« A representative of the Russian Orthodox Church took part in a meeting of the General Synod of the Church of England »

On February 23-27, 2024, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Archpriest Stephen Platt, head of the Department of Inter-Christian Relations of the Diocese of Sourozh, took part in the regular meeting of the General Synod of the Church of England, held at Church House, Westminster, London.

Archpriest Stephen Platt represents the Russian Orthodox Church as one of 11 observers from among representatives of various Christian denominations operating in the UK.

The General Synod is the highest governing body of the Anglican Church and consists of three houses: bishops, clergy and laity. The Synod performs three main functions: 1st - the creation of laws, rules and regulations for the Anglican Church. The legislative work of the Synod covers various areas of church life: from deciding on the ordination of women to establishing the retirement age for clergy or determining the size of wedding fees; 2nd – relationships with other Churches; 3rd – work with public, political and other organisations within the country.

Meetings are held two or three times a year, at the Synod decisions are discussed and made on important current issues in the life of the Anglican Church.

Among the topics discussed at the February session, special attention was paid to the views of the Anglican Church on the state of religious rights and freedoms in Ukraine. Speaking at the plenary session “War in Ukraine and the Challenge to International Order,” Archpriest Stephen Platt thanked representatives of the Anglican dioceses for their care, kind participation and assistance in accepting numerous refugees from Ukraine, including Orthodox Christians who have arrived in the UK recently. Father Stephen noted the efforts of the Anglican Church to highlight the problems of religious freedoms faced by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and also praised the work carried out by the Church of England to strive for the establishment of peace, justice and reconciliation, ensuring the rights and freedoms of believers to practice their religion or beliefs in accordance with the rules and principles of international law.

The next meeting of the General Synod of the Church of England will take place in York, in July 2024.

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