PATRIARCH ZAKKA I IWAS IN ANTELIAS

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

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

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

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

.
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

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

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.