In the Alsace region, from 1 to 7 July 2026, the 40th meeting of the Synaxe Organization (E.I.I.R. – International Association of Monks and Nuns) was held.
The organization was founded by the late Metropolitan Emilianos Timiadis of Selyvria and the Spanish Priest Don Julián Hernando to promote inter-Christian relations.
The vision and starting point of this initiative was, beyond the official theological dialogue between Christian denominations, the development of a meaningful encounter and mutual understanding among people consecrated to God. The purpose of the initiative is to exchange experiences and highlight the common elements shared by the various monastic traditions of Christianity, thereby contributing to mutual understanding and strengthening bonds among them.
This 40th meeting, which forms part of an institution held every two years in different regions of the world, was hosted this year by the Protestant community of the town of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines in the Alsace region.
At the opening of the proceedings, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Philadelphos Kafalis, welcomed the participants, expressed his gratitude to all those who contributed to this year’s organization, and announced the general theme of the sessions, “The Divine Liturgy as a Source of Hope,” while also introducing the participants to its content.
This was followed by greetings and messages from the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the President of the Federation of Protestant Churches of France, Pastor Christian Krieger, as well as representatives of other Christian denominations. Metropolitan Demetrios of France, who blessed the event within the boundaries of his ecclesiastical jurisdiction, was represented by Very Reverend Protopresbyter Dr. Christos Filiotis, Professor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Parish Priest of the Church of the Three Hierarchs in Strasbourg. He read the Metropolitan’s message and made a substantial contribution to the overall organization of the meeting.
According to the programme, during the days of fellowship among the participants, sessions and presentations were held on the central theme by distinguished speakers. A Divine Liturgy was celebrated, while visits were also organized to the city of Strasbourg and its monuments, including a reception and guided tour of the European Parliament, as well as a visit to the important and historic Dominican women’s monastery in Rosheim, along with other activities.
At the Divine Liturgy for the Orthodox participants, the service was presided over by Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium and Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg, a member of the organization and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for thirty years, with the participation of the representative of the Metropolitan of France and other clergy.
As part of the programme, two presentations were delivered by Orthodox academics.
The first speaker was Archimandrite Dr. Amphilochios Miltos, a clergyman of the Holy Metropolis of Demetrias, who presented the topic: “From the Liturgy to the Eucharist: An Ecclesiological and Ecumenical Approach.” His presentation offered a general introduction to the central theme and, through references to the sacred tradition and patristic writings, from the great Fathers of the Church to significant contemporary theologians, highlighted aspects of Orthodox ecclesiology concerning the mystery of the Divine Eucharist.
The second Orthodox speaker was Very Reverend Protopresbyter Dr. Christos Filiotis, who presented the topic: “The Divine Liturgy as a Source of Hope: An Orthodox Approach.” Through a historical, liturgical, and theological examination of the mystery of the Divine Liturgy, he highlighted its significance as a continual source of hope for humanity and the world. Particular emphasis was placed on the Eucharistic character of the life of the Church, the relationship between the Divine Liturgy and the eschatological vision of the Kingdom of God, and the way in which liturgical experience transforms the daily lives of the faithful, inspiring witness, service, and hope amid contemporary challenges.
The presentations of both the Orthodox and other academic speakers were followed by extensive discussions and fruitful dialogue.
The 40th meeting concluded with the General Assembly of the organization, during which the Organizing Committee presented the new statutes, which were approved and adopted by a vote of the members. At the same time, practical matters concerning the preparation of the next, 41st meeting were discussed, which is scheduled to take place in the summer of 2028.
