Phanar hierarch: Council of Crete decisions also apply to non-attendees
A hierarch of the Patriarchate of Constantinople stated that despite the absence of four Local Churches, the Council in Crete did take place.
Hierarch of the Patriarchate of Constantinople Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon said at the forum dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the Council of Crete that the decisions of the 2016 Council of Crete are addressed to the entire Orthodox fullness, including those Local Churches that refused to participate in its work,reports the UOJ in Greece.
Speaking on behalf of the conference organizing committee, the Phanar hierarch commented on the decision of four Local Churches not to take part in the council. "We will not hide this: the Churches of Antioch, Russia, Bulgaria and Georgia did not take part shortly before it was convened. This caused pain. And it continues to cause pain."
At the same time, the representative of the Church of Constantinople stated that the absence of the four Patriarchates did not prevent the holding of the Council and the adoption of its final documents. "However, the Council did take place, completed its work, and communicated its decisions to the fullness of the Orthodox Church, and consequently also to those who were absent,” the hierarch added.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Bartholomew called on four Churches to accept the decisions of the Council of Crete.
