September 2015 Communiqué
Buffalo, New York, United States of America
In the name of the Triune God, and with the blessing and guidance of our Churches, the International Commission for Anglican-Orthodox Theological Dialogue (ICAOTD) met in Buffalo, New York, from 19 to 25 September 2015. The Commission is deeply grateful for the generous hospitality extended by the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Buffalo (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople).
Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit formally welcomed the Commission to its meeting in his diocese. He offered praise and encouragement for the work of the dialogue. He stressed the urgent need for expressions of Christian unity in light of the deep challenges and crises before the global community, mindful of events unfolding even as the Commission undertook its deliberations.
The Commission brought to completion the first section of its work on the theological understanding of the human person, with the adoption of its agreed statement, In the Image and Likeness of God: A Hope-Filled Anthropology. The report, shortly to be published, is the culmination of six years of study on what Anglicans and Orthodox can say together about the meaning of human personhood in the divine image.
This agreement lays the foundation for continuing dialogue on ethical decision-making in the light of this vision. At its future meetings the Commission will consider the practical consequences of this theological approach to personhood. The Commission anticipates ongoing study in areas such as bioethics and the sanctity of life, as well as human rights and ecological justice.
The meeting commenced with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Commission members also attended an ecumenical celebration of Evensong at St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral. The Commission was welcomed by Bishop William Franklin of the Diocese of Western New York. In his homily he spoke of the contribution to Christian unity made by a former bishop of the diocese, Charles Henry Brent, who was a leading pioneer in the Faith and Order movement. Daily prayer strengthened and grounded the work accomplished together. Morning and evening prayers were offered, alternating between Anglicans and Orthodox.
The fellowship of the Commission was enriched by the warm and gracious reception by parishioners of the Annunciation Church, and their parish priest, the Revd Dr Christos Christakis, who is the Orthodox Co-Secretary of the dialogue. Members of the Commission were introduced to the unique historic, cultural and natural characteristics of the city of Buffalo, Niagara Falls and the surrounding area.
The work of the Commission will continue at its next meeting in September 2016, to be hosted by the Anglican Communion.
Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia
Orthodox Co-Chairman
The Most Revd Roger Herft
Anglican Co-Chairman
Representatives of the Orthodox Church
Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia
Ecumenical Patriarchate, Co-Chairman
Metropolitan Serafim of Zimbabwe
Patriarchate of Alexandria
The Revd Fr Alexander Haig
Patriarchate of Antioch
The Revd Dr George Dragas
Patriarchate of Jerusalem
The Revd Dr Valentin Vassechko
Patriarchate of Moscow
Professor Dr Bogdan Lubardic
Patriarchate of Serbia
Metropolitan Nifon of Târgovişte
Patriarchate of Romania
Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Kition
Church of Cyprus
Professor Dr Miltiadis Konstantinou
Church of Greece
Bishop Ilia of Philomelion
Church of Albania
The Revd Dr Christos B Christakis
Co-Secretary
Members unable to attend:
Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze
Patriarchate of Georgia
The Revd Fr Andrzej Minko
Church of Poland
Representatives of the Anglican Communion
The Most Revd Roger Herft of Perth
The Anglican Church of Australia, Co-Chairman
The Revd Marc Billimoria
The Church of Ceylon
The Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke of Armagh
The Church of Ireland
The Revd Canon Deacon Dr Christine Hall
The Church of England
The Revd Canon Philip Hobson OGS
The Anglican Church of Canada
Ms Natasha Klukach
The Anglican Church of Canada
The Rt Revd Michael Lewis of Cyprus & the Gulf
The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem & the Middle East
The Revd Dr Gloria Mapangdol
The Episcopal Church in the Philippines
The Revd Dr Duncan Reid
The Anglican Church of Australia
The Revd Canon Professor John Riches
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Rt Revd John Stroyan of Warwick
The Church of England
The Revd Canon Dr John Gibaut
Co-Secretary
The Revd Neil Vigers
Anglican Communion Office
Members Unable to Attend:
The Revd Dr Timothy Bradshaw
The Church of England
The Revd Dr Joseph Wandera
The Anglican Church of Kenya
The Rt Revd Dr Rowan Williams
Representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury
