Annual CROCEU meeting in Constantinople

From November 20th to 23th 2024, members of the Committee of the Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the European Union (CROCEU) paid an official visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, at the kind invitation of His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. This visit was in continuation to the ones already made by CROCEU members to the local Orthodox Churches of Romania, Greece, Cyprus, Moscow and Bulgaria.

The delegation consisted of His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium and Archpriests Konstantinos Kenanidis and Pawel Cecha (Ecumenical Patriarchate), His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph of Western and Southern Europe, the Reverend Prof. Dr Sorin Selaru and Priest George Valcu (Patriarchate of Romania), His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe (Patriarchate of Bulgaria) and His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Tanagra (Church of Greece).

On Wednesday November 20th 2024, the members of CROCEU attended the Vesper service presided over by His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch, at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George in the Phanar. Afterwards, they were received in an audience, where they exchanged views on the current work and future activities of CROCEU.  His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch welcomed them warmly and expressed his support. „I am constantly informed and very much appreciate the holy work that you do, giving a common voice to the Orthodox Church in Brussels,” His All-Holiness told CROCEU members.

This was followed by a working meeting with the members of the Synodal Commission for European Affairs, chaired by His Eminence the Senior Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon.

On Thursday, November 21th 2024, Feast of the Presentation to the Temple of the Mother of God, the members of CROCEU had the opportunity to take part at the Divine Liturgy presided over by His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch at the Cathedral Church of the Mother of God in the Pera district. During his speech at the end of the Liturgy, the Patriarch cited the presence of the representatives of the local Orthodox Churches at the European Union and their role in the European Union: „Your participation in today’s Divine Liturgy symbolizes the unity and cooperation that binds Orthodox Christians across Europe and beyond. As the social landscape of Europe continues to change, the cohesion of the Orthodox becomes ever more critical. In the face of various challenges and conflicts, it is imperative that we stand together, united in faith and purpose. The Committee’s work in Brussels offers hope, demonstrating what we can accomplish as Orthodox Christians within our European context. By collaborating on issues of common interest, we can amplify our collective voice and advocate effectively for the spiritual and moral well-being of our communities and societies.”

The next day, CROCEU members visited the Patriarchal Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Halki, known as the Theological School of Halki. They were warmly welcomed there by His Grace Bishop Kassianos of Arabisos, abbot of the Monastery. Major construction work is currently taking place at the Monastery and it is hoped that the Theological Faculty will soon be allowed to function again.