Your Eminences, Reverend Fathers, Esteemed Professors,
Members of this Inter-Orthodox Commission,

It is with great happiness and fraternal love that we welcome you here today, in this Sacred Centre of Orthodoxy, the See of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

We have gathered here from the four corners of the earth in order to discuss the course of the Dialogue between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. We wish to conclude with one common position on this course, so that we all act accordingly to this uniform stance. This tradition of the ongoing meetings of the members of the Inter-Orthodox Committee for the theological dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, which has started many years ago, is just a sample of the good will for the closer cultivation of our love and cooperation. We are certain that the discussions amongst you will turn out to be very useful.

The goals of our gathering here are mainly two.  First, the clarification of some questions regarding procedure and practical matters in view of the reestablishment of the official Theological Dialogue of the Orthodox Church, which is represented by you and the rest of the representatives of the local Orthodox Churches who were unable to be present, with Rome. Second, the exchange of views and thoughts on the substance of this Dialogue, so that a common line of thinking and acting can be formed by the Orthodox representatives on the issues to be discussed.

As far as the first goal is concerned, according to the valid act of the establishment of all Theological Dialogues, the body of the representatives of the Orthodox Churches – in this case, our gathering – is called to formally accept, according to the custom thus far, the representative of the Church of Constantinople, the first Orthodox See, as the Orthodox Co-President of the Theological Dialogue.  His Eminence Metropolitan John of Pergamon has already been appointed upon Synodal decision as the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in this Dialogue, after the resignation of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia from this position.  Metropolitan John, together with His Grace Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia and the Most Reverend Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima acting as Secretary, will represent the Ecumenical Patriarchate. You know, brethren, the theological knowledge and the prestige of His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Pergamon, in the – not only Orthodox – theological quarters. He is  also a member of the Academy of Athens, having served as its President. Therefore, he honours in this way the name of the Church and of the theologian academic teacher.

Another practical issue is the forthcoming hosting of both the plenary and the preparatory committee of the Dialogue Commission.  The Roman Catholic side has kindly offered to host the Preparatory Committee, which should be summoned within this November.  However, it is an obligation of one of the Orthodox Churches to host the Plenary, which should be summoned within the forthcoming year, having in mind that the Roman Catholic side hosted it in Baltimore, during its last session.  Therefore, it would be very useful from a practical point of view to know which Orthodox Church is willing to host the plenary of the Dialogue Commission, next year.

As far as the second goal of our gathering is concerned, the substance of the meetings that will be held during the new phase of the Dialogue, the problem of ecclesiology, with special reference to the issue of Primacy in the Church, in which the issue of Uniatism, which detained the Dialogue in the last decade, will be added, will be the theme of discussion.  All the Orthodox Churches have agreed on this after the visits to them by the Metropolitans of Pergamon and Sassima, and, therefore, this gathering cannot review or reconsider this Inter-Orthodox decision.  However, you are called to exchange thoughts on the best way for us to contribute to the future discussion of the timely issue of the unification of the Church.  We are confident that this gathering will prove useful and beneficial towards this goal as well.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate always wishes that the rapprochement of these two most ancient Churches and traditions will be realized and that all the obstacles of the unity of Christians will be overcome. Nevertheless, the Ecumenical Patriarchate does not accept the opinion that this unity, for which we are all working, will be realized by the common acceptance of a minimum of common faith, thus leaving all differences and difficulties aside, as a kind of acceptable variety. In this dialogue there are also issues that neither touch upon the faith, or on issues that the Ecumenical Synods have decided upon. These issues are allowed to be dealt with differently by the various local Christian communities. However, regarding the issues of faith, unity is necessary, and it must be pursued within the framework of the undivided, before the schism, Church.  Furthermore, even if there are amongst our interlocutors some who pursue purposes other than the revelation of the truth, our attitude and position must, unfalteringly and without any passion, be towards the immovable goal, namely, the witnessing of the truth. For, although we seem to be discussing only with a certain group of people, the reality is that we are discussing with the entire Roman Catholic world. And within it there are certainly many honest people who are searching for the truth. These people are our real discussants, even though we do not know them, nor do we have direct contact with them.  Let us not forget that through this Dialogue we are responsible towards God and History.

We trust the judgement of the new President, as well as of all the members of the Inter-Orthodox Committee of the Dialogue. However, more than anything, we trust the Holy Spirit, Whose enlightenment and power we invoke.

We thank from our heart the representatives of the Holy Orthodox Churches who are present, as well as those who have sent them here. We wish wholeheartedly that this cooperation will be prosperous and productive, for the glory of God and for the revelation of His truth. We also wish to all of you a pleasant stay.

May the grace of God be with you. Amen!