Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has called a meeting – Synaxis – of the heads of Orthodox Churches around the world at the Orthodox Centre of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambesy, Geneva from January 21 until January 28, the Ecumenical Patriarchate announced.

The Synaxis of the Primates in Geneva will be chaired by Patriarch Bartholomew and will deal with matters related to preparations for the Holy and Great Council that will take place later on in 2016.

All Orthodox Church Primates will be attending the Synaxis in person, with the exception of Patriarch John X of Antioch and Metropolitan Sawa of Poland, due to health reasons, and Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos, for personal reasons. All three will be represented by their officially authorised representatives.