Anglican and Orthodox theologians have met in Alexandria, Egypt, to continue their work on Christian mission, witness and formation and to finalise a publication marking more than 50 years of Anglican–Orthodox theological dialogue.
The International Commission for Anglican–Orthodox Theological Dialogue (ICAOTD) met from 19–24 September at the invitation of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa.
The Commission continued work on a paper entitled ‘Witnessing to Christ in the Contemporary World’, addressing mission, witness, repentance, formation and discipleship.
A particular focus of the meeting was Christian formation and how the Anglican and Orthodox traditions understand the ways in which the Church forms believers to live as Christians, grow in Christ, participate sacramentally in the life of the Church, make moral decisions and be equipped for ministry and mission.
The Commission took as a guiding theme St Paul’s description in Ephesians 4:12–13 of equipping the saints for ministry, building up the body of Christ and growing towards maturity in Christ. Members considered two papers, ‘Daily Living and Spiritual Practices’, from an Orthodox perspective, and ‘Principles and Practices of Anglican Spirituality’, drawing on Anglican sources.
ICAOTD brings together representatives of the Anglican Communion and Orthodox Churches in communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Formal Anglican–Orthodox dialogue began in 1973 and has continued for more than five decades, producing a series of agreed statements exploring areas of Christian doctrine, ecclesiology, theological anthropology and contemporary ethical questions.
During the Alexandria meeting, members also finalised material for a special publication marking the Commission’s 50-year history. The anniversary fell in 2023 and was celebrated during the Commission’s plenary meeting in Boston in 2024.
The forthcoming publication will include an overview of the development of the dialogue, introductions to each of the seven Agreed Statements issued by the Commission since 1973 and other significant archival material.
Prayer and worship formed part of the Commission’s meeting. Members attended the Divine Liturgy at the historic Monastery of St Savva the Sanctified with His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa. The Patriarch welcomed members and introduced them to the life and work of the Patriarchate.
The Commission was also received at St Mark’s Pro-Cathedral by the Most Revd Samy Shehata, Anglican Archbishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Province of Alexandria, who gave a presentation on the mission and ministry of the Diocese of Egypt.
The Anglican Communion will host the next meeting of ICAOTD in Lisbon from 17–24 September 2027. Members will be guests of the Lusitanian Church of Portugal and Bishop José Jorge de Pina Cabral, as the Commission continues its work on mission and formation.
Read the full communiqué from the International Commission for Anglican–Orthodox Theological Dialogue.