Daily Briefings
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Press Briefing: Friday, June 24, 2016
Press Briefing on Friday, June 24 following the fifth official day of the Holy and Great Council, gathered in Crete June 19-26, 2016. View »
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Press Briefing: Thursday, June 23, 2016
Press Briefing on Thursday, June 23 following the fourth official day of the Holy and Great Council, gathered in Crete June 19-26, 2016. View »
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Press Briefing: Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Press Briefing on Wednesday, June 22 following the third official day of the Holy and Great Council, gathered in Crete June 19-26, 2016. View »
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Behind the Issues: The Importance of Dialogue
Imitating God’s desire to communicate with His creation, the Holy and Great Council uses dialogue as a means to discern the Holy Spirit’s intent for His Church. View »
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Press Briefing: Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Press Briefing on Tuesday, June 21 following the second official day of the Holy and Great Council, gathered in Crete June 19-26, 2016. View »
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Press Briefing: Monday, June 20, 2016
Press Briefing following the first official day of the Holy and Great Council, gathered in Crete June 19-26, 2016. View »
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Day One of the Holy and Great Council
Just as in the first Pentecost, the hierarchs of the Orthodox Church are beginning their hard and necessary work today of walking together in common purpose. View »
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Feast of Pentecost: A Concelebration of Unity
The Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church opens today with a concelebration of the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Pentecost by the Primates of the Orthodox autocephalous Churches. View »
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His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Arrives in Crete for the Holy and Great Council
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. View »
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Many Members, One Body
When family members have been isolated for a long time – in the case of the autocephalous Orthodox Churches, for entire centuries – it is natural for fear and uncertainty to overshadow the possibility of conversation. The Holy and Great Council provides a unique moment and opportunity for such an encounter and conversation among the Orthodox sister churches. View »
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Many Voices, One Church
No other gathering in history will expose the face of Orthodoxy and the profile of its Churches as much as this council. It would behoove us to recall this in prayer and contemplation as we enter the “final stretch” before the Holy and Great Council convenes. View »
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Many Questions, Simple Answers: On Process and Governance of the Holy and Great Council
Social media and news organizations have reported confusion in advance of the convening of the Holy and Great Council. This Q&A is offered to help clarify the process and governance of the Holy and Great Council. View »