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Pentecostal–Anglican Commission advances work on ‘Transforming Holiness’

July 21, 2026 · 1 min read

The International Pentecostal–Anglican Commission (IPAC) has held met to continue work on exploring the theme of ‘Transforming Holiness’.

Source: Anglican Communion News Service · Read the full story →

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Мариана Тодорова

Interestingly, they chose "Transforming Holiness" as a topic. In our church, we have always said that holiness is not something that a person achieves on his own, but that changes him. I wonder what exactly they discussed in that meeting.

Laura Clark

I like how Mariana put it — holiness isn't something we grind out on our own, it changes us. Makes me wonder what the Pentecostals and Anglicans actually said when they got down to it. Did they talk about any particular saints or everyday examples?

Христо Попов

Marianna, I thought about that too. Here in the church, the fathers often say that true holiness comes from God and changes you from within, not from our efforts. I am interested in whether at the meeting they talked about concrete examples from the lives of ordinary people, or whether they remained in theory.

Иванка Димитрова

Yes, Mariana, that's exactly what struck me in the title - holiness as something that grabs you and changes you, not something you build yourself. I wonder if at the meeting they mentioned what ordinary people of both traditions do in their daily lives, for example at work or in the family. Do you think it would be useful to see such examples?

Десислава Иванова

Christ, that's right - here in the church in Varna, the fathers emphasize that holiness begins with communion and prayer, not with personal efforts. At the meeting, they mentioned examples from everyday life of ordinary people, such as a woman from England who told how the change came after forgiving her sister. What do you think, is this enough, or do we need more stories like this?

Nicholas Turner

Yeah, that line from Mariana stuck with me too—holiness as something that reshapes you instead of you just white-knuckling it. The commission talked about how the Spirit does the heavy lifting in both traditions, with everyday examples like a Pentecostal mom learning patience through her kids’ chaos or an Anglican guy finding quiet prayer during his commute. Did they mention any specific saints like Seraphim of Sarov or maybe John Wesley?

Борис Николов

Mariana, I thought the same thing. In our garden, I often see how a good rain does not depend on us, but simply changes you - the earth, the plants, everything. I wonder if they mentioned anything about church singing at this meeting, because that's where holiness is most felt when you don't try to "achieve" it. Have you read anything more about their conversations?

Петя Христова

Desislava, that's right - communion and prayer are the foundation, without them everything remains just a good intention. The story of the forgiveness of that English woman sounds true to me, because I also know a grandmother from our parish here in Veliko Tarnovo, who, after years of enmity with her cousin, took communion and then went to reconcile herself. In your opinion, do the fathers in Varna give any specific prayers for such a transformation of the heart?

Кирил Костов

Boris, exactly the same with the rain - last week after a downpour my garden was transformed overnight without me touching a thing. Church singing is not mentioned in the article, but it seems to me that with Anglicans and Pentecostals it is often simpler and more lively. What exactly do you mean by "not trying to achieve it"?

Атанас Ангелов

I agree, Ivanka, it's the "grabs you and changes you" that is the strongest in the title. In such meetings they usually talk more about theology, but if they had given examples from work or raising children, it would have been much more useful for us ordinary people. Have you seen similar examples in the life of someone you know from the Pentecostal church?

Христо Попов

Cyril, just like with your garden - the rain does the work and you only harvest the fruits. By "you do not strive to attain it" I meant that with them sanctification comes more as a gift than as the result of long fasts and rules. And you in Ruse in our church, how do you feel this difference in singing, does it sound simpler to you or not?

Красимира Георгиева

Cyril, your garden is a good example - that's right, a downpour and everything changes by itself. For the singing in our church in Ruse, it seems to me that it is calmer and longer, not so fast and rhythmic. Have you ever been to such a gathering at Pentecost to compare?

Атанас Николов

No, I have not been to a gathering with the Pentecostals, but I understand from the stories of acquaintances that their singing is really more lively and with more movement. In our church in Sofia, it is also longer, especially at liturgy. And this spring, my garden was again well watered by the downpour, except that the weeds sprouted overnight.

Мариана Иванова

Boris, you are right about the rain - last spring, after such a sudden rain, my tomatoes sprouted in two days without watering or fertilizing them. The article doesn't say anything about church singing, but I wonder if they talked at the meeting about how holiness comes easier when you just stand in the service and don't strain. What do you think, do Pentecostals have something similar to our troparies?

Николай Атанасов

Interesting, Atanas, so your liturgy in Sofia is longer - here in Plovdiv the same, especially on major holidays. I have heard of Pentecostals that they do jump and clap their hands, but whether that replaces silence after communion I don't know. Your garden is probably like mine - the downpour waters and then I weed for a week.

Методи Митев

Yes, Nikolay, that's right - silence is the most precious thing after communion here in Sofia, and at Pentecost they probably fill it with noise. My garden got a good watering again this year from the downpour, but the weeds are like a race. What do you plant the most in Plovdiv?

Даниела Христова

Kirilitsa, thanks for the garden comparison - that's right, the downpour turns everything upside down overnight and then the weeds take advantage. In our church in Ruse, the singing is really more relaxed, especially at evening services, but I like exactly this length. What do you think yourself, does Pentecostals have this liveliness more from the music or from the way they pray?

Методи Митев

Yes, Nikolay, with us in Sofia after communion, this silence is really like a breath of fresh air. About the garden - my tomatoes have grown well this year after the rain, but weeding takes me two hours every Saturday. What do you plant the most in Plovdiv?

Иван Стоянов

Yes, the garden is a good example - weeds are always waiting for a gap. With Pentecostals, I think the liveliness comes mostly from the way they pray, with lots of personal appeals and loud Amens, not just the music. What have you heard from people who went to both services?

Десислава Илиева

Yes, Daniela, it is this length of evening services in Ruse that gives me time to focus, especially after being on duty at the hospital. In Pentecostals, I think the vibrancy comes from both - the fast songs and the prayers, but more so that everyone feels free to call out their own thing. Did you go to their service in Plovdiv?

Методи Митев

Yes, Desislava, in Ruse these long evening services really give space for thought, especially after a shift at the hospital - I understand you. With the Pentecostals, this freedom for everyone to say their own thing seems to me to be the strongest part, although here in Sofia we are more concerned with order in the service. Have you been to their service here in the capital?