Egypt is our home and birthright

Friday 20 Jul 2012

Victor Salama - Robeir al-Faris - Nader Shukry

Last week, the door was closed for voter registration of the some 2600-member electoral body that will elect the 118th patriarch for the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Church sources say that the final voter lists are expected to be announced within the week, after which contestations against any of the nominees for the papacy will be accepted for the duration of two weeks.
Voting for the new patriarch is expected to take place next October. Diaspora Copts will vote in the Egyptian embassies in their respective countries.

Watani talks to Anba Pachomeus
Anba Pachomeus, Archbishop of Beheira and Pentapolis, holds the position of acting patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church at a time that is very critical for the Church and for Egypt. He has been charged with the responsibility of serving the Church in this capacity in the wake of the death of Pope Shenouda III last March.
Pope Shenouda was a charismatic figure famous for his exceptional wisdom and for the affection in which he held the Coptic Church and congregation, an affection that was warmly reciprocated. Once he passed away, the Copts grieved for him with a heartache that came out of a genuine feeling of having been orphaned.

The second most senior
Anba Pachomeus is the second most senior bishop in the Coptic Church. Tradition has it that the most senior bishop should act as locum tenens, acting patriarch, to manage the Church and its affairs until a new patriarch is elected. The most senior bishop, however, is Anba Mikhail of Assiut who declined the post on grounds of his ailing health.
Anba Pachomeus has proved to be the comforting, soothing figure the Copts needed so much during their deep grief but, more importantly, he has displayed wisdom and strength that almost rival that of the late pope. His presence has had the miraculous effect of reassuring Copts that the Church is in good hands and possesses the figures that can handle its future, especially throughout the political turmoil and uncertain times that Egypt is undergoing.
Anba Pachomeus spoke to Watani about the current situation in Egypt and about the process of choosing a new pope. As nominations have poured in for names to shoulder the responsibility of the new patriarch, Anba Pachomeus has been adamant in declining the nomination himself. He insists that he sees his role as that of guiding the Church during these turbulent times until he can hand it over to a new patriarch elected by the people and divinely selected.
The by-laws for the election of a patriarch for the Coptic Church were issued in 1957, and stipulate that a select electoral body of Coptic laity and clergy should elect three names from among a short list of nominees for the post. These three names are placed on the altar during Holy Mass and a draw is held. The name that comes out will be that of the new pope.

Changing the by-laws
Watani spoke to Anba Pachomeus about the expectations of the Coptic community as regards the 1957 by-laws, which are widely seen to be no longer adequate for the present time and much in need of changes and updates. Anba Pachomeus approached the interview in true Christian self-denial, insisting he was the one who needed a lesson.
“I would like to know the pulse of the Egyptian street,” he said, “how the congregation sees matters.”
He said that indeed the 1957 by-laws did include items that were not suitable today. It is common knowledge that the standards through which the electoral body is chosen need to be amended, since the congregation has grown in number and has spread over the entire world, which was not the case back in 1957. Relations with the Ethiopian Church have changed, so items that relate to Ethiopia need amendment.
“We had to choose between two options,” Anba Pachomeus said. “Whether to elect a new patriarch according to the 1957 by-laws and try to get around the deficiencies, or to leave the papal seat vacant until the by-laws can be amended. Considering the current political turbulence in Egypt, this process may have been unduly prolonged. We opted for the first alternative.”
Anba Pachomeus noted, however, that the Holy Synod had decided to agree with the new pope that he would pledge to work to start changes to the 1957 by-laws within a year from his accession.

No fears
Some in the Coptic congregation have expressed fears that the papal elections committee, which is charged with short-listing the 17 nominees for the papacy down to0033 33bako,yos.jpg seven or five from among whom the electorate may elect three, may decline to exclude the senior bishop nominees from the list.
“I assure you the committee will favour no one unfairly, young or old, monk or bishop,” Anba Pachomeus said firmly. “They will just obey their Christian conscience before God.”
Asked if suspended bishops will have the right to vote, Anba Pachomeus replied that he had recently taken a decision to look into the cases of the bishops suspended by the Holy Synod under Pope Shenouda III. Among them are Anba Amonius of Luxor, Anba Takla of Dishna, Anba Matthias of Mahalla, and Anba Danial of Sydney. In reply to the question, he said that they had every right to vote, since they are still members of the Holy Synod. Only non-Egyptian bishops do not have that right, he said.
Recent events have been uppermost in the minds of Copts. So can the election of a new pope be influenced by Egypt’s new president? Anba Pachomeus stressed that the election was a purely Church affair and had nothing to do with anything else.

Mood of rebellion
“How about inevitable comparison between the new pope with the charismatic Pope Shenouda?” Watani asked.
“Any comparison with Pope Shenouda will depend on the new leadership and the response by the congregation,” Anba Pachomeus said. “The new pastor should work with love for everyone. We pray for a new pastor filled with the Holy Spirit to continue along the path of Pope Shenouda.”
“With the current mood of rebellion in Egypt, is it possible in your opinion that young Copts would revolt against the new patriarch if he takes decisions they disapprove of?” Watani asked.
“That is not what the Church is about,” Anba Pachomeus replied. “Relations within the Church community are more comparable to family relations where differences are settled with understanding, dialogue and love. Children rebel against a father only when all channels of dialogue are blocked. This cannot be the case in Church where differences are discussed and settled in agreement between pastors and congregation.”

Decision on divorce
“But there is a problem with Copts who demand more lenient measures for divorce, and who demand a return to the now-defunct 1938 Coptic family by-laws? Watani asked. “Have you met representatives of this group? And is there any chance that the new pope might reinstate the 1938 bylaws?”
“My door is open to everyone,” Anba Pachomeus said. “But no one has come to see me about that problem. All I received was a memorandum directed to the Coptic Orthodox Clerical Council which handles problems of divorce or marriage annulment.
“The new pope has no right to go back on the annulment decision, since this was a decision by the Holy Synod, not by the previous pope. The new pope has to refer it to the Holy Synod.
“All decisions taken by Pope Shenouda III are still in force. This applies also to his decision that Copts should not go to Jerusalem for pilgrimage unless and until the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is peacefully resolved. No papal decisions may be revoked except by the new pope.”

Should Copts leave?
Watani asked Anba Pachomeus what he thought of the prevalent notion that, under Islamist rule, Copts would be better off leaving Egypt and attempting to emigrate to some other country where they would be safer.
“I totally disagree with that,” Anba Pachomeus said. “Egypt is our homeland; it is beautiful and peaceful despite everything. Egypt is the only country that was visited by Jesus Christ; it has been always a place of prosperity. Egypt has a rich spiritual heritage; it is the land of saints and martyrs. We should not leave it under any condition.”



WATANI International
22 July 2012

EOC Patriarch discusses with Egyptian President

Photo courtesy of Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa, July 16/2012: Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) Abune Paulos discussed on different issues with the Egyptian President Dr. Mohammed Morsi .

According to a statement the Patriarchate Office of the EOC sent to ENA Monday, Abune Paulos on the occasion said the governments of Ethiopia and Egypt need to work jointly in all sectors to fulfill the interests of the peoples of the two countries.

President Morsi on his part announced plan to work in collaboration with the Ethiopian government.

The President lauded contribution of the Patriarch in the efforts to maintain peace and stability across the world.

EOC and the Egyptian Coptic Church significantly contribute to the historic relation between the two countries, President Morsi said.

courtesy: Ethiopian News Agency

Coptic Church committee to discuss papal candidates

The Holy Synod, the Coptic Church's highest authority, will hold a meeting on Thursday to discuss papal nominees; Church to send acting-Pope's name to Egypt's de facto leader Tantawi for approval

Ahram Online, Thursday 22 Mar 2012

The highest authority of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod, which is comprised of 120 archbishops, is due to hold a meeting Thursday to discuss the appointment of a new pope.

According to the Coptic Orthodox tradition, candidates for the papacy - whether a bishop, a patriarch, or a priest - must be a monk who is at least 40 years old and has served for over 15 years in the monastic order.

The candidates are nominated by members of the Holy Synod, the Monks Synod, the Melli Council, the dioceses as well as the Coptic Councils in the People's Assembly and the Shura Council.

Each nominee must guarantee the support of at least 12 members of the Holy Synod.

Following an election, the names of the three candidates with the most votes are written on pieces of paper and placed in a box. A child, of no more than nine years of ages, must pick a slip with their eyes closed.

According to Anba Youannis, secretary to the late Pope Shenouda III, the church will also send the name of the acting-pope, Archbishop Anba Pachomeus of Beheira, to Field Marshal Tantawi, the head of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF), following Thursday's Holy Synod meeting. According to Egyptian law, the president of Egypt - in this case the ruling military council - must accredit the Church's choice for both an interim and permanent pope.

In accordance with Coptic election law, Archbishop Anba Pachomeus was appointed as the Church's transitional leader because he is the oldest bishop who was willing to undertake the role.

After Pope Shenouda III passed away on Saturday the eldest bishop, Bishop Mikhail of Assiut, who was consecrated in 1946, declined the position.

Consequently Archbishop Pachomeus, who was consecrated in 1971 and is the second eldest member of the Holy Synod, became acting patriarch until a new pope is elected.

It is expected that the new pope will be elected within two months.

Ahram Online

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III laid to rest

Cairo -- Hundreds of clergy and officials packed St Mark's Cathedral in Cairo for the funeral service of Pope Shenouda III, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, who died aged 88 after a long battle with illness.

henouda 's body, dressed in robes and a gold crown, lay in an open coffin as Coptic hymns filled the huge cathedral in central Cairo, where thousands massed outside to pay their respects, on Tuesday.

The funeral prayers were led by the patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abuna Paulos, who flew in from Addis Ababa for the service.

"Because he is resting, does not mean we have lost him," Abuna Paulos said.

Clergy from around the world and officials, including ministers, MPs and public figures including prominent Coptic tycoon Naguib Sawiris, in tears, attended the service amid emotional scenes, aired live on television.

Crowds waited outside, some all night, for a chance to attend the service, which officials had said would be by invitation only.

At one point, the gate to the cathedral compound was opened, causing a stampede into the courtyard, as church officials scrambled to closed the doors again.

A day of national mourning was declared on Tuesday to mark the death of the leader of the Middle East's largest Christian community.

Flags were flown at half mast around the country, and an unprecedented security plan has been put in place in the capital and in the Nile Delta province of Beheira where Shenuda will be buried in the 4th century St Bishoy monastery.

Courtesy: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/Egypt

The body of the Pope would be buried at of Egypt's St Bishoy Monastery, in line with the late pope's last will and testament. The monastery is situated along the Cairo-Alexandria desert road in northern Egypt's Wadi Al-Natroun region.

Pope Shenouda's body was in full papal regalia on the seat of St Mark since his death but late on Monday the corpse was laid in an open casket.

15:25 Several thousands mourners are waiting for the military plane carrying the body of Pope Shenouda III to arrive at St Bishoy Monastery in Wadi Al-Natroun region, where the late patriarch will be laid to rest. Some public figures are among the mourners, such as presidential hopeful Hamdeen Sabahi.

14:00 One of the bishops at St Bishoy Monastery in Wadi Al-Natroun where the Pope Shenouda III is set to be buried told Al-Jazeera TV, "We have nothing for the late Pope but love and appreciation, it was him who established the Monastery and developed it … He was a father, a friend and a true friend."

13:50 Al-Jazeera TV shows live footage of hundreds of Coptic Egyptians waiting for the military plane carrying the body of Pope Shenouda III to arrive at St Bishoy Monastery where the late patriarch will be laid to rest.

13:40 A Coptic student, Mina, 24, said, "I think it is important that Muslims are here at the funeral. Like the Copts we are all here because everyone is sad as the Pope was a good man to all. So they should come and pay their respects."

13:30 "The fact that he refused to go Al-Quds unless the Muslims were allowed, this is enough for us to respect him," Mohamed, a 57-year-old Muslim from Cairo who works as civil service clerk, told Ahram Online.

"I love him because he makes us feel like the Christians and Muslims are truly one. On January 25, 2011, he wasn't saying we are Muslim or Christian, he said we are Egyptian, we shouldn't believe the lies that there is hatred, we shouldn't recognise the lie that there are the differences between us."

13:25 An Ahram Online reporter reports seeing a banner that reads, "Muslims came in millions to respect you Christians."

Hind, a 21-year-old Muslim student who came with her mother Amal, 56-year-old housewife, said, "I am here for the funeral, we are all Egyptians whether we Muslim or Christian, we are all sad. Everyone loved him, he was a good and caring person to Muslim people as well. As a person, he mediated between us all, he was important. We should respect each other."

13:20 Groups of mourners in front of the Cathedral are set to head to the St Bishoy Monastery situated along the Cairo-Alexandria desert road in Wadi Al-Natroun region, northern Egypt, where the body of Pope Shenouda III will be buried.

13:15 The body of pope Shenouda is en route to Almaza military airport in Cairo where it is expected to be flown by a military helicopter to Wadi-Al Natroun where the pope will be laid to. Egyptian state TV showed tens of mourners are waiting there holding up pictures of the late Pope. Security forces are protecting the premises from the crowds of people.

13:06 According to the Twitter account of Bishop Angaelos, the General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, the vehicle that has carried the pope out of the Cathedral is an ambulance.

13:05 The casket carrying the pope's body has left the Catherdral and that crowds of thousands of people are running after the vehicle carrying the Pope's body. The crowds are chanting "Oh, God".

12:55 Al-Jazeera English TV reported that hundreds of mourners are waiting for the pope's body to arrive at St Bishoy Monastery, where the corpse will be buried as per his will. The Monastery is situated along the Cairo-Alexandria desert road in northern Egypt's Wadi Al-Natroun region.

12:50 The casket carrying the body of the late pope has just been carried out of the Cathedral surrounded by crowds trying to touch it for a last time.

12:45 Bishop Grace Bishoy, secretary of the Holy Synod, a potential candidate for the position of the next Pope, also thanked ambassadors who attended the funeral to offer condolences, including those from the US, England, France and Canada as well as representatives from the Vatican.

12:42 Bishop Grace Bishoy thanked Grand Imam of Al-Azhar for sending a delegation from Egypt's official Islamic institution to present condolences to the Cathedral.

12:39 Bishop Grace Bishoy, secretary of the Holy Synod also expressed gratitude for attending to interim Prime Minister Kamal El-Ganzouri, his predecessor Essam Sharaf, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Saad El-Katatni.

12:35 Bishop Grace Bishoy, secretary of the Holy Synod, thanked Field Marshal and de-facto president Hussein Tantawi and Chief of Staff Sami Anan for their condolences' messages to the church.

12:27 Grace Bishoy, secretary of the Holy Synod, is asking those present for silence as he thanks those present for attending, including international governmental figures.

12:25 People inside the Cathedral are devastated as the casket is moving. Interim Pope Pakhomious said: "He is our teacher, we say goodbye to him till we meet in paradise. His departure is really hard … He made a great impact on the [Egyptian] Church and the whole world. We shall never forget what he did to the Church. Words cannot express how painful his demise is."

12:23 People of all ages are visibly devastated and are throwing flowers at his casket.

12:22 The casket is now being carried through the Cathedral by Church figures, while people are shouting out 'We love you, Father.' The casket is moving slowly

12:21 The casket carrying the body of late Pope Shenouda III has been closed for the final time while mourners are stretching their hands to reach it and many people are waving.

12:20 Several priests cannot reach the body of the late Pope, and so are kissing the casket in turn.

12:15 Prayers appear to be close to an end. People inside the cathedral recite hymns while standing up, some are growing emotional. The pope is still in an open casket surrounded by priests holding candles, incense and crosses while reciting chants.

12:10 Several people from Delta and Upper Egyptian governorates traveled to Cairo trying to attend the funeral inside the Cathedral but were unable to enter. They told Ahram Online, "The Pope was a godfather for Copts. We are devastated."

12:08 Bishop Pefnotios of Samalot read out the late Pope's letter, in which he wrote, "I am your father…preserve peace and keep in touch with your loved ones, instigate good deeds and do not let yourselves stray from your way."

12:07 A letter from Pope Shenouda has been read at his funeral by Bishop Pefnotios of Samlot. The late pope meant for it to be read after his death.

12:05 One Coptic mourner told an Ahram Online reporter he was worried about the prospects of an Islamist president, as the late Pope "did everything to protect us as Copts."

11:54 Thousands of men and women watching the screen outside the Cathedral are shedding tears as the prayers are coming to an end, according to an Ahram Online correspondent.

11:52 I came from Assiut yesterday just for the funeral, I tried to see the Pope but they didn't let me in, the crowds were huge. I am so sad, he was a father for us. We don't know how the situation will be for us Copts in the future, we must see who the new president is and what is written in the constitution. If we have a Salafist or an Muslim Brotherhood president this will not be good for us and they may disregard us and our needs. But we have faith that everything is going to be alright,' Ashraf Shukrallah, 38, a Coptic air conditioning unit installer from Assiut in Upper Egypt told Ahram Online.

11:50 Mohamed Saad El-Katatni, speaker of the People's Assembly, is among the attendees.

11:40 Long and mournful tune of Agios is now being sung by Ibrahim Ayad and the chorus, many of whom are tearing up.

11:37 Hamdi Badeen, head of the military police and member of the SCAF, has just entered the Cathedral along with other top military figures.

11:35 An Ahram Online reporter speaks with a 63-year-old woman who is crying because she has failed to get inside the Cathedral like many others. She is praying for Pope Shenouda to let her enter the Church hall.

11:30 Menya Governorate Bishop Arthanious has recited the Pauline Epistle prayers in Coptic and Arabic. Later, leading deacon in the Cathedral Ibrahim Ayad prayed for God to "forgive our sins and have mercy upon our souls."

11:28 I came yesterday from Meniya city, I slept overnight in Cairo. I came all this way because I felt I should attend this funeral, because of my religion, because he was a great man. I am extremely sad, the whole world is sad. He was God's man and the godfather of the Copts; his dealings with politics are extremely important, for everyone, not just for Copts." Mohsin, 50, a Coptic plumber told Ahram Online outside the Cathedral.

11:25 An angry crowd is shouting at deacons supervising organisation, as mourners face closed doors. An Ahram Online reporter confirmed that no physical engagements have taken place but the mourners slam doors, sometimes using stones.

11:22 According to an Ahram Online reporters many outside wave goodbye whenever Baba Shenouda appears on screen.

11:15 Ibrahim Ayad, a leading deacon in the Cathedral, led chanting.

11:12 Official prayers are ongoing in Coptic. A host of some of Egypt's most prominent Deacons are leading prayers for the late pope in Coptic.

11:07 A group of military figures including SCAF member Mahmoud Hegazy have just entered the Cathedral, although all doors had been earlier closed.

11:05 International and Egyptian Catholic and Protestant religious figures are inside the Cathedral among the attendees paying respect to the late pope.

11:00 Military police have closed all the doors of the Cathedral earlier, according to an Ahram Online reporter, and even invitation holders are unable to access the funeral service inside. Many mourners who have come Upper Egyptian governorates such as Qena and Assuit are infuriated and are slamming some of the doors.

10:58 Presidential hopeful and former Mubarak prime minister Ahmed Shafiq is at the church attending the mass for the late Pope Shenouda III.

10:55 Presidential hopeful and Judge Hisham El-Bastawisy, Chairman of Wafd Party Sayed Badawy,Wafd party leading figure Fouad Badrawy and Islamic preacher Amr Khaled are among the attendees inside the Cathedral, as well as some members of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) and Islamic scholars from Al-Azhar.

10:50 Egyptian Bishop Pakhomious of Beheira is now leading the prayers for the late Pope.

10:48 An Ahram Online reporter describe near the Cathedral says many mourners who failed to enter the church are holding placards bearing photos of the Pope and shedding tears. Outside the Cathedral, there is a large screen on which mourners can watch the funeral.

10:47 'He was like a father for us, he lives with us and we live with him. He teaches us how to believe in God and how to be good Christians. He touched not only people in Egypt but people from outside Egypt too; today people came from all over the world to pay their respects, Christian or not. The Church has given people peace and spirit; I believe the new pope will have the same spirit to continue Pope Shenouda's work,' Abraham, a Coptic priest at a church in Ain Shams suburb of Cairo, told Ahram Online.

10:46 An Ahram Online reporter spotted veteran Egyptian actress Elham Shaheen outside the cathedral. The actress and many others have failed to enter the church.

10:45 Presidential hopeful Abdel Monem Abul Fotouh is among the attendees at the Cathedral.

10:40 The Syrian Orthodox Church delegation, headed by Mar Ignatious Zakka, took its turn to pray for Pope Shenouda III. The prayers at the moment are being performed by guests, while the official prayers are yet to start and will be performed by the Egyptian Church.

10:38 "We are devastated, for 40 years he was doing the right thing for Egypt and for the Coptic community. He knew how to mediate between Muslims and Christians. Even internationally he was always good with the people. There was lots of pressure on him, but he always came through. Egypt is a place that lives inside us not a place where we live. His most famous words were 'God is here, everything should be goodness and everything will end well.'" Samra, 65, Shubra, Copt, retired clerk at the ministry of justice told Ahram Online.

10: 35 Many of the doors of the Cathedral are closed according to Ahram Online reporters to avoid stampedes and organise the crowd as the numbers are estimated at hundreds of thousands. The son of late president Gamal Abdel-Nasser, Abdel Hakim, is among the attendees inside. Coptic business tycoon Naguib Sawiris is sitting in the front row next to the casket.

10:30 According to an Ahram Online reporter, all main streets have been blocked by military and police forces who are only allowing invitation holders to pass. Those without invitations will have to take detours to reach the cathedral.

10:20 Guest Prayers are underway in the cathedral as Pope Shenouda III's body lie in an open casket. Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is giving a speech to bid farewell for his late counterpart. He said Shenouda is sitting with the angels and is praying for us.

10:10 Inside the Cathedral, thousands of politicians religious leaders and public figures are paying respect to the late Pope as hymns are being recited. Prime Minister Kamal El-Ganzouri, his predecessor Essam Sharaf, Coptic big screen star Hany Ramzy, Islamic preacher Amr Khlaed and Tourism Minister Mounir Fakri Abdel are among the attendees.
Courtesy:http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/37164/Egypt/Politics-/Live-Updates-Funeral-of-Pope-Shenouda-III-at-Abbas.aspx

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III passes away

CAIRO, Egypt — Pope Shenouda III, the patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, died March 17 at his residence in St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo. He was 88.

The state news agency MENA reported his death. He had suffered from cancer and liver and lung problems for several years.

His death comes as the country’s estimated 10 million Christians are feeling more vulnerable than ever amid the rise of Islamic movements to political power after the toppling a year ago of President Hosni Mubarak. The months since have seen a string of attacks on the community, heightened anti-Christian rhetoric by ultraconservatives known as Salafis and fears that coming goverments will try to impose strict versions of Islamic law.

Tens of thousands of Christians packed into the main Coptic cathedral in Cairo on Saturday evening hoping to see his body. Women in black wept and screamed. Some, unable to get into the overcrowded building, massed outside, raising their hands in prayer.

“He left us in a very hard time. Look at the country and what’s happening now,” said Mahrous Munis, a Christian IT worker in his 30s who was among the crowds. “Copts are in a worse situation than before. God be with us.”

Munis’ friend, Sherif Sabry, interrupted. “He was our rock. God help us find someone who can fill his place.”

An archbishop later announced to the crowd that the funeral would be held in three days, and in the meantime Shenouda’s body would be put on display in the cathedral, sitting in the Mar Morqos — or St. Mark — throne from which the pope in his elaborate regalia traditionally oversaw services.

Shenouda died in his residence at the cathedral, and the state news agency MENA said he had been battling liver and lung problems for several years. Yasser Ghobrial, a physician who treated Shenouda at a Cairo hospital in 2007, said he suffered from prostate cancer that spread to his colon and lungs.
U.S. President Barack Obama paid tribute to Shenouda as “an advocate for tolerance and religious dialogue.” “We will remember Pope Shenouda III as a man of deep faith, a leader of a great faith, and an advocate for unity and reconciliation,” Obama said in a statement issued by the White House. “His commitment to Egypt’s national unity is also a testament to what can be accomplished when people of all religions and creeds work together.”

“Baba Shenouda,” as he was known to his followers, headed one of the most ancient churches in the world. The Coptic Church traces its founding to St. Mark, who is said to have brought Christianity to Egypt in the 1st Century.

For Egypt’s Christians, he was a charismatic leader, known for his sense of humor — his smiling portrait was hung in many Coptic homes and shops — and a deeply conservative religious thinker who resisted calls by liberals for reform.

Above all, many Copts saw him as the guardian of their community living amid a Muslim majority in this country of more than 80 million people. Christians have long complained of being treated as second-class citizens, saying they face discrimination and that police generally fail to prosecute those behind anti-Christian attacks.

The Supreme Military Council has granted Coptic Christians a three day holiday to enable them to pay their respects to His Holiness.

The embalmed body of His Holiness, fully vested in pontifical vestments, had been transferred to St. Mark’s Cathedral and is seated on his throne. The staff of the Papal Residence have been admitted before the general public come to bid farewell to the Pope.

The Sunday morning Liturgy is being celebrated in St. Mark’s Cathedral with the body of His Holiness presiding from the throne. Metropolitan Bakhomious of Beheira is the principal celebrant.

Update 11.37am: Bishop Moussa told mourners at the cathedral that Pope Shenouda would be buried at the Bishoy Monastery after the funeral in Cairo on Tuesday at 11am.

Update: 12pm: Abba Seraphim will be attending a Monday Liturgy. Tuesday is the Pope’s funeral, followed by reception of condolences from the government and religious visitors. The Synod will meet again on Thursday.

Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Osthathios passes away

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

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