Sep. 1-3, 2024 (starting with a Divine Liturgy on the feast of the Church new year - Sep. 1), the conference known as the Holy Synaxis of the Hierarchy [bishops] of the Ecumenical Throne took place in Istanbul, Turkey. Our own Metropolitan Ilarion and Bishop Andriy took part in this conference. Below are descriptions of the proceedings on Day 2 and 3, as well as a comment shared by Archbishop Daniel (Ukr. Orth. Church of USA) as shared through Facebook.  

Day 2 of Holy Synaxis

From the Orthodox Observer via Facebook.

In Istanbul, Türkiye, the Holy Synaxis of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne continued today, September 2, 2024. The hierarchs attended four sessions promoting information and discussion of global, ecclesial affairs in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America briefly addressed the Hierarchy during today’s gathering. Their Eminences Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago, and Metropolitan Constantine of Denver are also in attendance at the Holy Synaxis, as are several U.S. bishops.

Today’s first session, entitled “Inter-Orthodox and Inter-Christian Relations,” included presentations from His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, His Eminence Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria, His Eminence Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, and His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain.

“Canonical and Liturgical Issues” were the focus of the second session, with presentations from His Eminence Metropolitan Stephanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos and His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Ioannina.

The third session focused on “The Mother Church in the Contemporary World,” and included presentations from His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and His Eminence Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki. Finally, today’s sessions concluded with a fourth session entitled “The Church and Geopolitical Issues,” which consisted of a presentation from the Esteemed Professor George-Stylianos Prevelakis.

Find more information about the Holy Synaxis, including further details about today’s presentations, at the link below.

The Holy Synaxis of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne will continue tomorrow.

Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos.

Archb. Daniel Posts About Meeting With Other Hierarchs

From Facebook

Archbishop Daniel: It is good to met with brothers in the Episcopacy from around the globe; but especially with brothers of Ukrainian Orthodox descent: His Grace Bishop Michael (Exarch of Ecumenical Patriarch in Kyiv, Ukraine); His Eminence Metropolitan Ilarion (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada); His Eminence Metropolitan Antony (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and Diaspora); His Eminence Archbishop Jeremiah (Ukrainian Orthodox Eparchy of South America); His Eminence Archbishop Daniel (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and Diaspora) and His Grace Bishop Andriy (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada).

Завжди приємно молитися і зустрічатися з братами-ієрархами з цілого світу; але особливо приємно коли зустрічаєш братів-архієреїв українського походження: Преосвященний єпископ Михаїл (екзарх Вселенського Патріарха в Україні); Високопреосвященний митрополит Іларіон (Українська Православна Церква Канади); Високопреосвященний митрополит Антоній (Українська Православна Церква США і Діаспори); Високопреосвященний архієпископ Єремія (Українська Православна Єпархія Південної Америки); Високопреосвященний архієпископ Даниїл (Українська Православна Церква США і Діаспори) та Преосвященний єпископ Андрій (Українська Православна Церква Канади).

Day 3 of the Holy Synaxis

From the Orthodox Observer on Facebook.

Yesterday, September 3, 2024, the Ecumenical Patriarchate issued a resolute announcement condemning the illegal actions of the Russian Orthodox Church. This condemnation comes in response to a heartfelt letter from His Beatitude, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa, dated August 31st, 2024.

At the concluding session of the Holy Synaxis of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne in Istanbul, Türkiye, His Beatitude Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria’s letter to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne was delivered and discussed. Condemning recent actions by the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa as “completely unjust, anti-brotherly, anti-church, and anti-canonical” attempts to undermine Christian unity, His Beatitude alerted the Hierarchy to the appointment of a hierarch as Patriarchal Exarch in Africa on October 11, 2023.

He also indicated that this hierarch has established himself illegally in Cairo, within His Beatitude’s jurisdiction, and begun operations across Africa more broadly. The letter was presented to inform the Hierarchy of the troubling and uncanonical incursion by the Patriarchate of Moscow, which has caused scandal and division among the faithful in Africa. Stressing that these actions violate Church canons, His Beatitude expressed his dismay at the “deafening silence” from the Hierarchy, including both Patriarchal Thrones and the Autocephalous Churches. Referring to this silence as “unacceptable, unjust, and unholy,” His Beatitude concluded his correspondence by imploring the Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne to act as “angels of light” and to draw attention to the violations suffered by the Patriarchate of Alexandria, using their voices to restore canonical order. Read His Beatitude’s full letter at the link below.

At the Holy Synaxis, the Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne strongly denounced ideology that seeks to transform the Church into a secular instrument for advancing state interests, a practice that is entirely contrary to true ecclesiology. They met the weaponization of religion in this manner, coupled with the ongoing war in Ukraine following the unprovoked invasion by the Russian Federation, with unanimous and unequivocal condemnation. The Ecumenical Patriarchate stands in unwavering support of the beleaguered Patriarchate of Alexandria and the suffering Orthodox Church of Ukraine, affirming its commitment to justice, peace, and the integrity of the Church.

After receiving the letter and His All-Holiness’s final remarks, the Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne officially ended the synaxis with the Closing Service of the Holy Synaxis, which His All-Holiness held alongside the V. Rev. Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, the V. Rev. Grand Syncellus Iakovos, Grand Archdeacon Deacon Alexander, and Patriarchal Deacon Barnabas.

In a social media statement today, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America likewise condemned the actions of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa as alleged by His Beatitude as well as the recent Russian missile strike in Poltava, Ukraine, which struck an educational institution and a hospital, killing at least forty-one and injuring another 180. His Eminence wrote:

“At the conclusion of the Synaxis of Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne, we stand even more firmly with our Mother Church and Her canonical leadership in the world. As our revered Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has declared, we are united in support of His Beatitude Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria in condemning the unjust and anti-canonical actions of the Moscow Patriarchate in Africa. Their installation of a Russian Hierarch as Patriarchal Exarch in Cairo, within the sacrosanct jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, is a grievous violation of the holy canons and an affront to the unity of the Orthodox Church.

We are reminded of such secularist interventions of the Moscow Patriarchate by today’s tragic loss of life. Caused by the Russian missile strike in the Ukrainian city of Poltava, it claimed more than forty civilian lives and injured many more. We must never turn a blind eye to the horrors unfolding in Ukraine. This is all the more reason to strongly denounce the ideology that seeks to transform the Church into a secular instrument supporting such senseless crimes. The Orthodox Church must be a beacon of peace, and we must continue to raise our voices against all forms of injustice and violence.”

Find the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s report of the Holy Synaxis of the Hierarchy and their response to His Beatitude’s letter at the link below.

Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos.