Anglican Communion News Service

The Revd Canon John L. Peterson, Secretary General of Anglican Communion, today welcomed His All-Holiness Bartholomaios I, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch, to the Anglican Communion offices in London.

In welcoming the Patriarch, Canon Peterson said: "Your All-Holiness, it is a deep privilege to welcome you to the Secretariat of the world-wide Anglican Communion. To host this closing meeting between you and the spiritual leader of our Anglican family is a special occasion and honour for us all....While this is not the occasion for extended discussion of particular issues, one of the issues close to our heart because it is close to yours, is the restoration of your seminary at Halki. If this Anglican Communion Office and its world-wide network can be of any help in your efforts to reopen your seminary, know that it would be an honour and a privilege for us to be asked. As the Archbishop said last evening, we promise you our support."

During the afternoon His All Holiness and his party took part in informal talks with Anglican ecumenical officers, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Richard Chartres, and the Bishop of Bethlehem USA, the Rt Revd Mark Dyer. The informal talks focused on the work of the international dialogue, the question of the filioque and environmental concerns. Both the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Archbishop of Canterbury expressed their appreciation and confidence in the international Anglican/Orthodox dialogue and informal talks. The meeting was concluded in the Chapel at Partnership House with an exchange of Compass Rose (the logo of the Anglican Communion) gifts and a short Evening Prayer service.

The Ecumenical Patriarch is the leading heirarch of the Orthodox Church. He was accompanied on his visit by Metropolitan Chysostomos of Ephesus, Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain, Metropolitan John of Pergamon, Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia and other senior Orthodox church leaders.

His Eminence Metropolitan John of Pergamon is Co-chair of the Anglican Orthodox Dialogue together with the Episcopal Bishop of Bethlehem USA, the Rt Revd Mark Dyer .

Relations between the Anglican and Orthodox Churches began in the 17th century. More recently official theological dialogue between the two Communions began in 1920 and continues today. There are also annual Anglican Orthodox informal talks which survey a wider range of relationships and co-operation between Anglican and Orthodox throughout the world.

The Ecumenical Patriarch's visit to England was at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dr George Carey. He arrived in Britain on 2nd December. On Sunday morning he visited Orthodox congregations in Kent and attended the Solemn Eucharist in Canterbury Cathedral. On Monday he gave the Constantinople Lecture following Evensong at Westminster Abbey. In the lecture he talked about the tragedy and "shame" of separation between churches as the third millennium approaches. He said that the Orthodox community must first unite. The Ecumenical Patriarch has won widespread recognition for his ecumenical work and commitment. He has studied at the World Council of Churches Bossey Institute in Switzerland and played an important role in the WCC Central Committee.

The Ecumenical Patriarch lives at Phanar in Istanbul, the former Constantinople. The Orthodox Church has an ancient history in Istanbul. Today Christians in Turkey form a tiny minority of the population - less than one percent. Recently the Ecumenical Patriarch has called for the European Union to be expanded to included Turkey and the countries of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. He believes that Orthodox spirituality could help Europe find its equilibrium. Many Christians believe that Turkey's Christian community would benefit if the country were an a member of the European Union.

The Archbishop of Canterbury awarded the Ecumenical Patriarch with the Lambeth Cross during his visit to England . The cross is the highest honour that an Archbishop of Canterbury can bestow and is only given to those who have rendered exceptional service to the cause of Christian unity and especially to strengthening relationships with the Anglican Communion. During his closing speech at the end of the Patriarch's visit Dr Carey said: "As Christian leaders, we bear great burdens for the sake of the gospel and a world Christian leaders, those burdens can sometimes be very great indeed. When I think of my own overseas visits this year, to those places in the world where there is trouble and violence - I am thinking particularly of Rwanda and the Sudan, and my forthcoming visit to Bosnia - I am convinced that our faith has a major contribution to make to the propagation of world peace. I know that this is a major concern of your own and that it has been admirably demonstrated in your own visits throughout the world.

"Your All Holiness, I know that following this visit our two Communions will move forward together both in our theological dialogue and in our relationship in mission and ministry throughout the world. May God bless you and your delegation as you continue your travels."

The Ecumenical Patriarch thanked the Archbishop of Canterbury and colleagues for their warm reception. "We conclude this visit with a common prayer. You show us your concern and genuine love, not avoiding our special problems and we thank you for this. ...Your joys are our joys and your pains are our pains." The Ecumenical Patriarch then said he looked forward to seeing the Archbishop of Canterbury in Turkey.

The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Ecumenical Patriarch signed a joint communique on the altar of the Chapel at Partnership House to mark their continuing commitment to work together for unity and peace. The two world church leaders gave those assembled at the service their blessing.