THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH IN LONDON

London – As every year, so this year, the Holy Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain (Ecumenical Patriarchate) organised festivities over a number of days for the Feast of the Three Great Hierarchs and Christian Letters.

This year, however, there was the special joy and privilege of the visit of His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to London. He was the main speaker for this year’s festivities. His All-Holiness presided at Great Vespers and in continuation gave a lecture for the occasion of the Three Great Hierarchs and Christian Letters on Monday, 29th January 2007, in the Cathedral of Agia Sophia in London. The theme of the lecture was: ‘The Contribution of the Fathers of the Church to Literacy’.

The following day, Tuesday 30th January 2007, the Ecumenical Patriarch presided ‘in chorostasia’ at the Divine Liturgy and preached at the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God of the Community of St Barnabas, Wood Green, in London.

The Ecumenical Patriarch was the official guest of His Eminence the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who gave hospitality to the Patriarch and his entourage at Lambeth Palace, the official residence of the Primate of All England.

MEETING OF THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH AND THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and His Eminence the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams, at a special ceremony at the Archbishopric of the Anglican Church on January 30th, received the report of the committee for the theological dialogue between the two Churches.

Both sides expressed themselves positively to the prospect of the continuity of the dialogue, which started 16 years ago. “Despite the difficulties that exist in certain issues, such as the ordaining of women, both Churches wish for the dialogue to continue”, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said. The Ecumenical Patriarch attended a dinner on the evening of the same day hosted by His Eminence Archbishop Dr. Rowan Williams and on Wednesday January the 31st, last day of his visit to London, he attended a luncheon hosted by Greece’s ambassador in London, Vassilis Pispinis. In the afternoon, Patriarch Bartholomew met with the Turkish ambassador in London.