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The [[Holy Synod]] of Antioch is comprised of the [[patriarch]] and all the active ruling [[metropolitanbishop]]s. Meetings are held each year in Spring and Autumn (Fall) to consider Church-wide issues, who meet at least annually and function to elect the patriarch and other [[bishop]]s as needed. The Patriarch and to Holy Synod govern the Church of Antioch to preserve the true faith and , to maintain ecclesiastical order, and to carry out the commandments of Christ. In addition to the Synod itself, a general conciliar body meets twice a year to see to the financial, educational, judicial , and administrative matters of the patriarchate. It is composed of the members of the Synod and of lay representatives. When a new patriarch is to be elected, this body selects three candidates from whom the Holy Synod chooses to the new patriarch.

The current patriarch is His Beatitude Patriarch [[Ignatius IV (Hazim) of Antioch]] and all the East, elected in 1979. Patriarch Ignatius has been particularly active in strengthening ties with other Christian communions, but particularly with those whose roots are in Antiochian OrthodoxyAntioch. To this end, on [[July 22]], 1991, he met with the Syriac ("Jacobite") Antiochian Patriarch, Ignatius Zakka I (Iwas), His Beatitude and the two patriarchs signed a [http://www.antiochian.org.au/content/view/143/21| document] which called Holy Synod of Antioch were enthusiastic for "complete and mutual respect between the two churches." It also forbade the passing Church of faithful from one church Antioch to the other, envisaged joint meetings of the two Holy Synods when appropriate, and provided (as yet unrealized) guidelines for intercommunion participate in general talks between representatives of all the faithful Eastern Orthodox Churches and even [[Eucharist]]ic [[concelebration]] by the [[clergy]] of all the two churchesOriental Orthodox Churches.

Patriarch Ignatius has also overseen participation At Chambesy in Switzerland, plenary talks were held resulting in a bilateral commission with the [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church]http://www.antiochian.org.au/content/category/7/30/21/| Agreements]in 1989, which is exploring ways 1990 and 1993. All official representatives of healing the 18th century schism Eastern Orthodox and returning all official representatives of the Melkites to Oriental Orthodox reached agreement that the Christological differences between the two mainstreams of Orthodoxyare more a matter of emphasis than of substance. In an unprecedented event, the Meklite Patriarch Maximos V addressed Although elements in a meeting number of the Eastern Orthodox Holy Synod Churches were greatly upset by the apparent agreement between the two streams of Antioch in October of 1996. In May of 1997Orthodoxy, the Patriarch and Holy Synod met and declared that of the Antiochian Orthodox Church welcomed the whole [[Pascha]]ltide period is to be observed festally, thus balancing agreements as positive moves towards a sharing in the lengthy fasting Love of [[Great Lent]] with an equal non-fasting period in celebration God, and a rejection of the Resurrection hatred of [[Jesus Christ]]insubstantial division.

As recommended in the Second Chambesy Agreement, that of 1990, the Antiochian (Eastern) Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius IV formally met with the Syriac (Oriental) Orthodox Patriarch, Ignatius Zakka I, on [[July 22]], 1991. At that formal meeting, the two patriarchs signed an [http://www.antiochian.org.au/content/view/143/21| agreement] which called for "complete and mutual respect between the two churches." It also prohibited the passing of faithful from one church to the other, envisaged joint meetings of the two Holy Synods when appropriate, and provided for future guidelines for intercommunion of the faithful and [[Eucharist]]ic [[concelebration]] by the [[clergy]] of the two Churches. The Church of Antioch expects these guidelines to be issued when the faithful of both Churches are ready, but not before.  Patriarch Ignatius has also overseen participation in a bilateral commission with the [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church]], which is exploring ways of healing the 18th century schism between the Melkite Catholics and the Antiochian Orthodox. In an unprecedented event, Melkite Patriarch Maximos V addressed a meeting of the Orthodox Holy Synod of Antioch in October 1996.  The members of the Holy Synod of Antioch continue to explore greater communication and more friendly meetings with their Syriac, Melkite, and Maronite brothers and sisters, who all share a common heritage.  In May of 1997, the Holy Synod met and declared that the whole [[Pascha]]ltide period is to be observed festally, thus balancing the lengthy fasting of [[Great Lent]] with an equal non-fasting period in celebration of the Resurrection of [[Jesus Christ]].  This decision, the diplomatic activities, and other moves by Patriarch Ignatius and the Holy Synod , have drawn criticism from some elements within the mainstream Eastern Orthodox Church and particularly from "resistance" groups who have walled themselves off from communion with most of world Orthodoxy.  Of the churches Churches receiving criticism approbrium for alleged "[[ecumenism]]", Antioch probably has received probably the greatest amount.