20 June 2016
Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Release
After more than 60 years of planning,
the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church convened its opening
session on the island of Crete on Monday, June 20, on the Feast of the
Holy Spirit.
After the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the nearby
Monastery of Gonia, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
formally opened the proceedings of the Council. With one voice and one
heart, the Hierarchs of the Council chanted the hymn of Pentecost,
invoking the descent of the Holy Spirit to transform their work for the
benefit of the Church and the entire world.
The First Session of the Council provided the Primates the
opportunity to formally address the Hierarchs of the Council. In his
keynote address, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized that
gathering in the same place “comprises a characteristic of the Church’s
nature.” Stressing the importance of unity, Patriarch Bartholomew stated
that “the voice of the Comforter calls all to unity and calls us to
turn our attention and widen our heart toward all people, lovingly
embracing the vital problems that concern them, preaching the good news
of peace and love to those near and afar.” His All-Holiness also
addressed the Official Observers from other Churches, noting: “we have
journeyed together in theological dialogue and ecumenical cooperation in
our willingness to respond to the theological divisions of the past and
the global challenges of our time.”
One by one, all of the Primates offered their remarks, expressing joy
for assembling with their brothers “in the same place” as a witness of
their unity. His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus
acknowledged the need for regular councils bringing together Hierarchs
from around the world in order to develop a common response to pressing
issues, including bioethical and environmental dilemmas. Addressing the
mission of the Church in the world, His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios
of Albania underlined the need for repentance, while His Beatitude
Archbishop Rastislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia underscored the
fact that, in spite of their ethnic differences, Orthodox Christians are
one people.
The Second Session of the Council addressed the first Pre-Conciliar
Document, entitled The Mission of the Church in Today’s World. Following
a thorough review of the text, the Hierarchs of the Council engaged in
open dialogue. Individual Hierarchs as well as particular Church
delegations submitted proposals on how to enhance the decision. The
Pan-Orthodox Secretariat will incorporate the amendments and resubmit it
to the Council Fathers.
Finally, the Hierarchs of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox
Church unanimously agreed to send a message to His Beatitude Patriarch
Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church, expressing their
prayers and solidarity with him and his community following yesterday’s
tragedy in northeast Syria.
The Council continues meeting through June 25, concluding with the Divine Liturgy on June 26.
As they become available, photos for use without modification or alteration are available at https://www.orthodoxcouncil.org/photos. All texts and homilies related to the Holy and Great Council are available at https://media.holycouncil.org/texts.
As they become available, photos for use without modification or alteration are available at https://www.orthodoxcouncil.org/photos. All texts and homilies related to the Holy and Great Council are available at https://media.holycouncil.org/texts.
Press Office
Ecumenical Patriarchate
Ecumenical Patriarchate