20140225

New rules for election of Orthodox Coptic Pope examined by civil authorities


Cairo, February 25 (Agenzia Fides) – The Synod of Orthodox Coptic Bishops has approved new regulations for the election of a Patriarch. The rules are now being examined by the Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Fides was told this by Catholic Coptic Bishop of Minya, Bishop Boutros Fahim Awad Hanna. “The Orthodox Coptic bishops gathered from 17 to 19 February for a meeting presided by Patriarch Tawadros II” says Bishop Boutros “approved new rules for the election of the Head of the Orthodox Coptic Church. The text has not yet been made public, but it is known that some articles have been revised others have been removed since they no longer reflected the present situation of the Orthodox Coptic Church. Among other things, the electoral body will include representatives of the Orthodox Coptic community in the diaspora, today more than two million faithful”.

After being approved by the Synod the new regulation must be ratified by the President of Egypt. “The election of the Patriarch” Bishop Hanna told Fides “is part of Orthodox Coptic community law ratified by the Constitution , which guarantees Christians the right to elect the Leading members of the respective church communities. The procedure therefore is guaranteed by civil law, and for this reason must be ratified by the offices of the Presidency” (GV) (Agenzia Fides 25/2/2014)

Agenzia Fides

20140224

Coptic Orthodox Christian is the first woman elected to lead a political party in Egypt

Cairo, Feb 24 (Agenzia Fides) – Coptic Orthodox Christian, Hala Shukrallah, elected head of the Constitution Party, is the first woman leader of a political party in Egypt. Hala Shukrallah succeeds Nobel Mohamed El Baradei, who in April 2012 formed the Constitution Party presenting it as an “inclusive” reality, aimed at earning consensus among young Egyptians overcoming the contraposition of “religious” and “secular” political groups.

Aged 59, leftist sociologist who reached social-democratic positions , Shukrallah, in 2006, participated in the foundation of the Movement of Egyptians against Discrimination. In her first statements, the newly elected Party leader of the Constitution Party, expressed little enthusiasm for the insistence on the part of the media that she is the “first woman and first Coptic Christian” to lead a political Party. Shukrallah said that in her opinion this insistence could induce people to focus only on the label preventing them from “considering the contents of what is being said”. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 24/2/2104).

Agenzia Fides

20140216

Report of the Eleventh Meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches


PAMPAKUDA, FEB. 16, 2014: Here is the report issued at the conclusion of the Eleventh meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Roman Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. The meeting took place Jan. 28-Feb. 1 in India.
***

INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION FOR THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES

REPORT

Eleventh Meeting

Pampakuda, India, January 28 to February 1, 2014


The eleventh meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches took place at the Samanvaya Ecumenical Study and Dialogue Centre in Pampakuda, Kerala, India, from January 28 to February 1, 2014. The meeting was hosted by His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, and was chaired jointly by His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and by His Eminence Archbishop Nareg Alemezian of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in the absence of His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette.

Joining delegates from the Catholic Church were representatives of the following Oriental Orthodox Churches: the Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholicosate of All Armenians), the Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia), the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. No representative of the Antiochian Syrian Orthodox Church or the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church was able to attend.

The two delegations met separately in the afternoon of January 28. The Joint Commission held plenary sessions on January 29, 30, 31, and February 1, each of which began with a brief prayer service using material prepared for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

At the beginning of the first session, Cardinal Koch announced that a number of the members had been unable to attend the meeting and that some of them had sent representatives. He also congratulated Archbishop Basilios Georges Casmoussa who was named Apostolic Visitator to the Syrian Catholic communities in Western Europe since the last meeting. The Cardinal also reported on significant ecumenical developments that had taken place since the 2013 meeting in Rome. His Holiness Pope Francis strongly reaffirmed the commitment of the Catholic Church to Christian unity in his address to heads and representatives of various churches and ecclesial communities who had come to Rome for his installation in March 2013. Since that time Pope Francis received visits from His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church on May 10, and from His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, on September 5. Cardinal Koch also reviewed the direct bilateral dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church which was a result of the meeting of Pope John Paul II and Catholicos Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews I in Kottayam in 1986.

At this eleventh meeting, the members continued their study of the ways in which full communion among our churches was expressed in the first five centuries with special emphasis on the development of the various Eucharistic Prayers (Anaphoras) in the early Church and the significance of pilgrimages. Thus the following papers were presented during the meeting: “The Development of the Eucharistic Prayer (anaphora) as a Case Study in the Communion and Communication among the Churches” by Rev. Father Columba Stewart, OSB, “Jerusalem Between Liturgy and Pilgrimage: A Case Study in the Armenian Tradition” by Very Rev. Father Shahe Ananyan, “Anaphora and Liturgy” by Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette (read in his absence by Bishop Daniel), “Liturgy as an Element of Communion and Communication between Churches Till Mid-Sixth Century” by Rev. Father Baby Varghese (read in his absence by Rev. Father Abraham Thomas), “Pilgrimage as a Sign of Communion With a Particular Regard to the Tradition of the early Armenian Church” by Rev. Father Boghos Levon Zekiyan (read in his absence by Rev. Father Mark Sheridan, OSB), “Pilgrimages in the Early Church” by Rev. Father Shenouda Maher Ishak (read in his absence by Bishop Daniel), “The Role and Significance of Pilgrimage in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Tradition” by Rev. Father Daniel SeifeMichael Feleke, “The Concept of Christian Pilgrimage” by Mor Theophilus George Saliba (read in his absence by Metropolitan Youhanon Mar Demetrios), and “The Visit of Dignitaries as an Expression of Communion between the Churches Till the End of the Fifth Century A.D.” by Metropolitan Youhanon Mar Demetrios. Drawing upon the material presented in these papers, the Joint Commission’s drafting committee continued its work on the proposed agreed text entitled, “The Exercise of Communion in the Life of the Early Church and its Implications for our Search for Communion Today.” The latest draft was reviewed by the Joint Commission on January 31.

In the evening of January 29, the members of the Commission attended a festive dinner hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Paulose II at Madaparambil River Banks in Thodupuzha. Also present were a number of other Malankara Orthodox Bishops, clergy and prominent laypeople. The Catholicos offered gifts to the members of the commission, and Cardinal Koch presented the Catholicos with a gift from His Holiness Pope Francis. The two co-chairmen spoke briefly at the end of the dinner.

In his address the Catholicos warmly welcomed those present. “I take this opportunity,” he said, “to thank the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity for the extended cooperation and for all the remarkable contributions in making the ongoing dialogue fruitful, and more particularly, the department of Ecumenical Relations of our Church in hosting the meeting of the Joint Commission.” Referring to the members of the Joint Commission, the Catholicos said that “we have enormous trust in your academic ability, theological commitment and ecclesial fidelity. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide you in building bridges between our ancient traditions.” Recalling his visit to Rome last September, the Catholicos said, “I take this opportunity to thank Cardinal Kurt Koch and the Pontifical Council for their gracious hospitality in the Vatican. The life and message of His Holiness Pope Francis give us new hope in Inter-Church relations. The Ancient Christian heritage and traditions of the Oriental Orthodox and the Catholic Churches together could contribute greater things in this divided world. We would like to see the spirit of this dialogue to continue in the coming years, so that we can further explore new areas of collaboration and mutual enrichment.”

On Friday evening January 31, the members of the Joint Commission attended a cultural event which presented a number of dances native to India, portraying the rich and beautiful heritage of the country.

In the morning of Saturday February 1, the members were invited by Father Johns Abraham Konat to visit the Konattu Mathen Malpan Syriac Research Centre of Pampakuda containing his family’s important collection of manuscripts and archives, and to visit the parish church adjacent to it.

On Sunday February 2, the members of the Joint Commission accepted an invitation from Father Jacob Kurian, Principal of the Orthodox Theological Seminary (Old Seminary) in Kottayam, to attend the inauguration of celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the seminary’s founding.

The twelfth meeting of the International Joint Commission will take place in Rome, hosted by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Arrivals will be on Saturday January 24, 2015, and the members will be invited to attend the Vespers service presided over by Pope Francis at the Basilica of Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls on Sunday evening January 25. Family meetings will take place on Monday January 26, followed by plenary sessions on Tuesday to Friday, January 27 to 30, with departures on Saturday January 31.

The members concluded with joyful thanks to God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, for what has been accomplished at this meeting.

* * *

The members of the Commission are:

Representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Churches (in alphabetical order)

Antiochian Syrian Orthodox Church: H.E. Mor Theophilus George Saliba, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon, Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church, Beirut, Lebanon (unable to attend); H.E. Kuriakose Theophilose, Metropolitan of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary and President of the Ecumenical Secretariat of the Antiochian Syrian Orthodox Church in India, Ernakulam, India (unable to attend);

Armenian Apostolic Church: Catholicosate of all Armenians: H.E. Khajag Barsamian, Archbishop of the Eastern Diocese of the USA, New York (unable to attend, represented by Reverend Father Shahe Ananyan, Director of the Publishing Department, Etchmiadzin, Armenia); H.E. Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian, General Secretary of Bible Society of Armenia, Etchmiadzin, Armenia (unable to attend, represented by H.G. Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Ecumenical Officer, Etchmiadzin, Armenia);

Armenian Apostolic Church: Holy See of Cilicia: H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy in the USA, New York (unable to attend); H.E. Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Holy See of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon;

Coptic Orthodox Church: H.E. Anba Bishoy (co-chair), Metropolitan of Damiette, Egypt (unable to attend, represented by H.G. Bishop Barnaba El Soryany, Rome, Italy); Rev. Fr. Shenouda Maher Ishak, West Henrietta, New York, USA (unable to attend, represented by H.G. Bishop Daniel of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Sydney, Australia);

Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church: Rev. Fr. Kaleab Gebreselassie Gebru, Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Patriarchate, Asmara, Eritrea (unable to attend);

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church: Archbishop Markos of Eastern Gojjam (unable to attend); Rev. Fr. Daniel Seifemichael Feleke of Holy Trinity Theological University College in Addis Ababa;

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church: H.E. Metropolitan Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios, President of the Department of Ecumenical Relations and Metropolitan of the Diocese of Trivandrum, India; H.E. Metropolitan Dr. Youhanon Mar Demetrios (co-secretary), Metropolitan of the Diocese of Delhi, India; Father Abraham Thomas, Secretary of the Department of Ecumenical Relations, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Kottayam (observer); Father Dr. K. M. George (observer).

Representatives of the Catholic Church

His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch (co-chair), President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity;

Most Reverend Paul-Werner Scheele, Bishop Emeritus of Würzburg, Germany (unable to attend);

Most Reverend Youhanna Golta, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop of the Coptic Catholic Patriarchate, Cairo, Egypt;

Most Reverend Archbishop Basilios Georges Casmoussa, Syrian Catholic Patriarchate, Beirut, Lebanon;

Most Reverend Peter Marayati, Armenian Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo, Syria (unable to attend);

Most Reverend Woldetensae Ghebreghiorghis, Apostolic Vicar of Harar, Ethiopia, President of the Ecumenical Commission of the Catholic Church in Ethiopia and Eritrea;

Most Reverend Paul Rouhana, OLM, Bishop of the Patriarchal Maronite Vicariate of Sarba, Jounieh, Lebanon;

Rev. Fr. Frans Bouwen M.Afr., Consultant to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity; Jerusalem (unable to attend);

Rev. Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB, Executive Director, Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, Saint John’s Abbey and University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA;

Rev. Fr. Ronald G. Roberson, CSP, Associate Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC, USA;

Rev. Fr. Mark Sheridan, OSB, Pontificio Ateneo S. Anselmo, Rome;

Rev. Fr. Mathew Vellanickal, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Changanacherry, India;

Rev. Fr. Boghos Levon Zekiyan, Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome (unable to attend);

Prof. Dietmar W. Winkler, Consultant to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Salzburg, Austria.

Rev. Fr. Gabriel Quicke, Official of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Rome (co-secretary).



Pampakuda , Kerala, India, February 2, 2014

20140208

OCP Delegation visits Members of the International Commission of the Oriental Orthodox Churches


PAMPAKUDA: On the 1st of February 2014, Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE Society (O. C. P.) Delegation visited the Oriental Orthodox members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches at Samanvaya Ecumenical Study Centre in Pampakuda, Kerala, India. The Oriental Orthodox delegation was in Kerala for the annual Oriental Orthodox – Roman Catholic Dialogue.

The OCP delegation as lead by Dr M. Kurien Thomas (renowned Orthodox historian in India) and also consisted of Varghese John Tottappuzha (OCP Associate and Oriental Orthodox Specialist), Subin Varghese (OCP Vice-Chairman), Adv. Prasad Abraham Varghese (OCP Advisory Panel Member), Ajesh Phillip (OCP Delegate & Chief Project Coordinator- MARP), Joice Thottakadu (Marthoman TV), Eldho Varghese and Aby John Vannilam (Editor, Maveli Rajyam).

Urge for Permanent Oriental Orthodox Secretariat

Dr Kurien Thomas addressed the gathering and urged for Oriental Orthodox Unity and creating a permanent secretariat for administration needs. Archbishop Nareg Alemezian responded that several steps are being implemented to bring the Heads of Oriental Orthodox Churches. Certain events are also expected to take place in Addis Ababa in the year 2015. The Archbishop also requested prayers for the realization of the great dream.

Oriental Orthodox delegation consisted of: Bishop Daniel (Primate of the Diocese of Sydney, Australia) and Bishop Barnaba El Soryany (Primate of the Diocese of Torino and Rome) of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, Bishop Hovakim Manoukian (Primate of the Artik Diocese, Director of the Inter- Church Relations Department) and Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananyan (Director of the Publications and Official Press Departments) of Catholicosate of All Armenians, Archbishop Nareg Alemezian (Ecumenical Officer) of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, Fr. Daniel Seife michael Feleke (Holy Trinity Theological University College in Addis Ababa) of Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate and Metropolitan Gregorious Gabriel (Primate of Diocese of Trivandrum, President of the Department of Ecumenical Relations) and Fr Abraham Thomas (Secretary of the Department of Ecumenical Relations) of Catholicosate of the East.
Source:
OCP News Service


Standing (from the left): Joice Thottakadu (Marthoman TV), Dr M. Kurien Thomas (renowned Orthodox historian in India), Ajesh Phillip (OCP Delegate & Chief Project Coordinator- MARP), Eldho Varghese, Varghese John Tottappuzha (OCP Associate and Oriental Orthodox Specialist), Aby John Vannilam (Editor, Maveli Rajyam) and Subin Varghese (OCP Vice-Chairman).
Sitting (from the left): Fr Abraham Thomas (Catholicosate of the East), Fr. Daniel Seife michael Feleke (Ethiopian Patriarchate), Bishop Hovakim Manoukian (Catholicosate of All Armenians), Bishop Daniel (Coptic Patriarchate), Bishop Barnaba El Soryany (Coptic Patriarchate), Metropolitan Gregorious Gabriel (Catholicosate of the East ) and Archbishop Nareg Alemezian (Catholicosate of Cilicia).
Photo courtesy of Marthoman TV

20140207

The Armenian Orthodox Church Participates in the Eleventh Meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches in India.


Antelias,2 February 2014: The Joint international commission met in Pampakuda Kerala, India upon the invitation of H.H. Basilius Mar Paulose II, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The Armenian Orthodox Church was represented by Bp. Hovaguim Manoukian and Rev. Shahé Ananian (Holy See Etchmiadzin) and Archbishop Nareg Alemezian (Holy See Cilicia).

Archbishop Nareg Alemezian and Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Commission for Christian Unity (PCPCU) co-moderated the conference, the theme of which was on the theme: the nature and concept of communion as it existed in the undivided Church of the fifth century prior to the Chalcedonian schism.

The delegates of the Oriental Orthodox Churches met prior to the joint meeting to discuss the agenda and report on the ecumenical situation in their countries. At the end of the meeting the two co-moderators, Archbishop Nareg Alemezian and Cardinal Kurt Koch, met with H.H: Basilius Mar Paulose II to thank him for the invitation. Archbishop Nareg transmitted the greetings of His Holiness Aram I.

At a private meeting between Archbishop Nareg and Cardinal Koch, they discussed the situation in Syria, the recent meeting of Christians in Geneva and the key role of Catholicos Aram I as well as the 100th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. The Archbishop also transmitted the greetings of Catholicos Aram I to Pope Francis.

The next meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches will be held 24-31 January 2015 at the Vatican in Italy.

Source: The Great House of Cilicia

Liturgical Committee of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Convenes in Antelias


Etchmiadzin, 31 January, 2014: On January 29 and 30, under the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, the Liturgical Committee of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church was convened in Antelias.
Present at the meeting were His Eminence Archbishop Komitas Ohanyan (Co-chairman); His Grace Bishop Arshak Khatchatrian (Co-chairman); His Eminence Archbishop Varujan Herkelyan; His Eminence Archbishop Sepuh Sargsyan; His Eminence Archbishop
Gegham Khacheyan; His Grace Bishop Mikael Ajapahian; His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhannisyan and Rev. Fr. Zakaria Baghumyan.
Taking into consideration the decisions made by the Bishops Synod that was convened in 2013, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the committee discussed and summed up the uniform text of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism and canonical guideline. During the meeting they also analyzed the issue of the language of the Armenian Church services.
The committee decided to further carry on their works on the moral-instructive guidelines of Holy Baptism, which will be completed in May. The next meeting of the Liturgical Committee will be convened from May 19 through 23, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Source: Information Service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

The Commission on the Baptismal Rite of the Bishops Conference meets

Antelias, 03 February 2014:
29-30 January 2014. The members of the Commission jointly appointed by Holinesses Karekin II and Aram I met to study the recommendations and comments of the last Bishops Conference and finalize the draft on the Canon of Baptismal Rite. Under the leadership of the Co-moderators, Archbishop Komitas Mehanian (Cilicia) and Bishop Arshak Khatchadurian, (Etchmiadzin), the commission discussed language policy regarding the text of the Baptismal Rite and guidelines for teaching the Canon.
The Canon and all other documents will be finalized during the next meeting 19-23 May in Holy Etchmiadzin.
Source: The Great House of Cilicia


The Commission on the Classification of Saints of the Bishops Conference meets in Antelias
03 February 2014

27 -29 January 2013. The members of the Commission first met with His Holiness Aram I who gave them his blessings and thanked them for their work. The membership includes representatives appointed by His Holiness Karekin II of Holy Etchmiadzin and His Holiness Aram I of the Holy See of Cilicia.

The Commission began its work with the Lord’s Prayer, followed by a memorial service for the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The co-moderators, Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian (Cilicia) and Bishop Arshak Khatchadurian (Etchmiadzin), opened the meeting. The members of the Commission discussed the classification process and rites for the victims of the Genocide: the canons, hymns, ordering of Saints according to dates, preparation of relics and Holy Pictures (icons of the Armenian Church) and the timetable for 2015 commemorations.

The next meeting of the Commission will be held 25-30 April in Saint Etchmiadzin.
Source: The Great House of Cilicia

20140206

The Roman Catholic- Oriental Orthodox joint commission calls for stronger ties


PAMPAKUDA, February 1: The Eleventh meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches have called for steps to ensure deep communion and cooperation that existed among the churches in the early centuries.

The five-day meeting of the International Joint Commission was concluded at Samanvaya Ecumenical Study Centre in Pampakuda*, Kerala, India on February 1.

“The relationship between the Churches should not be based on domination, but on mutuality and cooperation”, the meeting observed, while analyzing the nature and communion of the united and undivided Apostolic Church that existed till the fifth century A.D prior to the Chalcedonian schism.

Representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholicosate of All Armenians), the Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia), the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Roman Catholic Church are attending in the dialogues sessions. Representatives of the Antiochian Syrian Orthodox Church and the Eritrean Orthodox Church were unable to attend.

Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Holy See of Cilicia, and Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Commission for Christian Unity (PCPCU), co-moderated the plenary sessions. On January 28, the commission members held a separate meeting. The Joint Commission held plenary sessions on January 29, 30, 31 and February 1. On January 29,His Holiness Baselius Mar Thoma Paulose II, Catholicos–Patriarch of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, received the Commission members.

The next meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches will be held at the Vatican in Italy from January 24 to 31, 2015.
*Pampakuda is 38 km South East of Kochi and 49 km north of Kottayam town.
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