Lutheran Church to abandon use of “filioque” in Creed

The International Orthodox-Lutheran Commission for Theological Dialogue has recommended that Lutheran communities refrain from using the “filioque” (the Western Christian doctrine that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, ed.) during worship services. The organizers called for a return to the original Greek text, in which the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father” and not “from the Father and the Son.” This was reported by the Union of Orthodox Journalists in America.

It is noted that today, centuries later, representatives of Western Christianity are beginning to realize both the theological and historical fallacy of this insertion. The Filioque has become a symbol of the arbitrary interference of papal authority in the Holy Tradition of the Church, contrary to the decisions of the Ecumenical Councils. In addition, in the Gospel of John, Christ clearly says: “When the Comforter comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father…” (John 15:26). It is on this theological basis that the Orthodox position is founded: the Holy Spirit proceeds only from the Father.

We previously reported that Pope Leo XIV confirmed his support for the idea of unifying the date of Easter, which was previously expressed by his predecessor, Pope Francis. The pontiff believes that the First Ecumenical Council, whose anniversary is celebrated this year, should serve as an example and foundation for the further development of ecumenical dialogue.