SEIA NEWSLETTER On the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism

______Number 187: April 30, 2011 Washington, DC

Death of the Major Archbishop of state. "I was deeply saddened to hear of the the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church The Syro-Malabar Church, an Eastern death of Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Ma- Catholic Church, traces its origin to St. jor Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly. I Thomas the Apostle. The Vatican made the offer you, the clergy, religious and lay faith- HURCH LEADERS ARE MOURNING Syro-Malabar Church self-governing in ful of the entire Syro-Malabar Church my THE DEATH OF CARDINAL VARKEY 1992, but retained the right to decide on deepest condolences and the assurance of CVITHAYATHIL , HEAD OF THE SYRO - administrative matters for Syro-Malabar my prayers. I recall with gratitude the car- MALABAR CATHOLIC CHURCH . dioceses outside Kerala. dinal's dedication and service to the Syro- The cardinal, who headed the Syro- The late cardinal was ordained major Malabars and to the universal Church. I Malabar Archdiocese of Ernakulam- archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church in join you and all who mourn him, including Angamaly, collapsed while celebrating 1997, when the Eastern church was divided the members of the late cardinal's family, in Mass April 1 and was rushed to a nearby over its liturgical patrimony and the bi- commending his soul to the infinite mercy hospital, where he died, reported the Asian shops were divided into two camps. of God our loving Father. To all assembled church news agency UCA News. The 84- In 2006, the cardinal reiterated his call for the solemn funeral liturgy, I cordially year-old prelate had suffered from heart for more rights for Syro-Malabar Catholics. impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of problems. He said thousands of Syro-Malabar Catho- consolation and strength in the Lord.” – His funeral was scheduled for after lics who live outside their church jurisdic- VIS , April 1. April 10 because most Syro-Malabar bi- tions "have no parish, church or institu- shops were in Rome for their "ad limina" tions" and have followed "the Latin tradi- The Eastern Orthodox Churches visits, in which they report on the status of tions for more than 50 years." their dioceses. Cardinal Vithayathil was ordained a Auxiliary Bishop Bosco Puthur of Er- Redemptorist priest in 1954. He taught for N FRIDAY , APRIL THE 1ST , HIS nakulam-Angamaly will take over as ad- 25 years at the Redemptorist seminary and HOLINESS MORAN MOR IGNATIUS ministrator of the Syro-Malabar Church and several other seminaries in Bangalore. OZAKKA I IWAS , SYRIAN ORTHODOX must convene a synod, which will elect a He was elected provincial of Redemp- PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH AND ALL THE new major archbishop. torists in India and Sri Lanka in 1978, a EAST , PAID A VISIT TO THE ECUMENICAL Mumbai Cardinal Oswald Gracias, post he held for six years. He was also pres- PATRIARCH , HIS HOLINESS BARTHOLO - president of the Catholic Bishops' Confe- ident of the Conference of Religious India, MEW I, AT HIS RESIDENCE IN FANAR , ISTAN - rence of India, praised Cardinal Vithayathil the national body of India's religious major BUL , TURKEY . The Patriarch of Antioch as a "great missionary and exemplary superiors. was accompanied by their Eminences the priest, who contributed a lot to the growth Pope John Paul II made him a cardinal Prelates of Aleppo, Syria, Tur’Abdin and of the church in India and the Syro-Malabar in 2001. His death leaves the College of Istanbul in Turkey, as well as the Patriar- Church." Cardinals with 200 members, 116 of whom chal Assistant and Secretary in addition to a "He was a man of deep faith who was are under 80. number of lay people from Turkey. loyal to the church. He worked strenuously Of India's more than 1 billion people, His Holiness was welcomed warmly by for the good of the church even in his ill- 2.3 percent are Christian and about 1.6 His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch. ness," said Cardinal Gracias. He also was percent are Catholic. The Catholic Church Patriarch Zakka thanked the Lord for allow- "an effective administrator who took bold has 161 dioceses in India; 128 of them are ing this meeting to take place and explained decisions for the good of the church in In- Latin rite, 27 belong to the Syro-Malabar to his brother, His Holiness Bartholomew I, dia." Catholic Church and six dioceses belong to the love and prayers of the Church of Anti- Major Archbishop Baselios Cleemis the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. – och to the Church of Constantinople. He Thottunkal of Trivandrum, head of the Sy- CNS , April 1. then went on to explain the reasons and ro-Malankara Catholic Church, said Car- results of visiting the Prime Minister and dinal Vithayathil worked to unify India's HE HOLY FATHER HAS SENT A the President of Turkey, in Ankara. three Catholic churches of different rites. TELEGRAM TO BISHOP BOSCO A discussion about the importance of The deceased cardinal provided "a PUTHUR OF THE MAJOR ARCHIEPIS - dialogue between the Eastern Orthodox and mature leadership" to the Indian church T the Oriental Orthodox Churches took place, COPAL CURIA OF ERNAKULAM -ANGAMALY when he was president of the Catholic Bi- OF THE SYRO -MALABARS , INDIA , FOR THE for which His Holiness, Bartholomew I shops' Conference of India, 2008-2010, the DEATH AT THE AGE OF 83 OF CARDINAL assured our Patriarch Mor Zakka Iwas I, of archbishop said. The cardinal also played VARKEY VITHAYATHIL C.SS.R., Major his personal commitment and encourage- an active role in public issues of Kerala Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly. ment to pursue the dialogue The two Patriarchs then discussed after only three days. These disagreements people, and we needn’t train clerics for so world events, and specially the current situ- now appear to block the continuation of few people. They say we may ‘import’ cler- ation in the Middle East and particularly the Constantinople's preparatory process for its ics from abroad. However, they should conditions in Syria. Our Patriarch requested long-desired Council. -- Mark Stokoe for know that the Greek Orthodox Patriarch is his host to keep Syria in his prayers. Orthodox News , April 27. the most senior among Orthodox churches After the meeting, His Holiness Pa- in the world. This is why he was granted triarch Zakka, paid a visit to the Fanar Pa- HE SPOKESPERSON OF THE GREEK the ecumenical title. We also have follow- triarchal Cathedral, and offered prayers at ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE , ers outside of Đstanbul, including in North the holy relics of the two Church Fathers, TFATHER DOSITHEOS ANA ĞNOS - and South America and some parts of Eu- Saint John Chrysostom (407 A.D.) and TOPULOS , HAS SAID TURKISH PRIME MINIS - rope, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zeal- Saint Gregory the Theologian (390 A.D.) TER RECEP TAYYIP ERDO ĞAN SAVED THE and. Their priests and archbishops are ap- Both Saints were Patriarchs of Constanti- FUTURE OF THE PATRIARCHATE by offering pointed by our Patriarch. And for their ap- nople. His Holiness, Patriarch Zakka I was Turkish citizenship to a number of archbi- pointment, it is a must for candidates to greatly moved by seeing these relics for the shops in 2009. have graduated from a seminary,” he stated. first time, since they were brought from In an interview with the Star daily, Ana ğnostopulos also said the re- Rome to Constantinople (Istanbul) on the Ana ğnostopulos said there were 12 archbi- opening of the Halki Seminary would not 22nd of November, 2004. – Syrian Ortho- shops on the Patriarchate's Spiritual Board run contrary to the Treaty of Lausanne. He dox Archdiocese of the Eastern United at the time. “Most of [those archbishops] also ruled out fears that the “Byzantine spi- States, April 2. are very old. In order to become a member rit” would be revived if the seminary is re- of this board, one has to be a Turkish citi- opened. HE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH zen. If the Patriarch dies one day, it seemed “Some fear that it will go against the ANNOUNCED ON APRIL 21 ST HIS unlikely that a new Patriarch would be principles of the Republic of Turkey if the TINTENTION TO CONVENE A SUMMIT elected from the board [due to the mem- Patriarchate is a very strong institution. ("S YNAXIS ") OF SOME PRIMATES OF THE bers' age]. This danger has now passed. This is wrong. The Republic of Turkey has ORTHODOX CHURCHES . According to re- The prime minister attended a luncheon on a secular character. Every religious group ports the Patriarch sent a letter to the Pa- Büyükada in August 2009 … and said the has the right to continue its activities pro- triarchs of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusa- problem with the Spiritual Board will be vided they are not engaged in politics. It is lem, as well as the Primate of the Church of overcome if archbishops applied to become now a fact that the closing down of the Hal- Cyprus inviting them to gather to examine Turkish citizens. He assured us that appli- ki Seminary was not legal. I personally "the unstable political situation" in the cants would be granted citizenship,” the believe that the seminary was used as a Middle East, as well as address a series of spokesperson stated. trump card in the Cyprus issue and was "general questions concerning inter- Ana ğnostopulos defined the prime eventually shut down,” he noted. – Today’s Orthodox relations.” The meeting is to take minister's remarks as the “most positive Zaman , April 11. place on August 31 -September 1, 2011at moment in his lifetime.” “After the prime the Phanar, the seat of the Ecumenical Pa- minister's call, 27 of 35 archbishops abroad HE COLORADO STATE SENATE AND triarchate in Istanbul. Each of the primates submitted applications to become Turkish HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON will be accompanied by one or two bishops. citizens. Thirteen of them have already TAPRIL 7 UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED A In explaining the move the letter of been granted citizenship,” he added. In RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE ECUMENI - invitation said that it is in "the canonical 2010, CNN International ran a story on the CAL PATRIARCHATE . With this action, the tradition of the Orthodox Church to con- Greek Orthodox Patriarch in which it sug- Colorado Senate and House join 35 other vene when the need arises the primates of gested that Patriarch Bartholomew could states that have adopted similar resolutions the oldest church authorities" - namely the ultimately be the last Patriarch if Turkish of support. Patriarchates of the so-called "Pentarchy" of laws, demographics and attitudes do not The resolution, sponsored by Repre- the first millennium - Constantinople, change. According to Ana ğnostopulos, sentatives Lois Court, John Kefalas and Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem (although however, this is no longer the case, thanks Senators Joyce Foster and Nancy Spence, no longer Rome.) The ancient Church of to Erdo ğan. calls on the Turkish government to discon- Cyprus, which was never a member of the The spokesperson also said Erdo ğan tinue a number of discriminatory policies "pentarchy" is to be included, however, and Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç directed at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, because of its "apostolic foundation.” Such were the first state authorities to express threatening the existence of this almost meetings, the Patriarch stressed, “are no their wish to re-open a closed Greek Or- 2,000 year old Holy See of Christianity. guarantee of future decisions to be taken at thodox seminary on Heybeliada, off the With the blessings of Metropolitan pan-Orthodox meetings" and are "not in- coast of Đstanbul. The Halki Seminary was Isaiah of Denver, the effort in Colorado was tended to exclude other local Orthodox closed in 1971 in accordance with a law led by Dr. Gregory G. Papadeas, Regional Churches." Rather, the meeting will seek that put religious and military training un- Commander of the Archons, Order of St. only to find “common, preliminary posi- der state control. Andrew the Apostle of the 10th district. tions on particular important issues." This In addition, Ana ğnostopulos said the Representative Kefalas stated, “As the is seen as a reference to the profound disa- Halki Seminary is of high importance for only Greek-American in the Colorado Gen- greement of the Romanian and Russian the Greek Orthodox population as it was eral Assembly, I am honored to support the Churches with the Greek Churches at the once a base where clerics were trained for Greek-Orthodox community and this legis- last session of the Inter-Orthodox Prepara- the religious community. lative resolution that speaks to the impor- tory Committee held in February in “An argument has been put forward by tance of upholding religious freedom.” Chambésy near Geneva. The meeting ended some people in Turkey. They say the Greek Metropolitan Isaiah was honored by Orthodox population comprises only 2,500 offering the opening prayer to begin the

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 2. legislative day. He commented, “Our herit- the American way of life, and the State leg- HE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE age has always supported religious freedom islature of New York, under the leadership WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES , for individuals. On that basis, we would of Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, TTHE REV . DR OLAV FYKSE TVEIT , like to also see religious freedom for our Senator Michael Gianaris, and Assembly- HAS URGED CHRISTIANS TO GIVE THIS spiritual leader in Istanbul, Turkey!” women Aravella Simotas and Nicole Malli- YEAR ’S CELEBRATION OF EASTER A CLEAR Dr. Papadeas remarked, "During this otakis, have borne a powerful witness to the ECUMENICAL PROFILE and to work for a season of Great and Holy Lent, this is an rights of all by underscoring the rights of common date of Easter for the future, not- important statement on behalf and in de- the Ecumenical Patriarchate. We also ing that this year it falls on the same day 24 fense of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and commend the Archons of the Order of Saint April for both eastern and western tradi- for all religious minorities living in Tur- Andrew, and the effective leadership of tions. key!" Archon John Catsimatidis, the chairman of "In a world divided by poverty and The Colorado resolution initiative is the Archon Religious Freedom project. We violence, it is important that we are one in part of the national State Religious Free- look forward to the day when every one of our witness to the crucified and risen Christ dom Resolution project of the Order of the fifty states stands up for the spiritual in actions as well as in words," said Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the freedom and human dignity of our Holy Tveit."We rejoice that this year Christians Ecumenical Patriarchate in America. Mother Church of Constantinople, and the of eastern and western traditions will cele- The goal of this project, which American values of justice and fairness for brate the resurrection of the Lord on the represents one component of the overall, all are enshrined in all the State Houses of same date." multi-faceted religious freedom initiative, is government.” Because the date of Easter is calculated the adoption of religious freedom resolu- Senator Michael Gianaris also noted using either the Julian calendar used by tions in support of the Ecumenical Patriar- the importance of the bipartisan effort, stat- most Orthodox churches, or the Gregorian chate in every state legislature. This project ing: “The future of Orthodox Christianity is calendar, Christians of eastern and western is an ongoing effort of the Order of Saint being threatened by the Turkish govern- traditions often celebrate Easter on different Andrew and represents an important part of ment’s oppressive policies restricting the Sundays. the governmental and public affairs strategy full exercise of religion in its country. I am There have been five times in the past of the Religious Freedom Initiative. – Arc- pleased that the New York State Senate has 10 years when Easter has fallen on the hons News , April 7. taken a bipartisan stand for religious free- same date for all Christians. In the future dom and look forward to the day when this will be less frequent with the next coin- N A DISPLAY OF OVERWHELMING SUP - people of all faiths feel free to worship as ciding dates being in 2017 and 2025. PORT FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR THE they see fit.” – Archons News, April 15. Significant work was undertaken in the IECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE , ALL 1980s on agreeing a common date at the SIXTY -TWO (62) MEMBERS OF THE NEW HE OUTCOME OF THE FIRST GENE - Pan-Orthodox level, but implementation YORK STATE SENATE AND ONE HUNDRED RAL ASSEMBLY OF THE NEWLY - was difficult at the time because many AND FORTY -FOUR (144) MEMBERS OF THE TESTABLISHED EPISCOPAL CONFE - churches concerned were living under NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY SIGNED RENCE OF AUSTRIA AS WELL AS THE OVER - communist regimes. This work was taken LETTERS CALLING FOR THE TURKISH ALL ISSUES OF THE COUNTRY 'S 500,000 up at a consultation in 1997 in Aleppo, GOVERNMENT to cease its discrimination ORTHODOX FAITHFUL , WERE PRESENTED Syria, sponsored jointly by the WCC and against the Holy See of Constantinople. TO THE AUSTRIAN FEDERAL PRESIDENT the Middle East Council of Churches, Similar to the religious freedom resolutions Heinz Fischer by the Conference's presi- which proposed a way of calculating the passed in other states, the letters call for the dent, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Aus- date of Easter so that it would always be Turkish Government to recognize the ecu- tria-Exarch of Hungary and Central Europe celebrated on the same day. menical status of the Ecumenical Patriar- Michael, during the courtesy call paid by its "I hope that in the decade ahead, Chris- chate, to respect its rights to property and to members to the presidential mansion in tians from different traditions will work ecclesiastic succession, and to grant it the Vienna, on Thursday. together in trust and mutual accountability right to train its clergy--including by open- Metropolitan Michael was accompa- to come to agreement about a common date ing the Theological Seminary at Halki. nied by the bishops of the Orthodox for Easter, on the basis of the process laid In the legislature, the effort was led by Churches of Russia, Romania and Serbia out in the Aleppo document," said Tveit. – Senators Dean Skelos and Michael Giana- and the president of the Ecumenical Coun- WCC Press Release, April 14. ris and Assemblywomen Aravella Simotas cil of Churches in Austria. and Nicole Malliotakis, each of whom dili- Metropolitan Michael, stressing during N 31 MARCH 2011, METROPOLITAN gently approached colleagues individually the federal president's briefing that the Or- HILARION , HEAD OF THE MOSCOW to educate them about the Turkish govern- thodox faithful in Austria constitute an in- OPATRIARCHATE ’S DEPARTMENT ment’s harmful policies toward the Ecu- separable part of its religious landscape, FOR EXTERNAL CHURCH RELATIONS , menical Patriarchate and to encourage them hailed the impending amendment in the CURRENTLY ON A VISIT TO THE SERBIAN to sign on to the letter. Austrian Law on Orthodoxy with which, ORTHODOX CHURCH at the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios among other things, the Episcopal Confe- His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia and of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Pa- rence of Austria that was established last with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch triarchate, noted the significance of the October is recognized as the official inter- Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, met with overwhelming support the letters received. locutor for the Austrian Republic, while the the President of the Republic of Serbia Bo- “This is a great day for the State of New possibility of the recognition of Orthodox ris Tadi ć at his residence in Belgrade. York and for the Greek Orthodox Church bishoprics in the country is also settled. -- They were joined in the meeting by His in America,” His Eminence stated. “The D. Dimitrakoudis for ANA , April 28. Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia; Bishop cause of religious liberty is fundamental to Irinej of Ba čka; Serbian Minister of Foreign

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 3. Affairs Vuk Jeremi ć; Serbian Ambassador mission, Mr. John Beyrly. This February I long-standing conflict. The confrontation to Russia Jelica Kurjak; rector of the Rus- visited the USA where I had several meet- has lasted for many years now and cost sian Orthodox Metochion in Belgrade ings with state officials. The focus of these many innocent people life and health. The archpriest Vitaly Tarasjev; and DECR sec- meetings was an account of the inner life of conscience of any believer rebels against retary for Inter-Orthodox relations Rev. our Church, her external activity and expe- the situation of permanent bloodshed in Igor Yakimchuk. rience of service in today’s world. places held so dear. Precisely for this rea- The head of Serbia expressed his grati- We highly appreciate the fact that your son a resolution of the Middle East problem tude to the Russian Orthodox Church for organization stands for the repeal of the is unthinkable without an appeal of all support it has always given to the people of Jackson-Vanik amendment which was peoples in the region to their religious tra- Serbia and the Serbian Orthodox Church, adopted at the height of the cold war and ditions which can keep people from vi- first of all in connection with the problem which hampers the development of Ameri- olence. of Kosovo and Metochia. Metropolitan can-Russian relations today. We also give a The Russian Church is convinced that Hilarion assured President Tadi ć that the high value to the concern of your organiza- the Holy Land should be made a place Russian Orthodox Church has always been tion for broadening relations in the triangle where the faithful of all world religions and will be with the Serbian people and Russia-Israel-USA. It is my conviction that could freely profess their beliefs and have intends to help the monks of the Serbian the time has come to overcome the artifi- access to holy places. Church in the monasteries of the region. cially-erected dividing walls in relations Unfortunately, the peacemaking con- The President of Serbia, who is the between our nations. tribution of religions in the Middle East chairman of the Public Council for con- 3. The Russian Church has a long his- settlement remains to a large extent un- struction of the Cathedral of St. Sava, men- tory of constructive dialogue with the Jew- claimed. The work of international mechan- tioned the interior decoration of the cathe- ish community in the USA. For over thirty isms is in fact closed to the participation of dral. The DECR chairman confirmed the years we have been in close cooperation religious leaders. The expressly secular willingness of the Russian Orthodox with the Appeal of Conscience Foundation nature of international organizations makes Church and the Russian business circles to founded and led by Rabbi Arthur Schneier. believers not subjects of peace settlement take part in the project. During my recent visit to the United States but rather objects of all kinds of programs After the meeting, Metropolitan Hila- I had a talk with him which has left good and actions elaborated without their in- rion and his suite went to the Cathedral of impressions. We work together to promote volvement. As a result the situation be- St. Sava to see its interior decoration. – initiatives for developing interreligious comes even more aggravated. The Russian Press Release, Moscow Patriarchate, April cooperation, including on the platforms of Orthodox Church is ready to act as media- 1. international organizations. At present we tor in the peace process, offering her assis- are working out a mechanism of high-level tance to the sides of the conflict. HESE ARE THE REMARKS DELIVERED dialogue between traditional world reli- 6. Israel claims to be a secular state, BY METROPOLITAN HILARION OF gious communities in partnership with but unfortunately this claim has often led to TVOLOKOLAMSK DURING HIS UNESCO. disregard for the feelings of believers, not MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE AMERI - 4. For Orthodox Christians the Holy only those of Judaism but also other reli- CAN -ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Land is a special magnetic place, where the gions. In the Russian Church, we felt regret (AIPAC) on 5 April 2011, at the Danilovs- Lord Jesus Christ lived, died and was raised at the reports about holding the so-called kaya Hotel in Moscow: from the dead. After the lifting of the visa ‘pride parades’ of homosexual minorities in 1. I would like to welcome such a rep- requirement between Russia and Israel in the Holy City. We are convinced that only resentative delegation of the American- September 2008, the number of our citi- traditional morality can be a solid support Israeli Public Affairs Committee to the zens coming to Israel has grown considera- for the life of society and relations between Russian land. With the blessing of His Ho- bly. Among them are Orthodox pilgrims people. This is why it is so necessary to liness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova have dialogue between religious communi- Russia, the Russian Orthodox Church is and other countries under the pastoral re- ties, the state and all the public forces so represented at this meeting by the head of sponsibility of the Moscow Patriarchate. that its results could be of benefit to society. the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for As is known, there are many of our 7. I would like to share with you my church-society relations, Archpriest Vsevo- expatriates living in Israel – which is an concern over the recent social and political lod Chaplin, and myself in my capacity as additional favorable factor in relations be- developments in North Africa and the Mid- chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s tween our countries. This factor is often dle East. A change of political regimes and Department for External Church Relations. underestimated. The Russian Orthodox clash of interests between various public We will share with you our opinions con- Church gives a special importance to the forces lead to a situation of uncertainty, an cerning issues which are a matter of con- efforts to preserve unity in the multinational outburst of violence and lawlessness. There cern for you and which are related to the diaspora of our expatriates throughout the is a threat today that power in these coun- problem of the Middle East. We will also world. tries will be seized by radical Islamists no- be glad to listen to your considerations and 5. We are aware of the efforts underta- torious for their calls for reprisal against to answer questions from the audience. ken by your organization to foster peace in both Jews and Christians. We can see 2. The Russian Orthodox Church at- the Middle East and to promote the negotia- growing Christianophobia which results in taches great importance to her relations tion process between the Israeli Govern- pogroms of Christian churches and killing with the authorities of the United States of ment and the leaders of the Palestinian Au- of Christians. All this happens with the still America. The Department for External tonomy. The Russian Church is interested persistent anti-Semitism and Islamophobia Church Relations has maintained contacts in good neighborly relations between in the background. The world community with the US Embassy in Moscow and espe- peoples living in the Holy Land and consis- should rise in defense of the right of every- cially with the head of the US diplomatic tently advocates a peace settlement of the one to confess one’s faith freely and to live

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 4. in accordance with religious norms and Christianphobia, Islamophobia and anti- “We see that the Orthodox Church of principles. Semitism has always been implicitly de- Greece finds itself in a difficult situation In this connection, I highly value the nounced by the leaders of traditional reli- after the economic crisis. The relations fact that the European Parliament adopted gious communities. between the church and the state are not on January 20, 2011, a Resolution on the 8. In conclusion, I would like to cite cloudless, but we hope that these problems Situation of Christians in the Context of the Prophet Isaiah: “For Zion’s sake I will will be resolved, justice will triumph, and Freedom of Religion. It is for the first time not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will the Church will occupy its proper place in that the European parliamentarians stated in not remain quiet” (Is. 62:1). Let these this wonderful ancient country sanctified by full voice their opinion on the problem they words of Holy Scriptures inspire us in our the apostles’ feet,” Metropolitan Hilarion have preferred to keep silent about so far. desire to bring well-being to the Biblical added. Thus, a major political body of the Euro- land. – Press Release, Moscow Patriar- The Primate of the Orthodox Church pean Union has recognized the persecution chate, April 5. of Greece and the DECR chairman ex- of Christians in the world. Earlier, only changed gifts. Metropolitan Hilarion signed certain politicians have confined them- N 9 APRIL 2011, HIS BEATITUDE the book of distinguished guests. – Press selves to talks about certain violations of ARCHBISHOP IERONYMOS II OF Release, Moscow Patriarchate, April 10. the rights of Christians in a particular coun- OATHENS AND ALL GREECE MET try. Now they are talking openly of the WITH METROPOLITAN HILARION OF N APRIL 9-13 A DELEGATION OF strategy of some terrorist organizations and VOLOKOLAMSK , CHAIRMAN OF THE THE ANGLICAN CHURCH HAS BEEN fundamentalist movements aimed at the MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE ’S DEPARTMENT OVISITING KYIV . THE DELEGATION IS destruction or ousting of Christians living FOR EXTERNAL CHURCH RELATIONS LED BY BISHOP STEPHEN PLATTEN OF in the Moslem countries as “the fifth col- (DECR), WHO ARRIVED ON A VISIT TO WAKEFIELD , THE HEAD OF THE LITURGICAL umn” of the West. GREECE with the blessing of His Holiness COMMISSION OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH Besides, a thorough attention was paid Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. who is responsible for ecumenical relations for the first time to the work of people ga- Metropolitan Hilarion conveyed cordi- and is also a member of the House of Lords thering objective information about perse- al greetings and best wishes from the Pri- of the British Parliament. The bishop is cution of Christians in the world. For in- mate of the Russian Orthodox Church to accompanied by two canonists of the An- stance, it was for the first time that informa- His Beatitude Ieronymos II, who welcomed glican Church, the ecumenical secretary of tion contained in the annual report prepared the guests saying that the ties of fraternal the Archbishop of Canterbury, Fr. Jonathan by a non-governmental organization, “The love have bound the Russian Church and Gudall, and an experienced participant of Aid to the Churches in Need”, was made the Church of Greece and Russian and the Anglican-Orthodox dialogue, Fr. Hugh public officially. According to it, there were Greek people. Wybrew. The delegation was also accom- seventy-five Christians out of every one A cordial talk followed which included panied by the leader of the Evangelical hundred killed as a result of religious into- discussion of bilateral relations and Ortho- Baptist Church of Georgia, Malkhaz Son- lerance in recent years. This statistics is dox cooperation in the preparation of the gulashvili who is engaged in scholarly- stunning. Pan-Orthodox Council, cooperation in theological activity in England. The European Parliament addressed theological education and exchange of stu- According to the members of the dele- the EU bodies and proposed concrete me- dents, the Church’s role in the life of con- gation, their trip is aimed at studying the thods of influencing the situation. The prin- temporary society, pastoral work with the state of inter-denominational relations in ciple is simple: money and business in ex- youth, dialogue with the workers of culture our country, possibilities of establishing change for the observance of human rights. and science, and different forms of missio- regular cooperation between the Anglican Economic agreements between the EU nary work. Church and the Christian denominations in countries and the states with the recorded His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos Ukraine as well as to personally get ac- violation of religious freedom of Christians and Metropolitan Hilarion delivered wel- quainted with the life of the Ukrainian Or- and other religious minorities should be coming speeches at the Throne Hall of the thodox Churches of the Kyivan and Mos- concluded only when the situation of reli- Archdiocese. Metropolitan Chrysostomos cow Patriarchate. The Anglican Church is gious groups infringed in their rights is of Messinia, Bishop Prokopios of Christia- interested to see with its own eyes the real improved. noupolis, protosingel archimandrite Ga- picture of the life of the Ukrainian Ortho- We are witnessing cases of not only briel, and ordained staff members of the doxy instead of judging from other people’s gross violence against Christians, but also Archdiocese were in attendance. accounts. So reported the press-service of of their physical destruction. The blood of His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos the Kyivan Patriarchate. Christians is again being poured on the land thanked Metropolitan Hilarion for his visit On 11 April, at the patriarchal resi- of Biblical history, the site of glorious he- and asked him to convey the feelings of dence of the head of the Ukrainian Ortho- roic deeds of the martyrs and confessors of respect and love of all our brethren here to dox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC- the Church. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow KP), the Anglican delegation met with Pa- Not only world Christian communities, and All Russia. triarch Filaret. The participants exchanged but also Muslims, Jews, and representatives In his address Metropolitan Hilarion opinions of the state and prospect of the of other traditional religions do not stay noted that it was a great joy for him to visit ecumenical dialogue, the challenges facing indifferent to the recent acts of violence. It the Orthodox Church of Greece and meet the Christian Churches in modern Europe. is a paradox that news of the oppression of with its Primate, hierarchs and clerics, and The guests were interested to learn about Christians sometimes comes from those convey greetings from His Holiness Pa- the activity of the All-Ukrainian Council of regions of the world where representatives triarch Kirill who has visited the holy Churches and Religious Organizations of different religions have peacefully coex- Archdiocese several times as metropolitan (AUCCRO). In the end, Patriarch Filaret isted for centuries, and any manifestation of and chairman of the DECR. presented to Bishop Stephen Platten and

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 5. Archbishop Malkhaz Songulashvilli the shop Ilarion visited the cathedral of the IDENTITY CARDS intended to streamline Orders of Christ the Saviour and to the Holy Sophia. bureaucracy and, in the case of Greece, canonists, Fr. Jonathan Gudall and Fr. The Tuesday program ended with a facilitate integration into the European Un- Hugh Wybrew the Orders of St George the visit to St. Michael’s Vydubytskyi Monas- ion. Victorious. tery. In St. George’s Cathedral, Patriarch Church officials are demanding close On that same day, the visitors accom- Filaret in the presence of the Orthodox and study of the cards and asking that authori- panied by Bishops Ilarion and Yevstratii Anglican clergy, prayed for the people of ties make them optional. They say that the visited Bishop Stanislav Shyrokoradiuk of Japan who are suffering from natural and personal and financial information that the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine. technological disasters. would be consolidated on the microchips in Bishop Stanislav told them about the life of According to the report of the press- the cards could be manipulated to discrimi- RCC in Ukraine and answered their ques- service of the Kyivan Patriarchate, all the nate against believers. tions. On the same day, the delegation met participants expressed confidence that the In an interview with Rossiiskaya Ga- with the ex-head of the Ukrainian Greek visit has been a successful beginning and a zeta , an official government newspaper, Catholic Church, Cardinal Lubomyr (Hu- pledge of fruitful cooperation between the earlier this month, Metropolitan Hilarion of sar). On 12 April, the delegation visited the Anglican Church and the Ukrainian Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Apostolic Nunciature of the Vatican in Churches. – RISU , April 13. Patriarchate's Department of External Kyiv. Church Relations, said: "Credit cards, The delegation of the Anglican Church N 14 APRIL 2011, HIS HOLINESS which a person uses to take money from a was received in the premises of the parlia- PATRIARCH KIRILL OF MOSCOW bank machine or for payment in a store, are mentary committee by the head of the OAND ALL RUSSIA CHAIRED THE one thing, but a personal card in which all Committee on Culture and Spirituality of FIRST MEETING OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL the information about a person's life and the Supreme Council of Ukraine, a Ukrai- OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH . The activities will be entered, about his bank nian deputy, Volodymyr Yavorivskyi. The meeting took place at the Red Hall of the accounts, health and travels is a different meeting was especially interesting as Bi- Cathedral of Christ the Savior. matter. These are different grades of state shop Stephen Platten is a member of the In his introductory speech His Holiness control over people." House of Lords of the British Parliament. named the main reasons of establishing a Conservative and nationalist wings Bishop Stephen noted that it is important new body of collective leadership of the within the churches have held demonstra- for the Anglican Church and British society Russian Orthodox Church and its tasks. tions in Athens and Moscow and claim that to support high standards of the freedom of Bishop Merkury of Zaraisk, chairman the cards will compromise national and worship and confession, standards which of the Department for Religious Education religious identity. Many have gone so far as should also apply in Ukraine. Therefore, he and Catechization of the Russian Orthodox to say that identity numbers such as 666 are and other representatives of the Anglican Church; archpriest Dimitry Smirnov, the "mark of the beast" from the Book of Church show interest in state-Church and chairman of the Synodal Department for Revelation, the final book of the New Tes- inter-denominational relations in Ukraine Cooperation with the Armed Forces and tament. as they seek to promote their successful Law Enforcement Agencies; and Mr. Vla- At a demonstration in Moscow on 16 development on the democratic basis. dimir Legoida, chairman of the Synodal April, Orthodox nationalists joined forces After that, the members of the delega- Information Department, presented reports. with members of the Communist Party of tion were received by the head of the The reports and current tasks of the the Russian Federation. The Communists Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Pa- Supreme Church Council set by the church also oppose the Universal Electronic Card triarchate (UOC-MP), Metropolitan Volo- authorities were discussed. (UEC), which is scheduled to be introduced dymyr at his residence in the Kyiv Cave His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Mos- in Russia next year. Monastery. cow and All Russia launched an initiative Segodnia.ru, an Internet publication The program of the visit also included of establishing the Supreme Church Coun- that often covers religious and nationalist a meeting with the heads of the Protestant cil at the Bishops’ Council that took place issues, commenting on the demonstration, denominations of Ukraine, the head of the in February 2011. The Bishops’ Council said, "the introduction of the UEC makes it all-Ukrainian Union of Associations of supported the initiative and resolved to give possible to build an unheard of, super- Evangelical Baptist Christians, Viacheslav formal status to the conferences of heads of totalitarian electronic dictatorship, in which Nesteruk and Senior Bishop of the Church the Synodal Departments as Supreme each individual person becomes a remote- of Christians of Evangelical Faith (Pente- Church Council by analogy with the body controllable bio-object, for all practical costals) of Ukraine, Mykhailo Panochko. that had been established by the 1917 All- purposes a robot with a bar code on his The heads of the Protestant Churches told Russia Church Council which had to end its body or a microchip implanted under his the visitors about their denominations, their work in the years of persecution. skin." life in USSR and in the independent The Holy Synod, at its session held on Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Ortho- Ukraine, and the visitors told them about 22 March 2011, adopted Provisions of the dox Church told a meeting of the Bishop's the goal of their visit. After that, the partic- Supreme Church Council of the Russian Council of the Russian Orthodox in Febru- ipants exchanged ideas on many issues, of Orthodox Church and approved its mem- ary that "the church understands the posi- which the question of fruitful inter- bership. – Press Release, Moscow Patriar- tion of people who do not wish to be sub- denominational cooperation within the chate, April 14. ject to control that makes it possible to framework of the AUCCRO, the Confe- gather all-encompassing information about rence of Christian Churches of Ukraine HE RUSSIAN AND GREEK ORTHODOX their private life, and could in the long-term and the Council of Evangelical Protestant CHURCHES ARE OBJECTING TO be used to discriminate against citizens Churches of Ukraine was the main one. TPLANS IN BOTH COUNTRIES TO based on their world view." The foreign guests together with Bi- INTRODUCE ELECTRONIC NATIONAL On 27 March, thousands of Greek Or-

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 6. thodox priests, monks, nuns and lay people cal Patriarchate and the national Orthodox among the guests. marched through Athens to the Greek par- Churches.” Minister Lavrov greeted them all and liament building in protest. In April, the The UAOC welcomed the coming acknowledged the role of the Church as the Synod of Bishops of the Church of Greece Synod of Heads of the Ancient Patriar- largest and most authoritative public insti- expressed its concern about the cards and chates and expressed hope that the future tute of Russia at present, underscoring that said it would hold meetings with top gov- similar pan-Orthodox gatherings “will pay for centuries the Orthodox Church has been ernment officials. Metropolitan Prokopios attention to the Ukrainian Church issue and a custodian of traditional values of our so- of Philippi, Neapolis and Thasos, who will outline the canonical model and specif- ciety, including love of neighbor, willing- chairs the synod's committee on dogmatic ic mechanisms of renewing the Eucharist ness to self-sacrifice, tolerance, justice, and and canonical questions, reported that as a communion.” peace among nations. result of preliminary talks with the Greek In his address to the Standing Confe- The Russian Foreign Minister awarded government, the church had received assur- rence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops the Primate of the Russian Orthodox ances that, among other things, the numer- Outside Ukraine, Metropolitan Mefodii Church with the Gorchakov Medal “in rec- als 666 would not appear in the cards in asked them “as Ukrainian Orthodox Bi- ognition of his merit in promoting the ideals any form. shops canonically recognized by Ecumeni- of good throughout the world.” Archimandrite Iannuarii Ivliev, a pro- cal Orthodoxy to ensure that the above- The Primate of the Russian Orthodox fessor of biblical studies at the St. Peters- mentioned synod consider the Ukrainian Church presented an Easter egg to Minister burg Theological Academy told the May church question, which is important for Lavrov in token of today’s feast. edition of Neskuchny Sad, a Russian Or- millions of Orthodox faithful.” The Moscow Synodal Choir conducted thodox magazine, that the obsession with The address says that in the struggle by the honored artist of Russia Alexei Pu- symbols such as 666 are the result of a pri- for the status of the Ukrainian Church, the zakov sang Paschal hymns. mitive interpretation of the Book of Revela- UAOC made also its “own mistakes” but is This is the Address given by His Holi- tion. ready “to review its positions and correct ness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All "Many years of atheism and the ban on canonical mistakes.” Russia at the Easter reception: all Christian education … has had a poi- In particular, the statement recalls the Dear Sergei Viktorovich, sonous effect," he said. "Several genera- decision of the bishops of the UAOC on Reverend Bishops, tions of people have grown up whose reli- August 26, 2009, regarding their readiness Distinguished Ambassadors, gious consciousness, through no fault of “to join the Ecumenical Patriarchate with Brothers and Sisters: their own, is on the most primitive level. autonomy” and to resume mentioning in I cordially greet you all who have ga- They are baptized, but unfortunately not prayer the name of the Ecumenical Pa- thered here on this radiant feast of the Re- enlightened by the light of Christ's Gospel triarch Bartholomew during the services. surrection of Christ. Christ is Risen! ... They think that they are under siege from According to the head of UAOC, no First of all I would like to thank the all sides by 'demonic forces.'" church jurisdiction in Ukraine, including Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, He said the Bishop's Council of the the UOC-Moscow Patriarchate, is “able to Sergei Lavrov, for having invested me with Russian Orthodox Church asked the gov- heal the painful wound of the church divi- the Commemoration Medal honoring Alex- ernment to make electronic forms of identi- sion today independently, without the assis- ander Gorchakov, an outstanding Russian fication optional. – Sophia Kishkovsky for tance of the ecumenical Orthodoxy.” diplomat of the nineteenth century. I see in ENI , April 26. The address says that unification of the it a testimony to the recognition of services Orthodox of Ukraine “cannot be based on rendered by all those who represent the ODAY THE HEAD OF THE UKRAINIAN either schismatic ideology preached by Russian Orthodox Church in the field of AUTOCEPHALOUS ORTHODOX some hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox external church relations. TCHURCH (UAOC), METROPOLITAN Church-Kyivan Patriarchate or the ideology Our meeting today has become a good MEFODII (K UDRIAKOV ), ADDRESSED THE of the ‘Russian World,’ proposed by Rus- Easter tradition, a good indicator of devel- STANDING CONFERENCE OF THE ORTHO - sian Church leaders.” oping relations between the Russian Ortho- DOX BISHOPS OUTSIDE UKRAINE WITH A According to the UAOC, the healing of dox Church and Russian diplomacy. We STATEMENT AND REQUEST TO “INCLUDE the tragic divide is possible only with the share the festive repast with all those who THE UKRAINIAN QUESTION IN THE AGENDA participation of the canonical institution of have joined us to express respect for the of the Special Synod of Eastern Patriar- the Council of the Heads of the Ancient people of our country whose historical chates.” On April 23, 2011, the Patriar- Patriarchates. – RISU , April 27. journey has been inseparably linked with chate of the UAOC sent a similar address to Orthodoxy. the Standing Conference of Heads of the N 28 APRIL 2011, THE MINISTRY OF For every believer, the Resurrection of Ancient Patriarchates, reports reli- FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN Christ is a source of joy and hope that gives gion.in.ua. OFEDERATION GAVE A FESTIVE us strength on our spiritual journey of spiri- According to the address, one of the PASCHAL RECEPTION AT THE MINISTRY tual perfection, honest work and service to painful issues of modern Orthodoxy “is the MANSION IN MOSCOW . HIS HOLINESS our neighbors. It is not easy to live accord- problem of church division in Ukraine.” PATRIARCH KIRILL OF MOSCOW AND ALL ing to conscience and truth, but to live ac- “There are about five and a half thousand RUSSIA WAS MET BY THE FOREIGN cording to conscience and truth means to Orthodox communities in Ukraine that are MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV . build real social welfare, true peace and not part of the Moscow Patriarchate but Representatives of scholarly circles, accord on the earth. Pascha calls us to that have not broken their organic unity Russian public organizations, foreign dip- transformation, renewal and review of our with worldwide Orthodoxy and sincerely lomats, and representatives of the non- life. Following this way, we can change the aspire to resolve the canonical crises by Orthodox Christian Churches and tradition- world around us. establishing communion with the Ecumeni- al religious communities in Russia were The deed of Christ the Savior crowned

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 7. with victory over sin and death cultivates in and subsequently headed the Japanese human rights within the framework of the human soul the ability for self-sacrifice. Church. God willing, I hope to visit Japan which rights are linked to the dignity and Its loftiest manifestation is the willingness next year and in particular the diocese of responsibility of the human person. May to lay down one’s life for others, even for Sendai, destroyed by the elements, in order God grant this interpretation of human people we do not personally know. to express my solidarity with our Japanese rights – rights which are realized within the Yesterday I came back from Ukraine, brothers and sisters in their hour of need moral system of values – enter the con- where I took part in commemoration events and at the same time pray with them, and sciousness of people today. Without the marking the 25th anniversary of the Cher- then to think of how we can in other ways tying of human rights to moral responsibili- nobyl disaster. On April 26, the anniversary help to overcome quickly the consequences ty, we may be faced by the danger of the of the tragedy which coincided with Tues- of this catastrophe. unfettered human instinct which, while day of Easter Week, we prayed for the re- Regrettably, in today’s world we hear laying claim to human rights, will destroy pose of those who died in the reactor’s ex- about examples of self-sacrifice and kind- all that is around it by subjugating the envi- plosion and afterwards. People who self- heartedness on rarer occasions than about ronment to gratification of instinctive con- sacrificially performed their duty in a situa- conflicts and clashes of interests. Heavy sumption. tion threatening their life and health acted upheavals have shaken the Middle East and I would also like to point to an event according to the gospel. They did not spare North Africa, where there is a considerable which has become ‘a moment of truth’ for their life but saved it for eternal life (cf. Lk number of Christians, including those who many Europeans and generally all those for 9:24). Saving their neighbors without are Orthodox. whom religious symbols are an expression thinking about themselves and their own Humanity needs solidarity, so that we of their faith and cultural and religious self- future, they fulfilled the words of the Sa- could together oppose the temptation to awareness. Italy, supported by other states vior, Greater love has no one than this: to settle international contradictions by mili- including Russia, has defended her right to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (Jn tary means and oppose the threat of terror- place crucifixes in Italian public schools. It 15:13). It is not the only example of the ism and extremism, confrontations on eth- is a sign of hope for the preservation of heroism of people in the face of destructive nic and religious grounds and social injus- common European Christian identity. This man-made and natural disasters. tice aggravated by crises in the economic decision is a result of joint efforts made by With joy we can testify that that the sphere. Sincere, steadfast faith gives us the Christians in Europe including statesmen. Japanese people have withstood in an orga- strength to create a common space of trust, Thank God that this long-standing court nized and courageous manner the catastro- negate violence, falsehood and double stan- case has ended with the victory of common phe that occurred at the Fukushima nuclear dards, show love and be well meaning, and sense, with the realization that Europe plant. This man-made catastrophe touched where necessary to show sacrifice in rela- without its Christian heritage simply cannot the Moscow Patriarchate directly: in Japan tion to our neighbors and those far from us. exist. And we may note that in other parts there exists the daughter church of the Rus- Believing people are convinced that of the world greater respect is now being sian Church, the Japanese Autonomous the way to building good-neighborly rela- paid to religious symbols and historical Orthodox Church, which became the fruit tions between nations lies through the as- religions. of the mission of Russian Orthodoxy on the sertion of traditional spiritual and moral I hope that this decision will become a Japanese islands in the nineteenth century. values on which nations and civilizations starting point for a critical review of the The East Japanese Diocese, with its centre build their life. In this sense a special place concept of aggressive secularism which in Sendai, especially suffered. Thank God, is occupied by traditional moral values. I leads in Europe to the restriction of the no one of the clergy was affected, but there thank you, Sergei Viktorovich, and in your rights of Christians in public life. were victims among parishioners and sev- person the Russian diplomacy for the initia- Brought together by the great Feast, we eral churches were destroyed. At present, tives in pushing through the Human Rights express hope for a future of humanity that the Moscow Patriarchate is raising funds Council the corresponding UN resolution. would be worthy of the great Sacrifice of- for repair of the damaged churches and I recall how the first time at a session fered by Christ the Savior for each of us. construction of the new ones. I thank God of this Council several years ago I ex- Once again, I greet you all who have ga- that people have responded to our appeal. pressed my thoughts, which fortunately thered here with the Pascha of Christ. I We have already transferred a large sum of later found reflection in this resolution. I wish you good health and God’s help in donations to Japan and, I hope, restoration must say that I did not expect such a favor- your future work. work will begin in the very near future. able reaction. It was perhaps the only in- Sergei Viktorovich, allow me to thank The courage and strength of spirit stance when at a session there were present you for the remarkable words you have which unite people, enabling them to de- ambassadors from almost all countries uttered. As Patriarch, I am ready to sub- velop a system of human solidarity before represented at the UN. It seemed to me that scribe to them. I am a fortunate Patriarch, dangerous challenges – whether natural after my speech there would ensue criticism as I do not recollect a time when the opi- disasters or man-made – evokes a sense of as it looked like a challenge to the firmly nion of the Church and the opinion of the deep respect. Therefore I want to repeat established views on the topic of human authorities on very important philosophical that we value highly the spiritual condition rights, but the lengthy discussion convinced topics and questions of world-view have so of the Japanese people, who have coura- me that the absolute majority of those happily coincided. May God grant that our geously resisted the calamity visited upon present in the hall not only shared my accord become a part of the experience of them. thoughts but were also willing to defend practical co-operation, which is already Next year we shall celebrate the hun- them. sufficiently rich, yet, I hope, will become dredth anniversary of the demise of St. Ni- I thank once more Russian diplomacy ever richer and important, will serve the cholas of Japan, Equal-to-the-Apostles. He for the fact that, guided by the loftiest ideas genuine prospering of Russia, of all the was a Russian priest, then archbishop, who and principles, you have managed to con- Russian world, and will make its contribu- brought Orthodox Christianity to Japan, struct a new paradigm for the philosophy of tion to the prospering of global life and the

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 8. institution of justice on our planet. triarchate’s Department for External cyclopaedia,” S. Kravets, head of the Christ is Risen! – Press Release, Mos- Church Relations (DECR) and Metropoli- Church Scholarly Centre, and archpriest cow Patriarchate, April 28. tan Korniliy of Tallinn and All Estonia, Nikolai Balashov, DECR deputy chairman, Primate of the Estonian Orthodox Church presented reports on the materials and doc- HERE WILL BE NO DELAY OR of the Moscow Patriarchate. uments included in the book and its tasks. HINDRANCE " TO THE PROJECT In 2008, His Holiness Patriarch Aleksy S. Mjannik, a member of the Synod of "T FOR ANOTHER 200 ORTHODOX II of Moscow and All Russia, who always the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Mos- CHURCHES IN MOSCOW , THE MAYOR OF paid special attention to Orthodoxy in Esto- cow Patriarchate, led the presentation that THE CAPITAL , SERGEI SOBIANIN , ASSURED nia, gave his blessing to compile the book. was attended by Bishop Lazar of Narva; THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE , In his address at the 22nd session of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipoten- yesterday, April 29, after the many contro- Public Supervisory Council and the Board tiary Yu. Merzliakov of the Russian Fed- versies that followed the go-ahead for the of Trustees of the “Orthodox Encyclopedia” eration to Estonia and minister-counselor of construction of new places of worship. on 29 April 2010, His Holiness Patriarch the Russian Embassy A. Yashkin; chargé "Now we have to move on to the practical Kirill of Moscow and All Russia said that d’affaires of the Republic of Belarus in phase, of designing and building new the book should be a genuine scholarly Estonia V. Lazarenko; deputies of the Esto- churches," said the Mayor, laying the foun- edition and prove a historical truth, though nian Parliament; clerics of the Estonian dations of the first churches to be built, near much disputed today, that Orthodoxy in the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriar- the infamous Dubrovka theater. Here in Baltic countries is a fruit of missionary ac- chate; many representatives of the church 2002 a siege by Chechen rebels ended in tivity of the Russian Orthodox Church and and scholarly public circles of Estonia, bloodshed with the involvement of Russian that the Estonian Orthodox Church was in Christian communities of the country and security forces. the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Con- diplomatic corps. – Press Release, Moscow So far the municipality has given the stantinople for a short period of time “due Patriarchate, April 30. Church 15 plots of land and will soon de- to the tragic circumstances in the first half liver another five. Work is already under- of the 20th century.” HIS IS THE COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT way in 80 other sites, added the mayor. "By Speaking at the presentation at the THE END OF THE DIOCESAN ASSEM - year's end - said Sobianin - work will be National Library of Estonia, Metropolitan TBLY OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX initiated for eight or nine churches. For its Hilarion said he was happy to present the DIOCESE OF NEW GRACANICA AND MID - part, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus- book to the Estonian public. The first vo- WESTERN AMERICA , HELD APRIL 8-9, sia Kirill said that "200 churches are not lume, “Studies,” includes an abridged ver- 2011: sufficient to completely solve the problem, sion of the fundamental studies made by The clergy and delegates gathered at but the situation will radically change, be- His Holiness Patriarch Aleksy I of Moscow the Annual Assembly of the Diocese of cause we will have the opportunity to work and All Russia. The complete text was pub- New Gracanica and Midwestern America among people with churches within walk- lished in Russian in 1998, and in Estonian on April 8-9, 2011, under the spiritual lea- ing distance away from homes.” in 2010 along with other materials on the dership and chairmanship of our Diocesan For the State, the Church's support is history of Orthodoxy in Estonia. The Bishop, His Grace Longin, alongside the very helpful in the context of combating present edition, though abridged, is sup- regular tasks in the sphere of work of the social ills such as alcoholism, ethnic vi- plemented by historical survey of major Annual Assembly foreseen by the Constitu- olence and abortion. For this Sobianin has events in the church life in Estonia in the tion of Serbian Orthodox Church in North urged church leaders to make the churches 20th and 21st centuries. and South America, and with care for the not only a place of prayer but also a place “The history of Orthodoxy in Estonia good of the Serbian Orthodox Church and of encounter and support for the young and has been inseparably linked with the Rus- the faithful people of God, especially in the needy. According to Kirill, Moscow will sian Orthodox Church. Russian priests and Diocese of New Gracanica and Midwestern serve as an example to other regions and "if missionaries have brought Orthodoxy to the America, which encompasses thirteen we succeed in implementing this program land of Estonia, and the Orthodox church American States in the Midwest, in its alle- the entire religious image of Russia will life in Estonia has been developing through giance to our Holy Serbian Orthodox change." According to data from the Pa- the care of the Russian Orthodox Church,” Church, stated the following resolutions: triarchate, the ratio between the number of Metropolitan Hilarion noted. He spoke 1. We convey our allegiance and churches and Orthodox believers in Mos- eloquently of the history and said in conclu- faithfulness to the fullness of the Serbian cow is one church for every 35 thousand sion that the book would “contribute to the Orthodox Church, with thanksgiving to inhabitants and in some districts even every healing of wounds inflicted on Orthodoxy God and His holy blessing and mercy, 150 thousand or 200 thousand inhabitants. in Estonia and promote the finding of just which is poured on the sinful Serbian na- – Asia News , April 30. and mutually satisfactory decisions.” tion and protects us from spiritual destruc- Metropolitan Hilarion gave Metropoli- tion and from all of the temptations of this N 29 APRIL 2011, A BOOK IN TWO tan Korniliy the first part of 300 copies of world. VOLUMES ENTITLED “O RTHODOX the new book that will be sent to Estonia 2. We are thankful to our spiritual OIN ESTONIA. STUDIES AND DOC - with the blessing of His Holiness the Pa- father, our Diocesan Bishop Longin for his UMENTS ” ISSUED BY THE “O RTHODOX triarch and thanked Metropolitan Korniliy fatherly care and efforts shown to the clergy ENCYCLOPEDIA ” CHURCH SCHOLARLY for his lengthy sacrificial service to Ortho- and flock of the God-protected Diocese of CENTRE WAS PRESENTED IN TALLINN with doxy in Estonia. New Gracanica and Midwestern America the blessing by His Holiness Patriarch Ki- Metropolitan Korniliy thanked Metro- that were given to him. rill of Moscow and All Russia with the par- politan Hilarion for his visit to Estonia and 3. We owe immense gratitude to ticipation of Metropolitan Hilarion of Vo- his address at the presentation. Metropolitan Christopher of blessed memo- lokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Pa- Editors-in-chief of the “Orthodox En- ry, for his great contribution towards the

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 9. realization of administrative unity in the judged harshly, and those that are using dimension of the inter-cultural dialogue for Serbian Orthodox Church in North and these non-orthodox and non-Serbian me- promoting the values that constitutes, in South America. thods are called to stop making this display fact, the common basis of democratic socie- 4. In order to fully create complete of the Church for the sake of their souls and ty. Then, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel church-administrative unity in the Serbian the souls of their family, but especially for addressed the plenary of the Parliamentary Orthodox Church in North and South the sake of the general interest of the Assembly of the Council of Europe devel- America, the clergy and delegates of the Church and the Serbian People, since this is oping in his intervention the need to deepen Annual Assembly of the Diocese of New an unnecessary waste of funds and cause of the dialogue and one’s own spirituality in Gracanica and Midwestern America convey suffering. – Diocesan website, April 10. freedom, and the need for permanent edu- their hope that the remainder of unfinished cation to develop a culture of living togeth- unity on the territory of the Diocese of New N 11 APRIL 2011, IN THE EVENING , er in peace,” said Rev. Sorin Selaru. – Ba- Gracanica and Midwestern America will be HIS BEATITUDE PATRIARCH silica News Agency , April 12. positively decided at the next meeting of the ODANIEL PARTICIPATED IN A DINNER Holy Assembly of Bishops, provided that THAT THE ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIO - N 14 APRIL 2011, THE REPRESEN - the reorganization of the current Metropoli- CESE OF STRASBOURG gave in his honor. TATIVES OF THE FOLLOWING tanate of Libertyville and Chicago and of On this occasion, the Primate of the Roma- ORELIGIOUS CULTS OF ROMANIA MET the Diocese of New Gracanica and Mid- nian Orthodox Church delivered the lecture IN THE CONVENTUS ROOM OF THE PATRI - western America will be completed, so that with the theme Orient, Occident: the ARCHAL PALACE UNDER THE CHAIR- the entire territory of Midwestern America Present Challenges of the Inter-religious MANSHIP OF HIS BEATITUDE PATRIARCH will find itself under the jurisdiction of one Dialogue , organized at the Cathedral of DANIEL : bishop (metropolitan). The clergy and del- Strasbourg. - Romanian Orthodox Church; Ortho- egates of this year’s meeting unanimously The following members of the delega- dox Serb Diocese of Timi oara; Roman- agree that for the Church on this continent, tion that accompanied the Patriarch of Ro- Catholic Church; Romanian Church United there is not a better decision. Any delay of mania were also present at the event: His with Rome, Greek-Catholic; Archdiocese this decision would prolong the division Eminence Iosif, Romanian Orthodox Met- of the Armenian Church; Russian Orthodox and would surely damage the Church. Be- ropolitan of Western and Meridional Eu- Archdiocese of Old Rite of Romania; Re- ing conscious of our oath, which dictates rope, His Eminence Casian, Archbishop of formed Church of Romania; A.C. Evangeli- that we put the interest of the Church above Lower Danube, His Grace Timotei, Roma- cal Church of Romania; Lutheran Evangeli- all, we, the present participants of the Dio- nian Orthodox Bishop of Spain and Portug- cal Church of Romania; Unitarian Church cesan Assembly, feel that Bishop Longin, a al, Rev. Patriarchal Counselor Sorin elaru, of Transylvania; Christian Pentecostal Cult Hierarch worthy of all praise, has done the Director of the Representation of the Ro- – Romanian Apostolic Church of God; Un- most for the realization of church unity on manian Patriarchate at the European institu- ion of the Conferences of the Adventist this continent, and we express our hope that tions, and Mr. Adrian Lemeni, State Secre- Church of the 7th Day; Jewish Communi- the most-esteemed Assembly of Bishops of tary for Religious Affairs. – Basilica News ties Federation of Romania – Mosaic Cult; the Serbian Orthodox Church will find it Agency , April 12. Muslim Cult of Romania. beneficial to grant him the title of Metro- The Christian Baptist Cult – Union of politan of New Gracanica and Midwestern ODAY , 12 APRIL 2011, HIS BEATI - the Christian Baptist Churches of Romania America. TUDE DANIEL , PATRIARCH OF THE and the Christian Church according to the 5. Conscious of the fact that in some TROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH , Gospel of Romania – Union of the Chris- church circles there is discussion about PARTICIPATED IN THE WORKING SESSION OF tian Churches according to the Gospel of eventually changing the name of our Dio- THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE Romania participated as observers. cese, we, the participants of the Diocesan COUNCIL OF EUROPE IN STRASBOURG . The participants agreed, in principle, Assembly, request that our Hierarch, in The Primate of the Romanian Ortho- to constitute the Consultative Council of the accordance with the Constitution of the dox Church delivered a speech in the Par- Religious Cults of Romania, but the final Serbian Orthodox Church in North and liamentary Assembly within the working agreement is to be given by the leading South America (Article 8, Paragraph 2), session with the theme The Inter-religious bodies of every religious cult. suggests that the name of our Diocese re- Dimension of the Inter-cultural Dialogue. The daily agenda included the drafting main the same without change. We do this Rev. Sorin Selaru, Patriarchal Coun- of the principles of organization, analysis of while respecting the fact that this Diocese sellor and Director of the Representation of the draft Statutes, and the formulation of was created from parishes of the former the Romanian Patriarchate at the European some practical proposals concerning the Metropolitanate of New Gracanica and the Institutions, was present at the events and operation of the Consultative Council of the former Metropolitanate of Midwestern offered more information: Religious Cults of Romania. America, and convinced that changing the “At 10.00 o’clock (11.00 o’clock Ro- The representatives of the participant name at this time would not be justified mania’s time), His Beatitude Patriarch Da- cults established the equal status of the pastorally. niel participated in the debate within the member cults, annual presidency of the 6. With sadness, the clergy and dele- plenary of the Parliamentary Assembly of cults by rotation and adoption of the deci- gates affirm that there are still Serbs on the the Council of Europe on the report entitled sions by consensus, as general principles of territory of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the Religious Dimension of the Inter- operation. North and South America who do not ac- Cultural Dialogue . This report was worked The Consultative Council of the Reli- cept the church order that has already been out by the Culture Science and Education gious Cults of Romania is an ethical, social, achieved, but instead, are requesting that Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly autonomous, non-political, non-govern- the American civil courts make decisions of the Council of Europe. The report also mental organization with no legal perso- regarding church matters. This practice is emphasizes the importance of the religious nality and non-profit.

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 10. The major purposes of the Consulta- In Greece, a country where the church Shenouda, added the sources. They said tive Council of the Religious Cults of Ro- is not separated from the state, the clergy Shenouda is willing to travel to Ethiopia — mania are the following: promotion of faith are paid by the state. Because of its rigor- although he arrived from a treatment trip in in God and its importance in the life of the ous budgetary policy which calls for a re- the US weeks ago — for the sake of person and of society, defense and promo- duction of the number of government work- Egypt’s security. tion of the human being and of his or her ers and their salaries, the government an- Shenouda wants the Ethiopian church dignity, promotion of the respect for the nounced at the end of 2010 that in 2011 to convince the government there not to divine creation (man and surrounding na- priestly ordinations would be limited in escalate the water problem with Egypt and ture), adoption of some common positions order to apply to the clergy the general rule Sudan. Shenouda had declared earlier that and attitudes concerning the important is- of hiring one employee for every five who there have been communications with the sues of society, manifestation of solidarity leave. Ethiopian church in this regard. and co-operation among the religious cults This decision caused a wave of pro- However, the Ethiopian church said in the spiritual, cultural, educational and tests by the bishops of the Church of the situation was difficult in light of the social fields, promoting prevention and Greece. Since that time, several diocesan secular nature of the Ethiopian government. negotiation to solve inter-confessional and bishops, for example Metropolitan Ignatius – US Copts Association , April 3. inter-religious disagreements, as well as of Volos, have announced that they will rejection and discouragement of any form continue to ordain the number of priests GROWING NUMBER OF EGYPT ’S 8- of extremism etc. -- Secretariat of the Con- they consider to be necessary, even if for 10 MILLION COPTIC CHRISTIANS sultative Council of the Religious Cults, now the newly ordained priests will not AARE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GET April 14. receive a salary from the state. OUT AS ISLAMISTS INCREASINGLY TAKE Other Metropolitans advocate another ADVANTAGE OF THE NATIONALIST ULGARIA 'S ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN solution, and are studying the possibility of REVOLUTION that toppled long-standing CHURCH CELEBRATED ON SUNDAY authorizing the new priests to continue their dictator Hosni Mubarak in February. BTHE CANONIZATION OF ITS FIRST previous employment along with their pas- Egypt Daily News reported on Tuesday SAINTS IN 47 YEARS . Hundreds of worship- toral ministry, or of asking the parishes that “lawyers who specialize in working pers packed the golden-domed Alexander where they are assigned to pay them a sala- with Coptic Egyptians…say that in the past Nevski cathedral in Sofia for the canoniza- ry directly. few weeks they have received hundreds of tion of the victims of the bloody crushing of Meanwhile, the Greek government has calls from Copts wanting to leave Egypt.” an 1876 uprising against Bulgaria's Otto- announced that the number of clergy in the “They are insisting on leaving Egypt man rule. Church of Greece has diminished more because the risks of staying here are too The canonization was the first in Bul- quickly than predicted last year because of great,” Naguib Gabriel, a Coptic human garia since 1964 and also the first per- the number of retirements – 240 in the last rights lawyer, told Egypt Daily News . formed by Bulgaria's 96-year-old Patriarch half of 2010. In total, from 10,800 mem- “Many Christians are afraid of the future Maxim during his 40-year term. It declared bers of the clergy in the period 2006-2009, because of the fanatics in the mosques.” as saints two clergymen, eight nuns and up the number went down to 10,421 in 2010. At least 20 Christians have been killed to 5,000 unknown Bulgarians, rounded up In view of these official statistics, the lea- in sectarian violence with Muslims since and killed in a monastery in the central dership of the Church of Greece has ex- Mubarak’s ouster. And groups like the town of Apriltzi and the southern town of pressed the hope that that government will Muslim Brotherhood have been taking an Batak in 1876. authorize the ordination of 300 priests in increasingly visible role in forming Egypt’s The crushing of the so-called April 2011. – SOP , n. 357 (April 2011). Trans. next government. Uprising in Bulgaria sparked an interna- by RR. Coptic leaders have complained that tional outcry and indirectly led to the Rus- they are being left out of the decision- sian-Turkish war and Bulgaria's 1878 libe- The Oriental Orthodox Churches making process, raising fears that the Egypt ration from Ottoman rule. Its victims were of tomorrow will be far less free and demo- not proven to have performed a miracle but OURCES FROM THE EGYPTIAN COPTIC cratic than even the Egypt of Mubarak. – were nevertheless recognized as "martyrs CHURCH SAID ITS LEADER, POPE US Copts Association , April 15. for the (Christian) faith," Bulgarian Ortho- SSHENOUDA III, IS COMMUNICATING dox Church officials explained. WITH THE ETHIOPIAN CHURCH IN AN HOUSANDS OF CONSERVATIVE The last canonizations performed by EFFORT TO HELP RESOLVE THE WATER MUSLIMS PROTESTED IN THE the Bulgarian Orthodox Church were those CRISIS , which erupted after Ethiopia began TSOUTHERN EGYPTIAN PROVINCE OF of clergymen and national revival forefa- constructing a Millennium Dam on the QINA FRIDAY AGAINST THE APPOINTMENT thers Paisiy Hilendarski in 1962 and Sofro- Nile. OF A NEW CHRISTIAN GOVERNOR . niy Vrachanski in 1964. – Serbian Ortho- Sources said that a trip by the Pope to Witnesses said the protesters, mostly dox Patriarchate, April 4. Ethiopia has been suggested. observers of the conservative Islamic Salaf- Bishop Morcos, head of the informa- ist movement, threatened to bar Emad Mik- HE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF GREECE tion committee at the Holy Synod, said the hail, the new governor, from entering the AND THE GOVERNMENT IN ATHENS strong ties between the two countries’ province. TARE ATTEMPTING TO AGREE ON A churches may help resolve the crisis, and The previous governor, whom Mikhail REDUCTION OF THE NUMBER OF PRIESTLY said, “We won’t hold back in performing will replace, was also Christian. ORDINATIONS which is required by the pro- our roles if political leadership asks for Qina has seen sectarian strife in the gram to stabilize public finances, according that.” past. Late last year, dozens of Christians to a report by the religious information Ethiopian Bishop Boules visited Egypt and Muslims were arrested in the province website Amen.gr on March 3. at the end of 2010 and prayed with Pope after nearly a dozen homes were burnt in

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 11. clashes between members of the two reli- tions engaged in or tolerated by the gov- their prayers and messages on Easter day gions. – US Copts Association , April 16. ernment have increased dramatically since 2011. the release of last year's report, with vi- The World Council of Churches has GYPTIAN COPTS TODAY CELEBRATE olence, including murder, escalating against addressed the need for public recognition of EASTER SUNDAY AMID HEIGHTENED Coptic Christians and other religious mi- the Armenian Genocide. In 1984 the WCC ESECURITY MEASURES . CHURCHES , norities." published a document called "Armenia: the CINEMAS AND OTHER PLACES OF CELEBRA - He added that since former President Continuing Tragedy" which helped in mak- TION WERE SURROUNDED BY FENCES . Hosni Mubarak's resignation from office in ing known the history and plight of the Ar- Pope Shenouda III led holy Mass on February, "such violence continues un- menian people. The Commission of the Saturday night at the Coptic Orthodox Ca- abated without the government's bringing Churches on International Affairs raised the thedral in Abbasseya. Thousands of Copts, the perpetrators to justice." issue of the Armenian Genocide in the UN senior officials and public figures attended. The U.S. Commission on International Commission on Human Rights with refer- Deputy Prime Minister Yehia al- Religious Freedom is an independent, bi- ence to the latter’s "Revised and Updated Gamal attended and conveyed greetings partisan advisory commission created in Report on the Question of the Prevention from Prime Minister Essam Sharaf to the 1998 to give independent policy recom- and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.” Pope. Representatives from the Supreme mendations and monitor the status of free- As was stated at the 2005 WCC Central Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) were dom of thought, conscience and religion or Committee meeting, the WCC believes also present, along with three presidential belief outside the United States. The U.S. that, "from the Christian perspective, the candidates, including Mohamed El Baradei, Department of State issues its own report path towards justice and reconciliation re- and several ministers. on international religious freedom and can quires the recognition of the crime commit- Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tan- choose to accept or reject the commission's ted as a sine qua non condition for the heal- tawi, head of the SCAF, conveyed his recommendations. – Chris Herlinger for ing of memories and the possibility of for- greetings to the Pope. ENI , April 28. giveness. Forgiveness does not mean for- Meanwhile, protesters in Qena sus- getting but to look back with the intention pended protests against their newly- N 2011, ON THE OCCASION OF THE to restore justice, the respect for human appointed governor to join Coptic celebra- CONCURRENCE OF THE FEAST DAY OF rights and relationships between perpetra- tions. ITHE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF tors and victims." Copts in Atfeeh held mass at the Two JESUS CHRIST WITH THE REMEMBRANCE In a public statement of 11 April 2005, Saints Church, demolished in March fol- DAY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE , REV . the Presidium of the Conference of Euro- lowing sectarian clashes but now rebuilt. DR OLAV FYKSE TVEIT , GENERAL SECRE - pean Churches joined the World Council of On Saturday, the church also held a TARY OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHUR - Churches in inviting all its member lunch banquet for Muslim villagers who CHES , and Dr. Viorel Ionita, General Secre- churches "to make April 24 a Day of Mem- came to convey their greetings. Members tary of the Conference of European ory of the Armenian Genocide and to con- from the SCAF, policemen and other ex- Churches, extended their support to the sider further appropriate actions related to ecutive officials attended. Holy Armenian Apostolic Church, jointly the 90 years Commemoration of the Arme- The church pastor told Al-Masry Al- urging all the member Churches to honor nian Genocide.” The CEC Presidium fur- Youm that the presence of Muslims in the the commemoration of 1.5 million innocent ther urged "the Turkish government to in- Coptic celebrations helps restore good rela- victims of the Armenian Genocide in their itiate a process of reconciliation between tions. – US Copts Association , April 24. Easter messages. The appeal was made on the Turkish and the Armenian peoples, in April 13, 2011. which the recognition of guilt and the proc- IOLENCE AGAINST RELIGIOUS Below is the message in full: lamation of the truth need to be integral MINORITIES IN EGYPT , INCLUDING Easter, the glorious Day of Resurrec- elements." VCOPTIC CHRISTIANS , HAS tion of our Lord Jesus Christ, falls this year In this spirit, as we approach Easter PROMPTED AN INDEPENDENT U.S.-BASED on April 24 which coincides with Armenian Sunday this year, we call upon all brothers COMMISSION TO CITE EGYPT AS A Genocide Remembrance Day. For the first and sisters of faith in Jesus Christ to join COUNTRY THAT VIOLATES RELIGIOUS time since 1915 April 24 falls on Easter with the Armenian people in offering pray- FREEDOM . Sunday in the Armenian church calendar. It ers for Armenians and other victims of ge- The designation, in a report released is truly a meaningful coincidence, as the nocide. on 28 April by the Washington-based U.S. existence of the Armenian nation and Let us be reminded of what Christ has Commission on International Religious people itself is a special sign of the power said, "I am the Resurrection and I am the Freedom, marks the first time that the panel of the resurrection in a world of death. Life. Whoever believes in me will live, has recommended that Egypt be placed on a When Christians all over the world cele- even though he dies; and whoever lives and U.S. government list of "countries of par- brate Easter on the same date this year, it believes in me will never die" (John 11:25). ticular concern" that violate religious free- will be an historic opportunity for all of us – Press Release, Holy Etchmiadzin, April dom. to pay tribute to the memory of the innocent 17. Countries on the list are those "whose victims of the Armenian Genocide. conduct marks them as the world's worst As the Armenian Apostolic Church OR HIS SUPPORT OF THE ARMENIAN - religious freedom violators and human and the Armenian people observe the 96th AMERICAN COMMUNITY , THE EAS - rights abusers," Leonard Leo, head of the year of the Armenian Genocide, the World FTERN DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN commission, said in issuing the annual re- Council of Churches and the Conference of CHURCH OF AMERICA HAS NAMED MASSA - port. Churches in Europe appeal to all member CHUSETTS GOVERNOR DEVAL L. PATRICK Leo said Egypt was cited because "in- churches to commemorate the 1.5 million AS ITS "F RIEND OF THE ARMENIANS " FOR stances of severe religious freedom viola- victims of the Armenian Genocide during 2011. The award will be officially bes-

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 12. towed during the annual Diocesan Assem- cos said, “Our church is the church of the tions between the Armenian and Maronite bly, meeting this year in Boston, April 28- people; the Catholicosate of Cilicia lives its Churches.” The Patriarch then paid tribute May 1. religious life and vocation through its Dias- to the Armenian Church and people for "We are what we are because of our pora, and is totally committed to ecumen- their history of martyrdom, and acknowl- willingness to face horrors like the Arme- ism.” edged the contribution of the Armenian nian Genocide—and to use them as re- At the end of the meeting, the guests community to Lebanon. He then concluded, minders of the best of what we are. And the visited the Cathedral, the Martyrs monu- “Our visit today is a sign of our commit- best of what we want to be is founded in ment, the museum and the offices of the ment to work together towards strengthen- tolerance and understanding." Catholicosate. – Press Release, Great ing unity among the people of Lebanon.” The words were those of Governor House of Cilicia, April 4. At the end of exchanging greetings, Deval Patrick at the ceremonial ground- Patriarch Bechara Peter Rai and Catholicos breaking and blessing of "Armenian Herit- IS HOLINESS ARAM I WROTE TO Aram I went to the Martyrs Chapel to pray, age Park" along the Rose Fitzgerald Ken- PRESIDENT AL-ASSAD , SUPPOR - after which they had a brief private meet- nedy Greenway, on September 9, 2010. HTING THE REFORMS HE HAS ing. The visit ended with a luncheon offered More than a thousand people— PROMISED . The Catholicos hoped that these by His Holiness Aram I in honor of the Armenians from the Greater Boston area, reforms will contribute to the stability and Patriarch and his delegation. – Press Re- leaders of the Armenian Church and na- prosperity of the country. At the end of his lease, Great House of Cilicia, April 11. tional Armenian organizations, distin- letter, Catholicos Aram I re-affirmed the guished civic and municipal figures and commitment of the Armenian community in IS HOLINESS MORAN MOR elected officers—had turned out for the Syria to their country, and assured the Pres- IGNATIUS ZAKKA I IWAS , THE ceremony. ident of their determination to work for its HPATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH AND ALL Governor Patrick stood alongside the prosperity. – Press Release, Great House of THE EAST HELD A MEETING WITH MR. visiting Catholicos of All Armenians, His Cilicia, April 9. RECEP TAYYIP ERDO ĞAN , THE PRIME Holiness Karekin II, referring to the ga- MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY , thered crowd as his "brothers and sisters," N FRIDAY 8 APRIL 2011, MARO - on March 30. His Holiness was accompa- as he offered his universal vision of human NITE PATRIARCH BECHARA PETER nied by Mor Gregorius Yohanna Ibrahim excellence grounded in tolerance and un- ORAI , ACCOMPANIED BY FOUR Metropolitan of Aleppo, Mor Timotheos derstanding. ARCHBISHOPS , VISITED ANTELIAS . HIS Samuel Aktas Archbishop of Tur-Abdin, "Let this park be a permanent tribute to HOLINESS ARAM I MET THE PATRIARCH Mor Philoxenos Yusuf Cetin Archbishop of that," Governor Patrick concluded. AND HIS DELEGATION AT THE MAIN HALL Istanbul and Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis The applause thundering from the OF HIS RESIDENCE , and then led them in Patriarchal Assistant. The presidents of the crowd was more than a response to noble procession to St. Gregory the Illuminator diocesan councils of Tur-Abdin and Istan- sentiments: it was an indication of the depth Cathedral. After Canonical prayers in Ar- bul, as well as the legal team of Mor Ga- of respect and friendship that had blos- menian and Arabic, they returned to the briel Monastery were also included in the somed between the Armenian community Main Hall, where they met with the clergy, Patriarchal delegation. The meeting which and the dynamic Massachusetts governor. Executive Council of the Church, and the lasted over one hour took place at the Prime In Governor Deval Patrick, the Arme- Armenian ministers and deputies. Minister’s official Residence in Ankara. nian Church community has seen a hope His Holiness welcomed the Patriarch The purpose of the meeting was to discuss realized, and has felt privileged to work by and his delegation and said, “May God the Mor Gabriel Monastery land dispute. his side, in a greater and universal cause. bless you and guide you in your service to Also present at the meeting were the Tur- The Eastern Diocese of the Armenian your flock.” He then recalled the history of kish Secretary for the Environment, whose Church of America is honored to name him the Armenian Church and the close rela- office is responsible for Turkish Forestry, as its "Friend of the Armenians" for 2011. – tionship between the Armenian and Roman which is in litigation with the Monastery; Press Release, Eastern Diocese, April 20. Catholic Churches historically and current- senior members of the Turkish civil service ly, through the Oriental Orthodox-Catholic representing different ministries involved in N 31 MARCH 2011, A GROUP OF theological dialogue. He also mentioned the this case; and members of the diplomatic GERMAN THEOLOGIANS MET WITH close cooperation between the Armenian corps. OHIS HOLINESS ARAM I. DURING and Maronite communities in the Diaspora. During the meeting His Holiness hig- THEIR CONVERSATION , THE CATHOLICOS Referring to Lebanon, Catholicos Aram I hlighted the ancient history of the Syrian SAID THAT ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY HAD said that Christians and Muslims in Leba- Orthodox people in Turkey and the role of LIVED TOGETHER IN THE REGION FOR non have high expectations from Patriarch the Monastery in the life of our people who CENTURIES . In view of present challenges, Bechara Peter Rai, having heard his call for are still in the area, as well as, its impor- existential dialogue between Christianity tolerance and his emphasis on safeguarding tance to the Syriac people throughout the and Islam should be based on common the sovereignty of Lebanon and Lebanese world. His Holiness stressed that justice principles and values found in the teachings identity. At the end of his welcoming must take its course in the restoration of the of the two religions. speech, His Holiness offered a cross to the rights of the Church in Turkey affirming to Responding to questions regarding Patriarch. the Prime Minister that the Church will not centuries long relationship between the In his response, the Patriarch thanked forsake its rights in its sacred places at any Armenian Church and Islam, His Holiness the Catholicos for his brotherly love and cost. Mr. Erdo ğan highlighted his apprecia- said, “we have always insisted on peaceful expressed his appreciation for Catholicos tion for the role and participation of the co-existence based on mutual respect and Aram I’s commitment to ecumenism and to Syriac Orthodox in economic and cultural recognition of rights.” In response to ques- Christian-Muslim dialogue. He then said, life in Turkey. Mr. Erdo ğan told the Pa- tions on the Armenian Church, the Catholi- “Today, we begin a new page in the rela- triarch and his delegation that he will be

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 13. following the case and will do his utmost to main objectives is to develop the ecumeni- dained me, after he moved to Ukraine, said: find a proper outcome to settle this dispute cal dialogue between the Catholic and Or- 'We forgive and ask for forgiveness.' It was after the issuance of the court’s verdict. It thodox churches. "One of the tasks is to be a very deep call to reconciliation on his was agreed that the Patriarch and Prime open and work toward ensuring that the part. It was in the 1990s, at the time of the Minster Erdo ğan will meet again soon after existing ecumenical dialogue between the strongest confrontation, particularly in the court verdict, to follow up on the dis- Catholic and Orthodox churches continues western Ukraine. There was the will for puted lands of St Gabriel’s Monastery. The in Ukraine. I told the Most Holy Father that reconciliation on our part. Later, His Beati- meeting was widely covered by the Turkish the liturgy of my enthronement in Kyiv was tude Lubomyr confirmed and repeated the media. – Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of attended by representatives of all the Or- same in the presence of Pope John Paul II the Eastern United States, April 1. thodox churches of Ukraine. When I came who visited Ukraine. up to each of them during the singing to say "I think that today, we should heal the HE STANDING CONFERENCE OF THE the liturgical phrase 'Christ is among us,' wounds rather than irritate and deepen ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES each of them answered: 'He is and shall be.' them. One can heal the wounds of our TIN AMERICA HELD ITS SPRING It was a very promising indication of their memory only with mutual forgiveness. MEETING ON THURSDAY , APRIL 7, AT THE openness and shows that we really have Therefore, as for any our brethren or neigh- COPTIC ORTHODOX PAPAL CENTER IN many more objectives and much more work bors who wounded us or were wounded by CEDAR GROVE , NEW JERSEY . to do in this field," the head of the UGCC us, the best way to communicate is to be Bishop David of the Coptic Church told BBC in an interview. open in a brotherly dialogue, be open to the hosted the meeting which was chaired by As for the prospect of establishing a purification of our memory, to ask for for- His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsa- unified church in Ukraine, according to giveness and to forgive," said Major Arch- mian, of the Armenian Orthodox. His Emi- Major Archbishop Sviatoslav, so far it is bishop Sviatoslav.—RISU , April 1. nence Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim represent- not about forming a unified structure. ted our Archdiocese, accompanied by Very "We are now at a certain stage where HE ORDINATION OF MARRIED MEN Rev. Fr. Shamoun Asmar and Rev. Fr. Jo- we must work toward renewing our coop- TO THE PRIESTHOOD HAS NOT BEEN seph Chamoun. Attending also was His eration to work out urgent issues in our TTHE MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, relations that have been inherited from our TO THE NUMEROUS YOUNG VOCATIONS IN Ecumenical Director of the Armenian Dio- history and, subsequently, to work together HIS EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCH , said the cese. for the new evangelization of Ukraine and head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Topics discussed included a proposed its culture," stressed the head of UGCC. Church, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav forum on Oriental Orthodox youth, future "Our visit to the Most Holy Father was Shevchuk to EWTN. The average age of a joint activities— including the annual Unit- not to talk about the Patriarchate or about Ukrainian Catholic priest is 35. ed Nations prayer service—with the East- our old aspirations regarding this or the "In our tradition, we do have a married ern Orthodox Churches, and dialogues with status of our church. The aim of the visit clergy, but a married clergy is not the main the Roman Catholic Church on the local was to show our visible and full commu- reason we have so many young priests," he and International levels. The participants nion with the Apostolic See," noted Major said, noting that religious orders, which agreed on a date for the next concelebrated Archbishop Sviatoslav in the interview. require a vow of consecrated chastity, also liturgy to be hosted by the Coptic Church He also stressed that the UGCC will have numerous young vocations. "The pos- on Staten Island. A Special guest Fr. Mark develop, "but the decision to grant the sta- sibility of being a married priest is not the Arey of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese tus of the Patriarchate is within the capacity main cause of an increase or decrease in provided information on the recently of the Most Holy Father. We have not and vocations to the priesthood because this formed Assembly of Bishops, which in- will not devote excessive attention to this. vocation comes from God." cludes the canonical bishops of the Eastern We will work." – RISU ¸April 1. The number one priority for each head Orthodox Church. Participants also en- of a church is evangelization, preaching the gaged in a discussion on the situation of the N AN INTERVIEW TO “L EFT BANK ,” IN Gospel of Jesus Christ in today's world, Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt. RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION WHETHER said the newly elected major archbishop. – The Standing Conference of Oriental IHE WOULD LIKE TO MEET WITH PATRI - RISU , April 4. Orthodox Churches of America includes ARCH KIRILL AND WHAT HE WOULD SAY TO representatives of the Armenian, Coptic, HIM , THE NEW HEAD OF THE UKRAINIAN IS HOLINESS MAR DINKHA IV, Ethiopian, and Syrian Orthodox Churches. GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH , MAJOR CATHOLICOS PATRIARCH OF THE The next meeting of the Conference will be ARCHBISHOP SVIATOSLAV , said that the HHOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC hosted by our Archdiocese in fall of 2011. – best way to communicate is to be open in a ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST , HAS Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of the East- brotherly dialogue, be open to the purifica- SENT A LETTER TO THE NEW PATRIARCH OF ern United States, April 8. tion of our memory, to ask for forgiveness THE MARONITE CHURCH IN LEBANON , Mar and to forgive. Beshara Butros al Rai, congratulating him The Catholic Churches "I would like very much to visit him on his consecration. and hold a personal meeting with him. I am His Holiness Mar Dinkha expressed URING THE PRIVATE AUDIENCE convinced that in peacefully and openly his warmest wishes towards His Holiness WITH POPE BENEDICT XVI, MAJOR communicating with each other, we can Mar Beshara, who was elected on 15 DARCHBISHOP SVIATOSLAV SHEV - relieve any tension. March 2011. CHUK SPOKE ABOUT THE CURRENT CHAL - "Our church has voiced its readiness With peace the first priority for sister LENGES AND OBJECTIVES OF THE and openness for a dialogue ever since it churches, prayers were offered asking that UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH . emerged from the underground. I remember our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may pro- The major archbishop noted that one of the how Patriarch Ivan Lubachivsky, who or- tect and guide Mar Beshara through his

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 14. service. kind of hoping to open up people's eyes and Church to the Church universal, in fidelity Along with the wishes, His Holiness minds." to Christ’s prayer for all his disciples (cf. Jn Mar Dinkha urged peace and unity between Although the details of the encounter 17:21). You bring to the tombs of the sister churches in Lebanon during current series were subject to approval by U.S. Apostles Peter and Paul the joys and hopes difficulties in the Middle East. Further, Eastern bishops at a meeting later in April, of the entire Syro-Malabar Church, which prayers for peace and harmony for the plans call for a Thursday session for clergy my predecessor the Venerable John Paul II country of Lebanon were also expressed. -- who cannot stay for the weekend program happily raised to the status of a Major- Assyrian Church News , April 4. because of parish responsibilities, accord- Archiepiscopal Church in 1992. My greet- ing to Father Lucas. ings go to the priests, the women and men ASTERN CATHOLICS IN THE UNITED Friday will be the day when other par- religious, the members of the lay move- STATES ARE PLANNING FOR THREE ticipants gather. Saturday's schedule will ments, the families and in particular the E"ENCOUNTERS " TO FOCUS ON focus on speakers and presentations. Litur- young people who are the hope of the EDUCATION AND EVANGELIZATION . gies will be scheduled for both Saturday Church. The three separate encounters, to be and Sunday of each encounter. "The Satur- The Second Vatican Council taught held under the banner "Together in Christ," day service will not be the same ritual (as that “Bishops have been designated by the are tentatively slated for Cleveland, Los Sunday's). It might be Maronite, it might be Holy Spirit to take the place of the Apostles Angeles and the East Coast in September, Armenian. We're going to try to make sure as pastors of souls and, together with the October and November 2012. that everybody feels welcome," the priest Supreme Pontiff and subject to his authori- The encounters are the outgrowth of said. ty, they are commissioned to perpetuate the two earlier pan-Eastern encounters, each of Father Lucas said relations between work of Christ, the eternal Pastor” ( Chris- which had restricted participation, accord- members of different Eastern churches are tus Dominus , 1). Today’s encounter thus ing to Father John Lucas, a Ukrainian-rite generally good. "In some areas of the coun- forms an essential part of your pilgrimage priest in Chicago. try they can (get together). In others they ad Limina Apostolorum ; it is also an occa- "The first one was organized by Rome can't because there's no one around them," sion to intensify the awareness of the divine and had only bishops," said Father Lucas, he noted, referring to the geographic dis- gift and responsibility received in the ordi- who is editor of the New Star News, the tances separating members of the Eastern nation by which you became members of eparchial newspaper for the Byzantine churches. "It takes a lot of work to get it (an the College of Bishops. I join you in seek- Ukrainian Eparchy of St Nicholas in Chi- encounter) done, and everybody's busy." ing the intercession of the Apostles for your cago. Father Lucas, who is also on an en- The Eastern bishops worked over sev- ministry. They, who were the first to re- counter planning subcommittee of Eastern eral years in the past decade to develop ceive the charge of caring for Christ’s Catholic Eparchial Directors of Religious "God With Us," a catechetical series for flock, continue to guide and watch over the Education, added: "The bishops could bring kindergarten through eighth-grade students Church from their place in heaven and re- one priest with them." now in use in most U.S. Eastern parishes.• - main a model and inspiration to all Bishops That encounter was held in Boston in - Mark Pattison for CNS , April 6. by their holiness of life, teaching and ex- 1999 and was organized by the Vatican ample. Congregation for Eastern Churches. T NOON ON APRIL 7, IN THE CON - Your visit also provides a precious The second encounter, held in 2006 in SISTORY HALL OF THE VATICAN opportunity to give thanks to God for the Chicago, was planned by the (U.S. Eastern) AAPOSTOLIC PALACE , HIS HOLINESS gift of communion in the apostolic faith and bishops, Father Lucas said, but it was an POPE BENEDICT XVI MET WITH A GROUP in the life of the Spirit which unites you invitation-only affair. "The bishops ap- OF BISHOPS OF THE SYRO -MALABAR among yourselves and with your people. pointed people to go from their (jurisdic- CHURCH OF INDIA . They had been received With divine inspiration and grace on the tion's) education department or their evan- in separate audiences in recent days during one hand, and with humble prayers and gelization department." their “ad limina Apostolorum” visits. This efforts on the other, this precious gift of The 2012 series of encounters is "for is the speech the Pope delivered on the fellowship with the Triune God and with anybody who wants to learn something," occasion: one another will grow ever richer and dee- Father Lucas said, "and learning something Dear Brother Bishops, per. Each Bishop, for his part, is called to specifically about what the Eastern Church I offer you a warm fraternal welcome be a minister of unity (cf. ibid., 6) in his is." on the occasion of your visit ad Limina particular church and within the universal Planners are expecting a turnout of Apostolorum a moment which is now sadly Church. This responsibility is of special 100-150 for each encounter. Organizers are marked by the death of Cardinal Varkey importance in a country like India where hoping to keep the registration fees modest, Vithayathil. Before you all, I wish again to the unity of the Church is reflected in the and would like to offer a group discount for give thanks to God for his able and willing rich diversity of her rites and traditions. I five or more participants. service over many years to the whole of the encourage you to do all you can to continue A two-day meeting was just held in St. Church in India. May our loving Savior to foster the communion between your- Louis as part of the ongoing planning for welcome his noble soul into paradise, and selves and all Catholic Bishops throughout the encounters; previous meetings have may he rest in peace in communion with all the world, and to be the living expression of been held in Orlando, Fla., Sybertsville, the saints. that fellowship among your priests and Pa., Detroit and Houston. Thank you for the sentiments of re- faithful. Let the gentle command of Saint "The whole idea of education and spect and esteem offered by Mar Bosco Paul continue to guide your hearts and your evangelization is something we're all in- Puthur on your behalf and in the name of apostolic endeavors: “Let love be genuine, volved with," Father Lucas said, "to make those whom you shepherd. Your presence hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good, sure people know about their church -- and is an eloquent expression of the deep spiri- love one another with brotherly affection, other people know about it as well. We're tual bonds which unite the Syro-Malabar outdo one another in showing honor. Live

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 15. in harmony with one another” (Rom 12:9- Furthermore, by its nature, formation is side Kerala state are subject to the authority 10,16). Thus will the unity of the Triune never completed, but is ongoing and must of the local Latin bishop. God be proclaimed and lived in the world, be an integral part of the daily life of each "We are convinced that it is the credi- and thus will our new life in Christ be expe- individual and community. Much needs to bility of the Apostolic See that is at stake if rienced always more profoundly, to the be done in this area, utilizing the many re- this jurisdictional right is not restored to its benefit of the entire Catholic Church. sources available in your Church, above all pristine status," the bishop said. Within this mystery of loving commu- through deeper training in the practice of Bishop Puthur presented five requests nion, a privileged expression of sharing in prayer, the particular spiritual and liturgical to Pope Benedict: the restoration of "all- the divine life is through sacramental mar- traditions of the Syro-Malabar rite, and the India jurisdiction" to the Syro-Malabar riage and family life. The rapid and dramat- intellectual demands of a solid pastoral Church; permission to establish dioceses ic changes which are a part of contempo- practice. I encourage you, in close collabo- throughout India; permission to set up rary society throughout the world bring ration with religious superiors, to plan ef- archdioceses in Delhi and other large cities; with them not only serious challenges, but fectively for such a solid ongoing forma- the establishment of a special jurisdiction new possibilities to proclaim the liberating tion, so that religious men and women con- for the Persian Gulf states, in order to serve truth of the Gospel message to transform tinue to be powerful witnesses to the pres- the tens of thousands of Syro-Malabar and elevate all human relationships. Your ence of God in the world and to our eternal Catholics from India working in the region; support, dear Brother Bishops, and that of destiny, so that the complete gift of self to action to improve the pastoral care of Syro- your priests and communities for the sound God through religious life may shine with Malabar Catholics in Europe, Australia and and integral education of young people in all its beauty and purity before men. other parts of the world. the ways of chastity and responsibility will With these thoughts, dear Brother Bi- The Syro-Malabar leader thanked the not only enable them to embrace the true shops, I once again express my fraternal Latin bishops of the United States and Can- nature of marriage, but will also benefit affection and esteem. Commending you to ada for supporting the appointment in 2001 Indian culture as a whole. Unfortunately, the intercession of Saint Thomas, Apostle of a Chicago-based bishop for his church's the Church can no longer count on the sup- of India, I assure you of my prayers for you faithful in North America. port of society at large to promote the and for those entrusted to your pastoral The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church Christian understanding of marriage as a care. To all I impart my Apostolic Blessing has about 3.7 million members around the permanent and indissoluble union ordered as a pledge of grace and peace in the Lord. world, Bishop Puthur said. Currently, there to procreation and the sanctification of the – Vatican Website, April 7. are 29 dioceses served by: 32,855 women spouses. Have your families look to the religious; 3,987 diocesan priests; 3,133 Lord and his saving word for a complete HE VATICAN AND MANY OF THE religious order priests; and 745 religious and truly positive vision of life and marital LATIN BISHOPS OF INDIA ARE NOT brothers, he said. – Cindy Wooden for relations, so necessary for the good of the TTREATING THE SYRO -MALABAR CNS , April 8. whole human family. Let your preaching CATHOLIC CHURCH WITH JUSTICE , AND and catechesis in this field be patient and THAT MAKES THE CHURCH LOOK BAD , N APRIL 11, THE DELEGATION OF constant. AUXILIARY BISHOP BOSCO PUTHUR OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH , WHICH IS At the heart of many of the works of ERNAKULAM -ANGAMALY TOLD POPE OLED BY BISHOP STEPHEN PLATTEN education and charity exercised in your BENEDICT XVI. OF WAKEFIELD AND IS ON AN OFFICIAL Eparchies are the various communities of While other Christians and other reli- VISIT TO UKRAINE , MET WITH CARDINAL men and women religious who devote gions enjoy the freedom to build churches LUBOMYR HUSAR . themselves to the service of God and their and conduct services anywhere in India, the The bishop is accompanied by two neighbor. I wish to express the Church’s Eastern Catholic churches "are denied it, canonists of the Anglican Church, the ecu- appreciation for the charity, faith and hard paradoxically not by the state, but by our menical secretary of the primate of the An- work of these religious, who by professing own ecclesiastical authorities," the bishop glican Church, Archbishop of Canterbury and living the evangelical counsels of po- said. Fr. Jonathan Gudall, and an experienced verty, chastity and obedience offer an ex- Bishop Puthur, administrator of the participant of the Anglican-Orthodox di- ample of complete devotion to the divine Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, made his alogue, Fr. Hugh Wybrew. Master and thus help considerably to equip remarks to Pope Benedict April 7 at the end The participants discussed urgent your faithful for every good work (cf. 2 Tim of the Syro-Malabar bishops' "ad limina" questions regarding Christian life in the 3:17). The vocation to religious life and the visits to the Vatican to report on the status world. Talking about the present situation pursuit of perfect charity is attractive in of their dioceses. in Ukraine, Cardinal Lubomyr stressed that every age, but it should be nourished by a Generally, the leaders of the Eastern “the main objective of the churches, espe- constant spiritual renewal which is to be Catholic churches such as the Syro- cially the churches of the Kyivan tradition, fostered by superiors who devote great care Malabar church enjoy full freedom to elect should be to seek unity among the people.” to the human, intellectual and spiritual for- bishops and erect dioceses only in their The participants also touched upon the mation of their fellow religious (cf. Perfec- church's traditional territory; otherwise, the question of the future of Christian Europe tae Caritatis , 11). The Church insists that responsibility is left to the Pope, often in and possible cooperation between the preparation for religious profession is to be consultation with the Latin bishops of the churches, especially in the social and moral marked by long and careful discernment region concerned. areas of the society. with the goal of ensuring, before final vows In the case of the Syro-Malabar The guests noted that their society is are made, that each candidate is firmly church, Bishop Puthur told Pope Benedict becoming increasingly more secularized, rooted in Christ, solid in his or her capacity that its traditional territory was all of India especially among young people who are for genuine commitment and joyful in the until Latin missionaries arrived in the 15th well-to-do and think “why trust in God if gift of self to Jesus Christ and his Church. century. Now any of its faithful living out- we have everything we need.”

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 16. In the end, the guests expressed their WITNESS TOGETHER " IN THE CONTEM - the Catholic Church in the country. Archbi- gratitude for the opportunity to deepen their PORARY WORLD AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO shop Pezzi identifies three areas in which knowledge about cooperation between START A "NEW EVANGELIZATION " OF THE they must continue to work, picking up the churches in Ukraine, reports ecumen- COMMUNITY , IN NEED OF "NEW IMPULSE " legacy of the past 'Vatican ambassadors': ism.com.ua -- RISU , April 12. AND "ROOTS " IN SOCIETY . THE ARCH - "The care and organization, in terms of BISHOP OF THE MOTHER OF GOD IN MOS - structures, of the Catholic Church through- T MIDDAY ON APRIL 14, BENEDICT COW , PAOLO PEZZI , tells AsiaNews about out the territory; the essential relationship XVI RECEIVED IN AUDIENCE THE Easter in the small minority of Catholics in with the Orthodox in first place and then ABISHOPS AND FAITHFUL OF THE Russia, the goals of ecumenical dialogue, with other denominations and religions and MARONITE CHURCH , ON THE OCCASION OF and the difficulties and successes of colla- finally relations with civil society and the THE ECCLESIASTICAL COMMUNION OF boration with the Moscow Patriarchate. For state…The Catholic community,” says the THEIR NEW PATRIARCH , Bechara Peter Rai the second consecutive year, the holiday for archbishop, “on the one hand needs to be on 24 March. the two churches – who have different ca- re-evangelized and on the other rooted in a The Pope emphasized at the beginning lendars - coincides and the Catholic com- faith with a constructive presence of men of of his address that this was the first visit to munity (one million according to the most faith in society in which we live.” The new the Successor of Peter by the patriarch Rai generous estimates, ndr) will celebrate Eas- Nuncio will be of real help in this direction, since his election to the patriarchal see of ter with the new Apostolic Nuncio to the particularly in relations with the Moscow Antioch of the Maronites. Russian Federation, Archbishop Ivan Jur- Patriarchate and the need to "increase a Referring to the Synod of Bishops for kovic, expected to arrive in the coming common witness in society. In this, para- the Middle East (October 2010), the Pope days, says the prelate. doxically, "Catholics can make a bigger underlined that on that occasion it was ne- Although often different Easter cele- contribution" because they are a small mi- cessary "to reiterate many times the urgency brations allow more contact and meetings nority, so it is “more obvious that what of proposing the Gospel to those who do between the spiritual leaders of the two moves us is not merely the witness of an not know it well or have moved away from communities in the period of Holy Week, event." In a Russia still recovering from the Church. With all the vital force present the opportunity to celebrate in the same decades of state atheism, and which is only in Lebanon and the Middle East, I know period also offers great advantages. "First experiencing a spiritual rebirth since the you will make efforts to announce, to bear of all – says Archbishop Pezzi - it is easier, 90's, the actions of the Orthodox Church in witness to and to live in communion this even in our diversity, to understand and live the social sphere are denounced as "interfe- Word of life in order to rediscover the en- the same witness. It favors the knowledge rence" and regarded with suspicion by thusiasm of the first Christians". that we have a treasure of common faith those who consider it a mere propaganda "This region of the world which the and that the differences we have between us tool of political power. "For now there is a patriarchs, prophets, apostles and Christ are not necessarily barriers, but a possible general tolerance of public opinion, but Himself blessed with their presence and mutual enrichment.” For this, the archbi- when and if the Orthodox Church becomes their teaching, aspires to the lasting peace shop hopes that one day we may arrive at a a real presence, and not just a superficial that the Word of Truth, welcomed and "common calendar" or at least at fixing a one in society, the attacks will increase in shared, is able to establish". date that is more or less in line with the vigor," warns Archbishop Pezzi. The Holy Father went on to speak major religious holidays in Russia: "The Even so, a common witness meets the about the education of young people, ex- Catholic community could adapt to the Or- needs of both Churches. The archbishop pressing his wish that the patriarch's "role thodox calendar and celebrate Easter and confirms an increasingly collaborative cli- in their formation be better recognized by Christmas on the same day." The issue - mate with the Orthodox, which "is most society, in order that fundamental values be under discussion for some time and also fruitful in the cultural field and increasingly transmitted without discrimination, and to proposed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of in that of charity and the family." "There are ensure that the youth of today become re- Constantinople - "should be discussed at exchanges of students between the Catholic sponsible men and women within their fam- the next pan-Orthodox Synod, which they University of Milan and the San Tikon of ilies and society at large, to build greater are trying to organize to take place in a few Moscow,” says the archbishop, “collabora- solidarity and fraternity between the mem- years," says the archbishop of Moscow. tion between the Catholic seminary and the bers of the nation. Transmit to the young all The Easter season brings with it, by Orthodox Academy of St. Petersburg." The my esteem and affection, reminding them definition, the concept of rebirth, even if we pastoral care of the family is also another that the Church and society need their en- talk about a new climate in relations be- area where joint efforts are well coordi- thusiasm and hope". tween the two churches for the Catholics of nated between the Orthodox and Catholic "Therefore", he concluded, "I invite Russia "change does not reside so much in parishes: "We discuss how to help families you to intensify your efforts in the formation the new conditions of life of the communi- with problems of drugs or alcohol, and of- of priests and the many young people called ty", as in a renewal of faith linked to the fer material support through family centers, to the Lord within your eparchies and in Resurrection itself, "not just a memory of such as those in Moscow and Kaliningrad.” your religious congregations. By their someone who was alive only to die again, "Charitable initiatives that benefit a more teaching and their existence, may they be but of the One who has risen to enter into just society, street children, AIDS patients authentic witnesses to the Word of God, to such a dimension where you can meet him or the homeless are another area in which help the faithful anchor their lives and their and have a relationship with Him that is we can boost joint projects." mission in Christ!" – VIS , April 14. life-changing. " Children’s education however remains The imminent arrival of the new Nun- a delicate subject: "Here,” says Archbishop MOMENT OF "REFLECTION WITH cio is also an opportunity to reflect on the Pezzi,” we are still experiencing difficulties OUR ORTHODOX BRETHREN ON THE future - "I do not want to talk about chal- due to misunderstandings and a mutual COMMON HERITAGE OF FAITH TO lenges, I do not like that term" – regarding understanding that needs to be deepened." A SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 187, April 30, 2011, page 17. But the time of the accusations of proselyt- about relations with the Moscow Patriar- In answer to the question in what way ism "is now behind us and in Russia there chate. the hierarch is going to build relations with are examples of popular Catholic primary According to the head of the UGCC, the authorities, in view of the fact that the schools and kindergartens, such as in No- our churches have had many wounds in- president and his entourage favor the Mos- vosibirsk and Tomsk," says Archbishop flicted in the past: “I read about phantom cow Patriarchate, the major archbishop Pezzi. What is more, not excluding the pos- pains felt by someone who lost his arm. It is responded that it will be a constructive di- sibility that one day Russian schools may a psychological illusion,” noted Major alogue regardless of which church or gov- also teach Catholicism, "given our small Archbishop Sviatoslav. ernment officials attend. According to the presence in the area,” he explains, “the “I am convinced that we will be able to hierarch, there are other more serious chal- Catholic religion was not included directly heal the wounds when we heal our memory lenges in Ukraine today. in the projects (still experimental) of teach- with mutual forgiveness. We are now ready “For instance, all the churches are in a ing the basics of religious culture. But if for it and, moreover, our faithful demand it. great danger to become political parties,” you present a reasonable number of pupils We, as the pastors, should hear the voice of noted the major archbishop, referring to the who like the idea of a alternative education the people, which is the voice of God,” said words of his spiritual mentor who said back to that provided today, then it is a question the head of the UGCC. at the time of the underground church that if we will have to ask.” – Asia News , April In answer to the question of what he the church becomes a political party, it will 20. would like to discuss with the head of the take the side of Herod or Pilate whereas it Russian Orthodox Church, the head of should be on the side of the Crucified One. + + + + + + + UGCC noted that the very fact of such a “It has become a guideline to me. I meeting will be a manifestation of mutual believe that the church can be neither pro- THINK WE SHOULD NOT POISON recognition and will establish a dialogue. regime nor in opposition; it should unite OUR RELATIONS TODAY WITH THE “The Moscow Patriarch showed that he is people,” said Major Archbishop Sviatoslav “I PHANTOM PAINS OF THE PAST ," ready for it. This is indicated by the pres- in the interview, the Information Depart- HEAD OF THE UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHO - ence of Bishop Ilarii at my enthronement, ment of the UGCC reports. – RISU , April LIC CHURCH (UGCC), MAJOR ARCHBISHOP the greeting of Metropolitan Volodymyr 29. SVIATOSLAV , SAID IN AN INTERVIEW to and his invitation to a meeting,” said Major Focus magazine in response to a question Archbishop Sviatoslav.

His Eminence Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church (1927-2011)

Catholic News Service Stories © 2010. 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. 187, April 30, 2011, page 18.