HIS HOLINESS ARAM I VISITS HIS HOLINESS IGNATIUS ZAKKA I IWAS SYRIAN ORTHODOX PATRIARCH

On Friday 10 September 2012, His Holiness Aram I accompanied by Archbishop Nareg Alemezian and staff bearer Fr. Mesrob Sarkissian visited Patriarch Zakka Iwas I, who had just returned from a medical treatment in Germany, and was going to spend a period of convalescence at the Atchaneh Monastery in Lebanon.

The two Spiritual leaders used the opportunity to discuss the situation in the Middle East, the challenges it represents to Christians and cooperation between the two sister churches.

http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/English/visitseng.htm#1

HIS HOLINESS EXPRESSES HIS PROTEST TO THE PRESIDENT OF HUNGARY

In a letter to H.E. János Áder, the president of Hungary, His Holiness Aram I expressed his deep concern and dismay concerning the extradition of Azeri murderer Lieutenant R. Safarov (who has murdered an Armenian Lieutenant G. Margarian in Budapest, back in 2004 and was serving a life sentence) to Azerbaijan, and for the pardon he was granted by the Azerbaijani president.

Catholicos Aram I said that this act is a "flagrant violation of the international law and principles of justice" and it has "generated a huge wave of frustration and protest among the Armenians in Armenia and the world-wide Diaspora".

His Holiness reminds the president of Hungary that "political interests must not undermine the imperative of justice and human dignity" and that "such a behavior does not help to promote good relations and close co-operation among nations and states".

The letter of His Holiness was presented to the Ambassador of Hungary to Lebanon by a delegation of clergy representing the Holy See of Cilicia.

Middle East Council of Churches to assist refugees and displaced people in Syria

Beirut, Lebanon, August 24, 2012: Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) moderated an emergency meeting on August 21 presided by Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia.

Humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced people in Syria was on the agenda. Until recently, the MECC's programme operated out of Damascus.

Given the deteriorating situation in the country, the presidents decided to decentralize the operation and create new centres for humanitarian aid in Aleppo, Homs, Latakia and Kamishli, the statement issued by Catholicosate said.

They also decided that they would ask other ecumenical organizations in the country to continue their activities, but in coordination with the local churches.

The other Presidents attending the meeting were: Syriac Catholic Patriarch His Beatitude Youssef III Lahham, representing the Catholic family of churches, His Grace Mounib Younan, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran in Jordan and the HolyLand, on behalf of the Protestant churches, the General Secretary, His Grace Bishop Paul Rohanna and Associate General Secretary, Dr. Elias Halabi. Rev. Dr. Habib Badr, the Moderator of the MECC Task Force, also attended the meeting.
Source:NEWS.am

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I PRESIDES OVER A MEETING OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE MIDDLE EAST COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (MECC)

Tuesday night, 21 August 2012, His Holiness Aram I, one of the Presidents of the MECC, moderated an emergency meeting of the Council. The other Presidents attending the meeting were: Syriac Catholic Patriarch His Beatitude Youssef III Lahham, representing the Catholic family of churches, His Grace Mounib Younan, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran in Jordan and the Holy Land, on behalf of the Protestant churches, the General Secretary, His Grace Bishop Paul Rohanna and Associate General Secretary, Dr. Elias Halabi. Rev. Dr. Habib Badr, the Moderator of the MECC Task Force, also attended the meeting.

The agenda included two issues: Humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced people in Syria. Until recently, the MECC's programme operated out of Damascus. Given the deteriorating situation in the country, the presidents decided to decentralize the operation and create new centres for humanitarian aid in Aleppo, Homs, Latakia and Kamishli. They also decided that they would ask other ecumenical organizations in the country to continue their activities, but in coordination with the local churches.

The second item was the nomination of a new general secretary. The current General Secretary Bishop Paul Rohanna, is resigning because of his new calling by his Church as a Diocesan Bishop. According to MECC by-Laws the new general secretary must be nominated during the next six month. They decided to set the procedures.

Source:armenianorthodoxchurch.org

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SPEAKER OF LEBANON’S PARLIAMENT

Antelias (Lebanon): 23 August 2012. Representatives of His Excellency Nabih Berri, the Speaker of the Parliament and leader of Shi’ite Amal Party, invited His Holiness Aram I to the 34th commemoration of the disappearance of Imam Musa Sadr, founder of the Amal movement. On this occasion, the members of Amal’s executive committee talked to the Catholicos about the events in Syria and their consequences for Lebanon. His Holiness urged the visitors to be attentive to any attempt at destroying the unique confessional structure of Lebanon’s democracy.

Requiem Service for Patriarch of Ethiopian Orthodox Church

Etchmiadzin,August 24, 2012: On August 27, at 11:00 am, in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians will preside over a Requiem Service offered for Patriarch Abune Paulos of Blessed Memory, Head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services

Headquarters of Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch to be Sifted from Damascus

Beirut,August 24, 2012: The Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch may shift their headquarters to Beirut, Lebanon as the Church administration has been deeply affected by the political crisis in Damascus and the rest of Syria.

The Holy Synod of the Church will begin on 11th of September at Beirut and several important decisions are expected to be made.The Church headquarters have been functioning at Beirut since the development of the internal crisis in Syria.

Patriarch Ignatius Zakka Iwas will not return to Damascus after the treatment in Germany. The Ancient Syrian Orthodox Church where the belt of Holy Theotokos rests has been destroyed in bombing. The holy belt has been saved since it was moved from the Church in advance. The Aleppo Diocesan headquarters of the Church has suffered . More then 400 houses of Syrian Orthodox Christians have been destroyed and robbed. Most of the faithful have already migrated to Europe and USA. There are only a handful of Monks remaining at the Church headquarters in Damascus.

Plans for Germany

It has been rumored in some media that the headquarters of the Church shall be sifted to Germany. Due to the unstable political conditions in Middle East some believe that Germany will be an ideal place for the Church headquarters to function smoothly. Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch has considerable number of faithful residing in Lebanon, Germany, Sweden and rest of the Europe.

The Patriarchate of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch has been shifted from one place to another at several instances in history due several political, religions reasons. The Patriarchate was transferred to different monasteries in Mesopotamia in early days. In the 13th century it was transferred to the Mor Hananyo Monastery , in southeastern Turkey near Mardin, where it remained until 1933. It was transferred to Homs, Syria and in 1959 was transferred again to Damascus. The Patriarchate has also functioned at Lebanon during the time of Patriarch Ignatius Yacob III and also at Tur Abdin Monastery.

Source: OCP News Service

Photo:en.wikipedia.org

Highlights of the Burial of HH Patriarch Abune Paulos