Synaxis of Primates of Local Orthodox Churches begins its work

On 22 January 2016, the Synaxis of Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches began its work at the Orthodox Centre of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in Chambésy, Switzerland.

Taking part in the meeting chaired by His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople are:

Metropolitan Emmanuel of France and Archimandrite Bartholomaios (Samaras) (chairman’s consultants), Archbishop Demetrios of America, Archbishop Job of Telmessos – Patriarchate of Constantinople;

His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria, Metropolitan Gabriel of Leontopolis; Metropolitan George of Guinea – Patriarchate of Alexandria;

Metropolitan Silouan of the British Isles and Ireland, Metropolitan Isaac of Germany and Central Europe, protopresbyter Porphyre Gheorgi – Patriarchate of Antioch;

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, Archbishop Aristarchos of Konstantina, Archbishop Nektarios of Anthedon, Archimandrite Eulogius, Prof. Theodoros Yiangou – Patriarchate of Jerusalem;

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Archpriest Nikolai Balashov – Moscow Patriarchate;

His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia, Metropolitan Gerasim of Zugdidi and Tsaiši, Metropolitan Andrei of Gorij and Aten, protopresbyter Georgi Zviadadze – Patriarchate of Georgia;

His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, Metropolitan Amphilohije of Monte Negro and Primorje, Bishop Irinej of Bačka, Rev. Vladimir Vranic – Patriarch of Serbia;

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania, Metropolitan Joseph of Western and Southern Europe, Metropolitan Nifon of Târgovişte, archpriest Michael Tiţa, archpriest Ştefan Ababei – Patriarchate of Romania;

His Holiness Patriarch Neofit of Bulgaria, Metropolitan Joan of Varna and Veliki Preslav, Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokopi, Archimandrite Gerasim, Mr. I. Dimitrov, Mr. F. Afanasov, Mr. D. Arnaudov – Bulgarian Patriarchate;

His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus, Bishop Christophoros of Karpasia, deacon Cyprian Kountouris – Church of Cyprus;

Metropolitan Germanos of Ileia, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Peristerion, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Messinia – Church of Greece;

His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Alabania, Metropolitan Demetrios of Girokastra, Metropolitan Joan of Korça, deacon Spyridon Topadza – Albanian Church;

Bishop Jerzy of Siemiatycze – Polish Church;

His Beatitude Metropolitan Rastislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, Archbishop Juraj of Michalovce and Košice, Archbishop Michal of Prague, Archimandrite Seraphim (Shemiatovsky) – Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia.

Metropolitan Jeremiah of Switzerland, archdeacon John Chryssavghis, Mr.V. Phidas, and Mr. K. Delikostandis (Patriarchate of Constantinople) made up the secretariat.

The participants in the meeting said a prayer at the Church of St Paul, asking God to bless their work. After that, His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople delivered an opening address.

Speeches by other Primates and representatives of the Local Orthodox Church followed.

In his address, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia dwelt on various topical issues of inter-Orthodox relations, as well as on the preparation of the Pan-Orthodox Council.

An exchange of opinions on the issues raised in the addresses followed. His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople hailed the presence of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufty of Kiev and Ukraine, whom, as His Holiness noted, all Orthodox Churches recognize as the only canonical First Hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

To conclude the first day of the Synaxis, its participants established the Regulations Commission and the Drafting Commission for the Preparation of the Final Document of the Synaxis.

Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

DECR Communication Service

Photo by Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia