On the morning of May 25, 2024, the official opening ceremony of the Third Meeting of the XVIII Plenary Session of the International Joint Commission of the Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Lutheran World Federation took place at the Patriarchal Monastery of Saint George in Old Cairo.
Metropolitan Panteleimon of Ptolemais, Chief Secretary and Member of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, who represented Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria, accompanied by the Abbot, Archimandrite Damaskinos Alazrai, welcomed the fifteen Orthodox representatives from the Autocephalous Churches and the ten Lutheran participants, including Hierarchs, Presbyters, and lay university theologians. The gathering was overseen by the Co-Presidents, Metropolitan Kyrillos of Krini and Bishop Schneider.
Following this, the 3rd Plenary Meeting of the aforementioned Commission commenced, during which the Metropolitan of Ptolemais delivered a greeting on behalf of the Primate of the Church of Alexandria.
In their reply, the Co-Presidents of the Committee, Metropolitan Kyrillos of Krini and Bishop John Schneider, expressed their gratitude to the Patriarch for the hospitality at the seat of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in the Egyptian capital.
It is noted that the Third Meeting of the XVIII Plenary Session of the International Joint Commission will continue until Friday, May 31, 2024, with daily sessions held at the Patriarchal Monastery of Saint George in Cairo.