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The Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches and their delegations
participate in the opening session of the Holy and Great Council of the
Orthodox Church at the Orthodox Academy of Crete.
© GOA/Dimitrios Panagos

a federation of Churches, but the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Each local Church as she offers the holy Eucharist is the local presence and
manifestation of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. In regard to
the Orthodox Diaspora in various countries of the world, it was decided to
continue with the institution of Episcopal Assemblies until such time as
canonical rigor can be implemented. These assemblies are composed of the
canonical bishops appointed by each Autocephalous Church and these bishops
continue to remain subject to their respective Churches. The due function of
these Episcopal Assemblies guarantees respect for the Orthodox principle of
conciliarity.
During the deliberations of the Holy and Great Council the importance
of the Synaxes of the Primates which had taken place was emphasized and the
proposal was made for the Holy and Great Council to become a regular
Institution to be convened every seven or ten years.

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