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The Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I has managed to organize a council of the 14 Orthodox Churches. Although in January 2016 all agreed to participate, last minute misunderstandings have led representatives from Bulgaria, Georgia, Antioch and Russia to pull out of their former commitment.
The participants are already in Crete for a meeting, held Friday, for the patriarchs and archbishops of the participating churches.
The absence of Russia, who almost two-thirds of the Orthodox world relies on, is an absolute shock for the Council.
The meeting was originally convened to strengthen unity, resolve misunderstandings and establish a common policy with other Christian Churches.
The Council will officially begin Sunday, June 19th.
It will have its first meeting on Monday, June 20th and it's last on
Saturday the 25th. When giving a hand to other churches, some suggest not officially finishing until the missing patriarchs accept the set agreements.
