Constantinople Patriarch holds negotiations with Anglicans in Istanbul

Patriarch Bartholomew and Anglican representatives at the Phanar. Photo: x.com/AnglicanNews

Informal talks between a delegation of the Constantinople Patriarchate and representatives of the Anglican Communion took place in Istanbul on May 21–22, 2026, reports the Anglican Communion.

From the Phanar side, the meeting was attended by Their Eminences Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium (co-chair of ICAOTD), Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, and Metropolitan Maximos of Silyvria, as well as the Very Revd Evlogios Tsatsas, the co-secretary of the dialogue. The Anglican Communion was represented by the Rt Revd Michael Lewis (co-chair of ICAOTD), the Most Revd Mark Strange (Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church), Canon Dr Christopher Wells (Director for Unity, Faith and Order), and the Revd Neil Vigers (Programme Executive for Unity, Faith and Order).

As stated in the report, the negotiation participants were received by Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who "welcomed warmly the members of the two delegations and encouraged the continuation of their common work."

The parties held "in-depth discussions of matters of mutual interest" and also described "the priorities and life of each tradition." It is emphasized that such talks have been taking place for many years "without a particular agenda" in order to "encourage a spirit of mutual trust and understanding."

The steering committee of the dialogue also met to finalise preparations for the plenary meeting of ICAOTD, which will take place in Alexandria in September of this year, hosted by the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria, Egypt.

As the UOJ reported, Orthodox, Catholics and Anglicans prayed together in Turkey.

Read also