Confusion in Constantinople over the Pan-Orthodox Council
An extraordinary meeting of the Patriarchal Synod of Constantinople is being held today to resolve the recent opposition that has arisen to the Pan-Orthodox Council in two weeks. Besides opposition on the part of the Bulgarian, Georgian, Greek Churches and Mt Athos to documents on “Relations with the Non-Orthodox World” and marriage, the Patriarchate of Antioch is now locked in a struggle with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem over territorial disputes and have threatened not to attend if they remain unresolved.
Via The National Herald:
There has been an underlying crisis involving the texts, the subjects, the economics and the preparatory arrangements of the Synod, there were many opinions and viewpoints expressed, as well as fears and objections, including from the Holy Community of Mount Athos, but the crisis culminated with the decision by The Church of Bulgaria to not participate and its request that the Synod convene at a later date.
In addition, there is the unresolved issue of the rivalry between two of the senior Patriarchates, the Patriarchate of Antioch and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which has arisen from the election of Archimandrite Makarios as the “Archbishop of Qatar” by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, although the Patriarchate of Antioch claims that Qatar falls within its geographical jurisdiction.
On the other hand, according to Minutes No. 35 of the Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate, which have been made available to TNH, from its session on Friday June 3rd and which was presided over by Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kyrillos, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church came to a decision and requests that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew hold a Pan–Orthodox Conference by June 10th the latest, so that all the Local Churches may have the opportunity to address the matters which have arisen.
