Oriental Orthodox Church

Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Osthathios passes away

2012-02-17T14:21:00.000Z

Geevarghese Mar Osthathios MTV Photo

KOTTAYAM (KERALA, INDIA): Dr Geevarghese Mar Osthathios, senior Archbishop of Orthodox Church of the East (Indian Orthodox Syrian Church), passed away at St Gregorios Mission Hospital, Parumala, in Pathanamthitta on Thursday February 16, 2012.
Mar Osthathios was the metropolitan of the Niranam diocese from 1975 to 2007. He was a renowned theologian, orator and writer. He was born on December 9, 1918, to Kochitty and Mariamma Kochitty of Munduvelil family in Mavelikkara. He graduated from Leonard Theological College, Jabalpur, and took MA from Drew University in the US. He also studied in Union Seminary, Bangalore.
Mar Osthathios got the order of Korooyo (sub-deacon) from Metropolitan Augen Mar Timotheos on August 9, 1947. He received priesthood on May 10, 1956. He was nominated to the post of Metropolitan by the Malankara Syrian Christian Association which met at Niranam on 2 October 1974. Metropolitan Daniel Mar Philexinos ordained him as a Ramban at St Mary's Cathedral Puthencavu. He was consecrated as a bishop by His Holiness Baselios Augen I, Catholicos of the East on 16 February 1975 at Niranam Valiya Palli. He was appointed a Metropolitan of the Niranam Diocese on April 1, 1975. When H.E. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Chrysostomos Metropolitan took over the charge as the Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese on 3 January 2007 His Eminence was declared as the Senior Metropolitan of the Diocese.
He was a member of Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and Senior faculty of the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam. He has served as president of the Mission Board of the Indian Orthodox Church and the director of St Paul’s Mission Training Centre, Mavelikkara.

He founded several charitable programmes, mission centres and institutions, including Marriage Assistance Foundation, Sick Aid Foundation, Save A Heart Foundation, House Building Aid Fund, Mission Training Centre, MGD Ashram Balabhavan Karunagiri, St Pauls Ashram Puthuppady, Harippad Mission Centre, Yacharam St Gregorios Balagram, among others.

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

2012-02-02T05:56:00.000Z

The members of the Joint International Commission for Theological
Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Church
With Patriarch Abune Paulos of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

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

Ninth Meeting

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 17 to 21, 2012

The ninth meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from January 17 to 21, 2012. The meeting was hosted by His Holiness Abuna Paulos I, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It was chaired jointly by His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and by His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Joining delegates from the Catholic Church were representatives of the following Oriental Orthodox Churches: the Antiochian Syrian Orthodox Church, 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 Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church was able to attend.

The two delegations met separately on the morning of January 17. In the afternoon, the Catholic members attended a prayer service with the local Catholic hierarchy, clergy, religious and faithful, at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady. They were greeted with an address by Abune Berhaneyesus D. Souraphiel, CM, Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia. Cardinal Koch was also invited to speak to the assembly. That same evening, all the members of the commission accepted a gracious invitation from His Excellency Archbishop George Panikulam, Apostolic Nuncio in Ethiopia, to attend a friendship dinner at the Apostolic Nunciature in honor of His Holiness Patriarch Paulos, who also attended the meal.

The Joint Commission held plenary sessions on January 18, 19, and 21. Each day began with Morning Prayer. At the beginning of the meeting Metropolitan Bishoy congratulated one of the Catholic members, Rev. Fr. Paul Rouhana, on his recent election as General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches.

The meeting was formally opened on the morning of January 18 by His Holiness Patriarch Paulos. In his address to the members, the Patriarch said, “It is with great pleasure and gratitude we welcome you, the Co-chairs, co-secretaries and members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. And let our spiritual greetings reach to our most venerable brothers, the Heads of our churches, through you. The history of the church tells us that division between the ancient Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Catholic Church can be traced back to the years after the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, whose Christological teaching was not accepted by the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Henceforth, no dialogue or even trial was made to bring these churches into their original unified status before 451 AD and no attempt and activity resulted in settling an irreversible solution to the division. Obviously the 20th century has brought about new horizons in which relations began to be developed through the Pro Oriente Foundation in Vienna. This process of relations led to the establishment of an official dialogue between the Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Churches in 2003, under the title “International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.” In accordance with the formally prescribed setups of the commission in Rome, we could say the Joint Commission has developed a few articles related to fundamental aspects of ecclesiology. The issue of communion and communication among our ancient churches in the first five centuries, currently undertaken by the commission since January 2010, is perhaps expected to establish good historical understanding of our churches. We think such technical and scholarly selection of items for discussion will bring many more outstanding results beyond the initially expected purpose of the Joint Commission. Therefore, this theological and spiritual contemplation will not only unveil the historical and theological facts that exist in common but also will show us the direction for the future. The ninth meeting of the Joint Commission in Addis Ababa is expected to bring much more progress in your theological examinations of enormous ecclesiastical issues. And we hope that the agendas chosen to be discussed here will be exhausted with utmost attention. To this end we would like to encourage your skilful monitoring of agendas in the Joint commission. As we all know, this is the season of Epiphany, the celebration of the baptism of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church celebrates this liturgical, highly spiritual, and unifying feast colorfully and with magnificent numbers of believers. The theological meaning of this feast is highly significant which reflects the mystery of baptism, making all of us children of God, which is on the other hand inspiring. As I officially open the Ninth meeting of the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue, I wish all success and the grace of God to be with you. May it be a blessed and fruitful meeting to the Glory our Lord, Our God and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that His Divine guidance be in your midst during this meeting. May Almighty God Bless us all, bless our world and give us His everlasting Peace! Amen.”

The papers presented at this meeting included “Martyrdom as an Element of Communion and Communication” by Metropolitan Bishoy, “Martyrdom: An Element of Christian Communio,” by Bishop Paul-Werner Scheele, “Exercise of Ecclesial Communion in the New Testament” by Rev. Fr. Matthew Vellanickal, “The Exercise of Communion as Reflected in the New Testament Writings” by Dr. Kuriakose Theophilose Metropolitan, “Prayer and Liturgy in Religious Life as a Means of Communion and Communication” by Rev. Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB, and “Prayer and Liturgy in the Religious Life: Their Significance for Communion and Communication,” by Rev. Fr. Daniel Seife Michael Feleke.

In these studies, the members noted that, even in the New Testament, there were various expressions of the koinonia of the apostolic churches in their diversity. The understanding of martyrdom was essential to the early Christian experience both in terms of witness to the faith and sacrificial self-offering. The veneration of martyrs emerged early as a point of unity among the churches. Both personal and liturgical prayer of early Christians was rooted in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. The Eucharistic liturgy particularly manifested a common structure and also a variety of traditions that were mutually enriching.

With these studies, the members continued their examination of the ways in which the Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Churches expressed their communion with one another in the period before their division in the middle of the fifth century. Over the course of the next year, a drafting committee will meet to examine the papers presented in the present phase of the dialogue with the intention of producing a draft text to be examined at the 2013 meeting of the Commission. At that meeting, the members will also examine the themes, “The Saints as an Element in the Communion and Communication in the Early Church,” and “The Process of Recognition/Canonization of Saints in History and Today.”

His Holiness the Ethiopian Patriarch invited the members to attend the celebration of Timkat, the Ethiopian Orthodox liturgical commemoration of Epiphany, on January 20. This joyful festival took place outdoors at Jan Meda at the side of a large pool of water and was attended by hundreds of thousands of faithful. Both Metropolitan Bishoy and Cardinal Koch were invited to address the gathering. On that same evening, the Patriarch invited the members to dinner in his residence. On January 21 the Joint Commission met with students and staff from Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Addis Ababa.

The tenth meeting of the International Joint Commission will take place in Rome in January 2013. The members will arrive on Tuesday January 22, have separate meetings on the morning of January 23, plenaries on the afternoon of January 23, as well as the full days of January 24, 25, and 26, and plan to depart on Monday, January 28.

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; H.E. Kuriakose Theophilose, Metropolitan of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary and President of the Ecumenical Secretariat of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church in India, Ernakulam, India;

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 H.G. Bishop Armash Nalbandian of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus); H.E. Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian, General Secretary of Bible Society of Armenia, Etchmiadzin, Armenia (unable to attend);

Armenian Apostolic Church: Holy See of Cilicia: H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy in the USA, New York; H.G. 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, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church; Rev. Fr. Shenouda Maher Ishak, West Henrietta, New York, USA; H.G. Bishop Daniel of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Sydney, Australia (observer); Priest Monk Cedrack Amba Bishoy, Representative of the Coptic Orthodox Church to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (observer);

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

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church: Rev. Fr. Daniel Seife Michael Feleke of Holy Trinity Theological University College in Addis Ababa; Mr. Lique Hiruyan Getachew Guadie (unable to attend); Abba Dr. Hailemariam Melese, Vice Dean of the Holy Trinity Theological College, Addis Ababa (observer);

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church: H.E. Metropolitan Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios, President of the Department of Ecumenical Relations, Diocese of Trivandrum, India; H. E. Metropolitan Dr. Youhanon Mar Demetrios, Bishop of Delhi (co-secretary), Delhi, India; Rev. Dr. Jossi Jacob, Director of the Post Graduate Department and member of the faculty of the Holy Trinity Theological College of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (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;

Most Reverend Youhanna Golta, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop of the Coptic Catholic Patriarchate, Cairo, Egypt (unable to attend);

Most Reverend Jules Mikhael Al-Jamil, Procurator of the Syrian Catholic Patriarchate to the Holy See and Apostolic Visitator in Europe, Rome (unable to attend);

Most Reverend Peter Marayati, Armenian Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo, Syria;

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

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

Rev. Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB, Executive Director, Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, St. 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. Paul Rouhana, OLM, Université Saint-Esprit, Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon, and General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches;

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;

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).

Abune Musié Ghebreghiorghis, Eparch of Emdibir (observer)

Abba Petros Berga Sorballa, Executive Secretary of the Assembly of the Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia (observer)

Addis Ababa, January 21, 2012

Christmas Message

2011-12-24T14:17:00.005Z

In the blessed name of the Tri-une God, Self-existent,

Beginningless and Endless, Perfect in Being, (Glory be to Him)

Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulose II Catholicos of the East and

Malankara Metropolitan enthroned on the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas

No. 491/2011

Blessings to our beloved Vicars of the parishes, Priests of the locality, Kaikkarans of the parishes and all members of the Church!

Dearly beloved,

Once again we are blessed with a season of Nativity. Christmas reminds us our vocation to our Savior’s childhood. This reminder but gives us significant responsibilities. We cannot lead a life as we please, but we ought to make ourselves analogous to the will of God. Staying in the premises of our lives, the challenges that we face are diverse and those may often tend to break us; but this higher sense of vocation that we have been called to be His child should in every way give us the impetus to go forward. Yes, this great event had made us His ‘heir’. Let the Feast which revealed to us that there is space in the heart of Jesus Christ for all creatures, make us more spiritual. Let us dedicate ourselves in holiness to prepare a manger in our hearts so as to equip ourselves to face the challenges of the age in the power of the Holy Spirit.

May this Christmas not be a commercial event for us but this may bring each one of us the sense of our vocation. May the peace of this season continue to sustain and reflect in you to be carried over to a very blessed New Year. We wish and pray that the Almighty grant you all a Christmas of spiritual renewal and joy and a blissful New Year.

May the Grace and Blessings of the God Almighty abide with you forever. May the prayers of the Mother of our God, the Holy Virgin Mary, St. Thomas the Apostle of India, our Holy Fathers Mar Gregorios, Mar Dionysius and all the Holy Saints be a stronghold for us. Amen.

Our Father who art in Heaven.........................

Baselios Marthoma Paulose II

From Catholicate Aramana
Devalokam, Kottayam, Kerala, India
On December 05, 2011.

pdf version

Message from their Holinesses and Beatitudes the Patriarchs to their Communities and Citizens in Syria Message from the Heads of Churches their Holinesses and Beatitudes the Patriarchs to their communities and citizens in Syria

2011-12-24T13:48:00.000Z

Their Holinesses and Beatitudes Ignatios Hazim IV Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Greek Orthodox. Mor Ignatios Zakka I IWas Patriarch of Antioch and All the East for the Syrian Orthodox. Gregorios III Laham Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Alexandria and Jerusalem of the Greek Melkite Catholic.
The Patriarchs met at St Ephrem the Syriac Monastery in Ma’arat Saydnaya on the morning of Thursday 15th December 2011. They examined the situation which our beloved country Syria is passing through for the last nine months of events.
The Patriarchs explored the events and its outcomes which have caused pain and suffering to the country and to the people in all aspects of life.
The Patriarchs expressed:
- their deep pain about what is occurring, and their sorrow for the loss of the lives.
- their fear about the decline of the economic situation.
- their acute wishes to see Syria recovering its wounds
The Patriarchs hoped that:
- citizens of Syria may come back to each other in love, tolerance, cooperation and wisdom.
- the nation’s interest may favor any other interest
- the people may return to their authenticity and heritage, and to their conscious and faith in dealing with each other; and in solving their problems by their own.
The Patriarchs rejected all sorts of foreign intervention from any foreign party.
They called for lifting up the sanctions which were imposed on Syria under any excuse.
The Patriarchs rejected resorting to the use of any type of violence.
The Patriarchs called for:
- peace and reconciliation between all the people under the name of God and the nation.
- respect the principles of justice, freedom, human dignity, social justice and citizenship rights.
The Patriarchs encouraged the steps of reforms and positive actions which the government has lately recognized.
The Patriarchs are lifting up their warmth prayers, in one mouth and one heart, to God Almighty so that He may:
- bless the souls of those who died
- console the hearts of those who lost people
- protect Syria and guide it to the shore of safety, peace, sovereignty, and prosperity
The Patriarchs are calling on everybody to join them in their prayers. They ask people not to let the fear enter their hearts because not one single piece of hair will fall from the heads without God’s permission, as our Lord Jesus Christ taught us.
During this Advent times, their Holinesses and Beatitudes are approaching all their spiritual sons and daughters, as well as the citizens of Syria with wholehearted wishes. They are asking the Lord Jesus, the God before all ages, who took the flesh of humans for our salvation, to place in our hearts the joy and peace which the angels proclaimed at the night of Jesus’ birth; together with the intercession of the Mother of God Mary, everlasting Virgin and all the Saints.

St Ephrem Monastery – Ma’arat Saydnaya – Syria
15 December 2011

Courtesy: syrianorthodoxchurch

New Archbishop for the Indian Orthodox diocese of Delhi

2011-12-23T14:42:00.002Z

His Eminence

Dr. Yuhananon Mar Demetriuss

KOTTAYAM, Kerala state, India: The managing committee of Indian Orthodox Syrian Church which met here on 20th December 2011 Tuesday has made recommendation for appointing His Eminence Archbishop Yuhananon Mar Demetrius as the new head of the Delhi diocese of the church.
Bishop Demetrius, so far functioning as the assistant metropolitan of Delhi is being elevated to the new post following the demise of his predecessor His Eminence Metropolitan Job Mar Philoxenos on November 20.

Syria: A sad Christmas for Damascus Christians

2011-12-23T13:35:00.000Z

Subdued out of respect for dead, but 'we are united'

21 December, 11:56
(ANSAmed) - DAMASCUS, DECEMBER 21 - No Christmas lights are strung up around Damascus, and not even a decorated tree can be found in the Christian quarter of the Old City, where even the churches are bare of adornments. ''Out of the respect for the dead,'' the Christian community seem to say in unison in Syria, where they account for 10% of the population and have long been one of the most integrated in an Arab country. It is for the latter reason that they have oftentimes shown their support for Assad's regime, which they feel protected by. And it is for this every reason that now - aware of the crisis afflicting the country - they are calling for Syrian unity.

The community is doing its part by renouncing all ''superfluous' Christmas symbols, observing the holiday solely through religious celebrations and within their families. ''There will be celebrations as always, but due to the situation and out of respect for so many who have died, in our church and our family we have decided to spend Christmas in our houses and limit the use of lights and decorations,'' said Milad, whose name means 'Christmas'. Milad works with his father in one of the many goldsmith shops of the souk, whose owners are almost all Christians. ''In Syria there is a problem at the moment,'' he said, ''there is a need for reform, but the situation is not like what some media outlets make it seem. And so the arrival of observers is a good thing. However, we must stay united, more than before, for our future.'' Concerns over what the future may hold in store are palpable. ''There have never been religious tensions here,'' said Iria, a 71-year-old Christian Protestant in her tiny linen shop in the Christian quarter of Damascus's Old City, ''we have always lived in harmony. We are now worried because there are people shooting and killing and we do not know who they are. And we don't know what will happen if the regime falls - in Egypt, after what happened, the Muslim Brotherhood are now taking over.

We do not know what could happen here, but we have always lived in harmony and we want to continue to do so.'' These are fears that Bishop Louka El Khouri, from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, seems to want to exorcise. ''The Christian community in Syria is very strong, and as Christians we are not afraid - because we love our country and will stay in our country and we do not believe the media which tell us we should leave it. We will stay and live with our Islamic brethren.'' He then said that the Damascus Bishops Council meets every month and holds meetings also with Islamic representatives. ''At the beginning of the month the council met to discuss the situation. We are here for anyone who needs support. Even Muslims: every day I receive at least 10 Islamic friends.'' The support is almost always spiritual, however, and almost never material: the bishop says that the community does not fear any economic difficulties due to the lasting of the crisis which has led even to the inflicting of heavy sanctions. Among the Old City shopkeepers, however, it is inevitable that the effects are being felt. ''Of course revenues are down,'' said Basil, a Muslim who sells almost exclusively Christmas decorations and who said that he had only sold 20% of what he had last year.

''But it doesn't matter,'' he said, ''it is a choice made by Christians and we agree with them. Because we are united and at the moment there is no happiness in the country.''(ANSAmed).

http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/nations/syria/2011/12/21/visualizza_new.html_16586294.html

H E Mar Severius Ishak Zakka, the Metropolitan of Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, dies at 80

2011-12-22T14:56:00.000Z

Mar Severius Ishak Zakka

MOSUL, IRAQ, December 21: His Eminence Mar Severius Ishak Zakka, the Metropolitan of Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch dies at a hospital in Bhkkadidha (Baghdaida), Qarakhosh (Qarakosh) on Monday December 19th, 2011 at the age of 80. His Eminence was admitted to the hospital due to a prolonged illness.

His Eminence Mar Severius Ishak Saka was born in Bartella, near to Mosul, Iraq in 1931 and was consecrated as metropolitan on 22 February 1981. His Eminence was the Metropolitan for St. Aphrem Seminary and In Charge for the Higher Studies and Research in Syriac and Former Metropolitan (Dayaraya) for Mar Mathai Dayara (St. Matthew monastery), Mosul, Iraq.

The funeral of His Eminence Mar Severius Ishak Zakka, was held on Tuesday 20th December 2011 at Mar Mathai Dayara (St. Matthew monastery), Mosul, the place the His Eminence served for a long period as a monk (Dayaraya). Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim (Archbishop of Aleppo and Environs in Syria) led the service as the envoy of His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. At the end of the funeral service, Mar Gregorios labeled the body with Holy Oil (Zayto) and covered the face with `shushefo' veil. Mar Gregorios Saliba Shamoun (Retired Metropolitan of Mosul), Mar Dionysius Yuhanon Kawaq (Director of Patriarchal Office), Mar Nicodemos Dawood Matti (Archbishop of Mosul and Environs) assisted Mar Gregorios. Bishops and priests of sister Churches and hundreds of people thronged the Mar Mathai Dayara, on last two days to pay last respects to the departed Metropolitan.

Delhi Archbishop of the Indian Orthodox Church passes away

2011-11-21T09:43:00.000Z

New Delhi: The Archbishop of Delhi Diocese of the Indian Orthodox Church, His Eminence Job Mar Philoxenos, passed away on 20th November 2011 Sunday morning due to renal failure following prolonged illness. He was 72.

The Archbishop breathed his last at the Kolencherry Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College Hospital in Kerala where he was admitted since September. Philoxenos had a history of kidney-related ailments and had undergone a transplant in 1993.
The funeral would be held at the Dayara on November 22 afternoon. Catholicos of the East His Holiness Baselios Paulose II would be the main celebrant at the funeral ceremony.

He was only the second Archbishop of the Delhi Diocese ever since it was formed in 1975, a statement said.

Born on May 8, 1939, to K C Thomas and Achamma of Kanianthara family, Job Mar Philexinos Metropolitan is the grandnephew of Catholicos of the East, the late Baselios Mar Geevarghese II. His mother was a niece of His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II. He had his primary education at St John’s School, Mepral, and PMV School, Peringara. At 16, he joined Mount Tabore Dayara as a novice.

He was ordained a Deacon on May 26, 1956. In 1962, he was ordained a full Deacon at Parumala, and on May 11, 1972, as a priest. He took Masters degree in English Literature from St Joseph’s College in Tiruchirappalli. In 1969, he became a lecturer at St Stephen’s College, Pathanapuram. He was the head of the English Department and later became the vice-principal of the college. In 1974, he was appointed vicar of St John’s Orthodox Church, Mepral. Mar Philexinos was installed a Ramban on March 31, 1990, at St Peter’s and St Paul’s Orthodox Church at Parumala.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy pays homage to
His Eminence Job Mar Philoxenos- Courtesy: mathrubhumi

In 1989, the Malankara Syrian Christian Association had elected him as a Bishop of the Church. He was ordained the Bishop of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (Indian Orthodox Church) on April 30, 1991 at Parumala Church. He was appointed assistant Metropolitan of Delhi Diocese. He took full charge of the Delhi Diocese after his predecessor Paulos Mar Gregorios passed away in 1996.

He was elevated as Metropolitan (Archbishop) on August 27, 2002, at Devalokam, Kottayam.

Mar Philoxenos is known for his initiatives to encourage women in the Church to the forefront and using Internet actively as a means to connect to Orthodox believers. He took the initiative to institute the Paulose Mar Gregorios Memorial Award, which was won by eminent national and international personalities, including Dalai Lama, socialn activist Baba Amte, father of White Revolution V Kurien, Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala founder P K Warrier, and statesman Karan Singh.

Mar Philexinos was instrumental in taking up Shantigram Social Service project in Mandavar in Haryana, formation of self-help group for the womenfolk of Mandavar, retreat Centre at Sohna in Haryana, the first medical mission of the Orthodox Church in Delhi among others.

--Delhi Orthodox Church Centre Thuglakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi – 1110 062
Tel.: 011-29956417/29955203

Joint Declaration of the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches

2011-11-18T14:13:00.000Z

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, H.H. Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, H.H. Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Orthodox Church and H.H. Abuna Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, give thanks to God for bringing us together here in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday, 14 November 2011, to pray together and to reflect together on matters and concerns pertaining to our Churches and the Oriental Orthodox Family in general. We were accompanied by metropolitans, archbishops and bishops of our Churches.

In fact, the Churches of the Oriental Orthodox Family are united in faith, theology, doctrine, tradition and spirituality. This strong bond of unity has sustained this Family and became a source of spiritual strength, missionary outreach and social action in spite of tremendous challenges and crisis which surrounded these Churches in the course of their long history. The unity of faith of our Family is grounded on Apostolic Tradition and the teachings of the first three Ecumenical Councils of Nicea (325), Constantinople (381) and Ephesus (431). We developed our theological teachings and shaped our doctrinal positions on the basis of the teachings of these Ecumenical Councils, and adopted a common position in respect to heresies and heretics.

It is vitally important that we re-affirm and re-strengthen our unity, and re-invigorate our Christian witness. In a world which is constantly threatened by secularistic and materialistic ideologies and different sort of heresies which may jeopardize the integrity, identity and unity of our faith, therefore, re-organizing and re-revitalizing our intra-family collaboration is of decisive importance. The Oriental Orthodox Family has a long and rich history. Its relevance needs to be re-affirmed and its common witness to be re-activated in those regions and countries where the faithful of our Churches have organized their church and community life.

For H.H. Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I, H.H. Catholicos Aram I and H.H. Abuna Paulos, participating in the 40th anniversary celebration of the enthronement of H.H. Pope Shenouda III was indeed a source of spiritual joy and a unique opportunity to express our brotherly love and unity. The pontificate of His Holiness has been one of dedicated service to the sister Coptic Orthodox Church; a committed service marked by so many achievements in different spheres of the life and mission of the Church. We pray the Almighty God to strengthen H.H. Pope Shenouda III to carry on his pontifical ministry with renewed commitment and vision.

We appeal to our faithful to remain firm in their Christian faith and participate fully in the witness of our Churches. May God lead our Churches in faithfulness to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Glory be to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

14 November 2011
Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate
Cairo, Egypt

Pope Shenouda III

Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I

Catholicos Aram I

Patriarch Paulos

CBI questions head of Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch in murder case

2011-10-22T13:33:00.000+01:00

Malankara Varghese murder case leads to Church

Mar Ignatius Zakka-Iof Antioch with the Catholicose of
Puthencruz Mar Baselios Thomas I

Kochi (Kerala,India), October 21, 2011: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) unit, Thiruvananthapuram, on Friday 21th October quizzed His Beatitude Baselios Thomas-I, the Catholicos of Puthencruz and the Metropolitan of Angamaly Diocese of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church of Antioch, in connection with the Malankara Varghese murder case at the CBI office here.The Catholicos of Puthencruz appeared before the CBI at its office in Kochi. According to CBI sources, the Catholicos of Puthencruz was closeted with investigating officials for three hours.

T M Varghese, also known as Malankara Varghese, a member of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church’s managing committee, was hacked to death by a gang outside a car workshop on the MC Road near Perumbavoor on December 5, 2002. The CBI took over the investigation following a High Court directive in 2007.

The CBI made the first breakthrough in the case when in April last year it arrested Joy Varghese alias Cement Joy, who confessed he had hired criminals to murder Malankara Varghese, a member of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church’s managing committee in December 2002 for a large sum of money.

Malankara Varghese

The murder is believed to be a fallout of the long standing feud between the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, headquartered in Kottayam, and the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church of Antioch, which has its headquarters in Ernakulam district. The thirty-six-old feud between the two churches has always been a bother for successive governments in the state and, on several occasions in the past, feuds between the followers of the two churches have ended in brawls.

Joy Varghese later admitted to the role of Fr Varghese Thekkekara, a priest and the manager of the Angamaly Diocese of the rival Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, in the conspiracy in the murder of Malankara Varghese. In May last year, the CBI filed its chargesheet, naming priest Varghese Thekekara, manager of the Angamali diocese of the Syrian Jacobite Church, as the first accused in the murder of Malankara Varghese.

In February this year, Saramma Varghese, widow of the murdered Malankara Varghese, said that without the help of church higher-ups, this would not have happened. She later filed a petition before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court, Ernakulam that the investigation could not be completed without questioning the church higher-ups and the magistrate gave the nod to the CBI to go ahead with their job.

The Indo-Asian News Service (IANS)
Express News Service , The New Indian Express

Malankara Orthodox condemns violence against Coptic Christians

2011-10-18T12:37:00.001+01:00

,

Ahmedabad: H E Pullikkottil Dr Geevarghese Yulios, Metropolitan of Ahmedbad Diocese of the Indian Orthodox Church of the East, has issued a Kalpana supporting the cause of the Coptic Christians who have been subjected to serious violence in Egypt. Sectarian clashes had killed 24 people, mainly Coptic Christians, last week. Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios has issued a Kalpana from Bengaluru from where he is presently camping begins with offering prayers to Almighty for the Coptic Church.
It goes further: “The perpetrators of violence on Copts in which many people were killed this month in clashes during a demonstration over an attack on a church are condemnable. Action has not been undertaken to solve the problems of Egypt’s Coptic Christians headed by His Holiness Pope Shenuda III.”

“The Christian faith denounces violence. Some strangers infiltrated our sons and commit the wrongs for which the Copts have been blamed,” the church has rightly said in a statement.
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church strongly condemns such acts by the Egyptian military and it extends full support towards their just cause. The church also extends its help and prays for them to tide over their present hour of crisis.

Last week, HH Pope Shenuda III, head of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, had called upon all the Oriental Christian churches to support their cause and fast for 3 days.

The Kalpana further notes the Copts felt that these problems occurred repeatedly without the perpetrators being held to account, the law being enforced or root causes of the problems resolved. The government’s decision after the deadly unrest that it would prepare within a month a legislation to lift restrictions on church building and banning demonstrations outside places of worship is welcome.

Dr Mar Yulios has wished the Copts blessings and to enable them to continue God’s Ministry. Christians, make up about 10 per cent of Egypt’s 80 million people. Islamists have been using disputes over the legal status of some church buildings to stir up sectarian conflict.

Source: orthodoxchurch.in

Maspero clashes a conspiracy by SCAF, say political powers, witnesses

2011-10-14T14:43:00.000+01:00

By Heba Fahmy / Daily News Egypt October 13, 2011, 6:20 pm

CAIRO: The events of Oct. 9 were a full-fledged conspiracy led by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to kill peaceful protesters, Muslims and Christians, according to a statement released Thursday by 29 political powers and public figures at a press conference Thursday.
"SCAF faced the peaceful march with live ammunition and armored trucks that ran over Egyptian citizens in a massacre that saw unprecedented violence," the statement read.
The political powers called for trying all those involved in the Maspero massacre, including the chief of military police General Hamdy Badin, Minister of Information Osama Heikal and the Governor of Aswan, Mostafa Al-Sayed.
They also called for cleansing state media and canceling the Ministry of Information, in addition to heeding to the Copts’ demands and issuing a unified houses of worship law.
The political powers and public figures included the Coalition of the Revolutionary Youth, the April 6 Youth Movement, the Democratic Labor and the Free Egyptian parties, in addition to actor Amr Waked and business tycoon Naguib Sawiris.
During the conference, a video was played showing armored trucks driven by armed military police running over protesters.
In one clip, a military officer is riding a public bus following the clashes, telling the people surrounding the bus, "I shot one of them with three bullets" as the crowd cheered and applauded him.
Several eye-witnesses backed the statement and recounted the bloody clashes at the conference.
"Once we entered the street near Ramses Hilton heading towards Maspero, we were faced with bullets, rocks, armored vehicles and tear gas," said Mary Daniel, sister of activist Mina, 25, who died in the clashes.
"The scene was more than horrific," she added.
Lobna Darwish, 25, said the march from Shubra started out with families, including children and grandfathers raising crosses.
When it approached Maspero, Darwish recalled, a row of riot police charged at the protesters and started beating them. First the riot police were firing in the air and then they started firing at the people, she said.
Darwish added that she saw four armored trucks deliberately run over people.
"At first when I saw the first tuck, I thought it was an individual case of a military officer who went crazy," she said. "But there were four armored personel carriers [APCs] running over the people again and again."
In a press conference Wednesday, the ruling military council denied that army forces used live ammunition against the Maspero protesters on Sunday, or that personnel intentionally used armored vehicles to run over civilians.
The council neither confirmed nor denied whether the army vehicles that crushed protesters were in fact driven by army personnel or civilians who got hold of the APCs.
Khaled Aly, member of the Egyptian Center for Social and Economic Rights, slammed the army's statements.
"The army never protected our revolution," Aly said. "Who attacked the revolutionaries on March 9 and April 9 in Tahrir Square? Who killed Mina Daniel?"
The military police cracked down on protesters in Tahrir Square on March 9 and April 9, and were accused of torturing those detained in the Egyptian museum and forcing female protesters to undergo virginity tests when they were temporariy held in military prison.
Aly said that fire trucks washed the streets in front of Maspero of all the evidence at 4 am Monday only hours after the deadly violence.
Aly questioned the role of the Prosecutor General and demanded that the case not be investigated by the military prosecution.
Magda Adly, a doctor at Nadim Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence, echoed Aly’s sentiment, saying a “neutral committee needs to investigate the incident, not the military council because the council is involved in the clashes."
Adly, who witnessed the autopsies of some of the victims, said that at least seven died of gunshot wounds while 10 were run over by very heavy objects.
"We couldn't find the bullets inside the [victims’] bodies," Adly said.
Three of the bodies Adly saw suffered fractured ribs.
Adly added that there were reports that some of the bodies were thrown in the Nile by riot police and military forces. A complaint was filed to the Prosecutor General to search for these bodies.
Manal Khaled, an employee at the state TV building said that military police informed the employees to leave the building by 2 pm, because the building would be closed as a precaution against mass protests expected to be held by armed Copts later in the day.
"They told us that armed Copts would come to the TV building and [violent clashes] would erupt," she said.
Khaled left the building at 4 pm and said she saw a small group of "peaceful, unarmed," Coptic protesters, calling for the rights to build churches.
Later in the evening, Khaled headed towards Maspero again after hearing about the clashes.
She saw injured military officers entering Maspero for first aid, but added that the medical department at Maspero wasn’t equipped to deal with any serious injuries.
"I can only assume that the military officers had mild injuries, otherwise they would've been referred to an equipped hospital or they were just putting on a show," she said.
One of Khaled's colleagues told her that riot police wouldn't let him leave the building at 6 pm, saying that they had orders to fire on protesters.
Khaled also saw a group of ultra conservative Muslims, shouting "Islamic, Islamic" and holding clubs on Galaa Street near Maspero.
"One of them stopped me and asked whether I was a Muslim or a Christian," she said.
Amr Ghoneim, a Muslim who participated in the march, also said that a group of conservative Muslims appeared near Maspero saying that they were informed by interior ministry officers that Copts were burning copies of the Quran in front of Maspero.
"We had to convince them that we were Muslims and get them to listen to us," he said.
The witnesses said that they were attacked with rocks under Shoubra bridge, but weren't sure where the attacks came from.
"Until when will Egypt continue to suck the blood of its [own] children?" Daniel asked. “Mina dreamed of the day where he would see Egypt beautiful and free.”

Source:http://www.thedailynewsegypt.com/egypt/maspero-clashes-a-conspiracy-by-scaf-say-political-powers-witnesses.html

Statement of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on the Egyptian Military's Massacre of Copts

2011-10-14T12:35:00.000+01:00

The Russian Orthodox Church has followed the developments in Egypt with concern and bitterness. Blood has been spilt and Christian churches have been destroyed again. There is another manifestation of growing intolerance towards Christians and their legal and physical vulnerability in the Egyptian society.

Our Church knows from her recent history what the suffering of innocent people and destruction of churches are. We raise our voice in defence of our Egyptian brothers in faith and call upon the world community not to be indifferent to this lawlessness. The United Nations and other international organizations and leading world powers capable of influencing the policy of the new authorities in Egypt should unequivocally come out against the persecution of Christians and do everything to help establish interreligious peace and security in the region.

The tragic ordeals the Egyptian Christians are undergoing so courageously are links in the same chain which has already brought out a new and ever growing wave of emigration. Egypt is a country in which the Christian and Muslim communities have lived together for centuries. The aggression against Christians lies on the conscience of destructive radical forces whose motives are not at all religious. We appeal to the leaders of the Islamic world to express a clear condemnation of the violence against Christians, to respect their right to openly confess their faith and to preserve their religious and cultural traditions. At an hour when the very future of Christian-Muslim dialogue is threatened, religious leaders should demonstrate in deed their commitment to peace and mutual understanding.

We called upon the Egyptian authorities to put an end immediately to the violence against the ancient Coptic community, to the murders of Christians, to the defilement of churches and shrines. It is insufficient to declare commitment to the principles of justice and human rights; rather it is necessary to ensure the real observance of freedom of conscience in the country. The historical Christian community in Egypt should have the right to confess its faith freely and safely and to preserve its old churches and to build new ones.

The Russian Church once again expresses her support for the suffering Egyptian brothers in Christ, calling them to preserve the spirit of peace, to defy provocations, to be faithful to our Saviour in their suffering.

+ Kirill

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

Source: lacopts.org

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III Addresses Copts around the World on the Massacre of Copts in Maspero

2011-10-14T12:24:00.000+01:00

The Pope spoke about the martyrs of the Maspero clashes on Wednesday during his weekly sermon at St. Mark's Cathedral.

CAIRO, Oct.12: Before the Pope Shenouda III began his weekly sermon, he gave his condolences to the congregation for the Maspiro Martyrs. “Those that protested peacefully without bearing arms”, he continued referring to those who were killed, “walked from Shubra to Maspiro in the open, without weapons, full of courage.”
The crowd responded loudly with chants saying “Raise your head up, you are Coptic”, a slogan that has become popular during Coptic protests.

He confirmed 24 dead and over 300 injured. “The scale of these casualties has never been seen to this extent before!”, the Pope said. “Autopsy showed two thirds of the martyrs died from bullet wounds and a third died by being run over by army vehicles”, after which many were angered in the crowd.
“These beloved sons of ours are loved by us and their blood is not cheap! For their love to God and for God’s love to them, He allowed them to go to heaven before us. They are looking down from above and are praying for us. We salute them with all the prayers of the clergy, monks and the congregation.”
The Pope concluded this segment by saying, “Rest assured that God has witnessed everything and God will do according to his divine good will.”

—Fr. Moses Samaan ,Thursday, October 13, 2011

English description and quotes provided by Coptic World

Source:
http://www.lacopts.org/news/his-holiness-pope-shenouda-iii-addresses-copts-around-the-world-the-massacre-of-copts-in

Abba Seraphim offers condolences to H.H. Pope Shenouda

2011-10-13T14:02:00.000+01:00

Your Holiness, dear Father in God,

For the second time this year it is my melancholy duty to send to you the profound condolences of your British Orthodox clergy and faithful at the deaths of so many faithful Christians who were peacefully protesting against recent attacks on Coptic churches. We join wholeheartedly in the three days of prayer and fasting and share the grief and shock which the loss of so many innocent lives deserves.

We also extend our deep sympathy to the families and friends of all the departed as well as well as those who were injured in the vicious and unwarranted attacks which took place.

We earnestly pray for peace and justice in Egypt so that all sections of society may be united in rebuilding a free and fair society so that the people of Egypt may be united together in common cause for the benefit of all.
We thank God for preserving Your Holiness in health and safety to lead the church and ask Him to uphold you in your sacred ministry.

Commending myself to Your Holiness’s prayers.

Your loving and faithful son-in-Christ,

+Seraphim

Metropolitan of Glastonbury and Head of the British Orthodox Church

Source: British Orthodox Church

Roman Pope, at audience, condemns attack on Christians in Egypt

2011-10-12T15:19:00.001+01:00

By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY, Oct-12-2011 (CNS) -- Condemning an attack on unarmed Christians in Egypt, Roman Pope Benedict XVI said that during the country's transition to democracy, all of its citizens and institutions must work to guarantee the rights of minorities.

At the end of his weekly general audience Oct. 12, Pope Benedict said he was "profoundly saddened" by the deaths Oct. 9 of at least 26 people, mostly Christians, after peaceful protesters were attacked by gangs, and then a speeding military vehicle ran into them and officers fired on the crowd. Hundreds of people were injured.

The pope said Egypt, which has been transitioning to democracy since the February ousting of President Hosni Mubarak, has been "lacerated by attempts to undermine peaceful coexistence among its communities."

Safeguarding harmony and cooperation is essential for a future of true democracy, he said.

The pope asked Catholics to pray that Egypt would "enjoy true peace based on justice and respect for the freedom and dignity of every citizen."

"In addition, I support the efforts of Egyptian civil and religious authorities in favor of a society in which the human rights of all -- especially minorities -- are respected to the benefit of national unity," the pope said.

Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population; 90 percent of its 82 million inhabitants are Muslim.

Bishop Camillo Ballin, apostolic vicar of Northern Arabia and outgoing general secretary of the conference of Latin-rite bishops in Arab countries, told the Vatican newspaper that the bishops are worried about the shifting tone of the changes occurring in countries throughout the region.

"Christians are afraid. In Egypt, like in other countries such as Iraq, Syria and Yemen, people live under an atmosphere of continuous tension. Our people are exposed to violence and see a lack of protection," said the bishop, who attended the pope's general audience.

Bishop Adel Zaky, apostolic vicar of Alexandria, Egypt, was also present. He told the newspaper that Egyptians need prayers and the encouragement of the international community to respect human rights and protect minorities.

Egypt also needs to hold elections, he said. Balloting for the lower house of parliament has been promised for late November as a first step toward ending military rule. "One cannot rule with an iron fist," Bishop Zaky said. "For too long there has been a climate of violence, which has led to the burning of churches, to maltreatment, but especially to the death of many innocent people."

Comboni Father Luciano Verdoscia, a missionary in Egypt, said that over the past 40 years successive governments have exploited differences between Christians and Muslims in the country, and tensions were increased by money and influence from Islamic groups outside the country.

But Father Verdoscia said Western countries also share some of the blame. "I fear that Western governments are interested in preserving their economic interests at the expense of individual rights. They do not have the ethical strength to denounce discrimination against minorities in Middle Eastern countries," he told Fides, the Vatican's missionary news agency.

Father Rafic Greiche, spokesman for the Catholic Church in Egypt, told Vatican Radio a lack of government activity is partly to blame for the rise in violence.

"It all stems from the government's failure to enact a law that regulates the building of places of worship, be they churches or mosques, which they promised to do months ago," Father Greiche said. The Christian protesters had been rallying to call for an end to attempts to burn down churches that some critics say are being built illegally.

Father Greiche said, "At the time of the old regime of Mubarak, there were also churches being burned and it was the security forces that always used to take care of us. Now even the government does not give a damn about what is happening."

In his main audience talk to about 14,000 people in St. Peter's Square, Pope Benedict spoke about the joy and gratitude reflected in Psalm 126 and how Christians have an obligation to recognize the gifts God have given them and to offer thanks.

"In our prayer we must look more often at how, in the events of our lives, the Lord has protected us, guided us and helped us and we must praise him for what he has done and still does for us. We must be more attentive to the good things the Lord does; we always notice the problems and difficulties -- it's almost like we don't want to see there are good things that come from the Lord," the pope said.

- - -
Courtsy: Catholic News Service

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I EXPRESSES HIS CONDOLENCES TO POPE SHENOUDA III OF THE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH

2011-10-12T15:19:00.000+01:00

FRESNO, ANTELIAS - Yesterday, 10 October 2011, while on a pastoral visit to the USA, Catholicos Aram I wrote to His Holiness Pope Shenouda III conveying his condolences for the death of innocent people by the Egyptian security forces during a peaceful demonstration in Cairo.

In his letter, His Holiness Aram I expressed his solidarity with Pope Shenouda III, as well as he expressed his concern for the rights of Copts in Egypt. He then reminded that Christian-Muslim dialogue is the only way to living together in mutual understanding and respect.

Archbishop Mushegh of the Western Prelacy contacted Metropolitan Serapion of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese in California and transmitted the condolences of His Holiness Aram I.

http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/English/cathcilnewseng.htm#2

Thousands mourn victims of Maspero violence; church blames 'infiltrators'

2011-10-11T14:25:00.000+01:00

Thousands congregated inside the Abbasiya Cathedral to
mourn the martyrs. (Daily News Egypt Photo — Hassan Ibrahim)

By Omnia Al Desoukie/Daily News Egypt October 10, 2011, 8:15 pm

CAIRO: Egypt’s Orthodox Church called on Christians around the world to pray and fast for three days to mourn the martyrs of Sunday’s violence.
The church’s Holy Synod condemned in a statement what it described as "an attack on Copts."
Deadly clashes between army forces and protesters resulted in the death of 25 and around 330 injuries on Sunday night when a march to Maspero — demanding Coptic rights and condemning an earlier attack against a church in Aswan — was itself met with violence.
A statement released by the Holy Synod after a meeting with Pope Shenouda accused "infiltrators” of fueling the clashes.
"Copts feel that their problems are recurring without anyone being held accountable, without enforcing the law and without presenting any solutions for the root causes," the statement read.
Head of the Episcopal Community in Egypt and the Middle East Bishop Mounir Hanna Anis said in a statement that the way sectarian issues are dealt with leads to more strife.
"Reluctance to take necessary legal actions against whoever fuels sectarian strife that weakens the state of law all lead to escalating tensions," he said, adding that resorting to reconciliation sessions is "shameful."
Thousands of Copts attending a mass at the Abbasiya Cathedral mourned their dead and many were furious at the ruling military council. Eyewitnesses say army forces used heavy-handed violence against peaceful protestors and that army vehicles ran over protesters on Sunday night.
Sunday saw the deadliest clashes since the ouster of former president Hosni Mubarak. A curfew was imposed from 2 am to 7 am on Oct. 10 in Tahrir Square and surrounding areas, all the way to Abbasiya.
By morning, the situation had calmed but devastated families mourning their loved ones could not be consoled.
Some of the injured were taken to the Coptic Hospital in central Cairo, where hundreds of Copts had gathered early on Monday. The hospital had taken in at least 17 dead and numerous wounded protesters.
Inside the morgue, dead bodies were laid on the floor, a number of which with visible bullet wounds. One victim’s face was crushed, and according to eyewitnesses, he was one of several protesters run over by army vehicles.
Various eyewitnesses told Daily News Egypt that nine bodies were thrown into the Nile but this could not be independently verified.
Throughout the day, chants resounded around the hospital and at the Cathedral: “Raise your head high, you are a Christian,” and “Down, down with Tantawy.”
A dozen young angry Copts attacked a police car on a side street near the church, venting frustration over police involvement in brutality towards citizens. But others on the scene asked them to stop.
Ramy Atef, 26, suffered a broken leg and said that an army vehicle ran him over almost completely, but people managed to pull him away. “Is this Essam Sharaf, the revolution’s prime minister? Where is that revolution?” he said.
A Coptic lawyer who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Every event that takes place in Egypt against Copts is never investigated properly. Why did they open fire on peaceful protesters while they did not against those who attacked the Israeli embassy?”
Presidential hopeful Bothaina Kamel, who joined the protesters on Sunday, said she sought shelter at Al-Hurra channel’s office along with some protesters once the violence started, adding that they could hear attackers in the building saying “Allah Akbar (God is Great).”
“By the time we got out, we found the stairs were broken. To pass by any of the street checkpoints we had to prove that we were Muslims,” said Kamel.
Egypt’s Coptic community makes up around 10 percent of the population and has long complained of discrimination and demanded equal rights. While many are quick to point out the marginalization of Egypt’s Copts, less are inclined to label the country as a sectarian state.
Many observers have said that these underlying issues are often manipulated by authorities seeking to cling to power, an accusation often leveled against the Mubarak regime.
Incidents such as Sunday night’s events are usually followed by widespread calls for national unity and shows of solidarity between Muslims and Christians.
The latest crackdown has brought these issues back in the spotlight.
“Why didn't they [security forces] do this with the Salafis or the Muslim Brotherhood when they organize protests?” said Sami Raouf, one of the protesters.
Confusion at the morgue
Early in the day, families at the Coptic Hospital debated whether to send the victims for autopsies. While some demanded that autopsies be performed, others objected. Priests at the hospital had attempted to convince families to allow doctors to conduct autopsies, but they refused.
An exclusive meeting was convened to make a final decision, comprising the Coptic Hospital’s director Dr Moheb Ibrahim Fanous and members of the general prosecution, national security and two priests. Only three journalists, including a reporter from Daily News Egypt, were allowed in.
Death certificates were initially issued without families’ consent, but the family of deceased activist Mina Daniel stormed the meeting and demanded that autopsies be conducted first.
“We want to know exactly what killed our son — an army bullet or a civilian bullet or what?” his mother said.
Later on, the Orthodox Church approved the procedure and some families agreed. Those who did not, however, laid the bodies of their loved ones to rest after a mass at Abbasiya Cathedral on Monday.
The hospital itself does not house a forensics department, but it was agreed that personnel would be brought in from the Zeinhom Morgue. At time of press, autopsies had been completed on all victims.
Families of those who were buried earlier said an autopsy will just be another injustice, citing the case of Khaled Saeid.
Thousands mourn in mass
By the time four coffins arrived at the cathedral, thousands of distraught Copts had congregated inside and outside, mourning and chanting against the ruling military council.
“We will live and die to protect the cross,” chanted thousands.
As coffins were carried into the church, thousands hailed the victims as martyrs who were destined for heaven.
Pope Shenouda was present at the mass along with presidential hopeful Amr Moussa as well as Gamila Ismail.
After prayers, a representative of the Holy Synod read the statement condemning the violence. However, it did not mention the military council, which many Copts present believe incited violence against them.
They specifically blame state TV for saying that Coptic protesters were attacking the army, and urging citizens to go to the streets and protect the armed forces.
Some Muslims joined the mass in solidarity.
“I am here supporting the families of the martyrs and I was hoping that a lot of Muslims would make it to show the whole world that it is not sectarian strife, but an army against its people,” said Amira Abdel Hamid, one of the protesters who was also in the march.
Egypt's top Muslim official called for emergency talks on Monday between Muslim and Christian leaders, AFP reported.
Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, who heads Sunni Islam's highest seat of learning, called for talks with members of the Egyptian Family — an organization that groups Muslim and Christian clerics — "in a bid to contain the crisis," state television said. –Additional reporting by Essam Fadl

Courtsy: Daily News Egypt

Funeral mass of Maspiro victims

Relatives of Coptic victims of Maspiro clashes during funeral mass led by Pope Shenouda III in Abbasiya Cathedral, Cairo, October 10,2011. 24 killed, and more than 250 injured-mostly of Copts- during clashes between military forces and thousands of Coptic protesters at Maspiro. —Photographer: Mohamed Hossam Eddin —almasryalyoum.com

— Mon, 10/10/2011 - 16:26

Statement of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church Issued after its October 10, 2011 meeting

2011-10-11T13:31:00.000+01:00

A meeting of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church was held in the Papal residence in Cairo, Egypt on 10th October 10, 2011. It has issued the following statement:

The Holy Synod was troubled by the incidents that happened yesterday, Sunday; the martyrdom of more than 24 Christians and the wounding of 200 during their peaceful march.

While stressing our Christian faith rejecting violence in all its forms, we cannot neglect that strangers might infiltrate among our sons and commit mistakes that are attributed to the latter.

Still Copts see that their problems are consistently repeated without punishment or legal action against their aggressors or implementation of radical solutions to these problems. The Holy Synod invites the Coptic people to pray and fast for three days starting tomorrow Tuesday so that the Lord dwells with His peace in our beloved country Egypt.

Pope Shenouda declares days of mourning after protest turns violent

2011-10-11T11:58:00.000+01:00

By The Catholic Free Press October 11, 2011

March staged by Copts from Shubra to the state TV building,
known as Maspiro, condemning violence on Aswan church,
9 October, 2011 —Mohamed Hossam Eddin— almasryalyoum.com

CAIRO (CNS) — Orthodox Pope Shenouda III declared three days of mourning, fasting and prayer for victims of peaceful protests that turned violent, and church and government leaders called for Egypt to reaffirm its commitment to religious freedom.
At least 26 people — mostly Christian — were killed and nearly 500 were injured Oct. 9 as gangs armed with firebombs, sticks, swords and rocks attacked about 1,000 people staging a peaceful sit-in outside of a state television building. As the violence escalated, a speeding military vehicle mounted a sidewalk and rammed into a group of protesters, killing a number of them.
Witnesses said headless bodies lay in the street in the worst sectarian violence since the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak in the “Arab Spring” revolt earlier this year.
But several Catholic leaders said the problem had moved beyond sectarianism.
“The army and the police are confronting the Copts. This is the problem,” Father Rafic Greiche, official spokesman for the Catholic Church in Egypt, said in a statement to the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need. “It is not a Christian-Muslim problem anymore. … People — not just Christians but many Muslims, too — are frightened for the future of our country.
“We are accusing the army and the police who used vagabonds, a rabble force of street fighters, to attack the demonstrators,” the priest said.
“They were armed with swords, sticks and stones — some of them had rifles, it seems,” he said. “They did not have to use force. It was a peaceful demonstration.”
Hardline Salafi Muslims have initiated violent protests against the construction of two churches in southern Egypt on the grounds that the building projects were illegal. Four churches have been subjected to arson attacks in as many months.
The Christian demonstrators were protesting one such attack on a Coptic Orthodox church and were seeking greater protection from the authorities.
Catholic Bishop Antonios Aziz Mina of Giza told Vatican Radio that Christians were asking to be able to live peacefully in their own country
“If they (the police) had taken a position of being against those who destroyed the churches, we would never have gotten to this point,” he said.
Cardinal Antonios Naguib, Coptic Catholic patriarch of Alexandria, told Vatican Radio the situation was provoked by outsiders and added that it was complex.
He said even the armed forces have a dilemma: Do they “face the people creating conflict by (using) force or act very cautiously, giving the impression they are slow and lack resolve?”
Under Mubarak, any permit to do with a church building — even repainting it — had to be signed by the former president. At least one priest recalled waiting more than 21 years for a permit and said that, even after a permit was granted, state or local officials could stop construction for “security issues.”
Cardinal Naguib told the Italian bishops’ news agency, SIR, that the “attacks by Islamists against Christian institutions continue always under the pretext that churches are being built without explicit official authorization, which still remains very difficult to get.” He said it was hard to tell how Egypt’s leaders viewed the treatment of Christians, because Shariah, or Islamic law, seemed to conflict with some previous declarations of intent.
He said Egyptian Christians have lived through similar situations.
“We will continue to do all we can, sustained by prayer and trust in God, and the spiritual and moral support of all Catholics, Christians and people of good will,” he said.
Skirmishes in Cairo continued through Oct. 10, with several hundred Christians pelting police officers with rocks outside the hospital were many of the victims were taken.
In a televised address Oct. 10, Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf blamed the violence on foreign intervention and warned Egyptians that such actions would delay the country’s transition to civilian rule.
Government leaders also weighed in on the violence.
The White House said U.S. President Barack Obama was deeply concerned by the Oct. 9 incident.
“As the Egyptian people shape their future, the United States continues to believe that the rights of minorities — including Copts — must be respected, and that all people have the universal rights of peaceful protest and religious freedom,” said an Oct. 10 White House statement.
The European Union and British Foreign Secretary William Hague also condemned the violence and urged Egyptian authorities to reaffirm freedom of worship.

The Catholic Free Press

Live Updates: Protesters march from Coptic Hospital to cathedral

2011-10-10T14:47:00.000+01:00

Mon, 10/10/2011 -

1:01 am: The funeral service is over.
12:56 am: The priest announces that all of the martyrs will be buried together in a collective Christian cemetary in 6 October City. A commotion errupts as the coffins are taken from the cathedral and crying mourners struggle to touch them.
12:40 am: The cathedral is full of mourners. The priest says that the martyrs have "saved the church with their blood."
12:20 am: Al-Masry Al-Youm reporters estimate that 20,000 people joined the march, which was entirely peaceful. Local residents seemed supportive of the march, with some throwing bottles of water to thirsty protesters from their balconies. Some people are now inside the Coptic Cathedral praying.
11:43 pm: A march of thousands from the Coptic Hospital on Ramses Street has arrived at the largest Coptic cathedral in Cairo in Abbasseya. Protesters chant, "Muslims and Christians are one hand!"
11:20 pm: Thousands of protesters are marching along Ramses Street, carrying the dead bodies of 17 people killed in the Maspero violence from the hospital to the Cathedral in Abbasseya. As they march, they are chanting: "Down with military rule!" and "This is not a sectarian conflict, this is a military massacre."
7:20 pm: Thousands are marching from the protest outside of the Coptic Hospital toward Maspero, the state TV building that was the site of last night's clashes.
6:49 pm: The cabinet announced through its Facebook page the addition an article to the penal code called the Equality Law, stipulation special punishments for anyone who carries out any action that causes against individuals or communities based on gender, race, language or religion, and which might lead to unequal opportunity or social inequality. Punishments can include a detention or a fine ranging from LE30,000 to LE50,000.
The punishment increases to at least three months in detention and a fine of between LE50,000 to LE100,000 if the perpetrator is a public employee.
The article was drafted by the cabinet two months ago and was pending SCAF’s approval.
5:53 pm: A spokesperson for US President Barack Obama said in a news conference that "the United States continues to believe that the rights of minorities -- including Copts -- must be respected."
5:40 pm: Information Minister Osam Heikel appears on state television and announces that anyone who "spreads rumors" about state TV will be tried.
5:25 pm: A group of approxmately 1500 protesters are rallying outside the Coptic Hospital. Protesters have blocked Ramses Street and are chanting anti-SCAF slogans. More people seem to be arriving in small groups.
4:39 pm: Khaled Ali, a lawyer and the head of the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights, is at the Coptic Hospital with the head of the coroners office. They are awaiting the arrival of the rest of the autopsy team.
4:22 pm: Standing outside the cathedral after the funerals, Aida Mahrous, 42, told Al-Masry Al-Youm: "The next regime will be the same. The policy will never change. The solution to our problems is to prove we are one people, Muslim and Christian, because the regime will stay corrupt." Mahrous was not entirely pessimistic, however. "When the church bombing happened on New Years’ Eve [in early January 2011], we waited 25 days and look what happened. We’re chanting again now."
Another protester outside the cathedral said that during the clashes last night he was taking his wife to the hospital when he was stopped at a joint military-police checkpoint on the on-ramp to the October Bridge. A group of men in civilian clothes were also present, the man said. They asked him religion and smashed his windshield with a rock when he told them he was Christian.
4:11 pm: The Coptic Hospital, where many of the bodies of those killed yesterday are being held, is closing because autopsies are due to begin soon.
4:06 pm: After exiting the cathedral, mourners have gathered nearby and are chanting against Field Marshall Hussein Tantawi, Egypt's de-facto ruler.
4:03 pm: Mililtary prosecutors have begun interrogations of 25 suspects implicated in the violence yesterday, according to state media.It is unclear whether the investigations are being conducted by the military prosecutors or the public prosecutor, who just ordered an autopsy team to the Coptic Hospital where most of the bodies are being held.
4:00 pm: Khaled Ali, a lawyer and the head of the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights, say he and other lawyers have spoken to the Attorney General and agreed to bring an autopsy team to the Coptic Hospital.
3:55 pm: Funeral services for the victims of last night's violence end and the bodies of those killed leave the Coptic Cathedral in Abbasseya on their way to burial.
3:45 pm: The priest at the funeral service announces that only four bodies are present, as the rest await autopsies. The Coptic Church issued a call to its followers to begin a three-day-long fast to mourn those killed.
3:40 pm: Coptic Pope Shenouda III is offering prayers over the coffins of those killed last night.
3:35 pm: Al-Azhar, Egypt's most highest religious institution, has called for a new law regulating the construction of churches. The initial incident in Aswan that sparked last night's protest was an attack on a church that attackers claimed was being built in contravention to the law. Coptic groups have long complained that laws regulating houses of worship are discriminatory.
3:30 pm: The Muslim Brotherhood has released a statement saying that last night's violence indicates an attempt by both internal and external forces to abort the revolution and disrupt the march towards democracy. “There are certain channels, means and times for demanding legitimate demands and all Egyptian people have legitimate demands, not only our Coptic brothers,” said the statement. “This is certainly not the right time to demand them since the current government is an interim government and the general conditions are abnormal." The Brotherhood's statement added that the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces maintain the current schedule for elections.
3:15 pm: State TV has raised the death toll from yesterday's violence to 25.
3:00 pm: Church representatives are meeting with families of the dead at the Coptic Hospital to discuss autopsies.
2:20 pm: Activists say that families of all 17 dead at the Coptic Hospital have agreed to request autopsies.
1:30 pm: A team of detectives from the public prosecution examined the scene of the clashes that took place outside Maspiro on Sunday. The investigation aims to count the number of deaths and assess the damages to public and private property. The investigators visited hospitals to hear statements from victims and talked to dozens of eyewitnesses, according to the state news agency MENA. The attorney general has ordered permission to bury 20 bodies of those who died in the fighting.

Courtsy: almasryalyoum.com

Egyptian Army, Police Kill 35 Coptic Christian Protestors

2011-10-10T10:54:00.000+01:00

(AINA) GMT 10-10-2011 5:36:21 -- For the second time in five days military and police forces forcibly dispersed Coptic protesters. 35 Copts were killed today and over 300 injured. The numbers could rise dramatically as many bodies are still unidentified and disfigured beyond recognition. The dead and injured have been transported to the Coptic Hospital in Cairo. Bodies of 4 Copts were found in buildings and taken to the public morgue, reported al-Ahram Daily.

There were discrepancies between reports from the official State-owned TV and independent TV stations. Al-Hayat confirmed that army armored vehicles went into Maspero "in a strange way" and ran over the protesters. A video clip of the armored vehicles running amok through the 150,000 protesters was shown on Al-Arabia TV. Egyptian State-run TV said that Coptic protesters killed 3 soldiers and injured 20. They gave no numbers for the fallen or injured Copts. They also said that the Copts had weapons. This was refuted by Coptic priests and activists. Nader Shoukry, Coptic activist and journalist, said "We only had wooden crosses."

"Today occurred a massacre of the Copts," said Coptic priest, Father Filopateer Gamil in a telephone conversation with CTV Coptic Channel. "I was an eyewitness to all what happened."

According to witnesses, the army forces were waiting for the Copic rally to arrive at Maspero, near the state television building. "They arranged a trap for us," said Father Filopateer. "As soon as we arrived they surrounded us and started shooting live ammunition randomly at us. Then the armored vehicles arrived and ran over protesters."

Father Filopateer said he saw army police and affiliated thugs torching police cars, to later blame it on the Copts. He believes that the assault on the Copt was preplanned.

Copts announced a few days ago that they would stage a rally to protest the torching of the church in the village of Elmarinab in Edfu, Aswan (AINA 10-1-2011), as well as the brutal attack on the Coptic rally in Maspiro on October 4 (AINA 10-9-2011). Rallies were to be staged in Cairo, Aswan, Minya, Beni-Suef, Assiut, Suez and Alexandria.

"When we announced this peaceful rally we made it understood that it will be from 5-8pm and no sit-in and no blocking of traffic," said Ihab Aziz, Coptic-American activist, who was one of the organizers.

Aziz said that the procession started today at the Christian populated district of Shubra and went to Maspero, in front of the TV building, on the river Nile. On their way, some Muslims fired live ammunition over their heads to terrorize them and some bricks were hurled at them. By the time they arrived to Maspero there were nearly 150,000 protesters. "The army and police were waiting for us about 200 meters away from the Maspero TV building," said Aziz. "They started firing at us before two army armored vehicles came at great speed and drove into the crowds, going backwards and forwards, mowing people under their wheels." He said he saw at least 20 dead Copts around him.

"The most horrible scene was when one of the vehicles ran over a Copt's head, causing his brain to explode and blood was all over the place," recalled Aziz. he held out his hand, showing two bullets in his palm. "We got a clear message today that we are no first class citizens."

The same description of events was confirmed by Nader Shoukry. He said that when the Copts were trapped by the army forces, some threw themselves in the Nile and some just fainted seeing other people being run-over in front of their eyes. Copts ran to hide in the neighboring buildings, but the police dragged them out and assaulted them.

Dr. Naguib Gabriel, who was at the procession, was shot in the leg.

Michael Munier, head of El Hayat (Life) Party, said that what happened to the Copts today was a massacre. He asked why do the authorities kill the Copts who were protesting peacefully for their rights, while at the same time when Salafists blocked the trains in Qena for 10 days protesting against a Copt being nominated for governor of Qena, no one touched them?

"People are being prosecuted, including former President Mubarak, in courts presently because they killed demonstrators on January 28. Now the military police is doing the same to the Copts," said Shoukry.

A curfew has been announced tonight in several Cairo streets.

By Mary Abdelmassih

Source:Assyrian International News Agency

Pope leads Maspero victims' funeral

Pope Shenouda III meets with a group of bishops, in a previously arranged meeting, to discuss last night's violent clashes

Cairo, Monday 10 Oct 2011: Pope Shenouda III, the patriarch of the Coptic Church, will lead the prayers in today's funeral of the those killed last night in Maspero clashes between the army and protesters.

The cermony will take place in Abbasseya Catherdral where thousands of Copts have gathered since the early morning waiting for the arrival of more than 20 coffins from the Coptic Hospital, one kilometre away.

Three coffins have so far arrived at the cathedral, with others expected shortly.

Earlier today Pope Shenouda discussed last night's clashes at Maspero with a group of bishops of the Holy Synod, the highest Coptic entity in Egypt, in a previously scheduled meeting that was supposed to discuss periodical issues in the Church.

The Coptic Church is yet to release a statement on the violence.

Source: Ahram Online

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I LEAVES FOR U.S.A. ON A PONTIFICAL VISIT

2011-10-05T15:20:00.000+01:00

ANTELIAS -His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of Cilicia will pay a Pontifical visit to Armenian community under the jurisdiction of Western Prelacy from 5-25 October 2011.

Syriac Christians to get first church in Istanbul

2011-10-05T14:54:00.000+01:00

Vercihan Ziflioğlu

Hürriyet Daily News (Wednesday, October 5, 2011)

ISTANBUL- Turkey’s Syriac Christian community has secured approval from officials for the construction of its first church. The church, planned to be constructed in the Yeşilköy neighborhood, is expected to host 17,000 Syriacs who live in Istanbul

After years of tussling and hairsplitting, Turkey’s Syriac Christian community has secured approval from both the prime minister and the president for the construction of its first church in the Yeşilköy neighborhood on the European side of Istanbul.

“Half of our community lives in and around Yeşilköy. We rent churches for Sunday rites, but we can only start morning mass at 11:30, whereas we are supposed to finish our Sunday rites before 10:30 in accordance with our tradition,” Kenan Altınışık, a prominent Syriac community leader, told the Hürriyet Daily News via e-mail.

The church site will be allocated to the ancient community by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, while construction expenses will be paid for by the Syriacs. An official from Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, who wanted to remain anonymous, told Hürriyet Daily News that they are searching for a suitable location for the new church.

The church architecture is planned to bear traces of the Syriac’s thousands-of-years-old culture, while the construction is set to begin as soon as suitable lands are allotted.

Community representatives held a series of talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President Abdullah Gül and EU Minister Egemen Bağış regarding their problems concerning the new church, including the allocation of land for its construction, Altınışık said.

“Afterward, we also met with the head of the Istanbul Metropolitan Construction Affairs Committee upon a directive issued by the Istanbul metropolitan mayor,” he said, adding they have no communication problems.

“We presented several files to the head of the construction affairs committee and he offered a few places, but they were not suitable for us,” said Altınışık, a businessman and head of the Syriac community’s Foundation for the Church of Mother Mary, which is located in the Tarlabaşı neighborhood in central Istanbul.

The community holds the title deed to the Church of Mother Mary and the metropolitan center that houses it, Altınışık said, adding that about 17,000 Syriacs live in Istanbul with scant numbers still living in the southeast as well.

A metropolitan center acts as a higher institution for an orthodox church. Many of Turkey’s Syriacs migrated to Europe during the mid-1980s, when there was political turmoil in the southeast.

http://www.soc-wus.org/2011News/1010201118929.htm

Antiochian Syriac Orthodox Church (Rebel faction) stopped all their operations in India

2011-10-01T16:31:00.000+01:00

Chandai, France: Rebel faction of Antiochian Syriac Orthodox Church of Europe headed by His Eminence Mor Severius Moses stopped all their operations in India and canceled all the dioceses in Kerala. The Holy Synod that took place in Chandai, France from 21 to 22 of September 2011 has passed these decisions. Here are some of the decisions of the Holy Synod and the pastoral letter of the Primate

http://syrorthodoxchurch.com/index-Dateien/PDF_Texte_u_Medien/Holy_Synod_2011.pdf

http://www.malankaraorthodox.tv/news_bureau/2011/September/29/Kalpana.pdf

Kolencherry Church row: Rebel Jacobite Plea for status quo dismissed

2011-10-01T15:44:00.001+01:00

HC adjourns Kolenchery Church case to Nov 2

KOCHI, 30th September 2011: The Kerala High Court has denied a petition by the Rebel Jacobite Syrian Christian faction (dissident Patriarchal group) to maintain the status quo of rights at the disputed Kolencherry St Peters’and St Paul’s church. The High Court on 30th September 2011 adjourned the Kolanchery Church case to November 2 after recording submissions by the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and Rebel Jacobite faction that they will participate in the negotiations with the government through its subcommittee.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and C T Ravikumar passed the order while considering a petition filed by the Rebel Jacobite faction challenging the order of Additional District Court granting permission to Orthodox Church for administration of the Kolenchery church and a chapel at Kottoor.

The court also urged the parties to do the needful to come to a peaceful solution through reconciliation. To enable the process, the parties will maintain good relationship even at individual level, the court said.

Meanwhile, the government submitted that the state has no particular interest in either of the two factions and the utmost importance that the state would give is to ensure that peace and tranquility prevail and law and order is maintained. This is the first among the foremost duties of the state.
The court recorded the government’s submission. “The peaceful modes of conciliation of such litigation should be the first priority rather than carrying an adjudicatory process,” the court said.

Source: Express News Service

Court Order.
http://www.malankaraorthodox.tv/Court%20Orders/Kolenchery_order_sept_30_2011.pdf

Pope Shenouda: Modern-day Jews not 'God's chosen people'

2011-09-29T14:32:00.000+01:00

CAIRO : Modern-day Jews are not God's chosen people, said Pope Shenouda III, the head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, in a statement Wednesday (Sept. 28, 2011) evening.
"Do not believe their claims that they are God's chosen people, because it is not true," Shenouda said during his weekly sermon on Wednesday evening at the papal residence in Abbasseya.
When there were no believers on earth the Jews were really God's chosen people, but God's chosen people are now all those who believe in the existence of God and carry out all God's teachings, he added.
Shenouda said he had spoken earlier with former US President Jimmy Carter, and explained to him that Jews were called God’s chosen people because they were the only worshipers on earth, while the rest of its inhabitants were pagans.
Once billions believed in the existence of God, the Jews no longer were God’s chosen people, he said, and now all those who believe in God and have true faith are God's chosen people.
—Emad Khalil

Courtsy: almasryalyoum.com

The Boola issued by the Catholicos Patriarch of the East Baselios Marthoma Paulose II on indefinite fast at Kolenchery

2011-09-28T15:54:00.000+01:00

No. 365/2011

In the blessed name of the Tri-une God, Self-existent,

Beginningless and Endless, Perfect in Being, (Glory be to Him)

Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulose II Catholicos of the East and

Malankara Metropolitan enthroned on the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas

Blessings to our beloved Vicars of the Church, Priests of the locality, Kaikkaran of the church, and all the members of all the Parishes

Our dearly beloved in the Lord,
Raising our thanks, glory and honor to the Almighty who guides us in the midst of crises and adversities by imparting His immeasurable grace to the Church and to us, we express our love
and joy to each one you.

The stalemate at St. Peter’s & St. Paul’s Orthodox Valiyappally was one of the most serious issues faced by the Church in recent times. The honorable court had categorically pronounced that the Kolenchery Church, the allied worship centers and the properties belong to the Orthodox Church and they are to be administered in accordance with the 1934 Constitution. But the District administration denied our legitimate right of worship flouting the court order. Under these circumstances, to persuade the government to execute the court order, with firm conviction, determination and reliance on God, we along with H.G. Dr. Mathews Mar Severious , the Metropolitan of Kandanad West Diocese began an indefinite fast. We were compelled to take this extreme step as a last resort when we realized that there was no other way to protest against the denial of justice to the Malankara Orthodox Church and to get justice executed. We glorify the Almighty who strengthen us to accomplish this fast in a victorious way, though the helth conditions of both of us degenerated. The support which you gave to us and our brother Metropolitan H.G. Mathew mar Severious was indeed beyond all our expectation. We express our profound happiness and gratitude to our brother Metropolitans, Priest Trustee Rev. Fr. Dr. Johns Abraham Konatt, Lay Trustee Shri M.G. George Muthoot, Association Secretary Dr. George Joseph, Members of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Christian Association, Members of the Managing Committee, our beloved priests, sisters, office bearers and members of various spiritual organizations especially the Youth Movement Members and above all, our crown and glory the beloved people of the Church who galvanized our strength through their prayer, tears and unconditional support. We remember with gratitude the various religious leaders, leaders of sister churches, office bearers of the Kerala Christian Council and leaders from various strata of the society and all those who responded to this issue as the question of honoring the very existence of the judiciary apart from a simple church issue.

Beloved,

We should not forget those who helped us during the hard times of the Church. Those who were responsible and expected to help us, hurt us. In spite of all these, the Almighty strengthened our hearts. God is with us. Each one of you are our strength and fortitude. The sacrifice you endured, the tears you shed, prayers you said before God empowered us and give us robust hope.

Dear children, you must love the Church above any political-regional interest. Our prime aim should be the progress of the Church which is our Lord’s Temple, Bride and Body. You should continue to pray for the perfect peace and permanent settlement of this issue of Kolenchry church. As prophet Nehemiah said The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it."

May the Grace and Blessings of God Almighty abide with you forever. And may the prayers of the Mother of our God the Holy Virgin Mary, St. Thomas the Apostle of India, our Holy Fathers Mar Gregorios, Mar Dionysius and all the Holy Saints be a stronghold for us. Amen.

Our Father who art in Heaven.........................

(Signed)
Baselios Marthoma Paulose II

From MOSC Medical College
Kolenchery, Kerala, India
On September 20, 2011

P D F

100,000 Christians Have Left Egypt Since March: Report

2011-09-28T07:18:00.000+01:00

2011 September 27 (AINA): The Egyptian Union of Human Rights Organizations (EUHRO) published a report today on emigration of Christians from Egypt, saying that nearly 100,000 Christians have emigrated since March 2011. The report, which was sent to the Egyptian cabinet and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), warned that this emigration has been prompted by the escalating intimidation and attacks on Christians by Islamists.
"Copts are not emigrating abroad voluntarily," said Naguib Gabriell, the director EUHRO, "they are coerced into that by threats and intimidation by hard line Salafists, and the lack of protection they are getting from the Egyptian regime."
According to the report, the majority of Copts have emigrated for the US, with some 16,000 settling in California, 10,000 in New Jersey, 8000 in New York, and 8000 in other American states. Nearly 14,000 have gone to Australia, 17,000 to Canada, and 20,000 to the Netherlands, Italy, England, Austria, Germany and France.
EUHRO warned that emigration of Christians out of Egypt will threaten its demographic makeup and national economy. "Copts constitute a strong pillar in the economy." said Gabriel, "Copts who are leaving their homeland are not prompted by their need for work, as they are from the professional and business class, but from fear of the hard line Salafists."
Attacks on Copts and their religious institutions have spread fear, according to Gabriel. Recent attacks included the killing of Coptic youths in Moqattam (AINA 3-9-2011) and Embaba (AINA 5-8-2011), cutting-off the ear of a Copt, (AINA 3-26-2011) , attacks on churches (AINA 3-5-2011), as well as preventing the governor of Qena from occupying his post because he is Christian (AINA 5-3-2011)."
The EUHRO report noted that Coptic emigration escalated since March 19, 2011, after the constitutional amendments in Egypt and the escalation in Salafist attacks on Copts and their intention to implement Hudud laws (Sharia based punishments, which include capital punishment by sword/crucifixion, stoning, amputation and flogging).
"Salafist clerics, who gained political influence after the January 25 Revolution, have become emboldened," said Gabriel, "calling Copts Dhimmis who have to pay the jizya (tax paid by non-Muslims to the state) because they are not first class citizens and can never enjoy full citizenship rights, or obtain sensitive posts."
On September 12, Yasser Borhami, Head of Alexandria Salafists, accused Christians on a popular TV show of being "Infidels, who live in darkness, because they are away from Islam." His interview enraged Copts "who regarded it as a licence to kill the Christians by inciting Muslims," said Coptic activist Wagih Yacoub.
EUHRO filed a complaint against Borhami with the Prosecutor General, accusing him of "defaming a heavenly religion," which is against the constitution and which would "endanger social peace."
Gabriel sees a parallel with the Christian emigration from Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon. "After the massacre of the congregation of Our Lady of Deliverance Church on October 31, 2010, and other attacks in Iraq, the ratio of Iraqi Christians went down from 8% to 2%. In Palestine to just .5%, and in Lebanon from 75% to 32%."
"If emigration of Christians, who constitute nearly 16% of the Egyptian population, continues at the present rate, it may reach 250,000 by the end of 2011," said Gabriel, "and within ten years a third of the Coptic population of Egypt would be gone."
According to Gabriel Copts see a dark future awaiting them in Egypt, especially because neither SCAF nor the government is taking any measures to curb the Salafist violence. "They should bring to justice those criminals who attack the Copts and their churches, instead of letting them get off Scot-free."
He called on SCAF to pull the reins in on Salafists and to clearly announce that Egypt is a democratic, secular state, based on equal citizenship for all Egyptians.
By Mary Abdelmassih

Assyrian International News Agency

Pope Shenouda III urges US not to destroy Palestinian statehood 'dream'

2011-09-27T05:13:00.000+01:00

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
presents a gift to Pope Shenouda III before their meeting in
Cairo Egypt, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011.Credit- str

Coptic pope calls for balanced US policies on Palestine and rejects foreign interference in Coptic affairs

Cairo, Monday 26 Sep 2011: Egypt’s Coptic Patriarch, Pope Shenouda III, has urged the US to pursue balanced policies in regards to the Palestinian crisis and to support the Middle East process, during a meeting with US Ambassador, Anne Patterson, on Monday.

The Pope also asked the US not to destroy the Palestinian dream of having a state recognised by the international community. The Pope made the statement after meeting with the ambassador in the Coptic Cathedral in Abbassiya, Cairo. During the meeting, the Pope also expressed his rejection of any foreign interference in the internal affairs of Egypt, especially regarding the situation of Copts.

It was Patterson’s first visit to the cathedral since she was stationed in Egypt last August.

Courtasy:

Ahram Online

Pope Shenouda rejects foreign intervention in Egyptian affairs

Recent Kolenchery Church Verdict

2011-09-24T12:35:00.000+01:00

Fr. Dr. Johns Abraham Konat, (Priest Trustee, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church)

Fr. Dr. Johns Abraham Konat

The judgment pronounced by the District Court Ernakulam on 16th August 2011 about the administration of the St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Church, Kolenchery was the verdict on an Original Suit filed by the dissident Patriarchal group (Rebel Jacobite Syrian Christian Church) in 2007 (OS 43/2007) for obtaining the following relief.

1. For obtaining a declaration that the Kolenchery church and its assets are liable to be administered only in accordance with the terms of an Udampady registered in 1913 and not in accordance with the 1934 constitution.

2. To settle a scheme for administering the church and its assets and its institutions.

3. For getting an order from the court to appoint a receiver who may prepare a voters list of all the parishioners and conduct fresh elections to the managing committee.

4. To issue an injunction prohibiting the handing over of keys of the church to Fr. Jacob Kurian, the vicar appointed by H. E. Dr. Mathews Mar Severios.

The court after considering the various issues passed a verdict on these crucial issues as follows.

1. Whether a declaration that the church is administered by the 1913 Udampady is allowable?

The dissident patriarch’s party’s main contention was that 1934 constitution was not accepted by the Kolenchery church. The judgment says that the Supreme Court (SC) judgment 1995 upholds the 1934 constitution and there is no mention that each parish should accept this constitution by convening a general body of the parishioners. This means that each parish of the Church is bound by the SC judgment to accept the 1934 constitution. No special decision of the parishioners is necessary for this. The SC verdict is applicable to the Kolenchery church even if the church was not a party to those suits. So the verdict clearly says the dissident Patriarch’s group even cannot contend that the 1934 constitution is not valid and not applicable to the Kolenchery church. So it cannot be declared that the church should be governed by the 1913 Udampady.

2. Whether a scheme of administration has to be settled?

The dissident Patriarch’s party claimed that after 1972 elections were not held to the managing committee of the parish and the governing body of its institutions. The Orthodox Church argued that elections were held regularly according to the 1934 constitution, and such elections were recognized by the metropolitan. Evidences of such elections were produced before the court. The verdict says that the stand of the dissident Patriarch’s group cannot be accepted as it is against the SC finding. “First of all they have to accept and recognize 1934 constitution and then only their prayer for conducting election to committees can be considered. There is no question at all to frame a scheme (for administration) when 1934 constitution is in existence and when it is held valid and applicable to the 1st defendant (Kolenchery church)”. Thus the court dismissed their prayer to settle a scheme of administration. The judgment further says that “the parish members in the church has right to decide regarding the administration of the properties and the educational institutions under it. But as stated earlier, only when the plaintiffs (dissident Patriarch’s group) or other members in the dissident Patriarch faction accept and recognize 1934 constitution, their contention can be entertained”. So the point is answered against the dissident Patriarch’s group.

3. The court also considered whether election to managing committee has to be conducted by a receiver. The finding of the question in No. 2 does not allow for such an action and thus it was not allowed.

4. The plaintiffs prayed for an injunction to restrain Fr. Jacob Kurian and his agents from receiving the keys of the church. No such injunction was allowed.

The court dismissed all the prayers of the plaintiffs (dissident Patriarch’s group) and confirmed that Fr. Jacob Kurian is entitled to get the keys of the church – the keys were already in his possession as per the interim order in IA 3984/2010

Evaluation

This order is very important for the future litigation of the Church. It upholds the SC verdict and affirms that the 1934 constitution is binding on the parish churches. The basic contention of the Patriarch’s group that the SC judgment is not binding to the parishes is quashed. The verdict says that those who do not accept the 1934 constitution do not have any claim on the administration of the church and its properties. By asking to hand over the keys to Fr. Jacob Kurian the court has recognized the authority of the Metropolitan (H. E. Dr. Mathews Mar Severios) who appointed him over the administration of the church and its properties.

A Brief History of the Present Litigation

The original suite (OS) which culminated in the present judgment was filed by the dissident Patriarch’s party in 2007. During the pendency of the OS both parties (The Patriarch’s party as well as the Orthodox Church) filed IAs seeking interim relief. Both the IAs was heard together by the District Court and an order was given in 2 – 12 – 2010. According to this the court ordered that the church be opened. The Orthodox Church can celebrate Qurbana on two Sundays and the patriarch’s party may be given freedom to celebrate Qurbana on every third Sunday. The keys were to be given to Fr. Jacob Kurian who was recognized as the rightful vicar of the parish and the administration has to be carried out by the existing managing committee which was elected by the Orthodox Church according to the 1934 constitution. This arrangement was fixed till the disposal of the OS.

According to this order the Kolenchery church was opened once again in 2 – 12 – 2010 and we took possession of the church and its properties. The maintenance work of the church was initiated. The patriarch’s party had no other right except to celebrate liturgy every third Sunday. The patriarch’s party filed an appeal in the High Court challenging this interim order. But the High Court did not give them any additional relief but directed the district court to dispose off the OS within 2 months. Thus the District court took up the matter and issued the judgment on 16th August 2011 and H. E. Dr. Mathews Mar Severios Metropolitan celebrated Holy Qurbana at Kolenchery church on 17th August 2011.

The dissident Patriarch’s party approached the same court for a stay order. On 18th August the same District court stayed the operation of the judgment for 15 days in order to get reasonable time to file appeal. The parties are directed to maintain status-quo with regard to the services conducted by both parties. No judgment or any verdict was issued from any Honorable Court to restrain H. E. Dr. Mathews Mar Severios Metropolitan from exercising His Eminence’s Episcopal authority and celebrating Holy Qurbana at Kolenchery church.

Aug. 20, 2011

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RETURNS FROM ARMENIA

2011-09-23T07:44:00.000+01:00

Antelias (Lebanon), 2011 September 23: During the week His Holiness Aram I went to Armenia for three days (19-21 September 2011) to take part in the 20th anniversary celebrations of the independence of Armenia. Catholicos Aram I was the guest of Catholicos Karekin II in Etchmiadzin. At the celebrations the two Catholicoi greeted the people and transmitted their messages emphasizing the important contribution of the Armenian Church in building national and spiritual values.

Throughout those three days His Holiness Aram I was also invited to address issues challenging the Armenian people and the Church.

armenianorthodoxchurch.org

Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia welcomed in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

2011-09-22T16:07:00.000+01:00

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, 19 September, 2011: In the evening of September 18, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, welcomed His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia to Armenia in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Holiness Aram I, is visiting to participate in the events dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Independence of Armenia, with the Catholicos of All Armenians.

At the airport, Catholicos Aram I was met by His Eminence Archbishop Grigoris Buniatian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of the Ukraine, His Eminence Archbishop Komitas Ohanian from the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, as well as by the Members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See: His Grace Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian, His Grace Bishop Artak Tigranian, Rev. Fr. Mushegh Babayan and Rev. Fr. Mkhitar Grigorian.

Under the ringing of the bells of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Catholicos of All Armenians and the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia were led to the Mother Cathedral from the Pontifical Residence, where a Prayer of Thanks was offered in front of the Holy Altar of Descent.

In his remarks, His Holiness Karekin II welcomed Catholicos Aram I and the members of the Brotherhood of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, “The occasion for your visit is beautiful: you have come to participate in the events dedicated to the 20th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Armenia. In honor of this milestone, we will participate in the events and extend our message and guidance to our faithful sons and daughters, encouraging them in their love towards the Homeland, so that they will continue their service with dedication and commitment for the welfare and prosperity of our nation”. Reflecting on the independence of the Homeland His Holiness stated in part, “Our Church has always nourished the spirit and idea of freedom to our offspring, and preserved the aspiration of Armenian statehood. We extend our glory to God that today it has become a reality, and that our Church stands on the foundation of that achievement. Today we, along with you, testify with our presence, that the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church will continue to assist the Homeland with Her works and endeavors, benefiting the welfare of our nation, as well as the Armenian offspring worldwide, in the efforts of creating a blessed, God-pleasing and prosperous life”.

The Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his wish that the Lord keep the Pontiff Aram I in good health, and grant him success in all his endeavors for the welfare and prosperity of national life and the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church.

His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of Cilicia expressed his feelings on his visit to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the meeting.

“Each time I am on Armenian soil, in the mystery of Holy Etchmiadzin, not only do I relive Armenian history but also restore myself in my Christian faith, in my national experience. So should it be for each Armenian, especially clergy dedicated to the spiritual service of the Armenian Church”, Aram I Catholicos stated in part. Reflecting on 20th Anniversary of Armenian Independence the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia stated that the Armenian Church with Her work and commitment has brought Her contributions to the birth of Armenian independence and for its strengthening, as well as for the welfare of the Armenian nation. “We have never been passive, never within the margin of our life, but our Church has always existed, acted and served on an important page in the life of our nation and Homeland. Our Church has served with great devotion, deep faith and thorough commitment. Indeed, today we must renew our participation in the strengthening of our Homeland Armenia, and in the prosperity of our Church.”

Pontiff Aram I stated his wish that God keep the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin unshaken, granting success to the Church-building activities and vibrancy of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church.

The welcoming service ended with blessings and the Lord’s Prayer by the Catholicos of All Armenians and the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.

Information Services

Court dismisses Rebel Jacobite plea for ownership

2011-09-21T13:57:00.000+01:00

Kochi, 20 September 2011: A petition by the Rebel Jacobite Syrian Christian Church (dissident Patriarchal group) seeking status quo of rights at the disputed church in Kolenchery was Tuesday 20th September 2011 denied by the Kerala High Court.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Justice C T Ravikumar denied to stay implementation of the earlier court order which was in favour of the Orthodox Syrian Church.

A tense situation has been prevailing in Kolenchery between the Rebel Jacobite Syrian Christian Church and Orthodox Syrian Church fighting for the ownership of St Peters' and St Paul's church.

The new petition was filed after two rounds of negotiation to get the two feuding factions compromise failed.

During the court hearing, the government pleaded that both the parties have to maintain law and order and the orders issued by the court should ensure that.

The court held that maintenance of law and order is a matter of the executive and only in exceptional circumstances it becomes necessary for judicial compulsion to ensure it.

Earlier, negotiations by the district administration and court-appointed mediators failed to bring a resolution in the matter with the Orthodox church pushing for an early implementation of the court order.

Trouble erupted last week after a recent court order handed over complete control of the church to the Orthodox church.

An interim order declared by the Church Court in December 2007 had declared that Sunday masses at the disputed church should be conducted in a ratio of 2:1 favoring the Orthodox church.

Courtasy: Babu Thomas, In.christian today.com

Kolencherry Church Issue - His Holiness Baselios Paulose II calls off hunger strike

2011-09-19T16:13:00.000+01:00

KOLENCHERY, Kerala (India): The Orthodox Church of the East had called off its protest on Sunday18th September night with Catholicos of the East His Holiness Baselios Paulose II calling off his eight-day fast at Kolencherry.

“We backed out from open protest considering the request of the District Collector. He has given us a written assurance that the issue would be solved in two weeks, if not the court order would be executed,” said Fr Johns Abraham Konat, priest trustee of Orthodox Church. Following this, His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II , the head of Orthodox Syrian Church of the East, concluded his fasting late on Sunday.

“The Synod Council and Managing Committee of the church will meet on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. The meeting of these high level committees will take a decision on the future course of action,” said E C Elias, secretary, Orthodox Syrian church.

The supreme head of the Orthodox Church, H H Baselios Marthoma Paulose II was on an indefinite fast since Sunday Sept. 10 evening, demanding execution of the court order which allows the Orthodox Church to have the ownership of the Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Kolencherry, and the Kottoor chapel under it.

Peaceful end

Mediations and requests by Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy helped in alleviating the deteriorating situation in Kolencherry. Oommen Chandy, on Sunday18th September sought 15 days time from the Orthodox Church and parallel Jacobite Syrian Christian Church (Dissident Patriarchal faction) to solve the dispute over ownership of the Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Kolencherry, and the Kottoor chapel under it at Kolencherry in Ernakulam district. Honb’le Chief Minister Oommen Chandy made the appeal after marathon meetings with the representatives of the parallel Jacobite Syrian Christian Church and Orthodox Church. Earlier Chandy had held discussions with union government ministers of India Vayalar Ravi, K V Thomas and district administration and senior police officers. If within two weeks a solution is not in sight, court orders would be implemented, he said. Chandy also urged the supreme Catholicos of the Orthodox Church and Regional Catholicos of parallel Jacobite Syrian Christian Church group to end their agitations.

A meeting of the action council of the Orthodox Church, which is demanding implementation of the district court order, at Kolenchery on Sunday18th September night has decided to accept Chief Minister’s request. Following this, His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, the head of Orthodox Syrian Church, and H.E. Dr. Mathews Mar Severios Metropolitan(Kandanad East) concluded their fasting late on Sunday. Both of them decided to end the fasting by 11.30 p. m. on Sunday 18th September by receiving karikinvellam from H.E. Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (Chengannur) and H. E. Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasios Metropolitan (Kandanad East), the president of the core committee which was entrusted to lead the Upavasa Prarthana Yagnam (fasting prayer sacrificing program). Chief Minister Oommen Chandy gave leadership to the discussions which finally culminated in the ending of the fasting. The decision came after His Holiness received a written assurance from the side of the Government that the Court order will be implemented after 15 days.

A last attempt will be made during these 15 days to solve the issue amicably. If no result comes out from these discussions, the Government will implement the court verdict. This decision of the government was written and signed by the Ernakulam District Collector for the Government of Kerala. The Orthodox Church received the document by 11 p.m. which was scrutinized by their advocate Sreekumar and the bishops of the church present at Kolenchery. After getting the consent of all, H. H. declared that H. H. is ending the fasting.

Recent court verdict and an indefinite fast

The St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church, which remained closed for several years, was opened in 2010 following the Ernakulam district court intervention. The district court in December 2, 2010, released the key to Fr. Jacob Kurian, a priest belonging to the Orthodox Church and granted permission to the two factions to conduct service. The Orthodox Church was conducting the services for two consecutive weeks and the parallel Jacobite faction for the third week. This arrangement was prevailing as on August 16, 2011 when their suit was dismissed.

On August 16th 2011 the district court handed control of the parish to Orthodox church rejecting all pleas and false claims from parallel Jacobite side and declared the parish is an integral part of Malanakara Orthodox Syrian church and shall be governed under the Church constitution passed in 1934. The parish comes under the Kandanad West diocese. On August 16th His Eminence Dr. Mathews Mar Severious, the Metropolitan of Kandanad west celebrated Holy service peacefully in the parish.

The trouble began on Saturday 9th September with the parallel Jacobite Syrian Christian group holding protest marches demanding status quo at the Kolenchery St. Peter's & St. Paul's Church. Under the status quo ante, the parallel Jacobite group were allowed to offer Mass every third Sunday. Regional Catholicos of parallel Jacobite Syrian Christian Church group Baselios Thomas I had demanded the restoration of status quo ante and led a protest sit-in near the Church on Saturday afternoon. The protest was called off late in the night.

Tensions started on Sunday 10th September when the police blocked the Metropolitan His Eminence Dr. Mathews Mar Severious and other priests from entering the parish and celebrating the Holy Mass. Police vacated all of Orthodox members presented in the church on Sunday. The Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Kolencherry, and the Kottoor chapel under it have been closed down temporarily and prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr.PC declared around these institutions. It was on Sunday 2.30 pm that RDO R Maniyamma declared curfew as per district collector's direction.

The Orthodox Church has criticized the closure of the Church and described it as a conspiracy by the Chief Minister and the District Collector. The Orthodox Church, under the leadership of His Holiness Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II, started fasting 200 metres away from Kolenchery St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church (where curfew has been imposed) around 4 pm on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the parallel Jacobite Syrian Christian Church group under Regional Catholicos Baselios Thomas I began an indefinite protest prayer at 6 pm near the shrine at Kolenchery Junction against a recent order of the Ernakulam District Court that hands over the administration of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church at Kolencherry to the rival Orthodox Church and demanding that status quo should be maintained.

An urgent meeting of The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Working and Managing Committee was held on September 13th and decided to call an urgent meeting of Malankara Syrian Christian Association, which was held on September 15th to discuss the situation and unanimously decided to continue the indefinite fasting until the court order is fully executed. Protest meeting are arranged in all diocese in Kerala under the leadership of Diocesan Metropolitan’s and Diocesan council.

While the Orthodox Church decided to call off the agitation following the request from the Government of Kerala on Sunday18th September, The parallel Jacobite faction has not decided to withdraw the protest against a recent order of the Ernakulam District Court that hands over the administration of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church at Kolencherry to the rival Orthodox Church. The parallel Jacobite faction is holding the indefinite protest prayer at Kolenchery parallel Jacobite Syrian Christian chapel.

H E Metropolitan Domadios of Giza passes away

2011-09-17T08:34:00.000+01:00

London,17th September, 2011 (britishorthodox.org): Abba Seraphim expressed his condolences at the news of the death of His Eminence Metropolitan Domadios of Giza, who died on 16 September at at El-Salam Hospital in Mohandessin, Giza where he was under treatment. Pope Shenouda along with 37 metropolitans and bishops and 3,000 people led the funeral office. The funeral was attended by the Vatican Ambassador to Egypt, the Minister of Interior (General Mansour al-Issawi) and the Governor of Giza.

Born as Michael Khalil on 9 July 1925 at Maghagha City (Minya Governorate), he completed his high college and spent his early and primary school Bmgagh then moved to complete his secondary education school at El-Masai El-Mashkura College in Shebin El-Kom. On 1946, he received his his bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Agriculture at Cairo University. He then studied a 2-years Education diploma (1948) to work as teacher of Agriculture in Tanta for two years.

At the age of 15, he joined the church village ministry convoys in Giza. During his university studies, he started teaching Sunday School at St Mark’s Church in Giza. Michael Khalil was a disciple of Father Mi9na the Hermit (the future Pope KyrillosVI).

On 29 April 1951, he was consecrated as a monk monk at the Syrian Monastery with the name “Fr Matthias”. As an Agricultural Engineer, he utilized his knowledge to improve the desert soil near the monastery and cultivate a farm. This was one of the earliest attempts to cultivate desert soil. On March 1953, he was ordained priest, then Hegoumen in April 1954 (which is remarkable as he was not yet even to his 30s).

When Fr Mina the Hermit was consecrated as Pope Kyrillos, Fr Matthias joined his secretariat. The former sent him in 1962 to support the growth of St Mina’s Monastery at Mariut. At the same time, Pope Kyrillos nominated him for the episcopate, which he refused. However, the Holy Synod selected him to become the Bishop of Giza and Pope Kyrillos consecrated him as Bishop Domadios of Giza on 31 March 1963. He was later promoted to the rank of Metropolitan by Pope Shenouda III on 2 June 1985.

In his later years, Abba Domadios suffered from a stroke which left him partially paralysed and confined to a wheel chair for many years, but in 2009 Pope Shenouda consecrated Bishop Theodosius as a General Bishop to assist him.

Translated with few additions from Dostour Newspaper

Catholicos of the East H.H.Beselios Paulose II Fasting at Kolenchery

2011-09-16T16:05:00.000+01:00

Kolencherry, Kerala (India): The oldest churches in India, the Syrian Orthodox Church of the East in central Kerala is in the grip of an intense feud. The fight between rival factions of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is now spilling onto the streets. The bone of contention is the ancient church in Kolencherry, which both warring Orthodox and Rebel Jacobite factions claim as theirs. The trouble has become worse, after a recent court order, which handed over control of the church to the Orthodox Church headed by Catholicos of the East H.H.Beselios Paulose II.

Trouble began when the Orthodox Church decided not to share ownership of the church with the rivals, preventing them from entering the premises. The Orthodox faction demanded that the Rebel Jacobite faction abide by the district court order.

The dispute over the right to worship further led the head the Orthodox Church, HH Baselios Marthoma Paulose II to launch a hunger strike on Sunday.

Not budging from its stand, the Jacobite faction under Catholicos H B Baselios Thomas I as well began a prayer strike programme near the shrine.

The Orthodox Church wants the government to implement the court order immediately. Father Dr K M George from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church says, "There is a clear court verdict. If the government implements the order, the matter will be solved." But the Jacobite faction say they cannot be ousted from the church. Geevarghese Mor Coorilos from the Rebel Jacobite Syrian Christian Church says, "We have been worshiping here for ages. We cannot be suddenly told that you have no right here and you should go away and build a new church."

The church is believed to be the shrine of St Peter dating back to the 7th century. It is considered holy to both factions of the Malanakara Church. But after the skirmishes between the two groups, it has now been closed for worship. There are concerns that if a settlement is not reached soon, the tension between two groups will flare up. Since there have been violent clashes between the two factions in the past, police have been deployed in large numbers to prevent any violence.

With tensions rising believers say it now time to end the hostility. Joseph Zachariah a devotee of the Orthodox Church says, "I think this is disgraceful for the entire Christian community. What we need is an amicable settlement. We should end all this."

A curfew was Sunday declared at the tension-gripped Kolenchery.The district collector meanwhile has sought the intervention of the mediation cell of the High Court to resolve the dispute. District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth told the court that the dispute had become a law and order issue and would worsen with more people joining the protests.

Egypt's Pope back home

2011-09-09T06:58:00.000+01:00

CAIRO, September 9, 2011: Pope Shenouda III, the head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, returned home Thursday 6th September 2011 from a trip to the US and Hungary, where he received treatment and opened a new church, the official Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported.
MENA added that the Pontiff was in good health after some check-ups in the US, followed by his trip to Hungary, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate and inaugurated the Virgin Mary and Archangel Michael Church in Budapest.

A ceremony was held to welcome Pope Shenouda, as he arrived at his headquarters at Saint Mark’s Cathedral in el-Abbasiya (Abbasseya) neighborhood of Cairo after his 19-day trip. He told those present at the ceremony that he was in good health.
A police officer tried to ban journalists from entering the Church's headquarters but eventually withdrew when the reporters threatened to stage a sit-in, Emad Khalil Of almasryalyoum.com reported.
In related news, Sherif Doss, president of the Coptic General Authority, called on all Coptic candidates in upcoming parliamentary elections to coordinate with the authority regarding their electoral campaigns.

THE LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS ARAM I TO THE PRIME MINISTER R.T. ERDOGAN OF TURKEY

2011-09-05T08:10:00.000+01:00

This is the text of the letter that His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of Cilicia sent to H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey.

His Excellency
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Prime Minister of Turkey
Ankara

Mr. Prime Minister,

We read in the press of your government's decision to return properties seized from religious minorities in Turkey since 1936. Undoubtedly, this deci¬sion was an attempt to respond to recent developments at the European Court of Human Rights and to the US Congressional scrutiny of Turkey's repression of its Christian minority.

As the spiritual and legal Head of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, uprooted from its centuries-old seat and established in Antelias, Lebanon, and as the representative of the faithful of the Armenian Orthodox Church, also ex¬iled from Turkey and dispersed all over the world, we find your decree of Saturday 27 August 2011 partial and unjust. The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia still holds the titles of ownership of several churches, hospitals, schools, orphanages, cemeteries and other church properties that were confiscated by Turkish authorities during the Armenian Genocide of 1915. The Armenian peo¬ple still keep the titles of ownership of the homes, businesses and lands they in¬herited from their grandparents who were victims of the Genocide planned and executed by the Ottoman-Turkish government of the time.

The current decree of your government may comply with European Union standards, but is not an act of justice. Mr. Prime Minister, selective acts of justice deny history and negate democratic values and principles. International instruments such as the European Court of Human Rights and Congressional and parliamentary bodies are implementers of democratic values and principles, and the people are their conscience. As Fridjof Nansen, the High Commissioner of the League of Nations (1921) and Nobel Prize winner, wrote in his well-known book, Armenia and the Near East (London, 1928), "The Armenian people have never abandoned hope; they have gone on bravely working, and waiting. They are waiting still…" (p. 324). And I would add that they will never stop demanding justice from Turkey for the Armenian Genocide; and they will never stop de¬manding the restoration of their human rights.

Mr. Prime Minister, your claim for justice and human rights will be credible only if you recognize the Armenian Genocide.

ARAM I

CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA

31 August 2011
Antelias, Lebanon

Dear fellow Armenians,
Human resources is the indicator of a nation's or community's inner power and creative mind and a guarantor of its bright future. The Armenian Diaspora is rich with human resources. It is vitally important that we get a clear, accurate and comprehensive information about our human resources in the Diaspora. Indeed, "Information is power; and the power of knowledge and information becomes a source of deeper self-understanding and self-affirmation" according to His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia.
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia has initiated a program aimed at gathering information about our human resources in the Diaspora. By human resources we basically mean: community leaders, clergy, economists, people of media, writers, politicians, artists, public figures, medical doctors, teachers, university lecturers, businessmen, and generally specialists in the area of science and technology, etc. This initiative has the full support of His Holiness.
Thus, we kindly ask you to fill in the Form and submit it to the Catholicosate, Antelias, Lebanon. We also ask you to forward this e-mail (with the link http://www.armeniancatholicosate.org) to your friends.

Chancellery

ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA

http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org

Christians face unrest in Syria

2011-07-08T12:51:00.000+01:00

Syriac Christians, faced with the current unrest in Syria and violent opposition to the régime of President Bashir Al-Assad are torn between desiring a return to stability and a horror at the violence which has ensued. It is a fact that under President Assad and his father, Christians, who comprise about 10% (1.7 million) of the population, have enjoyed considerable freedom to practice their faith in a stable society.

The principal Christian church is the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East with large communities of Syrian Orthodox, Armenian and various Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with Rome. Christians tend to be urbanized, and most live in Damascus, Aleppo, Hama, and Lattakia, although significant numbers live in the Hasaka governorate in the northeast.

There is a strict de facto separation of church and state. Religious groups tend to avoid any involvement in internal political affairs. All religions and orders must register with the Government, which monitors fundraising and requires permits for all religious and nonreligious group meetings, except for worship. Recognized religious groups receive free utilities and are exempt from real estate taxes and personal property taxes on official vehicles. Orthodox and Western Easter, as well as three Muslim religious holidays are official national holidays.

The Government generally refrains from becoming involved in strictly religious issues but its policies tend to support the practice and study of moderate forms of Islam and the Government selects moderate Muslims for religious leadership positions and is intolerant of and suppresses extremist forms of Islam. It encourages the genuinely good relations which have existed between all the recognised religious communities for many years.

It is hardly, surprising, therefore, that the churches are generally pro-government and fearful that any régime change will result in the dominance of Islamic extremists. Many of these same ancient Christian communities in Iraq have suffered appalling violence since the fall of Saddam Hussein and their co-religionists in Syria have good reason to fear that they will be possible victims of violence. For this reason they are largely silent in the midst of the anti-government protests.

In April H.H. Catholicos Aram I of Cilicia wrote to President Al-Assad supporting the reforms he initially promised and re-affirmed the commitment of the Armenian community in Syria to their country.

Then the Council of Bishops of the Christian Churches of Damascus, Syria, met on 16 June 2011 at the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East to discuss the current sad situation which is sweeping over Syria – ‘the country of civilizations and the cradle of heavenly religions’ they issued the following declaration:
“The Council of Bishops condemned the foreign interference in Syria, and asked the Syrian citizens to be united. They asked Almighty God to enlighten the minds of the people, feed love in their hearts, and spread security and peace all over the country. The Bishops continued their statement by saying: Today and more than ever before, we refer to prayer and fasting for the sake of the safety of Syria, the country of tolerance and coexistence. Our hope is that Syria will overcome this crisis to find itself in a better shape which may protect it from any danger that might threaten its existence, or divide it, or lead its citizens to seek refuge into other countries. Every drop of blood that is shed from any Syrian citizen, it is shed from the entire Syrian body. St. Paul refers to the body of Christ our Saviour when saying: ‘If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it’ [1 Cor. 12:26]. At a time when our beloved country Syria is living in vigorous days, the Holy Church is living the time of ‘Pentecost’, which is the time of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, and the time of the foundation of the Church and launching the process of evangelization all over the universe in a spirit of love, peace, tolerance and acceptance of other. These spiritual and ethical values are an integral part of human principles. The event of Pentecost is not a historical moment of the past; rather it is a renewed occurrence. From it, we acquire our strength and faith, and in it we live, moves, and exist. Therefore, we call on all Christians in Syria and all other Syrian citizens who wish to join us, for a ‘day of fasting’ on Thursday 23 June 2011, where we will gather at 6:30 pm on that day at the Holy Cross Church in Kassa`a area, Damascus, to pray for peace which is a human, religious, and national responsibility. By this we deserve the blessing of being peacemakers which Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us in His saying: ‘Blessed are those who work for peace, God will call them his children’(Matt. 5:9)”

Glastonbury Review Issue: 120, July 2011

Tensions in Armenian-Georgian Church relations

2011-07-04T12:55:00.000+01:00

H.H. Catholicos Karekin II of Etchmiadzin paid an official visit to the Georgian Orthodox Church in June 2011, the first visit of an Armenian Catholicos to Georgia since 1894. His visit was intended to improve relations between the Churches of the neighbouring Caucasus Republics, both Orthodox but one belonging to the Eastern Orthodox family and the other to the Oriental. There are some 171,00 Armenians living in Georgia, notably the province of Samtskhe‐Javakheti, which borders on Armenia and the old Armenian provinces of Turkey. Catholicios Karekin also sought the return of several ancient Armenian churches, which were closed in the 1930s under the Soviets but not returned after independence. Notable among these are the Soorp Narashan Church, built in the mid eleventh century, which is being used by the Georgia Orthodox Church as part of a policy of “Georgianisation” of Armenian Churches. Other churches (like the Karmir Anetaran Church, with its 40 metre high spire) have either been destroyed or allowed to fall into disrepair.

Despite attempts to appear cordial, Catholicos Karekin was unable to obtain any agreement or even the signing of the usual joint declaration with H.H. Catholicos-Patriarch Ilya II, who insisted that any agreement over the return of churches would need to have a quid pro quo for the buildings in Armenia which the Georgian Church claimed as theirs. The situation was not improved by Catholicos Ilya saying “Karekin is young and apparently lacks experience,” and observing, “He is intelligent but wants to do things quickly, which will not work. I told him that I have a 30-year experience and that staying calm is the best thing.” A few months earlier the Deputy Minister of Reintegration, Yelena Tevdoradze, had told an Armenian audience that the Armenian Apostolic Church “will never be granted an official status” and “will only be a so-called branch in Georgia …I repeat, we will not recognize the Church of Echmiadzin,”
However, less than a month later, on 5 July 2011 the Georgian parliament approved amendmentsto Georgia’s Civil Code granting legal status to “those faiths that are considered legal religions by member countries of the European Council” enabling them to register as full-fledged religious organizations. Previously, such groups were only able to register as charities or non-government organizations. The five religious minorities covered by these amendments were the Roman Catholic Church (0.8%), the Evangelical Baptists (0.1%), the Muslims (9.9%), the Jews (0.1%) and the Armenian Apostolic Church (3.9%).

Unfortunately this eirenic measure by the government was not well-received by some members of the Georgian Orthodox Church (83.9%), who are hostile to Armenians, both on religious and ethnic grounds. Thousands of people took to the streets of Tbilisi carrying Georgian icons and flags, to protest at the parliamentary resolution, which they viewed as pro-Armenian and complaining against “anti-Orthodox forces”. Catholicos Ilya II urged President Mikheil Saakashvili to veto the law and to organize additional discussions.

Protests were halted only after a strict order was given by the mayor of Tbilisi and, most importantly, certain revisions had been made by Georgian lawmakers in the Civil Code that essentially reduced the former broad powers granted to religious organizations. The Georgian Holy Synod, which met on 12 July, called for calm and urged parliament in future to discuss with the Patriarchate draft legislation related to religion so as “to avoid any possible complications.” President Mikheil Saakashvili attended a liturgy conducted by Catholicos Ilya II at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral the following day, publicly showing that church-state relations had improved.

Of the estimated more than 300 Armenian churches situated in the territory of Georgia only 40 of these are functioning churches. In the capital Tbilisi only two of six Armenian churches function, while two are in ruins and the other have been taken over by the Georgians. The Armenians, however, demands that they be returned. By having the status of a legal entity in public law it is feared that the Armenians will possess greater opportunities for settling property demands.

Vide: UN Country of Origin Report, Religious Minorities in Georgia (December 2006).

Glastonbury Review Issue: 120, July 2011

Syrian Orthodox Patriarch visits Turkish Premier

2011-04-03T12:42:00.000+01:00

H. H. Ignatius Zakka I Iwas in talks with Prime Minister of
Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on
the Mar Gabriel Monastery Land Dispute.
Photo-http://new.alepposuryoye.com

Aleppo - His Holiness Ignatius Zakka, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch concluded his official visit to the Turkish government in Ankara on 31 March 2011.

During his three-day visit, His Holiness met with the Prime Minister of Turkey Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on 30 March . Accompanied the Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church of the Metropolitan Mor Gregorios Hanna Ibrahim of Aleppo, Mor Philoxenos Mattias Nayis, Secretary of the Patriarch of Syria, Mor Philoxenos Yusuf Cetin of Istanbul and Ankara and Mor Timotheos Samuel Aktas of Tur Abdin, together with the Diocesan Council Presidents of the two dioceses in Turkey, and the chairman of the foundation of the monastery Mor Gabriel monastery Kuryakus Ergün and attorneys Rudi Sümer.

They had gone to discuss the disputes over the land belonging to Mor Gabriel Monastery in Tur Abdin. The monastery’s bishop, Mor Timotheos Samuel Aktas was among the delegation, which also included the presidents of the diocesan councils of Tur Abdin and Istanbul and the lawyers acting for Mor Gabriel monastery. Representing the Turkish Forestry Commission, which is in dispute with the monastery, was the Turkish Secretary for the Environment.
The Prime Minister said that he had been following the case and would do his utmost to find a proper outcome to settle the dispute after the court had issued its verdict, when he would be happy to meet again with the Patriarch.

Apostolic visit to Turkish Republic started

Easter Papal Message for 2011

2011-04-01T08:01:00.000+01:00

Easter Message

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III

Pope of Alexandria & Patriarch of the See of St. Mark

April 2011

My beloved children in the lands of immigration, both clergy and laity.

I congratulate you for the Glorious Feast of the Resurrection, wishing you all that the Lord returns it upon you with all goodness and blessing.

The resurrection of the Lord Christ was distinguished with an amazing power. He is the only One who was victorious over death by Himself. In His resurrection, He crushed death, and arose with the power of His Divinity. Also, by His power, He came out of the closed tomb which had a great stone upon it, without anyone seeing Him. Also with the same power, He entered the upper room where the disciples were, while its doors were shut. After He spent forty days with them speaking to them about matters pertaining to the Kingdom of God, He ascended to the heavens with a great power, which is against all the laws of gravitational force. Of course, it is the power of His Divinity.
Therefore, St. Paul the Apostle said about Him, in the Epistle to the Philippians 3:10 “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings...” This is why we also praised Him throughout the Holy Week, confessing His power and saying to Him: “To You is the power ... Thok te tee gom.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ, who arose with power, and ascended with power, also grants us power. The Church started its history with power, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the pure disciples. The Bible says: “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.”
This power remained in the life of the Church. With great power, St. George was able to tear the decree of the emperor. Even all the martyrs received death with power, and they did not fear it. Instead, they reiterated the expression “...having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” (Philippians 1:23)

Therefore, my beloved children and brethren, always be powerful. I mean, that you have spiritual power by which you defeat Satan, all the power of the enemy, all the wars of the ego, and all evil desires.
And in your victory, do not attribute this to your own personal power, but to the power of God which works in you, now and always.

Lastly, be well and absolved from the Holy Spirit; and pray for me.

(Signed)

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III
Glorious Feast of Resurrection
April 2011

Easter Papal Message for 2011 in English

Read the Easter Papal Message for 2011 in Arabic

Islamist Mobs in Ethiopia Destroy Church Buildings

2011-03-03T09:12:00.000Z

Addis Abab: On 2 March a Church in church in the area of Asendabo, some 250 kilometres southwest of Addis Abab was destroyed by a rampaging crowd of Muslims, incited by a rumour that a Christian had desecrated a Qu’ran. It was the beginning of a number of concerted attacks during the following days, which spread to Chiltie, Gilgel Gibe, Gibe, Nada, Dimtu, Uragay, Busa and Koticha, mostly on Protestant churches. When it ended an estimated 69 churches had destroyed; 10,000 Christians displaced from their homes and one Orthodox Christian was also killed. This area has a population almost equally divided between Christians (48.7%) and Muslims (47.5%).
Attacks on churches have been a common occurrence in predominantly Muslim areas of Ethiopia like Jimma and Jijiga and Christians are often subject to harassment and intimidation.
Eventually 558 people were sentenced to imprisonment, for terms ranging from six months to 25 years for these attacks. Regional officials reported that almost all the displaced people were returned to their homes, some of which had been repaired with support from local Muslims. The Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, blamed a little-known local Muslim group for preaching intolerance in the region, and warned of growing religious tensions in the Christian-dominated country.

Glastonbury Review Issue: 120, July 2011

Pope Shenouda comments on the Egyptian Revolution

2011-02-27T12:01:00.000Z

Sunday, 27th February, 2011

In a recent interview conducted by Father Daoud Lamei, His Holiness Pope Shenouda clarified points in the Statement which he issued on behalf of the Holy Synod and commented on aspects of the Egyptian Revolution.

What was meant by a civil nation ?
A civil nation is defined as a non-religious and non-military nation.
You spoke of the valiant Egyptian army ?
Praising the army in the statement recalls a long history. While still a university student, I volunteered in the army and graduated from the school of Infantry in 1947.
Are you optimistic about the future?
I am not tending to talk about optimism but rather about hope in God. We are asked not to loose hope. This is an integral part of our relation to God. Our life, as well as the life of countries, abides not in the hands of people, but in the hands of God. There is no doubt, the authorities want good for the country whether on the internal level (unity, security and prosperity) or on the external level (events in surrounding Arab Countries, possible reactions of Israel…etc.). In these days, our priority should not be to put forward demands and exert pressure on the regime but to support the leadership to pass through this difficult phase and arrive to a safe haven.
Some people suggested that the church was a main beneficiary from the old regime, not knowing what we have been suffering from.
In a TV interview with Amr Adeeb, some 6 months ago, I mentioned that the problems of the Copts can be summarized in one word ‘marginalization’. Copts are marginalized from high official positions, syndicates, legislative councils, university staff…etc. Another main element has been the frequent violent attacks targeting Copts. We remember the El Kosheh assassinations (21 dead and no sentence has been made against anyone by the court), Abu Korkas (9 people assassinated inside the church and no one has received death penalty – according to the law), Dayrout (14 killed including children), the Alexandria church this year (30 killed, 90 injured), Omraneya Church (where we were unjustly blamed for the events) but we thank the Lord for having people released before the Feast of Nativity early in January.
On the other hand, I cannot deny that we had good relations with President Mubarak as a person. That’s why I see it a personal obligation of loyalty not to mention bad points but rather to remember the good ones. The problems we suffered were mainly due to those surrounding him. Now after the revolution, they have been apprehended and are being prosecuted.
At the start of the revolution didn’t you allow Coptic youth to join the demonstrations?
I had an interview at El-Horra TV Channel where I mentioned that our youth are generally peaceful and are not attracted to demonstrations. Also at the start of the revolution, things were not clear. It later proved to be a free and non-violent movement. Many Copts joined it in fact and many were martyred and wounded, some newspapers published names of 12 of those Coptic martyrs and the church did not object to their participation. On the other hand, we ask the Lord to give their families patience and we pay our deepest condolences to them. If I know their addresses, I would send personal condolences to each of them.
What are your views on educational reform in Egypt ?
I always ask myself a question: should education be only for earning, or should it help people to find a job? May be it is both. What is the point of educating people to become unemployed. I remember a funny story of a woman seeing her child studying and asking him to leave education and play soccer where he would find a better future.
I would personally encourage having quality vocational training starting at preparatory schools (7-9 grades) to have a higher professional vocational training at the secondary level. The university may also have an advanced degree on vocational fields. In fact, foreign investors in Egypt seek highly trained vocational workers. Not finding them they have to import them from other countries at higher cost. I recall some twenty years ago, the electricity generator at the monastery had a problem; one of our sons was a senior engineer. I asked him if he could fix it. He said, I apologize I am only engineer on paper but I have no real experience. We need people who have both theoretical and practical knowledge. Sometimes we import sophisticated medical equipment, and find no expertise to use it properly or fix it. This kind of training is very important and missing much in Egypt. This does not mean eliminating general education but having both.
On political parties, do you encourage Copts to work in politics?
The Muslim Brotherhood recently created the Wassat, Hakk and Adala & Gamaa parties. Are the youth of 25 January intending to create parties ? I have no idea. Would some tolerant people install non-religious parties? Of course those are in addition to the old classical parties. For us we cannot and it would not be to our benefit to install a purely Christian party. It would be described as radical and would have very few members. I encourage Copts to join their Moslem brothers in a party they would judge as tolerant and achieving their hopes. One should properly study the aims, agenda and members opf each party. In this respect we have to admit that we need to raise people’s political awareness.
Constitution amendments and Article 2:
I met with a member of the current committee and he said they would only amend the 5 articles previously decided and would not touch on article 2. The head of the committee publicly supported article 2, the Grand Sheikh of Azhar said it is an indispensable article, both the Salafists and the Muslim Brothers went in demonstrations to support that matter and they said that addressing this article may cause sectarian strife. I believe that at the current stage, it is difficult to oppose this article, especially for Christians. As a compromise I suggest the following, if it is essential to keep it, we may add a sentence “as for non-muslims, the commandments of their religion shall apply in personal statute and clergy matters”.
The church and being socially active in building the country:
The church may participate in social building and help the country not by vandalism and demonstrations. A couple of days ago I was visited by the Minister of Interior and I suggested that we rebuild and refurbish the neigbourhood police station at our expense. Likewise, HG Bishop Morcos of Shoubra El Khema is rebuilding and refurbishing two police stations there.
Copts were always criticized for being politically passive in their participation. On the other hand the head of the church is often criticized for interfering in politics.
There is a difference between being active politically and working in politics. For example in all elections I went to do my duty as a citizen by voting. As for Copts being politically passive, I must remark that most parties were not welcoming Copts among them and they were never allowed to go up the political scale except for a few well-known names. I encourage parties to give the chance to Copts and have trust. The behaviour of parties had a negative impact on both Muslims and Christians and this reflected in the extremely low participation in elections.
What is the fine line between being politically active and interfering in politics?
For example concerning Palestine, I gave my opinion and said that I would not go to Palestine except with the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar and this was highly praised by all authorities (except some few Copts) as a national act despite the fact that it was pure politics. The question is: should I be active only in matters that are supported by the government and show restraint in matters they reject? The church is giving its opinion in politics without working in politics. Yet for Copts, they are free to work in politics as they wish and they have to select the successful and right politics.
Should there be a revolution in the church to change things?
Unlike world politics that change from time to time, whether calmly or violently, the church uses a divine system that is described in the scriptures and detailed in the church canons. Copying the government system for the church is not acceptable by logic, religion and church canons.
As for the clerical council investigations for clergy, it was asked lately why they are not made public. In fact, those investigations are usually concerning financial, ethical or theological matters. We make the judgment public but do not give details of the investigations. The details are written in special memos and are signed and approved by the priest who is being judged. If anyone needs me to review his case, I may well request his file and review it.
President Mubarak had many problems because of those surrounding him? Can this happen with your Holiness?
Those surrounding President Mubarak were employees, but those around me are my sons and disciples. For example, Bishop Ermia, I knew him over many years, I consecrated him monk, then priest, then bishop and appointed him to the secretariat. Bishop Joannes is the same way. Another point is that those around Mubarak, may have found excuses for their mistakes: for example, they would support his son Gamal for the presidency so they would fabricate elections and possibly oppress people and so on…etc. Such an element is completely missing in the church. I would not recommend anyone to succeed me.
Spiritual lessons from the past 20 days of the revolution
Do not judge before the time. We do not know anything concerning the future. The Lord said: Do not care for tomorrow, tomorrow cares for itself. The future is in the hands of God not ours. There are many political actors: the Higher Council of Armed Forces, the government, the youth of 25-Jan, the individual demonstrations, financial problems, some Coptic fathers who want to rule the church…etc. We leave it all in the hands of God, knowing for sure that the church is in the hands of God not people.
Conclusion
We trust that everything will go well, not because of our own prayers: It is true that God gives us what we ask for and beyond what we ask for, yet He also gives abundantly without us asking. Maybe Joseph had his ultimate hope to leave prison and return back home with his father and brothers. He never thought of ruling Egypt or having pharaoh’s seal under his authority. God gives without us asking and beyond it. He just wants us to be pure of heart and as He said ‘Return to me and I shall return to you’. Every morning, while praying the Agpeya I meditate the words ‘grant us O Lord to please you’. It is indeed a grant from the Lord not an effort of us.

[Translated by Shenouda Mamdouh]

http://britishorthodox.org/1676/pope-shenouda-comments-on-the-egyptian-revolution/

Statement of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III on the Egyptian Revolution

2011-02-16T14:57:00.002Z

Pope of Alexandria H H Shenouda III

CAIRO,Tuesday, February 15, 2011: On 15 February 2011 Pope Shenouda met with a small committee of the Holy Synod that released the following statement:

The Coptic Church praises Egypt’s honest youth, the Youth of 25 January who led Egypt in a resilient white revolution and sacrificed precious blood, the blood of the nation’s martyrs who were hailed by Egypt’s leadership, army and people. We too offer condolences to their parents and members of their families.

The Coptic Church praises Egypt’s brave Army and the High Council of the Armed Forces for their statements aimed at protecting Egypt both domestically and internationally. We support its position in dissolving parliament and the Shura council and in seeking to restore order.

We believe that Egypt should be a democratic civil country that selects its parliament through free and fair elections that represent all classes of the population.

We support all Egypt in fighting poverty, corruption and unemployment and in resisting anarchy and vandalism. We support the establishment of security, safety and the principles of social justice and national unity and the prosecution of all those who have broken the law.

The Coptic Church prays for our great Egyptian nation, with its long history and civilisation. We ask the Lord to keep it safe and to extend peace, safety, stability and prosperity.

Pope Shenouda III
Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark
and Head of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox ChurchCOPTIC

Original Release:

ENGLISH

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI TO THE MEMBERS OF THE JOINT INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES

2011-02-03T14:33:00.001Z

Consistory Hall

Friday, 28 January 2011

Your Eminences,
Your Excellencies,
Dear Brothers in Christ,

It is with great joy that I welcome you, the members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Through you I gladly extend fraternal greetings to my venerable Brothers, the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

I am grateful for the work of the Commission which began in January 2003 as a shared initiative of the ecclesial authorities of the family of the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

As you know, the first phase of the dialogue, from 2003 to 2009, resulted in the common text entitled Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church. The document outlined aspects of fundamental ecclesiological principles that we share and identified issues requiring deeper reflection in successive phases of the dialogue. We can only be grateful that after almost fifteen hundred years of separation we still find agreement about the sacramental nature of the Church, about apostolic succession in priestly service and about the impelling need to bear witness to the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the world.

H.E. Anba Bishoy (co-chair) meets with Pope Benedict XVI

In the second phase the Commission has reflected from an historical perspective on the ways in which the Churches expressed their communion down the ages. During the meeting this week you are deepening your study of the communion and communication that existed between the Churches until the mid-fifth century of Christian history, as well as the role played by monasticism in the life of the early Church.

We must be confident that your theological reflection will lead our Churches not only to understand each other more deeply, but resolutely to continue our journey decisively towards the full communion to which we are called by the will of Christ. For this intention we have lifted up our common prayer during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which has just ended.

Many of you come from regions where Christian individuals and communities face trials and difficulties that are a cause of deep concern for us all. All Christians need to work together in mutual acceptance and trust in order to serve the cause of peace and justice. May the intercession and example of the many martyrs and saints, who have given courageous witness to Christ in all our Churches, sustain and strengthen you and your Christian communities.

With sentiments of fraternal affection I invoke upon all of you the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflections on events in Egypt

2011-02-03T12:11:00.000Z

An interview with Abba Seraphim

3rd February, 2011

Q. How do you view the current demonstrations in Egypt ?
A. History shows us that all repressive regimes can only maintain a grip on power for a limited period of time. Like a volcano waiting to explode, the underlying tensions seeks a crack in the surface and then everything suddenly comes bursting out. No country can be totally isolated from its neighbours and the unrest we saw in Tunisia has spread to Egypt and its effect is already having an impact on other countries. I was impressed, however, by the calmness of the protesters in the early stages but the escalating violence and injury to people and property is now very alarming.
Q. Do you think that President Mubarak should go ?
A. I have already expressed my view that I believe the present government has lost its moral authority and retains power by electoral fraud and military repression. However, Tony Blair was right to remind us that President Mubarak is not Saddam Hussein, although he has presided over a corrupt and stagnant administration for three decades and a new generation of educated Egyptians have grown up who want to control their own destiny. It is not uncommon for political leaders to believe themselves indispensible and to try to hang on to power for too long but in truly democratic countries their term of office is limited by statute or they can be voted out. Egypt’s constitution provided for this but President Mubarak changed it and has now outstayed his welcome. Recent tragic instances have showed us that the Egyptian government was not ensuring the security of all its citizens and this has been a serious failure to fulfil a primary responsibility of government.
Q. Do you believe that America is still influencing events ?
A. Egypt has suffered from foreign interference for too much of its modern history and I am very conscious of Britain’s role in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, which sadly did not put Egypt’s interests first. However, Egypt is a proud nation and they did manage to reassert their independence before American influence and patronage tied them into a rather too close alliance. America and its Western allies have been complicit in winking at the totalitarian nature of the Egyptian government and the human rights abuses in Egypt and by so doing they have also lost some moral stature. Efforts to push for greater democratisation have been too half-hearted and now seem to be an afterthought.
Q. Is there a danger that if Mubarak goes now things will descend into chaos ?
A. There are signs of that chaos already appearing with vicious street battles between warring factions, the absence of proper policing with widespread reports of looting and rape as well as the serious damage being done to businesses and the economy in general. All parties profess a devotion to national unity and to achieve this there must be give and take. I would hope that President Mubarak will complete his term and be allowed to go into honourable retirement. He has served his country for many years and is not without some achievements and by going peacefully he may regain some respect from his opponents. We may justly criticise him for his failures but I dislike the crude abuse coming from some quarters. If he goes early, then the Vice-President will assume power in an orderly way and he should invite representatives of all the leading opposition groups to play some part in the reconstruction which must immediately follow and to pave the way for constitutional change and free and fair elections before the end of the year.
Q. Is there a danger that the Muslim Brotherhood or other religious fundamentalists will be the principal beneficiaries of these changes ?
A. Although the Muslim Brotherhood has been a banned party, it nevertheless managed to field “independent” candidates and to gain 88 seats (20% of the total) in the 2005 elections. In the latest, 2010 rigged elections, they gained only one seat (0.2% of the total). Obviously, support is still there and it is something which needs to be faced. Currently the Muslim Brotherhood professes a commitment to greater democratisation and if a new Constitution can be brought in before the elections we have to trust that the majority of Egyptians will back that and it will serve as a safeguard against any form of extremism.
Q. Do you have any views about what form that Constitution should take ?
A. The 1980 amendment introduced by President Sadat, which states “Islamic jurisprudence is the principal source of legislation” is discriminatory and contradicts the aspirations of non-Muslim citizens. The rights of all Egyptians to practise their religion must be respected but no faith should be preferred over another if there is to be true equality. National unity cannot be achieved by preferring one section of society over another and this is the soundest way to ensure that religious extremists do not gain control.
Q. How should Coptic Orthodox Christians react ?
A. In all societies there will be diversity of opinions, so Copts do not form a monolithic block vote. We have seen instances of Copts standing guard over mosques during these demonstrations and I know of very encouraging reports of Christians and Muslims working harmoniously to protect their local communities. The Coptic Church has always encouraged national unity and that vision is symbolised in the old motif of the conjoined cross and crescent expressing that sense of Egyptian unity which was so strong in the early twentieth century. Copts have been participating in peaceful demonstrations and Pope Shenouda has always condemned any resort to violence. I feel sure that Copts will be at the forefront of support for the wounded and the vulnerable during these difficult days. The shameful and degrading violence of the past two days is something which cannot be justified under any circumstances.
Q. What can those of us do who are not living in Egypt ?
A. As Christians we know the power of prayer and it is always our first resort. We not only pray for our friends and relations caught up in events, but we pray for the victims of the violence and that the politicians and leading figures in Egyptian society will be given wisdom and guidance in their judgements and actions. At the present, most Coptic Churches in the diaspora are observing a time of prayer and fasting. It is encouraging also how many Christians of other traditions are telling us that they too are earnestly praying for a peaceful and just outcome. Egypt is a great nation and they are a proud people. We pray that out of these troubled times a long and lasting peace may result so that freedom, justice and tolerance may flourish.

http://britishorthodox.org/1607/reflections-on-events-in-egypt/

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

2011-02-02T14:19:00.004Z

Eighth Meeting Rome, January 25 to 28, 2011

The eighth meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches took place in Rome from January 25 to 28, 2011. The meeting was hosted by His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, the new President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. It was chaired jointly by Cardinal Koch and by His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

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

The two delegations met separately on January 25, and held plenary sessions each day from January 26 to January 28. Each day of the plenary sessions began with a common celebration of Morning Prayer. In his remarks at the beginning of the first session, Cardinal Koch welcomed the group to Rome, and said that "I have had an enduring ecumenical interest in the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and in your history, your life of faith, your liturgy and theology. I have always felt very at home in your presence. Despite our longstanding separation, we share a solid basis of faith and ecclesial order." With great sadness the Cardinal also informed the group of the death of one of the Ethiopian Orthodox representatives, Father Megabe Biluy Seife Selassie. He has been replaced by Archdeacon Daniel Seife Michael, an instructor at Holy Trinity Theological University College in Addis Ababa. The cardinal also offered congratulations to Father John Matthews who, since the last meeting, was ordained a bishop and given the name Metropolitan Dr. Youhanan Mar Demetrios, Assistant Metropolitan of Delhi, and to His Eminence Nareg Alemezian who has been elevated to the rank of Archbishop. Metropolitan Bishoy took the occasion to congratulate Cardinal Koch on his appointment as President of the Pontifical Council, and to express his gratitude to Cardinal Walter Kasper for his co-chairmanship of the commission until his retirement last year. He also stressed that the official name of his family of churches should always be "Oriental Orthodox Churches."

At this meeting, the members continued their study - in a very friendly atmosphere - of the ways in which the churches expressed their communion with one another until the middle of the fifth century and the role played by monasticism in this. The papers presented included "The Communion and Communication that Existed Between Our Churches Until the Mid-Fifth Century of Christian History As Well As the Role Played by Monasticism: The Tradition of Antioch," by Archbishop Theophilus George Saliba; "The Petrine Office and the Question, Who Established the Church of Rome?: Coptic Orthodox Perspective," by Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, "Communion and Communication Among the Churches in the Tradition of Alexandria," by Father Mark Sheridan, OSB; "The Role of Monasticism in the Development and Communion of the Churches," by Father Columba Stewart, OSB; "Communion and Communication that Existed Between Our Churches Until the Mid-Fifth Century of Christian History and the Role Played by Monasticism: The Ethiopian Experience," by Archdeacon Daniel Seife Michael Feleke; "The Reception of the Ecumenical Councils in the Armenian Tradition (VIII-XV cc.)" and "Communion and Communication," by Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian; "Communion and Communication Between the St. Thomas Christians of India and Other Churches till Mid-Fifth Century A.D. - Indian Orthodox Perspective," by Metropolitan Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios; "Communion and Communication Between the St. Thomas Christians of India and Other Churches till Mid-Fifth Century A.D. - A Syrian Orthodox Perspective," by Metropolitan Dr Kuriakose Theophilose; "Communion and Communication Among the Churches: Rome in the Pre-Constantinian Era," by Prof. Dietmar W. Winkler.

In these various studies, the members of the commission focused more precisely on the concrete expressions of communion and communication among the churches before the separation. Indeed, communion was expressed primarily through various forms of communication. It was noted that in the pre-Constantinian period, there was an intense communication among the churches, especially in times of crisis. There was a common sense of responsibility towards the other churches that was found most clearly in the exchange of letters and synodal decisions. These provided a means of conveying encouragement and challenge to one another, as well as theological clarifications. This exchange was mutual among the various churches. It exemplified a remarkable degree of communion among local communities in a process that lacked central direction after 250 years of expansion throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, including Armenia, Persia, Ethiopia and India. The universal phenomenon of Christian asceticism, present from the earliest times, found expression in the monastic movements, emerging from the late third century in all parts of the Christian world. There was a fruitful exchange of monastic spiritual writings emanating from the Christian Orient, even across doctrinal divisions.

In the evening of January 25, the members attended a Vespers service in the Basilica of Saint Paul's Outside the Walls presided over by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In his homily the Holy Father made reference to the presence of the members of the dialogue, and said, "We entrust the success of your meeting to the Lord, that it may be another step forward towards our longed-for unity". On Thursday evening January 27, Cardinal Koch hosted a dinner for the dialogue members and staff of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity at the Domus Sanctae Marthae in the Vatican.

Pope Benedict XVI received the members of the commission in private audience on Friday morning January 28. Cardinal Koch and Metropolitan Bishoy thanked the Pope for receiving the commission, and Metropolitan Bishoy presented a Coptic icon of Saint Mary the Mother of God to him on behalf of the members of the commission. The Pope then greeted the members, saying "It is with great joy that I welcome you, the members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Through you I gladly extend fraternal greetings to my venerable Brothers, the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. I am grateful for the work of the Commission which began in January 2003 as a shared initiative of the ecclesial authorities of the family of the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. As you know, the first phase of the dialogue, from 2003 to 2009, resulted in the common text entitled Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church. The document outlined aspects of fundamental ecclesiological principles that we share and identified issues requiring deeper reflection in successive phases of the dialogue. We can only be grateful that after almost fifteen hundred years of separation we still find agreement about the sacramental nature of the Church, about apostolic succession in priestly service and about the impelling need to bear witness to the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the world. In the second phase the Commission has reflected from an historical perspective on the ways in which the Churches expressed their communion down the ages. During the meeting this week you are deepening your study of the communion and communication that existed between the Churches until the mid-fifth century of Christian history, as well as the role played by monasticism in the life of the early Church. We must be confident that your theological reflection will lead our Churches not only to understand each other more deeply, but resolutely to continue our journey decisively towards the full communion to which we are called by the will of Christ. For this intention we have lifted up our common prayer during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which has just ended. Many of you come from regions where Christian individuals and communities face trials and difficulties that are a cause of deep concern for us all. All Christians need to work together in mutual acceptance and trust in order to serve the cause of peace and justice. May the intercession and example of the many martyrs and saints, who have given courageous witness to Christ in all our Churches, sustain and strengthen you and your Christian communities. With sentiments of fraternal affection I invoke upon all of you the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ."

The ninth meeting of the International Joint Commission will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the invitation of His Holiness Abune Paulos I, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Tewahido Orthodox Church. The members will plan to arrive on Monday January 16, 2012, and depart on Monday January 23. The two delegations will meet separately on Tuesday January 17, and in plenary session on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, January 18, 19, and 21. They will participate in the celebration of Epiphany (Timkat) on January 20, and in Sunday liturgies on January 22.

The members concluded with joyful thanks to God, the Father Son and 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)

Armenian Apostolic Church— Catholicosate of all Armenians: H.E. Khajag Barsamian, Archbishop of the Eastern Diocese of the USA, New York; H.E. Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian, General Secretary of Bible Society of Armenia, Etchmiadzin, Armenia;

Armenian Apostolic Church— Holy See of Cilicia: H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy in the USA, New York; H.G. 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, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church; Rev. Fr. Shenouda Maher Ishak, West Henrietta, New York, USA; H.G. Bishop Daniel of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Sydney, Australia (observer);

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

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church: Archdeacon Daniel Seife Michael Feleke of Holy Trinity Theological University College in Addis Ababa; Mr. Lique Hiruyan Getachew Guadie (unable to attend);

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church: H.E. Metropolitan Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios, President of the Department of Ecumenical Relations, Diocese of Trivandrum, India; H. G. Metropolitan Dr. Youhanon Mar Demetrios, Assistant Bishop of Delhi (co-secretary), Delhi, India.

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

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;

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

Most Reverend Jules Mikhael Al-Jamil, Procurator of the Syrian Catholic Patriarchate to the Holy See and Apostolic Visitator in Europe, Rome;

Most Reverend Peter Marayati, Armenian Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo, Syria;

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

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

Rev. Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB, Executive Director, Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, St. 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. Paul Rouhana, OLM, Université Saint-Esprit, Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon (unable to attend);

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;

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).

Rome, January 28, 2011

Jerusalem Armenian Patriarch to Have Co-Adjutor

2010-11-24T08:59:00.000Z

JERUSALEM, November 22nd, 2010 — It was announced that the Armenian Church in Jerusalem is to have a co-adjutor patriarch to assist His Beatitude Patriarch Torkom (Manoogian), the 96th Patriarch of Jerusalem.

This was proposed by Patriarch Torkom himself, during the four-day 19th general Assembly of the monastic Brotherhood of St. James, whose members administer the Patriarchate. Patriarch Torkom, who is 94, has been in declining health for some time although he co-chaired the Assembly with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the primate of Diocese of Armenian Church of America (Eastern).

Born in an Iraqui refugee camp in 1919 Patriarch Torkom studied at the Armenian Seminary in Jerusalem before becoming its Assistant Dean. Following his episcopal consecration in 1962 he served in the USA as Primate of the Western diocese and for a short period of the Eastern diocese, being elected Patriarch in 19990. Following the death of Catholicos Vazgen he served as locum tenens of Etchmiadzin 1994-5. He has tried hard to reinforce the Armenian presence in the Holy Land through administrative reforms, refurbishing the dilapidated residences of the priests, renovating churches and upgrading the educational standards of the theological seminary.

His insistence on accountability and transparency and imbuing the Armenian Church with his vision of a revived Jerusalem, has earned him universal respect from all Armenians and brought a measure of much-needed stability to the Armenian community but the strains have taken a heavy toll on his health.

Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem Issues Communiqué Following General Assembly of the St. James Brotherhood

Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem Issues Communiqué Following General Assembly of the St. James Brotherhood

2010-11-23T08:03:00.000Z

18 November 2010

What follows is an English-language translation of the official Armenian-language communiqué issued by the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, following the General Assembly of the Patriarchate's St. James Brotherhood, which convened November 15-18, 2010.

COMMUNIQUÉ

The 19th session of the General Assembly of the Brotherhood of St. James in Jerusalem was convened in the tahlidj of the Patriarchate from November 15 to 18, with His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Patriarch, presiding and 28 members of the Brotherhood participating.

His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, was elected as Co-Chairman of the General Assembly, a task that he carried out capably.

The General Assembly was presented with the Financial Report of 2010 and the Proposed Budget for 2011. The Brotherhood carefully reviewed the Financial Report, and accepted and approved the Proposed Budget for 2011 by majority vote.

During the course of 2009-2010, the Executive Council [Dnoren Zhoghov] had held 40 routine sessions, during which the members had discussed issues concerning education, real estate, finances, the Dominical sites, public relations, ecumenical relations, local departments and others, about which the General Assembly received a report and appreciatively accepted it with an absolute majority vote.

During the meeting various issues and proposals of interest to the Brotherhood concerning real estate, finances, Bylaws were taken into consideration, and a partial election was held to replace the members of the Executive Council whose terms had expired.

The General Assembly heard reports and explanations concering Soorp Nikoghayos [Nicholas] Monastery of Jaffa, Soorp George Monastery of Ramle, Soorp Hreshdagabedats [Archangels] Monastery of Jerusalem, Soorp Hagop Church in the Armenian Monastery in Bethlehem and the basic renovations in Soorp Tarkmanchats [Translators] School. Mr. Yossi Avner, the attorney of the Monastery, presented explanations about various real estate related issues connected with Soorp Krikor Loosavorich Church in New Jerusalem and clarified all the concerns that the members of the Brotherhood had. The status of Soorp Krikor Loosavorich Church in New Jerusalem remains unchanged under the jurisdiction of the Armenian Patriarchate.

The Very Rev. Fr. Pakrad Bourjekian, the Dean of real possessions, presented the report for the Real Estate Department of the Patriarchate and answered questions from all the members of the Brotherhood. The General Assembly accepted with appreciation the explanations of the Dean of Real Estate Possessions.

During the meeting His Beatitude the Patriarch presented a memorandum to the officers of the Assembly and the Chairman read His Beatitude's wish: taking into consideration the situation of his health and the future of the Monastery, he proposes to the General Assembly of the Brotherhood to consider the issue of electing a coadjutor Patriarch and towards that end articles fulfilling the stipulations of the Bylaws to be prepared. He also advised that the Chairman, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, chair the committee of this segment of the Bylaws Committee. It is the wish of His Beatitude that approval of the articles to be added to the Bylaws be given in March of 2011.

Besides this, the General Assembly of the Brotherhood elected a new Bylaws Committee in order to amend the Bylaws of the Holy See during the course of next year.

After examining the plan to construct an income generating guest house on a plot of land on the Mount of Ascension that belongs to the Monastery, the General Assembly of the Brotherhood gave its consent.

The General Assembly of the Brotherhood expresses its appreciation to His Beatitude the Patriarch, to His Eminence Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian, Grand Sacristan, and to the Co-Chairman of the General Assembly of the Brotherhood, and the secretaries.

The General Assembly of the Brotherhood expresses its appreciation to the members of the past Executive Council and to its Chairman Archbishop Aris Shirvanian for services rendered.

The General Assembly of the Brotherhood congratulates the newly elected members of the Executive Council, wishing them success in their endeavors.

The General Assembly of the Brotherhood noted with appreciation the activities of the Education, Holy Sites, Real Estate and Finance Departments and thanked all those that gave their best for the benefit of the Holy See.

The General Assembly of the Brotherhood prays to God to keep the Holy See of St. Etchmiadzin unshaken, and give a long life to His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.

The General Assembly of the Brotherhood prays to God to always keep under his shadow the Holy See and give good health to His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian.

The General Assembly of the Brotherhood thanks all the members of the Brotherhood who have turned their immediate concern to the welfare and prosperity of the Holy See.

St. James Brotherhood with its Presiding head thanks all those who have contributed to the prosperity of the Holy See by means of material and moral assistance.

The General Assembly of the Brotherhood ended with a positive and constructive spirit. The General Assembly of the Brotherhood's 19th session ended with the Holy See's anthem being chanted in standing position and after the Dismissal prayer of the Patriarch.

November 18, 2010
Divan of the Holy See [of Jerusalem]

http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net/news-and-media/news/armenian-patriarchate-of-jerusalem-issues-communiqu-following-general-assembly-of-the-st-james-brotherhood/

115th Catholicos of the East Baselios Marthoma Paulose II installed

2010-11-02T12:03:00.002Z

PARUMALA, (KERALA,INDIA): Nov 1 : Baselios Marthoma Paulose II was enthroned as Catholicos of the East, supreme head of the Orthodox Church of the East and Malankara Metropolitan at a special ceremony held at St. Paul’s and St. Peter’s Church (Parumala Pally) at Parumala in Kerala, southern India, on November 1, 2010.

The 64-year-old Catholicos, His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Poulose I (Former Paulose Mar Milithios), was consecrated after his predecessor His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I decided to step down on his 90th birthday on Oct. 29.

Former Catholicos His Holiness Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Didymus I was the chief celebrant at the consecration ceremony. The Newly consecrated Catholicos, Baselios Marthoma Paulose II is the eighth Catholicos since the Catholicate of the East was relocated to India and 115th Catholicos in the lineage of Catholicoi of the East in the apostolic throne of St. Thomas. He is also the 21st Malankara Metropolitan (Major Arch Bishop of India) of the Malankara (Indian) Church.

“The consecration ceremony was conducted under the rich traditions of the church. We are happy the church is getting a new head who dedicated his life in prayers,” said Orthodox seminary principal Father K. M. George.

Father George believes the new Catholicos is a great shepherd. “He prioritizes prayers and spirituality,” the priest added.

Starting with a procession, the major part of the consecration ceremony was held at the Pontifical Mass. During the consecration, the former Catholicos handed over the throne and all its designations to his successor.

The consecration ceremony

At 6.30 am all Metropolitans have ceremoniously accompanied His Holiness Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Didymus I into the Church and the day’s event began. Arch Bishop of Chengannur Diocese Thomas Mar Athanasius celebrated the Holy Qurbana. Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Didymus I was the chief celebrant for the consecration ceremony.

New Catholicos readout and put his signature on his confession of faith (Amalogia), which the new Pontiff himself piously submitted to the Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Paulose II.

Thereafter the reigning Catholicos declared that the new Pontiff is worthy to be elevated to the Catholicosate and to the throne of St. Thomas. This led to reading of the Gospel, with Metropolitans carrying the throne, on which the new Catholicos was sitting. This was to symbolize the authority of the new Catholicos over the Church of God. Staff for the new Catholicos was also handed over in a similar fashion, where nine Metropolitans held their hands below the hand of the New Catholicos, which was guided to the top by the reigning Catholicose.

Concluding the ceremony, litanies were read out, which were prayers for and divine felicitations to the new Pontiff.

Newly installed Catholicose Baselios Marthoma Paulose II completed the Holy Qurbana to mark the end of ceremony.

Priest Trustee Fr. Dr. Johns Abraham Konattu was the Master of Ceremony. Fr. M.P. George led the melodious choir.

Around 25 Metropolitans attended the event. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios, Thomas Mar Athanasius,Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, Kuriakose Mar Cleemis, Zachariah Mar Anthonios, Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius, Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, Paulose Mar Pachomius, Dr. Mathews Mar Severius, Dr. Yakoob Mar Irenaeus, Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios, Dr. Zachariah Mar Theophilos, Dr. Yuhanon Mar Chrysostomos, Yuhanon Mar Policarpos, Mathews Mar Theodosius, Joseph Mar Dionysius, Abraham Mar Ephiphanios, Dr. Mathews Mar Timothios, Dr. Yuhanon Mar Dioscoros, Dr. Youhanon Mar Dimitrios, Dr. Yuhanon Mar Theodoros, Yakob Mar Elias, Joshua Mar Nicodemus, Dr. Zachariah Mar Aprem, Dr. Geevarghese Mar Julius and Dr. Abraham Mar Seraphim participated the consecration ceremony. A number of priests and thousands of faithful witnessed the historical ceremony.

Kerala Finance Minster T.M. Thomas Isaac, Jose K. Mani, and Anto Antony, MPs, K.M. Mani, P.J. Joseph, Joseph M. Puthussery, Raju Abraham, Mons Joseph, K. Sivadasan Nair, and Mathew T. Thomas, MLAs, Mar Joseph Powathil, Joseph Perunthottm, Archbishops, and Philipose Mar Chrysostum, Senior Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church, were among those who turned up to felicitate the new Catholicos.

With the consecration of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, three Catholicoi had been consecrated at Parumala Pally. His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews II was consecrated as Catholicos of the East in 1991 and His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I in 2005.

PROFILE

His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II was born on August 30, 1946 in the ancient Syrian Christian family of Kollannur to K I Ipe and Kunjeetty at Thalappally Taluk in Thrissur District. His mother, Kunjeetty hails from the famous family of Pulikkottil and he was baptized at St Mary's Orthodox Church Pazhani.

He was ordained for the first stage of deaconate in Parumala Seminary in 1972 and as Priest on June 2, 1973. He was ordained as Ramban (monk) on May 3, 1983. Ramban Paul was ordained as Bishop with title Paulose Mar Milithios on May 15, 1985 by Baselios Mar Thoma Mathew I. He is the first metropolitan after Parumala Thirumeni who was ordained Bishop below age of 40. He was appointed as the first Arch Bishop of the newly formed Kunnamkulam diocese of the church on August 1, 1985.

He was unanimously elected as Catholicos designate by Malankara Syrian Christian Association on October 12, 2006.

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of the East traces its origins to Saint Thomas the Apostle who evangelized India. The Orthodox Church of the East, also known as the Indian Orthodox Church, is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church, with thirty million faithful worldwide. The church is most influential in Kerala.

H.H. Baselios Marthoma Didymus I, The Catholicos of the East Abdicates

2010-11-02T09:54:00.000Z

DEVALOKAM (KERALA,INDIA): The great shepherd of the East, His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I decided to step down.

It is in a special session of the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Orthodox Church of the East that was convened at the Catholicosate Palace, Devalokam, Kottayam, on 29th October 2010 that the supreme Pontiff decided to disclose on his abdication.

“The Almighty allowed me to lead the Church for the last five years. Looking back, I consider everything as grace of God. I love the Church and the people of God. I also thank all of you, who stood as strong support to me during these years”, said the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan to the members of the Holy Episcopal Synod in the preface of his speech.

“For the rest of my life, I want to retreat in prayer and wish to set aside myself from all administrative responsibilities”, carried on the Catholicos.

Twenty Metropolitans including Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios attended the meeting.

A meeting of the Holy Episcopal Synod will officially convene on 30th October. Details of the abdication will be released to the media thereafter.

His Holiness The Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Didymus I was enthroned at St. Paul’s and St. Peter’s Church (Parumala Pally) at Parumala on October 31, 2005.

Historians will depict this father as the great skipper, who depended on the power of prayer than secular administrative skills to lead the children of God. Great meeting at Kottayam and two flawless Malankara Associations bear witness to the above said fact.

PHOTO: H.H. Baselios Marthoma Didymus I (right), 114th Catholicos of the East with H.H. Pope Shenouda III, 117th Pope of Alexandria and the Patriarch of All Africa on the Holy Apostolic See of Saint Mark the Evangelist of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, on 6th May 2006. — CC-BY-SA image from the official Malankara Church Magazine

PATRIARCH ZAKKA I IWAS IN ANTELIAS

2010-10-15T13:13:00.004+01:00

ANTELIAS: His Holiness Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, accompanied by his Assistant, the Diocesan Bishops of Lebanon met with His Holiness Aram I in the presence of Bishop Nareg Alemezian on Thursday 14th October 2010. The Heads of the two Oriental Orthodox Churches met to discuss relations with the sister Coptic Orthodox Church and problems in church relations within the Middle East Council of Churches. The meeting continued over lunch hosted by His Holiness Aram I.

PHOTO COURTASY: Armenian Orthodox Church

ElBaradei his own Enemy – Coptic Bishop

2010-08-30T12:04:00.001+01:00

Cairo, Egypt: H G Moussa, the bishop of youth for the Coptic Orthodox Church, has criticized Mohamed ElBaradei, former chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for failing to offer new proposal for political reform that would distinguish him from other Egyptian political parties. During the First Conference for Young Egyptians Abroad organized by the National Youth Council in Alexandria, Father Moussa said ElBaradei should join an existing political party and then push for a constitutional reform. Father Moussa asserted that the Coptic Orthodox Church would not allow itself to be used as a platform to serve ElBaradei’s political goals. He also echoed statements made by Ahmed Ezz, secretary for organizational affairs of the ruling National Democratic Party and prominent member of its influential Policies Secretariat, that “ElBaradei is his own obstacle” to success. The Coptic Orthodox Church has a history of supporting prominent members of the current regime. It is widely believed that many Copts voted for President Hosni Mubarak in the 2005 presidential elections. Pope Shenouda III, the Church’s head, has previously endorsed Gamal Mubarak to succeed his father. Many suspect the Church is distancing itself from ElBaradei in fear of an impending alliance between the ex-IAEA chief and the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in the lead up to parliamentary elections next fall. ElBaradei, a committed secularist, has declared his willingness to work with all parties who support constitutional reform and fair elections. Last May, ElBaradei met with the MB Parliamentary Bloc leader Saad el-Katatny, a move which angered certain elements of the opposition–such as the Tagammu, Nasserist and Democratic Front parties– but which also earned ElBaradei the support of many Brotherhood members.
–By: Ragab Ramadan

The annual meeting of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church

2010-05-24T16:00:00.002+01:00

Cairo: His Holiness Pope Shenouda III presided over the annual meeting of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church on the Eve of Pentecost, Saturday, 22 May 2010 with eighty-seven members personally present.

The Synod meets in the Church of St. Antony on the second floor of the Papal Residence at Anba Rueis in Abbesaya, Cairo. From the United Kingdom the bishops attending were Metropolitan Seraphim, Bishop Antony and Bishop Angaelos. The meeting lasted from 10 a.m. to 2 pm and discussed the reports of the synodal sub committees for pastoral care, monasticism, the church rites, diocesan affairs and ecumenism. At the conclusion H.H. Pope Shenouda posed for a group photograph with the Synod members before entertaining them to lunch at the Patriarchate.

In the later afternoon Abba Seraphim, accompanied by Shenouda Mandouh and his wife, Mary, visited the Convent of Price Theodore (Amir Tadros) in Haret-ar-Rhum, where they were received by the Abbess, Tamev Adrosios, before returning to Heliopoils to dine with Mr. Mamdouh Abdou and his family.

Source:britishorthodox.org

Seven New Bishops for the Orthodox Church of the East

2010-05-14T11:54:00.002+01:00

Kottyam (Kerala, India):The Indian Orthodox Church have consecrated seven new Bishops on May 12th 2010 at Mar Elia Cathedral (Cathedral of Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan) , Kottayam. His Holiness Mor Beselius Marthoma Dydimus I (Catholicose of the Apostolic Throne of St Thomas and Malankara Metropolitan was the chief celebrant assisted by His Beatitude Paulose Mar Militheos (Catholicose Designate) and other Metropolitans of the Church. Seven Bishops are consecrated together for the for the first time in the history of the Indian Orthodox Church.
New Names of Bishops: Dr. Yuhanon Mar Dimithrayos (Fr. Dr. John Mathews), Dr. Yuhanon Mar Thevodoros (Fr.Dr. Nathaniel Ramban), Yacob Mar Elias (Fr. V. M. James), Joshuva Mar Nikodimos (Fr. Yuhanon Ramban), Dr. Zachriaha Mar Aprem (Fr. Dr. Sabu Kuriakose), Dr. Geevarghese Mar Julios (Fr. Dr. George Pulikkottil), Dr. Abraham Mar Seraphin (Fr. Dr. V. M. Abraham).

CATHOLICOS ARAM I MEETS PATRIARCH ZAKKA I IN DAMASCUS

2010-05-12T11:48:00.002+01:00

.
DAMASCUS: On Wednesday 12 May 2010 Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia His Holiness Aram I met Patriarch Zakka I at the Patriarchate of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch in Damascus. The two Leaders first held a closed session and then Metropolitan George Saliba and Bishop Nareg Alemezian joined them.

During their meeting Patriarch Zakka I and Catholicos Aram I discussed three issues of common concern: First the schism within the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, and the desire of the two groups to ask Catholicos Aram to mediate. Second, decision of the Coptic Orthodox Church to suspend its membership in the Middle East Council of Churches, following a decision taken by the Executive Committee at its last meeting. After the visit of Patriarch Zakka to Pope Shenouda III, the Coptic Orthodox Church was asking Catholicos Aram who did not attend the last meeting of the Executive Committee, to mediate and settle the issue. Three, strengthening the witness of the Oriental Orthodox Family in the Middle East in response to rising ecumenical and interreligious concerns.

Coptic Orthodox Church quits Middle East Churches Council

2010-05-11T11:59:00.000+01:00

Cairo, May 10, 2010: The Coptic Orthodox Church has relinquished membership in the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) after being accused of “treason” by Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem H B Theophilos at the last council meeting held in Jordan on 19 April. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III of Coptic Orthodox Church has reportedly rejected offers by other member churches to mediate a resolution of the dispute. At the April meeting, H B Theophilos denied Coptic representative H E Bishoi, secretary of the Coptic Holy Synod, a chance to defend his church. The dispute initially arose after the majority of council members called for the dismissal of MECC Secretary-General Girgis Saleh–who had been nominated by the Coptic Church–for the many problems that plagued the council during his term in office. Sources close to the Coptic Church say that His Holiness Shenouda is demanding an official apology from H E Theophilos before he restores the church‟s membership in the council.

Patriarch Zakka I Visits Pope Shenouda III of the See of Alexandria

2010-05-08T12:01:00.002+01:00

Cairo, Egypt, May 07 2010: His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch visited His Holiness Pope Shenouda III of Coptic Orthodox Church at Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate on May 05, Wednesday. His Holiness is on a visit to the Coptic Orthodox Church, a sister church of Holy Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, which continues till May 07. Secretary to the Holy Episcopal Synod and Archbishop of Lebanon, Mar Theophilose George Saliba, Patriarchal Vicar for Beirut Mor Clemis Daniel and Patriarchal Assistant Mor Philoxenos Mathias Nayis accompanying His Holiness Zakka I.

Strengthen ecumenical movement: Catholicos Aram I

2010-02-26T14:40:00.003Z

The Hindu Staff Reporter

KOTTAYAM: Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, of the Armenian Apostolic Church, has stressed the importance of the ecumenical movement in the 21st Century.
Delivering his keynote address at the ecumenical meet held at the Orthodox Theological Seminary here on Thursday, the Catholicos reiterated his admiration for the multi-cultural and multi-religious society in India which has championed the cause of unity in diversity.

The Catholicos also recalled the contributions made by eminent scholars including the late Bishop Paulos Mar Gregorios and M.M. Thomas to the world ecumenical movement.

Catholicos-designate Paulos Mar Milithios of the Orthodox Church presided. Bishop Zacharias Mar Theophilos, Suffragan Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church inaugurated the function. CSI Bishop Thomas Samuel delivered the benedictory address.

Catholicos Aram I and Catholicos Baselius Mar Thoma Didymos I of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church will jointly offer prayers on Friday at Devalokam .

Source: The Hindu Friday, Feb 26, 2010

Photo: Malankara Orthodox Church.in

.

"THE CHURCHES OF INDIA PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT" - HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

2010-02-26T11:20:00.001Z

.

Kochi : "The ecumenical movement owes a great deal to the churches of India. With their theological input, active participations in ecumenical discussions, and firm commitment to the ecumenical vision they played a significant role in the formation and expansion of the ecumenical movement", said His Holiness Aram I on his arrival to Cochin, India, on Wednesday 24 February.

Speaking about his visit to India, Aram I said that although he is invited by His Holiness Catholicos Moran Mor Baselios Marthoma Didymos I of Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church, he considers his visit ecumenical: "Ecumenism is not out there; it is a local reality. We must be ecumenical primarily on the local level. How can the churches manifest concretely the ecumenical spirit through joint ventures, by sharing their joy and problems, and addressing together common concerns? This must become a permanent concern and challenge for the churches" according to Aram I.

In response to a question regarding the prevailing conflict within the Indian Orthodox Church, Catholicos Aram I said that "he has not come to India with a mission of reconciliation". He also added that "he cannot remain indifferent in view of the division in the same church. Working for unity and reconciliation is at the heart of Christian vocation".

His Holiness stressed the vital importance of interreligious dialogue. In his view, "interreligious dialogue is no more an academic exercise, it is integral to our daily life in this globalized world. India is a model of a pluralist society in which dialogue is an existential reality. Hence, we must take this dimension of Christian life and witness very seriously". His Holiness, who has a rich experience in the area of interreligious dialogue, pointed out that Indian theologians have brought, out of their concrete experiences, a significant contribution to many initiatives of dialogue on the global level.

The visitation program of Aram I will include meetings with the leaderships of the churches of India, meeting with the holy synod of the Indian Orthodox Church, public lectures on ecumenical topics and visits to the churches and church-related institutions.

His Holiness is accompanied by H.E. Arch. Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran, H.E. Nareg Alrmezian, Ecumenical officer, and his secretary V. Rev. Mesrob Sarkissian.

Armenian Orthodox Church. Org

.

Visit of the Pontiff of All Armenians to Jerusalem

2010-02-25T13:06:00.007Z

.

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin: From February 15-16, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians paid a pontifical visit to Jerusalem. Upon arrival at the Ben Gurion International Airport of Tel Aviv, His Holiness and the pontifical delegation were met by members of the Brotherhood of St. James (Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem), Israeli authorities and representatives of the Armenian Community.

After a prayer service in the Chapel of St. Jacob, the Pontiff of All Armenians extended his blessings to the clergy, students of the St. Tarkmanchatz School and the faithful in attendance.

In the evening, the members of the St. James Brotherhood, led by the Catholicos of All Armenians, celebrated the 20th anniversary of Enthronement, 70th anniversary of priesthood and 91st birthday of His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem. Representatives from the Coptic, Latin and Greek Orthodox Churches of Jerusalem participated in the celebration.

During the celebration, a decree was read from the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsian, awarding His Beatitude the Medal of St. Mesrop Mashtots. His Holiness extended his blessings and appreciation to the commendable Patriarch and bestowed on him the medal.

On February 16 the Catholicos of All Armenians presided over a meeting of the Patriarchate. The Brotherhood members discussed issues concerning the preservation and management of the Armenian properties in the Holy Land as well as other challenges facing the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

His Holiness and the members of his delegation visited the Church of the Holy Resurrection at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, to bow and renew their oaths in front of the Lord’s Sepulchre.

Accompanying His Holiness to Jerusalem were: His Eminence Archbishop Datev Gharibian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil, His Eminence Archbishop Kissag Mouradian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Argentina, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Director of Inter-church Relations Department of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kjoyan, Primate of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese, His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See and Rev. Fr. Karekin Hambardzumian as Staff-Bearer to His Holiness.

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services Feb 17, 2010

.

Indian legacy testimony to religious harmony: His Holiness Catholicos Aram I

2010-02-25T06:35:00.004Z

Catholicos Aram I and entourage on week-long visit to State

KOTTAYAM: His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church, who is on a week-long visit to the State, has commended that the Indian legacy was testimony to inter-religious and inter-community cooperation and harmony.

The pontiff, who arrived at Devalokam, the headquarters of the Malanakra Orthodox Syrian Church on Wednesday evening, was welcomed by His Holiness Baselius Mar Thoma Didymos I, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan of the Indian Orthodox Church.

All the Metropolitans of the Orthodox Church, Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil of the Syro-Malabar Roman Catholic Church, Bishop Thomas Samuel of CSI Madhya Kerala diocese, Yooyakim Mar Koorilos of the Kottayam diocese of Mar Thoma Church of Malabar, Joseph M. Puthusseri, MLA, and others were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Catholicos Aram I and his entourage who arrived at the Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery ( Kochi), were received by Catholicos designate of the Orthodox Church Paulos Mar Milithios and other s church dignitaries.

Ecumenical meet

The pontiff will address the ecumenical conference at the Orthodox Theological Seminary here on Thursday. Catholicos Aram I, founder of the World Religions for Peace movement, will speak on the Relevance of Ecumenical Movement in the 21st Century.

Source: The Hindu

Photo: Malankara Orthodox Church.in

.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I arrived at Kochi

2010-02-24T12:18:00.004Z

Kochi : His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church arrived in Nedumbassery, Kerala at 8:00Am on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 with his delegation comprised of H.E. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran, H.G. Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer, and Rev. Fr. Mesroh Sarikissian Secretary to the Catholicos.

He was welcomed by H.B. Paulos Mar Milithios Metropolitan, Catholicos Designate, H.G. Gabriel Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, President of Department of Ecumenical Relations, H.G. Yuhanon Mar Meletius Metropolitan, H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan, H.G. Dr. Mathews Mar Severios Metropolitan, H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos Metropolitan, H.G. Dr. Yakob Mar Irenaios Metropolitan, H.G. Yuhanon Mar Polycarpos Metropolitan, Fr. Dr. Johns Abraham Konat, Priest Trustee, Sri M.G. George Muthoot, Lay Trustee, Sri. George Joseph, Association Secretary, and many priests of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

H. H. Catholicos Aram I, the head of the Catholicosate of Cilicia will pay an apostolic visit to Malankara as per the invitation of H. H. Baselius Marthoma Didymus I, from 24th to 28th Feb 2010. Reception and Ecumenical Meeting at Orthodox Seminary.

Source: Malankara Orthodox.T V

Photo: Malankara Orthodox Church.in

Programme: 1 2

.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I BEGINS FIVE-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH IN INDIA

2010-02-24T11:13:00.004Z

.

ANTELIAS: On Tuesday 23 February 2010, His Holiness Aram I left for India today in response to the invitation of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, the supreme head of the Orthodox Church of the East. His Holiness is accompanied by Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran (Iran), Bishop Nareg Alemizian (Ecumenical Officer) and Father Mesrob Sarkissian (Staff-Bearer).

While in India he will meet with Heads of Churches and other Communities. His Holiness will also lecture at the Kottayam Orthodox Theological Seminary and address clergy, theologians and academics in different institutions that he will be visiting.

On his way back Catholicos Aram will visit the United Arab Emirates and meet with Armenian communities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharja.

.

Patriarch His Holiness Aram I to Visit Malankara

2010-02-08T15:22:00.001Z

.
DEVALOKAM: His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the head of the Catholicosate of Cilicia will pay an apostolic visit to Kerala as per the invitation of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I, the supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church from 24th to 28th Feb 2010.

His Holiness Aram I, the head of one of the ancient oriental orthodox churches founded in the latter half of the 1st centaury, was elected twice as the moderator of World Council of Churches. His Holiness is well known as a spokesperson for world peace and interchurch and inter-religious amity.
H. H. is the President of the World Religions for Peace and the World Religions Museum Foundation.

.

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

2010-02-01T15:31:00.001Z

.

REPORT

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

Antelias, Lebanon, January 27 to 31, 2010

The seventh meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches took place at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, from January 27 to 31, 2010. The meeting was graciously hosted by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia. It was chaired jointly by His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

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

The two delegations met separately on January 27, and held plenary sessions each day from January 28 to January 30. Each day of the plenary sessions began with a common celebration of Morning Prayer. At its initial session, the members of the Joint Commission considered reactions to and evaluations of the agreed statement that it had issued one year earlier, “Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church.” This document had been approved for publication by the Joint Commission and is now being considered by the authorities of their churches.

The studies prepared for this session focused on two topics: the ways in which the churches expressed their communion with one another in the first five centuries and the reception of councils. The papers presented included “Ecclesial Communion in Armenia and Surrounding Regions” by Rev. Fr. Boghos Levon Zekiyan, “The Order of Reception of the Ecumenical Councils in the Armenian Church and their Relation to the Other Local Councils” by Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian, “How Churches Understood the Reception of the Ecumenical Councils, How Churches Expressed their Communion in the First Five Centuries, and Whether Rome Was Given Any Special Role. From the Perspective of the Coptic Orthodox Church” by Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, “Communion and Councils: The Persian Church in the First Five Centuries” by Professor Dietmar W. Winkler, “Exercise of Communion in the Church of St. Thomas Christians in India” by Rev. Fr. Matthew Vellanickal, and “The Reception of the Three Ecumenical Councils by the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church” by Rev. Fr. John Matthews.

During the course of the meeting, which took place in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, the members carefully examined the papers presented and reached a number of conclusions. It was noted that until the middle of the fifth century, the churches did not exist in isolation, but were in communion with one other. Signs of this communion included the exchange of synodical letters and letters of enthronement, the veneration of common saints, the exchange of visits and, above all, sharing in the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. This communion was based on an understanding that the churches shared the same faith, and willingness to defend it together against heresies and other threats. They also saw themselves as engaged in the same mission of evangelizing the nations. This was often a “horizontal communion” where churches were most intensely in relation to neighboring churches in the same region, but also with other churches throughout the world.

On the morning of January 27, the members of the Joint Commission, together with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, paid a visit to His Excellency Michel Sleiman, the President of Lebanon, in the Presidential Palace at Baabda. The President welcomed the delegation to his country and presented his condolences to the representatives of the Ethiopian Church over the crash of an Ethiopian airplane near Beirut on Monday, January 25. In his remarks, the President observed that recent events had illustrated the importance of including minorities in the political life of nations. He said that Lebanon is an example of this political inclusiveness since the constitution gives all the country’s ethnic and religious communities a political role whatever their numerical size. He also emphasized the need to organize capitalism in democratic countries in a way that protects the interests of minorities, especially the poor and the vulnerable.

On the evening of the same day, the Joint Commission members were received by His Beatitude and Eminence Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, Patriarch of the Maronite Church, at the patriarchate in Bkerké. During an ecumenical prayer service in the patriarchal chapel, the Patriarch extended a warm welcome to his guests, and spoke highly of the agreed statement finalized by the Joint Commission in January 2009. This text, the Patriarch stated, “presents the ecclesiological tradition common to all those churches, a tradition which remained plentiful and sound, in spite of 1500 years of separation.” He also spoke of the positive ecumenical relations that exist among the churches of Lebanon, and wished the members great success in their meeting, which he saw as a sign of encouragement and hope. After the prayer service, His Beatitude hosted a dinner for the Joint Commission members and the spiritual heads of Christian communities in Lebanon.

On the morning of January 28, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the members of the Joint Commission. In his remarks, the Catholicos offered his views on the present state of ecumenism, and said that he has come to a renewed appreciation of the work of the bilateral dialogues. He had studied the 2009 agreed statement carefully and appreciated it very much. His Holiness said that in the dialogues the members must never loose sight of the many things we have in common, and not focus exclusively on our differences. He was critical of a tendency of some ecumenical circles to divert their attention to more social issues. He expressed the hope that the Joint International Commission would endeavor to bring about visible unity of the Church, an objective that he as Moderator of the World Council of Churches had worked to achieve. After meeting the Catholicos, the group prayed at the memorial to the Armenian genocide of 1915 on the grounds of the Catholicosate. On the evening of the same day, the Catholicos hosted an official dinner at the Catholicosate that was attended by the spiritual heads of Christian communities in Lebanon, Armenian members of the Lebanese government and parliament, and Brotherhood and Central Executive Council members of the Holy See of Cilicia.

On January 29, the co-chairmen held a press conference at the invitation of Bishop Beshara Raï, the President of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications. It took place at the Catholic Information Center, which is under the direction of the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon. Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Holy See of Cilicia, introduced the co-chairmen, and highlighted that “the presence in Lebanon of our brothers from the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches is an occasion of spiritual joy and a sign of solidarity with our churches in the Middle East.” Cardinal Kasper spoke of the importance of the participation of the faithful in the dialogue because the unity of the Church concerns the whole people of God and not theologians alone. Metropolitan Bishoy described the history of the composition of the Joint Commission from the preparatory meeting in 2003 until this seventh meeting. He added that the Commission meets alternatively in Rome and in countries where Oriental Orthodox are present. On the evening of the same day, the members of the Joint Commission attended a dinner hosted by Metropolitan George Saliba.

On Sunday January 31, the members of the Joint Commission attended the Holy Eucharist in the Cathedral of the Catholicosate of Cilicia presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. Cardinal Kasper preached the homily.

The eighth meeting of the International Commission will take place in Rome at the invitation of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Arrivals will be on January 24, 2011. The two delegations will meet separately on January 25, and participate in the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This will be followed by plenary sessions on January 26, 27 and 28, with departures on January 29. At the eighth plenary meeting, the members of the Commission will deepen their study of the communion and communication that existed between our churches until the mid-fifth century of Christian history, as well as the role played by monasticism.

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; H.E. Kuriakose Theophilose, Metropolitan of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary and President of the Ecumenical Secretariat of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church in India, Ernakulam, India;

Armenian Apostolic Church: Catholicosate of all Armenians: H.E. Khajag Barsamian, Archbishop of the Eastern Diocese of the USA, New York (Represented by H.G. Armash Nalbandian, Armenian Orthodox Church Diocese of Damascus); H.E. Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian, General Secretary of Inter-Church Affairs of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, Armenia;

Armenian Apostolic Church: Holy See of Cilicia: H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy in the USA, New York; H.G. Bishop 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, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church; Rev. Fr. Shenouda Maher Ishak, West Henrietta, New York, USA; H.G. Bishop Daniel of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Sydney, Australia (observer);

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

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church: Rev. Fr. Megabe Biluy Seife Selassie Yohannes, Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate, Addis Ababa (unable to attend). The Ethiopian Church was represented at this meeting by H.E. Archbishop Demetrios of the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon; Rev. Fr. Abba Gebre Kidan of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church of Lebanon;

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church: H.E. Metropolitan Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios, President of the Department of Ecumenical Relations, Diocese of Trivandrum, India; Rev. Dr. John Mathews (co-secretary), Secretary of the Department of Ecumenical Relations, Kottayam, India.

Representatives of the Catholic Church

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

Most Reverend Paul-Werner Scheele, Bishop Emeritus of Würzburg, Germany;
Most Reverend Youhanna Golta, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop of the Coptic Catholic Patriarchate, Cairo, Egypt;

Most Reverend Jules Mikhael Al-Jamil, Procurator of the Syrian Catholic Patriarchate to the Holy See and Apostolic Visitator in Europe, Rome;
Most Reverend Peter Marayati, Armenian Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo, Syria;

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

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

Rev. Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB, Executive Director, Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, St. John’s 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. Paul Rouhana, OLM, Université Saint-Esprit, Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon;

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;
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).

Antelias, Lebanon, January 31, 2010

.

ECUMENISM NEEDS CLEAR ORIENTATION AND FOCUS - HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

2010-02-01T15:23:00.001Z

ANTELIAS: "Depicting the present state of the ecumenical movement in terms of crisis has become a general trend; I do not share this approach" stated His Holiness Aram I. He said that "seeking new vision, redefining its orientation, revising its agenda, restructuring its programmatic priorities are integral to the very nature of the ecumenical movement". Catholicos Aram, who has served 15 years a Moderator of the World Council of Churches, reminded that "with ecumenism we are dealing with movement, not institution, with vision not programme, with fellowship, not with management". Hence, according to Aram I reducing the ecumenical movement to its institutional expression will be the end of it.

Aram I believes that the ecumenical movement must remain "restless, in permanent crisis, seeking new ways of articling its vision". However, for Aram I the ecumenical movement is actually "disoriented, its focus is not clear and its raison d'être has become shaky. Here is the problem". In his view this situation is largely due to "non-committal ecumenism of the churches, as well as the shift of interest from church unity related issues to moral-ethical matters, inter-religious dialogue and confessional ecumenism".

His Holiness stressed the need for a "credible, relevant, reliable and responsive ecumenism, an ecumenism with which the churches can identify themselves". Aram I said that the discussion on the reconfiguration of the ecumenical movement that the WCC started must continue with the active participation of the churches.

These views of Aram I were shared with a few reporters at the end of the meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Charities which was held at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon, from 27-30 January 2010.

.

HIS HOLINESS BASILILIOS MAR THOMA DIDMOS I, PATRIARCH OF THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH INVITES HIS HOLINESS ARAM I TO INDIA

2010-01-30T12:36:00.000Z

ANTELIAS, 01-29-2010: His Holiness Aram I has been holding private meetings with the representatives of the churches taking part in the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

On Friday 29 January 2010, he met with Arch Bishop Gabriel Mar Gregorios and Mathew Velanikal of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

The Arch Bishop transmitted the brotherly love of their Patriarch, briefed Catholicos Aram on the latest developments in their Church and handed a letter from Catholicos Didmos I inviting His Holiness Aram I to visit India.

After thanking the Catholicos for the invitation, His Holiness Aram I and the guests discussed relations between the two sister churches.

.

"BILATERAL DIALOGUES MUST SHIFT THEIR EMPHASIS FROM CONSENSUS-ORIENTED AGREEMENT TO CONVERGENCE-ORIENTED PROCESSES" - ARAM I

2010-01-28T11:22:00.003Z

Addressing the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, meeting at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon, His Holiness Aram I emphasized the crucial importance of bilateral dialogues for the future course of the ecumenical movement. He said that multilateralism and bilateralism need to be taken in their inter-connectedness, complementing and strengthening each other on the way towards the visible unity of the church.

Referring to the theological dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Catholic Churches, the Catholicos reminded that in the course of history several initiatives have been made in the form of ecumenical encounter, theological talks and joint actions between the Catholic Church and the churches of the Oriental Orthodox family. In 2003 these churches formally embarked on theological dialogue. Catholicos Aram I drew the attention of the Joint Commission to the following points:

1.- After so many years of christocentric ecumenism, he said that the last decade has witnessed an increasing move towards ecclesiocentric ecumenism. According to His Holiness, ecclesiology must remain a priority on the ecumenical agenda. The churches have different concepts of unity because they have different ecclesiological teachings; the churches are divided in respect to ethical issues, because they have different ecclesiological self-understanding. Catholicos Aram also emphasized the need to develop a holistic perspective which will enable the churches to have interactive approach to ecclesiology, ethics and missiology.

2.- His Holiness reminded that the churches are existentially exposed to the moral-ethical repercussions of secularism, syncretism and of so many "ism"s, and are more divided in their response to these issues than in doctrinal matters. Therefore, he strongly suggested that bilateral dialogues seriously tackle these issues and their theological and pastoral implications.

3.- According to His Holiness, who has a long experience in bilateral dialogues, these dialogues must shift their emphasis from consensus-oriented agreement to convergence-oriented processes. In his opinion, consensus implies negotiation within a given time-frame; it is a static reality while convergence is a dynamic process which is not confined to any time-line and agenda and provides open space for greater and creative interaction.

4.- His Holiness also proposed to develop a new perception of reception that involves the whole people of God. He said that the findings of bilateral dialogues must be appropriated by the people; otherwise they become sheer academic exercise. He said that people-oriented reception process implies awareness-building and collaboration on the local level. Reaching out to the people must become an ecumenical priority, otherwise ecumenism will lose its relevance and credibility.

5.- Aram I underscored the need to affirm the commonalties that exist among the churches. Bilateral theological dialogues deal with controversial issues and project the divided image of Christianity. We must affirm our God-given unity, at the same time articulating our commitment to heal the brokenness of the church. This must become our ecumenical strategy, stated His Holiness Aram I.

www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org

PHOTOS: www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org

.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AND CARDINAL WALTER KASPER MEET IN ANTELIAS

2010-01-27T11:18:00.000Z

ANTELIAS- On Wednesday 27 January 2010, His Holiness Aram I and H.E. Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, held a private meeting within the context of the meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Among other issues they discussed the contribution of bilateral theological dialogues to ecumenical relations.

The meeting will be concluded on Sunday 31 January with the Holy Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral where the Cardinal will preach.

.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AND THE MEMBERS OF THE CATHOLIC AND ORIENTAL ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE COMMISSION VISIT THE PRESIDENT OF LEBANON

2010-01-27T11:01:00.002Z

ANTELIAS- On Wednesday 27 January the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, currently meeting in Antelias, visited the President H.E. Michel Suleiman. After introducing the members of the delegation to the President, His Holiness Aram I explained the purpose of the commission and the importance of its work in promoting ecumenical relations.

The President welcomed the guests and expressed his appreciation of their work. He then spoke briefly about the political situation in Lebanon and the region. At the end of the visit, the delegates thanked the President and hoped that the unity government will bring peace to the country.

.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I EXPRESSES HIS CONDOLENCES TO THE PATRIARCH OF ETHIOPIA

2010-01-25T14:40:00.001Z

ANTELIAS- Upon hearing the sad news of the crash of the Ethiopian Airlines taking off from Beirut, Catholicos Aram wrote to Abuna Paulus, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church expressing his sorrow for the sad event. In his letter he asked the Patriarch to assure the authorities and the families of the victims of his prayers, and that he beseeched the consolation of the Holy Spirit.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I CONGRATULATES HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH IRINEJ OF SERBIA

2010-01-25T13:26:00.000Z

ANTELIAS- In a letter addressed to His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, who was installed on 23 January 2010, Catholicos Aram I expressed his good wishes and hoped that relations between the two churches and ecumenical relations are strengthened under his spiritual leadership.

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

2010-01-25T10:44:00.000Z

ANTELIAS HOSTS THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION FOR THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES

ANTELIAS- Upon the invitation of His Holiness Aram I, the Commission will meet in Antelias 26-31 January 2010. Delegates appointed by the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and the Holy See of Cilicia represent the Armenian Church on this Commission. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Archbishop of the Eastern Diocese in USA, and Bishop Nareg Alemezian, the Ecumenical Officer are the representatives of the Holy See of Cilicia.

The Commission will discuss the role of Ecumenical Councils in the Early Church. On Sunday, 31 January during the closing Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, His Excellency Walter Cardinal Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity will give the sermon.