In the final message of the Pan-Orthodox Council, more than 200 bishops from 10 churches affirmed their full unity with one another and with four Orthodox churches that declined to attend.

Although they did not persuade all the Orthodox churches to send representatives to the council in Crete, Orthodox leaders who were present supported the idea that the council should become a regular institution and meet every seven to 10 years.

“The key priority of the council was to proclaim the unity of the Orthodox Church,” the message said. “Founded on the Eucharist and the apostolic succession of her bishops, the existing unity needs to be strengthened and to bear new fruits.”