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The Polychromatic Body of Christ An insight on the movement seeking unity among the world's Christian Churches TEXT BY
Onesiforo Berina, Jr. ILLUSTRATION BY
Michael Angelo Fandagani
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“The light of Christ illumines us all”—brilliant and soul-touching words from Gregory Palamas, a notable theologian during the Byzantine Period. To many Christians, this is undebatable and, to others of similar religion, his words are beyond doubt too. Yet, we are still enthralled to ask: How does this light look like? Is this a blinding light? Or a light glowing with warmth? Is it too bright that it can encompass everyone with its luminance? Or is this light scattered? And what colors does it radiate? Just as how species of flora and fauna vary, Christians around the globe are not exempted from diversity’s spell. Since the Apostolic Age, when Apostles are believed to have dispersed from Jerusalem to fulfill their mission of spreading the Gospel of Salvation in Jesus, a variety of Christian groups already existed. As Christ’s believers rapidly multiplied, differences among Christians increased too and this continues even today. Some differ in faith practices, doctrines, ideologies, and even in theologies. It may sound comical but many denominational groups argue over petty things, such as a person’s dress code when entering the church and even the choice of music for worship. And if you think that the senate court is the grandest courtyard for the plenty arguments regarding the implementation and interpretation of laws, you THE
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