Annual Conference of the Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius

The Annual Conference of the Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius took place this week (15th-18th of August) in the High Leigh Conference Centre, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, near London. The theme of the conference was "Priesthood and Ministry". 

In the context of the sometimes difficult path encountered within and between the different Christian traditions, the conference looked at the various ways in which the nature of priesthood, ministry and vocation feature in life, witness and struggle of the Church. The speakers were from both the Anglican and the Orthodox Worlds, from the U.K. and abroad. 

The people attending the conference had a great chance to not only visit the Orthodox Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Tolleshunt Knights but also to attend a lecture by Hieromonk Nicholas Sakharov, giving a monastic view on the theme of the conference.  

Anglican Eucharist, Orthodox Liturgy, a Panikhida (i.e. Orthodox memorial service for the departed members and friends of the Fellowship) and an Anglican Evening Prayer took place during the conference. 

Another interesting moment was when, after Metropolitan Kallistos' lecture, many members of the conference had a chance to visit the Coptic Orthodox Church in Stevenage, where we had the opportunity to meet and speak to Bishop Angaelos of the Coptic Church. 

Countless subjects were stressed within this symposium in respect to the priesthood and ministry. What was intriguing to identify was the understanding and acceptance of the different traditions, something not seen in many  Christian Churches and communities.

The speakers spoke in reference to their traditions; however in many cases issues that interest both worlds were stressed, one key issue being the ordination of women. Although the two Churches differ on this matter, and the Anglican Church has various views on this serious issue, it was interesting to acknowledge what the Orthodox believe. Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia stated that there are three views within the Orthodox World concerning the ordination of women:

1. The majority is against it.

2. The Orthodox Church has not yet seen or disgust this matter. It could be considered as an open question. A minority supports this view.

3. An even smaller minority supports the ordination of women.

It is interesting to see that Metropolitan John Zizioulas of Pergamon and the Ecumenical Patriarchate have been very cautious on this matter, as Metropolitan Kallistos specified. 

Interesting questions should eventually be answered by a future Panorthodox Synod when, or more realistically IF it ever takes place, such as "can't a woman represent Him?" and " what is the theological significance of Christ's maleness?".

I would like to thank Fr. Stephen Platt who is the General Secretary of the Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius for organising this interesting and successful conference. 

Lets hope that conferences and meetings like this one continue and prevail within the Christian World, emphasising the importance of Christianity within an ongoing secular and materialistic world.