For five days (29 August - September 2, 2015) 140 Orthodox hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate from all over the world gathered in Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) in order to participate in a Synaxis (Assembly) of the Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate convened upon the invitation and under the Presidency of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
In his opening remarks, and also in various discussions and meetings with the hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and Canada, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew voiced his prayerful concern over the ecclesiastical division in Ukraine and pointed to the responsibility of the Church to care for Her sacred flock.