Source: Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS)
In the name of the Triune God, and with the blessing and guidance of our Churches, the International Commission for Anglican-Orthodox Theological Dialogue (ICAOTD) met at St George’s Anglican Cathedral, Jerusalem, from 17 to 24 September 2014. The Commission is grateful for the generous hospitality extended by Bishop Suheil Dawani and the Diocese of Jerusalem.
His Beatitude Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Bishop Suheil welcomed the Commission and affirmed their prayerful support for the dialogue.
The Commission was presented with resources both Anglican and Orthodox on issues concerning the beginning and end of life, and it was agreed that these matters will be discussed in the next phase of its work.
The Commission discussed at length the draft of an agreed statement on the theological presuppositions of the Christian understanding of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God. At its next meeting it intends to consider the practical implications and the ethical questions, of pressing concern in today’s world, that follow from these presuppositions.
As in previous meetings, daily prayer and worship strengthened and grounded the work of the Commission, both in the Anglican Cathedral of St George, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
An ecumenical reception hosted by Bishop Suheil provided an opportunity for fellowship with local Christian leaders. The Commission visited the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and met members of the Christian community, with whom it prayed for peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land and in the whole world.
The work of the Commission will continue at its next meeting in September 2015 hosted by the Orthodox Church.
Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia Orthodox Co-Chairman
The Most Revd Roger Herft Anglican Co-Chairman
Representatives of the Orthodox Church
Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia, Co-Chairman Ecumenical Patriarchate, Co-Chairman
Metropolitan Serafim of Zimbabwe Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa
The Revd Fr Alexander Haig Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East
The Revd Archimandrite Aristovoulos Kyriazis Patriarchate of Jerusalem
The Revd Fr Valentin Vassechko Patriarchate of Moscow
Professor Dr Bogdan Lubardic Patriarchate of Serbia
Metropolitan Nifon of Târgoviste Patriarchate of Romania
Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Kition Church of Cyprus
The Revd Dr Christos B Christakis Co-Secretary
Representatives of the Anglican Communion
The Most Revd Roger Herft of Perth The Anglican Church of Australia, Co-Chairman
The Revd Marc Billimoria The Church of Ceylon
The Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke of Armagh The Church of Ireland
The Revd Canon Philip Hobson OGS The Anglican Church of Canada
The Rt Revd Michael Lewis of Cyprus & The Gulf The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem & the Middle East
The Revd Dr Gloria Mapangdol The Episcopal Church in the Philippines
The Revd Dr Duncan Reid The Anglican Church of Australia
The Revd Canon Professor John Riches Scottish Episcopal Church
The Rt Revd John Stroyan of Warwick The Church of England
The Revd Canon Dr Alyson Barnett-Cowan Co-secretary
Mr Neil Vigers Anglican Communion Office
Members unable to attend:
The Revd Dr Timothy Bradshaw The Church of England
The Revd Deacon Dr Christine Hall The Church of England
Ms Natasha Klukach The Anglican Church of Canada
The Revd Dr Joseph Wandera The Anglican Church of Kenya
Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze Patriarchate of Georgia
Professor Dr Miltiadis Konstantinou Church of Greece
The Revd Fr Andrzej Minko Church of Poland
Bishop Ilia of Philomelion Church of Albania