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BUFFALO, NY - The International Commision for Anglican-Orthodox Theological Dialogue held, for the first time since its inception, a meeting in the United States. The meeting was hosted in our Metropolis by the Annunciation Church of Buffalo, New York. His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas visited this week with the Commision members and welcomed them at a dinner on Tuesday night at Niagra Falls. At the conclusion of its meeting, the Commision released the following statement:  International Commission for Anglican-Orthodox Theological Dialogue September 2015 Communiqué Buffalo, New York, United States of America In the name of the Triune God, and with the blessing and guidance of our Churches, the International Commission for Anglican-Orthodox Theological Dialogue (ICAOTD) met in Buffalo, New York, from 19 to 25 September 2015. The Commission is deeply grateful for the generous hospitality extended by the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Buffalo (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople).
Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit formally welcomed the Commission to its meeting in his diocese. He offered praise and encouragement for the work of the dialogue. He stressed the urgent need for expressions of Christian unity in light of the deep challenges and crises before the global community, mindful of events unfolding even as the Commission undertook its deliberations. The Commission brought to completion the first section of its work on the theological understanding of the human person, with the adoption of its agreed statement, In the Image and Likeness of God: A Hope-Filled Anthropology. The report, shortly to be published, is the culmination of six years of study on what Anglicans and Orthodox can say together about the meaning of human personhood in the divine image. This agreement lays the foundation for continuing dialogue on ethical decision-making in the light of this vision. At its future meetings the Commission will consider the practical consequences of this theological approach to personhood. The Commission anticipates ongoing study in areas such as bioethics and the sanctity of life, as well as human rights and ecological justice. The meeting commenced with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Commission members also attended an ecumenical celebration of Evensong at St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral. The Commission was welcomed by Bishop William Franklin of the Diocese of Western New York. In his homily he spoke of the contribution to Christian unity made by a former bishop of the diocese, Charles Henry Brent, who was a leading pioneer in the Faith and Order movement. Daily prayer strengthened and grounded the work accomplished together. Morning and evening prayers were offered, alternating between Anglicans and Orthodox. The fellowship of the Commission was enriched by the warm and gracious reception by parishioners of the Annunciation Church, and their parish priest, the Revd Dr Christos Christakis, who is the Orthodox Co-Secretary of the dialogue. Members of the Commission were introduced to the unique historic, cultural and natural characteristics of the city of Buffalo, Niagara Falls and the surrounding area. The work of the Commission will continue at its next meeting in September 2016, to be hosted by the Anglican Communion. Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia (Orthodox Co-Chairman) The Most Revd Roger Herft (Anglican Co-Chairman) Representatives of the Orthodox Church: Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia Ecumenical Patriarchate, Co-Chairman Metropolitan Serafim of Zimbabwe Patriarchate of Alexandria The Revd Fr Alexander Haig Patriarchate of Antioch The Revd Dr George Dragas Patriarchate of Jerusalem The Revd Dr Valentin Vassechko Patriarchate of Moscow Professor Dr Bogdan Lubardic Patriarchate of Serbia Metropolitan Nifon of Targoviste Patriarchate of Romania Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Kition Church of Cyprus Professor Dr Miltiadis Konstantinou Church of Greece Bishop Ilia of Philomelion Church of Albania The Revd Dr Christos B Christakis Co-Secretary Members unable to attend: Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze Patriarchate of Georgia The Revd Fr Andrzej Minko Church of Poland Representatives of the Anglican Communion: The Most Revd Roger Herft of Perth The Anglican Church of Australia, Co-Chairman The Revd Marc Billimoria The Church of Ceylon The Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke of Armagh The Church of Ireland The Revd Canon Deacon Dr Christine Hall The Church of England The Revd Canon Philip Hobson OGS The Anglican Church of Canada Ms Natasha Klukach The Anglican Church of Canada The Rt Revd Michael Lewis of Cyprus & the Gulf The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem & the Middle East The Revd Dr Gloria Mapangdol The Episcopal Church in the Philippines The Revd Dr Duncan Reid The Anglican Church of Australia The Revd Canon Professor John Riches Scottish Episcopal Church The Rt Revd John Stroyan of Warwick The Church of England The Revd Canon Dr John Gibaut Co-Secretary The Revd Neil Vigers Anglican Communion Office Members Unable to Attend: The Revd Dr Timothy Bradshaw The Church of England The Revd Dr Joseph Wandera The Anglican Church of Kenya The Rt Revd Dr Rowan Williams Representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
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