Patriarchs of Jerusalem, Antioch and Serbia held a meeting in Amman

A significant meeting of the Primates of the Jerusalem, Antioch and Serbian Orthodox Churches took place in Amman, Jordan. Patriarchs Theophilos III, John X and Porphyrios gathered in the framework of the International Conference «Aqaba Process — Interreligious Dialogue in the Balkans», which is taking place at the invitation of King Abdullah II of Jordan.

According to Romfea.gr, the meeting took place on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the Holy Metropolis in Amman. The conference that prompted the meeting is taking place in Bethany, the site of Jesus Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan River. Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, in the presence of His Highness Prince Ghazi, warmly received Patriarch John of Antioch and Patriarch Porfirios of Serbia at the residence of the Holy Metropolis of Kiriakopolis.

The Primate, accompanied by delegations from other Orthodox Churches, made an official visit to the Cathedral of the Presentation of the Lord and the Chapel of St. Nectarius, where they lit candles and performed adoration. The procession was honorably escorted by the scout troop of the Cathedral of the Presentation of the Lord, giving the visit a solemn character. The meeting ended in the hall of the Holy Metropolis, where a formal dinner was given in honor of the distinguished guests.

Earlier, Archimandrite Gerasimos Frangoulakis of the Patriarchate of Constantinople strongly criticized the Patriarchs of Antioch and Jerusalem for their refusal to participate in the celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicea. In his opinion, this absence, especially against the background of the expected presence of the Pope, is not just a formality, but a step that belittles the role of the ancient Patriarchates and their historical contribution.