His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrived today in Crete in order to convene, preside, and participate in the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, which will take place June 19-26 at the Orthodox Academy of Crete. Immediately prior to the beginning of the council, on June 17, His All-Holiness has called the Primates of the local autocephalous Churches to a Synaxis (a gathering), approved by all of the 14 Orthodox Churches, to discuss the agenda and work of the Council, and review the Council’s final message, which has been drafted by the special Pan-Orthodox drafting committee that will be referred to the council for revision and adoption.