SEIA NEWSLETTER On the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism ______Number 196: January 31, 2012 Washington, DC

The International Catholic-Oriental attended the meal. turies, currently undertaken by the com- Orthodox Dialogue The Joint Commission held plenary mission since January 2010, is perhaps sessions on January 18, 19, and 21. Each expected to establish good historical un- day began with Morning Prayer. At the derstanding of our churches. We think HE NINTH MEETING OF THE INTER- beginning of the meeting Metropolitan such technical and scholarly selection of NATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION FOR Bishoy congratulated one of the Catholic items for discussion will bring many more THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN T members, Rev. Fr. Paul Rouhana, on his outstanding results beyond the initially THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE recent election as General Secretary of the expected purpose of the Joint Commis- ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES TOOK Middle East Council of Churches. sion. Therefore, this theological and spir- PLACE IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, FROM The meeting was formally opened on itual contemplation will not only unveil JANUARY 17 TO 21, 2012. The meeting was hosted by His Holiness Abuna Paulos the morning of January 18 by His Holi- the historical and theological facts that I, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox ness Patriarch Paulos. In his address to exist in common but also will show us the Tewahedo Church. It was chaired jointly the members, the Patriarch said, “It is with direction for the future. The ninth meeting by His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, great pleasure and gratitude we welcome of the Joint Commission in Addis Ababa President of the Pontifical Council for you, the Co-chairs, co-secretaries and is expected to bring much more progress Promoting Christian Unity, and by His members of the Joint International Com- in your theological examinations of enor- Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Dami- mission for Theological Dialogue between mous ecclesiastical issues. And we hope ette, General Secretary of the Holy Synod the Catholic Church and the Oriental Or- that the agendas chosen to be discussed of the Coptic Orthodox Church. thodox Churches. And let our spiritual here will be exhausted with utmost atten- Joining delegates from the Catholic greetings reach to our most venerable tion. To this end we would like to encour- Church were representatives of the follow- brothers, the Heads of our churches, age your skillful monitoring of agendas in ing Oriental Orthodox Churches: the An- through you. The history of the church the Joint Commission. As we all know, tiochian Syrian Orthodox Church, the tells us that division between the ancient this is the season of Epiphany, the celebra- Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholico- Oriental Orthodox Churches and the tion of the baptism of Our Lord and Sav- sate of All Armenians), the Armenian Ap- Catholic Church can be traced back to the ior Jesus Christ. The Ethiopian Orthodox ostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia), the years after the Council of Chalcedon in Tewahedo Church celebrates this liturgi- Coptic Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian 451 AD, whose Christological teaching cal, highly spiritual, and unifying feast Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and the was not accepted by the Oriental Ortho- colorfully and with magnificent numbers Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. No dox Churches. Henceforth, no dialogue or of believers. The theological meaning of representative of the Eritrean Orthodox even trial was made to bring these church- this feast is highly significant which re- Tewahdo Church was able to attend. es into their original unified status before flects the mystery of baptism, making all The two delegations met separately 451 AD and no attempt and activity re- of us children of God, which is on the on the morning of January 17. In the af- sulted in settling an irreversible solution to other hand inspiring. As I officially open ternoon, the Catholic members attended a the division. Obviously the 20th century the Ninth meeting of the Catholic-Oriental prayer service with the local Catholic hi- has brought about new horizons in which Orthodox International Joint Commission erarchy, clergy, religious and faithful, at relations began to be developed through for Theological Dialogue, I wish all suc- the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady. the Pro Oriente Foundation in Vienna. cess and the grace of God to be with you. They were greeted with an address by This process of relations led to the estab- May it be a blessed and fruitful meeting to Abune Berhaneyesus D. Souraphiel, CM, lishment of an official dialogue between the Glory our Lord, Our God and Savior Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa the Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Jesus Christ. I pray to our Lord and Sav- and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Churches in 2003, under the title “Interna- ior Jesus Christ, that His Divine guidance Conference of Ethiopia. Cardinal Koch tional Joint Commission for Theological be in your midst during this meeting. May was also invited to speak to the assembly. Dialogue between the Catholic Church Almighty God Bless us all, bless our That same evening, all the members and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.” In world and give us His everlasting Peace! of the commission accepted a gracious accordance with the formally prescribed Amen.” invitation from His Excellency Archbish- setups of the commission in Rome, we The papers presented at this meeting op George Panikulam, Apostolic Nuncio could say the Joint Commission has de- included “Martyrdom as an Element of in Ethiopia, to attend a friendship dinner veloped a few articles related to funda- Communion and Communication” by at the Apostolic Nunciature in honor of mental aspects of ecclesiology. The issue Metropolitan Bishoy, “Martyrdom: An His Holiness Patriarch Paulos, who also of communion and communication among Element of Christian Communio,” by our ancient churches in the first five cen- Bishop Paul-Werner Scheele, “Exercise of Ecclesial Communion in the New Testa- Joint Commission will take place in Rome Lique Hiruyan Getachew Guadie (unable ment” by Rev. Fr. Matthew Vellanickal, in January 2013. The members will arrive to attend); Abba Dr. Hailemariam Melese, “The Exercise of Communion as Reflect- on Tuesday January 22, have separate Vice Dean of the Holy Trinity Theologi- ed in the New Testament Writings” by Dr. meetings on the morning of January 23, cal College, Addis Ababa (observer); Kuriakose Theophilose Metropolitan, plenaries on the afternoon of January 23, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church: “Prayer and Liturgy in Religious Life as a as well as the full days of January 24, 25, H.E. Metropolitan Dr. Gabriel Mar Gre- Means of Communion and Communica- and 26, and plan to depart on Monday, gorios, President of the Department of tion” by Rev. Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB, January 28. Ecumenical Relations, Diocese of Trivan- and “Prayer and Liturgy in the Religious The members concluded with joyful drum, India; H. E. Metropolitan Dr. Life: Their Significance for Communion thanks to God, the Father, the Son and the Youhanon Mar Demetrios, Bishop of and Communication,” by Rev. Fr. Daniel Holy Spirit, for what has been accom- Delhi (co-secretary), Delhi, India; Rev. Seife Michael Feleke. plished at this meeting. Dr. Jossi Jacob, Director of the Post In these studies, the members noted The members of the Commission are: Graduate Department and member of the that, even in the New Testament, there Representatives of the Oriental Or- faculty of the Holy Trinity Theological were various expressions of the koinonia thodox Churches (in alphabetical order): College of the Ethiopian Orthodox of the apostolic churches in their diversity. Antiochian Syrian Orthodox Church: Tewahedo Church (observer). The understanding of martyrdom was H.E. Mor Theophilus George Saliba, Representatives of the Catholic essential to the early Christian experience Archbishop of Mount Lebanon, Secretary Church both in terms of witness to the faith and of the Holy Synod of the Syrian Orthodox His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch sacrificial self-offering. The veneration of Church, Beirut, Lebanon; H.E. Kuriakose (co-chair), President of the Pontifical martyrs emerged early as a point of unity Theophilose, Metropolitan of the Malan- Council for Promoting Christian Unity; among the churches. Both personal and kara Syrian Orthodox Theological Semi- Most Reverend Paul-Werner Scheele, liturgical prayer of early Christians was nary and President of the Ecumenical Sec- Bishop Emeritus of Würzburg, Germany; rooted in the Scriptures of the Old and retariat of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Most Reverend Youhanna Golta, Pa- New Testaments. The Eucharistic liturgy Church in India, Ernakulam, India; triarchal Auxiliary Bishop of the Coptic particularly manifested a common struc- Armenian Apostolic Church: Cathol- Catholic Patriarchate, Cairo, Egypt (una- ture and also a variety of traditions that icosate of all Armenians: H.E. Khajag ble to attend); were mutually enriching. Barsamian, Archbishop of the Eastern Most Reverend Jules Mikhael Al- With these studies, the members con- Diocese of the USA, New York (unable to Jamil, Procurator of the Syrian Catholic tinued their examination of the ways in attend, represented by H.G. Bishop Ar- Patriarchate to the Holy See and Apostolic which the Catholic and Oriental Orthodox mash Nalbandian of the Armenian Dio- Visitator in Europe, Rome (unable to at- Churches expressed their communion with cese of Damascus); H.E. Archbishop tend); one another in the period before their di- Yeznik Petrossian, General Secretary of Most Reverend Peter Marayati, Ar- vision in the middle of the fifth century. Bible Society of Armenia, Etchmiadzin, menian Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo, Over the course of the next year, a draft- Armenia (unable to attend); Syria; ing committee will meet to examine the Armenian Apostolic Church: Holy Most Reverend Woldetensae Ghe- papers presented in the present phase of See of Cilicia: H.E. Archbishop Oshagan breghiorghis, Apostolic Vicar of Harar, the dialogue with the intention of produc- Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy Ethiopia, President of the Ecumenical ing a draft text to be examined at the 2013 in the USA, New York; H.G. Archbishop Commission of the Catholic Church in meeting of the Commission. At that meet- Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of Ethiopia and Eritrea; ing, the members will also examine the the Holy See of Cilicia, Antelias, Leba- Rev. Fr. Frans Bouwen M.Afr., Con- themes, “The Saints as an Element in the non; sultant to the Pontifical Council for Pro- Communion and Communication in the Coptic Orthodox Church: H.E. Anba moting Christian Unity; Jerusalem; Early Church,” and “The Process of Bishoy (co-chair), Metropolitan of Dami- Rev. Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB, Ex- Recognition/Canonization of Saints in ette, Egypt, General Secretary of the Holy ecutive Director, Hill Museum and Manu- History and Today.” Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church; script Library, St. John’s Abbey and Uni- His Holiness the Ethiopian Patriarch Rev. Fr. Shenouda Maher Ishak, West versity, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA; invited the members to attend the celebra- Henrietta, New York, USA; H.G. Bishop Rev. Fr. Ronald G. Roberson, CSP, tion of Timkat, the Ethiopian Orthodox Daniel of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Associate Director of the Secretariat for liturgical commemoration of Epiphany, on Sydney, Australia (observer); Priest Monk Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, US January 20. This joyful festival took Cedrack Amba Bishoy, Representative of Conference of Catholic Bishops, Wash- place outdoors at Jan Meda at the side of a the Coptic Orthodox Church to the Ethio- ington, DC, USA; large pool of water and was attended by pian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (ob- Rev. Fr. Paul Rouhana, OLM, Uni- hundreds of thousands of faithful. Both server); versité Saint-Esprit, Kaslik, Jounieh, Leb- Metropolitan Bishoy and Cardinal Koch Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church: anon, and General Secretary of the Middle were invited to address the gathering. On Rev. Fr. Kaleab Gebreselassie Gebru, East Council of Churches; that same evening, the Patriarch invited Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Patriarchate, Rev. Fr. Mark Sheridan, OSB, Pon- the members to dinner in his residence. Asmara, Eritrea (unable to attend); tificio Ateneo S. Anselmo, Rome; On January 21 the Joint Commission met Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Rev. Fr. Mathew Vellanickal, Vicar with students and staff from Holy Trinity Church: Rev. Fr. Daniel Seife Michael General of the Archdiocese of Changa- Orthodox Seminary in Addis Ababa. Feleke of Holy Trinity Theological Uni- nacherry, India; The tenth meeting of the International versity College in Addis Ababa; Mr. Rev. Fr. Boghos Levon Zekiyan, Pon-

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 2. tifical Oriental Institute, Rome; and injustices are being undone,” Barthol- L. Sampson started his remarks by saying: Prof. Dietmar W. Winkler, Consult- omew, a native of the island, told the con- “I want to give a special welcome to His ant to the Pontifical Council for Promot- gregation. Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the ing Christian Unity, Salzburg, Austria. He made the comment in response to Greek Orthodox Church. Thank you very Rev. Fr. Gabriel Quicke, Official of news that the ethnic Greek minority much for that prayer, and I am glad that the Pontifical Council for Promoting school on the island finally received per- with the help of Governor Cuomo we Christian Unity, Rome (co-secretary). mission to reopen, 47 years after it was were able to ensure that St. Nicholas Abune Musié Ghebreghiorghis, Ep- closed by Turkish authorities. Church will be rebuilt on Ground Zero.” arch of Emdibir (observer) Bartholomew called on parents to Following the conclusion of the Sen- Abba Petros Berga Sorballa, Execu- enroll their children at the minority ate session Senator Skelos accompanied tive Secretary of the Assembly of the school. “It does not matter if it will be the Archbishop to the nearby Empire State Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia (observer) -- only one child or a few, the school’s reo- Plaza Convention Center for the 2012 Addis Ababa, January 21, 2012 pening is important,” he stressed. State of the State Address by Governor Finally, he thanked the government of Andrew M. Cuomo. The ceremony was The Eastern Orthodox Churches Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended by all members of the Senate and and the Turkish ministry of education for the Assembly, legislative leaders, State allowing the school to reopen, underlining officials, Mayors from around the State HE HOLY AND SACRED SYNOD OF the major role played by the Turkish min- including New York City Mayor Michael THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE istry of European affairs and by the repre- Bloomberg, and thousands of people. T CONVENED today, January 10, sentative of minority foundations in Tur- In his invocation, at the start of the 2012, under the chairmanship of His All- key’s General Directorate of Foundations, program, the Archbishop said as part of Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholo- Lakis Vigas. (AMNA) – Athens News, his invocation: mew, for its regular session during which, Jan. 19. “Grant us to live in harmony with one among other matters, it discussed the issue another, and with all of Your glorious that has arisen regarding the remand in RCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS OF AMERI- Creation, in mutual respect and love. custody of Fr. Ephraim, Abbot of the Holy CA HAS DELIVERED THE INVOCA- Grant to our Governor, Andrew Cuomo, Monastery of Vatopedi. Accordingly, the TION AT THE 2012 OPENING the spirit of courage, justice, prudence, following is hereby announced: A LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE NEW YORK and discernment. Keep him in safety and 1. His All-Holiness and the Holy and STATE SENATE AND THE CEREMONY for health for many years, always leading the Sacred Synod express their sorrow for the the 2012 State of the State Address by people to victories over injustice, poverty, situation that has developed with regard to New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. and everything that is harmful to the dig- this matter. Early in the afternoon of January 4, in nity and sanctity of human life. 2. The Ecumenical Patriarchate, in the Senate Chamber, His Eminence was We thank You, Almighty God, for accordance with its established policy and introduced to the Members of the Senate this occasion to gather as a free people out of respect for the independent investi- by the Lieutenant Governor Robert J. and to contemplate the challenges and gation of the justice system, always avoids Duffy, offered the invocation and attended opportunities that lie ahead for our State. any kind of interference in outstanding the first legislative session of the new Through the blessing of our diversity, give judicial matters, especially inasmuch as it year. us the gift of unity. Make us worthy of the is not privy to the content of the relevant Archbishop Demetrios, in the prayer sacred mission to which You called us, as legal briefs. said in part: “we ask You to grant our citizens of a Nation that is a beacon of 3. In regard to statements made by a Senators an extraordinary measure of vir- democracy for all people, so that in all we sister Orthodox Church on this matter, the tue so that with foresight, sensitivity, and consider and speak and do, we may honor Ecumenical Patriarchate underlines that, creativity they may perform their duties in You, the Author of Freedom, Truth and as its canonical territory, the Holy Moun- these times of tremendous challenges and Justice.” – Press Release, Greek Archdio- tain indeed comprises Orthodox monks of opportunities. Grant them hearts of com- cese, Jan. 5. different ethnicities but this does not lend passion for the needy; enlighten their a Panorthodox character that would permit minds with the virtues of tolerance, re- N 31ST JANUARY 2012 HIS GRACE any kind of intervention therein by other spect and passion for justice. Throughout PETROS BISHOP OF NIKOPOLIS, Autocephalous Churches. -- At the Ecu- their deliberations in this 2012 Session, O RETIRED HIERARCH OF THE menical Patriarchate, January 10th, 2012. grant unto them and to those who work PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA AND ALL From the Office of the Chief Secretary. with them health, peace and safety in all AFRICA, FELL ASLEEP IN THE LORD. their ways.” The Late Bishop Petros of Nikopolis CUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOL- In the short session that followed, (Karatroupkos) was born in Naousa, Mac- OMEW ON JANUARY 19 PRAISED A Senate Majority Leader Senator Dean G. edonia. He held a degree from the Theo- E RECENT DECISION BY THE TURKISH Skelos offered warm welcoming remarks logical Faculty of the University of Thes- AUTHORITIES TO ALLOW THE REOPENING to the Archbishop and said: “I would like saloniki, was ordained Deacon in 1953 OF A GREEK MINORITY SCHOOL on the to start off by welcoming His Eminence and Priest in 1960. He served as Archdea- northeastern Aegean island of Imvros here. Not only is he the spiritual leader of con of the late Metropolitan Seraphim of (Gokceada in Turkish). my Church in this Great Country, he is Ioannina, who was later Archbishop of The Patriarch was addressing a group also a spiritual leader for all faiths. So we Athens, and as Priest he served at the Ho- of worshippers at the island’s main Ortho- welcome you Your Eminence to our ly Metropolis of Verroea and Naousa, the dox church. Chamber.” Minority Leader Senator John Holy Archdiocese of North and South “Gradually, we are being vindicated

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 3. America, the Holy Metropolis of Toronto - peace and reconciliation between all tage), Protodeacon Peter Danilchick, and and in the Holy Metropolis of Carthage, the people under the name of God and the Messrs. Alexei Krindatch, Alex Ma- serving as its Vicar. nation. chaskee, Eric Namee and Constantin Ur- On 22nd February 2001, by proposal - respect the principles of justice, sache. – Press Release, Antiochian Arch- of the late Petros VII, Pope and Patriarch freedom, human dignity, social justice and diocese, no date. of Alexandria, he was unanimously elect- citizenship rights. ed as Bishop of the newly-established The Patriarchs encouraged the steps HRISTIANS HAVE THE LOWEST Diocese of Zambia. He resigned on 14th of reforms and positive actions which the GROWTH RATE AMONG THE ISRAELI March 2003. On the same day he received government has lately recognized. C POPULATION, ACCORDING TO AN the title of Bishop of Nikopolis. – Press The Patriarchs are lifting up their ISRAELI CENTRAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS Release, Patriarchate of Alexandria, Jan. warm prayers, with one voice and one REPORT RELEASED ON 6 JANUARY. 31. heart, to God Almighty so that He may: According to the report, the Christian - bless the souls of those who died growth rate of 0.9 percent compares to the HIS IS A MESSAGE FROM THE HEADS - console the hearts of those who lost Jewish rate of 1.7 percent and the 2.7 per- OF CHURCHES THEIR HOLINESSES people cent growth rate among Muslims. Chris- T AND BEATITUDES THE PATRIARCHS - protect Syria and guide it to the tian Arabs have a growth rate of one per- TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND CITIZENS IN shore of safety, peace, sovereignty, and cent while the rate among non-Arab Chris- SYRIA. THEY ARE Their Holinesses and prosperity tians is 0.7 percent. Beatitudes Ignatios IV Hazim Patriarch of The Patriarchs are calling on every- About 154,000 Christians live in Isra- Antioch and All the East of the Greek body to join them in their prayers. They el, constituting 2 percent of the popula- Orthodox, Mor Ignatios Zakka I Iwas Pa- ask people not to let fear enter their hearts tion, according to the bureau. triarch of Antioch and All the East for the because not one single hair will fall from The percentage of Christians in Israel Syrian Orthodox, and Gregorios III their heads without God’s permission, as has remained relatively stable since the Laham Patriarch of Antioch and All the our Lord Jesus Christ taught us. mid-1980's, noted Wadie Abunassar, di- East and Alexandria and Jerusalem of the During this Advent time, their Holi- rector of the International Center for Con- Greek Melkite Catholics. nesses and Beatitudes are approaching all sultations and a consultant for the Jerusa- The Patriarchs met at St Ephrem the their spiritual sons and daughters, as well lem Center for Christian-Jewish relations. Syriac Monastery in Ma’arat Saydnaya on as the citizens of Syria with wholehearted About 80 percent of Christians living the morning of Thursday 15th December wishes. They are asking the Lord Jesus, in Israel are Arabs, with the remainder 2011. They examined the situation which the God before all ages, who took the mainly Christians who immigrated to Isra- our beloved country Syria has been pass- flesh of humans for our salvation, to place el with Jewish members of their families ing through for the last nine months. in our hearts the joy and peace which the under the Law of Return, which allows The Patriarchs explored the events angels proclaimed on the night of Jesus’ any proven Jewish person to immigrate to and their outcomes which have caused birth; together with the intercession of the Israel. pain and suffering to the country and to Mother of God Mary, everlasting Virgin The estimated birth rate for Christian the people in all aspects of life. and all the Saints. women is also the lowest among the reli- The Patriarchs expressed: St Ephrem Monastery – Ma’arat gious groups. The average number of - their deep pain about what is occur- Saydnaya, Syria, 15 December 2011. – children expected to be born to a Christian ring, and their sorrow for the loss of life. Website of the Eastern Diocese of the woman is 2.1, compared to a Muslim - their fear about the decline of the Syrian Orthodox Church, December 2011. woman (3.8), a Jewish woman (3.0) and a economic situation. Druze woman (2.5). - their acute wish to see Syria recover HE SECRETARIAT OF THE ASSEMBLY But though their relative numbers in from its wounds OF CANONICAL ORTHODOX BISHOPS Israeli society are low, Christian Arab The Patriarchs hoped that: T OF NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA students consistently have the highest suc- - citizens of Syria may come back to HELD ITS ANNUAL "FACE-TO-FACE" cess rates on matriculation examinations each other in love, tolerance, cooperation MEETING, January 24th and 25th, 2012. for certificates that meet the admission and wisdom. The hosts for this year's "face-to-face" requirements for universities compared to - the nation’s interest will take prece- meeting were Father Josiah Trenham and other sectors of Israeli society, including dence over every other interest the congregation of St Andrew Church in Muslim, Druze and Jewish students. - the people may return to their au- Riverside, CA. An overview of the work According to the report, in the 2010 thenticity and heritage, and to their con- accomplished at the Riverside meeting school year, 63 percent of Christian 12th sciences and faith in dealing with each will be included in a soon-to-be issued grade students earned a matriculation cer- other; and in solving their problems on media release which will report to the tificate compared with 46 percent of Mus- their own. Church-at-large on the work of the As- lims, 55 percent of Druze, and 58 percent The Patriarchs rejected all forms of sembly during the past year. of Jewish students. – Judith Sudilovsky intervention by any foreign party. The Secretariat, which also meets for ENI, Jan. 9. They called for lifting up the sanc- monthly via teleconference, consists of tions which were imposed on Syria under Bishop Basil (Secretary of the Assembly ATRIARCH FILARET, THE HEAD OF any excuse. of Bishops), Archbishop Antony, Bishop THE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX The Patriarchs rejected resorting to Andonios, Bishop Maxim, Father Mark P CHURCH-KYIVAN PATRIARCHATE the use of any type of violence. Arey, Father Nicholas Ceko, Father Josiah (UOC-KP) SAID IN AN INTERVIEW TO RISU The Patriarchs called for: Trenham, Hierodeacon Benedict (Armi- THAT IN 2008, THE ECUMENICAL PATRIAR-

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 4. CHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLE PROPOSED order to refute information spread by mass Mahmoud Abbas, and congratulated him THE UOC-KP TO JOIN IT, and later receive media. and the people of Palestine on the im- autonomy. The conditions of Constanti- "I hear it for the first time now. Its is portant steps taken towards recognition of nople, however, were unacceptable for the senseless both from the point of view of the State of Palestine by world communi- clergy of the UOC-KP and the union was the canons and Statutes. Therefore, I do ty. “Palestinian membership in UNESCO not concluded. not understand what can be the source of is an impressive sign of further improve- "Some say that we did not join the that information. It appears that there are ment in the situation. I am deeply con- Patriarchate of Constantinople as Filaret many smart people in the media who have vinced that the State of Palestine can bring did not want to give up leadership. But it no close relation to real life. The session its reconciling and constructive contribu- is not true. No one set a condition of my is planned to be held on January 26, but it tion to the establishment of interreligious resignation either in Fanari or Kyiv. No might be postponed." peace in those Middle East countries, in one!" he said. "On the contrary, it seems to me that which it is frustrated at present,” His Ho- "The situation was as follows. They the illness of the primate unites the liness said. conducted negotiations with me and pro- church. All the churches pray for His Be- He noted with satisfaction the devel- posed that we join the Constantinople atitude. He is improving and celebrates opment of pilgrimages from countries Patriarchate. Viktor Andriiovych [editor: services himself. Therefore I do not un- with a Russian Orthodox presence to the Yushchenko] agreed and said: 'We will be derstand the source or purpose of that Holy Land, and mentioned the relations canonical! Moreover, we will be first! For information. In addition, the last Synod between the State of Palestine and the the Patriarchate of Constantinople is the confirmed that all the institutions in the Russian Orthodox Church and between first and the Moscow Patriarchate is the church are functioning during the illness Palestine and Russia as a principal factor fifth,'" said the Patriarch. of the primate,” the protopriest said. in this development. According to Patriarch Filaret, at the According to the protopriest, the Brotherly relations between the Mos- time of the negotiations in 2008, the church's Statutes stipulate the election of cow Patriarchate and the Patriarchate of Ukrainians wanted to obtain recognition an acting head as a temporary measure in Jerusalem, to which jurisdiction Orthodox and the Greeks wanted to subordinate two cases; namely, the death of the head Christians of the Holy Land belong, were Ukraine. “Instead, it proposed conditions of the church or his abdication. – RISU, noted. “We believe that the development that were worse than the conditions of the Jan. 12. of pilgrimage serves the development of Kyivan Metropolitanate before the 17th relations between the two sister Churches. century or the present conditions of the N 21 JANUARY 2012, HIS HOLINESS The Russian Ecclesiastical Mission was UOC-MP,” said the Patriarch. PATRIARCH KIRILL OF MOSCOW established in the Holy Land in 1847. The hierarch said that the delegation O AND ALL RUSSIA MET WITH THE Some metochia are now in the territory of of the UOC-KP demanded from Constan- PRESIDENT OF THE PALESTINIAN NATIO- the State of Palestine. Restoration and tinople guarantees that the UOC-KP NAL AUTHORITY (PNA), MAHMOUD decoration of these places so important to would be granted autocephaly in a speci- ABBAS. us is under way, and I wholeheartedly fied period of time but Constantinople The Primate of the Russian Orthodox thank you for support you are rendering to refused to give such guarantees. Church congratulated Mahmoud Abbas the Russian Orthodox Church,” the Pri- Patriarch Filaret noted that it is not for winning the International Foundation mate of the Russian Church said. necessary to join anyone in order to obtain for the Unity of Orthodox Christian Na- Mahmoud Abbas underscored the recognition and cited the examples of the tions (IFUOCN) prize and called the importance of his meeting with His Holi- Bulgarian and Romanian Churches. awarding a symbolic event. He said: ness, saying that all people of Palestine, To obtain the recognition of their “Though you are not an Orthodox, we who belong to different religious groups autocephaly, neither the Hellenic nor Bul- wanted to show our respect for your ac- including Orthodox Christians, respect garian nor Romanian Orthodox Churches tions directed at preserving the holy sites Patriarch Kirill. As to the prize, Mahmoud joined Constantinople but were simply and keeping up religious life in the Holy Abbas said that it was a privilege to him recognized as autocephalous, that was all. Land, including that of Orthodox Chris- and all people of Palestine. He expressed And if anyone says that it is impossible to tians, as well as for your special contribu- his hope for increasing the number of pil- recognize the Kyivan Patriarchate because tion to the development of relations be- grims to Palestine, especially from the its head was anathematized by Moscow, tween the people of Palestine and Russia.” Russian Orthodox Church. “By now the there is an answer to it as well: how then While talking about the situation in number of pilgrims has reached 250 thou- was the Bulgarian Church, where all the the countries of the Middle East, His Ho- sand a year, and we want it to grow to one bishops were anathematized by Constanti- liness said that interreligious balance is million next year. The Holy Land is dear nople, recognized?” he said. – RISU, Jan. being upset and interreligious peace is to all people who profess the three major 3. being violated there, mentioned egregious religions that are called heavenly: Christi- cases of persecution against Christians in anity, Judaism and Islam. Peace is neces- HE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH certain countries, and supported religious sary to this country so that all could come MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE DOES NOT peace in the land of Palestine promoted to this land and venerate holy sites.” T INTEND TO APPOINT AT ITS NEXT through the efforts of the President of the The head of the State of Palestine SYNOD AN ACTING HEAD OF THE CHURCH Palestinian National Authority. certified the fact of good relations of Pal- FOR THE PERIOD UNTIL THE RECOVERY OF “By this prize, we wanted to empha- estine with the Russian state and Russian METROPOLITAN VOLODYMYR, Heorhii size your personal contribution to interre- people and with the Russian Orthodox Kovalenko, the primate's press secretary, ligious peace in Palestine,” the Primate of Church. He said that the Imperial Ortho- said in a commentary to tyzhden.ua in the Russian Orthodox Church said to dox Palestine Society would celebrate its

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 5. 130th anniversary this year and added that caring as no one else for Orthodox Chris- tions of his meeting with Patriarch Kirill its establishment and activity speak of the tians in fifty-four countries of Africa, thus in Mozambique during his missionary foresight of those who founded it. consolidating unity of the Orthodox visit to the country and said: “When I Mahmoud Abbas said that he had Church on the large African continent. leave this world, I want people to remem- handed a letter to the Primate of the Rus- You are making an important contribution ber me as a missionary Patriarch.” sian Orthodox Church written by the Pal- to the unity of Orthodoxy as Primate of He remarked that he would visit the estinians twenty-four years ago about the the Church of Alexandria, which has come King of Morocco on March 25 and then Russian property in the territory of Pales- from St Mark and is playing an important go to other African countries. “I will bring tine. “Even before the beginning of our part in Orthodox affairs as it did in olden love there and remember that the Patriarch negotiations with Israel, we tried to find times,” His Holiness said. of All Russia is always with me.” out and verify what had belonged to the He called relations between the two Also discussed were bilateral rela- Russian Orthodox Church in the territory Churches “traditionally good and frater- tions, pan-Orthodox cooperation, pastoral of Palestine, as we consider it very im- nal” and added that the Patriarchs of Al- care for Russian Orthodox Christians liv- portant to return everything. Our courts exandria had been involved in momentous ing in African countries, and missionary are trying one or two cases. I am confident events in the life of the Russian Church. work of the Church of Alexandria. that they will rule in favor of the Russian For instance, Patriarch Meletios Pegas, a His Holiness Patriarch Kirill de- Orthodox Church,” he added. deeply spiritual man of action and mighty scribed recent events in the life of the Mahmoud Abbas spoke about interre- intellect, played an important part in the Russian Orthodox Church, including the ligious peace in the Middle East. “The establishment of the Patriarchate in Russia establishment of new dioceses. His Beati- acts against Churches in Egypt and Iraq and extended substantive support to the tude Patriarch Theodoros spoke of the have pained our hearts and we strongly first Patriarch of Moscow and to the Rus- three new dioceses of the Patriarchate of condemned them,” he said and added that sian state. “It mattered a good deal to Rus- Alexandria and of missionary achieve- it was necessary to maintain national unity sia as it was necessary to rely on the gen- ments in tropical Africa. – Press Release, so that religious groups that have lived in erally recognized Orthodox spiritual au- Moscow Patriarchate, Jan. 24. the territory for a thousand years could thorities; the Patriarchs of the Eastern coexist in peace and harmony. Churches enjoyed prestige with Russian N 26 JANUARY 2012, HIS HOLINESS “Relations with all Christian Church- people,” His Holiness underscored. PATRIARCH KIRILL OF MOSCOW es are very important to us,” the Palestini- Patriarch Kirill mentioned many O AND ALL RUSSIA MET WITH an leader said. He mentioned friendly re- bright events in relations between the two ANTONIS SAMARAS, LEADER OF THE NEW lations with Patriarch Shenouda III of the Churches which have always supported DEMOCRACY PARTY OF GREECE, AT THE Coptic Church, the Pope’s visit to Bethle- each other. “This is a part of our common PATRIARCHAL RESIDENCE IN ST. DANIEL’S hem two years ago, and recent meetings Tradition,” he said and added: “The Rus- MONASTERY. with the representatives of religious com- sian Church will extend support to the His Holiness Patriarch Kirill warmly munities in London. Patriarchate of Alexandria by all available greeted them, saying: “We are always The head of the Palestinian National means defending the rights and freedoms happy to welcome guests from fraternal Authority is confident that Palestine of Christian minorities” at this hard time Greece.” He said further that the Russian should be a land of peace and harmony, as of oppression against Christians in North- Orthodox Church and the Church of it is the Holy Land for the three world ern Africa. Greece have maintained traditionally good religions, the followers of which should Patriarch Kirill believes that the Rep- relations that are important to the ties come to Palestine and feel this peace and resentations of the Moscow Patriarchate in among Greece, Russia, Ukraine and other harmony. – Press Release, Moscow Patri- Cairo and of the Patriarchate of Alexan- countries in which the Moscow Patriar- archate, Jan. 21. dria in Moscow play an important part in chate is present. “Political circumstances the development of bilateral relations: are changing, whereas our relations that N 24 JANUARY 2012, HIS HOLINESS “They symbolize the living linkage be- date back centuries remain unchanged. PATRIARCH KIRILL OF MOSCOW tween our Churches.” His Holiness as- Orthodoxy is a very important factor of O AND ALL RUSSIA MET WITH HIS sured Patriarch Theodoros that he was national identity of both the Greeks and BEATITUDE PATRIARCH THEODOROS II OF always happy to meet him. Having noted the Russians.” ALEXANDRIA AND ALL AFRICA AT THE that after his visit to Moscow His Beati- His Holiness mentioned Orthodox PATRIARCHAL RESIDENCE IN ST. DANIEL’S tude will visit fourteen African countries, relics that have been brought from Greece MONASTERY. The Primate of the Church he wished him God’s help in his mission- recently; the Sash of the Theotokos and of Alexandria arrived in Moscow at the ary endeavors. the relics of St. Demetrios the Great Mar- invitation of His Holiness to receive the His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros tyr. “Millions of people stood in queue for prize “For Outstanding Activity in thanked His Holiness Patriarch Kirill for hours to venerate the relics. So many peo- Strengthening Unity of Orthodox Chris- brotherly talk and added: “It is my fourth ple never came to a political meeting of a tian Nations and for Consolidation and visit to Moscow in the eight years of my sports event. As long as they come to ven- Promotion of Christian Values in the Life being Patriarch. This displays my respect erate relics, there is hope for the future,” of Society” named after His Holiness Pa- for the Russian Church.” He said that he Patriarch Kirill said and added that vener- triarch Aleksy II. had warm recollections of his time spent ation of the new martyrs of Russia and The Primate of the Russian Orthodox in Russia, and the years of 1985-90 in Greece was very important, too. Church warmly greeted His Beatitude particular, which he served in Odessa as The Primate of the Russian Church Patriarch Theodoros, noting that the Exarch of the Patriarch of Alexandria. stated that the Russians sympathize with awarding is a momentous event. “You are Patriarch Theodoros shared recollec- the Greek people who are experiencing

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 6. difficulties. “We highly appreciate the development, which was unique to each ropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine. An ad Orthodox Church of Greece’s charitable country," said Irina Lebedeva, the Tretya- hoc commission was set up. work. I know, for instance, about soup- kov's general director, at the Moscow The Synod approved composition of kitchens. This shows that the Church takes opening. the commission for amendments to the the suffering of common people to heart,” The exhibitions, which run until 19 Statute of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church he said and noted that relations between March, culminate a year-long Russian- (UOC). The commission was set up by the the Russian church charities and the Italian cultural exchange and are dedicat- decision of the UOC Council on July 8, Church of Greece are being established to ed to the 1225th anniversary of the Se- 2011. help those in need. Patriarch Kirill has cond Council of Nicea. That gathering of Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshgorod and given his blessing to raise funds in all church leaders in 787 presaged the divi- Chernobyl, abbot of the Laura of the churches of the Russian Orthodox Church. sion of the churches into East and West. Caves, was charged with temporary ad- His Holiness mentioned the forthcom- Metropolitan Hilarion of Voloko- ministration of the Kiev diocese. ing official visit of His Beatitude Arch- lamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriar- Concern was expressed over a draft bishop Hieronymos of Athens and All chate's Department of External Church legislation “On Pilgrimage’ that is under Greece to the Russian Orthodox Church Relations, called "In Christ" a joint Or- consideration by the Verhovna Rada and expressed his hope for the visit “to thodox-Catholic witness "before the face without agreeing with the Ukrainian Or- give a new impetus to the development of of the modern secular world." thodox Church and other religious associ- relations between the two Churches.” "Byzantine icons reveal not only the ation in Ukraine. It was resolved to send Antonis Samaras thanked His Holi- human person of Jesus Christ, but God an appeal to the chairman, Vladimir ness for the meeting and agreed with His incarnate," he said. "In this icons differ Litvin, and to people’s deputies, and to set Holiness in that the Greek relics brought from the paintings of the Renaissance, up an ad hoc commission to consider the to Russia and the decision to lend a help- which present a humanized Christ. Alt- matter in essence. ing hand to the needy show the level of hough Giotto is usually attributed to the The Holy Synod has taken decisions bilateral relations. “It happened that poli- early Renaissance, in his works one can on the Orders of the Ukrainian Orthodox tics divide people, whereas faith always see with full clarity that early iconograph- Church and on the life of monasteries and unites them,” he said. ic tradition that is shared by East and convents. – Press Release, Moscow Patri- The leader of the New Democracy West." archate, Jan. 27. party hopes that Greece will cope with the In Florence, Russian Orthodox and crisis in the near future. He believes that Roman Catholic clergy prayed before the N AUTHORITATIVE SOURCE IN THE along with economic analysis of the crisis icons. "After decades during which these KYIVAN METROPOLITANATE OF the Greek people should carry out its icons were torn from the context for which A THE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX “spiritual study.” Antonis Samaras is con- they were created, for the church and for CHURCH-MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE (UOC- fident that Orthodoxy is a fundament that prayer, they have been returned, even if MP) REPORTED TO RELIGION IN UKRAINE gives spiritual strength which people need for a while, from the museum to a sacred THAT THE SITUATION REGARDING THE for struggle and for finding a way out of place," Giuseppe Betori, Archbishop of SIGNING OF THE LATEST DECISIONS OF THE the crisis situation. – Press Release, Mos- Florence, told Russia's TASS-TV. Icons SYNOD of UOC-MP of January 26 by its cow Patriarchate, Jan. 26. were confiscated and destroyed, sold or head, Metropolitan Volodymyr, remains placed in museums after the 1917 Bolshe- unsettled. HE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX AND vik Revolution. – Sophia Kishkovsky for Metropolitan Volodymyr was sur- ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES ARE ENI, Jan. 27. prised to hear about certain rotation deci- T SOMETIMES AT ODDS ON ISSUES sions of the Synod. The primate cannot RANGING FROM CHURCH LEADERSHIP TO N 26 JANUARY 2012, THE HOLY sign the decisions which were not coordi- THEOLOGY, BUT AN EXCHANGE BETWEEN SYNOD OF THE UKRAINIAN nated with him, in order not to provoke MOSCOW AND FLORENCE SHOWS THAT O ORTHODOX CHURCH HELD ITS further conflict in the UOC-MP. If he re- THEY HAVE COMMON GROUND IN ART. SESSION IN THE LAURA OF THE CAVES IN fuses to sign them, the decisions of the The exhibits, called "In Christ," are KIEV UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF Synod will hardly be considered valid. on display at Moscow's State Tretyakov METROPOLITAN AGAFANGEL OF ODESSA In addition, according to Religion in Gallery and at Florence's Baptistery, the AND IZMAIL. His Beatitude Metropolitan Ukraine, the head of UOC-MP was pre- historic octagonal building next to the Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine could pared to participate in the session of the Duomo cathedral, constructed to host bap- not chair the session because of his illness. Holy Synod. One of the options consid- tisms. Members of the Synod expressed ered was for the members of the Synod to Two masterpieces by the early Re- gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill come to the hospital where the metropoli- naissance artist Giotto, the Madonna and of Moscow and All Russia for visiting the tan stays. However, the session was held Child and ten-panel St. Reparata Polyp- Lugansk diocese last September and the without the primate’s participation. tych, which have never been to Russia Chernovtsy diocese last October and for At the same time, according to Para- before, came to Moscow. In turn, three spiritual support thus rendered to Ortho- graph 17 of Chapter 4 of the effective icons from the Tretyakov, including one dox Christians of Ukraine. Statutes on Government of the UOC, the connected to Andrei Rublev, Russia's The Holy Synod gave blessing to permanent member of the Synod with the most famous iconographer, went to Italy. mark the 20th anniversary of the Kharkov longest record of bishop’s ministry can act "The idea was also to exhibit those Bishops’ Council of the Ukrainian Ortho- as the chairman of the Holy Synod only if names that could show the source of our dox Church and the 20th anniversary of the Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine common Byzantine culture and its further His Beatitude Vladimir’s ministry as Met- cannot do that for some reason. If the in-

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 7. formation about the ability and readiness lightning speed in the territory of the So- to the Council of Europe Parliamentary of Metropolitan Volodymyr to participate viet Union. Not once the enemy was close Assembly in 2007. I, too, will never stop in the session of the Synod of January 26 to his aim but contrary to the logical de- making efforts for defending the Serbian is confirmed and if the ruling head of velopment, Russia hurled back those inva- brothers in their struggle to live in the land UOC-MP does not approve the journals of sions and rose from ruins and ashes. In of their fathers. the Synod, the legitimacy of its decisions this the believer sees God’s providence It is very important that the holy plac- will remain disputable. – RISU, Jan. 27. and His help. es in Kosovo should not be abandoned. It I have no right to give any political would be a real spiritual catastrophe and N JANUARY 29, 2012, THE SERBIAN advice to the Kosovo Serbs but will offer would do a serious damage to Europe’s NEWSPAPER ‘EVENING NEWS’ a counsel relevant in all times: turn to the Orthodox heritage. Priceless are the mon- O PUBLISHED AN INTERVIEW OF HIS Lord God with sincere prayer for help. uments created by the Serbian people in HOLINESS PATRIARCH KIRILL OF MOSCOW And your brothers and sisters in faith in Kosovo and Metohija, and they are alive AND ALL RUSSIA. Russia will lift up their prayers together as long as prayers are lifted up in churches Q. Your Holiness, as you know, Serbs with you, and I believe the whole Univer- and the feat of monasticism is performed in Kosovo and Metohija have recently sal Church will do the same. In the Gos- in monastery cells. I have approved the appealed to President Medvedev to grant pel, our Lord Jesus Christ repeats these action program which will be implement- them Russian citizenship, and his answer words: ‘Do not be afraid!’ The fear of ed in 2012. is already known. The Serbs appealed to dangers and threats is a natural human I have been to Kosovo several times you as well, and their desire was dictated feeling. But the Lord is always with us and talked with local people and could see by despair and helplessness in the situa- and He says to the Serbs in Kosovo today: their difficult situation with my own eyes. tion in which they have been caught. The ‘Do not be afraid!’ What I saw made a strong impression on recent initiatives of Serbs in Kosovo for I am deeply thankful to the Kosovo me. The Russian Orthodox Church was Russian citizenship have given a powerful Serbs for their letter to me and to the Rus- and will be in solidarity with the Kosovo signal that should be heard not only in sian state leaders, to ‘the Russian people Serbs. Our compatriots empathize with Russia but throughout Europe. and brothers’. Scores of thousands of them and lift up ardent prayers for a Your words have always been a great people put their signatures to this letter. It speedy regulation of life in the Kosovo moral support for our people and country. has left no one of those who read it indif- region. There is my voice too among these What message would you convey to all ferent. Our hearts are deeply moved by the numerous voices of prayer. Serbian citizens, especially the Orthodox trust and love for Russia manifested in this Q. How do you assess the new calls faithful, to encourage them in this grave letter. In response I would like to say: the of some Montenegro politicians to divide period of history? Russian Church, the Orthodox Russian the Serbian Orthodox Church? The former A. The Serbs who live in Kosovo and people will never turn away from you. No prime minister of Montenegro, Milo Juka- Metohija have become hostages in a ma- earthly gains, no changes in the current novic, has recently stated the history will jor political game. Given the indifferent political situation will make us forget show the validity of his call to divide the attitude of many states, they are forced to about our ages-old spiritual kinship. Serbian Church. stay in closed enclaves, experiencing eve- Q. Russia, with her diplomatic and A. History shows that attempts of ryday anxiety because of the hostile peo- political resources, has given support to particular political forces to put pressure ple around who are aware of their impuni- the Kosovo Serbs who have been caught on the Church in order to change her ca- ty. Our brothers in faith have great cour- in a difficult situation in all respects, so- nonical order lead to nothing good. age not to abandon their much-suffering cio-economic, legal, psychological. What Fortunately, in Montenegro there are land and holy places, and have to live like support can the Serbs from Kosovo expect many reasonable political leaders who concentration camp inmates who are de- from the Russian Orthodox Church? share this point of view. In February 2009, nied even the basic right to life. Here we A. The Russian Federation has really I met with Montenegrin President Philip see a glaring injustice, double standards given a considerable support to the Koso- Vujanovic. I remember that during that and lies of the policy declaring commit- vo Serbs. For instance, by the decision of meeting Mr. Vujanovic said that for him ment to the ideal of humanism and human the Russian authorities, funds have been the Metropolia of Montenegro and Pri- rights protection while shutting its eyes to allocated through UNESCO for the resto- morje was the only Orthodox canonical the hell created by extremists with support ration of ruined churches in Kosovo. This institution in Montenegro and pointed to from their foreign sponsors. initiative deserves every encouragement. the importance of the Metropolia’s taking The Lord says to St. Paul, ‘My power Other actions are taken as well to relieve pastoral care of the Serbs and Montene- is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Cor. the situation of our Serbian brothers who grins. 12:9). When all the human resources are live in Kosovo, including the supply of All the Local Orthodox Churches exhausted, when there seems to be no humanitarian aid. consider Montenegro to be part of the hope, then we seek the help of God about The Moscow Patriarchate has invari- canonical territory of the Serbian Patriar- which the Lord told to his apostle. In Rus- ably supported the position taken by the chate and this generally-shared Orthodox sian history we see many examples when Serbian Church with regard of the status conviction should be respected. the country was on the verge of enslave- of Kosovo. On the international arena, Q. We know that representatives of ment and destruction – in the Time of much was done for the protection of the the Russian Orthodox Church in their Trouble in 1612, and during the Polish Serbian population of the region by my talks with representatives of the Vatican intervention, in 1812 when Napoleon’s predecessor, His Holiness Patriarch Ale- paid attention to the fact that it would be army invaded the country, and in 1941 ksy II. In particular, he devoted to this good for the Pope to voice and openly when Hitler’s armadas advanced with problem a considerable part of his address demand the protection of monuments and

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 8. Christians themselves in Kosovo. The Other representatives of Western ing, they in the Vatican deleted the part of then Pope did not listen to the wise advice Christian churches and communities have the document to be signed concerning the from Moscow. Is the situation changing in repeatedly expressed concern for the van- harm of proselytism and conflict between this respect with the coming of a new dalism of NATO’s military and for Alba- the Orthodox and the Uniates in Ukraine. Pope? nian militants with their extremist attitude Since the 90s, Catholic churches have A. When the discussion on the Koso- to the old shrines in Kosovo. Therefore, I been opened in more than 200 Russian vo problem began, Pope Benedict XVI of believe, the Western Christians as a whole cities. Have the positions of Moscow and Rome, as is known, took a well- should not be blamed for the actions of the Vatican become closer when proselyt- considered stand on this problem. The the military. These actions were not dic- ism is discussed now, or everything has Holy See still refrains from an official tated by religious beliefs. remained the same? recognition of this part of Serbia as an Q. Many newspapers have recently A. It should be noted that the situa- independent state. Moreover, on the eve reported on your possible meeting with tion in the Orthodox-Catholic relations in of the declaration of the independence of Pope Benedict XVI. Do you still insist Russia have noticeably improved in the Kosovo, the Pope called the international that all the disputed questions should be last 10 years. The problem of proselytism community not to hurry to make the final resolved first, because otherwise this is not as acute now as it was in the 90s decision on the status of that territory, meeting is meaningless? when Catholic missionaries came to Rus- emphasizing that the Orthodox monaster- A. Yes, I still believe that for this sia to carry out their active work here. A ies there have a special historical and spir- meeting to be a success it is necessary, if positive role has been played by the Joint itual significance for the Serbs. not to settle the problems in full, at least Group for Considering Problems in Rela- Exactly four days after the declaration to try to settle them more energetically. tions between the Russian Orthodox of Kosovo’s independence in February The mass media have stressed only Church and the Roman Catholic Church in 2008, Benedict XVI received in audience the sensational aspect of a possible meet- Russia, which was set up in 2004. It has the Serbian ambassador to the Holy See. ing, but I do not like it at all to be reduced become a good platform for an open and In the course of the meeting, the Pope to sensational. To make it really beneficial honest discussion between representatives underscored that the Serbs suffered much for the further development of relations of the two Churches on concrete compli- in the conflicts of the last decades and between the Russian Orthodox Church cated problems and for a joint effort to expressed concern for their situation in and the Roman Catholic Church it is nec- make recommendations for their solution. Kosovo. Since then he has repeatedly essary to radically improve the atmos- It is necessary to develop cooperation spoken for the protection of the rights of phere of these relations through joint ef- between the Orthodox and the Catholics the Serbian minority. forts for settling the problems existing in who have been guardians of the Christian Q. How will you explain the fact that our relations. tradition and who have similar views of Western Christians, that is, Catholics, did Q. Under the former Pope, represent- personal and social ethics, scientific and not show a desire to defend old Orthodox, atives of the Vatican often said they could technological progress, bioethics and oth- that is Christian, churches in Kosovo? not influence the Greek Catholics in er issues of today. Among the problems These churches were burnt down and de- Ukraine who captured Orthodox churches. which have become increasingly relevant stroyed exactly at the time when Western Has the situation changed now or things is Christianophobia, the persecution of peace-makers came to Kosovo. have remained the same? Christians for their faith. In the area of the A. Regrettably, the Western world, A. While stressing their loyalty to the protection of the rights of Christians, I during the intervention of the NATO see of Rome, the Ukrainian Greek Catho- believe close Orthodox-Catholic coopera- troops in the territory of former Yugosla- lics have insisted on their own autonomy. tion to be promising, important and time- via, was subjected to a massive infor- When in 1990 a quadruple commission ly. – Press Release, Moscow Patriarchate, mation attack and, to a considerable ex- was set up including the Vatican, Moscow Jan. 29. tent, was misled. For long months, the Patriarchate, Ukrainian Orthodox Church Western mass media played up deliberate- and Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, in N 30 JANUARY 2012, HEGUMEN ly distorted information about ‘the atrocity order to settle the situation in western FILARET, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE of Milosevic’s regime’ committed in Ko- Ukraine, the Greek Catholics actually O MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE’S sovo, grossly exaggerating the number of wrecked its work. We have recently sug- DEPARTMENT FOR EXTERNAL CHURCH victims of ‘ethnic cleansings’ carried out gested that this commission be resumed RELATIONS (DECR), MET WITH HOWARD by the Serbian police in the region. but the Catholic side has been perfectly SOLOMON, DEPUTY MINISTER COUNSELOR However, the hostilities themselves in indifferent to our proposal. FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS OF THE US Kosovo provoked in the Western Chris- In the course of regular contacts with EMBASSY IN RUSSIA. tian world a reaction far from unequivo- leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, we Discussed were problems of the free- cal. Many Christians in the West were have continually raised the question con- dom of conscience regularly presented in outraged by the inscription ‘Happy East- cerning the need to resolve the situation the annual reports of the US State De- er!’ on bombs made by the American mili- with regard to Orthodox churches in west- partment on religious freedom in the tary. ern Ukraine. Both the Pope of Rome and world. Hegumen Filaret gave particular Nevertheless, a number of Catholic heads of respective Vatican congregations attention to the cases of discrimination bishops did come out in support of Koso- have expressed appreciation of our con- and persecution against Christians in the vo’s autonomy, motivated by hopes for an cern but the problem remains unresolved. world which have provoked concern of improvement in the life of the Catholic Q. The Russian Patriarch and the the authorities of the Russian Orthodox community in the region, which did not Pope were supposed to meet in 1997 in Church. – Press Release, Moscow Patriar- come true. Graz, Austria. Ten days before the meet- chate, Jan. 30.

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 9. HE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE stressed that the Committee on Alterations sentenced to much longer prison terms, UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH- and Addenda to the Statutes of UOC-MP are receiving the open, or the semi-open T MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE (UOC- will prepare the alterations, and that the treatment. MP), ARCHBISHOP MYTROFAN (YUR- final decision to pass or reject the altera- According to the information reach- CHUK) OF BILA TSERKVA AND BOHUSLAV tions is to be made by the Council of ing the public, the decision is the result of COMMENTED ON THE WEB SITE OF THE Bishops of UOC. the demands of the schismatic “Macedo- KYIV CAVE MONASTERY ON THE RES- The archbishop refuted the infor- nian Orthodox Church” (MOC), which PONSE OF THE MASS MEDIA TO THE DE- mation that Metropolitan Volodymyr did insisted that Archbishop Jovan be con- CISIONS OF THE SYNOD OF UOC-MP OF 26 not know about the decisions of the Syn- fined under the most strict prison condi- JANUARY. He explained why it was decid- od: “On the eve of the Holy Synod, Arch- tions, and all communications outside the ed to appoint Mertropolitan Pavlo of bishop Oleksandr of Pereiaslav-Khmel- prison be made more difficult for him. -- Vyshhorod and Chornobyl temporary nytskyi and Vyshneve and I visited His From the Office of the Archbishopric of head of the Kyivan Eparchy of UOC-MP Beatitude and discussed all the questions Ohrid and Metropolitanate of Skopje, Jan. and to replace the administrators of the to be raised at the synod and His Beati- 18. construction of the Cathedral of the Resur- tude was informed of all the develop- rection. The head of UOC-MP stressed ments. On the day of the Synod, Bishop ITH THE BLESSING OF THE HOLY that the Head of UOC-MP, Metropoliatan Oleksandr and Metropolitan Lazar of Sim- SYNOD OF BISHOPS OF THE Volodymyr is aware of all the decisions of feropol and Crimea also visited His Beati- W RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH the Synod and that there is no schism tude and reported to him on the decisions OUTSIDE OF RUSSIA AND HIS EMINENCE within UOC-MP. made by the Synod. They say that his Be- ARCHBISHOP KYRILL OF SAN FRANCISCO “His Beatitude has been and contin- atitude may not sign the decisions passed AND WESTERN AMERICA, THE SAINTS ues to be our Primate… The Synod con- by the Synod. This is also not true. The CYRIL & ATHANASIUS INSTITUTE FOR sidered the current questions of the decisions at the Synod are taken collec- ORTHODOX STUDIES IS BEING ESTAB- Church life, particularly, the appointment tively, that is with the consent of all the LISHED IN THE BAY AREA. It aims to be- of Metropolitan Pavlo of Vyshhorod and members of the Synod, and his Beatitude come a new center for the higher-level Chornobyl temporary head of the Kyivan signs them only if all the members of the study of Orthodox theology, history, Eparchy and cancellation of the decisions Synod agree with them. Therefore, if deci- thought and practice throughout western of the previous Synod, which set up the sions were taken, actually all the questions North America. The Institute will concen- committee of three vicar bishops of the raised at the Synod were passed unani- trate its activities around provision of a Kyivan Metropolitanate to head the Ky- mously. If his Beatitude does not agree Licentiate Certificate in Orthodox Chris- ivan eparchy. That mechanism of leader- with any decisions of the Synod, when he tian Studies, offered as a blend of in-class ship during the period of sickness of his fully returns to the fulfillment of his re- and distance learning instruction, the latter Beatitude has proved ineffective. It is nec- sponsibilities of the Primate of the Ukrain- provided through a professionally- essary to make decisions, sign documents, ian Orthodox Church, he has a right to designed web site that provides access to therefore, the question arose who should submit the decisions to a repeated consid- video lectures, live chat with lecturers and do that. It undoubtedly should be carried eration and only then, they will be fellow students, audio interaction, on-line out by one person… Metropolitan Pavlo changed if it is necessary. As of now, all assignment submission and marking, and was entrusted with the task to lead the the decisions of the Holy synod of 26 Jan- more. Kyivan Eparchy as he always stays in the uary are valid and must be fulfilled by Next month (February 17-18) the capital, in the monastery and knows the everyone whom they concern.” -- RISU, Institute's first regional symposium will situation in Kyiv and Kyiv Region. He Jan. 30. take place in San Francisco: "Living Sym- was the most suitable candidate. Also bol: Exploring the Inner Meaning of the changes were made with regard to the IS BEATITUDE ARCHBISHOP OF Divine Liturgy" and will feature principal construction of the Cathedral of the Resur- OHRID AND METROPOLITAN OF speakers Archimandrite Meletios (Web- rection. Bishop Oleksandr was dismissed H SKOPJE JOVAN, ON JANUARY ber), Archimandrite Irenei (Steenberg) from the position of the senior priest of 16TH, IN THE AFTERNOON HOURS, WAS and Archpriest Josiah Trenham. For more the Church of All Saints because the pro- TRANSFERRED FROM THE PRISON information on the Institute and to register cess of construction has proved extremely RECEPTION SECTION TO THE CLOSED for the symposium, please visit the Insti- complicated and to manage that process SECTION OF THE “IDRIZOVO” PRISON. tute's web page at this address: and financing thereof one should be good Although the procedure of deciding http://www.sforthodoxinstitute.org/ at it. One representative of our Church whether he should be allowed a retrial and who is good at it is Metropolitan Sofronii be released pending trial is still not fin- N ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH of Cherkasy and Kaniv who built more ished, the prison authorities decided to put FAMED FOR ITS VALUABLE ICONS than one Church. He has experience of Archbishop Jovan in the section where the A WAS ALMOST SET ALIGHT IN construction of large churches. Therefore, sanctions with strictest treatment are exe- SOUTHERN MACEDONIA MONDAY OVER- it was decided to entrust him with the task cuted. NIGHT, AMID RELIGIOUS TENSION BETWEEN of supervising the construction of the Ca- The sentence that Archbishop Jovan CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS IN THIS PART OF thedral of the Holy Resurrection,” Arch- received in the court process in which he THE COUNTRY. Hours before the fire, bishop Mytrofan commented on the deci- was sentenced in his absence is two years Muslim leaders had appealed for calm sion of the Synod. and 6 months imprisonment, which is not among community members. As for the changes and addenda to the at all a sentence deserving the strictest The Jan. 13 Vevcani festival prompt- Statutes of UOC-MP, the Archbishop closed treatment, since other prisoners, ed angry, sometimes violent demonstra-

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 10. tions by Muslims, who are nearly all eth- Benedict XVI led the liturgy, and with it, women and vice versa. Hence, it is a sort nic Albanian and make up 33 percent of closed the Week of Prayer for Christian of dialogue without precedents. the country’s 2.1 million population and Unity. ZENIT: What was determinant for accuse the majority of stoking hatred. The bishop of the Romanian Ortho- this change? Ethnic tension has been simmering in dox diocese for Italy and member of the Bishop Siluan: It must be said that this small Balkan country since the end of Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox during Communism, Romania could not an armed rebellion in 2001, when ethnic Church reflected on how things are chang- have a dialogue of this kind. There was a Albanian rebels fought government forces ing. representative who went out once or twice for about eight months, seeking greater ZENIT: What is the situation of ecu- a year and who did not have the liberty to rights for their community. The conflict menical dialogue between Catholics and say what he wished to say. Hence, in these left 80 people dead, and ended with the Orthodox? 15 to 20 years, unprecedented relations intervention of NATO peacekeepers. Bishop Siluan: I believe, despite were created. The Vevcani carnival, a traditional voices that say that the ecumenical dia- ZENIT: This is clear at the horizontal festival said to have been held for some logue is in crisis, that in the last 15 years level, but between the religious? 1,400 years, attracts thousands of visitors. Christians of Eastern Europe -- we are Bishop Siluan: Although there are Local residents traditionally wear elabo- talking of Romania Bulgaria, Russia, but places and moments in which the dialogue rate, frequently sarcastic masks, with in particular of the countries that are in the is in crisis, relations have undoubtedly some of the most common costumes in- European Union -- having the possibility matured. I am thinking of meetings with cluding devils and demons. and the willingness to leave, made contact Catholic monks, priests and bishops The perceived mockery of the Quran with the reality of all the Western coun- whom I met 20 years ago, in my case in and the burqa costumes caused outrage. tries. We must say that the Catholic France. Today we meet as old time On Saturday, protesters attacked an inter- Church in Italy, Spain and other countries friends. city bus heading from Struga to Vevcani, manifested an openness and willingness to There is no mistrust when we meet throwing rocks at the vehicle. They also help, which was much appreciated by the for the first time, not only between broth- defaced a Macedonian flag outside Stru- Churches of the East, by the Orthodox ers but also between clerics. We had ga’s municipal building, replacing it with Church. learned about one another only in books a green flag representing Islam. On the ZENIT: What kind of relationships and notebooks, with a rather critical atti- same day, perpetrators attacked a church have been created? tude. in the nearby village of Labunista, de- Bishop Siluan: I speak for the Roma- Thus it wasn't easy to break in, but stroying a 4-meter (13-feet) cross. nian Orthodox Church and I see that dif- little by little we began to know individu- Macedonian president Gjorge Ivanov ferent relations have developed from those als, to talk, to meet and to share what we and the leaders of the Orthodox Christian of the past. In the sense that the Romanian could. and Muslim communities condemned the cleaning lady meets an Italian family in its It is essential to share, food for exam- incidents and called for the perpetrators to reality. It is a grassroots ecumenism which ple. It helps to overcome the mistrust that be brought to justice. was never the case before. The Italian could not be eliminated by theological The three “expressed confidence that family entrusts to her not only the grand- argumentations. – Zenit, Jan. 26. the tradition of living together for centu- mother or grandfather, but also the chil- ries in Macedonia remains a value ... for dren. And when the elderly woman prays ESTERDAY, 30 JANUARY 2012, THE all people of Macedonia,” Ivanov’s office at night, she asks the Romanian Orthodox THEOLOGICAL EDUCATIONAL said in a statement. cleaning lady to read the Liturgy of the Y INSTITUTIONS IN BUCHAREST The European Union’s mission in Hours to her. They go to church together CELEBRATED THEIR PROTECTORS, THE Macedonia also called for cooperation and I see that they commend to me names THREE SAINT HIERARCHS: BASIL THE among the religious communities. so that we will pray for the persons they GREAT, GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN AND Ethnic Albanians in Macedonia and look after. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM. elsewhere in the Balkans have traditional- ZENIT: Hence, in daily life! On this occasion, the “Patriarch Jus- ly been secular. But conservative Islamic Bishop Siluan: This prayer for one tinian” Faculty of Orthodox Theology of schools, especially an ultra-conservative another, this, let's say domestic faith, is a Bucharest celebrated its protectors too. form of the religion known as Wahha- beginning of closeness and of dialogue Many students, professors and faithful bism, have taken a foothold in the years that is more profound than that of the attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated at following the brief 2001 uprising. – Boris high-level commissions. This is also true the Saint Spiridon the New church - Patri- Grdanoski and Konstantin Testorides for of the relationship between our parish archal chapel by His Grace Ciprian The Associated Press, Jan. 31. priests and the Catholics who house the Campineanul, Assistant Bishop to the Pa- greater part of our communities in Italy. It triarch, assisted by a large group of priests ROMANIAN ORTHODOX BISHOP is a very important dialogue between the and deacons. MINISTERING IN ITALY SAYS THAT different communities, because, for exam- After the Divine Liturgy, a remem- A ECUMENICAL DIALOGUE IS TAKING ple, in some churches the Catholic com- brance service was celebrated for those GREAT STEPS FORWARD, PARTICULARLY AT munity prays in the early morning and the who had passed away, the former profes- THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL. Orthodox at 10 or 11 o'clock. sors and students of this educational insti- This was the assertion made by Bish- We see the presence of Italians at the tution. op Siluan Span when he spoke with baptism of children and in our churches. At the end, His Grace Ciprian ZENIT after Wednesday's celebration of Moreover, there are so many mixed mar- Campineanul delivered a sermon in which Vespers at St. Paul Outside the Walls. riages, between Romanian men and Italian he urged the professors to take the Three

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 11. Saint Hierarchs as examples in order to outgoing President and former Socialist 97-year-old Patriarch Maxim whose name form the students to be good priests. leader, Georgi Parvanov, former constitu- surprisingly did not appear in the list of “Let us not forget that these three tional judges, supreme magistrates, inves- former agents. great teachers and hierarchs were firm tigators, members of parliament, promi- According to Borisov, the comment defenders of the right faith in the 4th cen- nent and well-known former and current made by one of the ex-Communist agent tury in a time when the Church was faced Bulgarian journalists, as well as ambassa- bishops that "all power comes from God" with heresies. From this point of view, the dors and diplomats abroad. was "a little bit cynical.” However, he three saints are paradigms for the hier- The Files Commission has pointed declared that he still has respect for the archs, professors, students and all faithful. out that their investigation in Bulgaria's Bulgarian Orthodox church. This is why I recommend this to our pro- Orthodox Church is not over yet. -- So- "I will kiss their hands because of the fessors of the Theological Faculty who phia News Agency, Jan. 17. church and the belief in God. After all, must contribute to the enlightenment of since the Boss has let it happen, I will take our students’ minds with the knowledge of HESE DAYS GOD IS TESTING US, BUT it for granted like that bishop did. But the works of the Holy Fathers. Nor must OUR HOLY CHURCH WILL OVER- apparently, the Boss has decided to bring we ever neglect the meditative aspect of T COME THIS ORDEAL, BULGARIA'S about a power that will reveal all the se- prayer because they all were people of HOLY SYNOD SAYS IN A STATEMENT. cret files so that the laity can reach their prayer, both theologians, teachers, and It was included in the greetings of the own conclusions," Borisov added, refer- people who prayed continually. From this Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox ring to the members of the high clergy. point of view we want all those who study Church for the Saturday celebration of "The Boss" is how the Bulgarian at the Faculties of Theology to have good Patriarch Maxim's name day, read by the Prime Minister habitually refers to God. knowledge of the Orthodox Theology, and Plovdiv Bishop Nicholay. Borisov admitted that he expected most of all to be good priests,” said His The Holy Mass and the liturgy for His "two or three" names to emerge in the Grace, as Trinitias Radio station informs Holiness’ name day were held in the Sofia high clergy as linked to the Communist us. – Press Release, Romanian Patriar- "St. Nedelya (Sunday)" Church and lasted State Security, but was surprised by their chate, Jan. 31. about three hours. actual prevalence. – Sophia News Agency, Bishops Galaktion, Neofit, Yosif and Jan. 23. LEVEN OUT OF A TOTAL OF FIFTEEN Simeon did not attend the services. All BULGARIAN METROPOLITAN four are among the 11 bishops exposed as HE BULGARIAN ORTHODOX E BISHOPS HAVE BEEN EXPOSED AS agents of the former State Security, DS. CHURCH WILL COME OUT STRONGER FORMER AGENTS OF THE COUNTRY'S "As if the other crosses you had to T FROM ITS ORDEALS AFTER THE FORMER COMMUNIST STATE SECURITY. carry were not enough, now God assigned ANNOUNCING OF A NUMBER OF SENIOR All eleven exposed Metropolitan you with an even heavier burden - to ac- CLERGY'S AFFILIATION WITH EX- bishops have collaborated with State Se- cept our humble confession and repent- COMMUNIST SECRET SERVICES, said Plov- curity's notorious 6th directorate, the one ance and give us pardon for sins," accord- div Bishop Nikolay. engaged in "fighting political diversion" ing to the Holy Synod's greeting to the Metropolitan Nikolay, a young bish- during the Communist dictatorship in the Patriarch. op, was one of the very few Bulgarian Balkan country that ended in 1989. Metropolitan Nikolay is one of three metropolitan bishops to have no affiliation The list includes Varna's Metropoli- bishops, together with Patriarch Maxim, with communist State Security. 11 out of tan Bishop Kiril who stirred controversy for whom it was announced that they have 15 bishops were revealed to have be- early in December 2011 when he turned not cooperated with DS. longed to the services. up for service in a luxury Lincoln MKZ "Take this cross Your Holiness, be- "In these days of ordeals for the Bul- Hybrid. cause only you can carry it, said Metro- garian Orthodox Church, we have to come Stara Zagora's Metropolitan Bishop politan Nikolay. out and face the truth. But I believe that Galaktion, who recently turned out to have So far, only Vratsa Metropolitan Ka- after this ordeal the Church will come out been a member of the Board of Directors linik has asked his congregation for for- stronger," said Nikolay after a service of a tissue bank, has also been exposed as giveness, if they felt affected. Ruse Bish- Sunday. a former secret agent. op Neofit said he does not feel guilty be- At the same time, he was resolute that Contrary to media rumors, Bulgaria's cause he had been forced to collaborate. – Bulgarian lay people need to know more 97-year-old Patriarch Maxim is not among Sophia News Agency, Jan. 21. about the Church's ties to State Security, the former State Security agents in the and about the specific collaboration bish- high clergy, according to the list submitted ULGARIA'S PRIME MINISTER BOYKO ops afforded. on Tuesday by the so-called Files Com- BORISOV HAS EXPRESSED HIS "Those implicated with State Security mission, a special panel investigating the B DISCONTENT OVER THE LARGE need to turn their prayers to God, for he is Communist regime secret files. NUMBER OF FORMER COMMUNIST STATE our supreme judge and forgiver," com- However, Bulgaria's current Chief SECURITY AGENTS AMONG THE COUNTRY'S mented Nikolay. Mufti Mustafa Hadzhi, his predecessor HIGH CLERGY. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is Nedim Gendzhev and the head of the Bul- "The good thing is that the Patriarch yet to come up with an official position on garian Catholic Church Georgi Yovchev is not an agent. But anyway, I am sure that the situation, as a prior text negotiated at have all collaborated with the Communist- this case will have its impact on people. I the Holy Synod was scrapped due to revi- era State Security, it has been revealed. will look at these Metropolitan bishops in sion on the insistence of Nikolay. The blacklist of former state security a different way now," Borisov told the 24 Plovdiv metropolitan bishop Nikolay, agents and collaborators already features Chasa daily. He referred to the country's 42, Bulgaria's youngest, has gained repu-

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 12. tation for single-handed religious devo- the Holy Synod for the abbot and the wish IS BEATITUDE, METROPOLITAN tion, zeal and even radicalism. – Sophia and hope that he will be released soon. JONAH OF THE ORTHODOX News Agency, Jan. 29. Ephraim was placed in custody on H CHURCH IN AMERICA OFFERED THE December 28, accused of inciting officials OPENING PRAYER DURING THE PROGRAM RCHBISHOP OF ATHENS IERONY- to commit acts of fraud, perjury and mon- THAT PRECEDED THE MARCH FOR LIFE IN MOS WAS PUT IN A TOUGH SPOT ey-laundering, a charge that can fetch him WASHINGTON, DC, on Monday, January A FACED WITH INTENSE PUBLIC a jail term of several years. (AMNA, Ath- 23, 2012. DISAPPROVAL FOLLOWING THE CONCLU- ens News), Jan. 12. “Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, who is in SION OF THE EPIPHANY DAY DOXOLOGY IN charge of pro-life activities, invited the PIRAEUS. N SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2012, Orthodox bishops to stand together with Worshippers prompted him to talk to THE HOLY SYNOD OF BISHOPS OF the Roman Bishops, as we are of one mind political leaders and stand beside the peo- O THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN in regards to Life, and for us to begin to ple. “Speak up, Ieronymos. Make a AMERICA RELEASED THE FOLLOWING alternate giving the opening prayer for the stand,” citizens shouted outside the Holy STATEMENT CONCERNING HIS EMINENCE, March,” Metropolitan Jonah said, reflect- Trinity Church. Other people were shout- ARCHBISHOP SERAPHIM [STORHEIM]: ing on the March. “This year, they gave ing from afar “Show us some support, we “The Holy Synod of Bishops of the the honor to me to bless the opening of the only get a 500 euro salary, say some- Orthodox Church in America has been March for Life on their behalf, as well as thing,” as his personal guards and strong made aware that His Eminence, Archbish- on behalf of the Orthodox. With me at that police forces prevented them from moving op Seraphim, the suspended Archbishop podium, at my request, was Cardinal-elect closer. of Ottawa and Canada, appeared in a Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York. According to the Real News web site, Winnipeg criminal court on January 18, “This is a significant ecumenical the Archbishop appeared to momentarily 2012. Archbishop Seraphim is a defend- event, a strong gesture of unity, and a lose his temper and answered, unable to ant in a matter involving allegations of great symbol of the respect of the Roman hide his discontent, “We're fed up with sexual abuse toward a minor or minors. Catholic Church for the Orthodox Church words during all these years. We need The case has been committed for trial. in America,” Metropolitan Jonah contin- action.” “Archbishop Seraphim originally was ued. “We are of one mind in opposition to Shortly after, Archbishop Ieronymos placed on a leave of absence on October abortion as a fundamental doctrinal and calmed down and stated that “the people 1, 2010, shortly after the Lesser Synod of moral position, in accordance with the are weary and we must stand beside Bishops had been informed that a police ancient Tradition of the undivided ortho- them.” investigation had commenced. On No- dox catholic Church.” – OCA Press Re- It is the first time that the worship- vember 30, 2010, the Holy Synod of lease, Jan. 25. pers' exhortations towards the Archbishop Bishops changed his status to ‘suspended,’ were so intense that he had to take a stand. and he retains that status. The Holy Synod The Oriental Orthodox Churches There were several people outside the appointed a Special Commission to con- Metropolis of Piraeus reminiscing about duct an internal investigation into the alle- TAFF MEMBERS AND CLERGY former Archbishop Christodoulos, who gations. The Synodal Commission has GATHERED IN NEW YORK'S ST. spoke boldly on events unfolding in the been in communication with civil authori- S VARTAN ARMENIAN CATHEDRAL ON country and often clashed with the politi- ties and has held its investigation in abey- WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, FOR A BRIEF cal leadership. ance so as not to interfere with or com- SERVICE, TO PRAY FOR THE HEALTH AND The Archdiocese, however, has al- promise the judicial process. Once the RECOVERY OF HIS BEATITUDE ready doubled the soup kitchens for pov- court matters have concluded, the Synodal ARCHBISHOP TORKOM MANOOGIAN, THE erty-stricken families, while it also recent- Commission will complete its work and ARMENIAN PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM. ly inaugurated the community grocery issue a report to the Holy Synod in ac- The former Primate of the Eastern store. – Lamprini Thoma for Athens News, cordance with the sexual misconduct Poli- Diocese was admitted on January 19 to a Jan. 7. cies, Standards and Procedures of the hospital in Jerusalem, Israel, where he is OCA. resting comfortably but has been drifting HE HEAD OF THE ORTHODOX While this is a sad and stressful mat- in and out of consciousness. Patriarch CHURCH OF GREECE WILL SOON ter for all involved, the legal process must Torkom will turn 93 next month. T VISIT THE JAILED ABBOT OF take its course in order to arrive at the In a quiet reflection at the service, VATOPEDI MONASTERY, EPHRAIM, IN HIS truth and eventual resolution. Archbishop Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag CELL AT KORYDALLOS PRISON. Seraphim has retained legal counsel. Barsamian spoke of the Patriarch as a The move by Archbishop Ieronymos While taking an active interest in the pro- great spiritual leader of the Armenian of Athens and All Greece comes after the ceedings, the OCA is not a party to the Church, and a figure of enduring stature in Church’s Holy Synod agreed, after a two- criminal action and has no information to the worldwide community of Christian day discussion, to issue an announcement impart regarding trial progress. As is al- churches. in support of the jailed abbot. ways the case in Canadian criminal mat- He said that the wellbeing of the Pa- In its decision, the synod criticises the ters, he remains innocent until proven triarch has a special importance to Arme- fact that Ephraim was remanded in custo- guilty in court.” – OCA Press Release, nians in America, where he is respected dy at Christmas, adding that the holy con- Jan. 21. and loved as the Primate who led the ventions of Mount Athos were violated. Eastern Diocese for 24 years. Many cur- The announcement continues by ex- rent members of the Diocesan staff pressing the sympathy of the members of worked with him during that time, and

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 13. hold Archbishop Torkom especially close vision for living together by Christians lims, feeling uncertain and even afraid for to their hearts. and Muslims in the Arab world. their future." Archbishop Barsamian led the noon- Tveit was speaking at the Christian- Highlighting the efforts of churches time prayer service, alongside other par- Muslim consultation on “Christian Pres- struggling for justice and peace in Israel ticipating clergy: Fr. Sooren Chinchian, ence and Witness in the Arab World” or- and Palestine, Tveit said that the situation Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Fr. Mardiros ganized by the WCC programs for is of great concern for Christians in Jeru- Chevian, and Fr. Tateos Abdalian. Churches in the Middle East and Inter- salem, as well as people of other faiths. – Diocesan staff members and several religious Dialogue and Cooperation in WCC Press Release, Jan. 27. friends of the Diocese from the surround- collaboration with the Middle East Coun- ing neighborhood in midtown Manhattan cil of Churches. HE SYRIAN ORTHODOX ARCHDIO- offered prayers for the Patriarch. The consultation is currently taking CESAN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HELD Archbishop Manoogian was original- place from 24-28 January at the Armenian T ITS LAST SESSION OF 2011, MEETING ly admitted to Jerusalem's Hadassah Med- Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Leba- ON DECEMBER 19TH AT THE ARCHDIO- ical Center two weeks ago, but was re- non, bringing together youth, scholars and CESAN COMPLEX IN TEANECK TO DISCUSS leased after two days. He became critical- Christian and Muslim leaders for a frank TWO MAJOR ISSUES AT HAND. These in- ly ill and was re-admitted on January 19, and dynamic discussion. clude the Youth Director position for the and has been under observation by the Tveit said the Middle East is of spe- Archdiocese and amendments to the par- medical staff for pneumonia. Members of cial interest for the WCC, and articulated ish by-laws. the Jerusalem brotherhood, as well as fam- the historic significance of Christian pres- His Eminence Mor Cyril Aphrem ily members, have been by the Patriarch's ence in the Arab world, where he believes Karim and the Council membership re- side throughout his hospitalization. faith plays a major role, reflecting on a ceived a progress report on the Youth Archbishop Barsamian is asking all of declaration of the WCC’s Central Com- Ministry initiative and the selection pro- our pastors and parishioners to keep mittee meeting of February 2011: cess for a Youth Director. Naim Ghassali, Archbishop Torkom in their thoughts, and “Our living faith has its roots in this Chairman, along with the committee to pray for his health and recovery. – region and is nourished and nurtured by membership reported to His Eminence Press Release, Eastern Diocese, Jan. 25. the unbroken witness of the local church- that they have already interviewed two es, who have their own roots from the candidates for the position. The chairman N 23 DECEMBER 2011, REV. DR. apostolic times.” explained that the interview process was PAUL ROUHANA, THE NEW GENE- “Without this Christian presence, the intense and required several meetings with O RAL SECRETARY OF THE MIDDLE conviviality among peoples from different the candidates and is still on-going. A job EAST COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, VISITED HIS faiths, cultures, and civilizations, which is description has been developed and re- HOLINESS ARAM I. Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, a sign of God’s love for all humanity, will quirements for the position clearly spelled Director of the Diakonia and Social Jus- be endangered,” said Tveit. out. The committee membership asked the tice Unit of the MECC, accompanied him. He appreciated the participation of a council to submit additional names since Rev. Dr. Rouhana took office on 2 range of Muslims in the consultation, who the feeling was that two candidates were January 2012. The purpose of his visit he says, have emphasized their commit- not sufficient. The job description docu- was to inform His Holiness on his findings ment to strengthen the Christian presence ment will be forwarded to the Council following his meetings with MECC staff, in the Middle East. He said that it is membership for their reference. A discus- and his plans to implement the priorities through their action for the common good sion was held concerning the funding for set by the 10th Assembly. The General that people in the Arab world can accom- the position and included the individual Secretary also discussed his plans for in- plish peace, justice, freedom and harmo- churches’ participation in underwriting the ternal restructuring of the Council. ny. cost and private sponsorships. After listening to the General Secre- “We will certainly want to make clear Jack Darakjy, who is spearheading tary, Catholicos Aram I proposed that he to our wider constituency, the WCC’s the parish by-laws amendment effort, re- also visit the Heads of Churches in the extensive experience over many years of ported that the initiative is on schedule. Middle East in order to hear their priori- how Christians and Muslims continue to Several amendments have been made and ties for the Council. work together constructively for the com- an updated draft of the document will be In the end, Catholicos Aram I com- mon good,” he said. forwarded to the Council membership for mended the new General Secretary on his Tveit also pointed out the challenges further review before finalizing the parish approach to his new position, and the pro- faced by the Christians in the Arab world, by-laws. posals he will take to the next Executive and the sense of insecurity they feel, due His Eminence thanked Dr. Yamo Committee meeting to be held in March to political divides and persistent con- Deniz, Council President for all his ef- 2012 at the Catholicosate of Cilicia in flicts. forts. The Archbishop also thanked the Antelias. – Press Release, Catholicosate of The WCC has addressed over a num- Council membership for all their hard Cilicia, Jan. 4. ber of years the issue of emigration of work during 2011. He also gave special Christians from the region resulting from recognition to Council member Abboud HE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES the occupation and war in Iraq and the Shakarjy, who travels from Washington (WCC) GENERAL SECRETARY REV. occupation of the Palestinian territories. DC to attend these meetings, wishing him T DR OLAV FYKSE TVEIT REAFFIRMED He said, “We know that the changes and all the Council membership God’s THE CHURCHES’ COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE in the Arab world over the last year – and Blessings. AND PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, while changes still to come – have also left In his benediction, His Eminence Mor stressing the importance of a common many Christians, along with many Mus- Cyril Aphrem Karim asked the Almighty

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 14. to bless His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka Aziz Hadodo and Rev. Fr. Joseph Spring" popular uprising topped the gov- I Iwas, our beloved Patriarch, wishing His Chamoun were also present. ernment of longtime leader Hosni Mubar- Holiness good health as we embark on The meeting continued over lunch ak. – Fredrick Nzwili for ENI, Jan. 6. 2012 and all the challenges that the new prepared by the Ladies Auxiliary of St. year will present. – Press Release, Syrian Mark’s Cathedral. – Press Release, Syrian HE CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP EMERI- Orthodox Eastern Diocese, Jan. 1. Orthodox Eastern Diocese, Jan. 17. TUS OF SOUTHWARK, MOST REV T KEVIN MCDONALD AND THE N TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, MEM- HRISTIAN LEADERS IN EGYPT ARE COPTIC ORTHODOX BISHOP ANGAELOS BERS OF THE STANDING CON- MEETING TO DISCUSS OPENING A MARKED THE WEEK OF CHRISTIAN UNITY O FERENCE OF THE ORIENTAL C DIALOGUE WITH ISLAMIC GROUPS TODAY, WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE FIRST ORTHODOX CHURCHES MET AT THE AS A WAY OF ADDRESSING SECTARIAN BOOK COMPILED BY THE CATHOLIC- SYRIAN ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESAN VIOLENCE. ORIENTAL ORTHODOX REGIONAL FORUM: OFFICES IN TEANECK, NJ FOR THEIR Ahead of the Eastern Christmas cele- 'JOINT STATEMENTS BETWEEN THE BIANNUAL MEETING. His Eminence Mor brated on 7 January, His Holiness Pope CATHOLIC AND ORIENTAL ORTHODOX Cyril Aphrem Karim welcomed the partic- Shenouda III, Egypt's Coptic Orthodox CHURCHES'. ipant hierarchs and clergy on behalf of the Church leader, met on 5 January with An- The book includes statements by Eastern Archdiocese. His Eminence glican Church leaders, according to news Pope Benedict XVI and by the leadership Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of reports, to discuss how they could begin of the Syrian, Coptic and Armenian Or- the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian "constructive dialogue" with the Islamists thodox Churches. It aims to increase ecu- Church, chaired the meeting. The meeting who have won a majority in Parliament. menical cooperation and raise people's was also attended by His Eminence Arch- The meeting came as the Muslim awareness of Catholic and Oriental Or- bishop Mor Titus Eldho, of the Malankara Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party thodox similarities, rather than differ- Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox and the Nour Party secured a clear win in ences. Church and His Eminence Archbishop the elections that began on 28 November. Speaking at the launch at the offices Vicken Aykazian, the Ecumenical Direc- In the recent past, the two groups, of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of tor of the Eastern Diocese of the Armeni- seen as fundamentalist, have been associ- England and Wales, Bishop Angaelos, an Church, as well as, clergy representing ated with threats and attacks on Christians. who co-chairs the Forum with Archbishop the Coptic and the Ethiopian Orthodox But the Coptic and Anglican leaders said McDonald, said: "We're facing serious Churches. they had received many positive state- threats of increased secularism and mar- The meeting began with a short morn- ments from the groups' members, which ginalization of religion in general and ing prayer. Discussion topics included affirmed Christians as equal citizens. Christianity in particular. As members of plans being made for a youth retreat to be According to the Egypt Independent first century churches we really need to hosted by the Syrian Orthodox Church newspaper, the leaders said that in view of both live and introduce people to the and possible daylong regional meetings of the declarations, dialogue between Chris- wealth, meaning and value of what it Oriental Orthodox clergy. tians and moderate Muslims would benefit means to witness and live our Christianity Participants also spoke about their the country. The two religions also said today. respective Christian education programs they would respect the people's choice in "It's very easy to become theoretical and reviewed the Oriental Orthodox Con- Egypt's first democratic election, accord- about theology and forget that we are talk- celebration of the Divine Liturgy held last ing to the newspaper. ing about our faith in the incarnate word, November at the Coptic Orthodox Church With the two Islamic parties securing in salvation and in the presence of God. of Archangel Michael and St. Mena in more that 65 per cent of the votes, Hus- We forget to speak in communion of what Staten Island, NY. Next year’s concele- sein Mohammed, the Brotherhood party we can have in common." bration will be hosted by St. Leon Arme- leader, said in a news release on 31 De- Bishop Angaelos gave the example of nian Church of Fair Lawn, NJ. cember that anyone attempting to cause the time he sent a letter of support to the Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the division must be stopped. Catholic Church during the adoption issue Eastern Diocese’s Ecumenical Director, "There are many things in common a few years ago because of the common and Archbishop Karim spoke about the between Christians and Muslims in histo- stance. participation of Oriental Orthodox ry, the nation and the future that must be "When you're in a dialogue, it's not churches in the Christian Churches To- preserved," he said. "Copts (Christians) in about compromise, its about reaching gether organization and presented updates Egypt are fully pledged Egyptians with the deeply into the Biblical routes in such a on the ongoing dialogue with the Roman same rights as us." way that convergence can be developed," Catholic Church. Turning to develop- In spite of this statement, extremists said Archbishop McDonald. "The purpose ments overseas, participants discussed the have sent several threats to Christians in of publishing this book is precisely to en- situation of Copts in Egypt and Christians Nag Hammadi, ahead of the Christmas gage people in this process at a local, in Syria. celebrations, according to Barnabas Fund, grass-root level. The Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan a UK based charity. This was the scene of "We're not talking about agreed gave a presentation on the new website of a massacre on the same day in 2010, ac- statements from theologians that have yet the Standing Conference of the Oriental cording to the group. to be ratified," said the Archbishop of Orthodox Churches, which can be ac- Threats of violence, burning of Southwark. "We're talking about agreed cessed at http://www.scooch.org/ churches and houses, and murder of Chris- statements to which the Catholic Church is In addition to Archbishop Karim, tians by Islamic extremists have increased already committed." Very Rev. Fr. Shamoun Asmar, Rev. Fr. in Egypt since a year ago, when the "Arab "These differences will be resolved

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 15. because Christ makes one promise about coma. someone but to grow together with all our one flock and one shepherd and we will be "He is well and under good medical brethren in the faith, with whom we have unified one day," said Bishop Angae- care," the bishop insisted, saying that he more things in common than not,” said los."We have a lot in common, which far would give his regular weekly address Major Archbishop Sviatoslav, reported outweighs our differences. Wednesday evening. the Information Department of the UGCC. "We have so much happening this Egypt's population is roughly 9% – RIUS, Jan. 10. year with the Olympics and the Diamond Coptic Christian, according to the U.S. Jubilee so there needs to be a very clear State Department. HE HOLY FATHER, IN ACCORDANCE Christian voice. Also, if our faithful don't Doss said he would expect 2 million WITH CANON 185 PARA. 1 OF THE see us working together, it's pointless to Coptic Christians out on the streets for T CODE OF CANONS OF THE EASTERN preach about love, forgiveness and ac- Shenouda's funeral when he dies, but pre- CHURCHES, GAVE HIS ASSENT TO THE ceptance from the pulpits." dicted there would be no violence. CANONICAL ELECTION CARRIED OUT BY The General Bishop of the Coptic Shenouda has been in poor health on THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS OF THE MARONITE Orthodox Church said he also hopes to and off for many years. PATRIARCHAL CHURCH of Fr. Michel have shared prayer gatherings in the future "He has been leading the church for Aoun, "sincellus" for the clergy of Beirut to get more people involved. 38 years and is a beloved man who is of the Maronites, Lebanon, as bishop of Other members of the Forum attend- highly respected," Doss said. Jbeil-Byblos of the Maronites (Catholics ing were Abba Seraphim; His Grace Bish- When a Coptic Pope dies, all 150 250,000, priests 94, religious 78), Leba- op Vahan Hovhannesian; Mgr Bernard bishops of the church's Holy Council ap- non. The bishop-elect was born in Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham; Mgr point an acting Patriarch until a vote is Damour, Lebanon in 1959 and ordained a Paul Hendriks, Auxilary Bishop of conducted for a successor, Doss said. priest in 1984. He has worked as a pastor Southwark, and Father Peter Farrington Thousands of bishops, priests, and monks and educator in Lebanon and as rector at (co-Secretary). – Estefania Aguirre for are eligible to vote. seminaries in Cairo and in Rome. He is Independent Catholic News, Jan. 23. The most senior bishop usually takes also vice president of "La Sagesse" Uni- the role of acting Patriarch. In this case, versity in Beirut. OPTIC POPE SHENOUDA III WILL that would be Bishop Michael of Asiut. If In addition, in accordance with canon RETURN TO EGYPT ON SUNDAY he declines, Bishop Bakhamious of Behira 185 para. 1 of the Code of Canons of the C (JANUARY 29) AFTER UNDERGOING is next in line, Doss said. – Mohamed Eastern Churches, the Holy Father gave MEDICAL TREATMENT IN THE UNITED Fadel Fahmy for CNN, Jan. 31. his assent to the canonical election carried STATES. out by the Synod of Bishops of the Maro- The state-run Middle East News The Catholic Churches nite Patriarchal Church of Fr. Elias Slaim- Agency said his doctors agreed to release an Slaiman, professor and judge in the him from the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, as HE HEAD OF THE UKRAINIAN GREEK Lebanese ecclesiastical tribunals, as bish- his condition is now stable. CATHOLIC CHURCH (UGCC), op of Lattaquie of the Maronites (Catho- The Pope’s treatment lasted nearly T MAJOR ARCHBISHOP SVIATOSLAV, lics 33,000, priests 28, religious 51), Syr- two weeks, during which time he under- SAID IN AN INTERVIEW TO CHANNEL 5 ia. The bishop-elect was born in Hekr went comprehensive treatments for his THAT THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE UGCC FOR Semaan, Syria in 1951 and ordained a kidneys, heart and leg. He had surgery on A PATRIARCHATE AND THE ESTABLISH- priest in 1987. He studied in France where them in 2008. MENT OF A UNIFIED NATIONAL CHURCH DO he also served as vicar at a parish in Paris. A source at the Pope’s office said NOT CONTRADICT EACH OTHER. He has worked as chaplain of "La Sag- medical reports showed improvement in He said that that the UGCC will make esse" University in Beirut and vicar gen- his body’s vital functions. an effort to continue the ecumenical dia- eral of Damascus, Syria. The Pope delivered his usual logue “together with our Orthodox breth- Pope Benedict also, in accordance Wednesday sermon live on air from the ren.” “I can say that during less than a with canon 185 para. 1 of the Code of hospital, and seemed to be in good health. year of my leadership of the church, I Canons of the Eastern Churches, gave his He congratulated Egyptians on the managed to establish friendly and con- assent to the canonical election carried out first anniversary of the 25 January revolu- structive relations with all the Orthodox by the Synod of Bishops of the Maronite tion, and greeted the newly formed Par- Churches acting in Ukraine. Perhaps, it is Patriarchal Church of Fr. Mounir Khairal- liament and its elected speaker, Saad al- only the first step or half a step, but I hope lah, "protosincellus" of Batrun of the Katatny. – Egypt Independent, Jan. 26. that these steps will continue during the Maronites, Lebanon, as bishop of Batrun new year. And we will continue to pray (Catholics 69,800, priests 56, religious OPTIC POPE SHENOUDA III, THE and think about one national church in 95). The bishop-elect was born in Mtah- SPIRITUAL LEADER OF EGYPT'S Ukraine in our efforts to reach unity,” said Ezziat in 1953 and ordained a priest in C COPTIC CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, IS the hierarch. 1977. He studied in France where he also IN DETERIORATING HEALTH, THE HEAD OF According to him, the church devel- worked in pastoral care in Parisian parish- THE EGYPTIAN GENERAL COPTIC ops as it advances forward. “We always es. On his return to Lebanon he served as ASSOCIATION SAID ON JANUARY 31. say that each local Eastern Church in its secretary of the Maronite Patriarchal Syn- Shenouda, 88, "suffers from kidney development progresses toward the Patri- od, as seminary professor and as pastor in disease and diabetes," said Sherif Doss, archate, but we also realize that our Patri- a number of parishes. – VIS, Jan. 19. but said he was still "functional." archate will have an ecumenical dimen- Bishop Basanti of Helwan gover- sion. So we will always try to progress norate denied rumors that the Pope is in a together, not to grow in power against

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 16. OPE BENEDICT XVI HAS NAMED metropolitan see for the three U.S. Byzan- sions about Ukraine’s political sphere. BISHOP WILLIAM C. SKURLA OF THE tine dioceses -- Passaic, Phoenix and Par- The Holy See cannot be on one side or the P BYZANTINE EPARCHY OF PASSAIC, ma, Ohio. – CNS, Jan. 19. other and say what consequences this will N.J., AS ARCHBISHOP OF THE BYZANTINE have because we refer to the next level, ARCHEPARCHY OF PITTSBURGH. HE NEW APOSTOLIC NUNCIO IN the quality of life in God. As for policy, Archbishop Skurla, 55, will succeed UKRAINE, ARCHBISHOP THOMAS the Holy See cannot point to specific di- Archbishop Basil M. Schott, who died in T GULLICKSON HAS BEEN IN OUR rections of policy development. In other June 2010. COUNTRY FOR ONLY A FEW MONTHS. He words, I came to Ukraine not to offer ad- The appointment was announced Jan. presented his credentials to the President vice on state policy. I keep company with 19 in Washington by Archbishop Carlo of Ukraine in November 2011. Our publi- bishops and other representatives of the Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the cation spoke with the Vatican ambassador church, and support them. For example, United States. about his impressions of Ukraine and local recently I supported Patriarch Sviatoslav His enthronement -- as the Eastern church life. and his statements regarding Ukraine’s Catholic installation ceremony is known -- - Your Excellency, you’ve only been penitentiary system. will take place April 18 in Pittsburgh. in Ukraine for a short time now. What are - What are your impressions of Patri- The Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy your impressions of our country? arch Sviatoslav? Will you become of Pittsburgh is the only self-governing I’ve been in Ukraine for only a few friends? Eastern Catholic Church in the United weeks. In addition, my only experience in I have a very good impression of him, States, meaning it is directly under the the Slavic world was living in Prague in and I hope for a friendship. My task is not authority of the Pope rather than a Catho- 1990-93. I also lived in eastern post- to tell him what to do, but to listen to him lic Patriarch in Eastern Europe or the communist Germany for over eight years. and observe his ministry in the church and Middle East. It stretches from Erie, Pa., to Therefore, I like to make comparisons. It the world. Texas and has 58,000 parishioners and 65 is interesting for me to evaluate the devel- - How would you evaluate the rela- priests in 78 parishes. opment of Ukraine over the 20 years of its tions between the Ukrainian Greek Catho- William Charles Skurla was born in independence. A lot of things catch my lic Church and the Roman Catholic Duluth, Minn., June 1, 1956, and attended eye. The temptation is to make a superfi- Church in Ukraine? local Catholic and public elementary cial, but not accurate assessment. From The situation here is very interesting schools. He graduated in 1974 from what I have seen, I have been most struck and unique in the whole Catholic world. Chisholm High School, Chisholm, Minn. by social stratification and the gap be- In every country where there is the Catho- He attended Deerfield Academy postgrad- tween the rich and the poor. lic Church, the senior sister church always uate program in Deerfield, Mass., from - What did you know about Ukraine bears responsibility for church life. An 1974 to 1975. He then attended Columbia before you came here? Did you want to example of this would be Romania, where University in New York, graduating in come here? there is both a Western and Eastern 1981 with a concentration in philosophy I was happy when I found out that the Catholic Church. The situation is quite in 1981. Holy Father wanted to send me to different in Ukraine. The UGCC is the He entered the Byzantine Franciscan Ukraine. I had always had good relations largest Eastern Catholic Church and it is community in Sybertsville, Pa., in 1981 with Slavs. Later I was told that Ukraine the leading Catholic Church in Ukraine. and studied for the priesthood at Mary was a country with dynamically developed Ukraine is a very interesting laboratory, Immaculate Seminary in Northampton, Christianity. In other words, I am very which should be examined. Here you can Pa., receiving master's degrees in divinity happy that I have such a large and inter- find the key to the future of the church and in 1986 and theology in 1987. esting field of activity. ecumenism. Ordained a Franciscan priest in 1987, - What do you want to do in this field - Although the UGCC is the largest he was incardinated nine years later into and what tasks do you set for yourself? Eastern Catholic Church, it is also, says the Eparchy of Van Nuys, Calif., where he My main task, the same one I had for His Beatitude, a global church, because served as pastoral administrator at St. almost 7 years when I was in the Caribbe- today a third the church is abroad. Melany Byzantine Catholic Church in an, is to be the “link” between the Holy This is true, and this, in a sense, is a Tucson, Ariz., from 1993 until 2002. The Father and Ukraine. I want to perform this challenge for His Beatitude and for the eparchy is now known as the Holy Protec- task so that my work and ministry brings church which is located there. If we look tion of Mary Eparchy of Phoenix. the Holy Father closer to Ukraine. at Brazil, for example, then we can see Archbishop Skurla was named to - You are a thread of unity between that despite the fact so many years have head the Van Nuys Eparchy and ordained Ukraine and the Vatican on the one hand, passed since the first immigrants arrived, a bishop in 2002. He became head of the and on the other your task is to maintain their descendants still feel Ukrainian. Passaic Eparchy in early 2008. On the contacts with representatives of the - What should Ukrainians know about national level, Archbishop Skurla is a Ukrainian government and the president. you? member of the U.S. Conference of Catho- Today, many countries in the West are I still don’t know Ukrainian, but am lic Bishops' Administrative Committee, trying to defend democracy in Ukraine. slowly learning. This is my second time Priority and Plans Committee and Nation- What is the Vatican’s task in this area? being head of a diplomatic mission, and al Advisory Committee. He also serves as The role of the papal representative, this makes me happy. – RISU, Jan. 23. episcopal chairman of the Intereparchial as well as his diplomatic mission, is not Vocation Directors and Intereparchial solely a political role, as it is today in the HE MEETINGS OF THE 15TH (30TH) Youth Commission. world. For example, when I read the SESSION OF THE PERMANENT The Pittsburgh Archeparchy is the newspaper Den or Kyiv Post, I see discus- T SYNOD OF THE UKRAINIAN GREEK

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 17. CATHOLIC CHURCH WERE HELD ON inarians of the Kyivan Spiritual Seminary. ECOLOGICAL AWARENESS EXPRESSED BY JANUARY 20-23, IN KYIV. After the hierarchical liturgy led by THE KERALA CATHOLIC BISHOPS COUNCIL During the first two days of its activi- Major Archbishop Sviatoslav, a discus- (KCBC) ty, the members of the Permanent Synod sion was held on the state of development KCBC had recently finalized its Eco- were busy with the preparation of the of the church in the central and eastern logical Mission Statement in Dec. 2011. Synod of Bishops of UGCC, which will regions of Ukraine and the prospect of The document on ecology aims to pro- take place in September of this year in evangelization activity in future. mote greater awareness among the faithful Winnipeg, Canada, and considered a The members of the Synod of Bish- on how to follow green spirituality as a number of questions related to the life of ops of the UGCC noticed a growth in the Christian. It includes plans to adopt green the church in the period between the syn- number of the faithful in the UGCC com- architecture for Church educational build- ods. munities in the east and took into account ings, promote solar energy and discourage In particular, they heard the reports the information on the difficulties faced the use of plastics. It states that any ex- from the Eparch of New Westminster, by the clergy in their pastoral ministry. ploitation of nature amounts to a sin Bishop Ken Nowakowski, the head of the These questions will be the subject of against God. The directive would be in- working group on the implementation of discussion at the Permanent Synod in its cluded in a pastoral letter to be circulated the Strategy of Development of the UGCC search for ways to provide better spiritual among dioceses in February 2012. for the period until 2020, the head of the care for the faithful of the UGCC in the Earlier, the Syro-Malabar Research Patriarchal Liturgical Committee, Bishop east of Ukraine. Centre (LRC) had organized a Research Venedykt Aleksiichuk, and the head of the In order to familiarize themselves Seminar on Ecology at Mount St. Thomas, Patriarchal Committee on Matters of Mo- with the life of church communities, on Kochi (24-26 November, 2010). It includ- nastics Hieromonach Petro Baran. January 22, the members of the Permanent ed several papers and panel presentations On January 21, a meeting of the Per- Synod celebrated services in various on Ecology in the Bible, Eco-Ethics, Eco- manent Synod with the clergy of the Ky- communities of the Kyivan Archeparchy Spirituality and Eco-Resemblance in ivan Archeparchy was held. It was attend- of the UGCC. – RISU, Jan. 24. Christian Art, Culture and Literature. – ed by Auxiliary Bishop of the Kyivan Press Release, Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy Yosyf (Milian), numerous N EDITORIAL IN THE MALAYALA Church, Jan. 30. priests and deacons from central Ukraine, MANORAMA DAILY OF JAN 28, 2012 workers of the Patriarchal Curia and sem- A HAS PRAISED THE EMERGING

The members of the International Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Dialogue with His Holiness Patriarch Paulos I in Addis Ababa, January 2012

Catholic News Service Stories © 2012. Reprinted with permission. Abbreviations: CNS=Catholic News Service, ANA=Athens News Agency, VIS=Vatican Information Service, RRN=Russian Religious News (http://www.stetson.edu/~psteeves/relnews), RISU=Religious Information Service of Ukraine, KED=Kathimerini English Daily, ENI=Ecumenical News International, L’OR=L’Osservatore Romano Daily Edition, L’ORE=L’Osservatore Romano English Weekly Edition, SOP=Service Orthodoxe de Presse, F18News=Forum 18 News Service (http://www.forum18.org), ICNS= Indian Catholic News Service.

Edited by Ronald G. Roberson, CSP Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs 3211 Fourth Street, NE Washington, DC 20017-1194 Tel: (202) 541-3020 Fax: (202) 541-3183

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 196, January 31, 2012, page 18.