On November 10, the Holy Metropolis of Pisidia held the Clergy Assembly in Antalya, Turkey.
The general theme of the gathering was “The Mystery of Confession.” The guest of honor and speaker was Hieromonk Nikolaos Sakharov from the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Essex, England.
The gathering began in the morning with the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Alypius, presided over by Metropolitan Job of Pisidia. After welcoming the speaker and the clergy, Metropolitan Job gave the floor to the main speaker of the gathering.
Below is an excerpt from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s message about this gathering:
“Forgiveness of sins granted to those who repent and approach the Mystery of Confession restores one to the freedom bestowed by Christ. ‘Repentance is a recalling of baptism, a covenant with God for a second life, a daughter of hope, and a denial of despair,’ writes John Climacus. Isaac of Syria calls repentance a ‘second rebirth from God’ and adds, ‘Grace after grace, repentance was given to humanity after baptism.’ Confession, in turn, is ‘an act of universal turning toward God.’ The forgiveness received by the one confessing is therapeutic; it aims for a ‘renewal of life’ and is not juridical in nature.”
This was followed by an extensive discussion among the attendees. During this discussion, the priests reached important conclusions regarding the optimal and most effective pastoral approach to contemporary issues affecting the faithful by asking questions about the topics addressed. The gathering concluded with this constructive dialogue.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
