Antiochian and Jerusalem patriarchs decline their visit to Phanar
Two key figures of the Orthodox East – the Patriarchs of Antioch and Jerusalem – have chosen not to join the Phanar’s celebrations marking the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.
On November 28, 2025, it became known that the Patriarchs of the Antiochian and Jerusalem Patriarchates did not take part in the celebrations of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council and did not travel to Turkey for the events at the Phanar. The report was published by Fos Fanariou.
Archimandrite Gerasimos Fragoulakis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate drew attention to the absence of Patriarch John X of Antioch and Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem. In his article for Fos Fanariou, he emphasizes that the Antiochian and Jerusalem Patriarchates hold a special place in the history of Orthodoxy, preserving apostolic heritage and centuries of experience of Middle Eastern Christianity. According to him, the decision of their Primates not to attend became especially noticeable given the historical role these ancient Churches play in the life of the Orthodox world.
He stresses that the communities of Antioch and Jerusalem continue to exist under conditions of instability and maintain a Christian presence in regions where believers face significant challenges. For this reason, the participation of their Patriarchs has traditionally been viewed as an important witness to the real situation in the Middle East.
Fragoulakis also highlights the spiritual significance of these Patriarchates, including their liturgical traditions and the institution of pilgrimage, which preserves the living connection between contemporary Church life and the Holy Land.
In his view, the absence of both Primates affected the representation of the Eastern Churches in the discussions surrounding the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and became a point of reflection for observers.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that in the Vatican, Patriarch Theodoros and the Pope discussed what message they must convey to the world.
