SEIA NEWSLETTER On the Eastern Churches and

______Number 184: January 31, 2011 Washington, DC

The Eighth Meeting of the con Daniel Seife Michael, an instructor at the St. Thomas Christians of and Oth- International Dialogue Between the Holy Trinity Theological University Col- er Churches till Mid-Fifth Century A.D. – and the lege in Addis Ababa. The cardinal also Indian Orthodox Perspective,” by Metro- offered congratulations to Father John Mat- politan Dr. Mar Gregorios; “Com- Oriental Orthodox Churches thews who, since the last meeting, was or- munion and Communication Between the dained a bishop and given the name Metro- St. Thomas Christians of India and Other HE EIGHTH MEETING OF THE politan Dr. Youhanan Mar Demetrios, As- Churches till Mid-Fifth Century A.D. – A INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION sistant Metropolitan of Delhi, and to His Syrian Orthodox Perspective,” by Metro- TFOR THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE Eminence Nareg Alemezian who has been politan Dr Kuriakose Theophilose; “Com- BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND elevated to the rank of Archbishop. Metro- munion and Communication Among the THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES politan Bishoy took the occasion to congra- Churches: in the Pre-Constantinian TOOK PLACE IN ROME FROM JANUARY 25 tulate Cardinal Koch on his appointment as Era,” by Prof. Dietmar W. Winkler. TO 28, 2011. The meeting was hosted by President of the Pontifical Council, and to In these various studies, the members Cardinal , the new express his gratitude to Cardinal Walter of the commission focused more precisely President of the Pontifical Council for Pro- Kasper for his co-chairmanship of the on the concrete expressions of communion moting Christian Unity. It was chaired commission until his retirement last year. and communication among the churches jointly by Cardinal Koch and by His Emi- He also stressed that the official name of his before the separation. Indeed, communion nence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, family of churches should always be was expressed primarily through various General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the “Oriental Orthodox Churches.” forms of communication. It was noted that Coptic . At this meeting, the members contin- in the pre-Constantinian period, there was Joining delegates from the Catholic ued their study – in a very friendly atmos- an intense communication among the Church were representatives of the follow- phere -- of the ways in which the churches churches, especially in times of crisis. ing Oriental Orthodox Churches: the Anti- expressed their communion with one There was a common sense of responsibili- ochian Syrian Orthodox Church, the Arme- another until the middle of the fifth century ty towards the other churches that was nian Apostolic Church ( of and the role played by monasticism in this. found most clearly in the exchange of let- All ), the Armenian Apostolic The papers presented included “The Com- ters and synodal decisions. These provided Church ( of ), the Coptic munion and Communication that Existed a means of conveying encouragement and Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian Orthodox Between Our Churches Until the Mid-Fifth challenge to one another, as well as theo- Tewahido Church, and the Malankara Or- Century of Christian History As Well As logical clarifications. This exchange was thodox Syrian Church. No representative of the Role Played by Monasticism: The Tra- mutual among the various churches. It the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church dition of Antioch,” by Archbishop Theophi- exemplified a remarkable degree of com- was able to attend. lus George Saliba; “The Petrine Office and munion among local communities in a The two delegations met separately on the Question, Who Established the Church process that lacked central direction after January 25, and held plenary sessions each of Rome?: Coptic Orthodox Perspective,” 250 years of expansion throughout the Ro- day from January 26 to January 28. Each by Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, man Empire and beyond, including Arme- day of the plenary sessions began with a “Communion and Communication Among nia, Persia, Ethiopia and India. The univer- common celebration of Morning Prayer. In the Churches in the Tradition of Alexan- sal phenomenon of Christian asceticism, his remarks at the beginning of the first dria,” by Father Mark Sheridan, OSB; “The present from the earliest times, found ex- session, Cardinal Koch welcomed the Role of Monasticism in the Development pression in the monastic movements, group to Rome, and said that “I have had an and Communion of the Churches,” by Fa- emerging from the late third century in all enduring ecumenical interest in the Oriental ther Columba Stewart, OSB; “Communion parts of the Christian world. There was a Orthodox Churches, and in your history, and Communication that Existed Between fruitful exchange of monastic spiritual writ- your life of faith, your liturgy and theology. Our Churches Until the Mid-Fifth Century ings emanating from the Christian Orient, I have always felt very at home in your of Christian History and the Role Played by even across doctrinal divisions. presence. Despite our longstanding separa- Monasticism: The Ethiopian Experience,” In the evening of January 25, the tion, we share a solid basis of faith and ec- by Daniel Seife Michael Fe- members attended a Vespers service in the clesial order.” With great sadness the Car- leke; “The Reception of the Ecumenical Basilica of Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls dinal also informed the group of the death Councils in the Armenian Tradition (VIII- presided over by His Holiness Bene- of one of the Ethiopian Orthodox repre- XV cc.)” and “Communion and Communi- dict XVI for the conclusion of the Week of sentatives, Father Megabe Biluy Seife Se- cation,” by Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian; Prayer for Christian Unity. In his homily lassie. He has been replaced by Archdea- “Communion and Communication Between the Holy Father made reference to the pres- ence of the members of the dialogue, and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Church; Rev. Fr. Shenouda Maher Ishak, said, “We entrust the success of your meet- which has just ended. Many of you come West Henrietta, New York, USA; H.G. ing to the Lord, that it may be another step from regions where Christian individuals Bishop Daniel of the Coptic Orthodox forward towards our longed-for unity.” On and communities face trials and difficulties Church in Sydney, Australia (observer); Thursday evening January 27, Cardinal that are a cause of deep concern for us all. Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church: Koch hosted a dinner for the dialogue All Christians need to work together in Rev. Fr. Kaleab Gebreselassie Gebru, Eri- members and staff of the Pontifical Council mutual acceptance and trust in order to trean Orthodox Tewahdo , As- for Promoting Christian Unity at the Domus serve the cause of peace and justice. May mara, (unable to attend); Sanctae Marthae in the Vatican. the intercession and example of the many Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church: Pope Benedict XVI received the mem- martyrs and saints, who have given coura- Archdeacon Daniel Seife Michael Feleke of bers of the commission in private audience geous witness to Christ in all our Churches, Holy Trinity Theological University Col- on Friday morning January 28. Cardinal sustain and strengthen you and your Chris- lege in Addis Ababa; Mr. Lique Hiruyan Koch and Metropolitan Bishoy thanked the tian communities. With sentiments of fra- Getachew Guadie (unable to attend); Pope for receiving the commission, and ternal affection I invoke upon all of you the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church: Metropolitan Bishoy presented a Coptic grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.” H.E. Metropolitan Dr. Gabriel Mar Grego- icon of Saint Mary the Mother of God to The ninth meeting of the International rios, President of the Department of Ecu- him on behalf of the members of the com- Joint Commission will take place in Addis menical Relations, Diocese of Trivandrum, mission. The Pope then greeted the mem- Ababa, Ethiopia, at the invitation of His India; H. G. Metropolitan Dr. Youhanon bers, saying “It is with great joy that I wel- Holiness Abune Paulos I, of the Mar Demetrios, Assistant Bishop of Delhi come you, the members of the Joint Interna- Ethiopian Tewahido Orthodox Church. (co-secretary), Delhi, India. tional Commission for Theological Dialo- The members will plan to arrive on Mon- Representatives of the Catholic Church gue between the Catholic Church and the day January 16, 2012, and depart on Mon- His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch (co- Oriental Orthodox Churches. Through you day January 23. The two delegations will chair), President of the Pontifical Council I gladly extend fraternal greetings to my meet separately on Tuesday January 17, and for Promoting Christian Unity; venerable Brothers, the Heads of the Orien- in plenary session on Wednesday, Thursday Most Reverend Paul-Werner Scheele, tal Orthodox Churches. I am grateful for and Saturday, January 18, 19, and 21. They Bishop Emeritus of Würzburg, Germany; the work of the Commission which began will participate in the celebration of Epiph- Most Reverend Youhanna Golta, Pa- in January 2003 as a shared initiative of the any (Timkat) on January 20, and in Sunday triarchal Auxiliary Bishop of the Coptic ecclesial authorities of the family of the liturgies on January 22. Catholic Patriarchate, Cairo, ; Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Pontif- The members concluded with joyful Most Reverend Jules Mikhael Al- ical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. thanks to God, the Father, Son and Holy Jamil, Procurator of the Syrian Catholic As you know, the first phase of the dialo- Spirit, for what has been accomplished at Patriarchate to the Holy See and Apostolic gue, from 2003 to 2009, resulted in the this meeting. Visitator in , Rome; common text entitled Nature, Constitution The members of the Commission are: Most Reverend Peter Marayati, Arme- and Mission of the Church. The document Representatives of the Oriental Ortho- nian Catholic Archbishop of , Syria; outlined aspects of fundamental ecclesio- dox Churches (in alphabetical order): Most Reverend Woldetensae Ghe- logical principles that we share and identi- Antiochian Syrian Orthodox Church: breghiorghis, Apostolic Vicar of Harar, fied issues requiring deeper reflection in H.E. Mor Theophilus George Saliba, Arch- Ethiopia, President of the Ecumenical successive phases of the dialogue. We can bishop of Mount , Secretary of the Commission of the Catholic Church in only be grateful that after almost fifteen Holy Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church, Ethiopia and Eritrea; hundred years of separation we still find , Lebanon; H.E. Kuriakose Theophi- Rev. Fr. Frans Bouwen M.Afr., Con- agreement about the sacramental nature of lose, Metropolitan of the Malankara Syrian sultant to the Pontifical Council for Promot- the Church, about in Orthodox Theological Seminary and Presi- ing Christian Unity; Jerusalem; priestly service and about the impelling dent of the Ecumenical Secretariat of the Rev. Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB, Ex- need to bear witness to the Gospel of our Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church in In- ecutive Director, Hill Museum and Manu- Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the world. dia, Ernakulam, India; script Library, St. John’s Abbey and Uni- In the second phase the Commission has Armenian Apostolic Church: Catholi- versity, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA; reflected from an historical perspective on cosate of all Armenians: H.E. Khajag Bar- Rev. Fr. Ronald G. Roberson, CSP, the ways in which the Churches expressed samian, Archbishop of the Eastern Diocese Associate Director of the Secretariat for their communion down the ages. During the of the USA, New York; H.E. Archbishop Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, US meeting this week you are deepening your Yeznik Petrossian, General Secretary of Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washing- study of the communion and communica- Society of , Etchmiadzin, ton, DC, USA; tion that existed between the Churches until Armenia; Rev. Fr. Paul Rouhana, OLM, Univer- the mid-fifth century of Christian history, as Armenian Apostolic Church: Holy See sité Saint-Esprit, Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon well as the role played by monasticism in of Cilicia: H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Cho- (unable to attend); the life of the early Church. We must be loyan, of the Eastern Prelacy in the Rev. Fr. Mark Sheridan, OSB, Pontifi- confident that your theological reflection USA, New York; H.G. Archbishop Nareg cio Ateneo S. Anselmo, Rome; will lead our Churches not only to under- Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Holy Rev. Fr. Mathew Vellanickal, Vicar stand each other more deeply, but resolutely See of Cilicia, , Lebanon; General of the Archdiocese of Changana- to continue our journey decisively towards Coptic Orthodox Church: H.E. Anba cherry, India; the full communion to which we are called Bishoy (co-chair), Metropolitan of Da- Rev. Fr. Boghos Levon Zekiyan, Pon- by the will of Christ. For this intention we miette, Egypt, General Secretary of the tifical Oriental Institute, Rome; have lifted up our common prayer during Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Prof. Dietmar W. Winkler, Consultant

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 2. to the Pontifical Council for Promoting State Department and is composed of Rab- consequently they have not taken into ac- Christian Unity, Salzburg, Austria. bis, the Jewish religious leadership of count the role that religion plays on an in- Rev. Fr. Gabriel Quicke, Official of the Israel, who represent the government, the ternational scale. However, very cautiously, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian religious leadership of the Palestinian Au- they have started to acknowledge that, whe- Unity, Rome (co-secretary). thority and the Leaders of the various rever confrontations of a political (or other) -- Rome, January 28, 2011 Churches. nature take place, the reason is clearly reli- Q: Did you encounter any difficulties gious. The Eastern Orthodox Churches during that time period and, if yes, what They again try to emphasize the politi- were those? cal aspect or the ethnic one; however, the URKISH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER A: We definitely encountered difficul- root cause is religious. BULENT ARINC VISITED THE ties which resulted from past mistakes, but, I am speaking from experience. Here, TECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE IN with God’s help, we managed to overcome in our region, it has been shown that the ON JANUARY 3 AS ANKARA them and to correct them. root of the political problem and the con- STEPPED UP ITS CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS Q: In the past, the Patriarchate of Je- frontation is clearly religious, and for this ISSUES RELATING TO THE TREATMENT OF rusalem faced financial problems. Have reason, all the governments today, Euro- RELIGIOUS MINORITIES . those problems been surmounted? pean and otherwise, contribute financially According to The Associated Press, A: For many and various reasons, the any kind of initiative that pertains to the Arinc was the highest-ranking member of Patriarchate had not fulfilled its obligations inter-religious dialogue. the Turkish government to visit the Chris- regarding many abeyances and large debts. I receive daily delegations from Eu- tian Orthodox Patriarchate in more than 50 Since then, with God’s help, many gaps rope and America in the political, diplomat- years. “Today is a very happy day for us,” have been filled. ic, religious and ecclesiastical fields. The said Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual Financial matters are problems that purpose for which they come is to hear our leader of Orthodox Christians. “It has have always required our attention and still points of view on the subject of the Middle strengthened our hopes.” continue to engage us, but I want to believe East / Palestinian problem as well as our Ankara has promised to consider reo- that we are on an upturn track. Today, eve- point of view regarding Jerusalem. pening the Patriarchate’s Halki Seminary rything operates with full transparency and They have finally realized that diplo- on the island of Heybeliada and recently with accountability. Also, another problem matic and political efforts do not bear fruit returned control of the 19th-century orpha- is that the Patriarchate owns land and prop- without the contribution of the religious nage on Buyukada, another island in the erties which are situated at strategic loca- leadership or, if you prefer, of the religion Sea of Marmara off Istanbul. “It is our duty tions vis-à-vis the political aspect. You itself. to meet the just demands of our citizens realize that the Patriarchate finds itself be- Q: As the Head of the Ζion Church, who have lived in this country for centu- tween two ‘Symblegades’ [clashing rocks]. The Church of Nativity of Christ is under ries,” said Arinc. “We will try to meet them Q: How are the Patriarchate’s rela- your spiritual jurisdiction. What message from a legal point of view.” – KED , Jan. 4. tions with the governments of Israel and would You like to convey to Christians Jordan and with the Palestinian Authority? from this holy place? HESE ARE EXCERPTS FROM AN A: With all the governments, especial- A: That people should open their INTERVIEW WITH HIS BEATITUDE ly with Israel and Jordan, our relations are hearts and accept the message of peace and TPATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM THEO - excellent and I mean that. hopefulness which is Christ. PHILOS III BY VALIA NIKOLAIDOU for the Also, with the Palestinian Authority Q: What do you consider is the role of newspaper Eleftheros Typos in December our relations are very good and continuous- the Church today? 2010: ly improving, even though sometimes mi- A: The role of the Church is irreplace- Q: Your Beatitude, almost five years sunderstandings arise between people who able and this is proven by the fact that in have passed since your election to the Pa- are known to have personal, financial or countries where the Church (editor’s note: I triarchal throne. Which do you consider is ideological interests. refer to the Western Churches) has lost its your most important work [deed]? Q: Your relations with the Ecumenical spiritual mission and disposition, people A: Normality in the functioning of the Patriarch? find themselves in a state of confusion and Patriarchate of Jerusalem has returned. A: We are not talking about relations disillusion and, as a result, they turn to reli- Subsequently, the authority and prestige of with The Ecumenical Patriarch; there exists gions which, instead of renewing them spi- the Patriarchate has been restored and now full agreement of views in all matters. ritually and supporting them, complicate the Patriarchate plays a most important role Q: The Patriarchate went through a their lives even more. not only in religious practices but also, bad period due to the events that took place Regarding the Orthodox Church, it is mainly, in political processes because it is with the deposed Patriarch Irenaios. What proven that in countries where it predomi- inseparably connected to the status of Jeru- is going on with his case? nates, people acknowledge its contribution salem. A: We no longer concern ourselves and turn to it irrespective of the flaws, if The Patriarchate plays an important with the case of Irenaios. any, of its leaders and its clerics. role in the abatement of religious fanatic- Q: To what degree can the different Q: Is the world crisis a crisis of val- ism, contributing the most through its ac- religions contribute to the prevalence of ues? tive involvement in various inter-religious peace in world societies? A: It is a moral crisis because the eco- dialogues. A: The religions play a determinative nomic issue is the beginning of everything. Proof of that is the participation of the role. The problem of international diplo- The beginning of everything is the tran- Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the Council of macy and of the politicians as well, is that, scendence from the person of His self… Religious Institutions of the Holy Land they do not possess a thorough and deep Q: Because of the economic crisis which was created with the initiative of the knowledge of the subject of religion and most people feel disappointed, angry. The

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 3. feelings of young people who declare that Catholic Church), Bishop Mindaugas Sabu- iliary Bishop of Vilnius and rector of the they fear for their future are comparable. tis of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cathedral Ar ūnas Poniškaitis, chancellor of What sort of message would you send to Lithuania, and Rev. Adolfas Grušas, chan- the Vilnius Archdiocese Rev. Robertas these people? cellor of the Kaunas Archdiocese were Šalašavicus, Rev. Saulus Rumšas; arch- A: I also see that people feel disap- members of the Presidium. priest Vladimir Seliavko, secretary of the pointed as I receive thousands of pilgrims Taking part in the Conference also Vilnius-Lithuania diocese of the Russian from all over the world on a daily basis. were Archbishop-Metropolitan of Vilnius Orthodox Church, hieromonk Ioann (Guai- This feeling is intensely apparent in their Cardinal Juozas Audrys Ba čkis; Apostolic ta), a staff member of DECR secretariat for faces. Their fear and their despair are justi- to Lithuania Archbishop Luigi Bo- Inter-Christian relations, and hierodeacon fiable since they feel that they are betrayed nazzi; Bishop Gintaras Grušas, secretary Ioann (Kopeikin), assistant to the DECR by everyone. general of the Episcopal Conference and chairman. The message of hope is exactly the military ordinary for Lithuania; Auxiliary They discussed a wide range of ques- message of intervention of God in history, Bishop of Kaunas Jonas Ivanauskas; Bi- tions of cooperation between the Orthodox which is Christmas. It is the face of Christ, shop Jonas Kauneckas of Panev ÷žys; Kau- and the Catholics in Lithuania. – Press Re- Who is never disillusioned and never lets nas Mayor Andrius Kup činskas; rector of lease, Moscow Patriarchate, Jan. 12. believers become disillusioned. Christ is the Kaunas State University Dr. Zigmas the Light of knowledge; the sun of justice. Lideka; deputies of the Seim, Lithuanian N JANUARY 17 TH , 2011, HIS But it all depends on how much someone, intellectuals, students, and clerics of the BEATITUDE JONAH , ARCHBISHOP young or old, is ready to make the transcen- Diocese of Vilnius and Lithuania of the OOF WASHINGTON AND METROPOLI - dence of his/her self. -- Website of the Jeru- . TAN OF ALL AMERICA AND CANADA , salem Patriarchate, Jan. 18. Greetings from Cardinal Ennio Anro- CURRENTLY ON A VISIT TO THE RUSSIAN nelli, President of the Pontifical Council for ORTHODOX CHURCH , visited the Moscow N JANUARY 10 TH , 2011, METRO - the Family, and from Cardinal Kurt Koch, Patriarchate’s Department for External POLITAN HILARION OF VOLOKO - President of the Pontifical Council for Pro- Church Relations (DECR). OLAMSK , HEAD OF THE MOSCOW moting Christian Unity, were read out at the The DECR chairman, Metropolitan PATRIARCHATE ’S DEPARTMENT FOR beginning of the Conference. Hilarion of Volokolamsk, told him about EXTERNAL CHURCH RELATIONS , ARRIVED In his report “To Be or to Have?” Met- the work of the oldest Synodal institution of IN VILNIUS WITH THE BLESSING OF HIS ropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk paid the Russian Orthodox Church and of his HOLINESS PATRIARCH KIRILL OF MOSCOW special attention to the fact that market laws predecessors. AND ALL AND AT THE INVITATION in modern liberal society impudently tram- Discussed were Interconfessional di- OF THE CATHOLIC EPISCOPAL CONFER - ple on moral and family values. alogue and common Orthodox problems. ENCE OF LITHUANIA . The DECR chairman’s report was Attending the meeting were Bishop Meeting the DECR chairman at the followed by prolonged applause. Melchizedek of Pittsburgh and Western airport were Archbishop Sigitas Mayor of Kaunas Andrius Kup činskas Pennsylvania (Orthodox Church in Ameri- Tamkevi čius of Kaunas and Bishop Ginta- reminded the participants of the appearance ca); Bishop Aleksandr of Dmitrov; archi- ras Grušas, secretary general of the Epi- of a young hieromonk Hilarion, rector of mandrite Zaccaeus (Wood), representative scopal Conference and military ordinary for the Annunciation Cathedral, on Kaunas TV of the OCA to the Patriarch of Moscow and Lithuania, as well as archpriest Vladimir in 1991, when he called soldiers not to All Russia; archpriest Nikolai Balashov, Seliavko, secretary of the Vilnius-Lithuania shoot at unarmed people. The Mayor added DECR deputy chairman; and Rev. Igor diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. that the residents remember this act of cou- Yakimchuk, DECR secretary for inter- Accompanying the DECR chairman rage and highly appreciate the now Metro- Orthodox Relations. – Press Release, are hieromonk Ioann (Guaita), a staff mem- politan Hilarion’s present efforts aimed at Moscow Patriarchate, Jan. 17. ber of DECR secretariat for Inter-Christian maintaining Interconfessional peace and relations, and hierodeacon Ioann (Kopei- accord in Lithuania and presented the N JANUARY 19 TH , 2011, AFTER THE kin), assistant to the DECR chairman.— DECR chairman with the Burgomaster DIVINE SERVICE AT THE CATHED - Press Release, Moscow Patriarchate, Jan. Jonas Vileišis Order as an expression of ORAL OF THE EPIPHANY AND FRA - 10. gratitude. TERNAL REPAST , HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevi čius, Bi- KIRILL OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA HAD N JANUARY 11 TH , 2011, METRO - shop Mindaugas Sabutis, and Rev. Prof. A TALK WITH HIS BEATITUDE METROPOLI - POLITAN HILARION OF VOLOKO - Andrius Narbekovas presented reports on TAN JONAH OF ALL AMERICA AND OLAMSK TOOK PART IN AN INTER - family problems in Lithuania at present. – CANADA . CONFESSIONAL CONFERENCE ON FAMILY Press Release, Moscow Patriarchate, Jan. In a warm atmosphere of mutual un- PROBLEMS . The Conference, sponsored by 11. derstanding and trust, they discussed the the Catholic Episcopal Conference of Li- relationship between the two Churches and thuania and the Moscow Patriarchate’s N JANUARY 10 TH , 2011, METRO - the situation of Orthodoxy on the American Department for External Church Relations, POLITAN HILARION OF VOLOKO - continent. took place at the conference hall of the OLAMSK VISITED THE CATHOLIC The Primates were joined in the meet- Catholic Archdiocese of Kaunas. ARCHBISHOPRIC OF VILNIUS AND MET ing by Metropolitan Hilarion of Voloko- Over 300 participants attended the WITH ARCHBISHOP -METROPOLITAN lamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriar- Conference, while over 50,000 heard it CARDINAL AUDRYS JUOZAS BAČKIS after chate’s Department for External Church broadcast live on Radio Maria. visiting the Cathedral Basilica of St. Stanis- Relations (DECR); archpriest Nikolai Ba- Metropolitan Hilarion, Archbishop laus. lashov, DECR deputy chairman; Rev. Igor Sigitas Tamkevi čius of Kaunas (Roman Taking part in the meeting were Aux- Yakimchuk, DECR secretary for inter-

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 4. Orthodox Relations; Bishop Melchizedek May the Lord bless your ministry of the religious freedom in the world and annually of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania of the Church of Cyprus and spiri- inform the EU bodies and general public on (OCA); and archimandrite Zaccaeus tual leader of the Cypriots. the cases of infringing freedom of con- (Wood), representative of the OCA to the “Also, I would like you to have this science by authorities or public forces in Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. – holy panagia as a keepsake of our concele- various countries. Press Release, Moscow Patriarchate, Jan. bration. As you wear it, recall today’s di- A direct occasion for the resolution 19. vine service and our fraternal contacts and was a terrorist attack against worshipers in remember that you have true friends, broth- a Coptic church in Alexandria on 1 January N 22 JANUARY , 2011, THE COM - ers and sisters in Holy Russia who share 2011, killing 21 and leaving 97 wounded. MEMORATION DAY OF ST. PHILIP , your sorrows and are willing to pray for A week later, Ministers of Foreign Affairs OMETROPOLITAN OF MOSCOW , HIS reconciliation on the blessed land of Cy- of France, , Hungary, and Poland sent a HOLINESS PATRIARCH KIRILL OF MOSCOW prus.” letter to Catherine Ashton, High Represent- AND ALL RUSSIA AND HIS BEATITUDE His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysosto- ative of the European Union for Foreign ARCHBISHOP CHRYSOSTOMOS II OF NEW mos thanked His Holiness Patriarch Kirill Affairs and Security Policy, and demanded JUSTINIANA AND ALL CYPRUS celebrated for brotherly concelebration and noted the a reaction of the European community. the at the Patriarchal Cathe- importance of fraternal relations between The EP resolution is a revolutionary dral of the Assumption in the Moscow the people of Russia and Cyprus. He pre- one due to several things. It is the first time Kremlin. sented Patriarch Kirill with an icon of St. that the European parliamentarians stated in After the divine service His Holiness Barnabas, the founder of the Church of full voice their opinion on the problem they Patriarch Kirill, His Beatitude Archbishop Cyprus, and a silver tray with a picture of have preferred to keep silent about so far. Chrysostomos, and the concelebrating hie- Cyprus. Thus, a major political body of the Euro- rarchs venerated the relics of St. Philip. The Primate of the Russian Orthodox pean Union has recognized the persecution His Holiness Patriarch Kirill delivered Church congratulated the IFUOCN prize- of Christians in the world. Earlier only cer- a sermon in which he told the worshippers winners, greeted members of the Moscow tain politicians have confined themselves to about St. Philip’s life and heroic deeds and Diocesan Council, and blessed banners, talks about certain violations of the rights of greeted Archbishop Chrysostomos, saying: ensigns and standards of the Cossack socie- Christians in a particular country. Now they “Your Beatitude, I am happy to have ties registered in the Russian Federation. – are talking openly of the strategy of some celebrated with you at the main church of Press Release, Moscow Patriarchate, Jan. terrorist organizations and fundamentalist Holy Russia on this day. By God’s will you 22. movements aimed at the destruction or are the Primate of the Orthodox Church of ousting of Christians living in the Moslem Cyprus and spiritual leader of your nation at N 20 JANUARY 2011, THE EURO - countries as “the fifth column” of the West. a difficult time. Your homeland is divided. PEAN PARLIAMENT TOOK AN Besides, close attention was paid for We know that Orthodox churches have OUNPRECEDENTED STEP BY ADOP - the first time to the work of people gather- been destroyed in the northern part of the TING A RESOLUTION ON THE SITUATION OF ing objective information about persecution island, and Orthodox priests cannot cele- CHRISTIANS IN THE CONTEXT OF FREEDOM of Christians in the world. For instance, it brate even in these half-ruined churches. OF RELIGION . This is the first time that a was for the first time that information con- We know that you really care for your major political body of the European Union tained in the annual report prepared by a people and love the residents of Cyprus, be recognized that Christians are persecuted. non-governmental organization, “Kirche- they Orthodox or Muslims, that you seek The chairman of the Moscow Patriar- in-Not,” was made public officially. Ac- the unity of your country so that all people chate’s Department for External Church cording to it, there were seventy-five Chris- could live in peace and love. Relations made the following comments: tians out of each one hundred killed as a “The upholding of this seemingly sim- On 19 and 20 January 2011, the Euro- result of religious intolerance in recent ple truth needs courage. May the example pean Parliament discussed many cases of years. This statistic is stunning. of St. Philip help you in your difficult min- violence against Christians in different The European Parliament addressed istry to the Church and people of Cyprus. parts of the world. In the evening of January the EU bodies and proposed concrete me- “St. Sergius of Radonezh, a great zea- 19, the EP members lit candles to comme- thods of influencing the situation. The prin- lot and spiritual authority of our people, morate Christian victims of the recent ter- ciple is simple: money and business in ex- founded the monastery and dedicated it to rorist attacks. On January 20, resolution on change for the observance of human rights. the Life-Giving Trinity at a time when the situation of Christians in the context of Economic agreements between the EU feudal Russia was divided from within and freedom of religion was adopted. It con- countries and the states with the recorded therefore seized by enemies. St. Sergius demns killing or discrimination of Chris- violation of religious freedom of Christians served the unity of our country as no one tians in various countries, particularly in and other religious minorities should be else. It is not fortuitous that he called his Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and the concluded only when the situation of minor- first monastery the Monastery of the Holy Philipines. The EP deputies made public ity religious groups has improved. Trinity, as the Holy Trinity is an image of the information showing atrocious persecu- It is necessary today, as never before, unity and love. tion of Christians in these countries. The for the European countries to stand up for “Your also seek to unite your nation. resolution addressed to their governments the rights of Christians persecuted for their May the Holy Life-Giving Trinity, the im- and leaders was adopted by the majority. faith in various corners of the globe. Repre- age of Divine love and Divine unity help Representatives of all political parties sentatives of the authorities and public you in your labors. As a sign of my respect present in the EP voted in the affirmative. movements should resolutely condemn for your ministry and my love for you as to The deputies expressed their wish to violence against Christians and insist on the a brother, I would like to present you with set up a permanent body at the Union for necessity of putting pressure upon those an icon of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity. Foreign Affairs to monitor the situation of countries where the rights of religious mi-

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 5. norities are violated. are the main ones for cooperation between shop Mennini for his sincere love for the We are witnessing cases of not only the Russian Church and inter-Christian Orthodox Church and fruitful cooperation gross violence against Christians, but also organizations. – Press Release, Moscow crowned with the opening of diplomatic of their physical destruction. The blood of Patriarchate, Jan. 24. relations between the Russian Federation Christians is again being poured on the land and the Holy See. The DECR chairman of Biblical history, the site of glorious he- N 25 JANUARY 2011, METROPOLI - wished the Nuncio no less impressive suc- roic deeds of the martyrs and confessors of TAN HILARION OF VOLOKOLAMSK , cess in his new ministry as Apostolic Nun- the Church. The 2nd-century Christian OHEAD OF THE MOSCOW PATRIAR - cio in Great Britain and expressed hope for writer Tertullian wrote that “the blood of CHATE’S DEPARTMENT FOR EXTERNAL further cooperation between the Russian martyrs is the seed of .” The CHURCH RELATIONS (DECR), MET WITH Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic nature of Christian faith is such that any THE NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR Church in upholding traditional Christian violence against conscience or religious EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY values on the European continent. feeling of a Christian does not harm the OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC TO THE RUSSIAN Metropolitan Hilarion presented the faith, but makes it even stronger. However, FEDERATION , H.E. Antonio Landi. They guest with a pectoral cross. this does not mean that we could look calm- were joined in the meeting that took place Taking part in the meeting were Rev. ly at lawlessness perpetrated against Chris- at the DECR premises by Rev. Sergiy Zvo- Dimitry Sizonenko, acting DECR secretary tians. Any case should be thoroughly inves- narev, secretary for far abroad countries, for Inter-Christian relations; and deacon tigated, publicly discussed, and leaders of deacon Aleksiy Dikarev, a DECR staff Aleksiy Dikarev, a staff member of the traditional religions should pay attention to member for Inter-Christian relations; and same secretariat. – Press Release, Moscow it. M. Palacio, a staff member of the DECR Patriarchate, Jan. 25. Christian communities around the secretariat for far abroad countries. world, and also Muslims, Jews, and repre- The Italian Ambassador thanked Met- N 26 JANUARY 2011, THE PRIMATE sentatives of other traditional religions do ropolitan Hilarion for receiving him and OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX not remain indifferent to the recent acts of recalled their meeting in Rome last year OCHURCH MET WITH THE APOS - violence. It is a paradox that news of the during the DECR chairman’s visit to Italy. TOLIC NUNCIO TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERA - oppression of Christians come sometimes Metropolitan Hilarion and Ambassa- TION , ARCHBISHOP ANTONIO MENNINI , from those regions of the world where rep- dor Landi discussed problems of upholding who completes his ministry in Russia. resentatives of different religions have traditional Christian values in Europe. The Taking part in the meeting that was peacefully coexisted for centuries, and any Italian Ambassador expressed his concern held at the Patriarch’s working residence in manifestation of Christianphobia, Islamo- over the ruling of the European Court of Chisty side street were Metropolitan Hila- phobia and anti-Semitism have always been Human Rights against the use of crucifixes rion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Mos- implicitly denounced by the leaders of tra- in classrooms in Italy. Metropolitan Hila- cow Patriarchate’s Department for External ditional religious communities. rion reminded him that Russia intervened Church Relations, and Archbishop Mark of Much attention is paid in the EP Reso- as a third party when the case was referred Yegorievsk, head of the Moscow Patriar- lution to the necessity of observing reli- to the Grand Chamber. chate’s Management for Institutions gious freedom enshrined in fundamental Also discussed were prospects of co- Abroad. The Apostolic Nuncio was accom- international and European documents. operation between the DECR and the Ital- panied by the first secretary of the Holy See Also, monitoring instruments are proposed. ian diplomatic mission in Moscow, for in- Representation in the Russian Federation, However, these important and timely ap- stance, in arranging cultural events. Mgr Visvaldas Kulbokas. peals would bring the sought-for results At the end of the meeting, Metropoli- His Holiness Patriarch Kirill greeted only in case they are followed by setting up tan Hilarion and Ambassador Landi ex- the guests, saying: “I would like to thank an effective and regular mechanism of di- changed presents. – Press Release, Mos- you for your work as representative of the alogue between religious communities and cow Patriarchate, Jan. 25. Holy See in Moscow and acknowledge your the national and international structures. personal contribution to the solution of The European Parliament urged all EU N 25 JANUARY 2011, METROPOLI - difficult problems in the relations between institutions to maintain dialogue in com- TAN HILARION OF VOLOKOLAMSK , our Churches. These problems, by God’s pliance with Art. 17 of the Treaty on the OCHAIRMAN OF THE DECR, MET mercy, are finding positive solutions, thus Functioning of the European Union. Yet WITH THE APOSTOLIC NUNCIO TO THE changing the climate of bilateral relations one should remember that monitoring of RUSSIAN FEDERATION , ARCHBISHOP for the better. To a large extent, this is your religious freedom in Europe and in the ANTONIO MENNINI . service as a plenipotentiary representative world should be supplemented by and con- The Apostolic Nuncio thanked Metro- of the Holy See.” nected with a dialogue between internation- politan Hilarion for good cooperation be- His Holiness mentioned that prior to al structures and religious communities. tween the DECR and the Representation of the meeting he celebrated a litiya for the In recent decades, the Russian Church the Holy See. Thanks to that, relations be- victims of the terrorist act committed on has focused its attention on the setting up of tween the Russian Orthodox Church and January 23. Requiem services were held in such a mechanism. To promote this idea, the structures of the Roman Catholic all churches of the capital city with the Pa- representations of the Moscow Patriarchate Church in Russia have improved. Archbi- triarch’s blessing. have been established at the major interna- shop Mennini also said that during his time Archbishop Mennini expressed his tional organizations in New York, Geneva, in Moscow he has come to like the Russian condolences over innocent people’s death Brussels, and Strasbourg. The protection of Church, its people and traditions. He also at the hand of terrorists. the Christian heritage and the rights of noted a special part the Church is playing in Addressing His Holiness the Patriarch, Christians are priority issues in the work of the life of Russia at present. he said: “I am very grateful to you, Your our church structures. The same subjects Metropolitan Hilarion thanked Archbi- Holiness. I have been happy to work for the

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 6. good of our Churches. This work would non-Orthodox uncanonical and illegal prac- HE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRIS - have been much more difficult without your tice concerning the celebration of the two TIAN UNITY BEGAN TONIGHT AT support, friendly relations, and Christian Holy Sacraments, the issue of the mixed TTHE PATRIARCHAL CATHEDRAL OF love. I will never forget you and the Rus- families from inter-confessional or inter- BUCHAREST . Vespers were celebrated by sian Church, but shall cherish my love for religious point of view etc.). The professors His Grace Ciprian Câmpineanul, Assistant it.” Archbishop Mennini emphasized his of the institutions of Orthodox theological Bishop to the Patriarch. His Beatitude Da- willingness to contribute to common wit- education will draft studies, comments, niel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox ness about Christian values before the bibliographies with Scriptural, historical, Church and the representatives of the world. – Press Release, Moscow Patriar- dogmatic, liturgical, homiletic-catechetic, Christian Churches in Bucharest attended chate, Jan. 26. pastoral-social content on the two Holy the religious service – informs Trinitas Sacraments, on the role of the Christian Radio station. ODAY , JANUARY 23, OUR HOLY family from a religious, spiritual, cultural His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said in CHURCH PRAYERFULLY MARKS and social point of view and on the defense his sermon that fidelity and perseverance TFIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ELEC - of the sacred family institution when faced can overcome any disappointment and neg- TION AND THE ENTHRONEMENT OF HIS with the challenges of the secularized con- lect that may affect the unity efforts of HOLINESS IRINEJ , SERBIAN PATRIARCH . temporary context. Special attention will be Christians. “We meet again with this desire In the Cathedral church of St. Michael paid to the two Holy Sacraments in Ortho- of faithfulness towards the ideal that be- the Archangel in Belgrade Serbian Pa- dox catechesis, in the Religion class and comes for us a duty to work for Christian triarch Irinej served the Divine Liturgy with catechetic program entitled “Christ Shared unity too. When God sends us His Spirit the concelebration of Vicar Bishop Atana- with the Children” of the Romanian Pa- and we are prepared to receive Him, He sije of Hvosno and protopresbyter- triarchate. gives us unexpected inspiration to work staurophor Petar Lukic, the head of the The theme 2011 – Homage Year of together, in order to recognize each other Cathedral Church, Dr Dragana Protica, Holy Baptism and Holy Matrimony in the and to show fraternity among us. Some- dean of the Seminary in Belgrade, Stojadin Romanian Patriarchate will be treated with- times God urges us to come together Pavlovic, director of OHB SOC, hierarchal in the church national program at the seme- through joys, through unexpected unde- deputies Branko Mitrovic, Dragomir Ubi- ster pastoral-missionary Conference in the served gifts, and some other times through parovic and Branko Topalovic, protopres- spring of 2011, which will be detailed at difficult situations, which we do not expect. byter Vitaly Tarasjev, the head of the Pod- the semester pastoral-missionary Confe- For example, there are lots of Christians in vorye of the Russian Church in Bel- rence in the autumn of 2011 or at one of the the world now who suffer just because they grade,presbyter Panayotis Karatasios, priest monthly administrative priestly conferences are Christians, who are persecuted and sa- of the Greek Orthodox Church, presbyters that every eparchy will establish. crifice their lives just because they confess Slavisa Popovic and Nebojsa Topolic, sec- In the autumn of 2011, a solemn meet- they are Christians. Greater Christian sensi- retary of the Office of Serbian Patriarch,as ing of the Holy Synod will be held at the tivity and manifestation of fraternity and well as protodeacon Radomir Percevic, Patriarchal Palace with the theme 2011 – solidarity with them are also part of prayer Stevan Rapajic and deacon Aleksandar Homage Year of Holy Baptism and Holy for unity, unity in suffering, not only unity Sekulic. Matrimony in the Romanian Patriarchate. in joy, in achievements and success.” After the Divine Liturgy there was a On this occasion, a thematic exhibition will According to the program established, reception in the Serbian Patriarchate for all be organized displaying the most beautiful the homily of this evening was preached by priests that served, invitees and guests and representative frescoes, icons, minia- the representative of the Greek Catholic among which there were also members of tures, embroideries and fabrics, mosaics Church, His Grace Mihai Fr ăŃ il ă, Greek the family of the Serbian tennis player No- and stained glass reflecting Baptism and the Catholic Bishop of Bucharest, auxiliary of vak Djokovic and basketball player Dejan Christian family in Orthodox church art. Alba Iulia and F ăgăra , who said that firm- Tomasevic. – Press Release, Serbian Pa- The manifestations organized during ness in faith is a pre-condition for achieving triarchate, Jan. 23. the Homage Year of Holy Baptism and Christian unity. “We do not know when Holy Matrimony in the Romanian Patriar- Christian unity will be established once N THE INITIATIVE OF HIS BEATI - chate will be sustained and publicized at again. We may catch a glimpse of it, but TUDE PATRIARCH DANIEL , THE large by the Basilica Press Centre of the nobody knows how it can become a reality. OHOLY SYNOD OF THE ROMANIAN Romanian Patriarchate (Trinitas Radio, If this scenario belongs exclusively to Hea- ORTHODOX CHURCH APPROVED IN THE Trinitas Television, Lumina publications, ven, God asks us, while waiting for His gift, WORKING SESSION OF 6 JULY 2010 THAT Basilica News Agency, Press Office), that every one of us be firm in the simple THE YEAR 2011 BE DECLARED HOMAGE church eparchial mass-media as well as by duty to do good, act justly and pray conti- YEAR OF HOLY BAPTISM AND OF HOLY the secular press. nually.” – Press Release, Romanian Pa- MATRIMONY IN THE ROMANIAN PATRIAR - In 2011, the site of the Romanian Pa- triarchate, Jan. 18. CHATE . triarchate (www.patriarhia.ro) will have a In 2011, the Romanian Patriarchate special section which will present the ca- ODAY , 19 JANUARY 2011, HIS and the eparchies in the country and abroad lendar of the events, information, news, BEATITUDE DANIEL , PATRIARCH OF will organize pastoral-missionary confe- documentaries and activity unfolded during TTHE ROMANIAN ORTHODOX rences, theological colloquies, debates and the Homage Year of Holy Baptism and CHURCH RECEIVED , AT THE PATRIARCHAL spiritual evenings on the Sacraments of Holy Matrimony in the Romanian Patriar- RESIDENCE , THE VISIT OF HIS Holy Baptism and Holy Matrimony (histor- chate. – Press Release, Romanian Patriar- MR. BAHADOR AMINIAN JAZI , AMBASSA - ical presentation, theological existential chate, Jan. 6. DOR OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN IN significance, preparation for their reception, BUCHAREST . pastoral activity for the Christian family, The Ambassador thanked the Patriarch

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 7. for receiving him and gave a short presen- many afflictions that marked the last period OFIA 'S COURT OF APPEAL DECIDED tation of social life in Iran, underlining the of his life. The body of the one who was ON TUESDAY NOT TO HAND OVER importance of the inter-cultural and inter- Archbishop of Vad, Feleac and Cluj and STHE SERBIAN ORTHODOX PRIEST religious dialogue between various com- Metropolitan of Cluj, Alba, Crisana and JOVAN VRANISOVSKI TO MACEDONIA . munities of cultures and religions. In this Maramures for 18 years will lie in the Met- Vranisovski was arrested in context, Mr. Bahador Aminian Jazi consi- ropolitan Cathedral of Cluj-Napoca, where on November 17, 2010, on the basis of an dered that any extremist manifestation reli- all those who wish can do homage to him international police order. giously motivated seriously affects the one last time. The detainee's 40-day term of arrest peace and good understanding among The day of burial, in the hierarchs’ expired on December 28, 2010. He has an peoples and nations. crypt under the altar of the Metropolitan active 2.5-year sentence in Macedonia, for His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel congra- Cathedral will be announced later on. embezzlement of church funds estimated at tulated the new ambassador of Iran in Bu- In these days of mourning, the hie- EUR 250 000, which is why he left the charest at the beginning of his diplomatic rarchs, clergy and faithful of our Church country. The abuse allegedly took place in mission and mentioned the permanent con- will lift up prayers for divine mercy and the the period 1998-2002. cern of the Romanian Patriarchate for sus- joy of the noble soul of our Father and Met- According to Vranisovski's defenders, taining interreligious and intercultural di- ropolitan Archbishop Bartholomew and for the above mentioned sum was the Macedo- alogue at the national and international le- his eternal rest in the kingdom of God with nian Orthodox Church's whole budget for vels. In this sense, the Patriarch of Romania His elect. this period, which, they state, makes the said that the religions of the world must co- May God rest him in peace and may claim impossible. operate in order to promote authentic spiri- the Holy Spirit comfort all those who Vranisovski himself has claimed that tual values in the contemporary world for mourn him!' – Press Release, Romanian the sentence against him has political defending the dignity of the person and life, Patriarchate, Jan. 31. grounds. as gift of God. His Beatitude Patriarch Da- Formerly, Jovan Vranisovski acted as a niel emphasized the important role of the ONIGHT , HIS BEATITUDE PATRI - priest in Macedonia, but presented himself Trinitas Radio and Television stations, as ARCH DANIEL ADDRESSED THE as the Exarch of the Serbian Orthodox well as of Lumina publication, as missio- TINHABITANTS OF CLUJ CITY THE Church in that country. nary and media means of the Romanian FOLLOWING MESSAGE THROUGH RENAS - The problem is that the Macedonian Patriarchate for informing, promoting and TEREA RADIO MESSAGE : Orthodox Church split from the Serbian in educating people in accordance with the “Tonight I learned, with great sadness, 1967 and is not recognized by it as a sepa- religious traditional values. His Beatitude of the passing away of His Eminence Met- rate ecclesiastical entity. mentioned that the Romanian Patriarchate ropolitan Bartolomeu of Cluj, Alba, Crisana The Serbian Orthodox Church regards proclaimed the year 2011 as the year of the and Maramures. We think this is a great the self-proclaimed Macedonian Church as theological, pastoral and social reflection loss for our Church and for Romanian spiri- schismatic and sees its territory as falling on the sacred institution of family, of dee- tuality, because His Eminence Metropolitan under its Ohrid Archbishopric. pening and studying the dangers of today’s Bartolomeu was a defender of the Orthodox This is why Jovan Vranisovski's activi- secularized world. faith and a promoter of Romanian spiri- ties were seen as encroaching on Macedo- During the meeting, also appreciated tuality. He joined together faith and culture nia, especially since the Ohrid Archbisho- was the importance of the intensification of in fruitful harmony. He showed the expe- pric is not a registered religious entity in the the inter-cultural and inter-religious rela- rience of the life in the country and abroad. country. – Sofia News Agency , Jan. 4. tions between the two peoples for better He had a very pronounced missionary spirit knowledge of one another. – Press Release, and a special dynamism. He has always HE GEORGIAN PATRIARCHATE Moscow Patriarchate, Jan. 19. found, in spite of his advanced age, new ISSUED THIS STATEMENT ON JANU - methods of pastoral service and could adapt TARY 18: T 7:25 THIS EVENING , HIS EMI - himself to the evolution of society so that As it has been reported, there is con- NENCE METROPOLITAN BARTOLO - the Church should be recognized and res- tinued negotiation on rehabilitation of AMEU ANANIA PASSED AWAY . A pected through her decisions, but especially Georgian churches in and mosques press release of the Press Office of the through her activity. I refer here especially in between government authorities Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj in- to the modern means of mass communica- of Georgia and Turkey. There is being dis- forms us: tion used to spread the word of God. Cer- cussed the restoration of four Georgian 'It is with much regret and sorrow in tainly, we think he will be in the Kingdom churches in Turkey and four Turkish mos- our souls, as well as with the hope in the of Heaven in the company of the saints, the ques and a bath in Georgia. mercy and comfort coming from God, that authors of Holy Scripture and of the Holy According to the Georgian legislation the Eparchial Council of the Archdiocese of Apostles because he worked with much (the Constitutional Agreement), the church Vad, Feleac and Cluj announces that on 31 effort on the translation and explanation of is a legal person subject to the public law. January 2011, 19.25 hours, our father, Holy Scripture. We express our condo- The church owns Georgian Orthodox Archbishop and Metropolitan Bartolomeu lences to the entire Archdiocese of Vad, churches and monasteries. The state takes Anania began his journey to the Kingdom Feleac and Cluj and to all the Metropolitan responsibility to conduct negotiations on of Heaven. The death took place at the In- See of Cluj, Alba, Crisana and Maramures. preservation of Georgian churches abroad. tensive Therapy Section of the Surgery May God rest him with the righteous!” – Therefore, the list of churches and Clinic I of Cluj-Napoca. Surrounded by Press Release, Romanian Patriarchate, Jan. negotiation terms submitted to Turkey physicians, friends, disciples and close col- 31. should have been agreed to by the laborators, the body of His Eminence Bar- churches’ owner, the Georgian Patriar- tolomeu could no longer fight against the chate. But there was no such agreement,

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 8. which is totally incomprehensible to us. payment. for our country and I believe the love of Let us initially note that such valuable The relic comes from the church of St God will grant us a beautiful and free coun- monuments as , , Otkhta, Charalambos in the occupied village of Neo try.” and others could have been res- Chorio Kithrea. In the application the Church leader tored and preserved by UNESCO, and Boy George bought it from a London complained that because of the Turkish proper actions could have been taken be- art dealer in 1985, unaware it came from invasion of 1974, the Church and its pari- fore. It would have been better to have ne- occupied Cyprus. shioners had to leave behind property and gotiated for other churches in Turkey. The icon was returned during a cere- flee places of worship which they could not We do not know why the abovemen- mony held at the St. Anargyre Greek Or- subsequently access. tioned way was not utilized. Regarding the thodox Church in London. Boy George was On top of that, since 1974, many prop- current situation, let us specify two issues not left empty-handed, however; as a token erties had been destroyed, vandalized, out of other problematic ones: of its appreciation, the Church of Cyprus looted or stripped of their religious function a) We have declared before and dec- presented him with a modern-day religious and are now used as Muslim religious sites, lare it again that we consider Turkey as a painting of Jesus. museums, bars, clubs and barns. Religious partner state of Georgia with which we The 300-year-old icon is currently artifacts have been destroyed or sold, the have good neighborly relations. Thus, an being stored at the Church’s offices in application said. obvious question arises: considering the Brussels. The ECHR ruled the application inad- fact that nowadays dozens of new mosques Asked to comment yesterday, Archbi- missible, pointing out that the Church and jamis are open in Georgia, why is it not shop Chrysostomos expressed satisfaction should apply to the compensation commis- possible to open two or three Georgian for Boy George’s gesture. sion in the north as per a March 2010 deci- monasteries in our friendly neighbor? And “Although I do not know him perso- sion on a similar case. why does Turkey treat this like a barter nally, his act has moved us…from the mo- The court also said it had no jurisdic- exchange? ment he found out that the icon was stolen, tion to consider the complaints regarding b) Let us note that like some mosques I think he did well to return it. vandalism and theft as these acts occurred that are a priority for Turkey, we consider it “We thank him, and if at any time he before 1987, when Turkey ratified the Con- vital to restore what remains of the Arda- wishes to visit Cyprus we would be glad to vention. – Cyprus Mail , Jan. 28. sheni Church in the district mostly inha- host him,” added Chrysostomos. – Cyprus bited by the Lazians in the Black Sea shore Mail , Jan. 21. HE RELIGIOUS FEAST OF THE town Ardasheni; we also consider it essen- EPIPHANY -- THE TWELFTH DAY tial to move the mosque out of the ancient HE ARCHBISHOP OF CYPRUS YES - TAFTER CHRISTMAS -- WAS CELE - Khakhuli Church and open it for visitors. TERDAY LIKENED THE EUROPEAN BRATED THROUGHOUT GREECE ON Therefore, the Georgian Patriarchate TCOURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS (ECHR) THURSDAY WITH THE TRADITIONAL considers it a priority to restore Ardasheni TO A POLITICAL COURT AFTER THE STRAS - "B LESSING OF THE WATERS " Orthodox and Khakhuli churches. As for the rest of BOURG -BASED INSTITUTION REJECTED HIS Church rite in ports, rivers, lakes, reser- the churches, the list can be agreed upon by APPLICATION AGAINST TURKEY , on behalf voirs and fountains in front of cathedrals. proper government authorities and the Pa- of the Church and its parishioners, over The ritual commemorates Christ's baptism triarchate. violations of their right to enjoy property, in the River Jordan, termed the Epiphany And finally, the ownership of the res- and holding religious services. by St. John Chryssostom (from the Greek tored mosques in Georgia and restored The ECHR ruled that in accordance word for 'manifestation', 'epifaniea'). churches in Turkey should be immediately with a previous ruling, Chrysostomos In , the ceremony was held at clarified. We hereby express our hope that should apply first to the property commis- the Kolonaki reservoir, attended by new the abovementioned notes will be accepta- sion set up by Turkey in the breakaway Athens mayor George Kaminis and MPs ble to all the parties and that they will put north -- considered by the ECHR as Anka- from various parties, and government vice- our relations on a constructive path. – ra's subordinate administration. president representing the government. The Press Release, Georgian Patriarchate, Jan. The prelate rejected the suggestion. ceremony in Thessaloniki, officiated by 18. “We do not recognize such commis- Metropolitan Anthimos, was attended by sions and we will not appeal,” he told re- the new mayor Yiannis Boutaris and politi- HE 18 TH CENTURY IMAGE OF JESUS , porters. “Certainly we will not go.” cal party representatives, with the govern- PURCHASED BY POP STAR BOY Chrysostomos said the ruling on the ment represented by national defence mi- TGEORGE IN THE 1980 S, IS SAFELY IN 2009 application had been expected. nister Evangelos Venizelos. THE HANDS OF THE CHURCH OF CYPRUS “Unfortunately the Court looks more In Piraeus, Archbishop Ieronymos of and will soon make the journey back home. like a political court than a court that dis- Athens and All Greece officiated at the The icon was spotted by the Church’s penses justice,” Chrysostomos said. ceremony in the country's largest port. The representative in Brussels, Bishop Porfyrios He said the case was clear-cut but the government was represented by Maritime of Neapolis, while watching an interview “Earth’s powerful do not want to do justice. Affairs, Islands and Fishing minister Yian- on Dutch television with the former singer. While in other instances they go to war nis Diamantidis, and was also attended by Having decided to investigate further, over human rights, for us, it is like we are main opposition New Democracy (ND) Porfyrios subsequently verified the icon second class citizens in this world.” leader Antonis Samaras, Popular Orthodox was one of several stolen and sold in the He added: “We do not have human Rally (LA.OS) party leader George Karat- north after the 1974 invasion. The cleric rights, we do not have human freedoms, we zaferis, numerous officials, and political next contacted Boy George and told him do not have religious freedoms.” party MPs. about the icon’s provenance, and the singer The Archbishop said he would not Epiphany, the coming of the light, returned it to its original owners without yield and “in spite of all of this we will fight means that the darkness leaves and optim-

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 9. ism comes, Samaras said, adding that this Doukas, former Agriculture Minister Evan- The dinner, held on 22 January, cele- was his wish for the Greek people in these gelos Basiakos and his deputy Alexandros brated the founding of the Assyrian Nation- difficult hours, and chiefly for the country. Kontos should not be brought to trial. All al Council, which was established accord- Karatzaferis wished that the blessing of three have been accused of breach of faith ing to the recommendations of His Holiness the waters of the Aegean will reach all the while holding a public post, although they in 1985. way to Erzurum (in Turkey, where Prime deny the charges. The ex-ministers argue His Holiness, accompanied by a num- Minister George Papandreou will attend a that they were simply following the recom- ber of priests and deacons, arrived at the conference of Turkish ambassadors by spe- mendations of various public servants and Council’s headquarters where he was cial invitation on Friday), and that the state bodies that gave the green light to the greeted with applause and received by Greeks will not find themselves presented exchange of public property for land be- members. with faits accomplis in the Aegean. longing to the Vatopedi Monastery on Also among the guests was His Grace Diamantidis, in turn said that the bapt- Mount Athos. It is alleged that the state lost Mar Nursai Thomas, Archbishop of Kirkuk ism of Christ and manifestation of the Holy tens of millions of euros in the deal because for the Ancient , and a Trinity was being celebrated, and the world the real estate it traded had a higher value. number of priests. was brought into the light, and sent the However, several evaluations by property Following His Holiness’ entrance, both message that "with a plan, with enlighten- experts have yet to confirm this. the Assyrian national anthem and the na- ment, vision and optimism, we are moving According to sources, Andreiotelis is tional anthem of the USA were played. forward strongly.” – ANA , Jan. 7. set to recommend to judges that the statute Assyrian poet and master of ceremonies, of limitations does not mean other civil Ninos Nirari, gave a welcome speech for HE CHURCH OF GREECE HAS servants implicated in the case are immune distinguished guests including: WARNED ITS BISHOPS TO AVOID from prosecution. His Grace Mar Nursai Thomas, Arch- TUSING DIVISIVE LANGUAGE ABOUT The judicial council, convened after deacon Shlemon Hasqiel, Archdeacon Aoi- OTHER RELIGIONS AND TO BACK UP THEIR Parliament voted to refer the case following qam Bithyo, Chor-Bishop Othanases Jo- CLAIMS WITH FACTS FOLLOWING COM - a probe by MPs, is due to issue its verdict seph, Chor-Bishop Kewarkis Thomas, Re- MENTS by Bishop Seraphim of Piraeus that in less than a month. If it follows the prose- verend Antoine Agen, Reverend Alfred drew criticism from Jewish and Muslim cutor’s recommendation, as is likely, then it (Evangelical Church), Reverend Khoshaba groups as well as the government. The Holy would bring to an end almost three years of Bouza, Reverend William Thomas, Reve- Synod discussed Seraphim’s comments, speculation about whether any PASOK or rend Paul Benjamin, and Reverend Charbel which included labeling Islam as a “false New Democracy politicians would be (Church Syriac Orthodox). religion” and claiming that Adolf Hitler was found guilty of wrongdoing. More than 57 national institutions, “an instrument of world Zionism,” on However, ND sources said that such a political and civil organizations were ac- Wednesday before issuing its statement. verdict would lead to the conservatives knowledged for their participation. “The Holy Synod condemns any form of attacking PASOK for forcing the judiciary His Holiness inaugurated the dinner racial or religious discrimination,” it said. to make the final ruling when the constitu- with a prayer, while His Beatitude Mar “In the Church of Greece, every bishop has tion makes it clear that three ministers Nursai Thomas led a prayer after dinner. the right to express his views but must also could not face prosecution. The conserva- The Chairman of the Assyrian National bear the burden of proving them.” – KED , tives believe that Parliament, therefore, Council, Mr Sheba Mando, thanked His Jan. 14. should not have referred the case to the Holiness for his paternal care and values, judges. – KED , Jan. 15. without which the Council would not be HREE FORMER MINISTERS IN PRE - established. VIOUS NEW DEMOCRACY GOVERN - HE CHURCH OF GREECE SAID Mr Mando highlighted the efforts by TMENTS LOOK SET TO AVOID PRO - YESTERDAY THAT IT HAD DECIDED His Holiness to unite all ranks of the Assy- SECUTION OVER THEIR ALLEGED ROLE IN TTO TEMPER ITS REQUEST FOR THE rian people by picking the fruit that is THE VATOPEDI MONASTERY LAND -SWAP HIRING OF NEW PRIESTS TO REMAIN WITHIN shared by all parties, organizations and SCANDAL according to a recommendation THE SPIRIT OF THE CUTBACKS THAT THE churches united under the banner of the one to the Supreme Court that looks set to bring GOVERNMENT AND THE GREEK PEOPLE Assyrian nation. an end to the long-running speculation over HAVE TO MAKE as a result of the economic His Holiness addressed attendees, re- the affair. crisis. Following a meeting of the Holy counting the establishment of the Assyrian Sources told Kathimerini yesterday Synod, it was decided that the Church National Council: that Supreme Court deputy prosecutor Mil- would only seek to hire 300 priests. Ac- “In one of our visits to this country in tiadis Andreiotelis is to recommend to a cording to its spokesman, Bishop Doro- 1981, we met one of the state officials who special council of judges ruling on whether theos of Syros, the church has some 800 had accompanied Mr Jean-Greece, where the ministers should face action that the spaces to fill. – KED , Jan. 18. he told us that government assistance is politicians cannot be tried because of the available for every new arrival in this coun- statute of limitations that applies to any The Assyrian Church of the East try. Since we honestly to not know of any offenses they have committed. Assyrian institution involved in this work, The Greek Constitution stipulates that HE ASSYRIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL we had the idea of founding the Assyrian current or ex-ministers cannot be prosecut- IN ILLINOIS , USA HAS HELD A National Council in the state of Illinois, ed if more than two parliaments have sat TDINNER IN HONOR OF HIS HOLINESS which includes in its membership all Assy- since the alleged crime was committed. MAR DINKHA IV, PATRIARCH rians regardless of their canonical of politi- That is why Andreiotelis appears to be OF THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST cal affiliation. And after four years of nu- recommending to judges that former Depu- TO MARK THE 25 TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE merous meetings, which were held mostly ty Economy and Finance Minister Petros ASSYRIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL . in the St George Church hall in Chicago, it

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 10. was on 18 May in 1985 that the opening of Security forces cordoned off the area tionate remembrance before the Lord. Let the establishment session of this Council and used tear gas to disperse the crowd. A us remain united in Christ, our hope and took place. We prayed asking the Lord to witness told the state-run newspaper Al our peace!" – VIS , Jan. 2. provide those assembled with wisdom and Ahram that a priest calmed the Copts and to look over them with love for progress urged them to stay inside the church. CUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOL- and success of what is good for all the As- The attack was among the deadliest on OMEW SENT THIS MESSAGE OF syrians in this state,” said His Holiness. Egyptian Christians in recent memory and ECONDOLENCE TO POPE SHENOUDA Giving thanks for all the efforts made the worst terrorist incident in the country III ON JANUARY 3: to establish the Council, His Holiness asked since 2006, and followed similar assaults Your Beatitude Shenouda III, Pope the members to work hard to establish a this week in Iraq. and Patriarch of the Coptic Church of home for the elderly and hospital for the All but eight of the injured and all of Alexandria, our beloved brother in the needy and elementary and secondary the fatalities in Alexandria were Christians, Lord: Grace be to you and peace from God. schools of our Assyrian people in the state. according to Egypt's Ministry of Health. No We hasten to express to Your Beati- His Holiness also added that “although one immediately claimed responsibility for tude our sincerest and whole-hearted con- we as Christians belong to the Chaldean the attack, which was being described as a dolences for the recent terrorist attack out- Church, Syrian Orthodox Church and the suicide bombing. The explosion, which side of All Saints Coptic Church. Words Assyrian Church, we are one people and appeared designed to inflict maximum civi- cannot adequately express our shock and one nation, and as Christians also we are all lian casualties, bore the hallmark of Al sorrow at the magnitude of this tragedy; the brothers in Christ because we are born to a Qaeda militants. ruthlessness and cold-bloodedness of the mother and recognize one spiritual bapt- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak assailants have shaken Christians and ism.” accused unnamed foreign elements of being people of good will all over the world. This “For this are not three but one bishop behind the attack. unjust and unjustifiable incident has re- and nationally we should be recognized in "This act of terrorism shook the coun- vealed to us and to the entire world the the legislative acts of the Government of try's conscience, shocked our feelings and great price that Christians continue to pay Iraq as one nation. All archaeological exca- hurt the hearts of Muslim and Coptic Egyp- for their faith in Christ Jesus. vations in Mesopotamia testify and confirm tians," he said in an emergency address to During this most difficult time of pain, we are today’s Assyrian people of Nineveh the nation. "The blood of their martyrs in therefore, we would like to assure you and and Babylon, from Assyria. We are not the land of Alexandria mixed to tell us all your faithful of our complete solidarity and strangers, but children, indigenous and true that all Egypt is the target and that blind support. Please know that we always stand to our country, Iraq. No one who lives in terrorism does not differentiate between a prayerfully beside you as we continue to Iraq today is entitled to consider us stran- Copt and a Muslim." journey on the difficult paths of our respec- gers, or try in various ways and means to The attack in the ancient Mediterra- tive Churches. May all those who have expel and displace the sons of our nation, to nean coastal city was the latest in a wave of recently lost their lives find peace and com- keep them away from their home and the violence against once-resilient Christian fort in the embrace of Abraham. country of their ancestors. communities in the Muslim world. -- Bor- At the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the “Therefore, we renew our prayers for zou Daragahi and Amro Hassan for the 3rd of January 2011. Your Beatitude’s the unity of our political parties and our Los Angeles Times, Jan. 1. beloved brother in Christ, nation in order to increase our strength in + BARTHOLOMEW order to better claim our national rights T MIDDAY ON JANUARY 2 THE POPE Archbishop of Constantinople through a self-governing province for the APPEARED AT THE WINDOW OF HIS New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch – children, our people, because we do not ASTUDY IN THE Website of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, want to immigrate, but to live and stay safe- TO PRAY THE ANGELUS WITH THOUSANDS Jan. 3. ly in our country, Iraq.” – Assyrian OF FAITHFUL AND PILGRIMS GATHERED IN Church News , Jan. 28. ST. PETER 'S SQUARE . N SEPARATE LETTERS TO THE HEAD OF After the Angelus prayer the Holy Fa- EGYPT ’S COPTIC CHRISTIANS AND U.S. The Oriental Orthodox Churches ther referred to "news of the serious attack ISECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY against the Coptic Christian community in CLINTON , THE U.S. BISHOPS CONDEMNED DEVASTATING NEW YEAR 'S DAY Alexandria, Egypt. This vile and murderous THE RECENT ATTACKS ON CHRISTIANS , TERRORIST BOMBING AT A COPTIC gesture, like that of placing bombs near the INCLUDING THE NEW YEAR ’S DAY ATTACK ACHURCH IN EGYPT THAT KILLED 21 houses of Christians in Iraq to force them to ON THE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH IN PEOPLE WAS THE LATEST IN A SPATE OF leave, offends God and all humankind, ALEXANDRIA , EGYPT , and expressed their VIOLENT ASSAULTS AGAINST THE MIDDLE which only yesterday prayed for peace and solidarity with the victims of religious vi- EAST 'S VULNERABLE CHRISTIAN began a new year with hope. In the face of olence. They also affirmed the ongoing COMMUNITIES . these strategies of violence, which aim work of the U.S. Church and government to The car bomb explosion also injured against Christians but have consequences work for the religious freedom of all 79 people just after midnight Saturday as for the entire population, I pray for the vic- people, especially vulnerable minorities. worshipers were leaving a New Year's tims and their relatives, and encourage ec- In his January 4 letter to Shenouda III, Mass at the Saints Church in east Alexan- clesial communities to persevere in the faith Patriarch of the See of St. Mark in Alexan- dria, Egyptian officials said. The bombing and in the witness of non-violence which dria, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New sparked street clashes between police and comes to us from the Gospel. I think also of York, president of the United States Confe- angry Copts, who hurled stones, stormed a the many pastoral workers killed in various rence of Catholic Bishops, called the attack nearby mosque and threw some of its books parts of the world in the course of 2010. in Egypt a “shocking assault on human life into the street. For them too we equally express our affec- and religious freedom.”

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 11. “I was horrified to learn that over 20 our deep sorrow at this terrible event and small faction of fanatics that wish to ignite people died and more than 100 were in- our continuing prayers and support for religious violence and strife across the jured. So many innocent lives lost to such them," he said. "We know the long and world must not be allowed to succeed" said senseless violence calls for the strongest honorable history of co-existence of Chris- ISNA Secretary General Safaa Zarzour. condemnation by all religious leaders and tians and Muslims in Egypt and are confi- "These bombings are absolutely repre- by persons of conscience everywhere,” dent that the overwhelming majority of hensible. ISNA condemns any and all acts wrote Archbishop Dolan. “Please be as- Egyptian people will join in condemning of violence against innocent civilians. The sured that the Catholic bishops of the Unit- this and similar acts." attacks in Egypt and Nigeria are unaccept- ed States stand in solidarity with you and Tveit expressed "profound sorrow" on able and ISNA urges the Egyptian and Ni- your Church in this time of trial and suffer- hearing of the attack and offered condo- gerian governments to take all measures to ing. We continue to work with others to lences and prayers for the families of the prosecute the individuals responsible for defend the life, dignity and human rights, victims, for the wounded and for all the these heinous crimes swiftly and to the ful- especially religious freedom, of vulnerable people of Egypt. lest measure. We applaud President Ob- minorities, especially Christians, in the Tveit said the Jan. 1 bombing was a ama's commitment to lend support from the .” reminder of other tragedies in the region, United States to prosecute these individuals Bishop Howard J. Hubbard expressed including an attack on Coptic worshippers and bring peace to innocent civilians," said grave concern in a January 6 letter to Sec- in Nag Hammadi, Egypt, on Jan. 7, 2010, ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid. – retary of State Clinton following the attacks and the assault on the Church of Our Lady ISNA Press Release, Jan. 3. against Christians in Egypt, Iraq and Nige- of Salvation (Sayidat al-Nejat) in Baghdad, ria as well as other countries over Christ- Iraq, on Oct. 31, 2010. OPE SHENOUDA III, THE LEADER OF mas and the New Year. Speaking as chair- He appealed to President Hosni Muba- EGYPT ’S COPTIC CHURCH , PLEADED man of the Committee on International Jus- rak of Egypt, to religious leaders and to PFOR CALM AMONG HIS FOLLOWERS tice and Peace, Bishop Hubbard said that governments across the region "to act swift- AS RIOTS RAGED FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT “egregious violations of human rights as ly and boldly to safeguard the fundamental DAY AFTER A BOMB ATTACK OUTSIDE A well as indifference and inaction by foreign religious rights of worshippers of all faiths, CHURCH KILLED 21 PEOPLE . governments to the protection of their own to ensure security in the face of violence The Pope, in an interview with Egypt’s citizens must be weighed seriously” in eco- and to guarantee justice for all people." – state-run television late yesterday, also nomic and political decisions taken by the Episcopal News Service , Jan. 3. called on the government of the Muslim- Administration. dominated country to address the griev- Bishop Hubbard also cited Pope Be- HE ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF NORTH ances of Copts, the largest religious minori- nedict XVI’s recent World Day of Peace AMERICA (ISNA) SENDS HEARTFELT ty in the Middle East. Message, in which the Pope urged greater TPRAYERS AND CONDOLENCES TO Thousands of Copts have taken to the religious freedom, saying that religious THE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS streets of Egypt in the aftermath of the Jan. freedom is the “path to peace.” AFFECTED BY THE SENSELESS JANUARY 1ST 1 attack in the Mediterranean city of Alex- “We ask everyone to pray for the reli- ATTACKS IN ALEXANDRIA , EGYPT AND andria, demanding government protection gious freedom of Christians and other ABUJA , NIGERIA . It also condemns these and protesting what they describe as the people of faith in countries where they are barbaric acts that go against the very es- state’s negligence of their rights. under attack,” said Archbishop Dolan in a sence of every Godly teaching across reli- “I plead with our sons to calm down,” separate statement. “The recent violence in gions. Pope Shenouda said. “There are many de- the Middle East and the ongoing threats to On Saturday, more than 20 people mands, but this is not the way to ask for religious freedom in countries like Pakistan, were killed and more than a hundred in- them.” Nigeria, China and North Korea remind us jured as they gathered outside of a church Hundreds of Copts protested in Cairo of what Pope Benedict has recently said, after prayer service in Alexandria. In Ab- yesterday, many clashing with riot police. that religious freedom is essential not only uja, more than 20 Christians and Muslims Two officers and 12 policemen were in- as a human right, but in ensuring world were killed and dozens more injured as they jured, the state-run Middle East News peace.” – USCCB Press Release, Jan. 6. gathered to celebrate the New Year. Agency reported. "It is a sad day for all people when a Sectarian violence and discrimination RCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY simple act of worship or community cele- have worsened in Egypt in recent years, ROWAN WILLIAMS AND WORLD bration is marked by violence and innocent according to the U.S. State Department’s ACOUNCIL OF CHURCHES GENERAL deaths. ISNA asks Muslim community annual International Religious Freedom SECRETARY THE REV . OLAV FYKSE TVEIT members and organizations in Egypt and report. Christians in Egypt “face personal ARE AMONG INTERNATIONAL ECUMENICAL Nigeria to lend support to the families who and collective discrimination, especially in AND INTERFAITH LEADERS WHO HAVE lost loved ones during these attacks and government employment and their ability to CONDEMNED THE JAN . 1 SUICIDE BOMB urges Muslim Americans to join them in build, renovate, and repair places of wor- ATTACK that killed at least 21 people and prayer for God to ease the suffering of all ship,” the report said. injured more than 80 at a Coptic church in those affected by this terrible tragedy," said Copts account for about 10 percent of Alexandria, Egypt. ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid. Egypt’s population of 80 million people. Williams said the attack on Christians ISNA and the American Muslim The government says it treats all citizens in Alexandria is "yet another dreadful re- community recognize that these acts of vi- equally. minder" of the pressure Christian minorities olence require us to double our efforts in President Hosni Mubarak blamed the are under in the Middle East. promoting religious harmony and the right church attack, which injured 96 people, on "The Coptic community and other of people to worship free from fear and “foreign elements” and has urged Chris- Christian groups in Egypt can be sure of violence everywhere in the world. "The tians and Muslims to stand united. The Inte-

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 12. rior Ministry said it has increased security notwithstanding the uncertainty about who Diocesan Council, welcomed His Holiness around churches nationwide “in light of the would replace him – held more appeal than to the Diocesan Center, and expressed his escalating threats from al-Qaeda to many the Coptic Pope’s call for restraint. thanks for the extraordinary opportunity to countries,” according to a statement on its “If President Mubarak is removed, and share the vision and thoughts of the leader website. these uprisings lead to the establishment of of the worldwide Armenian Church. Al-Qaeda’s branch in Iraq said in No- a true democratic system, then I think eve- Oscar Tatosian, Diocesan Council vember that it would attack Christian tar- ryone will benefit,” Shahin stated. “It would chair, expressed gratitude to His Holiness gets after it claimed that Egypt’s Coptic ensure a fair representation of the Copts for his leadership, and pledged the Dio- Church was holding two Christian women within the political structures and the state.” cese's continued support to His Holiness for who had converted to Islam. The church “But we’re still really far from being his ongoing ministry to the church in its has denied this allegation. -- Alaa Shahine there,” he acknowledged. homeland of Armenia and across the globe. for Bloomberg , Jan. 4. Egyptian Christians want their rights Catholicos Karekin II had arrived in and legal status to be handled by what Sha- the United States earlier in January, to meet S CLASHES BETWEEN ANTI -GOV - hin called “real governing institutions” – privately with community leaders. ERNMENT PROTESTERS AND the judiciary and legislature – instead of the During the January 21 luncheon meet- AEGYPTIAN POLICE INTENSIFIED ON frequently brutal and corrupt state security ing, the Diocesan Council offered its warm JAN . 28, SOME COPTIC ORTHODOX apparatus. They want the right to build new good wishes for His Holiness' continuing CHRISTIANS DISREGARDED THEIR churches, and an end to discriminatory pol- leadership of the church. Archbishop Bar- CHURCH ’S CALL FOR PEACEFUL NON - icies that leave them socially, politically, samian informed the council that the INVOLVEMENT – in hopes that the possible and economically marginalized. present year would mark His Holiness' 60th abdication of President Hosni Mubarak Shahin believes most Egyptians want birthday, and that the Supreme Spiritual could advance the cause of their freedom. to grant these rights to the Coptic Chris- Council had agreed to observe the mile- Professor Emad Shahin, a political tians. President Mubarak, however, has not stone by launching a worldwide endowment scientist at the University of Notre Dame, been inclined to do so. fund to help benefit the education of future specializes in Islamic affairs and has been “Mubarak doesn’t want to appear clergy. The council members pledged to monitoring the Egyptian situation closely. weak – because Pope Shenouda is a very contribute to this effort, and organize suita- He told CNA that many Coptic Christians strong and highly political figure. He ble events in the Eastern Diocese. were joining with Muslims to express their doesn’t want to give any concession to him. In the last decade, 300 deacons have frustration with three decades of authorita- He’s been at war with the Islamists, includ- been ordained to the holy priesthood, and rian rule. ing the Muslim Brotherhood, so he doesn’t there are plans to open a new seminary in “The different statements that called want to appear – in front of a majority Mus- Armenia this year. Each year, several new- for today’s demonstrations were calling on lim population – as giving concessions to ly-ordained priests are invited to intern in participants to come ‘from the mosques and Copts, while cracking down on Islamists.” the Eastern Diocese, where they work the churches,’ to go to public squares,” It’s not clear whether the protesters closely with experienced parish pastors and Professor Shahin explained. “We have seen can achieve their goal of ousting Mubarak, become better acquainted with parish life in evidence that some Copts have been partic- or how they will move forward if they suc- the United States, in preparation for future ipating in the demonstrations.” ceed. “It’s difficult to anticipate where this service as full-time pastors in the Eastern The protesters, he said “need an end to is going,” Shahin reflected. “It all depends Diocese. corruption. They need the rule of law. They on the public, and how steadfast they will His Holiness expressed appreciation to call for freedoms, and dignity – for social be in continuing with the protests and dem- the Primate and to leaders of the Armenian justice, and of course, for democracy.” onstrations.” Church in America, and discussed his con- Officially, however, “the Egyptian The two most likely outcomes, Shahin structive goals for the future. These involve Church is taking a separate side – it’s not predicted, were “someone from the military increasing the number of Armenian clergy, really participating, or encouraging its taking power – either directly or indirectly - restoring historic Armenian monuments, members to participate in the events.” or a transitional unity government.” building new churches and educational The unprecedented protests have “In terms of names,” he said, “I can facilities, codifying the administrative prac- brought hundreds of thousands of Egyptians think of 10 or 15 people who can success- tices of the church, expanding outreach into the streets since Jan. 25, prompting fully head a transitional government – one through communications technology, and President Mubarak to deploy security that would prepare the groundwork for a deepening the religious experience of the forces and shut down the means of commu- true and meaningful change, and a demo- faithful. nication – including internet access, text cratic transition.” – Benjamin Mann for As a result of these and other efforts, messaging and phone service – within the CNA , Jan. 30. His Holiness explained, people throughout country. Armenia are coming closer to their faith, Professor Shahin mentioned a number N ON FRIDAY , JANU - and the Christian religion is asserting its of statements coming from officials of the ARY 21, 2011, HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN historic role at the center of the Armenian Coptic Church -including its leader, Pope III, SUPREME PATRIARCH AND CATHOLI - nation. Shenouda III – asking Copts not to partici- COS OF ALL ARMENIANS , PRESIDED OVER All of these developments would be pate in the demonstrations. They were THE MONTHLY MEETING OF THE DIOCESAN advanced by a stronger administrative urged, instead, to attend church services COUNCIL —the administrative body which structure of the Armenian Church, Catholi- and pray for the peace and the well-being of governs the Eastern Diocese of the Arme- cos Karekin II said. He noted that the East- their country. nian Church of America. ern Diocese's own by-laws were exemplary, But for many Coptic Christians, the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag and laid emphasis on the need for all dioce- prospect of a future without Mubarak – Barsamian, in his role as president of the san jurisdictions to incorporate into their

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 13. respective governing documents the guide- The doctors also added to their docu- and political organizations with the purpose lines prepared under the auspices of the ments the report of Dr. Gulustu Kaptanog- of safeguarding the interests of Lebanon Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and ap- lu, who is responsible for the treatment of and its independence.” proved during the meeting of Diocesan His Beatitude the Patriarch. 2. His Holiness then addressed the role representatives at the Holy See in the au- We hereby show the commission’s of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in tumn of 2009. report to our community: ecumenical and interreligious relations. His Holiness entertained questions from “We read and then assessed the 5 Jan- Catholicos first described the cur- Diocesan Council members on a host of uary 2011 report of Dr. Gulustu Kaptanog- rent ecumenical situation based on his ex- ecclesiastical and pastoral topics. To close lu, who is in charge of the treatment of His perience as former Moderator of the World the meeting, Catholicos Karekin II led the Beatitude the Patriarch, Mesrob II. Council of Churches. He said that the ecu- council members in a prayer. “In our opinion the illness of His Bea- menical movement needs to be restructured "We were so blessed to have the op- titude the Patriarch is advancing as was so that the member churches put aside their portunity of this audience with our Veha- expected. It is unclear how long it will last. theological and institutional differences and par," said Oscar Tatosian. The care and supervision of the Holy Sa- focus on responding together to the wide "His fatherly concern for our church, vior Armenian Hospital will continue. The range of challenges arising from our socie- and his interest in the life and growth of our situation will again be evaluated as ties. He went on to say that world religions own community, is deeply inspiring." needed.” – Lraper , Jan. 12. should emphasize and teach what is similar The Armenian Pontiff will return to among all religions and face all problems Armenia later this month. – Press Release, OR THE 550 TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE from a common moral and ethical perspec- Holy Etchmiadzin, Jan. 22. FOUNDING OF OUR PATRIARCHATE , tive. FAN ORGANIZING COMMITTEE HAS 3. Finally, addressing the issue of the N JANUARY 18-19, HIS EMINENCE BEEN FORMED FROM MEMBERS OF OUR Christian presence in the Middle East, he ARCHBISHOP VICKEN AYKAZIAN , COMMUNITY ’S ADMINISTRATORS , WITH said: “It is true that there are instances of OECUMENICAL OFFICER OF THE ARCHBISHOP ARAM ATESYAN AS ITS HEAD . persecution of Christians in the Middle EASTERN DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN The committee has started to arrange the East. It is also true that sometimes there are CHURCH OF and repre- celebratory activities. tensions between the two religions. How- sentative of the Armenian Apostolic While on the one hand we feel the joy ever, we cannot speak of an overall plan to Church in the Central Committee of the of celebration in these preparatory activi- persecute Christians in the Middle East. So World Council of Churches (WCC) paid a ties, on the other hand we recognize the far, any act of violence against Christians working visit to Rome, Italy. illness of His Beatitude the Patriarch, Me- has been denounced by Muslim religious On January 18, His Eminence met with srob II, and have decided to limit the cele- and political leaders. Christianity is an Cardinal , Secretary of brations of the Religious Council and the integral part of the Middle East. Through State of the Vatican. During the meeting, Organizing Committee only to spiritual and the centuries, Christianity and Islam have there was a reflection on the issues of bila- cultural activities. coexisted and participated in the political teral importance. They also touched upon Our community will be informed as the structures of the countries of the Middle the issues of strengthening cooperation and projects reach their final shape. -- State- East, contributing together to their culture on the rights of religious organizations of ment by the Patriarchal Council, Lraper , and socio-economic development. Jesus’ various countries including the Republic of Jan. 13. statement, "Do not be afraid; only have Georgia. faith,” has been the guiding principle for Father Gabriel Quicke, Official of the N THURSDAY 30 DECEMBER 2010, Christians living in the Middle East in the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian HIS HOLINESS ARAM I MET WITH A past; the same principle will guide them not Unity, Rome (co-secretary) accompanied OGROUP OF THIRTY ITALIAN only to remain in the region but also to par- His Eminence during his visit. – Press Re- JOURNALISTS , UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS ticipate in the life of their societies.” He lease, Holy Etchmiadzin, Jan. 24. AND REPRESENTATIVES OF CIVIL SOCIETY . then added: “We need lasting peace in the They met to discuss the problems and chal- Middle East. This peace cannot be imposed HE COMMISSION THAT WAS FORMED lenges related to the Christian presence in from outside. It should be based on justice. FOR THE ILLNESS OF HIS BEATITUDE the Middle East. The conversation between As long as Israel does not recognize the TTHE PATRIARCH , MESROB II, MET AT His Holiness Aram I and the visitors cov- legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to THE PATRIARCHATE ON WEDNESDAY , 12 ered the following issues: self determination, there can be no peace in JANUARY 2011, TO ASSESS ALL OF THE 1. Starting with the situation in Leba- the Middle East.” MEDICAL DATA . non, he said: “Religion is not the cause of 4. The meeting ended with a reference Present at the meeting were Archbi- the political problem in Lebanon. Christian- to the . His Holiness shop Aram Atesyan, the General Deputy of ity and Islam have always existed together. said that Human Rights Laws and Conven- the Patriarch; Mari Mutafyan, mother of Lebanon is a community of confessions, tions should not remain dead words on pa- His Beatitude the Patriarch; Surgeon Doc- and this is unique in the world. Just as in per. The Armenian Genocide is a historical tor Ardas Akday, Head Doctor of the Holy any family, there is also misunderstanding reality. Turkey ought to recognize the crime Savior Hospital; Neurologist Dr. Armenak within the wider Lebanese family regarding perpetrated by it ancestors. He then asked: Medzaduryan of the Holy Savior Hospital; political issues. It is important to respect “Why do we have an Armenian Diaspora and Assistant Professor Dr. Vahe Aleksa- differences and safeguard the unity of the today, why is the Catholicosat of Cilicia in nyan. country and its economy. As one of the Lebanon and not on its centuries old histor- The commission assessed the treat- seven major confessional communities in ical land of Cilicia? When you visit Turkey, ments and examinations for the medical Lebanon, the Armenian community is in I suggest that you raise these questions with condition of His Beatitude the Patriarch. good relations with all other communities the Turkish authorities. The genocide of

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 14. Armenians in 1915 was well planned and The Catholic Churches honor. implemented by Turkish authorities. Today, The Institute of Europe of the Russian in memory of our martyrs and on behalf of RESIDENT VIKTOR YANUKOVYCH Academy of Sciences (IE RAS) is one of our people, the Catholicosate demands jus- SENT HIS CHRISTMAS GREETINGS Russia's leading think tanks. It was founded tice from Turkey.” PONLY TO ORTHODOX BELIEVERS . In in 1987 and works on economic, political, At the end of this long interview, the his congratulation disseminated by his press social and security issues, established or group visited the memorial chapel of the service, Yanukovych says, “I am happy that emerging across Europe. martyrs and the Cilicia museum. – Press in these moments we, together with the rest The Russian Orthodox Church in the Release, Great House of Cilicia, Jan. 3. of the Orthodox world, are glorifying God’s person of Archbishop Hilarion Alfeyev of child and looking with hope and love to- Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department ALANKARA METROPOLITAN AND ward the prospects of the new year,” of External Affairs of the Moscow Patriar- CATHOLICOS MAR BASELIOS Ukrayinska Pravda reported on Jan. 8. chate, expressed its approval of the honor. MMARTHOMA PAULOSE II Meanwhile, Yanukvych failed to con- – Zenit , Jan. 12. ASSUMED THE CHARGE OF THE DIOCESE OF gratulate the 5 million Greek Catholics who NORTH EAST AMERICA AS OF TUESDAY also celebrate Christmas on the same day as GYPT HAS RECALLED TO CAIRO ITS JANUARY 18, 2011. The decision of the the Orthodox. AMBASSADOR TO THE HOLY SEE IN is vide order No. There was no official response from EA SHOW OF DISPLEASURE AT THE MOSC/CMM/22/2011 and according to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Ra- POPE 'S DEFENSE OF THE COUNTRY 'S COPTS . clause 95 of the constitution of the Malan- dio Svoboda notes. However, a UGCC Before leaving the Vatican, she met with kara Orthodox Syrian Church. priest, Father Mykhailo, believes Yanuko- Archbishop , secre- The Malankara Metropolitan has also vych's greetings can hurt many Ukrainians. tary for relations with states. decreed that on behalf of him Zacharia Mar “Our president often forgets about Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi of- Nicholovos, the current Assistant Metro- other categories of his subjects, and not fered information about Tuesday's meeting politan of the Diocese, will discharge the merely believers. We can come across such between the archbishop and Lamia Aly administrative responsibilities until further forgetfulness in his declarations and ac- Hamada Mekhemar. orders. “We exhort you all to obey the or- tions. It is very humiliating. As regards the "During the meeting the ambassador, ders and directions of H. G. Zacharia Mar Greek Catholics, we’ve seen a lot of humil- who is to return to Cairo for consultations Nicholovos,” urged the Malankara Metro- iations,” he says. with the Egyptian foreign ministry, de- politan to the Diocese of North East Amer- “Such steps do not promote peace scribed the concerns of her government at ica. among Ukrainians. The president should be this present difficult time," a Vatican com- Earlier in his letter OL No.5/2011 the center of peacemaking. Possibly, he muniqué explained. "She was also able to dated January 12, 2011 Mathews Mar Bar- may not be aware of this duty, possibly, this receive information and gather the elements nabas, Metropolitan of the Diocese of is done deliberately,” Father Mykhailo says. necessary in order to report adequately on North East America, requested the Pontiff – RISU ¸ Jan. 7. the Holy Father's recent remarks concern- to relieve him from all administrative re- ing, in particular, religious freedom and the sponsibilities of the North East American HE INSTITUTE OF EUROPE OF THE protection of Christians in the Middle Diocese and cited his ill health as reason RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES IS East." therefore. THONORING A SECRETARY OF The Holy Father’s comment came in The Catholicos wished all blessings BLESSED POPE JOHN XXIII FOR HIS the context of his greeting to a group of from the Almighty to the senior Metropoli- CONTRIBUTION TO RESEARCH ON THE Italian Parliamentarians who had attended tan of America upon his retirement. “It is PONTIFF 'S LEGACY as a leader of the 20th the midday Angelus address as a show of with immense gratitude that we acknowl- century, and a promoter of religious dialo- solidarity with the Egyptian Copts. His edge the Charismatic leadership of H. G. gue and peace. Monday statement noted the persecution of Mathews Mar Barnabas to build up the The institute conferred an honorary Christians in Iraq, after which he noted: "In diocese to its present status. We praise and doctorate on Archbishop Loris Francesco Egypt too, in Alexandria, terrorism brutally adore God Almighty for empowering His Capovilla, 95, who was the Holy Father's struck Christians as they prayed in church. Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas Metropoli- personal secretary. This succession of attacks is yet another tan with extraordinary divine gifts of pray- Loris Capovilla was ordained a priest sign of the urgent need for the governments ers, simplicity and commitment to the Di- for the Archdiocese of Venice in 1940. of the region to adopt, in spite of difficulties vine Call and to the faith and traditions of When Cardinal Roncalli (the future Pope) and dangers, effective measures for the the Holy, undefiled Church. Along with the was appointed Patriarch there, the two be- protection of religious minorities." faithful, members of the Holy Episcopal gan to collaborate and Father Capovilla According to the Vatican communi- Synod and other office bearers of the continued this work after the cardinal was qué, the ambassador's meeting with Arch- Church, we beseech God Almighty to grant elected to the See of Peter in 1958. bishop Mamberti gave the prelate a chance His Grace all heavenly blessings to contin- Four years after John XXIII's death in to affirm "how the Holy See shares the ue his pilgrimage,” says the bull from the 1963, Father Capovilla was appointed the emotions of all the people of Egypt, struck Catholicos of the East. – Orthodox Herald , bishop of Chieti and then for 17 years by the attack in Alexandria." Jan. 18. served as the papal delegate to the shrine of He also "gave assurances that it also Loreto. He retired to Sotto il Monte, Italy, fully shares the Egyptian government's con- the birthplace of John XXIII. cern 'to avoid the escalation of religiously The director of the think tank, Smelyev motivated conflict and tensions,' and appre- Nikolay Petrovich, a former adviser of ciates the efforts being made to that end." Mikhail Gorbachev, chose to confer the According to a statement from the

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 15. Egyptian foreign ministry, the call for the pointed to the community of the first Chris- munities at the council. ambassador to return to Cairo is because tians. It seems almost like a miracle of Prov- "new statements from the Vatican […] are Benedict XVI affirmed that the unity idence that more than 2,000 bishops came considered by Egypt as unacceptable inter- Christ desires is not only at the level of to Rome to start the council in 1962, many ference in its internal affairs," the AFP re- structures, but also in the confession of one of them formed in a theology of "exclusion," ported. faith and the common celebration of wor- according to which the Orthodox and the The ambassador told Rome Reports ship. Protestants -- schismatics and heretics, in that "we do not share the view that Chris- "The search for the re-establishment of the terminology of that time -- were simply tians are persecuted in our part of the unity among divided Christians cannot outside of the Church, and three years later world." – Zenit , Jan. 12. therefore be reduced to a recognition of the they produced the decree "Unitatis Redin- reciprocal differences and to the obtaining tegratio," which recognizes a real, although ORMER ARMENIAN CATHOLIC PAT - of a peaceful coexistence," he said. "What incomplete ecclesial communion among all RIARCH OF CILICIA HOVHANNES we long for is that unity for which Christ the baptized and among the Churches and FBEDROS XVIII KASPARIAN PASSED himself prayed and which by its nature is ecclesial communities. This renewed pers- AWAY OVER THE WEEKEND AT THE AGE OF manifested in the communion of the faith, pective, in perfect harmony with the old 84, ACCORDING TO THE STATE -RUN of the sacraments, of the ministry. ecclesiology of the Fathers, had enormous NATIONAL NEWS AGENCY . "The path toward this unity must be consequences for the new way that Catho- Bedros served as the head of the Pa- seen as a moral imperative, response to a lics related to other Christians and with triarchate of Cilicia from 1983 to 1998 precise call of the Lord." their communities, and for the irrevocable before passing on the role to the current In this light, the Pope asserted, "the adherence of the Catholic Church to the Patriarch, Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni. temptation must be overcome to resignation ecumenical movement. Prayers will be held in honor of Bedros at and pessimism, which is lack of trust in the John XXIII spoke of a "step forward," 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Saint Gre- power of the Holy Spirit." a way of seeing the old tradition with new gory the Illuminator-Saint Elie Church on "Our duty," he said, "is to continue eyes, thus opening up new ways for the Debbas street in Downtown Beirut. passionately on the path toward this goal Church to move toward that visible unity The N.N.A. added the funeral would with a serious and rigorous dialogue to that is her own. This transformation has take place at Bzoummar’s Armenian deepen the common theological, liturgical largely been due to the intense work of the Catholic Patriarchate complex where Be- and spiritual patrimony; with reciprocal first president of the Secretariat for Promot- dros will be laid to rest at 2 p.m. Saturday. knowledge, with the ecumenical formation ing Christian Unity, Cardinal Agustín Bea, According to the news agency, condolences of the new generations and, above all, with and his coworkers -- along with the grace will be held after the funeral at Bzoummar conversion of heart and prayer." – Zenit , of the Holy Spirit, of course. and Sunday, Jan. 23, and Monday, Jan. 24, Jan. 25. Q: How much of the pontifical coun- from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Armenian cil's work from those first years has re- Catholic Patriarchate of Achrafieh. – The S THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR mained? Daily Star , Jan. 18. CHRISTIAN UNITY DRAWS TO A Bishop Farrell: Everything has re- ACLOSE TODAY , THE SECRETARY OF mained, insofar as it has to do with the HOUGH CHRISTIANS ARE STILL FAR THE VATICAN 'S ECUMENISM COUNCIL SAYS council's teachings on the principles that FROM THE UNITY THAT JESUS THAT BENEDICT XVI IS PUSHING THE govern the quest for unity. The 50 years TPRAYED FOR AT THE LAST SUPPER , FAITHFUL FORWARD ON THE PATH OF that have passed by since then bear witness RESIGNATION AND PESSIMISM ARE A LACK SEEKING UNITY . to how fruitful that teaching has been in the OF TRUST IN THE HOLY SPIRIT 'S POWER , L'Osservatore Romano interviewed day-to-day life of the Church and for the SAYS BENEDICT XVI. Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Pon- Christian world as a whole. The Pope affirmed this today as he tifical Council for Promoting Christian Uni- In the commemorative ceremony men- closed the Week of Prayer for Christian ty, in the context of this week of prayer. The tioned before, in addition to Pope Benedict Unity with a service at St. Paul's Outside interview was published in the Jan. 19 edi- XVI's important message delivered by the the Walls. Today's feast of the Conversion tion of the daily's Italian version. Secretary of State, Cardinal Bertone, three of St. Paul brought the prayer week to a Q: The pontifical council recently cel- great figures from the ecumenical world -- close. ebrated the 50th anniversary of its founda- Cardinal , retired president The Holy Father called the faithful to tion. Is the spirit that inspired its birth with of our pontifical council; the archbishop of gratitude, since the ecumenical movement Pope John XXIII still alive? Canterbury, Rowan Williams; and the Met- over the last few decades has "taken signifi- Bishop Farrell: Yes, in fact, on this ropolitan Ioannes of Pergamum, distin- cant steps forward," such that there is "en- past Nov. 17, we held a solemn public cer- guished theologian of the Ecumenical Pa- couraging convergence and consent on emony to commemorate the 50th anniver- triarchate -- emphasized how fundamental varied points," as well as "mutual esteem sary of the creation of the Secretariat for and urgent it is for current historical devel- and respect" and "concrete collaboration." Promoting Christian Unity, which John opment for Christians to be able to talk and "We are well aware, however, that we XXIII intensely desired and instituted along work together, not only to defend freedom, are still far from that unity for which Christ with the other commissions charged with and religious freedom first of all, but to face prayed and which we find reflected in the preparing the . humanity's enormous challenges with the portrait of the first community of Jerusa- Convinced that the council's entire work hope of success. lem," the Pontiff acknowledged. His refer- had to be impregnated with the desire to re- Q: But some today say they are disillu- ence to Jerusalem alluded to the theme for establish unity, he wished, as a clear sign of sioned by the results of so much effort. this year's week of prayer, which was pre- that desire, to have the presence of observ- Bishop Farrell: Whoever thinks that pared by the Church of Jerusalem and ers from other churches and ecclesial com- way is not looking at the reality. In his

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 16. magnificent encyclical "Ut Unum Sint," that this is the correct path. all. Spiritual ecumenism is not the monopo- Pope John Paul II wrote that probably the Therefore, when we speak of new dif- ly of the experts; all Christians can be pro- most valuable result of ecumenism is the ficulties, it is not a matter of insurmounta- tagonists in this movement. "rediscovered brotherhood" among Chris- ble difficulties, but of a true opportunity. It A particular aspect at the base of eve- tians. It is hard for the younger generations is clear that the discussion will be neither rything was emphasized in the bishops' to understand how much things have easy nor quick. It seems to me, however, synod on the Word of God, which was then changed for the better. In the past, the di- that there is a growing conviction that unity gathered up in the apostolic exhortation vided Christians avoided each other and is possible; the circumstances of today's "Verbum Domini" by Benedict XVI: listen- didn't talk to each other; the Churches had world are moving the Churches in this di- ing, praying, and reflecting together on attitudes of reciprocal conflict and rivalry, rection. In my opinion it is urgent for Cath- Scripture "represent a way of coming to even of truly scandalous actions, which olic theology to work out a more concrete unity in faith as a response to hearing the undermined the very mission of evangeliza- vision, a model of what awaits us at the word of God." tion. There are still some signs of that here moment of full visible communion. That We divided ourselves by Scripture; we and there, but it is ever clearer that this way way, the Orthodox brethren will be able to should find each other again around Scrip- of acting is not acceptable; it is not from have trust, overcoming the enslaving fears ture. Let us make sacred Scripture the heart God. of the presumption of superiority that is of ecumenism! In that document, the Holy If we consider the "life dialogue," typical of the West. We must surely reaf- Father also recalled the ecumenical impor- meaning the vast world of contacts, colla- firm what the council said about the equal tance of translating the Bible. Far from any boration, and solidarity among Christians, dignity of all rites, the respect due to the impasse, the Holy Father is pushing us for- we cannot be disillusioned. If we think institutions, traditions, and disciples of the ward on the path of seeking unity. – Zenit , about the "truth dialogue," that is, the quest Eastern Churches and so many other things. Jan. 25. to overcome theological elements of diver- Q: And with the Protestants? gence, here as well much has been Bishop Farrell: In 2009, Cardinal Kas- HE APOSTOLIC NUNCIO IN UKRAINE , achieved, including the resolution of former per published an important study titled ARCHBISHOP IVAN JURKOVIC , READ Christological controversies, and even the "Harvesting the Fruits," which examined in TA CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS TO deepest aspect of divergence between depth more than 40 years of ecumenical CARDINAL HUSAR FOR THE 10 TH ANNIVER - Catholics and reformed Lutherans on justi- dialogue between the Pontifical Council for SARY OF HIS SERVICE AS HEAD OF THE fication, that is, on how salvation acts with- Promoting Christian Unity and the principal UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH . in us, has been substantially overcome. We ecclesial communions worldwide. There The nuncio stressed that the ministry of have to take into account that in doctrinal are still significant divergences and perhaps Cardinal Husar was conducted at a very matters it will always be necessary to act new ones are appearing, but it is surprising important time for the church and the na- cautiously and slowly, since we must be to discover how the controversies of the tion. sure of advancing in fidelity to the deposit 16th century are perceived now in a new "It was the beginning of a period of of faith, of coming to an agreement on the light that softens the insistence on the par- great initiatives that you are developing in basis of true Tradition. ticular positions; we thus understand that the UGCC. First of all, you strengthened Q: Nevertheless, have new difficulties we are not as far apart on many essential church structures so they would correspond appeared in theological dialogue with the points. It is true, the main difficulties lie in to the society of Ukraine. It was a difficult Orthodox? the different conception of what the Church task but Your Beatitude was able to fulfill it Bishop Farrell: We are examining the willed by Christ is. The question is not ab- with full respect for the richness of the de- crucial point of our differences on the stract: "What is the Church?" Rather, it is nominational structure of Ukraine. Your Church's structure and way of being and also concrete: "Where is the Church and steps as those of a father and pastor of the operating: the question of the role of the where is it brought to fulfillment?" There is church were motivated by the specific Bishop of Rome in the Church communion still much to do on this point. needs of the modern people, which are of the first millennium, when the Church in Q: This is the work of the experts, but completely different from the past. As we the West and East was still united. After ecumenism should involve everyone! wished to be near our flock, we discovered profound studies and discussions, the Bishop Farrell: Certainly. The dialo- with the synodal bishops new qualities in members of the Theological Commission gues will continue because they are the high pastoral ministry and closeness to those have come to realize the enormous differ- road of obedience to the Lord's will for the who seek salvation in the UGCC. The 10 ence between the lived, assimilated, and unity of his disciples in the truth. But they years of your ministry made the UGCC narrated historical experience in Western are meaningful and they will be fruitful only more present in the society, closer to the culture and the historical experience per- if they are sustained by the entire living needs of the people and more responsible ceived in the Eastern vision of things. Every body of the Church. It is the Churches, the for the future of your own nation," reads the historical event is open to different inter- communities of believers, that must come address. pretations. The discussion has not led to a together in unity. The nuncio also noted that the head of real convergence. Today we must return to the origins of the UGCC remains, probably, the most But it is also true that if we want to the ecumenical movement and discover visible hierarch in the mass media. "Your find a consensus, what matters from the what is called "spiritual ecumenism." thoughts, your wisdom and testimony of the start is to clarify the doctrinal and theologi- Prayer, conversion of heart, fasting and radical Evangelical poverty have made you cal principles that are at play in those penance, the purification of memory, the extraordinarily popular in the Ukrainian events and that are decisive for remaining purification of our way of speaking about society and justly made you one of the most faithful to Christ's will for his Church. Thus the others: this spiritual sensitivity, present authoritative voices of today. Your Beati- it was decided to prepare a new base doc- at the start of the ecumenical movement, is tude always spoke as the pastor of the ument in a theological key. I am convinced the center of ecumenism and is the duty of church, as a man of faith and prayer, who

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 184, January 31, 2011, page 17. experiences daily life as it is seen in the ty-eight he was sent by Cardinal Franzoni, on 26 October 1975. light of human life. People are very atten- then prefect of the Propaganda Fide, as a "The way of sanctity also lies open to tive to your words, which are always full of missionary to Ethiopia ... where he founded you, dear priests and seminarians,” Pope sincere love and care for others for they a seminary called the "College of Mary Benedict added. "Sanctity lies at the very carry no empty rhetoric or conceit, but the Immaculate.” heart of the ecclesial mystery; it is the voca- desire to serve the truth and faith," reads the "He learned the local language, cham- tion to which we are all called. Saints are address. pioned the centuries-old liturgical tradition not some exterior ornamentation of the Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic thanked of the rites of those communities, as well as Church; rather, they are like the flowers of Cardinal Husar for his "service and for the working effectively towards ecumenism,” a tree which testify to the endless vitality of lesson that we should always be construc- said the Pope. "His particular passion for the lymph flowing through it. It is good to tive and attentive members of the society so education, especially the formation of see the Church like this, in ascension to- that our words and actions do not offend priests, means that he can justly be consi- wards the fullness of the 'Vir perfectus'; in anyone but to be constantly engaged in a dered as the patron of your college. Indeed, continual, demanding, progressive matura- dialogue for the good of everyone." – RISU , this worthy institution still welcomes priests tion; dynamically driven towards complete Jan. 25. and candidates to the priesthood, support- fulfillment in Christ.” ing them in their theological, spiritual and Benedict XVI concluded by encourag- N THE MORNING OF JANUARY 29 IN pastoral preparations.” ing the members of the Pontifical Ethiopian THE VATICAN , BENEDICT XVI The Holy Father called on the priests, College "to live this important period of ORECEIVED PRIESTS AND SEMINARI - when returning to their communities of your formation, in the shadow of the dome ANS OF THE PONTIFICAL ETHIOPIAN origin or assisting their compatriots abroad, of St. Peter's, with joy and dedication. Walk COLLEGE in a meeting to mark the 150th "to arouse in everyone a love for God and resolutely along the path of sanctity. You anniversary of the death of St. Justin de the Church, following the example of St. are a sign of hope, especially for the Church Jacobis (1800-1860), patron of that institu- Justin de Jacobis. He crowned his fruitful in your countries of origin. I am certain that tion. contribution to the religious and civil life of the experience of communion you have St. Justin "was a worthy son of St. the Abyssinian peoples with the gift of his experienced here in Rome will also help Vincent de Paul who put the principle of own life, silently restored to God after much you to make a precious contribution to 'being everything for everyone' into exem- suffering and persecution. He was beatified growth and peaceful coexistence in your plary practice, especially in his service to by Venerable Pius XII on 25 June 1939 own beloved nations.” – VIS , Jan. 29. the people of Abyssinia. At the age of thir- and canonized by Servant of God Paul VI

His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette and His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, Co-Chairmen of Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches

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. 184, January 31, 2011, page 18.