Orthodox group leaves ecumenical body

Could this be the beginning of a trend: Antiochian archdiocese votes to leave church council? The National Council of Churches sees itself as the principal ecumenical body in the United States, but, if enough Orthodox jurisdictions withdraw membership, it will be increasingly sidelined, especially given that the Roman Catholic Church and most evangelical protestant bodies remain outside. Here is another report on this development from the Institute for Religion and Democracy, an organization explicitly targeted for opposition by the NCC. Oddly enough, the NCC website is not yet carrying the news.