On the non-synaxis-synaxis in Amman

The UOJ entitled this post "Patriarch of Jerusalem reports on the format of Primates’ Synaxis," but Jerusalem has pointedly and repeatedly stated that this is not a synaxis but a congenial meeting of brothers. It will be interesting to read what the letter coming out after this meeting will say. Unless something goes very awry, there will be one.

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(UOJ) - Patriarch Theophilos hopes that the Council of Primates in Amman can become a preparatory ground for further cooperation in maintaining the unity of Orthodoxy. Again, decidedly not a council from everything the Patriarch of Jerusalem has said.

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem addressed the Heads of the Local Orthodox Churches with a letter in which he gave details of the future Synaxis of Primates in Amman. The full text of the letter was published by the Greek edition Ethnos.

Patriarch Theophilos recalled that "dialogue and reconciliation between brothers is the only way to move forward."

Reporting on the details of the upcoming fraternal gathering in Amman, the Patriarch emphasized that this "meeting will not be an official Synod but rather a fraternal meeting that will inaugurate the dialogue on the challenges facing the Orthodox community at this critical time".

He also stated that “we continue to use any means of communication with the Ecumenical Patriarchate to achieve consensus between our brethren-primates, welcoming His All-Holiness welcoming His Holiness in his acknowledged seniority”.

According to the Head of the Church of Jerusalem, “a favorable outcome in this endeavor is based on being treated merely as a welcoming gathering of brothers to consider the methodology used to achieve the common goal of dialogue and reconciliation in order to preserve the unity of our Orthodox society”.

Patriarch Theophilos believes that "given the fraternal nature of the meeting ... participation in it will not involve sharing the Divine Eucharist" but will require "only a willingness to work and pray together". A meeting or primates without the Eucharist. My goodness.

The Patriarch announced that the Jerusalem Patriarchate will host the Primates and their representatives upon their arrival in Amman, Jordan, from February 25 to their departure on February 27. The meeting is expected to take place on February 26.

The Patriarchate will extend its hospitality to the distinguished Primates and their representatives at the Fairmont Hotel in Amman throughout their stay.

The Primates will also be received at the Hashemite Royal Court at the audience of His Majesty King Abdullah II.

“The solutions to our biggest problems are to be found in the dialogue and depths of brotherhood we share, and we pray the Holy Spirit will lead us on the path of our unity in Christ,” wrote Patriarch Theophilos.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the delegation of the Jerusalem Patriarchate visited Phanar and extended another invitation to the meeting in Amman; however, Patriarch Bartholomew refused to attend it without Epiphany Dumenko. Now that constraint is not one I had heard before.