The first meeting of the 19th Plenary Session of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Lutheran World Federation was held from 19 to 24 May 2025 in Larnaca, Cyprus. The meeting was hosted by the Church of Cyprus, with the generous support of Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamasos and Oreini and the local Church community.
Orthodox and Lutheran participants discussed the issue of Synodality and Primacy, a matter of great ecclesiological significance for both traditions.
The meeting was co-chaired by Metropolitan Kirill of Krini and Professor, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate on behalf of the Orthodox Church, and Bishop Dr. Johann Schneider of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany on behalf of the Lutheran World Federation.
The plenary session centered on the theme: “Synodality and Primacy.” The sessions examined the dynamic relationship between synodality—as the collective participation and distinction of the faithful in the life of the Church—and primacy, understood as the pre-eminent form of ministry that fosters unity and pastoral responsibility, manifested at various levels of the ecclesiastical structure.
The World Lutheran Federation was represented by: Bishop Dr. Johann Schneider (Co-President, Evangelical Church in Central Germany), Professor Dr. Dirk Lange (Co-President, LWF Geneva), Dr. Maria Louise Munkholt Christensen (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark), Professor Dr. Heta Hurskainen (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland), Professor Ian McFarland (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America), Professor Priit Rohtmets (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia), Ms. Jazmin Soto Mayta (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bolivia), Professor Martin Wallraff (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Italy), and Counselor, Professor Jennifer Wasmuth (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover, Germany).
The Orthodox Church was represented by Metropolitan Kirill of Krini, Professor (Ecumenical Patriarchate); Deacon Ecumenius Amanatidis, Deputy Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod (Secretary, Ecumenical Patriarchate); Metropolitan Petros of Axum (Patriarchate of Alexandria); Archimandrite Dr. Philip Hall (Patriarchate of Antioch); Metropolitan Timotheos of Bostra (Patriarchate of Jerusalem); Professor Dr. Rade Kisić (Patriarchate of Serbia); Protopresbyter Professor Dr. Cosmin Pricop (Patriarchate of Romania); Protosyncellus Professor Dr. Giorgi Zviadadze (Patriarchate of Georgia); Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamasos and Oreini (Church of Cyprus); Metropolitan Grigorios of Peristeri, Professor (Church of Greece); Jerzy Betlejko (Church of Poland); Professor Dr. Nathan Hoppe (Church of Albania); and Presbyter Dr. Václav Ježek (Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia).
Bishop Dr. Damaskinos of Haapsalu (Ecumenical Patriarchate – Orthodox Church of Estonia), Dr Talvikki Ahonen (Ecumenical Patriarchate – Orthodox Church of Finland), Professor Nikos Nicolaides (Church of Cyprus), Protopresbyter Stefanos Chrysanthos (Church of Cyprus) and Professor Dr Dimitrios Bathrellos (Church of Greece) participated as consultants.
The work of the theological dialogue focused on examining the theological foundations of synodality and primacy through biblical, patristic, and contemporary approaches. Particular emphasis was placed on the interpretation of synodality, as well as on the role of the Eucharist and Baptism in the life of the Church. The importance of the different levels at which synodality is expressed was also recognized: the parish, the local (episcopal), the provincial, and the ecumenical.
Each thematic unit was presented by two speakers, one from the Orthodox and one from the Lutheran side.
In the first session, Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamasos and Professor Martin Wallraff elaborated on the historical and patristic testimony concerning synodality and primacy.
Metropolitan Petros of Axum and Professor Ian McFarland presented the Orthodox and Lutheran interpretative approaches to synodality.
Metropolitan Grigorios of Peristeri and Bishop Johann Schneider examined synodality at the parish and local levels, while Metropolitan Kyrillos of Krini and Professor Heta Hurskainen analyzed its dimensions at the provincial and ecumenical levels.
The meeting was enriched with common devotional experiences, reinforcing the spirit of unity and dialogue. On May 21, the feast of Saints Constantine and Helen, the members of the Committee participated in a polyarchieratic Divine Liturgy in the province of Tamasos, presided over by Metropolitan Kirill of Krini.
After the Liturgy, they visited the Metropolis and attended an official meal at the Episkopio. During the week, Metropolitan Vassilios of Constantia and Famagusta hosted a dinner in honor of the Commission in his province, where the theological discussions continued in a spirit of hospitality and exchange of views.
