Pan-Orthodox Council Organizing Committee claims the decision of ROC not to affect its conduct

The decision of the Synod of the ROC will not affect the preparation and conduct of Pan-Orthodox Council in Crete. Preparation for the Council will continue, member of the Organizing Committee of the Pan-Orthodox Council, the American priest the Very Rev Alexandros Karlutsos, who is responsible for coordinating meetings, told RIA Novosti.

An emergency meeting of the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church was held on Monday, June 13, which supported the proposal of the Antioch, Georgian, Serbian and Bulgarian Orthodox Churches on the postponement of Pan-Orthodox Council.

According to the hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church, a pan-orthodox discussion should be held and obligatory consent of all Orthodox Churches to host Council should be achieved.

“If this proposal is not accepted by the Church of Constantinople, and the council convenes on Crete despite the lack of agreement of a number of churches , the ROC delegation will not take part in its work,”  states the the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.

According Fr.Karlutsos they were informed about the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.

"However, we have the decision of the Russian Orthodox Church of January 28, which was adopted together with the heads of all 14 local Orthodox Churches that the Holy and Great Council will meet in Crete. We have a decision that invites everyone to participate in the council. And now we expect that all the heads will come as agreed by all 14 churches and the Synaxis of Heads of Churches will be held on June 17,” Fr.Karlutsos said.

“They will be able to discuss the message of Pan-Orthodox Council. If there are any other problems, they will also be able to discuss them before Orthodox council,” said the priest.

When asked about the decision of the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church to postpone the Pan Orthodox Council Fr. Karlutsos said: “We see that the decision of January 28 remains in force. So if they require Synaxis, it is already scheduled for June 17.”