biblical and patristic tradition of the Church. As it is mentioned in the preface of the book, the most satisfying response to his research were the then recent inter-orthodox missiology consultations of WCC (1974-1989).
The book is separated in two parts. The first part constitutes the systematic presentation of the conclusions of the inter-orthodox missiology consultations. This presentation was edited by Fr. I. Bria and circulated as a missiology handbook with the title GoForth in Peace,OrthodoxPerspectives on Mission, WCC publications, 1985. Here we find its Greek translation.
Fr. I. Bria initially attempts a theological foundation of mission. Then the analysis of the relation between Church and mission follows, and the importance of the comprehension of the Eucharistic Liturgy as a missionary event is described.
Moreover, the role of the Holy Scripture is highlighted, as well as its interaction with liturgical life, and at the same time, the necessity of the redefinition of preaching as a fundamental element and sign of mission is stressed. In this frame, a thorough examination of the real meaning of evangelic witness is attempted and its necessity in the contemporary world is marked. In this way, the writer introduces the the problem of reception of mission as the Liturgy after Liturgy, that is to say witness, but also the ministry of Christian community in the world. Additionally, he does not omit to underline the need for internal mission. Finally, reference is made to the role of monasticism in mission, as well as the way of mission to the nations.
The second part is constituted by two studies of P. Vassiliadis with which a biblical view of mission is attempted.
An annex of texts follows. In the first part, there are documents-orthodox statements with regard to mission, while in the second, WCC documents on the same subject.