Beloved friends, reverend leaders and respected members of the delegation from the Hong Kong Council of Churches,

We greet you with the Paschal cry: “Christ is Risen!” To this, Orthodox Christians all over the world respond: “Truly, He is Risen!” For, His resurrection is the source of all joy and the foundation of all faith.

It is a great joy to welcome you all to the Center of Orthodoxy. The Ecumenical Patriarchate is the highest see and holiest center of the Orthodox Christian Church, serving as Mother Church to faithful throughout the world. It is an institution with a history spanning seventeen centuries, during which it has retained its see in this historical city of Constantinople. Moreover, the Ecumenical Patriarchate constitutes the center of all the local Orthodox Churches, heading these not by administration but by virtue of its primacy of honor in the ministry of pan-Orthodox unity.

The function of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as center of unity par excellence emanates from its centuries-old ministry in the witness, defense and outreach of the Orthodox faith. In this way, the Ecumenical Patriarchate possesses a supra-national and supra-regional character. From this lofty consciousness and responsibility for the people of Christ, regardless of race and language, were born the new regional Churches of the East, from the Caspian to the Baltics, and from the Balkans to Central Europe. This activity today extends to America and Australia, as well as the Far East, where we speak the joyful truth of the Gospel through our Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia. Thus, with the warm introduction of our Metropolitan there, the Most Rev. Nikitas, we receive your esteemed delegation, accompanied by representatives of that holy Metropolis.

The ministry of reconciliation is foremost in the mind and heart of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This is why we have historically initiated and been involved in numerous ecumenical activities – internationally, regionally, as well as locally. Your presence here confirms our belief that all of us must reach out to our fellow-Christians in an effort to obey the will of our Lord, “that we [his disciples] may be one.” (John 17.11) You are leaders in diverse Christian communities, such as the Anglican and Evangelical-Lutheran Churches, the Salvation Army and the Methodist Church. Indeed, you also represent significant religious organizations, such as the YMCA, the Christian Literature Council, Theological Departments, and Christian Action. Yet, as one body – namely, as Chairs, General Secretary, and Executive Members – you represent one body, the Hong Kong Council of Churches. You manifest your love for the Body of Christ, understanding that “just as in one body we have many members, and not all members have the same function, so we, though we are many, are yet one body in Christ, and individually constitute members one of another.” (Rom. 12.4-5)

Therefore, we extend to each of you individually, and to all of you as one body, namely the Council of Churches, a most cordial welcome. May God bless you, your families, and your ministries.

Once again, then, “Christ is Risen!”