New York, NY-His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, met with leaders of the Armenian and Syrian Churches on October 8th at the Archdiocese. Representing the Armenian Church was His Eminence Archbishop Barsamian, Primate of Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church in America, accompanied by Ecumenical Officer Father Garabed Kochakian. The Syrian Church was represented by His Eminence Archbishop Ephraim Karim, Primate of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America, accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios Johanna Ibrahim, Primate of Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, and the V. Rev. Chorepiscopos John Meno.

The cordial discussions centered on the desire of the Primates to further cooperation and improve communications among the Orthodox Churches and the Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian and Syrian Churches. To that end, a steering committee will be appointed to continue discussions. Bishop Dimitirios of Xanthos Ecumenical Officer of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, will represent the Orthodox Churches on the Committee.

Additionally, the leaders discussed the implementation of international agreements at the local level.

His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon the hierarchs of the four Churches to visit at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America (SCOBA) on Tuesday, October 13th at the Archdiocese, and to join the SCOBA hierarchs for lunch following the meetings.