SEIA NEWSLETTER On the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism ______Number 190: July 31, 2011 Washington, DC

The Eastern Orthodox Churches community with their special way of life, protect this place and to involve various diversity of monastic achievements, warm forces in Europe and the world in this hospitality towards pilgrims and strict endeavor’. CONFERENCE ON ‘THE CONTRI- internal silence’. Mr. Jan Figel, chairman of the Chris- BUTION OF MOUNT ATHOS TO Archimandrite Ephraim, abbot of the tian Democratic Movements in Slovakia EUROPE’S RELIGIOUS AND INTEL- A Vatopedi Monastery, one of the largest and former Euro-commissioner for sci- LECTUAL TRADITION’ WAS HELD ON JULY monasteries on Mount Athos, said in his ence, education and culture, said, ‘We [in 8-9, 2011, IN SALZBURG, AUSTRIA. It was organized by the Dialogue of Civilizations address that ‘the modern man, who has the European Union] have a common world public forum. Among the partici- made a great progress in technological market, a common currency but we still pants were Mr. Walter Schwimmer, for- and economic development, has failed to have failed to avoid a crisis… The im- mer general secretary of the Council of find an inner peace. That is the presence portance of Christianity in Europe is Europe, Princess Katarina of Serbia, Great of Christ in our hearts. The Holy Mount is enormous, and Christians have a clear Britain, Prince George Yourievsky of the a place of peace, repentance, humility and system of values. Europe will be beautiful Romanov Family, Switzerland, repre- joy as a special state of holiness, which is if the mosaic is united, not split into East sentatives of the Friends of Mount Athos, a fruit of the presence of the Holy Spirit. and West’. Oxford, the Institute for Orthodox Chris- People in the West often see in humility The director of the John XXIII Foun- tian Studies, Cambridge, the Amsterdam an inferiority complex, whereas it is the dation for Religious studies, Alberto Mel- Center for Eastern Orthodox Theology, alpha and omega of spiritual experience… loni, Italy, put forward a proposal that public and governmental bodies, the On the Holy Mount, one can meet truly Mount Athos become a training place for Catholic Church and the Church of Eng- humble monks and hear the Word given in a new generation of young scholars who land, business and scientific communities, experience’. could work in today’s ‘post-secular’ socie- as well as clergy from the Churches of The official opening of the confer- ty to preserve the sources of understand- Russia, Georgia, Greece and other Local ence, which took place at the palace of ing Christian life. Orthodox Churches and brethren from Prince Archbishops of Salzburg, included Mr. S. Scheblygin, president of the monasteries on the Holy Mount Athos. an exhibition of the 19th century photo- St. Andrew the First-Called Foundation, The conference was opened by Mr. graphs from the album of Prince Constan- spoke about relations between Russia and V. Yakunin, president of the Dialogue of tine Constantinovich Romanov and to- Mount Athos through, among other things, Civilizations. day’s archives of the Vatopedi Monastery. bringing over its shrines, assistance in Rev. Andrey Yeliseyev, secretary of On Saturday, July 9, Archimandrite restoring the St. Panteleimon Monastery the Russian Orthodox Church representa- Ephraim celebrated the Divine Liturgy at and support for historical and art studies. tion to European international organiza- the Romanian Orthodox church in Salz- He said, ‘We believe that the development tions in Brussels, read out a message of burg according to the Athonite rite. of relations with Mount Athos as a center greetings from Metropolitan Hilarion, During plenary and section sessions, of religious, contemplative and spiritual head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s de- participants spoke in one voice for the life has a beneficial potential for the life of partment for external church relations, preservation of Mount Athos’s unique the whole Russian society. Indeed, Ortho- which reads in particular, ‘The existence status, the need for comprehensive legal dox Christianity in Russia has become a of the European civilization is due to defense of the principle of ‘avaton’ spiritual foundation for people’s life in the Christianity, as its basic values, mode of whereby women are not allowed to the vast lands from the Baltic Sea in the west thinking and moral law which has pre- peninsula, against turning the Holy Mount to the Pacific Ocean in the Far East’. vailed for centuries – all go back to the into a free tourist zone or a place of com- Mr. S. Khoruzhiy, senior researcher evangelical mission of the disciples of mercialization and pointed to the tendency at the Russian Academy of Sciences Insti- Jesus Christ, the mission which embraced of interference in the internal life of the tute of Philosophy said in his remarks that all the nations of the then oikoumene… monasteries. the old trends of secularism and driving The awareness of the contribution that Mr. Schwimmer, who is chairman of religion out of public life have encoun- Mount Athos has made in Europe’s reli- the international coordinating committee tered a new tendency of ‘post-secularism’ gious and moral tradition leads us to the of the Dialogue of Civilizations forum, with its return to religious values and de- important task to preserve the unique stated that ‘the Holy Mount Athos is im- sire of secular people and institutions to world of the Holy Mount for generations portant for the cultural heritage of the enter into dialogue with people of reli- to come. This world has been created by whole world but in the first place for the gious traditions. For this reason, today’s the hands of a multinational monastic spiritual and intellectual heritage of Eu- philosophers and anthropologists are seek- rope. For this reason it is necessary to ing new ways of understanding what is happening to man and society. And here crooked parts of the roof will also be re- trios publicly expressed his gratitude to the Athonite hesychasm as an inexhausti- newed." the Ecumenical Patriarch for having ac- ble source of not theoretical but empirical The same publication informs that the cepted the offering of the concert in His ‘theology of energies’ can offer much for restoration is scheduled to begin next All Holiness’ honor and for his support in the solution of this intellectual problem month and will cost TRL 2.5 M realizing the performance. and open new prospects for the under- The Bulgarian "Saint Stephen" “Music is the vocabulary of love and standing of the ‘synergetic’ nature of man Church, also known as the Bulgarian Iron is the way the heart communicates with as participant in the Divine energy. Church, is a Bulgarian Orthodox church in the Creator,” said the Ecumenical Patri- In summing up the discussions, Arch- Istanbul, Turkey, famous for being made arch addressing the children of the Choir, priest Anthony Ilyin, acting Russian Or- of cast iron. The parts were manufactured the delegation from the Greek Orthodox thodox Church representative to European in Vienna and then transported via the Archdiocese of America and the audience international organizations in Brussels, Danube River to Bulgaria and through the of the concert. His All Holiness praised proposed to create ‘a network community Black Sea to Istanbul. The Church was the musical performance of the Choir and for support of Mount Athos not only with- inaugurated in 1898 by Exarch Joseph and said that he had the opportunity to receive in the European Union but also in the marks the beginning of the Bulgarian ex- many expressions of love from the ortho- greater Europe’ as ‘a format for continued archate. dox faithful of America in the past, mani- contacts between analysts and experts and According to a legend, Sultan Abdul festations and expressions of love which for legal support of Mount Athos and as Azis was not inclined to let Bulgarians continue to this day with the presentation an internet portal’. have their own church, but yielded to the of this concert. “As in the past, these ex- In his closing remarks, Archimandrite pressure under one condition – for the pressions of your love towards me person- Ephraim invited the St. Andrew the First- church to be built only in a month. Bulgar- ally and towards the Mother Church are Called Foundation to cooperation in stud- ians found the solution by making the supporting us and strengthen us- and the ying and cataloguing Russian manuscripts church from cast iron. Mother Church is truly appreciative of this found in the monastery. He also called In the last few years, the Bulgarian love and support we receive,” said the upon them to use the spiritual fruits of State and the Istanbul City Hall have made Ecumenical Patriarch. Mount Athos, noting that there are spiritu- significant efforts to raise funds for the Tomorrow, Sunday July 3, His All al fathers who can give answers to the church's renovation and maintenance, but Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholo- most urgent questions of the modern man. those funds are still insufficient. The mew will preside at the Divine Liturgy in – Website of the Serbian Patriarchate, 110th anniversary of the iron church was the Church of the Holy Trinity of the July 13. celebrated at the end of 2008. – Sophia Monastery in the Theological School of News Agency, July 19. Halki. Archbishop Demetrios, the Archdi- .S. SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY ocesan Choir and others from the United CLINTON ON JULY 16 CALLED ON HE ARCHDIOCESAN YOUTH CHOIR States will attend the liturgy. – Press Re- U ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BAR- OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX ARCH- lease, Greek Archdiocese, July 2. THOLOMEW IN FANAR, ISTANBUL DURING T DIOCESE OF AMERICA GAVE TODAY HER VISIT TO TURKEY, WHERE SHE WAS JULY 2, 2011 AT 7 P.M, A CONCERT IN HE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS WARMLY WELCOMED. Her meeting with HONOR OF HIS ALL HOLINESS ECUMENI- RELEASED BY THE SECRETARIAT OF the Patriarch was also attended by the CAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW ON THE T THE HOLY SYNOD OF THE GREEK Orthodox Archbishop of America Deme- OCCASION OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE OF ANTIOCH: trios, who greeted her upon her arrival. THE ELECTION AND ENTHRONEMENT OF HIS On the basis of its rootedness in the Sources in the Patriarchate later said ALL HOLINESS TO THE FIRST THRONE OF Middle East, bearing a message of love, that their talks had focused on issues of THE ORTHODOX CHURCH. brotherhood, and interconnectedness with concern to the Patriarchate, including that The concert was held in the historic others, and interacting creatively with our of reopening the School of Theology on church of St. Irene, which stands next to Muslim brothers, our partners in the na- the island of Halki. On this, Clinton ap- “Agia Sophia” and was the site of the Se- tion, to build an Arab civilization deeply parently remarked that "40 years of si- cond Ecumenical Synod in 381 A.D. The rooted in this Middle East, and an effec- lence" for the seminary were enough and Archdiocesan Youth Choir is led by His tive Orthodox contribution, the Holy Syn- stressed the U.S. government's dedication Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of od affirms the centrality of the Muslim- to issues of religious freedom and its sup- America in a tour to Constantinople, Cy- Christian encounter as the bright side of port for issues concerning the Patriar- prus and Greece, which will end with a the mission of the Arab Middle East. chate. – A. Kourkoulas for ANA, July 16. performance at Ionian Village (Barthol- At the heart of Orthodoxy is an in- omio, Greece) on July 12. tense desire to build a single humanity HE ISTANBUL MUNICIPALITY AND The Church of St. Irene, which is united by faith in the one God. It does not THE PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION used as a venue for musical events and discriminate among God's creation ac- T HAVE JOINED EFFORTS TO RESTORE concerts, was an idyllic and meaningful cording to color, race or religion, and has THE BULGARIAN "ST. STEFAN" CHURCH. location for a moving musical recital of put this belief into practice through its According to Hurriyet Daily News, angelic voices singing a rich and diversi- relationships with Muslims and with all "the parts of the church that have become fied repertoire of orthodox ecclesiastical the churches and Christian groups. dirty and carbonated will be cleaned thor- pieces, traditional and modern Greek The future of the Orthodox in the oughly with detergent water, while the compositions and international selections. region is tied to the rootedness and history missing ornaments on the façade will be Upon the conclusion of the perfor- of their presence, a presence that has been replicated using original material. The mance, His Eminence Archbishop Deme- built for centuries on the foundation of

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 2. total cooperation with all their brothers. realization of justice, stability, and flour- tural and religious character, it is due to There will be no true revival for the re- ishing for the mighty Lebanese people. the presence of the Patriarchate, which is gion without common effort in courage In light of the circumstances and cur- the inheritor of the spiritual heritage, but and objectivity about the domination, sub- rent developments that the Arab world is also the natural heritage. By natural herit- jugation, ignorance, poverty, and unem- witnessing, the Synod hopes that Syria, age I mean churches, basilicas, places of ployment that our countries suffer. this Arab nation heroic both in its con- worship, holy places that have been hand- The Holy Synod calls upon its chil- temporary history and in its glorious past, ed over to the Patriarchate by the Byzan- dren to engage with the issues facing our will return internal stability in order to tines who left Palestine in the 7th century countries and peoples, to hold fast to their make it possible, through corresponding with the coming of Omar ibn al-Khattab. land, and to develop their societies realization of the desired reforms, to fulfill It was at this time that the Patriarch of through the establishment of economic, its active role on the regional stage that Jerusalem became both the spiritual and civil, and educational institutions that will has been and continues to be the pivotal ethnic leader of the Greek Orthodox bring general benefit to all and will secure point of its zeal and conscience. community. their existence in their land. The Synod believes that just and Speaking of heritage, there have been The Synod hopes that the political comprehensive peace in the region will accusations by some local Arab Orthodox leaders and their peoples in all the Arab not be realized except through a solution residents that the Greeks have maintained Middle East will rely on a language of to the Palestinian issue that allows the cultural dominance and that Arabs have dialogue and reason in resolving the prob- Palestinians to reside in their own sover- not been promoted to certain official posi- lems that face them and that they will ap- eign and independent country within the tions in the church to the same degree as ply a policy of securing the citizens' inter- 1967 borders and with Jerusalem as their the Greeks have. Is this true? ests, especially those directly affecting capital. The Palestinian state is a national There is a bigger question here. The them, such as free education, health insur- right whose time for realization has come, name of the Patriarchate and all Eastern ance, and an abundance of opportunities so that the Palestinian people, wherever Orthodox Christians locally here is for jobs that provide suitable income and they are found, can return to their nation “Rum.” This is how they are recognized a dignified living in order to preserve sta- to live in honor, peace, and stability. and identified by the Muslim Arabs and bility and civil peace, economic flourish- The Synod believes that the Arab Palestinians, in general. It is a matter of ing, and to combat emigration. world is urgently in need of general calm cultural identity or identity crisis that In Lebanon, the Orthodox have con- in which the leaders and authorities will many people have difficulties understand- tinuously striven to build up a nation for apply themselves to developing their soci- ing the meaning of “Rum.” The West has all, not to divide it or to create distinctions eties, modernizing the state, educating the also brought them confusion about their within it. Their basic goal was to erect a people, and respecting the legitimacy of identity, which could be remedied with regime based on equality and competence. human rights. It calls upon the Arab states education and [an] understanding [of] However, faced with the current sectarian to effectively collaborate to anchor a history. And you have to refer back to logic in Lebanon, we insist that our rights world civilization in which the Middle your roots. You cannot disregard the Byz- to political and administrative positions Eastern spirit by which we are distin- antine presence that was here. The stones within the state not be encroached upon guished has the lofty position that it de- are talking — everything is talking. I have and we ask for assurance of total equity serves. – Notes on Arab Orthodoxy, July prepared an academic study which gives a and a return to applying the principle of 26. very thorough and complete analysis of equality in appointments, especially in the meaning of “Rum” and what it means high administrative positions (first-class HE GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCH to be a member of that church. positions). OF JERUSALEM, THEOPHILOS III, Although the Greek Orthodox Church The Orthodox look to the state as an T WAS INTERVIEWED BY PALESTINE- has had a presence in Jerusalem since its institution that embraces all its citizens ISRAEL JOURNAL INTERN/JOURNALIST existence, looking forward, there is a po- within a framework of freedom and re- ANNA KOULOURIS. THESE ARE EXCERPTS litical agenda on the part of Israel. No sponsibility. For them, the state ensures FROM THE INTERVIEW: one can deny they would like to gain the freedom of religious groups and indi- Palestine-Israel Journal: What is the property that the Patriarchate owns, es- viduals and it is not the religious groups significance of the Greek Orthodox pecially in the Jaffa Gate area. Has this that secure the freedom of the state. When Church for Jerusalem? put pressure on the church? Orthodox citizens had a distinguished role Patriarch Theophilos III: The role of You have touched upon a very deli- in establishing and spreading the Leba- the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jeru- cate issue, the core of the importance and nese message of tolerance in the Arab salem and the church is extremely im- significance of the Patriarchate’s presence Middle East, they established the political portant for the current and future status of and role concerning Jerusalem and the and administrative responsibilities that Jerusalem. Its history cannot be dissociat- greater area. From the religious point of they set up as a means to build the founda- ed from the political and cultural-religious view, many of the holy places under the tions of the state and not as a means to history of Jerusalem. It has an unbreaka- charge of the Patriarchate have remained attack it. ble historical presence for 2,000 years and accessible to all pilgrims and visitors With regard to the composition of the is the only religious institution that has without any discrimination whatsoever. It new government in Lebanon, the Synod been here throughout the ages. Its purpose is due to the presence of the Brotherhood hopes that it will succeed in its difficult and mission continues to be crystal clear of the Holy Sepulcher. What has been economic, social, and administrative tasks and purely religious and spiritual; it does acknowledged by everybody locally, re- and it calls for earnest work to solve peo- not promote any other interests. Today, if gionally and internationally is that if it ple's problems and concerns through the Jerusalem enjoys a certain status and cul- were not for the presence of the Patriar-

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 3. chate here, most of the holy places would about these properties, or with the Pales- Jerusalem is the capital of God. And my have been destroyed, or at the end of the tinian Authority? It is the state, not the personal position is that Jerusalem day, turned into museums or archeological church. breathes with three lungs: a Christian sites and tourist attractions. But so far, the The other thing is that all the other lung, a Jewish lung and an Islamic lung. holy places have been maintained as plac- churches have their point of reference far And those lungs, they breathe harmoni- es of blessedness and worship. away from Jerusalem. The appointments ously. This is how we see the future of In terms of culture and even politics, of the leaders of the other Christian Jerusalem. the Patriarchate is very important, first of churches and institutions are coming from What is your opinion about the ongo- all because it gives legitimacy to the his- abroad, from outside — not from within. ing negotiations of a taxation agreement torical claims that the Hashemite King- So you understand the importance of the between the Israeli government and the dom of Jordan and the PA have over the Patriarchate; it is a local institution. Vatican, which could mean that church holy places — because they both have How much of a role does the Greek institutions would have to pay income, claims from the Muslim Caliph Omar ibn Orthodox Patriarchate play in speaking property and municipal taxes? Does this al-Khattab, when the Muslims took over about Palestinian rights, especially with Orthodox Church feel sidelined knowing the city of Jerusalem from the then- its close proximity to areas like Silwan? that if an agreement is reached, it will set Patriarch of Jerusalem Sophronius, and it Does the church feel a responsibility to a precedent for the other churches? is well known that they made a peace cov- take a political stance on the issue? The situation with the Vatican negoti- enant known as “the Covenant of Omar.” We try not to interfere or turn our- ations is far more complex. The Greek This fundamental agreement has been the selves into politicians, but at the same Orthodox Church is not sidelined because basis of all the legal transactions or legal time this does not mean that we do not the legal status of the Patriarchate differs agreements that have taken place so far have compassion for the suffering and the from the Vatican’s. It is the only church between the Patriarchate and the states affliction through which the people are institution with Jordanian law. The Patri- and their respective authorities. The other passing here. And this is why the churches archate is a local institution. The Vatican thing is that the Patriarchate has been the here have established a kind of council to is a spiritual and political entity, so its inheritor of the natural heritage, that is to discuss issues of common concern. We representatives cannot speak on behalf of say, churches, monasteries and other are addressing issues like the recent shoot- the local Christians here. properties, which later were augmented. ing in Silwan and others. Our purpose is There are many videos online of in- This is what makes the Patriarchate im- to try, from our position, to contribute to fighting that takes place between the portant for the natural, the physical and mutual respect and understanding and to Greeks and Armenians in the Church of the demographic [aspects] of Jerusalem. peaceful coexistence and symbiosis. This the Holy Sepulcher. They seem shameful, The Patriarchate continues to hold proper- is the duty of the church. This is why we and it is hard to understand how such ties within and around the Old City — as churches have officially and repeatedly clashes occur in holy places. How would within politically strategic places. made statements and expressed our posi- you explain the dynamic here to an ob- Is any of this, the strength of the Pa- tion over the status of Jerusalem. server? triarchate, a source of tension with the Our position on Jerusalem is that we I understand your question, but peo- Israeli government today? want it to be an open city, to be accessible ple try to limit those religious conflicts Jerusalem is [at] the heart of the polit- to everybody, and that Jerusalem has and fights to certain events that have taken ical developments here, so it is natural that enough space to accommodate all reli- place between Franciscans, between the Patriarchate is part and parcel of the gious communities. We say it is enough Greeks and Armenians, Armenians and political conflict and interests. But the for us to be allowed to visit and venerate Syrians, Copts and Ethiopians, and so on. mission of the Patriarchate remains spir- the places that are commonly holy to But, in fact, we must think a bit deeper itual and religious. Unlike the other Chris- Jews, Muslims and Christians. Even if we and ask ourselves what the entire conflict tian churches here — and they do have a do not have claims over the site itself, we is about between Palestinian Muslims and lot of properties as well — the Greek Or- have claims to the holiness and sanctity of Jewish Israelis. Is it not about religion? It thodox Patriarchate is the only church the place. The Temple Mount is an exam- is about religion. What is the importance institution that is independent, autono- ple. Another example is King David’s of Jerusalem, politically speaking? Is Je- mous and autocephalous. This means the Tomb on Mount Zion. When we have our rusalem important for military or strategic properties of the Patriarchate are proper- holy day of Pentecost, which we celebrate purposes? It is purely religious, nothing ties of the country here, the land here — in our monastery and at the school on else. The conflict here is religious. When they belong here. Mount Zion, after the service we go in our you see clashes in Jerusalem, especially As for the properties belonging to the liturgical vestments in a procession to over the Temple Mount and al-Haram al- other churches, for example, those belong- King David’s Tomb, which is a syna- Sharif, what is it all about? Is it not about ing to the Roman Catholic Church or to gogue. There we go for worship, to say religious areas? So they focus on a partic- the Russian Church, these are state prop- our prayers and leave. This is what we ular point in the Holy Sepulcher; that erties. They do not belong here to the lo- want. This is our understanding of the makes sense; it is natural. But they cannot cality, but to the respective states. Some holy places. This is why I have said Jeru- focus on the broader picture of what is time ago, if you visited Notre Dame you salem has enough space to accommodate going on here in the Holy Land. could see written [there] “Vatican Proper- everybody. Now, there is another thing that we ty.” The same happened recently, the Rus- Politically speaking, everybody has should not forget; we have to take into sians asked for some properties to be re- claims over Jerusalem and everybody consideration our human predicament. stored and returned to their proper own- wants Jerusalem to be his or her own capi- Actually, all the fights and clashes in the ers. But who is dealing with the state tal. But from the religious point of view, past were in the name of God. The Cru-

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 4. sades, what were they all about? Were Archbishop Mitrofan of Belaya religious instruction in educational institu- they not in the name of God? And there Tserkov and Boguslavsk, chancellor of tions on all levels and giving the Church are so many others. Today, it is not called the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, read out an opportunity for participation in training “in the name of God,” but in this game, in messages of greetings from Patriarch Ki- teachers of religion, local history and eth- one way or another, religion is involved. rill of Moscow and All Russia and Ukrain- ics for both public and private schools. In the World Council of Churches, ian President Victor Yanukovich. The Council deemed it necessary to how does the Greek Orthodox Church Summing up the work the Ukrainian establish an effective system of protecting view its need to be there or to be a partic- Orthodox Church had carried out since public morality and preventing the propa- ipant? her previous Council on June 26, 1992, ganda of licentiousness and sin. The par- The Orthodox Church and the Patri- the Council thanked God for His mercy ticipants called upon the state to support archate of Jerusalem were among the pio- expressed in the restoration of full-fledged the development of information projects neers, the founders of the World Council church life after decades of atheistic per- for religious education through television, of Churches. It was established at the ini- secution in the 20th century and approved radio and other mass media and to join the tiative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the decisions made earlier by the Holy Church’s efforts to overcome poverty and Constantinople and then all the other Synod and the Bishops’ Councils of the organize the service of the neighbor, to churches followed. The council plays an Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The Council create a system of the army clergy and to important role in bringing together all the also approved the work of the Church’s support the further development of pasto- Christian denominations and has done Synodal departments, ruling bishops, cler- ral care in penitentiaries and hospitals. It great work because all sorts of prejudices gy and laity to revive churches and mon- was deemed necessary to introduce a mor- have been dissipated. asteries and develop missionary and edu- atorium on the privatization of former The problem is this: During its incep- cational activity and social service and church property and to define mechanisms tion years, the council focused on the uni- charity. for its return for the sake of restoring jus- ty of the Christian churches and denomi- The Council reaffirmed the devotion- tice and ensuring the Church’s life and nations, but then the focus was diverted al and canonical unity with the Russian work and social and charitable service. from a theological discussion to social Orthodox Church through which the The state was also asked to consider a matters because of the influence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is united with possibility for returning or allocating land Protestant churches. Later on, in many all the Local Orthodox Churches. It was to monasteries and parishes for their agri- cases, it got involved in political matters. acknowledged that the present canonical cultural work. Today, the council still plays an important status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church The Council called the faithful of the role, but not as prominent as in the past as a self-governed Church with the rights Ukrainian Orthodox Church to pray more because of many political changes and of broad autonomy is a guarantee of the ardently for peace, tranquility and well- developments. preservation of her internal unity and a being of the Ukrainian people so that they Still, the Orthodox Church is commit- foundation for restoring unity in Ukrainian may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly ted to the mission of the World Council of Orthodoxy. and dignified in every way (I Tim. 2:2). Churches. This is why we participate. I The Council thanked the Ukrainian The Council appealed to those broth- myself was the first representative of the state authority for good works and inten- ers and sisters who had fallen away from Patriarchate to become a member of the tions, for having returned churches and the Mother Church and stayed outside her central committee of the council. Now we monasteries and helped to restore them, grace-giving fold to repent and return to have our current representative, and we while expressing hope that the tragic the house of the Father, to restore unity have recently welcomed the new secre- events of the stormy 90s of the 20th centu- around the Eucharistic Cup, stressing that tary-general of the World Council of ry became things of the past and authori- according to the biblical parable, one’s Churches. We are trying to contribute as ties and statesmen would never again seek return to one’s own home is not humiliat- much as possible because today this is to use the Church in temporal earthly in- ing or pitiful. It was reaffirmed that the important, especially for our religion. It terests. stand of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church can help in the peace process and recon- The Council members reaffirmed concerning the ways of overcoming the ciliation, and to bring peace and justice as their willingness to develop further con- schism was a matter of principle not to be well. – Palestine-Israel Journal, Vol. 17, structive church-state relations on the ba- changed: restoration of the unity of No. 12, 2011. sis of partnership and mutual respect and Ukrainian Orthodoxy should take place in for the benefit of the people and appealed accordance with sacred canons without N JULY 8, UPON THE CONCLUSION to the President, Supreme Rada and Cabi- any interference from political forces and OF THE BISHOPS’ COUNCIL OF THE net of Ministers to render assistance in through the return of those fallen away O UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, solving a number of problems. Particular- into the fold of the canonical Ukrainian THE JUBILEE COUNCIL OF THE UKRAINIAN ly, the Council deemed it necessary to Orthodox Church. All the members of the ORTHODOX CHURCH TOOK PLACE AT THE adopt a new version of Ukraine’s Law on Ukrainian Orthodox Church were called REFECTORY CHAMBER of the church of Sts Freedom of Conscience and on Religious to lift up a continued prayer for the return Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves in Organizations so that the Ukrainian Or- of those who have fallen away, for termi- the Kiev Laura of the Assumption. It was thodox Church could have an opportunity nation of the strife, augmentation of love chaired by His Beatitude Vladimir, Met- to obtain the status of legal entity and es- and restoration of unity commanded by ropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine. tablish her own educational institutions on the Lord. After a thanksgiving, His Beatitude various levels. Participants also spoke in With gratitude to God glorified in His Vladimir greeted the participants of the favor of introducing a course of basic saints, the Council noted that during the Council. Christian ethics, Orthodox culture and last 19 years the Ukrainian Orthodox

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 5. Church canonized 260 new saints and Patriarch Filaret stated that in Octo- separated from it. The way back involves called the clergy and laity to follow the ber 2009, “with great enthusiasm Ukraine repentance, which is not a “humiliating example of the newly-glorified saints, to greeted the beginning of a dialogue be- procedure,” said the metropolitan. The build churches and monasteries dedicated tween the Kyivan Patriarchate and the UOC-MP is “ready to forget the wounds” to them and to propagate their veneration. UOC-MP.” But then, he said, “all saw that were inflicted on it by those who sep- A special mention was made of the well that Moscow feared a fruitful and arated from it, reports Religion in need to build a Cathedral of the Resurrec- constructive dialogue and has done every- Ukraine. – RISU, July 11. tion and a Religious Education Center in thing possible to destroy it.” Kiev. Patriarch Filaret called upon the N JULY 13, 2011, HIS HOLINESS In conclusion of the Council, His UOC-MP to move away from Moscow’s PATRIARCH KIRILL OF MOSCOW Beatitude Vladimir once again appealed “way of animosity” and “to choose its own O AND ALL RUSSIA RECEIVED A to its members to love one another and path of reconciliation and find church DELEGATION OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF promote mutual understanding. –Press unity through a fruitful dialogue and un- TRENT, ITALY, LED BY ARCHBISHOP LUIGI Release, Moscow Patriarchate, July 9. derstanding, by way of the ministry of BRESSAN, at the Myrrh Preparation Hall Orthodoxy, not the ‘Russian World.’” of the Patriarchal Palace in the Moscow HE HEADS OF THE UKRAINIAN On July 8, the head of the UOC- Kremlin. Participating in the meeting were ORTHODOX CHURCHES OF THE Moscow Patriarchate Metropolitan Vo- also Rev. Dimitry Sizonenko, DECR act- T KYIVAN AND THE MOSCOW lodymyr in fact answered the head of the ing secretary for inter-Christian relations, PATRIARCHATES – PATRIARCH FILARET UOC-KP Patriarch Filaret in his report to Rev. Andre Decarli, secretary of the Trent (DENYSENKO) AND METROPOLITAN the Jubilee Council of the UOC. diocese, Rev. Corrado Prandi, dean of the VOLODYMYR (SABODAN) – HOPE TO The metropolitan, like Patriarch churches in Trent, and Mr. Alessandro OVERCOME THE CHURCH DIVISION. Filaret, noted the importance of the Martinelli, director of the ecumenical cen- Patriarch Filaret has written to the UOC’s status of independence and self- ter. bishops, clergy and laity of the UOC-MP governance, which it received from the During the talk, the Italian guests present at the Jubilee Council on July 8 ROC in 1990. He did not, however, men- greeted Patriarch Kirill on the occasion of with a proposition to find church unity and tion the Hierarchical Council of 1991, the Day of the Twelve Apostles and re- a fruitful dialogue, while the head of the when the bishops of his council appealed minded him that the history of friendly UOC-MP Metropolitan Volodymyr has in to the ROC with a request to raise its sta- relations between the Moscow Patriar- fact answered him in his report at that tus to that of an autocephalous Orthodox chate and their diocese went back to 1975 council by stating that the position of the Church. when an official delegation of the Russian UOC-MP is to unite all Orthodox Chris- On the contrary, the metropolitan Orthodox Church came to Trent for the tians in the bosom of one canonical noted as one of the main objectives of the first time to attend Orthodox-Catholic church through the repentance of those council of July 8, 2011, to get the approv- theological talks. Archbishop Luigi Bres- who separated. al of the ROC and the UOC at least of the san also informed the Patriarch that at the Patriarch Filaret in his greeting ad- resolutions that were adopted regarding town of Rovereto, a church, which is un- dress noted the 20th anniversary since the the canonical status of the UOC in 1990. der restoration at the moment, has been November 1-3, 1991, Council of the UOC As is well known, these resolutions are transferred for use by the parish of the (then still one church), which unanimously interpreted differently by the ROC (usual- Russian Orthodox Church. adopted a resolution about its autoceph- ly decreased) than by the UOC (usually His Holiness Kirill thanked the guests aly. augmented). for the long-standing and fruitful coopera- “Some of you were present at this Speaking about the division, Metro- tion, making a special mention of the im- council and signed the resolution. Two politan Volodymyr said that Orthodox portance that pastoral care had for Rus- decades of church life have shown that the Christians who found themselves outside sians, Ukrainians and Moldovans who resolution on autocephaly was correct. the UOC-MP, also “praise the common have found themselves far from their This is evident in the fact that former op- faith with us.” However, due to the con- homeland. ponents of this resolution have gradually tinuation of the division, they “cannot After the talk the sides exchanged become supporters,” writes Patriarch achieve the fullness of ecclesiasticism, tokens of the meeting. – Press Release, Filaret. which is given to someone through the Moscow Patriarchate, July 14. However, during the last 20 years, grace of the Holy Spirit.” summed up the head of the Kyivan Patri- “We will pray for you, even if you do N JULY 14, 2011, RUSSIAN archate, the Moscow Patriarchate “does not want this prayer,” said Metropolitan PRESIDENT DMITRY MEDVEDEV not actually want to hear to communal Volodymyr, so that God “unites the O ACCEPTED CREDENTIALS OF voice of the Ukrainian church, does not Church, unites the people.” AMBASSADORS FROM SEVERAL STATES search for a way to resolve the urgent “Demonstrating the willingness to INCLUDING THE VATICAN’S APOSTOLIC problems,” tries to “at any cost, even to start a constructive dialogue with non- NUNCIO, ARCHBISHOP IVAN JURKOVIC, the detriment of Orthodoxy, maintain its canonical church structures,” the UOC, Interfax-Religion has reported. During the power over the UOC,” so that its status of according to Metropolitan Volodymyr, ceremony, the head of the Russian State independence and self-governance “is not “simultaneously retains its principled po- pointed to a development in relations be- filled with real meaning and so that the sition,” which “was and remains un- tween Russia and the Vatican UOC-MP remains part of the Moscow changed”: the unification of all Orthodox ‘Russia’s historical ties with the Holy Patriarchate in the way the Ukrainian SSR Christians in the bosom of a single canon- See are dynamically developing, now in was part of the Soviet Union.” ical church by returning to it those who the format of official diplomatic rela-

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 6. tions’, said the president accepting the ter. Every heir to the imperial throne in- how one built his relations with God and credentials of the head of the Vatican’s herited power by the right of succession. how one died. In the fate of the last Rus- diplomatic mission. He did not receive it like it is received sian emperor we can see that, led to the According to Mr. Medvedev, the co- today, through elections. Nor did he re- slaughter, he sacrificed his life for his own operation between the two states is distin- ceive it for some special merits but simply sins, for the sins of the people and for the guished by their close stands ‘on a consid- because he was the firstborn son of an sins of our Fatherland. And today all this erable number of issues including ques- emperor and was anointed and through family, his faithful servants and all those tions of moral and legal priorities which this received God’s blessing upon his rule. who went the same way of martyrdom and are used in relations between the two The Emperor Nicholas Alexandro- passion-bearing, intercede for our sinful states’. vich assumed the reins of government land, for our sinful people so that the Lord ‘It is my conviction that on this basis over the Russian Empire at a hard time may have mercy upon us and may forgive we can do much for the development and when the people and the intelligentsia our sins and that our people may at last broadening of the space of contacts be- were driven by revolutionary moods, each see the sought-for bright future which they tween representatives of various religious seeking a ‘real’ and ‘better’ future; each so much wanted to see and which they did confessions and cultures for solving the having his own recipe for achieving this not see in the decades of the godless pow- most acute humanitarian problems of to- better future, and the royal throne re- er. day’, the president added. mained the only steady factor in that situa- Today our holy Church is being re- Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic was ap- tion. And when it was shaken the country born. Atheism and godlessness are almost pointed as apostolic nuncio to the Russian was engulfed in a streak of great disasters underground. And we believe that this Federation in February 2011. Earlier he totally unexpected by those who had of- happens through the intercession of those headed the Vatican’s diplomatic mission fered their recipes and advice for building who humbly and without a murmur ac- in Ukraine. He replaced Archbishop An- a better future for Russia. A storm of ad- cepted the suffering that came to their lot, tonio Mennini. – Press Release, Moscow versities and violence swept through the who ascended Golgotha following Christ, Patriarchate, July 15. country sparing nobody. Having begun each his or her own, so that they might die with aristocrats, the royal family and other with the faith in Christ and come to the N JULY 17, 2011, THE COMMEMO- members of the royal house, the Bolshe- other life where they pray for us today. RATION DAY OF THE HOLY ROYAL viks moved on to the nobility and the We believe that through their intercession O PASSION-BEARERS, METROPOLI- clergy and then dispossessed wealthy our Church is reviving today and through TAN HILARION, HEAD OF THE MOSCOW peasants thus delivering a terrible blow on their intercession our beloved Fatherland PATRIARCHATE’S DEPARTMENT FOR the whole peasantry. In a word, it was will be strengthened and through their EXTERNAL CHURCH RELATIONS, violence against all the people, and there intercession each of us will be able to fol- CELEBRATED THE DIVINE LITURGY AT THE were none who did not suffer from that low the way to the heavenly Kingdom and CHURCH OF OUR LADY THE JOY TO ALL godless power to this or that extent. take along our children and grandchildren. THE AFFLICTED IN MOSCOW. He was as- Therefore, when we think about the I wish that through the intercession of sisted by the parish clergy and ordained fate of the royal family we cannot separate holy new martyrs and confessors of Russia staff members of the DECR. Among his them from the fate of the whole people. we all may walk this long path to meet our concelebrants was also Rev. Dionisy Ka- Indeed, the royal family suffered the same Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.’ – Press Re- zantsev, rector of the church of St. John as thousands of other families did. Indeed, lease, Moscow Patriarchate, July 18. the Theologian in Campina das Missioes, repressed were innocent people regardless Brazil. of their age, sex or social status. The god- N JULY 19, 2011, AFTER HIS After the Divine Liturgy, Metropoli- less ones killed adults and children, men MEETING WITH HIS BEATITUDE tan Hilarion delivered the following ser- and women, rich and poor, believers and O DANIEL, PATRIARCH OF ROMANIA, mon: non-believers alike. And when today we METROPOLITAN HILARION, head of the ‘Dear Brothers and Sisters, today, on remember all Russia’s passion-bearers and Moscow Patriarchate’s department for the eve of the commemoration day of St. new confessors we realise that it is impos- external church relations, made the fol- Sergius, the Abbot of Radonezh and sible to enumerate all their names because lowing statement for the press: Wonder-worker of All Russia, the Church many of these names are unknown. We ‘I have come to Bucharest with the celebrates the memory of St. Andrew Ru- know about the death of the royal family blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill blev, a great icon-painter and disciple of because these people were in the public of Moscow and All Russia to meet with St. Sergius and monk of St. Sergius’s eye but there were a great number of simi- His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel and discuss Monastery of the Trinity, and the memory lar families, similar young men and wom- with him a broad range of issues involved of the Holy Royal Passion-bearers – Em- en who were executed by shooting, killed, in the bilateral cooperation between our peror Nicholas Alexandrovich, Empress thrown down mines, and nobody will ever Churches. We had a substantial two-hour Alexandra Fyodorovna, Prince Alexis, know their names. Their names however talk in which we considered a whole num- Princesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Ana- are written in the Lord’s kingdom. ber of problems. stasia, who suffered martyrdom on that Historians are still arguing about the We discussed the general theme of day at the hands of ungodly people. role the last emperor played in the fate of Orthodox witness in today’s world and the Reflecting on the fate of the last Rus- the Russian Empire, about whether he ways in which Orthodox Churches should sian czar and his family, we see that from ruled rightly and whether he made mis- build their mission in the secular society the very beginning this man and people takes. The Church does not argue about it. of today, particularly in the countries tied with him by fate were as if destined to She does not judge politicians and states- where the communist regime existed for a be sacrificed like lambs led to the slaugh- men. She rather looks at how one lived, long time and now has ceased to exist. We

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 7. exchanged opinions on how our two those who left their homeland as a result N 26 JULY 2011, HIS HOLINESS Churches should participate in inter- of World War II, as well as people who PATRIARCH KIRILL OF MOSCOW Orthodox relations including the prepara- have come to reside in that region in re- O AND ALL RUSSIA MET WITH HIS tions for a Holy and Great Council of the cent times. HOLINESS AND BEATITUDE ILIYA II, Orthodox Church. Talking with his high guests, His Ho- CATHOLICOS-PATRIARCH OF ALL GEORGIA We could not avoid the complex is- liness made a positive assessment of the AT THE SYNODAL HALL OF THE KIEV sues on the agenda of our bilateral rela- cooperation between the clergy of the METROPOLIA. tions, particularly the problem concerning Churches of Russia and Antioch in Latin His Holiness Patriarch Kirill opened the activity of the Metropolia of Bessara- America and expressed the wish that the the meeting and expressed his apprecia- bia. In the talk with His Beatitude Patri- fraternal Churches may support each other tion of the recent level of dialogue with arch Daniel, I underscored that his prob- in the future too, sharing joys and hard the Georgian Orthodox Church. Regular lem, unfortunately, had not been removed moments in their life. ‘We should support exchange of delegations and participation from our agenda. Nevertheless, despite its each other by all means in our bilateral in church celebrations allow us to state existence, we should broaden our coop- relations and on the pan-Orthodox level’, that we do not maintain so intensive con- eration in various areas, for instance, in he said. tacts with any other Local Church. students’ exchanges and cultural exchang- Metropolitan Anthony thanked His “I believe it to be quite right and cor- es. We should also discuss on the bilateral Holiness Kirill for the possibility to meet. rect, as there are difficulties in the current level the problem of pastoral care for our He also expressed deep gratitude to the relations between Georgia and Russia. faithful who reside in various countries. Russian Church for her support of the When relations between the states become I am very much satisfied with the Orthodox Christians in the Middle East weaker, the ties between people of the results of our meeting and hope that it will who are experiencing a hard time. He also same faith and relations between the contribute to further strengthening of rela- informed the Patriarch about the way in Churches ought to be strengthened as tions between our two Churches and solu- which the Russian-speaking believers liv- Christ calls us to them. Eventually, the tion of the problems which still darken our ing in Mexico are taken care of in his dio- political situation will change, but Chris- relations’. – Press Release, Moscow Patri- ceses. tian nations will stay united. archate, July 19. Metropolitan George conveyed greet- “May God grant our cooperation to ings from His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatios serve to the good of our nations of the N JULY 25, 2011, HIS HOLINESS IV of Antioch and All the East and the same faith and to the good of our Church- PATRIARCH KIRILL OF MOSCOW Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch. He es,” His Holiness said in conclusion. O AND ALL RUSSIA RECEIVED SOME noted that for Christians in Syria and Leb- After the talk, the Primates met with HIERARCHS OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH anon it was very important to have the the mass media. His Holiness Patriarch OF ANTIOCH AT HIS WORKING RESIDENCE support of the Russian Church. He ex- Kirill said, inter alia, “We have discussed IN CHISTY PEREULOK, MOSCOW. Present pressed gratitude for the support of the the ecclesiastical situation in Abkhazia at the meeting were Metropolitan Anthony Christian minority in the Middle East. His and South Ossetia and also certain ques- of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbe- words of gratitude were shared by Metro- tions of the general Orthodox nature. I an and Venezuela, Metropolitan Dam- politan Damaskinos. should tell you that any time we met with askinos of Sao Paulo and All Brazil, Met- During their talk, Patriarch Kirill not- His Holiness and Beatitude, beginning ropolitan George of Homs, and Archbish- ed that he personally and all the faithful in from 1968, I was most impressed by these op Niphon of Philippopolis, representative Russia were concerned for the fate of meetings… It is quite evident that Abkha- of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the Christians in the Middle East, which is zia and South Ossetia belong to the canon- East to the Patriarch of Moscow. still uncertain. He cited Iraq in which an ical jurisdiction of the Georgian Patriar- Participating in the meeting were also external interference in the life of the chate. On the other hand, there is a certain Archpriest Nikolay Balashov, DECR vice- country led to a destabilization of the situ- canonical disorder in both places at pre- chairman, and Hieromonk Stephan (Igum- ation which affected in the first place the sent. Recent events in Abkhazia have nov), DECR secretariat for inter-Orthodox ethnic and religious minorities. Christians clearly shown the detriment brought by relations. in Iraq were subjected to severe persecu- this disorder to spiritual life of people. Welcoming the guests, Patriarch Ki- tion, many of them died or had to flee the “We have agreed to continue our rill noted that in Latin American countries country. ‘May God grant that the process- talks in order to find decisions that would a special pastoral role and responsibility is es taking place in Arab countries today help both Churches to promote the order- placed on the Patriarchate of Antioch. may not lead to political chaos and new ing of Orthodox people’s life in the men- ‘The greatest number of Orthodox Chris- persecution of Christians’, he said. He tioned regions and to prevent any schis- tians there belongs to your Church. You also underscored that the Russian Church matic actions inflicting damage on the have the largest parishes and the most cannot but sympathize with her brothers in salvation of human souls. active parish life, and this places on you a the Middle East since she has been closely “As I said, we have also discussed great responsibility before God and histo- connected with the Orthodox in the East certain inter-Orthodox problems, and I ry for preserving and broadening Ortho- throughout history. thank God for coincidence of our views doxy in the Latin American continent’, he Metropolitan George in his turn enabling us to speak on many issues, be- said. thanked Patriarch Kirill for the stand tak- ing of one mind.” Patriarch Kirill stressed that there en by Russia with regard to possible sanc- His Beatitude Patriarch Iliya warmly were many faithful of the Russian Ortho- tions to be imposed on Syria. – Press Re- thanked His Holiness Patriarch Kirill for dox Church in Latin America, among lease, Moscow Patriarchate, July 26. the invitation to visit Kiev and continue them post-revolutionary emigrants and the dialogue. He said:

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 8. “It is my first visit to this holy city. On July 26, Patriarch Kirill met PATRIARCHATE’S DEPARTMENT FOR The country and the city have made an Ukrainian President V. Yanukovich in the EXTERNAL CHURCH RELATIONS (DECR). indelible impression on me. Crimea. Later that day, he arrived in Kiev. Metropolitan Hilarion, the sixth We have talked in the spirit of broth- In his brief talk to the mass media report- chairman of this Synodal institution, told erhood, and I thank His Holiness Kirill for ers, he told them about the aims of his the TV viewers at their request about the confirming the jurisdiction of the Geor- pastoral visit to Ukraine. After that His most important events in the DECR activi- gian Orthodox Church in Abkhazia and Holiness went to the Kiev Laura of the ties during the two years of his chairman- Tskhinvali. Caves, where he visited the church of the ship. “I believe that the continuation of our Elevation of the Cross, accompanied by According to him, the DECR is an talks will also be good and that we shall Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All analogue of the Ministry of Foreign Af- find the solution of the problems. – Press Ukraine. Then Patriarch Kirill proceeded fairs. The Department deals with the solu- Release, Moscow Patriarchate, July 27. to the synodal hall of the Kievan Metro- tion of problems appearing in the contacts politanate to meet with His Holiness and of the Russian Orthodox Church with the URING HIS PILGRIMAGE TO Beatitude Iliya II, Patriarch-Catholicos of world. BYZANTINE HOLY PLACES IN All Georgia. The staff has to deal with many is- D TURKEY FROM JULY 10 TO 17, On July 27, Patriarch Kirill met sues, but first and foremost, with the is- METROPOLITAN VLADIMIR OF KISHINEV Ukrainian Prime Minister N. Azarov at sues of inter-Orthodox cooperation in AND ALL MOLDOVA, LEADING A GROUP OF the Kiev Laura of the Caves. After their preparation of the Pan-Orthodox Council PILGRIMS FROM RUSSIA, UKRAINE AND talk he went up St. Vladimir’s Hill. at which the current problems in the life of MOLDOVA, WITH THE BLESSING OF HIS On the eve of the Day of St. Vladimir the Orthodox Church will be discussed. HOLINESS PATRIARCH KIRILL OF MOSCOW Equal-to-the-Apostles and the Day of the ‘The process of preparation began in 1961 AND ALL RUSSIA, MET WITH PATRIARCH Baptism of Rus’, Patriarch Kirill, Catholi- and is far from painless, as there are many BARTHOLOMEW AT HIS RESIDENCE IN cos-Patriarch Iliya and Metropolitan Vla- differences to be surmounted by the ISTANBUL. dimir said a thanksgiving at the monument Churches. This work demands profound Metropolitan Vladimir told Patriarch to the holy prince at the St. Vladimir Hill. attention and continual contacts among the Bartholomew about the church life in In the afternoon, the Holy Synod of Orthodox Churches. However, work in- countries of the former Soviet Union and the Russian Orthodox Church met for a tensity is increasing,” Metropolitan Hilar- problems faced and achievements made regular summer session at the Kiev Laura ion underscored. by the Orthodox Church of Moldova. of the Caves. It was chaired by Patriarch Institutions located abroad play a Patriarch Bartholomew showed a Kirill. great part in DECR’s work, the Russian great interest in the problems raised and After the Holy Synod’s session, Patri- Ecclesiastical Mission in particular. It was displayed a profound awareness of the arch Kirill attended the opening of an in- founded in the 19th century and has been church situation in the region. He ex- ternational forum on Orthodox Women: very instrumental in maintaining our rela- pressed hope that all the difficulties would Unity, Service, Love. tions with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, be soon overcome so that Orthodox wit- In the evening, Patriarch Kirill met the authorities of the State of Israel and of ness might be strengthened and the reli- with higher education institutions’ rectors the Palestinian National Authority, and in gious and historical status of Orthodoxy in at the Shevchenko National University in our presence in the Middle East in gen- Moldova could be preserved in face of the Kiev. He shared his thoughts about the eral. We try to monitor the events in the challenges brought about by today’s importance of church tradition in history, region and help our Christian brothers and world. He also introduced the pilgrims to culture and science. sisters who find themselves in an embar- the present situation in the Patriarchate of On July 28, the commemoration day rassing situation, the DECR chairman Constantinople and the Patriarchate’s of St. Vladimir Equal-to-the-Apostles, continued. agenda. Patriarch Kirill, Catholicos-Patriarch Iliya Metropolitan Hilarion also spoke The hierarchs expressed a high ap- and Metropolitan Vladimir celebrated the about the major historical landmarks in preciation of the dialogue which took Divine Liturgy at the Kiev Laura of the the life of the Moscow Patriarchate’s De- place and underscored the importance of Caves. After the service, Patriarch Kirill partment for External Church Relations, consolidating inter-Orthodox unity and visited the Memorial of Eternal Glory at which was founded in a difficult time. cooperation of which the organization of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Metropolitan Nikolai (Yarushevich) be- pilgrimages to holy places is a construc- monument to the victims of the 1930s came its head in 1946. “The revival of the tive and positive sign. mass starvation in Kiev. Church began during the War and contin- In conclusion of the talk Patriarch His Holiness concluded his primatial ued after it. One of the aspects of this re- Bartholomew conveyed best wishes to His visit to Ukraine on Thursday. We was vival was the appearance of the Russian Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and seen off at Borispol airport by Metropoli- Church on the international scene. The All Russia and pronounced benediction tan Vladimir and bishops and clergy of the DECR was needed for this. It prepared the over the pilgrims and their journey back Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Patriar- visits of Patriarch Alexis I, elected by the home. – Press Release, Moscow Patriar- chal Press Service reported. – Press Re- Local Council in 1945, to foreign coun- chate, July 28. lease, Moscow Patriarchate, July 29. tries and to most of the Local Orthodox Churches.” IS HOLINESS PATRIARCH KIRILL OF HE TV PROGRAM “THE CHURCH Another important aspect was the re- MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA WAS AND THE WORLD” BROADCAST ON establishment of relations with the com- H ON A PRIMATIAL VISIT TO UKRAINE T 23 JULY 2011 WAS DEDICATED TO patriots who, living in emigration after the FROM JULY 26 TO 28. THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOSCOW Revolution, had almost lost any ties with

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 9. the Church in the Fatherland. tion of the Millennium of the Baptism of AT THE OFFICIAL HOME OF THE FAMILY OF “The last years of Metropolitan Niko- Russia. It was thought initially that it THE PRINCE OF WALES and was hosted by lai in office coincided with the beginning would be a closed church celebration, but Charles, the Prince of Wales. of a new wave of persecution of the it happened to be a nation-wide festivity, Specifically, on Thursday afternoon, Church. Nikita Khrushchev put forward a coinciding with the beginning of the disin- about 100 guests from the United King- task to do away with the Church in twenty tegration of the communist ideology and dom, Europe, the U.S. and prominent years. Metropolitan Nikolai fell victim to the Soviet system. The year 1988, when members of the Serbian Diaspora, gath- this persecution. He was accused of an Metropolitan Philaret chaired the DECR ered to raise money for lab equipment to overly active position. He wrote an ad- and took a most active part in preparations maintain icons and manuscripts, which are dress, which Patriarch Alexis I delivered, for the jubilee, has become a turning point part of the priceless treasures of Hilandari saying that the Church has always been in the history of our Church. We have Monastery. with its people and underscoring the his- counted the revival of the church life from It should be noted that the Head of toric role of the Church. This address pro- that year.’ the Foundation of Hilandari Monastery, voked a negative reaction by the authori- Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Milinots Radic, said the charity event was ties, who demanded that Metropolitan Kaliningrad, now the Patriarch, led the organized by Prince Charles to support the Nikolai be discharged.’ DECR during the post-Soviet period. Met- Monastery. Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) took ropolitan Hilarion named the most im- "We also had two other charity events over the leadership of the DECR in 1960. portant events of that time. ‘First of all, in London, and the money received was “This period was very difficult for the Church-state relations were developed not for the rehabilitation of bakery equipment Church, as the decision to eliminate it was only in Russia, but in the whole post- and the library of the Monastery," added not annulled, though not physically, but Soviet space. After over two hundred Mr. Radic. ideologically. People with certain weak- years of the Synodal period and seventy Prince Charles regularly visits Mount ness were found and persuaded to de- years of persecution, it was very important Athos and Hilandari Monastery, during nounce their faith and the Church. There to elaborate a model of Church-state rela- which he has seen up close the extent of were some notorious incidents; for in- tions that would be based on the principle the destruction caused by the fire on 4 stance, a professor of the Moscow Theo- of mutual non-interference into internal March 2004. logical Academy renounced his faith pub- affairs of one another and at the same time It is true that Prince Charles and his licly.” would allow active cooperation.’ Metro- father the Duke of Edinburgh, honorary According to Metropolitan Hilarion, politan Hilarion thinks highly of the ser- members of the Friends of Mount Athos in all this caused very grave damage to the vices of Metropolitan Kirill who initiated the United Kingdom, contributed actively Church. “The authorities set themselves a the document called “The Foundations of to Mount Athos and the Monastery. task to reduce the number of bishops to the Social Concept of the Russian Ortho- The Abbot of the Monastery, Archi- zero. When an old bishop died, no one dox Church” that formulated principles of mandrite Methodios, in his statement said was appointed to replace him. Under the cooperation between the Church and the that the Prince of Wales cares for the circumstances, Metropolitan Nikodim state. course of the reconstruction of the Monas- began a systematic work for making the Most of the Synodal departments of tery, but the work has been affected by the episcopate younger in defiance of the au- the Russian Orthodox Church were found- economic crisis, as the Serbian and the thorities’ will and employing the external ed by Metropolitan Kirill. The re-estab- Greek governments are unable to contrib- relations of the Russian Orthodox Church. lishment of Eucharistic communion be- ute. He used to tell the authorities, “We cannot tween the Russian Orthodox Church Out- It is worth noting that the abbot of delegate old people to the international side of Russia and the Moscow Patriar- Hilandari, Methodios, met with Prince conferences on disarmament; we need chate was another most important event of Charles and briefed him on the renovation young modern people.” Among them were that period. work and especially the restoration of the his future successors as DECR chairman – As to the DECR’s work at present, west wing. Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsy and Metropolitan Hilarion said, ‘The presence Prince Charles reported on the sus- Kolomna, Metropolitan Philaret of Minsk of the Russian Orthodox Church on the tainable development of the Monastery and Slutsk, and Metropolitan Kirill, now international scene is very active. It is and told the abbot that some money will His Holiness the Patriarch. aimed at witnessing the beauty of Ortho- be invested in vineyards and olive trees, In the 1970-80s, when the DECR was doxy and the truth kept undamaged by the which will contribute to the normal life of chaired by Metropolitans Juvenaly Orthodox Church. As a matter of fact, this the Monastery. (Poyarkov) and Philaret (Vakhromeyev), is a missionary task to perform. For in- Finally, the abbot of Hilandari during theological dialogues were intensified, stance, when we speak at inter-Christian his stay in the United Kingdom visited the including those with the Roman Catholic forums, we speak of the teaching of the Church of St. Sava in London, and the Church, with the Old Oriental Churches, Orthodox Church, and often enough this is Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Es- and with some Protestant Churches. “This the first encounter with Orthodox for sex. – Press Release, Serbian Patriarchate, was a very important development, as our many people.’ – Press Release, Moscow July 30. Church was isolated from the whole world Patriarchate, July 30. during the Soviet time and before the War HE WORKING SESSION OF THE HOLY in particular.’ FUNDRAISING RECEPTION FOR THE SYNOD OF THE ROMANIAN ‘Preparation for the revival of eccle- RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SERBIAN T ORTHODOX CHURCH OF 21 JULY siastical life began in the 1980s. The A HILANDARI MONASTERY ON 2011, APPROVED THE CANONIZATION OF Church started to prepare for the celebra- MOUNT ATHOS WAS HELD ON JULY 28TH THE METROPOLITANS OF TRANSYLVANIA

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 10. ANDREI ŞAGUNA (CELEBRATED ON 30 Psalter Book in Romanian. – Press Re- schism in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. NOVEMBER) AND SIMEON ŞTEFAN lease, Romanian Patriarchate, July 22. – Sophia News Agency, July 4. (CELEBRATED ON 24 APRIL), as a result of the synodal proposals of the Metropolitan ULGARIA'S EU COMMISSIONER MEETING OF THE HOLY SYNOD OF Synods of the Metropolitan Sees of Tran- KRISTALINA GEORGIEVA HAS CON- THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF sylvania and of Cluj, Alba, Crişana and B GRATULATED PATRIARCH MAXIM, A GEORGIA TOOK PLACE IN TBILISI Maramureş. THE HEAD OF THE BULGARIAN ORTHODOX ON JULY 11. THE CHAIRMAN WAS ILIA II, Metropolitan Şaguna Andrei (bap- CHURCH, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 40TH CATHOLICOS PATRIARCH OF ALL GEORGIA tised Anastasie) was Metropolitan of YEAR SINCE HIS ENTHRONEMENT. I. On 5 July 2011 Georgia’s Parlia- Transylvania (of Aromanian origin). He "This is not just your personal cele- ment adopted amendments to the Civil was born on 20 December 1808 (1 Janu- bration; it is also a celebration for the en- Code of Georgia. General displeasure was ary 1809 st. n.) in Mişcolţ, Hungary, and tire Bulgarian nation. In the last four dec- expressed in the Synod in connection with passed away on 16/28 June 1873 in Sibiu ades you have navigated the ship of our the fact that, in spite of the obligations (buried in Răşinari). He attended the holy church through the ruffled sea of contained in Constitutional Concordat, courses of the secondary school in Mişcolţ history, preserving its unity. I admire your there was no preliminary consultation and Pesta (graduated in 1826), then phi- dedicated and fruitful work for the benefit either with the Georgian Patriarchate or losophy and law at the University of Pesta of our fatherland," Georgieva states in her with society at large; this became the rea- (1826 – 1829) and theology at the Ortho- address to Patriarch Maxim of Bulgaria. son for the disturbance of both the reli- dox Seminary of Vârşeţ (1829 – 1832). "Our church has always been with the gious personnel of the Georgian Church After finishing the theological studies he nation and its aspirations for freedom, and its many laity. joined the community of the Serb monas- humaneness, and well-being. Thanks to Resolution: tery of Hopovo, where he became a monk, you, it has remained invariably by its side, Based upon the Constitution of Geor- with the name of Andrei (24 October and has continued to listen to the nation's gia and legal norms recognized by the 1833), and was ordained hierodeacon voice," the congratulatory address reads. international community, the Georgian (February 1834); professor at the Theo- An official solemn Mass marking the Orthodox Church acknowledges that peo- logical Seminary of Carloviţ and secretary 40th anniversary of the enthronement of ple of all faiths residing in Georgia, as of the “Archdiocesan Consistory” over Bulgarian Patriarch Maxim was in Sofia's well as religious organizations, are equal there (since 1834), hieromonk (29 June St. Alexander Nevski cathedral on Sun- before the law. The freedom of religious 1837), protosingelos, metropolitan coun- day. confession is not restricted according to sellor and “administrator” and proxy of The official commemoration of the whatever religious organization a citizen the abbot at Iazac monastery (1838) and 96-year-old Patriarch Maxim's enthrone- of Georgia belongs to. The special legal then at Beşenovo (1841); archmandrite ment started Saturday, when the relics of status of the Georgian Orthodox Auto- and abbot at Hopovo Monastery (1842), the great Christian Orthodox theologian cephalous Church, based in the Constitu- and then at Covil (1845); after 1842, he St. Maximus the Confessor traveled from tion of Georgia and the Constitutional worked for a time as professor at the Ro- Mount Athos to be laid out for veneration Concordat, expresses the will of the Geor- manian section of the Theological Semi- in the Patriarchal St. Alexander Nevsky gian people, and does not restrict the free- nary of Vârşeţ and “counsellor” of the Cathedral dom of other religious faith and their Consistory over there. On 15/27 June Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov, equality under the law. 1846, he was appointed “general vicar” of PM Boyko Borisov, Parliamentary Chair Address to the Georgian government: the Diocese of Transylvania, seated in Tsetska Tsacheva, as well as former Tsar a) In the future, when bills concerning Sibiu; on 2 December 1847, he was elect- and Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg religion and other related questions are ed bishop (confirmed on 5 February 1848, were among those attending the solemn being considered, preliminary consulta- ordained at Carloviţ on 18/30 April 1848); Mass. tions should be taken with the Georgian on 12/24 December 1864, he was ap- Patriarch Maxim was born as Marin Patriachate in order that on such matters pointed archbishop and metropolitan of Naidenov Minkov on October 29, 1914 complication might be avoided. the re-established Metropolitan See of and was raised in the Balkan Mountains b) Governmental negotiations should Transylvania, seated in Sibiu. village of Oreshak. He became a novice be started to discuss the status of epar- Metropolitan Simion Ştefan was met- monk at the nearby monastery of Troyan chies of the Georgian Patriarchate and ropolitan of Transylvania and passed before attending Sofia University, where their property issues. away in June /July 1656 in Alba Iulia. He he specialized in Orthodox Theology. He c) The state should be more active in studied at the Academic College of Alba took Holy Orders in 1941. its support for Georgian national and spir- Iulia; he became a monk at the Romanian After a number of promotions within itual monuments that exist outside of Monastery in the city. In 1643, he was the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Maxim Georgia. elected metropolitan of the Transylvanian was appointed as Bulgaria's Patriarch on d) The religious policy that was in Romanians seated at Alba Iulia (Bălgrad). July 4, 1971, following the death of the place between the time when Georgia’s During his pastoral rule the New Testa- incumbent, Cyril. independence and the Church’s autoceph- ment “from Bălgrad” was printed, the first In the 1990s, following allegations aly were lost and their reinstatement complete Romanian translation (1648), that Maxim had collaborated with the should be considered non-canonical. with a remarkable preface by the metro- former Communist regime, the church e) A commission should be formed to politan in which he discussed the unity of split, with a rival Bulgarian Alternative monitor fulfillment of the obligations of the Romanian language. It was re-edited Synod being formed. Maxim gathered the Constitutional Concordat. in 1988 and 1998. In 1651 he printed a enough support to prevent a complete II. The Holy Synod heard a report on

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 11. the life and work of Anton II (Bagrationi) WOULD BE SUPPLYING THE SOUTH WITH Venizelos expressed optimism that, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia and POWER. following this meeting, "we can do very resolved that Catholicos-Patriarch Anton "I'd rather get by with a lantern and specific and practical things that will give II (Bagrationi) should be recognized as a flashlight," the Prelate remarked. "If they relief to the people in need.” – ANA, July saint and that he would be called the had asked me, I would have told them not 6. Long-suffering Anton II, Catholicos- to bring electricity from the occupied are- Patriarch of All Georgia; and that his day as or to have electricity given to the Arch- INORITY CHRISTIAN DENOMINA- of commemoration would be 21 Decem- bishopric." TIONS IN GREECE ARE CLOSING ber (new style, 3 January) and that an icon He added: "Let's switch off the air M DOWN THEIR CHARITY WORK would be painted and proper service mate- conditioning units, sweat a little, experi- AND HAVING TROUBLE PAYING CLERGY rial written. ence some hardship and set aside our SALARIES because of the economic crisis, III. The Holy Synod discussed the comforts. As far as I'm concerned, I have according to church leaders in Athens. violation of moral norms by some clergy not been using the a/c in my office since "Like other Protestant churches, we're and decided that a Commission on the that day [when the deal was announced]. financially autonomous here and not sup- Violation of Moral Norms would be The top cleric recalled when a blaze ported by anyone but our own members, formed to investigate. broke out on the Pendadaktilos mountains, so our revenue has fallen sharply," said The Commission will consist of An- confessing that at the time he privately Dimitrios Boukis, general secretary of the dria (Gvazava) the Metropolitan of Sam- admired the Turkish Cypriots for turning Greek Evangelical Church, which has 29 tavisi and Gori and Iakob Iakobishvili down Greek Cypriot offers to help battle congregations in two regional synods in Bishop of Gardabani and Martqopi. -- the flames: "I told myself that they have Greece, and another in North America. Georgian Patriarchate, July 11. self-respect," he noted, perhaps hinting "We're already unable to pay the pen- that the current government did not. sions of older pastors and their widows, HE GREEK COMMUNITY OF AMERI- Speaking to newsmen after the Na- and we've seen a rapid increase in requests CA, AND ESPECIALLY THE GREEK- tional Council meeting, DIKO leader Mar- for help from local parishioners. Although T CYPRIOT COMMUNITY, IS CON- ios Garoyian said his party's concern was our church has been present in Greece STANTLY VIGILANT AND STRUGGLES that the cooperation with the north should since 1858, the state hasn't granted us the CONTINUALLY TO PROMOTE A PROPER not entail any "direct or indirect recogni- rights of a legal body, so our situation is SOLUTION TO THE CYPRUS PROBLEM, tion of the pseudo-state." highly fragile," he said Archbishop of America, Demetrios, stated He added, somewhat philosophically: He was speaking after European Un- in Nicosia, Cyprus, on July 7. "The thought that is spinning in my head ion finance ministers released emergency Demetrios, who was speaking after a is how we have managed to get ourselves funding for the Greek economy, following meeting with Cyprus Archbishop Chrysos- into this situation, to have to take electrici- approval by Greek parliamentarians of tomos II, earlier in the day at the Arch- ty from the occupied areas. How did we tough austerity measures by the center-left bishopric, stressed that the Cypriot com- do it?" – Elias Hazou for The Cyprus government of premier George Papandre- munity in America plays a significant role Mail, July 19. ou amid violent street protests as unem- in the promotion of orthodoxy and "global ployment neared 23 percent. Hellenism" in America. REEK GOVERNMENT VICE PRESI- Meanwhile, a Roman Catholic leader The Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysos- DENT AND FINANCE MINISTER said his church would also be unable to tomos II said that during the meeting they G EVANGELOS VENIZELOS MET ON pay clergy and staff salaries by the end of exchanged views on church-related issues, JULY 6 WITH ARCHBISHOP IERONYMOS OF the year and is also closing a hospice and and thanked the Archbishop and the Greek ATHENS AND ALL GREECE and discussed cutting aid for refugees and asylum- community of America for their interest in outstanding Church finance issues. seekers administered by its Caritas organi- the Cyprus problem. Venizelos met with the Archbishop sation and Mother Teresa's Sisters of Cyprus has been divided since 1974, and members of the Holy Synod at the Charity. when Turkish troops invaded and occu- Church headquarters at Moni Petraki. "We're only a small minority, with pied its northern third. UN-led peace talks Ieronymos said afterwards that the few properties and resources, and we've are currently underway between the lead- meeting had been "beneficial,” adding that been burdened in recent years by many ers of the island's two communities, in an all the Synod members were given the Catholics coming here from poor coun- effort to find a negotiated settlement that floor, while "answers were given to our tries in search of a better life, using will unite the country under a federal roof. requests, and these aim at progress.” Greece as Europe's eastern gateway," After the meeting, the Archbishop of He noted that the Church in Greece Archbishop Nikolaos Foskolos, the Catho- Cyprus hosted a luncheon in honor of the has always stood and fought at the side of lic archbishop of Athens, told ENInews. Archbishop of America, also attended by the people and has given all that it could. "We get no help from the state and Greek Ambassador to Cyprus, Vassilis Venizelos in turn thanked the Arch- our faithful simply can't give any more. Papaioannou and American Ambassador bishop for the "fruitful" discussion and Since Greece joined the EU in 1981, we Frank C. Urbancic. – ANA, July 7. praised the "great work" the Church has haven't received any help from Western done throughout the years. churches either, since we're considered a EADING THE CHARGE AGAINST THE "It is our duty to safeguard our na- rich country ourselves and they can only CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT YESTERDAY tional unity and social cohesion," Venize- aid the Third World. But we have parts of L WAS ARCHBISHOP CHRYSOSTOMOS, los said, adding "therefore, in both word the Third World here in Greece, and it's WHO EXPRESSED DISMAY ON LEARNING and action, the Church is of decisive im- creating great pastoral and social hard- THAT THE TURKISH CYPRIOT REGIME portance.” ships," he added.

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 12. The Orthodox Church of Greece, rental income in tax," said Father Timoth- Reuters. which covers 97 percent of the population eos, the Greek Church's Holy Synod From the smallest village in northern of 10.4 million and enjoys state recogni- spokesman. Greece, where farmers pay rent to the tion, is also cutting back its social and Despite the growing demands for Church, to the smart suburbs of Athens, charitable work, after being told its clergy more transparency, Prime Minister where the Church owns prime real estate must accept a 50 percent reduction in their George Papandreou's Pasok socialist gov- in the seafront millionaires' neighborhood state-paid salaries. ernment doesn't dare take on the powerful of Vouliagmeni, the land holdings are However, in his ENInews interview, Church, an adviser to the premier enormous. Boukis said Orthodox priests were better acknowledged, speaking on condition of Stefanos Manos, another former fi- able to cope, thanks to earnings from bap- anonymity. nance minister from the early 1990s, said tisms, weddings, funerals and other regu- Church finances, lands and other con- the Church's real estate portfolio was lar church ceremonies. The Greek consti- cerns are so labyrinthine they are hard to worth billions of euros but it had always tution defines Orthodoxy as the "dominant penetrate, analysts said. The Church's total resisted an outside audit. religion" and requires public office- tax payment is not made public and Father Manos, a center-right liberal, clashed holders to take an oath before an Ortho- Timotheos said churches are responsible on television this month with the Metro- dox priest. for their own taxes. politan of Thessaloniki, demanding an "If things get even worse for us here, The Holy Synod paid 1.3 million eu- independent survey of church property we'll have to ask our fellow-Protestants ros in tax last year, said Father Timotheos, and arguing that it should take over the around the world for help, while also find- adding: "We could have challenged this in payment of clerical salaries and pensions. ing more creative ways of generating in- the European courts, but we didn't because Father Timotheos countered that the come," Boukis said. – Jonathan Luxmoore we want to help the state and our home- Church was effectively subsidizing the for ENI, July 12. land." state. Several ministry buildings, universi- There is plenty of anecdotal evidence ties and hospitals in Athens are on church HE CHURCH VEHEMENTLY DENIES about the assets of the Church, which property, leased to the state for a pittance ACCUSATIONS IT IS ONE OF owns, for example, a stake of about 1.5 or free of charge, he said. T GREECE'S BIGGEST TAX DODGERS percent in Greece's largest bank, National The Church is currently lobbying AND SAYS IT IS PLAYING A VITAL SOCIAL, Bank of Greece. authorities to be allowed to develop ECONOMIC AND SPIRITUAL ROLE IN THIS Given this kind of wealth, campaign- Vouliagmeni which is zoned as protected TIME OF HARDSHIP. ers want the Church to pay more towards forest. With the third year of recession tor- its own upkeep. Archbishop Hieronymos of Athens, menting Greece's 11 million people, the The state at the moment pays the sala- the head of the Greek Church, raised the Church has provided solace, comfort and ries of about 9,000 black-robed priests, issue with new Finance Minister Evange- nourishment but activists say it's now time including about 100 metropolitans who los Venizelos at their first meeting, Father to dig deep into its coffers to help with the run the Church, as well as the pensions of Timotheos said. bailout. retired clergy. The implication is that even though The Greek Orthodox Church has long It costs the public purse 268 million the government is desperate for revenue, enjoyed a privileged, some would say euros a year, Facebook campaigners say. neither the state nor the Church has an cosy, status when it comes to taxes in a Father Timotheos said that was justified as interest in a public day of reckoning over country where it is responsible for the sole the Church handed over 96 percent of the taxes and land. official religion, with one critic calling its land it held when Greece became inde- "It is scandalous that we don't know complex finances at best opaque. pendent from the Ottoman Empire in and indeed they don't know what they But the sovereign debt crisis that has 1821. own," Manos said. "It all starts from this rocked the Greek state, thrown hundreds Over the centuries before Turkish opaque situation. But no one wants to of thousands of people out of work and rule, Byzantine emperors gave vast know. No one wants transparency." forced painful cuts in salaries, pensions swathes of the country to the men of God. The Church may not be the pillar of and benefits, has raised fresh questions In the Ottoman era, many Greek fami- Greek life that it was a century ago but it about the Church's tax position. lies entrusted their property to the Church still wields influence in this predominantly More than 100,000 people have for safe-keeping to avoid expropriation by orthodox society and priests command joined a Greek Facebook page "Tax The the Turks. Records were poor and it was respect and provide continuity in many Church" and 29,000 have so far signed an not always returned. communities. online petition urging the state to harness The government is now under intense "It's the third rail of Greek politics. If "the huge fortune of churches" to reduce pressure from the IMF and the EU to sell you touch it, you die," the adviser to Pa- Greece's crushing budget deficit. off public assets, including real estate. pandreou said, comparing the issue to the "The Church must pay its share of the Part of the problem is no one knows high voltage electrified rail on some train tax burden," said former finance minister how much property the Church has. tracks. Yannos Papantoniou. "It is totally unrea- Greece has no central land registry and the Asked why he had not acted to make sonable in this situation that they contrib- Church's decentralized structure means it the Church pay more while he was finance ute so little." does not know what it owns. minister in 1994-2001, Papantoniou said The Church angrily denies accusa- "The Greek Church is paying almost Pasok had taken a beating when the tions it doesn't pay its fair share. "This is a nothing in taxes to the Greek state for the Church fought the government over na- lie. We pay more land tax than ordinary total assets that it controls,” one senior tax tional identity cards and had no stomach businesses and we pay 20 percent of our expert, who declined to be named, told for another fight.

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 13. "It's a classic case of measuring the diocesan Episcopal Search Committee V.I. Bering and A.I. Chirikov. political costs," he told Reuters in an in- reviewed the names of 22 possible candi- The events began with the celebration terview. "The government paid a high dates. After thorough review and discus- of a memorial panikhida at Holy Trinity price over identity cards and before that in sion, the list was reduced to six names. Church near Moscow’s Sukharov Square, a battle in the 1980s over church proper- All six men were contacted and their designated as a “Sea Church.” By invita- ty." suitability as candidates was further re- tion of a cleric of the church, Priest Ale- The clergy's ability to mobilize mass viewed. Through this process, the Search ksandr Kholmogorov, Father Zacchaeus rallies was so great the current prime min- Committee arrived at the two candidates led the panikhida, with visiting Archpriest ister's father, Andreas Papandreou, had to presented to the Fifth Congress-Sobor — Vladimir Berzonsky from Holy Trinity abandon a plan to nationalize large tracts Father Golitzin and Archpriest Paul Gas- Church in Parma, Ohio, and Priest Ale- of church land. sios. ksandr concelebrating. After the service, No wonder one of Venizelos' first A native of Saint Innocent Church, Father Zacchaeus preached on the im- promises as minister last month was to Tarzana, CA, Father Alexander Golitzin portance of the discovery of Alaska, espe- keep paying clergy salaries and pensions. received a BA in English from UC Berke- cially in relation to the Russian Orthodox The Church says it is pulling its ley and an M. Div. from Saint Vladimir’s Missionary work there that led to the weight in the crisis by stepping up assis- Seminary. He spent seven years pursuing spread of Orthodox Christianity through- tance -- from soup kitchens to debt relief doctoral studies at Oxford University in out America. Following Father Zacchae- and counseling -- for Greeks who have England under His Eminence, Metropoli- us’ words, the President of the “Russian fallen on hard times. tan Kallistos [Ware]. During this time, he America” Society offered greetings to all Church communities are providing also spent two years in Greece, including gathered. 50,000 meals a day for the needy, an in- one year at Simonos Petras Monastery on Following the panikhida, the clergy crease from 35,000 before the crisis, Fa- Mount Athos. and those praying with them visited the ther Timotheos said. In some places, they After receiving his D.Phil. in 1980, Memorial Monument, erected in honor of have started "social groceries,” handing Father Alexander returned to the US, the 300th Anniversary of the Russian Na- out staple foodstuffs free, he said, adding: where he was ordained to the diaconate in vy, at which prayers were offered for the "We spent about 100 million euros on January 1982 and to the priesthood two departed and flowers were placed in their philanthropic acts in 2010 and we have years later. In 1986, he was tonsured to memory. – OCA Press Release, July 16. increased since then. What more can we monastic orders. He served OCA missions do?" in northern California and headed the Di- RCHIMANDRITE ZACCHAEUS Churches were helping distressed ocese of the West’s mission committee. In (WOOD), DEAN OF ST. CATHERINE people in debt to pay off small loans, ei- 1989, he took a teaching position at Mil- A THE GREAT MARTYR-IN-THE- ther directly or by putting them in contact waukee’s Marquette University in the FIELDS CHURCH IN MOSCOW AND with wealthy donors, he said. Theology Department, a position which he REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ORTHODOX The Church is maintaining its own holds today. CHURCH IN AMERICA TO THE PATRIARCH levels of employment at a time when pub- “We are very happy to reach the point OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA HAS BEEN lic and private sector jobs are being axed. of selecting our episcopal nominee, but PLACED ON A LEAVE OF ABSENCE and re- Priests are being trained to care for psy- we are aware that the process is not yet called to the United States by His Beati- chologically fragile parishioners at a time over,” noted Episcopal Search Coordina- tude, Metropolitan Jonah. He is prohibit- when the suicide rate is on the rise. tor, Archpriest Andrew Jarmus. “Father ed from exercising any liturgical or sac- Father Timotheos bristled at the sug- Alexander’s name will now be formally ramental ministry. Priest John Kechkin, gestion that the Church should be making presented to the Holy Synod of Bishops. who is attached to St. Catherine Church, a bigger contribution. The Holy Synod will initiate its own re- will provide pastoral services for the time "People trust the Church above any- view procedure and, God willing, this will being. Archpriest Leonid Kishkovsky, one else in this country. Whenever they result in Father’s canonical election as Director of External Affairs of the Ortho- have a problem, they don't knock on the bishop of our diocese. Once we reach that dox Church in America, will assume du- prime minister's door or a minister's point, we will be able to issue information ties as the representative of the OCA to door," he said. concerning Father Alexander’s episcopal the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. – "Their doors are shut. Our doors are consecration and installation.” The Bul- OCA Press Release, July 28. open." – Paul Taylor and Renee Maltezou garian Diocese includes 19 parishes and for Reuters, July 16. missions and one monastery. – OCA Press The Assyrian Church of the East Release, July 9. RCHIMANDRITE ALEXANDER IS GRACE MAR AWA ROYEL, GOLITZIN WAS NOMINATED AS THE N FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011, BY BISHOP OF THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH A CANDIDATE FOR BISHOP OF INVITATION OF THE MOSCOW H OF THE EAST, DIOCESE OF TOLEDO AND THE BULGARIAN DIOCESE OF O HISTORICAL ENLIGHTENMENT CALIFORNIA AND SECRETARY OF THE THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA at SOCIETY “RUSSIAN AMERICA,” ARCHI- HOLY SYNOD, WAS RECEIVED BY HIS the diocese’s Fifth Congress-Sobor in Fort MANDRITE ZACCHAEUS, REPRESENTATIVE EMINENCE MOR CLEMIS EUGENE KAPLAN, Wayne, Indiana, on June 9, 2011. OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan of the Dio- Last June, the Bulgarian Diocese ini- TO THE MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE, partici- cese of Western USA and His Eminence tiated its search for a candidate to take on pated in events held in honor of the 270th Mor Cyril Efram Karim, Syrian Orthodox the ministry of diocesan bishop. At the Anniversary of the discovery of Russian Metropolitan of the Diocese of Eastern close of the first phase of the search, the America (Alaska) by Navigator-Explorers USA, at the diocesan headquarters and

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 14. episcopal residence of the Syrian Ortho- his efforts to help the Armenian people. Churches and the Middle East Council of dox Archdiocese of Western USA, Bur- The Prime Minister's proclamation noted Churches and participation in these bod- bank, California. Archbishop Barsamian's "work to ies; strengthening cooperation and coordi- Accompanying His Grace were Rev. strengthen state and church relations" and nation of activities between the three sister Dr. Chor-bishop Gewargis Toma and Rev. "his contributions to the education of Ar- churches. Genard Lazar, parish priests participating menian youth." In its final statement the Standing in the 25th Annual National Youth Con- Under the leadership of Archbishop Committee reaffirmed the unity of the ference of the Assyrian Church of the Barsamian, the Eastern Diocese and its faith that exists between them; recommit- East, held in Los Angeles, California. parishes have extended spiritual and mate- ted them to face together challenges and During this meeting, on 2 June, the rial outreach to Armenia and Nagorno- developments in the Middle East; and prelates expressed their joy and brotherly Karabagh. In the past two decades, the reconfirmed their attachment to their an- love towards each other, while accentuat- Diocese has spearheaded a number of cient orthodox roots in the Region. – Press ing the significance and prospects of fu- service and exchange programs, pilgrim- Release, Great House of Cilicia, July 8. ture dialogue between the two sister ages, publications, and other initiatives to Churches, which will be seen as extremely build connections between the Armenians N MONDAY 11 JULY 2011, REV. effortless due to the undeniable fact that in the United States and their brothers and FR. RAPHAEL MINASSIAN VISITED “we are one people and one faith.” sisters in the homeland. O HIS HOLINESS ARAM I ACCOM- It’s inspiring to add that during the In addition, the Fund for Armenian PANIED BY THE EDITOR SARKIS NAJARIAN. meeting, His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Relief-which was established by Arch- The Archbishop was recently appointed Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian bishop Torkom Manoogian, Kevork Hov- by the Vatican to serve the Armenian Church of the East, contacted Chor-bishop nanian, and Dr. Edgar Housepian in the Catholic community in Armenia, Georgia Toma, enquiring into the outcome of the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake in Spitak and Russia. conference. When His Holiness was ad- and Gyumri-has grown under Archbishop His Holiness Aram I congratulated vised of the meeting of the two prelates, Barsamian's guidance to become the the Archbishop for his new pastoral minis- he extended his blessings and expressed homeland's leading humanitarian organi- try and said, “I am confident that you will his utmost pleasure and joy in the meet- zation, offering programs in education, serve Armenia and strengthen Armenia- ing. health care, child protection, and econom- Diaspora relations through your new min- On 1 July, His Eminence Mor Cyril ic development. istry.” – Press Release, Great House of Afram Karim attended the Conference’s Archbishop Barsamian also has been Cilicia, July 12. official dinner banquet along with His a great supporter of Holy Etchmiadzin, Beatitude Mar Aprem, Metropolitan of the and with the blessings of the Mother See, N WEDNESDAY 20 JULY 2011, THE Church of the East, Archdiocese of India; has represented the Armenian Church on NEWLY CONSECRATED ARMENIAN His Grace Mar Aprim Khamis, Bishop of various ecumenical and interreligious O CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP, RAPHAEL the Diocese of Western USA and His boards worldwide, helping to raise the OF ARMENIA, GEORGIA AND RUSSIA, and Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of the Di- profile of the Armenian Church on the the Locum Tenens of the Armenian Patri- ocese of California and Secretary of the national and international levels. – Press archate of Jerusalem, Archbishop Holy Synod. During his speech, His Emi- Release, Armenian Eastern Diocese, July Nourhan, met with His Holiness Aram I to nence Mor Afram pledged that he would 28. discuss cooperation between the Armeni- work for and promote the unity of our two an Orthodox and Armenian Catholic sister Churches. These words garnered N MONDAY 4 JULY 2011, THE Churches. The Dean of the Seminary, hearty applause from the youth present. – MEMBERS OF THE STANDING Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, was also Assyrian Church of the East News, July 7. O COMMITTEE OF THE HEADS OF present at this important meeting. ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES IN THE Catholicos Aram I thanked the two The Oriental Orthodox Churches MIDDLE EAST MET IN CAIRO. THE Archbishops for their visit, noting that COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1998, because of historical reasons, the Armeni- RCHBISHOP KHAJAG BARSAMIAN, upon the decision of His Holiness Pope an community had become ecumenical PRIMATE OF THE DIOCESE OF THE Shenouda III Coptic Orthodox Church, with the inclusion of the Catholic and A ARMENIAN CHURCH OF AMERICA His Holiness Ignatus Zakka I Iwas Syrian Protestant Churches. “Today,” he said, “it (EASTERN) AND PRESIDENT OF THE FUND Orthodox Church, and His Holiness Aram is important that all churches work togeth- FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF, WAS RECOGNIZED I Armenian Orthodox Church, Catholico- er to serve the spiritual and national val- EARLIER THIS MONTH BY THE GOVERN- sate of Cilicia. ues of the Armenian people in Armenia MENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA on The members of the Committee, and the Diaspora.” – Press Release, Great the occasion of his 40th anniversary of Anba Bishoy, Coptic Orthodox Church, House of Cilicia, July 23. ordination into the holy priesthood and his Metropolitan George Saliba and Arch- 60th birthday. bishop Nais, Syrian Orthodox Church, OME 150 COPTIC PROTESTORS Armenia's Prime Minister, His Excel- Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian and Arch- DEMONSTRATED ON JULY 18 ON THE lency Tigran Sargsyan, personally pre- bishop Nareg Alemezian, met with His S GROUNDS OF ST MARK’S COPTIC sented the award and proclamation to Holiness Pople Shenouda III, before be- ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL AND PAPAL Archbishop Barsamian on July 13, during ginning their meetings. The agenda of the HEADQUARTERS IN CAIRO, DEMANDING the Primate's visit to Armenia. Standing Committee included: assessment MORE LENIENT MEASURES FOR DIVORCE Prime Minister Sargsyan expressed of the Bilateral Theological Dialogues; AND REMARRIAGE. The demonstration was his gratitude to Archbishop Barsamian for relations with the World Council of held in front of the office of the Clerical

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 15. Council, the body in charge of issuing the cases pending in the Clerical Council. ready been granted by the civil court. – divorce and remarriage permits for Coptic The legal procedures, however, stipulate US Copts Association, July 20. Orthodox men and women, with the pro- that couples obtain divorce from the civil testors demanding that their cases be courts first, then the case is independently N TUESDAY, THE 12TH OF JULY, speedily resolved. Some of the divorce or viewed by the clerical council. The coun- 2011, HIS EMINENCE, MOR CYRIL remarriage cases, they claimed, have lain cil may or may not grant a church divorce O APHREM KARIM PAID A CORDIAL before the council for years without any and, in case it does, it issues a remarriage VISIT TO HIS HOLINESS, MAR DENKHA THE decision taken. permit only to the wronged party. IV, PATRIARCH OF THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH News circulated that demonstrators Even though a civil divorce is prereq- OF THE EAST, who was paying pastoral had attempted to assault Anba Pola, Bish- uisite for a church divorce, it in no way visits to his churches in the area. His Emi- op of Tanta and head of the Clerical secures the latter. nence was accompanied by Rev. Father Council, after members of the security “All Copts are treated equally by the Gabriel Adde, pastor of St. Peter’s Church force of the Cathedral treated one of them Clerical Council,” Anba Pola stressed, “In in Long Island, New York. Mor Cyril roughly. Anba Pola remained indoors. some instances the council moves to begin conveyed to His Holiness, Mar Dankha, “We will hold a sit-in in front of the seeing their cases even before the court the brotherly regards of our Patriarch, His council, and we will not allow the bishop grants them divorce, just to save time.” Holiness Mor Zakka I. to go out until he resolves our cases and Some Copts, he said, consider that the During the visit, relationships of the puts an end to our suffering,” Mina Saad, civil divorce automatically leads to a two sister Churches were discussed; the one of the demonstrators noted. “Anba church divorce, and are disappointed to shared past with its glory and misfortunes, Pola insists on stubbornly standing against find out this is far from the truth. The as well as the future plans for closer rela- us. He practises flagrant favoritism; some Church cannot go against the Bible, he tionships they aspire for. His Holiness couples are treated well and get their di- said. The passage of a unified family law and His Eminence expressed their concern vorce and remarriage permits speedily, for Christians, according to Anba Pola, for the future of our people in the Middle while others are treated abominably and would solve this predicament between the East and prayed for God’s care and pro- have to wait for years for their cases to be Church and the courts which would then tection during this very critical time in our resolved.” judge according to the same rules. homeland. – Press Release, Syrian Ortho- The demonstrators demanded that When asked about the security clash- dox Eastern Diocese, July 13. Pope Shenouda III should dismiss Anba es with the demonstrators that morning, Pola “who treats us with arrogance and Anba Pola said he never called the police, HE 48TH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF disdain, as though we were criminals.” but had received a phone call from a po- THE SYRIAC ORTHODOX CHURCH They demanded that the Coptic Church lice officer to find out what was happen- T OF ANTIOCH FOR THE UNITED should make divorce and remarriage easi- ing. STATES AND CANADA WAS UNDERWAY ON er. The Church currently restricts divorce On Tuesday morning the Coptic Or- THURSDAY, JULY 21ST and began with a to two reasons: adultery or conversion. thodox Church issued an official statement meeting of Clergy from the Eastern and “We will not be forced into conversion in which it announced that: “The Church Western Archdiocese. The opening prayer simply to end tortuous marriages. We in- cannot, under any pressure or circum- at this first session was delivered by His sist that the Church should grant us di- stances, go against the legislation instated Eminence Mor Clemes Eugene Kaplan, vorce while we remain in our Christian by the Bible teachings.” Archbishop of the Western Archdiocese. faith.” The statement, signed by Fr Rweiss The meeting’s agenda highlighted a They also demanded from the State a Eweida, Secretary of the Clerical Council, Biblical presentation given by Very Rev. civil law for marriage and divorce. declared that the council respects the free- Rabban Raboula Somi from Sweden. The As the demonstrators turned more dom of expression practised by the Egyp- presentation was entitled “The Brothers of violent and attempted to break into the tian people since the January Revolution. Jesus in the Syriac Tradition.” Present building, the security officials at the Ca- This, the statement said, includes the right also was the Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Shabo thedral decided to keep them at bay by to demonstrate, as long as it is conducted of Aleppo. using a guard dog. But this terrorised the within the limits of respecting religious Decisions taken at this first session demonstrators. The police intervened, and and public values as well as preserving included a proclamation that the week the dog was taken away. public property. between the two Holy Days of the “Con- In the evening, the protestors decided It was denied that any assault had secration of the Church” and the “Renew- to temporarily suspend their sit-in. Anba occurred whether against a church official al of the Church” be designated as a week Pola and other priests who had been in the or a demonstrator. of Bible Reading for our Syriac Orthodox building with him left through a back The statement explained that it is no Church in North America. door. Amir Mounir one of the protesters, legislating authority, but is merely an ex- The second decision called for coop- said the decision was taken in order to ecutive authority that applies what the eration between the Eastern and Western give the Church an opportunity to recon- Bible stipulates. Archdiocese in the publication of religious sider. When cases lag on in the Clerical books and the standardization and printing On Monday evening, viewers of CTV Council, the statement said, it is mostly of the Annual Calendar. heard Anba Pola, who was contacted by because one party is not able to prove its A discussion on continued education the channel, comment on the day’s events. claim against the other, or displays devi- for clergy resulted in a decision requiring “What happened today crossed the bound- ant behaviour. The statement also con- clergy to take refresher and self- aries of legitimacy,” he said. He insisted firmed that the council cannot issue any improvement courses of study which in- the Church never fell short of resolving divorce ruling unless a divorce had al- clude theology, sociology, management

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 16. and public speaking. dioceses are in deep trouble, and in a few beginning of the activities of the commis- At the conclusion of this four hour months we won't be able to support our sion to prepare for the resumption of the session, His Eminence Mor Cyril Aphrem staffers and employees." dialogue that was interrupted seven years Karim, Archbishop of the Eastern Archdi- The archbishop voiced the concerns ago. Consequently the Synod of Bishops ocese gave closing comments and ended as European Union finance ministers re- of the Romanian Greek Catholic Church the meeting with a prayer. – Press Re- leased emergency funding to rescue the sent to the head of the Romanian Ortho- lease, Syrian Orthodox Eastern Diocese, faltering Greek economy. Amid violent dox Church, His Beatitude Daniel, the July 22. street protests the Greek legislature ap- following letter: proved tough austerity measures and tax Your Beatitude: The Catholic Churches increases June 29, paving the way for the The Synod of Bishops of the Roma- EU action. nian Greek Catholic Church, meeting in HE VATICAN WILL CO-PUBLISH A The archbishop said the higher taxes ordinary session in Blaj from 8 to 10 June BOOK WITH DOCUMENTS AND would have more impact on the Catholic of this year, considered your Beatitude’s T INFORMATION ABOUT THE ARMEN- Church than on the country's predominant letter 8693/2010 of March 2, 2011, refer- IAN GENOCIDE. The papers are from the state-supported Orthodox Church. But the ring to the approval of the Orthodox Vatican Secret Archives, and, to quote Orthodox Church still faced "serious members of the Preparatory Commission Mgr Sergio Pagano, the clergyman who problems" after being told its clergy's for the Joint Commission for Dialogue. runs the archives, “they make me feel state-paid salaries would be cut by half, he In its letter nr. 39/5.11.2010, the Ro- ashamed to be a man. Without faith, said. manian Greek Catholic Church responded they’d make me see only darkness.” "We're only a small minority, with positively to the appeal you made “for the Mgr Pagano’s announcement was few properties and resources, and we've promotion of a fraternal and cooperative made today during the presentation of the been burdened in recent years by many climate between the two Romanian 'Lux in arcane' exhibition, which opens Catholics coming here from poor coun- Churches,” and the invitation to resume next February in Rome to show one of the tries in search of a better life, using the activity of the Joint Commission for world’s most important collection of pa- Greece as Europe's eastern gateway," Dialogue. Along these lines, the Romani- pers, with documents from the 8th century Archbishop Foskolos said. an Greek Catholic Church proposed the to the 20th century. Lined-up, they would "Since we joined the EU in 1981, we formation of this preparatory commission cover 85 kilometres. haven't received any help from other which will establish the agenda, princi- The presentation gave Mgr Pagano, Western churches, since we're considered ples, themes and working methodology of prefect of the Vatican Secret Archives, an a rich country ourselves and they can only the Joint Commission for Dialogue be- opportunity to announce that within two aid the Third World," he added. "But we tween the two Churches. or three years, the papers concerning have parts of the Third World here in In the official message, the Romanian World War Two and the pontificate of Greece, and it's creating great pastoral and Patriarchate let it be understood that the Pius XII will be ready. The current Pope social hardships." Romanian Orthodox Church wishes to will then be able to decide whether to re- Archbishop Foskolos said the crisis begin a constructive dialogue with the lease them to the public, as many expect, has forced Caritas Greece, the church's aid Romanian Greek Catholic Church in order or not. and development agency, and the Sisters to begin a new stage in the history of rela- With regards to the Armenian geno- of Charity to reduce assistance to refugees tions between these two Romanian cide, “when I read documents about the and asylum seekers. The Catholic-run Churches. torture practices used by the Turks against hospice and two soup kitchens in Athens Unfortunately, in the last month ac- the Armenians, I feel an irrepressible also planned to close by the end of 2011 tions that were undertaken by representa- sense of pain and horror,” Mgr Pagano because of the government cuts. tives of the Romanian Orthodox Church in said. According to the prefect, some of "Many people are suffering real pov- the designated territory that are contrary the papers describe how Turkish soldiers erty in Greece. Though we are doing what to “the promotion of a fraternal climate of “bet and played dice to guess the sex of a we can, the situation can't continue," said cooperation,” the principle that you enun- child before stabbing him or her with a the archbishop, who oversees a church ciated in the initial letter of invitation to bayonet after extracting them out of the numbering 200,000 Greek and foreign dialogue nr. 4719/12.7.2010. Thus, Ro- womb.” – AsiaNews, July 5. members in four dioceses. – Jonathan manian Greek Catholic churches continue Luxmoore for CNS, July 8. to be demolished, destroyed or re- REECE'S CATHOLIC CHURCH FACES consecrated, Romanian Greek Catholic DISASTER BECAUSE THE CURRENT URING THE MOST RECENT SESSION faithful continue to be threatened and har- G ECONOMIC CRISIS IS FORCING IT TO OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS OF THE assed, and not a few times representatives END VITAL SOCIAL AND CHARITABLE D ROMANIAN GREEK CATHOLIC of the Romanian Orthodox Church have PROJECTS, SAID ARCHBISHOP NIKOLAOS CHURCH, WHICH TOOK PLACE FROM JUNE 8 incited violence against Romanian Greek FOSKOLOS OF ATHENS. TO 10, THE COMPOSITION OF THE GREEK Catholic faithful. "This crisis could be the worst in our CATHOLIC COMMISSION to prepare the What is more, recently the bishops of history," Archbishop Foskolos told Catho- work of the Joint Dialogue Commission the two Metropolitan Synods, that of lic News Service July 6. "There's corrup- between the Romanian Greek Catholic Transylvania and that of Cluj, Alba, tion everywhere, especially among our Church and the Romanian Orthodox Crisana and Maramures, meeting at Ramet politicians. We get no help from the state Church was decided. At the same time, monstery on July 4, 2011, resumed the or other Western churches, and our faith- certain preliminary principles were adopt- same rhetoric against the Romanian Greek ful can't give any more. Our parishes and ed which will lie at the foundation of the Catholic Church that only created enmity

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 17. and conflicts between Romanians over the dox Church in 2004, and counterproduc- The primate explained that the church past twenty years. tive actions have been taken against Ro- understands “that Kyivan Christianity The Romanian Greek Catholic manian Greek Catholic communities in from the very beginning strived to be a Church has been and always remains open many localities, the Romanian Greek powerful center of Christianity on par with to a constructive dialogue with the Roma- Catholic Church has always remained Rome, Constantinople, and later Mos- nian Orthodox Church, but we wish to see open to a constructive dialogue, in the cow.” According to Major Archbishop on the part of the Romanian Orthodox light of Christ’s Gospel, based on justice, Sviatoslav, the UGCC should show how Church concrete steps showing that it is charity, truth and reciprocal respect. important and relevant Volodymyr’s bap- interested in a similar constructive dia- We believe that the ecumenical ac- tism is for ecumenical Christianity. logue; for this reason, before any future tions and the fraternal love that our The Patriarchate of the UGCC re- meeting of the Preparatory Commission, Church has shown in many places, offer- mains an important question. “We still we ask: ing its own churches for alternating cele- must strive to take this path to the end, 1. An end to any actions that would brations by the Orthodox communities, and then obtain the name of the Patriar- change, alter, destroy, or effect in any way are proof of this. chal Church; then our identity will be the architecture, form, or original appear- “An amicable solution to some of the clear to all,” said the primate. “The Patri- ance of Greek Catholic properties patrimonial disputes that appeared follow- archate is a structure that to a certain ex- (churches, parish houses, cemeteries) re- ing some unfortunate historical circum- tent will help to protect our church from ceived by the Romanian Orthodox Church stances,” as you stated in your letter of dissolving into the huge sea of the Catho- in 1948 from the communist government. March 2, 2011, cannot be realized using lic world.” 2. An end to the re-consecration by the same actions and the same rhetoric As for the future of the churches of the Romanian Orthodox Church of prop- that have perpetuated these disputes. We the Kyivan tradition, the head of the erties mentioned in point 1 above until wish to see, for this reason, concrete steps UGCC believes that “we should reflect on such time as, in the Joint Commission for on the part of the Romanian Orthodox and actively implement the strategy out- Dialogue, the Romanian Greek Catholic Church which would demonstrate that it lined by His Beatitude Lubomyr in his Church agrees with this on a case by case really wishes a constructive dialogue, and programmatic sermon: ‘One people of basis. the preconditions listed above are a first God on the land of the hills of Kyiv.’” 3. Unimpeded access by Romanian step in that direction. “In my opinion, the deeper and more Greek Catholic priests and faithful to We believe that the trust and coopera- fully we will discover the deep roots of cemeteries in order to bury their dead or tion already realized in small steps can be Kyivan Christianity, the closer we will to visit the graves of the deceased. extended also to other areas of common come to each other. We will then realize 4. An end to threats and harassment concern, beyond the property issue. that we have much more in common than of the Romanian Greek Catholic faithful With fraternal love in Christ the Lord, what divides us, as said the Blessed Pope by representatives of the Romanian Or- +LUCIAN John XXIII.” -- RISU, July 18. thodox Church. Major Archbishop – [unofficial trans. 5. The public condemnation of the by RGR] Website of the Romanian Greek E CANNOT WAIT FOR 1948 decree dissolving the Romanian Catholic Church, July 13. POLITICIANS TO SORT THINGS Greek Catholic Church as an unjust, abu- "W OUT, WE HAVE GOT TO MAKE sive and criminal act against the Romani- HE HEAD OF THE UKRAINIAN GREEK A DIFFERENCE OURSELVES," THE ARCH- an Greek Catholic Church and its faithful CATHOLIC CHURCH (UGCC), BISHOP OF CANTERBURY, ROWAN and disassociation with its effects. T MAJOR ARCHBISHOP SVIATOSLAV WILLIAMS, told reporters at the conclusion At the meeting of the Synod of Bish- SHEVCHUK, SAID IN AN INTERVIEW WITH of a two-day conference at Lambeth Pal- ops of the Romanian Greek Catholic RISU THAT THE IDENTITY OF THE UGGC IS ace on "Christians in the Holy Land," Church that took place from June 8 to 10 “THE IDENTITY OF KYIVAN CHRISTIANITY which he jointly hosted with Archbishop of this year, the composition of the Greek DURING VOLODYMYR'S BAPTISM, when the Vincent Nichols, the leader of the Roman Catholic Commission to prepare for the newly established church on the lands of Catholic Church in England and Wales. Joint Commission for Dialogue was de- Kyivan Rus’ was also a subsidiary of the The meeting, which was attended by cided upon. The members are: church of the Patriarchate of Constantino- more than 60 Christian, Jewish and Mus- -- His Excellency Virgil, Bishop of ple and, on the other hand, in communion lim faith leaders and politicians from the Oradea-Mare – President with the Apostolic See.” According to the Middle East, Europe and North America -- His Excellency Basil, Bishop of the primate, the identity of the UGCC is “a as well as young Palestinian Christians, Major Archepiscopal Curia, Bishop of testimony of the church when Christianity had been called to consider the decline in Maramures was not divided,” and throughout the ages the Christian population in the Holy Land -- Reverend Father Nicolae Anusca, it faced various dangers and sometimes and how these communities could be as- Director of Caritas for the Metropolitan was not even recognized as a church. sisted to remain. See of Blaj The head of the UGCC said that in Williams called for more backing for -- Reverend Father Daniel Avram, the third millennium the church should work undertaken by the ecumenical chari- Chancellor of the Eparchy of Cluj-Gherla live this identity. He explained that the ty Friends of the Holy Land, which fi- We request that official correspond- UGCC wants to be open “not only to all nances projects to assist the 200,000 ence regarding the resumption of the dia- who live in Ukraine today, but also to Christians living mainly in Israel and the logue be addressed to the President. other nations, nationalities, even other West Bank - about one per cent of the Even though the dialogue was unilat- religions,” to an interchuch and interethnic population - to stay in the region and not erally interrupted by the Romanian Ortho- dialogue. join the rising numbers emigrating. The

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 18. charity works in the field of housing, mi- tributed to weaken the Christian commu- ture at the end of the 19th century. cro finance, the distribution of food and nities and favored the emigration of many I remember that when I was serving clothing and hosting pilgrimages by over- families. in the Nunciature in Beirut at the time of seas visitors involving links with local What we have to avoid is that the the civil war (1979—1983), despite the communities. Holy Land becomes an archaeological and bombing of the Christian part of Beirut Nichols stressed that the young Pales- historical site to be visited like the Colise- the Pauline fathers continued to print the tinian Christians attending the conference um in Rome. For us Christians the Holy Koran in the Arabic language. did not want to be seen as victims but as Land is the land of God’s revelation, the Arab Christians are a gift to the socie- actors in history with a strong sense of place where Jesus lived, died and was ties because they bring cultural openness, dignity. resurrected. We cannot even think that a sense of the dignity of the human person Earlier at a session of the Church of Bethlehem or the Holy Sepulcher should and particularly of women; a conception England Synod held last week, Williams become museums with entrance tickets of freedom which harmonizes rights and launched a fund to be administered by and guides who explain beautiful legends. privileges and a conception of political Friends of the Holy Land from which it is For us the Holy Places, the shrines, society which can lead to democracy. hoped to derive a regular income for pro- are much more than stones. The Holy Christians have the vocation to be a jects to be established with partners in the Places are living testimonies which have bridge. Then the question is not how the region. He said that he had returned from around them a population, families with Christians are going to survive in the Holy a recent visit with a strong sense that more their schools, their cultural patrimony, Land and the Middle East, but how they had to be done for "brothers and sisters their languages, their folklore, their arti- are ready to be witnesses to their faith. I who are suffering and for whom we don't sans, handicrafts as well as hospitals, etc. think that many Muslims are worried always ask ourselves what our response We have been repeating for years that about the future of Christians in that re- needs to be." – Martin Revis for ENI, July we are a Christian minority in the Holy gion, because they know that Christians 19. Land and in the Arab world. I think it is can help them to understand modernity enough to repeat such evidence. We are a and how to reconcile diversity and unity. HIS IS THE SPEECH DELIVERED BY minority, but we are a minority that mat- The Christians have been in the Holy HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL JEAN- ters. I think of our schools, universities Land without interruption for centuries. T LOUIS TAURAN, PRESIDENT OF THE and hospitals, which welcome everybody, They have enjoyed national and interna- PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR INTERRELIGIOUS regardless of his or her religion. tional rights. We cannot neglect the im- DIALOGUE, AT THE INTERNATIONAL CON- Today the time has come to reflect on portance of a solution of the juridical sta- FERENCE ON CHRISTIANS IN THE HOLY the place and the mission of Christian tus of the most significant part of Jerusa- LAND in London: communities in the Holy Land and in the lem, that is to say where the main Holy “By sending me to you, Pope Bene- Middle East. Places of the three monotheistic religions dict XVI manifests his deep interest in this First of all, our Christian brothers and are (practically the city intra muros). You conference and, having had the privilege sisters of that part of the world have to know that the Holy See is in favor of a of being a member of the Papal Suite dur- realize that they have a certain peculiarity, special status, internationally guaranteed, ing his pilgrimage to the Holy Land in I should say a certain dignity: they all be- in order to preserve the uniqueness and May 2009, I can remember the impact of long to apostolic churches. Missionaries sacredness of that part of the city. his farewell speech at Tel Aviv airport from Rome or Constantinople did not For Christians, Jerusalem has a spe- when he pleaded for a lasting peace which bring the Christian faith there. Those cial significance. First of all, it contains can only rest on justice, genuine reconcili- communities have been built on the faith the most precious places where Jesus ation and healing. But he did not hesitate of the apostles. They are apostolic com- lived. also to state that one of the saddest sights munities in the deepest sense of the word. Secondly, it is the city with an ongo- of his pilgrimage was the Wall. Their practice comes through the faith of ing presence of a Christian community. So During these two days of exchange, I the apostles; this is their identity. for the local Christians, like for the Jews think that everybody here is convinced Their liturgical patrimony is of an and the Muslims, Jerusalem is not only a that if a wall can protect, it also divides exceptional value. (Let us mention by the holy city, it is also their home city where and makes suspicion and ignorance grow. way that in many Oriental Churches the they have a right to continue to live and to So it is important that Christians in partic- Eucharistic Prayer is said in the language work. They must be granted and have se- ular, who are the disciples of the One who spoken by Jesus.) cured the most fundamental rights: free- broke down "the barrier of hostility" to It is important not to make of this rich dom of conscience and freedom of reli- quote Saint Paul (Eph 2.14), should be in heritage something we keep in a safe. gion, freedom of movement, civic and a condition to freely contribute to harmo- There is a tendency to transform our historical rights, education, hospitals, the ny and dialogue in the Israeli and Palestin- Christian communities into cultural com- possession of their own institutions (semi- ian societies. munities. naries, universities, monasteries, etc.). But unfortunately, we have to recog- Secondly, Christians in the Holy Land Of course, all this has to be recog- nize that the situation of Christians in the and in the Middle East, are Arabs. They nized not only for Christians, but for all Holy Land, like in other Middle East have been in that part of the world much the inhabitants of the Holy Land. countries, is marked by precariousness. before the Muslims. They are not asking The three monotheistic religions rec- We must remember that the political evo- asylum, they are rather at home. Our ognize Abraham as their father. In spite of lution of the last 50 years has made the Christian brothers and sisters speak Ara- the fact that his heritage gives room to presence and the leadership of Christians bic and for example, many Christians have different interpretations, we can find a fragile: revolutions and wars have con- contributed to the rebirth of Arabic litera- common message: to follow Abraham

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism, n. 190, July 31, 2011, page 19. means not to look back, but toward the He retired just five years ago after more archbishop until 2006 when he was al- future. Jews, Christians and Muslims must than 65 years of active ministry and sever- ready past the age of 91. be heralds of hope. To follow Abraham al run-ins with the Soviet police. In 2004, he was honored by an Italian means also to be attentive to the foreigner In a telegram of condolence, Pope Catholic foundation as a living witness of (remember the episode at the Tree of Benedict XVI said, "I recall the coura- the faith; in his acceptance speech he said Mamre). To follow Abraham means never geous witness he gave to Christ and his that in Belarus "every parish, every vil- choosing to take the path that is a dead- church in particularly difficult times, as lage, every family has its witnesses of end, but to be always a pilgrim. well as the enthusiasm with which he later faith who suffered, some even offering up Christians in the Holy Land do not contributed to the spiritual rebirth of his their lives for their faith." pretend to be by themselves, to rule or to country." Meeting the cardinal and foundation impose, but just to blossom where they He was born Oct. 21, 1914, into a members later, Pope John Paul said the have been planted by God, and to make Polish family in Valga, now in Estonia. cardinal had followed "the Way of the their fellow citizens understand that every When he was a young boy, he and his Cross of persecution, carrying the cross of religion is an invitation to go along with- family were exiled to Siberia by the Rus- prison, of unjust condemnation and of the out idols, to be welcoming to newness, sian czar. labor camps with their burden of toil, cold and to be always capable of solidarity. The whole family was allowed to and hunger." – Cindy Wooden for CNS, Since Cain and Abel, exclusivism and return to Belarus after the 1917 Russian July 21. the desire for security has always been in Revolution, and he was ordained to the the heart of man. But history, like religion, priesthood in 1939. Two years later, he HE HOLY FATHER HAS GIVEN HIS teaches us that there is only one future: a was arrested by Soviet police and con- CONSENT TO THE CANONICAL shared future. What is important is not to demned to death as a "reactionary cleric." T ELECTION CARRIED OUT BY THE stop but rather to continue our dialogue, He escaped and resumed his pastoral SYNOD OF BISHOPS OF THE GREEK our pilgrimage towards the truth, with the work when Nazi Germany's army invaded CATHOLIC UKRAINIAN CHURCH OF FR. conviction that “it is not because things in June 1941. But in 1944, when Belarus DMYTRO (BOBDAN) HRYHORAK are difficult that we do not dare; it is be- changed hands again, he was arrested O.S.B.M., apostolic administrator of the cause we do not dare that they are diffi- again, sentenced to 10 years in a labor eparchy of Buchach of the Ukrainians, cult.” You will have recognized a quota- camp and sent back to Siberia. Ukraine, as bishop of the same eparchy tion from the Roman philosopher Seneca. Released at the end of his sentence in (area 4,829, population 405,000, Catho- So let us follow his advice: Let us dare.” 1954, Cardinal Swiatek ministered in lics 216,000, priests 201, religious 22). Pinsk until 1991 when Pope John Paul II The bishop-elect was born in Ivano- ETIRED CARDINAL KAZIMIERZ created the Archdiocese of Minsk- Mohi- Frankivsk, Ukraine in 1956 and ordained SWIATEK OF MINSK-MOHILEV, lev and named him archbishop. Created a a priest in 1992. – VIS, July 23. R BELARUS, DIED JULY 21 AT AGE 96. cardinal in 1994, he continued to serve as

His Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, meeting in Kiev on July 26, 2011.

Catholic News Service Stories © 2011. 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. 190, July 31, 2011, page 20.