Abstrakt
Facing the current division among Orthodox Theologians concerning relationship to the ecumenical movement, this article sets to explore various visions of Christian unity, especially those that did not flow into the institutional face of ecumenism represented mainly by the World Council of Churches. Starting with Vladimir Solovyov's notion of pan-unity which led him to embracing Roman Catholicism while remaining Orthodox, three approaches to unity are examined: Nikolai Berdyaev's perception of Orthodoxy as necessarily belonging to a broader Christian world, Fr Sergius Bulgakov sophianic and pastoral approaches to others, Vladimir Lossky's insights into the inherent unity of the mystical tradition and communion of saints.
In the conclusion it is spelled out in which ways each of the thinkers developed and challenged Solovyov's approach, but also how their different visions of ecumenism, provided and still can provide inspiration for searching for a Christian unity complementing the official institutional negotiations.