The World Council of Churches (WCC) conference, held in Athens from May 18 to 22, marks the centenary of the 1925 "Life and Work" conference in Stockholm. This year's event has drawn attention to contemporary global challenges such as climate change, social injustice, wars, and global economic crises, as well as the Church's role in addressing these pressing issues.

A key theme of the conference has been the humanitarian dimensions of global crises, particularly the Church's role in aiding victims of war and natural disasters. Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece, in his opening address, emphasized the Christian duty to focus on the suffering of others. He highlighted the Church’s involvement in addressing migration issues, particularly through the numerous refugee assistance programs run by churches across WCC member organizations. The conference also saw discussions on deepening collaboration among churches in promoting social justice and protecting human rights.

One of the key discussions at the conference was the importance of unity among churches in a divided world, especially in times of uncertainty. Moderator Dr. Matthews George Chunnaka pointed out that the contemporary world is experiencing deep political and social divisions, which demand more active Church involvement in issues of peace and justice.

Peter Prove, Director of the Commission on Churches' International Affairs (CCIA), delivered a report noting that the current global situation bears similarities to the conditions that led to the catastrophes of the first half of the 20th century, including two world wars and the resulting humanitarian crises. Prove called on the World Council of Churches to be a strong voice for international cooperation, urging action on climate change, social and economic inequality, and armed conflicts.

Among the participants was Father Stefan Igumnov, Secretary for Inter-Christian Relations at the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, representing the Russian Orthodox Church. According to reports from Orthodox Times, Father Stefan participated in a discussion on the Church’s role in times of war. He stressed that the conversation should not be confined to the Russia-Ukraine conflict but should encompass a broader range of global issues. Above all, Father Stefan emphasized that the focus should not be on political contexts but on how the Church community can contribute to peace and restoration.