The Third Meeting of the Pan-Orthodox Assembly of Bishops with Churches in the British Isles was held on 30^th June at the Church of the Twelve Apostles, Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Before the meeting, the bishops concelebrated at the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the host Community's Feast Day.

The following bishops were present:

His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira & Great Britain

(Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople)

His Eminence Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh

(Patriarchate of Moscow)

The Most Revd Archbishop Iossif of Western & Southern Europe

(Patriarchate of Romania)

The Most Revd Archbishop Mark of Berlin, Germany & Great Britain

(Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia)

The Most Revd Archbishop Anatoly of Kerch

(Diocese of Sourozh)

The Rt Revd Bishop Athanasios of Tropaeou

(Archdiocese of Thyateira)

The Most Revd Metropolitan John of Western and Central Europe (Patriarchate of Antioch) The Rt Revd Bishop Dositej of Great Britain & Scandinavia (Patriarchate of Serbia), the Rt Revd Bishop Zenon of Dmanisi and Great Britain (Patriarchate of Georgia), the Most Revd Metropolitan Simeon of Central and Western Europe (Patriarchate of Bulgaria) the Rt Revd Bishop Ioan of Parnassos (Ecumenical Patriarchate's Ukranian Orthodox Diocese in Great Britain) The Most Revd Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia (Archdiocese of Thyateira) and the Rt Revd Bishop Chrysostomos of Kyanea (Archdiocese of Thyateira) were unable to attend.

Also present at the Meeting were:

The Revd Protopresbyter Samir Gholam

(representing Metropolitan John of Western and Central Europe)

The Revd Dragan Lazic

(representing Bishop Dositej of Great Britain and Scandinavia)

The Very Revd Archimandrite Vassilios Papavassiliou

(Secretary)

The Meeting of the Bishops took place following a festal meal provided by the host Community.

The Bishops discussed:

a)        The various practices amongst the dioceses regarding preparation for Communion and the rules regarding mixed marriages, and the possibility of an agreed position on these matters.

b)        Catechetical materials and the training of clergy and catechists.

c)        Canonical issues regarding the transfer and visits of clergy from one diocese to another.

d)        The prospect of a Pan-Orthodox Conference.

The Episcopal Assembly decided that:

1) The Pastoral Committee of the Assembly (chaired by Archbishop Elisey) should prepare pastoral recommendations regarding a) the preparation of Holy Communion, b) mixed marriages, and c) the transfer of clergy from one diocese to another.

2) The Educational Committee of the Assembly (chaired by Archbishop Gregorios) should examine existing leaflets and pamphlets on the Orthodox Church, its Faith and Sacraments, for the consideration of the Episcopal Assembly.

The next Episcopal Meeting will be held on 24^th November 2011 at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God and All Saints, London.

London, 1^st July 2011

From the Secretariat of the

Pan-Orthodox Assembly of Bishops