Members of the International Lutheran-Orthodox Commission on Theological Dialogue during their meeting at the Strasbourg Institute for Ecumenical Research
Members of the International Lutheran-Orthodox Commission on Theological Dialogue during their meeting at the Strasbourg Institute for Ecumenical Research. Photo: LWF/M. Rawcliffe (18 Nov. 2025)

Strasbourg Institute hosts Lutheran-Orthodox dialogue meeting

 — Nov. 24, 202524 nov. 2025
Philippa Hitchen, Lutheran World Federation

Members of the Lutheran Orthodox Commission on Theological Dialogue move forward in their discussions on key topics of Synodality and Primacy.

Members of the International Lutheran Orthodox Commission on Theological Dialogue met at the Strasbourg Institute for Ecumenical Research last week to continue their reflections on the topics of ‘Synodality and Primacy’, examining the way that authority and decision making has been exercised in the church over the centuries.

The second preparatory meeting of the 19th Session of the Commission took place from 16 to 18 November, chaired by Bishop Johann Schneider of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany and by Metropolitan Kyrillos of Krini from the Ecumenical Patriarchate. It follows on from a plenary meeting hosted by the Orthodox Church in Cyprus in May this year.

The Commission members heard presentations on the sacramental foundation of synodality and primacy. The Orthodox presented perspectives on Baptism and Synodality and the Lutherans on Eucharist and Synodality. Other presentations explored questions of decision-making and methods of decision-taking in their churches at local, regional, and universal levels, as well as the necessary relationship between synodality and primacy.

LWF’s Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations, Prof. Dr Dirk Lange noted how both sides “challenged each other to explore the theological foundations of their beliefs through the lens of their dialogue partner, for the Orthodox through Baptism and for the Lutherans through the Eucharist.” He said: “The papers were insightful and thought-provoking, and the ensuing discussion was exciting, outlining topics for further exploration.”Shared prayer was another important dimension of the meeting, as participants began each day with common prayer. They also enjoyed a visit to St Thomas’ Church in Strasbourg, known as the “Protestant Cathedral”, where the Reformer Martin Bucer served as pastor and later the theologian, medical doctor and organist Albert Schweitzer worked.

At the conclusion of their meeting, Commission members established the agenda for the next plenary gathering to be held from 10 to 16 May next year in Sète, in south-eastern France. That session will continue focusing on the main topics of the 19th Session, ‘Synodality and Primacy’, with specific attention to the history and reception of the church’s Ecumenical Councils, dimensions of ecclesial communion, and other ecclesial decisions, both past and present, as well as the important role of the Holy Spirit in all questions of synodality and primacy.

Posted: Nov. 24, 2025 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=14690
Categories: Lutheran World Information • In this article: dialogue, Lutheran World Federation, Orthodox, primacy, synodality Transmis : 24 nov. 2025 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=14690
Catégorie : Lutheran World Information • Dans cet article : dialogue, Lutheran World Federation, Orthodox, primacy, synodality


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