« Pan-Orthodox Pastoral Committee began its work »

On 16^th November, the first working meeting of the Pastoral Committee of Pan-Orthodox Hierarchical Assembly in Great Britain and Ireland took place at the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God in London under the chairmanship of Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh. Representatives of each Christian Orthodox Church with parishes on the territory of the British Isles took part in the meeting.

The Committee was established at the meeting of the Pan-Orthodox Hierarchal Assembly on 21^st June and is a working body of all Orthodox Christian Churches on the British Isles.

At the meeting, the Committee determined its specific principles of operation, which include ordinary working meetings and joint prayers, as well as permanent contact and consultations on the local Pan-Orthodox forum using modern electronic methods of communication. The Committee the commission identified a number of areas for further study, which includes working out a Pan-Orthodox approach to such aspects of the Church life as Christian Orthodox Mission, reception of converts, practices about Holy Communion and Confession, mixed marriages; social service, youth activity, Church’s canonical discipline. The Committee is also in charge of the organization of special services with the participation of Hierarchs and clergy of all Christian Orthodox jurisdictions and other Pan-Orthodox events.