HISTORIC RECONCILIATION IN CAIRO

On 13 July 2007 H.H. Pope Shenouda III and Abune Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church signed a Common Declaration in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo, marking the end of a period of strained relations between the two Patriarchs. The reconciliation was facilitated through the fraternal co-operation of His Holiness Aram I, Armenian Catholicos of Cilicia, who had earlier met with Patriarch Paulos in Addis Ababa, who greeted both Pope and Patriarch with the words, “You have made history ….. This is a historical day.”

Relations between the Ethiopian and Coptic Churches declined suddenly in 1994 as a result of Pope Shenouda’s willingness to support the Eritreans in their desire to have independence from the Ethiopian Church. Both ecclesiastically and politically Eritrea was part of Ethiopia, but the overthrow of the Empire and rule of the Communist Dergue which seized power 1974-1991 led to persecution of the church and civil war with Eritrea, which declared itself separated from Ethiopia. In April 1993, following a referendum, Eritrea gained its official independence as a state whilst the local church, supported by the government, asked Pope Shenouda for support in establishing an independent Eritrean Church. During the troubles, he had already assisted Eritreans in the diaspora by consecrating Bishop Makarios for the Eritreans in the USA and Marcos for those in Britain in May 1991.

Under the terms of the Protocol of June 1959 the Metropolitan of Ethiopia was raised to the dignity of a Catholicos-Patriarch, which was the position when Abune Paulos was enthroned in Addis Ababa on 12 July 1992; but in 1994 a new Protocol was agreed by which the Coptic Church recognized the full autocephaly of the Ethiopian Church with her Primate enjoying full Patriarchal status. Immediately following this the Ethiopian Church protested at the grant of independence to the Eritreans and for the past thirteen years relations between the two churches have been strained although communion between them was never broken.

The reconcilation was also welcomed by Dr. Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, who sent his greetings to the three Primates quoting from Psalm CXXXIII:1, “Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” After recalling that both the Coptic and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches were founding members of the WCC, he noted that Pope Shenouda had served as one its President from 1991-1998, Patriarch Paulos was currently a President and Catholicos Aram had served as Moderator of the WCC Central Committee for two terms from 1991-2006. Dr. Kobia spoke of them as both being deeply rooted since the beginning of Christian history among the people of Africa. “We rejoice with this promising news that extends far beyond bilateral relations by confirming that true reconciliation among churches is possible. We are grateful to each of you, the heads of churches, for the tangible witness you have offered in dealing successfully with church-dividing matters.”

The text of the Joint Declaration is as follows:

We, Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark; Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenians of the Great House of Cilicia, and Patriarch Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for granting us the opportunity to meet in Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo, Egypt, July 13-14, 2007.

We would like to emphasize the importance of this historical meeting in which we reaffirm our unity of faith that, for centuries, has been the basis of our common doctrinal position and theological teachings. Deeply rooted in the Holy Scriptures, the Apostolic Faith and Tradition, the three Ecumenical Councils (Nicaea 325, Constantinople 381 and Ephesus 431) and the teachings of our Chur5ch Fathers, especially St. Athanasius the Great, St. Cyril of Alexandria and St . Gregory the Illuminator, our unity has sustained the life and witness of the Churches of the Oriental Orthodox Family becoming a living source of spiritual strength and missionary engagement. For the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the full communion and the visible unity of churches are based on the unity of faith which is manifested through Eucharistic communion and other Sacraments of the Church.

Pope Shenouda III and Patriarch Paulos would like to express their deep thanks to His Holiness Aram I for his fraternal efforts to bring this historic meeting into reality, hoping for him a safe journey back to Antelias-Lebanon, after his important visit to Addis Ababa.

After signing the protocol of the relations between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in April 1994 by the heads of these churches through the approval of both holy synods, no meeting was possible to take place between the two heads since that time. Also, the Joint Commission did not continue its work after signing the protocol except during the short visit of the Coptic-Armenian delegation last month from Cairo and Antelias to Addis Ababa. Both churches are looking forward to the continuation of their historical relations with the pastoral services and doctrinal teachings. Convening a Joint holy synod is possible in fulfillment of the articles of the protocol.

Pope Shenouda III and Catholicos Aram extend their congratulations to His Holiness Abune Paulos on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of his enthronement as Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

Patriarch Paulos and Catholicos Aram I would like to express their thanks to His Holiness Pope Shenouda III for his warm hospitality.

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all the faithful of our Churches.

PDF Format

Source:http://www.britishorthodox.org/115a.php

Patriarch His Holiness Abune Paulos to Visit Malankara (India)

His Holiness Abune Paulos Patriarch of Ethiopian Orthodox Church will visit Malankara on Dec. 28.

Source: http://www.malankaraorthodox.tv/

Photo: His Holiness Abune Paulos Patriarch of Ethiopian Orthodox Church with His Holiness Didymus I Catholicos of Indian Orthodox Church in 2001

Patriarch His Holiness Karekin II to Visit Malankara

His Holiness Karekin II The Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians will visit the Malankara Orthodox Church and her head His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Didymus I, The Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan from Nov 5-8.His Holiness is coming to India to attend the 300th anniversary celebrations of the Armenian community in Calcutta and Chennai. His Holiness Karekin II will be accompanied by
1. His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of Australia,
2. His Excellency Dr. Ashot Kocharian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in India.
3. His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor.
4. His Grace Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of Damascus.
5. His Grace Bishop Anushavan ( Andranik) Zhamkochyan, Dean of Yerevan State University - Theological Faculty.
6. V. Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, Pastor and Manager of the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy.
7. Rev Fr Hovnan (Artur) Hakobyan, Staff-Bearer.
8. Rev Fr Ktrij (Armen) Devejian, Translator.
9. Ms. Manya Ghazaryan, Executive Director-Shoghakat TV.
10. Mr. Suren Ter-Grigoryan, Chief cameraman-Shoghakat TV.
11. Ms. Paula Devejian - Director-Internet Development Dept.
12. Mr. Gagik Galstyan.
13. Ms. Aida Khachatouryan.

His Holiness Karekin II will be received by His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I at his Catholicate Palace, Devalokam on the 5th. His Holiness Karekin II will be confered the Order of St. Thomas by His Holiness the Catholicos of the East, in a function at Mammen Mappilai Hall on 6th. His Holiness will attend a couple of functions at Parumala and the inauguration of the newly built and consecrated Metropolitan's Residence of Mavelikara Diocese on the 7th. On the 8th His Holiness will visit the Orthodox Theological Seminary and will inaugurate the recording studio at SRUTI complex. His Holiness will leave to Chennai in the evening.

The His Holiness Karekin II will be accorded the status of State Guest by the honourable Government of Kerala

Antiochian Jacobite Group attacked assistant vicar of parish Church of Trisoor Diocese

- Mor Meletius Yuhanon Metropolitan, Thrissur (Orthodox Church of the East )

Elanadu St.Mary's Church near Thrissur was under RDO (Revenue Divisional
Officer) custody for over three decades and both parties (Catholicos faction and
Patriarchal faction of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church ) were taking turns
for worship. There was an agreement on the matter between the two factions and a
joint petition was filed in 1996 and there was an order from the court that an
election be held according to the 1934 constitution (constitution of the
Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church ) and the committee thus elected should be
given the key of the Church by the RDO. Thus election was held and a managing
committee was elected. The court directed the RDO to hand over the key of the
Church to the newly elected managing committee. The committee unanimously
requested the RDO to hand over the key to the vicar. In the mean time the
trustee elected changed his mind and joined the Patriarch faction and he filed
an objection that the key should be given to him.


There were about
fifty families with him in a four hundred family parish. They formed a
Antiochian Syrian Jacobite Simhasana Church and built a Church building in the
near vicinity. The committee and the vicars defended the case saying the key
should be given to the vicar as per the unanimous decision of the committee.
Last month (September) the Kerala high court ordered the RDO to hand over the
key to the vicar as per the request of the committee. But the RDO still delayed.


Finally the village officer who had the key handed over the
key on last Sunday (26-10-2008) afternoon. We opened the church and prayed. On
Monday (27-10-2008) we conducted a thri-mass. After the mass the assistant vicar
Fr. Mathew Jacob Puthussery who is also the diocesan secretary and Sabha
Managing Committee member was on his way to Thrissur. Few people in a car
followed him and knocked him down from his motor cycle. They had on several
occasions threatened him over phone that he will be killed. Then they attacked
hurting him seriously. He is admitted in the hospital with head injury.



The police has identified the car and has taken in to custody.
The owner of the car and his brother who are the erstwhile members of Elanadu
Orthodox Church and who later joined Antiochian Syrian Jacobite party are hiding
themselves from police. The police is searching for them. Earlier when the court
order came we had offered few lakhs of Rupees and a share in the cemetery for
them if they do not make any problem in the Church. They had time and again
created problem during H.Qurbana on Sundays and Perunnal days. Thue Church
authorities have expressed concern over the incident.

Police lathicharge at Piravom

Kottayam, Oct. 19: A reception was given to H.H. Baselios Didymus I Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan and the seven bishop elects of the H.Church on 19 October 2008 at Piravom Valiyapally H.Holiness offered prayers at the Kuishupally.

Before the reception there was a rally from the Piravom Catholicate Centre. The rally which was done very peacefully was lathicharged by the police near the Valiyapally. After that Metropolitans H.B Paulose Mar Milithios, H.G. Geevarghese Mar Ivanios and H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasios entered the kurishupally and later joined by H.H. Baselios Didymus I. After prayers a meeting was held there.


Eventhough the Orthodox Church have full rights over the Piravom church through court orders the Police and other government authorities are not supporting it. Even today the RDO (Revenue Divisional Officer) has given sanction to hold the meeting in the hall of Piravom Valiyapally. But the police refused the people to enter the church premises.


http://malankaraorthodoxchurch.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=60&Itemid=185



Kudumba samgamam


The Piravom St Mary's Orthodox Church (Valiya Pally) Kudumba samgamam was convened at the St.Mary's Kurisupally (chapel) in the old bus-stand. This was planned to celebrate on 5-10-08.

The Jacobite wing planned a Kudumba samgamam in the Parish hall so as to participate their Sreshta Bava and many bishops with the hidden intension of receiving them in the Church itself. In return the Orthodox wing decided a parallel function. And the dispute was discussed before the RDO (Revenue Divisional Officer) Muvattupuzha with the both parties and the Police. An agreement arrived not to enter any bishops of both parties in the Church in connection with such meetings and giving chance to arrange a meeting of the same manner on a further date at the parish hall itself. So the orthodox side withdaw staging a peaceful rally on 5th from the meeting.

This Orthodox Kudumba samgamam meeting was fixed on 19-10-08 with the knowledge of the RDO and the persons signed the agreement from the Jacobite side. Later Jacobite wing came with protest not allowing the parish hall. But orthodox wing went ahead with the meeting. Today the Police blocked the road towards the church premises and prevented the orthodox rally going further in front of the St.Mary's Kurisupally in the old bus-stand.

The people sitdown on the road in the heavy rain. And the meeting was convened in the Kurisupally. H.H. Catholicose Baselios Marthoma Didimus I, addressed the people and gave his apostolic blessings. H.G. Poulose Mar Milithios, Catholicate Designate, H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius, diocesion bishop (Kandanad East), H.G. Gheevargese Mar Ivanios, Kottayam also spoke in the occation. The new bishop designates also attended the function.

A huge members of the church with so many priests attended the rally and the meeting in spite of the heavy rain poured from the beginning of rhe rally. Police lathicharged a section of the rally unnecessarily, on provocation of the CAFA people thowing stones to the police. Some are admitted in various hospitals due to injuries. The meeting protested against the brutal lathicharge of the police without any provocation from the people attended the rally.

http://www.malankaraorthodox.tv/News/Piravam%20Pally.htm

Concern & protest against the attacks in Koothattukulam

Kottayam: His Beatitude Paulose Mar Milithios, Catholicos Designate of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, has expressed deep concern and protest against the attacks of Rev. Fr. Joy Kadukumakiyil, the Vicar of St. John’s Orthodox Syrian Church, Vadakara (Koothattukulam) and six lay members. The assaults by the Antiochian Jacobite Syrian dissidents occurred during the parish general body meeting. All seven victims were hospitalized.

http://malankaraorthodoxchurch.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=60&Itemid=185

Church of India Elected Seven Bishop Candidates

KOCHI (Kerala state, India): The MalankaraSyrian Christian Associationmeet at the MarThimothios MemorialHigher Secondary School, Pampakkuda, near here onSeptember 11, 2008, Thursday elected seven bishopCandidates from the 10 nominated by the managing committee of the Malankara Orthodox Church (Syrian Orthodox Church of the East). Those elected were Fr. Alex Daniel, Fr. Christophorous Ramban, Fr. Eldo Ramban, Fr. John Panikker, Fr. Markose Joseph, Fr. Mathew Baby and Fr. Stephen.

The Episcopal Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church of the East (Malankara Orthodox Church) held at the church headquarters at Devlokam, Kottayam on September 22, 2008 , approved the election of seven Bishop Candidates to the Church. The consecration of Bishops will be held on February 19. 2009.

Around 3003 delegates from 22 dioceses representing the 1,600 parishes of the Malankara Orthodox Church spread across the world, participated in the Malankara Syrian Christian Association meet held at Pampakuda on on September 11 to elect Bishops. Around 891 priests and 2,112 laymen voted in the election of Bishops. The Association, the main decision-making body of the Malankara Orthodox Church (Syrian Orthodox Church of the East), adopted a democratic method to elect Bishops.

The Association includes the members of laity and priests from every parishioner church. The president of the Malankara Syrian Christian Association was the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan Marthoma Didymus I, One of the supreme
of the Oriental Orthodox Church.

Members of the Malankara Church came from outside Kerala and the country, representing parishes in other parts of the country and in the U.S., Europe and the Gulf countries.