From this sacred See we extend a most special greeting in Christ to the World Council of Churches, to the President of the Central Committee who is among us, to the General Secretary, his inestimable staff, and to all the member Churches. We were fortunate for many years and in various capacities to cooperate and struggle along with the christians of the Council, and to share each other's anxieties in the quest for and the edification of christian unity and also the christian position and witness on the contemporary problems of humankind. We recognize this Council as an important expression of the Ecumenical Movement and the schematic function of the ecumenical spirit. The Ecumenical Patriarchate, being one of the founding members of this Council, will not diminish its concern for the good and correct orientation of the Council and that there not be a departure from its first and principle mission which is the service of christian unity. This is the position of all the Churches in the East before the World Council of Churches as our common action on the issues at hand both in Canberra, Australia and Chambesy, Geneva has proven.

Furthermore, we greet here present among us the Honorable Secretary General of the Council of European Churches of which the Ecumenical Patriarchate is a member. Through him we extend our greeting in Christ to all its member Churches.