Ecumenical and Antiochian Patriarchs Meet

This past Jun 1st, 2013, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) received Antiochian Patriarch John (Yazigi) at Phanar residences. During the meetings, Patriarch Bartholomew discussed with Patriarch John the need to accelerate the future ” Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church”. Patriarch John X (Yazigi) of Antioch has been known for his ecumenical dialogue with Islam, confirming the same attitude as the other World Patriarchate about Islam being an holy religion (many of you are aware of the comments made by the Greek Patriarchate of Alexandria which condemned anyone who refused to accept Mohammed as a “man of God”).  Patriarch Bartholomew is also known for his less than Orthodox stances on ecumenism, as well as his liberal position on abortion (despite outcry from many pro-life activists, who have asked for the position to be changed).