On Friday 22 May 2026, informal talks took place at the Phanar in Istanbul between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Anglican Communion.
The delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate consisted of Their Eminences Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium (co-chair of the theological dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion), Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, and Metropolitan Maximos of Silyvria, as well as the Very Revend Deacon Evlogios Tsatsas, the co-secretary of the dialogue.
The Anglican Communion was represented by the Right Reverend Michael Lewis (co-chair of theological dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion), the Most Reverend Mark Strange (Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church), Canon Dr Christopher Wells (Director for Unity, Faith and Order), and the Reverend Neil Vigers (Programme Executive for Unity, Faith and Order).
All participants in the Talks were graciously received in a private audience by His All-Holiness Bartholomew I who welcomed warmly the members of the two delegations and encouraged the continuation of their common work. The two delegations held in-depth discussions of matters of mutual interest and concern and described the priorities and life of each tradition.
These talks have been held for many years, without a particular agenda, to encourage the spirit of mutual trust and understanding between the two ecclesiastical traditions.
