Informal Talks between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Anglican Communion 

On Thursday and Friday 21-22 May 2026, informal talks took place at the Phanar, between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Anglican Communion. 

The delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate consisted of Their Eminences Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium (co-chair of the International Commission for Anglican-Orthodox Theological Dialogue [ICAOTD]), Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, and Metropolitan Maximos of Silyvria, as well as the Very Reverend Evlogios Tsatsas, the co-secretary of the dialogue. 

The Anglican Communion was represented by the Rt Revd Michael Lewis (co-chair of ICAOTD), the Most Revd Mark Strange (Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church), Canon Dr Christopher Wells (Director for Unity, Faith and Order), and the Revd Neil Vigers (Programme Executive for Unity, Faith and Order).  

All participants in the Talks were graciously received in a private audience by His All-Holiness Bartholomew I who welcomed warmly the members of the two delegations and encouraged the continuation of their common work.  

His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras opened the meeting by welcoming the Anglican delegation. 

The two delegations held in-depth discussions of matters of mutual interest and concern and described the priorities and life of each tradition.  

These talks have been held for many years, without a particular agenda, to encourage the spirit of mutual trust and understanding. 

The steering committee of the dialogue also met to finalise preparations for the plenary meeting of ICAOTD, which will take place in Alexandria in September of this year, hosted by the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria, Egypt. 

Members of the Talks expressed their gratitude to the Patriarchate for their hospitality, and to Fr Evlogios for his diligence in making the arrangements.