Print This Post

On June 26-28, the 24th International Theological Conference on Gospel and Mission According to St. Paul took place in Veria, Greece. The conference traditionally brings together prominent Orthodox theologians from around the world.

With a blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the conference was attended by Archbishop Tikhon of Podolsk, administrator of the Diocese of Berlin and Germany. It was also attended by representatives of Local Orthodox Churches including Metropolitan Ambrose of Korea (Patriarchate of Constantinople), Metropolitan Seraphim of Zimbabwe and Angola (Patriarchate of Alexandria), Bishop Demetrios of Safita (Patriarchate of Antioch), Archbishop Theophylactus of Jordan (Patriarchate of Jerusalem), Metropolitan Gerasim of Zugdidi and Tsaish (Patriarchate of Georgia), Bishop Arsenije of Nis (Patriarchate of Serbia), Bishop Siluan of Gyula (Patriarchate of Romania), Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veroia, Naousa and Campania (Greek Orthodox Church).

On the opening day June 26, Archbishop Tikhon read out a message of greetings sent to the conference by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Department for External Church Relations, on behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.

The conference completed its work on June 29 with the festive Liturgy presided over by His Beatitude Theodoros, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, who was assisted by hierarchs of Local Orthodox Churches and clergy of the Metropolis of Veroia of the Greek Orthodox Church.

The festive event was also attended by Metropolitan Luka of Zaporozhe and Melitopol, who, in his talk with the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria, spoke about the church affairs in Ukraine. Patriarch Theodoros II stressed that the problems involved in this situation should be solved through fraternal discussion since it is only a common agreement that can help settle them. ‘We will pray to God, Who does everything for our benefit, that He may bring everybody to reason for the solution of these problems. If schismatic Denisenko wants to return to the fold of the Church, he should appeal to there from where he has departed. What has fallen away should come back to there from where it has fallen away. God is merciful towards those who repent. In the same way, the Church forgives and embraces all those who repent’, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria said.

DECR Communication Service
Photos from the Diocese of Berlin and Germany