SECOND PLENARY MEETING OF THE 19th SESSION OF THE JOINT INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION AND THE ORTHODOX CHURCH

“Synodality and Primacy”

Sète, France from May 10–16, 2026

COMMUNIQUE

The Second Plenary Meeting of the 19th Session of the Joint International Commission on Theological Dialogue between the Lutheran World Federation and the Orthodox Church took place in Sète, France, from May 10 to 16, 2026. The meeting was hosted by the Lutheran World Federation and convened under the gracious hospitality of the Lutheran World Federation and the United Protestant Church of France at the Domaine Le Lazaret, Sète. Orthodox and Lutheran participants gathered to reflect upon the theme “Synodality and Primacy,” a topic of profound ecclesiological importance for both traditions.

The Meeting, co-chaired by H.E. Metropolitan Prof. Dr. Kyrillos of Krini (Ecumenical Patriarchate) on the Orthodox side and Rev. Bishop Dr. Johann Schneider (Evangelical Church in Central Germany) on behalf of the Lutheran World Federation, focused its deliberations on the principal theme of “Synodality and Primacy.” Discussions explored the dynamic relationship between synodality, understood as the collective discernment and participation of the faithful in the life of the Church, and primacy, understood as a ministry of unity and pastoral leadership exercised at various levels within the ecclesial body. His All Holiness Bartholomew I and the LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt sent messages of greetings and encouragement. 

Lutheran participants were: Bishop Dr. Johann Schneider (Co-President; Evangelical Church in Central Germany); Rev. Prof. Dr. Dirk Lange (Co-Secretary; LWF Geneva); Rev. Prof. Dr. Stephanie Dietrich (Evangelical Church in Norway); Dr. Maria Louise Munkholt Christensen (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark); Rev. Prof. Dr. Heta Hurskainen (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland); Prof. Ian McFarland (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America); Prof. Priit Rohtmets (Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church); Ms. Jazmin Soto Mayta (Bolivian Evangelical Lutheran Church); Rev. Prof. Dr. Martin Wallraff (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Italy); and Ms. Nim Yan Lai (The Chinese Rhenish Church, Hong Kong Synod); and Consultant Rev. Prof. Dr. Jennifer Wasmuth (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover, Germany).

Orthodox participants were: His Eminence Metropolitan Kyrillos of Krini (Co-President; Ecumenical Patriarchate); Rev. Deacon Eulogios Tsatsas (Co-Secretary; Ecumenical Patriarchate); Rev. Archimandrite Philip Hall (Patriarchate of Antioch); Rev. Protopresbyter Prof. Dr.Chrysostomos Nassis (Patriarchate of Jerusalem); Prof. Dr. Rade Kisić (Patriarchate of Serbia); Rev. Protopresbyter Prof. Dr. Cosmin Pricop (Patriarchate of Romania); His Eminence Metropolitan Isaias of Tamasos (Church of Cyprus); His Eminence Metropolitan Grigorios of Peristeri (Church of Greece); Mr. Jerzy Betlejko (Church of Poland); Dr. Nathan Hoppe (Church of Albania); Rev. Protopresbyter Dr. Václav Ježek (Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia); and, as Consultants, His Grace Bishop Damaskinos of Haapsalu (Ecumenical Patriarchate–Orthodox Church of Estonia); Dr. Jelisei Heikkilä (Ecumenical Patriarchate–Orthodox Church of Finland); Rev. Protopresbyter Stefanos Chrysanthou (Church of Cyprus); and Rev. Protopresbyter Prof. Dr. Demetrios Bathrellos (Church of Greece).

The sessions examined the theological foundations of synodality and primacy from historical, canonical, and sacramental perspectives. Particular emphasis was placed upon the history of synods, the hermeneutics of synodality, the issue of reception, as well as upon the ecclesiological significance of the Eucharist and Baptism.

Each topic was addressed by two speakers. On the first topic, Rev. Prof. Dr. Martin Wallraff and His Eminence Metropolitan Petros of Axum examined the historical development and theological significance of Christian synodality, interpreting its meaning respectively through Lutheran and Orthodox ecclesiological perspectives. Prof. Dr. Jennifer Wasmuth analyzed the canonical foundations, functions, and authority structures of medieval Western synods. Prof. Priit Rohtmets and Prof. Rade Kisić explored, each from their own traditions, the question and complexities of reception. Prof. Dr. Ian A. McFarland and Rev. Prof. Dr. Demetrios Bathrellos reflected upon the epicleptic roots of synodality, primacy, and ecclesial authority within Lutheran and Orthodox ecclesiological traditions. Rev. Prof. Dr. Heta Hurskainen and His Grace Bishop Damaskinos of Haapsalu presented reflections on the sources for primacy and ecclesial communion within Lutheran and Orthodox traditions. Rev. Protopresbyter Prof. Dr. Cosmin Pricop and Rev. Prof. Dr. Dirk G. Lange, in a jointly written paper, investigated the sacramental foundations of synodality and primacy within Orthodox and Lutheran ecclesiology through an examination of the theological significance of Baptism and the Eucharist.

On May 11, participants were welcomed to the premises by Ms Catherine Prat, Director of Domaine du Lazaret. The following day, Pasteur Jean-François Breyne, President of the Regional Council of the United Protestant Church of France, visited and addressed the members of the Dialogue. On May 13, participants had the opportunity to visit the Papal Palace and the historic city of Avignon. On May 14, participants attended the Lutheran Mass for the Feast of the Ascension, celebrated by Rev. Bishop Johann Schneider. The service was followed by a warm and joyful dinner, during which the spirit of fellowship and mutual understanding shared among the participants offered a fitting conclusion to a week enriched by prayer, dialogue, and cooperation.

The Commission conveyed its sincere appreciation to the Lutheran World Federation and to the United Protestant Church of France for their generous hospitality and the excellent organization of the meeting. Throughout the encounter, a profound spirit of fellowship and a shared commitment to the unity of the Church were clearly evident and deeply experienced.

The Committee decided that the 2nd Preparatory Session of the 19th Session will be held from October 12–15, 2026, in Athens, Greece, at the Diocese of Peristeri.

Sète, May 15, 2026