The 1st Bioethics Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which took place in Rethymno, Crete, under the hospitable care and love of the local Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, was successfully concluded.
On Sunday, 22 October 2023, the feast of the Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus and the Synaxis of All the Holy Doctors, a Poly-Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was held at the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Arkadi, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, and co-celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki and His Eminence Metropolitan Myron of New Zealand, with the participation of priests and deacons, Conference delegates and many faithful believers. His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos along with His Grace Bishop Smaragdos of Daphnoussia were also present joined in prayer, whilst the chanters were led by the Archon Protopsaltis of the Holy Archdiocese of Constantinople, Mr. Fotios Giannakakis.
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of Petra and Cherronesos was present also and preached the Holy Sermon, and analysed the Gospel passage of the day and connected the feast of the Synod of All the Holy Doctors with the end of the work of the 1st Bioethics Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the care of the Mother Church for the protection of the human person, while he also referred extensively to the 32nd anniversary of the election of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Apostolic Throne of Constantinople.
After the Eucharistic Gathering (Divine Liturgy) and the discussion between delegates and speakers that followed in the Hall of the Freedom Fighters-Gallery of the Monastery, the President of the Conference, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, read the Conclusions of the Conference, which were gladly accepted by the delegates, while it is worth noting that all those present expressed the desire that the Bioethics Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate should now become an annual event and be convened in the welcoming Metropolis of Rethymno and Avlopotamos.
In conclusion, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia heartily thanked, on behalf of all the delegates, the local Hierarch, His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, and those who contributed to the conducting and hosting of the Conference. On behalf of the delegation, His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos expressed his warm thanks to His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia for his decisive contribution to the perfect organisation and the very successful conduct of the work of the 1st Bioethics Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Afterwards, everyone partook in an official lunch at the refectory of the Monastery, which was offered with the kind care of the Abbot Archimandrite Titos.
