The Clergy Synaxis of the Holy Metropolis of Pisidia was held on 10 November 2025, in Antalya. The general theme of the Synaxis was “The Mystery of Confession”. The official guest and speaker of the Synaxis was hieromonk Nikolai Sakharov from the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Saint John the Baptist in Essex, England.
The Synaxis began in the morning with the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the church of Saint Alypios, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Job of Pisidia. It was followed by the opening address of Metropolitan Job, who, after welcoming the speaker and the clergy, gave the floor to the main speaker of the Synaxis.
Here is an excerpt from the message of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew sent especially for this meeting: “The restoration of freedom through the forgiveness of sins is given to those who repent and come to the Mystery of Confession. “Repentance is the renewal of Baptism, a condition for a second life before God, a daughter of hope and a denial of hopelessness,” writes John of the Ladder. Isaac the Syrian calls repentance “a second rebirth from God,” and adds: “Grace after grace, after baptism, repentance was given to people.” Confession is “an act of universal reference to God.” The absolution, which the one who confesses receives, is a therapeutic event, aims at “newness of life” and does not have a judicial nature.”
An extensive discussion followed among those present, during which the priests, through questions on the topics, were led to important conclusions for the optimal and most effective pastoral treatment of the contemporary issues that affect the flock. There the meeting ended, which was conducted by a constructive discussion.
