On Wednesday, the 11th of February 2026, took place the 17th Session of the Episcopal Assembly of the Orthodox Bishops of Great Britain and Ireland.
The proceedings were hosted at the House of the Holy Archdiocese of Thyateira, in London, under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain. In this gathering participated the following Hierarchs of the canonical Orthodox jurisdictions: His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, who also presided, His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Ireland, His Eminence Metropolitan Silouan of the British Isles and Ireland of the Patriarchate of Antioch, His Eminence Archbishop Athanasios of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of the Patriarchate of Romania, His Eminence Metropolitan Andreas of the Patriarchate of Georgia, His Grace Bishop Nektarios of Ireland and Iceland of the Patriarchate of Romania, as well as Their Graces the Bishops of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Maximos of Melitene, Raphael of Ilion and Iakovos of Claudiopolis.
Duties of Secretary and minute-taker were performed by His Grace Bishop Maximos of Melitene, while as working language of the Assembly was used English. In the process participated also, as observers or interpreters, clergy of other Orthodox presences in the country.
The agenda covered a wide spectrum of issues that concern the Orthodox witness in the British Isles. A central axis of the discussions was the need for more substantial unity and the strengthening of the visibility of the Orthodox Church in the public sphere.
The Hierarchs exchanged views regarding liturgical cohesion, with special reference to the upcoming celebration of the Sunday of Orthodoxy, as well as regarding the stance of the Churches towards contemporary social and ethical challenges.
Special weight was given to external relations, as well as to cooperation with state bodies for issues concerning religious rights and education. Were examined, also, practical issues of administrative nature, such as the confronting of bureaucratic difficulties regarding the granting of entry visas for clergy, a subject which hinders the pastoral work of many jurisdictions.
The Assembly occupied itself extensively with pastoral cooperation in the sectors of hospital and military ministry, seeking ways of common action for the covering of the needs of the faithful. Discussed further were issues of canonical order and discipline, with the aim of the protection of the flock from uncanonical activities. The session concluded with the determination of the next gathering for July of the current year and the common prayer in the chapel of the Archdiocese.
