A synod has been announced. His Beatitude issued a letter stating that the two groups of bishops will meet on February of 2017. Patriarchal letter (translation of the Arabic).
2016/552 protocol Damascus on 11/26/2016:
Our sons and daughters, to the clergy and people in Damascus:
Greetings with my love and my blessing,
No quorum to hold an ongoing Synod in June 23-24 as planned, but varieties of meetings took place on the sidelines. We came to a joint meeting of the bishops of the two groups at last. In an atmosphere of intimacy and candor, it was decided that an Extraordinary Synod be held February 21-23, 2017. We thank God that His Holy Spirit gathered us together. We will continue the march of the Church as one, in the service of our people, asking for your prayers, and pray for you.
With my love and my blessing,
- Gregorios III
Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Alexandria and Jerusalem
