« Clergy of the Diocese of Sourozh took part in a reception organised by the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies in Cambridge »
11-09-2025 
On September 9, 2025, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, the heads of the diocesan departments of the Diocese of Sourozh for Inter-Orthodox relations, Archpriest Joseph Skinner, and for Inter-Christian relations, Archpriest Stephen Platt, took part in a reception and dinner for representatives of the Orthodox and Ancient Eastern Churches, organized by the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies (IOCS) in Cambridge.
The purpose of the meeting was to present the concept of theological education and the activities of the Institute, as well as to familiarise themselves with proposals and wishes from representatives of Christian denominations present in the UK.
The Very Revd Dr John Jillions (a retired cleric of the Orthodox Church in America), the newly elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of IOCS, addressed the guests and staff with a welcoming speech.
Archpriest John Jillions noted the participation in the meeting of the hierarchs of the Local Orthodox and Ancient Eastern Churches: Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain (Patriarchate of Constantinople), Archbishop Atanasie of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Metropolitan Abraham Mar Stephanos, head of the Diocese of Great Britain, Europe and Africa of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India, Archbishop Anba Angaelos of London (Coptic Church), Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland, Bishop Mar Awraham Youkhanis6 head of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East Diocese of Western Europe, as well as clergy and laity of various Christian denominations.
Following the additional discussion, the participants of the meeting discussed the text of an open letter to members of the UK Parliament in connection with the reconsideration of the bill on the legalisation of assisted suicide by the House of Lords.
The Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies (IOCS) is a theological college in Cambridge, England. It works in collaboration with the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University and awards its degree programs through these universities. IOCS is the only Christian Orthodox institute for higher education in the UK and the only academic institution teaching the Orthodox faith in English anywhere in western Europe. Along with other theological colleges in Cambridge, it is a member of the Cambridge Theological Federation. The institute adopts a holistic approach to learning that integrates academic study with a liturgical life. It was founded in 1999 with the blessing of all canonical Orthodox hierarchs in the UK.