SEIA NEWSLETTER On the Eastern Churches and

______Number 188: May 31, 2011 Washington, DC

The Second Meeting of the Assembly’s understanding of his need to meetings of the Secretariat; ii) regular Assembly of Canonical ask the Serbian to remain in Bel- communications to the member bishops Orthodox Bishops of North and grade for the work of their . about the business of the Assembly; iii) the Both the agenda for this meeting and creation of a website to disseminate infor- Central America the minutes of the last Assembly, held in mation about the purpose and work of the May 2010, were unanimously approved. Assembly (www.assemblyofbishops.org), ROM MAY 25-27, THE SECOND The Chairman then delivered his address to and most importantly, iv) the creation of the ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF CANONICAL the Assembly, in which he remembered the thirteen committees of the Assembly and FORTHODOX BISHOPS OF NORTH AND three member bishops who had fallen as- the documents and guidelines necessary for CENTRAL AMERICA GATHERED FOR ITS leep in the Lord since the last Assembly: their operation. They also created a diverse MEETING AT THE O’H ARE Metropolitan Christopher, Metropolitan list of consultants for each of the commit- HILTON . There was a total of 45 bishops in , and Metropolitan Epiphanios. He tees, made up of professional and knowled- attendance. In addition, nearly all of the welcomed also the new members: geable men and women recommended by members were present at the Assembly: the John of Caracas, who was appointed by their bishops. These consultants are availa- Ecumenical , including the ROCOR to oversee its Old Believer - ble to assist with their professional exper- Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the Ukrai- es in the USA, and Bishop Matthias of the tise the member bishops of each committee. nian Orthodox , and the Albanian OCA, who was consecrated shortly after The Assembly expressed its unanimous Orthodox ; the Antiochian Ortho- Pascha of this year. He noted also the re- support and appreciation for Bishop Basil dox Archdiocese; the Patriarchate of Mos- tirement of Metropolitan John of Winnipeg, and the staff of the Secretariat for its ac- cow, including the Russian Orthodox the head of the Ukrainian Church in Canada complishments. Church in the USA and the Russian Ortho- and the election of his successor, Metropol- The Assembly heard reports from each dox Church Outside of Russia; the Roma- itan Yuri. of its thirteen committees. Nearly all of the nian Orthodox Archdiocese of the Ameri- At the conclusion of his address the committees had either met to the As- cas; the Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Chairman invited the first Vice-Chairman, sembly meeting, or were able to meet while Church; and the Orthodox Church in Amer- Metropolitan Philip, and the second Vice- in Chicago. Unfortunately, the Secretariat’s ica. Not represented were the American Chairman, Justinian, to address Coordinator for Committees, Bishop Max- Carpatho-Russian Diocese, as they current- the Assembly. Both hierarchs stressed the im, who has worked so hard and efficiently ly have no bishop, owing to the recent re- need for increased cooperation among all for the creation and the guidance of the pose of Metropolitan Nicholas; the Geor- the bishops through the agency of the As- committees, and who was scheduled to give gian Orthodox Church, whose bishop re- sembly. the reports, was not present, owing to the sides in ; most of the bishops of The Treasurer of the Assembly, Arch- pressing business of the Serbian Orthodox Canada and Mexico, as the Canadian bi- bishop Antony, presented a report to the Church. The reports were instead presented shops anticipate their own assembly, as do bishops on the financial resources available on his behalf by the Secretary, Bishop Ba- those of Mexico and Central America who to the Assembly. Each of the churches con- sil, and the respective committee chairmen. have requested to join the Assembly of tributed funds to the Assembly, for the Three decisions by the Assembly stand South America. The Bishops of the Serbian work of its thirteen committees. The cost of out as particularly important. Firstly, the Orthodox Church were detained by the the Assembly meeting itself, it was noted, Assembly expressed its desire to define business of their Synod in Belgrade, which was not funded from these contributions, more carefully its relationship to the agen- was in session at the same time, and by but will be covered by the contributions of cies and endorsed-organizations which it delays in travel caused by the volcanic ash individual donors. inherited from SCOBA. It was felt that the over Europe, and so were not able to at- This past year the work of the Assem- bishops should do more to enable the suc- tend. bly focused on the establishing of the Se- cess of these ministries in North America, The meetings convened on Wednesday cretariat and the completing of its initial and they agreed that the guidelines pre- morning with an opening prayer by His tasks. The Secretariat represents a cross- viously used by SCOBA were not adequate Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, the section of the Church, including bishops, for the Assembly. These guidelines will be chairman of the Assembly. He asked the , , laity and monastics. Bi- revised by the Secretariat’s Coordinator for Secretary, Bishop Basil, to read to the As- shop Basil, the Secretary of the Assembly, Agencies and Endorsed-Organizations, sembly a letter from the of Serbia, presented a report on the work accom- together with the liaison bishops for the Irinej, extending his blessings, support, and plished by the eleven-member Secretariat various agencies, to allow the Assembly a fraternal best wishes for the work of the during the course of the past months. This more active participation in and support of Assembly in North America and asking the consisted primarily in: i) regular monthly the various ministries under its oversight. Secondly, the Assembly agreed on the rarchs were prevented from attending due Orthodox Bishops reported to their great importance of the role of our military to personal illness, while our Serbian Hierarchs. The work of these committees chaplains, who give spiritual support to our brothers, participating at a prolonged as- will constitute the principal service of the dedicated men and women who serve in the sembly of bishops meeting in Belgrade, Assembly, meeting frequently and regularly armed forces and are subject to the many were also unable to attend. All of us expe- in order - with the participation also of lay hardships of deployment and combat. They rienced what the Psalmist joyfully declares, members - to materialize the remarkable decided upon the need to develop clear “how good and pleasant it is for brothers to unity of the Orthodox Churches in this re- guidelines for Orthodox Christian chap- dwell together in unity!” (Ps. 132.1) gion. In this regard, we are inspired by the lains, and to create a single, unified endors- We draw inspiration from this resur- words of the Risen Lord: As the Father has ing agency for all military chaplains with rectional liturgical period, within which we sent me, I am sending you (John 20.21); the Department of Defense. In addition, it is have assembled, standing at the midpoint and Truly, truly, I say to you: he who be- a desired goal of the Assembly to facilitate between the light of Pascha and the of lieves in me will also do the works that I a gathering of all active Orthodox Christian Pentecost, the crossroad between the possi- do; and greater works than these will he do. military chaplains. bility of new life and the reality of renewed (John 14.12) And thirdly, the Assembly stressed the communion, the merging of the melody of Thus, in addition to official reports by great importance of the Church’s ministry unity and the beauty of diversity. the Chairman, the Vice-Chairmen, the to the youth, and as a result, has endorsed We call to mind our brother Hierarchs Treasurer, and the Secretary, the responsi- three projected conferences to bring togeth- who have fallen asleep in the Lord during bilities of the following committees were er Orthodox youth workers from all over the past year: Metropolitan Christopher of discussed extensively: Canonical Affairs, North America. It is hoped that this will Libertyville and Chicago (Serbian Dio- Canonical Regional Planning, Church and help to encourage them in their ministry, cese), Metropolitan Nicholas of Amissos Society, Affairs, Ecumenical Af- eliminate redundancy and divided resources (Carpatho-Russian Diocese), and Metro- fairs, Financial Affairs, Legal Affairs, Li- among the various churches, and create a politan Epiphanios of Bryoula (Ecumenical turgy, Military Chaplaincy, Monastic common vision for youth ministry in the Patriarchate). May their memory be eternal! Communities, Pastoral Practice, Theologi- Church in North America. In our deliberations as Orthodox Hie- cal Education, and Youth. Moreover, the The Assembly decided that it was pru- rarchs, we manifested a spirit of conciliari- coordinators of the various agencies and dent for itself to be incorporated as a legal ty, expressing our commitment to proceed endorsed organizations, formerly under the entity, as this would bring the Assembly a on all matters in collegial and collaborative aegis of SCOBA, will convene with respec- number of benefits and would further its manner reflective of the unity that characte- tive Hierarch liaisons in order to determine ability to act as a body. It therefore autho- rizes the various jurisdictions of the Ortho- the criteria of their relationship and estab- rized the proper agents to move ahead with dox Church within our regional Assembly. lish appropriate channels of communication the work of incorporation. In addition, the In this respect, we once again affirm our with the Assembly. Assembly reaffirmed its petition of last year desire and willingness to work toward “the In particular, the Assembly warmly to the mother churches, for the partition of swift healing of every canonical anomaly received and unanimously encouraged the the Assembly, by establishing Canada as a that has arisen from historical circums- creation of a common ministry for our mili- separate region, and joining Mexico and tances and pastoral requirements” (2008 tary chaplaincy and our youth. Central America to the region of South Message of the Primates 13.1-2), following Our prayers are offered to God at this America. This represents also the desire of the decisions of the representatives of the time for those who have suffered from the the Canadian, Mexican and Central Ameri- Orthodox Autocephalous Churches regard- extreme weather conditions in the last can bishops. Lastly, the Assembly drafted ing the “unswerving position and obligation weeks, especially and most recently the and approved an official message to be to safeguard the unity of the Orthodox tornadoes and flooding in Missouri and issued in its name to the all Orthodox Church” (2009 Chambésy, Rules of Opera- Oklahoma in the United States, and Christian faithful living within the region. tion, Article 5.1a) and the promotion of throughout the region of our Assembly, The complete text of the message appears “common action to address the pastoral where epic catastrophe has struck numer- below. needs of Orthodox living in our region” ous people with death, devastation, and All of the proceedings over the course (2009 Chambésy, Decision 2c). damage. May God grant rest to the souls of of the two days were characterized by a In accordance with our determination the departed and may the gentle breeze of strong fraternal spirit of charity among the and decision during the 1st Assembly of His Spirit grant the victims the strength to brother bishops. This was reflected no- Canonical Orthodox Bishops (May 26-28, rebuild their lives. We fervently encourage where more clearly than in the fact that all 2010), we focused and acted upon our un- our parishes to offer generous material, decisions of the Assembly were made with derstanding that we are successors of the financial, and spiritual support. complete unanimity. Standing Conference of Canonical Ortho- We cannot remain silent in the face of 2011 Message dox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), atrocities and persecutions committed of the Assembly of Bishops assuming its agencies and ministries. against Christian minorities by fundamen- Friday, May 27, 2011 Therefore, among the items on the agenda talists and extremists, in Palestine and Christ is Risen! “Glory to the Holy, was the work of the Assembly’s 13 com- , especially against the Christians Consubstantial, Life-giving, and Undivided mittees, its Secretariat, and its 14 agencies caught up in the upheaval of the Arab .” and endorsed organizations. Spring, which has unleashed long- By the grace of God, we forty-five Hie- We offer thanks to God for the positive oppressed diverse sectarian animosities. In rarchs gathered in Chicago IL, on May 25- spirit of cooperation that prevailed during particular, the Christian communities in 27, 2011, for the second meeting of the the sessions of the Assembly. We are Palestine and the Middle East have been Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops pleased to report to our faithful what the drastically reduced and compelled to emi- of North and Central America. Several Hie- committees of the Assembly of Canonical grate as refugees. We urge political leaders

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 2. throughout the world to stop ignoring the regions of the world. Its theme is “Glory to S FAITHFUL DISCIPLES OF THE manifestations of intolerance, discrimina- God, Peace on Earth,” with activities orga- LORD OF PEACE , WE MUST tion and open persecution against all reli- nized around four subthemes: Peace in the “A CONSTANTLY PURSUE AND gious communities - Jews, Christians, and community, Peace with the earth, Peace in PERSISTENTLY PROCLAIM ALTERNATIVE Muslims alike - living in contentious re- the marketplace and Peace among the WAYS THAT REJECT VIOLENCE AND WAR . gions and countries of the world, notably in peoples. Human conflict may well be inevitable in Northern Africa and the Middle East. “Justice and peace are central themes our world; but war and violence are not.” In light of the designation of June as in Scripture,” writes the Patriarch in his Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew “internet safety month,” we exhort our encyclical letter, adding that “peace always shared this message of peace at a Sunday priests and parishioners to raise awareness – and ultimately – starts in the heart.” Yet ecumenical prayer service and celebration and secure appropriate protection for our true peace will not remain sequestered in Kingston, Jamaica, for the participants of children and communities from the many there, for “this inner peace must be manif- the International Ecumenical Peace Convo- and diverse prevalent dangers, including est in every aspect of our life and world.” cation (IEPC). pornography, cyberbullying, perils by pre- The encyclical offers a confession of Over the past four days, some 1,000 dators, risks of geotagging, and in particu- sin on behalf of contemporary humanity: convocation participants have been explor- lar dissension in the Church. Technology is “Many of our efforts for peace are futile ing peace in the community, peace with the not sinful; but the abuse of technology is a because we are unwilling to forgo estab- earth, peace in the marketplace, and will sin and a crime. We encourage our faithful lished ways of wasting and wanting. We continue with peace among the peoples on to disseminate relevant internet safety lite- refuse to relinquish wasteful consumerism Monday. On Tuesday they will release a rature, organize internet safety classes, util- and prideful nationalism. In peacemaking, convocation message. ize parental controls, and take rigorous then, it is critical that we perceive the im- The IEPC is co-sponsored by the advocacy measures to pressure wireless pact of our practices on other people (espe- World Council of Churches (WCC), the companies and carriers to mandate protec- cially the poor) as well as on the environ- Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC) tive options. ment. This is precisely why there cannot be and the Jamaica Council of Churches Finally, we are united in wholehearted- peace without justice.” (JCC). The convocation is being held on ly acknowledging and fervently blessing the Recalling that Jesus called peacemak- the grounds of the University of the West tireless ministry of our parish clergy and ers “blessed” (Matthew 5:9), Patriarch Bar- Indies. their families, the honorable presbyters and tholomew adds that “peacemaking is a mat- The IEPC participants, who come from deacons in the service of Christ, the broth- ter of individual and institutional choice. more than 100 churches around the world, ers and sisters of our monastic communi- We have it in our power either to increase are completing their work against a global ties, and all those who do charitable work, the hurt inflicted on our world or to contri- backdrop of unprecedented challenges to those who serve our holy houses of wor- bute toward its healing. Once again, it is a peace, Bartholomew said in his video rec- ship, those who labor, teach, and chant, and matter of choice.” – WCC Press Release, orded message. all the , who await His great May 10. “First, never before has it been possi- and rich mercy. ble for one group of human beings to eradi- Truly the Lord is Risen! CUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOL - cate as many people simultaneously; -- The Assembly Secretariat, May 27. OMEW WILL BE IN THE PORT CITY OF second, never before has humanity been in EKAVALA , , ON A THREE -DAY a position to destroy so much of the planet VISIT TO BE LAUNCHED ON MAY 18. environmentally,” Bartholomew said, ac- The Eastern Orthodox Churches Bartholomew will attend the St Lydia knowledging the precipice humankind of Philippi feast day celebrations on May stands on. N AN ENCYCLICAL LETTER INTENDED 20. As the convocation participants have TO BE READ IN CONGREGATIONS OF THE On May 19, he will visit the Paul been pondering the tension and ties be- ICHURCH OF AROUND monument and will be declared honorary tween the concepts of peace and justice, the THE WORLD ON SUNDAY 22 MAY , THE citizen of Kavala. He will also become ho- Patriarch stated that most peacemaking ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTI - norary professor in the Kavala Technical efforts fail because we are unwilling to for- NOPLE BARTHOLOMEW I WELCOMES “WITH Educational Institute (TEI). go established ways of wasting and want- GREAT JOY ” THE INITIATIVE OF THE On May 20, he will preside at the Saint ing. WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (WCC) in Lydia feast day mass and in the afternoon “In peacemaking, then, it is critical that convening the International Ecumenical he will inaugurate a photography exhibition we perceive the impact of our practices on Peace Convocation (IEPC) in Kingston, on the Greek Orthodox churches in Istan- other people (especially the poor) as well Jamaica from 17 through 25 May 2011. bul. as on the environment,” he said. “This is The Patriarch hails the IEPC as “a A world conference on "Saint Paul- precisely why there cannot be peace with- fitting conclusion” to the global, inter- Philippi: Two millenniums. The European out justice.” church “Decade to Overcome Violence” vision of the Apostle of the Nations" will Despite the growing knowledge at the and an opportunity to inspire and enable the also take place in Kavala, concluding on IEPC of the monumental obstacles blocking creation of new efforts and networks for Sunday, May 22. the path to peace, songs performed by local peace. His letter was written in response to The conference will be attend by Jamaican musicians ushered in a mood of an invitation extended by the WCC to all roughly 200 delegates and will be ad- celebration during the service. member churches to mark a Sunday for dressed by thirty speakers from Greece, the The ecumenical service offered the Peace on 22 May 2011. EU and the United States, representatives opportunity for the participants to join as The IEPC is expected to attract ap- of and autocephalous Ortho- one voice both in their praise to God and proximately 1,000 participants from all dox Churches. – ANA , May 11. their hope for the church to be united in

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 3. peacemaking. – WCC Press Release, May Lawyer Cem Murat Sofuo ğlu empha- Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Secretary 23. sized discussions of the Patriarchate's rec- was the Very Rev. Archimandrite Makarios ognition as a legal entity. The church is Griniezakis from the Ecumenical Throne. INCE MISINFORMATION AND MYTHS accepted as a legal entity “de facto,” and it Following the opening and introducto- USUALLY PREDOMINATE IN DIS - must be recognized in the same way “de ry speech by its President, they studied the SCUSSIONS ABOUT THE GREEK OR- jure” as well, according to Sofuo ğlu. The method and the issues which they were to THODOX PATRIARCHATE OF ĐSTANBUL , A question of legal entity came to public at- discuss, so that a uniform opinion of the BOOK HAS BEEN PREPARED THAT IS A tention when problems erupted in transfer- Orthodox Church’s view on Bioethical COMPILATION OF ARTICLES BY TURKISH ring the Büyükada Orphanage to the Greek issues could be achieved. AND GREEK EXPERTS in an attempt to shed Orthodox Patriarchate. The church received The Council decided that at every one light on the issue and the historical, politi- the title deed in November 2010. of its meetings it would examine one par- cal, religious and legal realities of the Pa- is also often criticized for not ticular bioethics issue, which would be triarchate. permitting the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate chosen according to priority depending on Titled “Ekümenik Patrikhane” (Ecu- to refer to itself as “ecumenical”; however, its pastoral, ecclesiological, theological and menical Patriarchate), the book was pre- the church has been historically and inter- social necessity. pared due to a need for further resources nationally recognized as ecumenical. The Given that the issue of reproduction is regarding the Patriarchate. Cengiz Aktar, book addresses the topic of ecumenism in one of the most vital and burning issues, who compiled the articles in the book, said several articles, presenting two examples in which creates enormous bioethical dilem- in a panel discussion at the Đstanbul Policy which both Ottoman authorities and Tur- mas in the pastoral of the Church, Center on Tuesday. The book states that the kish authorities described the church as the Council decided that at their next meet- Patriarchate is portrayed as an entity that is “ecumenical” in official documents. – To- ing they would deliberate on this issue and opposed to Islam and a missionary arm of day’s Zaman , May 25. then appointed speakers from among their Greece inside Turkey in a considerable members to present its scientific and theo- number of news reports and publications, CUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOL - logical views. which make up the core of the debates sur- OMEW IS TO CARRY OUT A HISTORIC His Eminence Amphilochios of Kisa- rounding the Patriarchate. EVISIT TO THE CITY OF IZMIR mos and Selinos, President of the Orthodox Among the participants on the panel BETWEEN FRIDAY AND SUNDAY , during Academy of Crete hosted an official dinner on Tuesday was Greek Orthodox Patriarch which he will lead a mass at the Church of in the refectory in honor of the delegates, Bartholomew, who highlighted the limited the into the Temple of the which was also attended by His Eminence number of objective works in Turkish about Mother in Alacati on Saturday. Irenaios, Archbishop of Crete and Synodal the Patriarchate. “Most of them [the works This will mark the first time that a Pa- Metropolitans of Crete. on the church] are provocative,” he said, triarch leads a mass in Alacati in 90 years, The Inter-Orthodox Bioethics Council, and added that the book is for those who since the disastrous outcome of the Asia which will meet again in a year’s time, is want more objective information on the Minor war in 1922 that resulted in the ex- looking forward with the grace of Jesus issue. pulsion of the majority of the area's sizeable Christ to bearing fruit to the glory of the “There were [almost] no sources in Greek community during the population Lord and to fulfilling the obligation and Turkey. Even in Greece, [which was said to exchanges of the Lausanne Treaty. mission of the Orthodox Church in the con- protect the Patriarchate] there were [al- The church had been converted to a temporary world. most] no sources,” researcher Elçin Macar, mosque but recently stopped being used for It should be noted that the Very Reve- who contributed to the book with an article that purpose and was officially declared a rend Archimandrite Panteleimon Arathy- on the ignorance of Turkish historiography historic monument of Turkey and quickly mos, Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod and on the Patriarchate, said as he spoke about restored, revealing many secrets. – ANA, the Erudite Mr. Liantas Professor his decision to research the issue of the May 26. of the Higher Ecclesiastical Academy of Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. Thessaloniki, represented the Second In Turkey, the role of the Patriarchate ROM 23 RD TO 26 TH MAY 2011, THE Throne Patriarchate of Alexandria and All was discussed during Greek riots in the INTER -ORTHODOX BIOETHICS Africa. – Website of the Patriarchate of Peloponnesus, which ended in Greek inde- FCOUNCIL CONVENED FOR ITS FIRST Alexandria , May 26. pendence from the and the MEETING AT THE ORTHODOX ACADEMY OF Turkish War of Independence, according to CRETE , as a guest of the Ecumenical Pa- HE FIRST MEETING IN THE HISTORY Macar. He also argued that several myths triarchate, with participants from all the OF HELLENIC COLLEGE - HOLY regarding the church are purposely re- Orthodox Churches around the world. The TCROSS GREEK ORTHODOX SCHOOL peated by some circles in order to under- Representatives from Bulgaria were not OF THEOLOGY BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE mine the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in able to attend. HOLY EPARCHIAL SYNOD, AUXILIARY Đstanbul. “Since the mid-90’s, many things The Bioethics Council was convened BISHOPS AND FACULTY MEMBERS OF HOLY have changed. Ignorance has decreased and following a proposal by His All Holiness CROSS WAS CONVENED UNDER THE CHAIR - experts have become more competent,” he Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch MANSHIP OF ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS OF added. and a unanimous decision taken by the Pri- AMERICA , on Thursday May 5, 2011. This Samim Akgönül, whose article on the mates of the Orthodox Churches during truly historic first meeting examined issues Patriarchate, Bartholomew and Turkish their Synaxis at the Phanar in October concerning the life and progress of the public opinion is included in the book, hig- 2008. highest educational institution of the Greek hlighted that the Patriarchate is seen as a Presiding over the deliberations of the Orthodox Archdiocese. foreign entity in discussions regarding the Inter-Orthodox Council was Metropolitan The meeting concluded with Archierat- opening of the Seminary. Ioannis of Pergamos, representative of the ical Vespers in Holy Cross chapel. The

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 4. participants in the conference included hie- retire. The Holy Synod then elected him as gy and laity who worked so diligently to rarchs of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Metropolitan of Bryoula after which he achieve this resounding statement in sup- Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the Presi- returned to the U.S. in mid-summer 2007. port of human rights and religious free- dent, the Dean and the faculty of HC/HC. He passed away on Monday, May 9, 2011. dom." The conference was held in a very positive May his memory be eternal. – Press Re- To date, 44 such resolutions have been and constructive atmosphere of coopera- lease, Greek Archdiocese, May 13. adopted by 37 states, representing 85 per- tion. cent of Americans! – Archons News, May Issues discussed included the admis- WO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESOLU - 25. sions process, the curriculum and its further TIONS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN development and aspects of theological, TADOPTED IN THE TEXAS LEGISLA - HE PREMIER RESEARCHER OF AMERI - liturgical and language education and train- TURE CALLING FOR TURKEY TO UPHOLD CAN , ALEXEI KRIN - ing. Other issues considered were the role AND SAFEGUARD THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM TDATCH , HAS RELEASED A COMPRE- of worship and the cultivation of high ec- OF THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE . HENSIVE VOLUME WHICH INCLUDES DATA clesiastical orthodox convictions and ethos These resolutions specifically call for the ON ALL ORTHODOX CHURCHES (INCLUD- especially for students inclined towards the Turkish government to recognize the ecu- ING ORIENTAL ) IN THE UNITED STATES . priesthood and ministry in the Orthodox menical status of the Ecumenical Patriar- Supplemented with numerous maps, Church. chate, to respect its rights to property and to current and historical facts, the Atlas of During the day-long conference the ecclesiastic succession, and to grant it the American Orthodox Christian Churches is participants were presented with statistical right to train its clergy--including the open- published by Holy Cross Orthodox Press data about the school and its history and ing of the Halki Theological Seminary. and was co-sponsored by SCOBA and the various views were exchanged between The Texas House of Representatives Virginia Farah Foundation. In addition to hierarchs and professors in the spirit of the adopted HR 1670 on May 5. The primary full coverage of all American jurisdictions, common care and love for Hellenic College sponsor of the resolution was Rep. Dennis the Atlas includes an additional chapter -Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Bonnen, who was determined in pursuit of which profiles all American monastic Theology. – Press Release, Greek Archdi- the result, in the face of strong opposition. communities. ocese, May 7. Archon Stephen Georgeson, National The Atlas provides a “snapshot” of the Coordinator for the State Resolutions Orthodox Christian Churches in the United ETROPOLITAN EPIPHANIOS (P ERI - Project, said, "Only because of the determi- States. Simultaneously, this book is an at- ALAS ) OF BRYOULA , FORMER nation and persistence of Archons Chris las, a reference book and a thematic mono- MMETROPOLITAN OF SPAIN AND Pappas, John Zavitsanos and Frank Miha- graph. It is an atlas because it contains nu- PORTUGAL , FELL ASLEEP IN THE LORD ON lopoulos did the issue not die. They coordi- merous maps to show the historical devel- MONDAY , MAY 9, 2011 FOLLOWING A nated a true grassroots effort that produced opment and present territorial patterns of LONG FIGHT WITH CANCER . Funeral servic- almost 1,000 letters from Orthodox Chris- Orthodox Church life in America. It is a es will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2011, tians from Dallas, Houston and Austin to reference book because it furnishes com- at St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church in their state representatives, urging support prehensive information and statistical data Ithaca, New York. for the resolution. on all American Orthodox Christian Metropolitan Epiphanios of Bryoula, in "Special thanks and recognition also Churches. It is a thematic monograph be- the world Constantine Perialas, was born in are extended to Metropolitan Isaiah for his cause the essays in this book tell the story Ithaca, New York, in 1935. He was a grad- unwavering support and to Archon Mike of the Orthodox Christian past and present uate of Syracuse University and Holy Cross Manatos, Thomas Suehs and Bill Miller for in the United States. – OCA Press Release, Greek Orthodox School of Theology. He their critical roles in helping secure the May 27. [Ed. note: The Atlas is available served for 30 years as a professor of speech adoption of the resolution." from Holy Cross Bookstore and Amazon. and communications at Ithaca College. He A second resolution, SR 1006, was More details about the book, including also served for a period as a vice president given final adoption by the Texas Senate, sample chapters and maps, are posted on- of the college, in charge of student affairs. on May 16. line at www.orthodoxreality.org ] The college established the Perialas Prize Senator John Whitmire agreed to lead in Epiphanios’ honor in 1997. The prize is the effort after the original Senate sponsor NDER THE AUSPICES OF HIS given to three students annually. In 1984 he abandoned the effort several months ago in BEATITUDE THEODOROS II, was ordained to the priesthood (taking at response to objections raised by the Tur- UAND PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA that time the name Epiphanios) and served kish-American community. AND ALL AFRICA AND UNDER THE ORGANI - in a variety of parishes, including St. Cathe- In response to this most recent adop- ZATION OF DR AMANDA -ALICE MARA - rine’s in Ithaca (for 15 years) and the As- tion of SR 1006, National Commander Dr. VELIA , SCIENTIFIC COLLEAGUE OF THE sumption (Koimisis of the ) Anthony J. Limberakis, stated, "What a CENTER FOR EGYPTOLOGY STUDIES of the Greek Orthodox Church in St. Clair Shores, tremendous blessing during this Paschal Russian Academy of Scientists, an Interna- , from which he was elected Met- season when we celebrate the resurrection tional Congress on the subject of “Ancient ropolitan. of our Lord and Savior! This has been an Egyptian Science and Metaphysics: the On April 12, 2003, the Holy and Sa- extraordinary accomplishment and en- Quintessence of Religious Allegories and cred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate dorsement of religious freedom and human the Roots of Scientific Thought,” will take elected Fr. Epiphanios as the first bishop of rights. We are all very grateful to Senator place on May 6, 2011, in the Patriarchal the newly-established Metropolis of Spain John Whitmire and congratulate Metropoli- Library of Alexandria, within the Patriar- and Portugal. In March of 2007, Metropoli- tan Isaiah, Archons Chris Pappas, John chal Mansion. tan Epiphanios informed the Ecumenical Zavitsanos, Frank Mihalopoulos, Mr. Tho- The aim of the congress is to trace and Patriarch Bartholomew of his intentions to mas Suehs, Mr. Bill Miller and all the cler- assess the ancient Egyptian ideology and

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 5. religion, and the pre-scientific attempts of In a protest held outside the Amman Patriarchate of Jerusalem, under which the the ancient Egyptians to understand both archdiocese on Sunday evening, hundreds Holy Synod must be composed of 18 mem- the world which surrounded them, as well of Orthodox Christians accused the Greek bers who hold Jordanian citizenship, with as their own existence. Within this frame- Patriarch of failing to honor previous com- at least two originally Jordanian bishops or work, particular attention will be given to mitments and marginalizing Arabs inside . the metaphysical background of ancient the Church - an umbrella of believers in There has been only one Jordanian Egyptian religion, ancient Egyptian astron- , Israel and the occupied Palestinian member in the synod, while the Patriarchate omy, mathematics and medicine. Further- territories. has claimed the appointment of a second more, the interaction between Religion and They denounced recent accords be- was difficult due to the Israeli occupation. Science, as it is formulated in the thought of tween Israel and the Jerusalem-based Minister of State for Media Affairs and the priests and the philosophers, will be Greek Orthodox Patriarchate to renew con- Communications and Government Spokes- analyzed. The congress aspires to consider tracts leasing Church-owned land on which person Taher Odwan urged the protesters this multi-dimensional theme through a key Israeli government institutions are si- to contact the authorities. inter-scientific prism, through the coupling tuated and called for revoking them. “The congregation should address the of principles of Egyptology, Ancient As- In 2009, followers of the Church from government in writing so that it can take tronomy, Archaeology, History and Anth- both sides of the Jordan River took part in a suitable measures,” he told The Jordan ropology. To this end an international team series of protests against Theophilus III, Times yesterday. of scientists will contribute with their talks. charging he did not meet commitments he The 2009 protests began after Jorda- This congress is yet another actual made to the Jordanian government and the nian Archimandrite Hanna (Christoforos) witness of the will of His Beatitude Theo- Palestinian Authority when he came to of- Atallah was dismissed from his post as the doros II Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria fice six years ago, replacing Irenios I, who church court's vice president, which the to host within the historic Patriarchal Li- was dismissed over sales of church land in Patriarchate deemed “an internal affair with brary scientific gatherings of a high stan- Jerusalem to Israeli investors. no personal agenda.” dard which aim to deepen and expand the Any Patriarch has to have the blessings In 2007, Atallah was one of three Arab knowledge of culture which was developed of Jordan, the Palestinians and Israel in clergymen whose salaries were suspended historically in the land of the Nile, achiev- order to gain legitimacy. for taking part in a meeting in Amman that ing universal dimensions thereafter. – Press Theophilus III has pledged to stop land called for revoking Theophilus’ recognition Release, Patriarchate of Alexandria, May 6. sales to the Israelis and present a compre- because he did not fulfill his commitments. hensive list of all church assets to the Jor- The Patriarchate has not recognized a HE HOLY SYNOD OF THE PATRIAR - danian government. convent established by Atallah in 1998 in CHATE OF JERUSALEM MET ON The Palestine Liberation Organization Dibbeen, near the northern city of Jerash, TMONDAY 9 MAY 2011 REGARDING (PLO), which is in charge of following up which also angered the Amman protesters, THE RESOLUTION OF THE ANTI -CANONICAL on the Orthodox issue, revealed that earlier who came from several cities across the ACTIONS OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF this year the Patriarchate renewed the lease Kingdom. ROMANIA , which has built a church and for land in West Jerusalem until the year “For decades we have been calling for hostel in Jericho without their permission. 2150. legitimate rights that are backed by Jorda- The Holy Synod of Jerusalem, after an The headquarters of the Israeli presi- nian laws,” said Ehab Khoury, a 32-year- in-depth investigation, regrettably decided dency, government and Knesset are situated old protester, adding that they will not stop to sever communion with the Patriarchate on the rented land, located in the Talbiyeh demonstrating “until we obtain our rights.” of Romania and crossed Patriarch Daniel neighborhood, PLO member Hanna Ami- Many congregation members also want out of the dyptychs. reh told The Jordan Times over the phone the Greek leadership of the church replaced In the 1990's during the days of Pa- from the West Bank. by an Arab one who “can better understand triarch Diodoros of Jerusalem and Teoctist “Our position is clear: We condemn our needs and rights.” of Romania a church and hostel was being this renewal and call on the Patriarchate to But for others, what matters are their built by Romanians in Jericho without per- revoke it,” he said, adding that he believes demands, and not the identity of top clerics mission from the Jerusalem Patriarchate. Theophilus III signed the renewal accord to in Jerusalem. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem protested “guarantee Israel’s recognition.” “Arabizing the church is on our list of these actions, but the Romanian Church In April 2009, an Israeli company demands, but is now difficult due to the continued the unlicensed building project, rented 71 dunums of land in the Mar Elias [Israeli] occupation,” noted Nidal Kakish, and today the church is even functioning area between Jerusalem and Bethlehem member of the Central Council for the Arab liturgically. from the Orthodox Patriarchate on a 99- Orthodox in Jordan and Palestine. It should be noted that despite the in- year renewable contract, according to the Amireh explained that since most of terruption of ecclesiastical communion, Amman-based Orthodox Society. the church property is situated in Israel, this Romanian pilgrims are welcome to visit the “We are fed up with the Greek rule… “makes it difficult to talk about the Arabisa- and the Monasteries of the Pa- this tyranny should end,” Raouf Abu Jaber, tion now.” triarchate of Jerusalem. – Weblog of John president of the Central Orthodox Council, “Our goal is to reform this church, not Sanidopoulos, May 10. told the protesters. to topple it,” he said. Arab Orthodox Christians also demand The Patriarchate issued a statement on ORDANIAN MEMBERS OF THE GREEK a greater say in the church’s decision- Monday defending its stance, and describ- ORTHODOX CHURCH HAVE RENEWED making bodies, and permission for Arabs to ing the protest as part of a “defamation JCALLS FOR PATRIARCH THEOPHILUS III become . campaign” targeting the church. TO STEP DOWN AND FOR ARABIZING THE They accuse the Patriarchate of violat- “Answers to the questions raised by LEADERSHIP OF THE GREEK -LED CHURCH . ing the 1958 law of the Greek Orthodox the protest organizers are clear, and if they

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 6. included these answers in their sit-in, it KIRILL OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA scene of intense battles between the Soviet would have become a rally in support of the EXPRESSED CONDOLENCES OVER THE Red Army and the Nazis. church and its ability to survive in the mid- POGROMS COMMITTED IN GIZA , EGYPT , in "At memorials devoted to those who dle of all the storms,” the statement quoted which Coptic churches were damaged and died in the Great Patriotic War, one under- the Patriarchate’s spokesperson, Father Issa 12 people were killed. Below is the text of stands especially well how deep is the Misleh, as saying. the message. wound inflicted by the war on the body of Despite several attempts by The Jor- Your Holiness, our entire people: Ukrainians, Russians, dan Times to contact Misleh yesterday, he The Paschal joy over the resurrection Belarusians -- all those who fought together could not be reached for comment. -- Tha- of Christ has been darkened by sad reports defending a united Fatherland, who fought meen Kheetan for The Jordan Times , May coming from the Egyptian province of Giza. with the most frightening and dangerous 31. The criminal actions committed on May 7 enemy, which wanted to change the world and 8 carried away the lives of our Chris- according to its image," he said, according HE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF tian brothers and damaged Coptic churches. to the Interfax news agency. RUSSIANS (82 PER CENT ) BELIEVE IN We share the pain of the tragedy with you Post-Soviet historical debate has raised TGOD , THIS ACCORDING TO A SURVEY and your flock and express heartfelt condo- questions about Soviet dictator Joseph Sta- BY THE PUBLIC OPINION FOUNDATION AND lences to the families and friends of the lin's role in the war and wartime losses, and THE WEDNESDAY SOCIOLOGICAL SERVICE , victims of this barbaric attack. brought out into the open long-taboo infor- which includes employees of the former The has mation about collaboration with the Nazis sociological service of the synodal Depart- raised her voice already on several occa- and even suggestions that Russia would be ment for Affairs of Youth. This makes Rus- sions in defense of Christians in the coun- better today if Nazi Germany had won. sia one of the most religious nations in Eu- tries in which they are subjected to oppres- Kirill and other church leaders have rope. The study was conducted with 1,500 sion and violations of their fundamental strongly condemned Stalinism and the per- respondents, 18 years of age or older, in 44 rights to life and religious freedom. And secution of the church in the Soviet era, but regions of the country. today we call upon the Egyptian authorities, the Russian Orthodox leader warned This is astonishing. In a country where the leaders of Islamic communities in the against attempts to reinterpret the memory atheism was taught for generations and country and the world community to reso- of the war. which exported it around the world, only 13 lutely and unambiguously put an end to the On 9 May, he addressed war veterans per cent said they did not believe in God. violence against the Christian minority who gathered at Christ the Savior Cathedral The remaining 5 per cent said they had which has been historically present in the in Moscow, where a celebration was being difficulty answering. Egyptian land. held to mark the role of the Russian Ortho- Twice as many men as women are Sharing the pain of the Coptic Church, dox Church in the war. After nearly de- atheists. Nonbelievers were strong among we pray for the repose of those who were stroying the church in the 1930s, Stalin workers and the poorest respondents ("I do killed and for the establishment of a lasting revived it under strict Kremlin control, to not even have money for food"). civic peace in Egypt. rally the nation in the war effort. Among believers, 27 per cent do not With love in risen Christ, Also in Moscow, Lazar, war veterans belong to any organized religion, a propor- + Kirill and students of Jewish schools on 8 May tion that rises to 34 per cent for the 18 to 24 Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia placed a wreath on the Tomb of the Un- group and 38 per cent for students. -- Press Release, Moscow Patriarchate, known Soldier at the Kremlin wall in Mos- Four per cent of respondents said they May 9. cow. Lazar said that Victory Day marks the were Muslim. Few are Buddhist, , day when Jews were miraculously saved Protestant or Jewish. Half of all believers ATRIARCH KIRILL I OF THE RUSSIAN from total annihilation. "That’s why we will said they were Russian Orthodox. ORTHODOX CHURCH AND RABBI never forget the feat of those who saved Women constitute 62 per cent of the PBERL LAZAR , THE CHIEF RABBI OF Europe from Nazism," he said. Orthodox group against 38 per cent for RUSSIA , SPEAKING AT SEPARATE CEREMO - But he also warned that "right now in men. Forty per cent lived in cities of NIES ON 8 AND 9 MAY , URGED RUSSIANS Russia a gradual return of Nazi ideology is 250,000 or more. TO HEED THE LESSONS OF WORLD WAR II. taking place." For that reason, said the rab- However, many respondents see Or- The end of the war, known in Russia as bi, Victory Day "is not only a holiday, but a thodoxy as part of their Russian identity. the Great Patriotic War, is marked on 9 moment when we can learn some lessons Only 3 per cent go to church each week. May in most of the other former Soviet from the past so as not to allow it to be re- Compared to another survey released republics as Victory Day over Nazi Ger- peated in the future," he said, according to by Interfax-Religiia , Wednesday’s results many. Soviet civilian and military deaths in the Federation of Jewish Communities of indicate that Russia is one of the least the war are estimated at upwards of 20 mil- Russia. – Sophia Kishkovsky for ENI , May atheistic nations in Europe. In Switzerland, lion and the losses are still seared into 9. atheists represent 37 per cent of the popula- memories here, even of those born long tion; in Germany, they are 31 per cent; in after the war. RCHBISHOP IVAN JURKOVIC , NEW Great Britain, they are 34 per cent, and in Kirill, who was paying a pastoral visit APOSTOLIC NUNCIO TO RUSSIA , Belgium, 36 per cent. – Asia News , May 5. to , which makes up one of the AWAS RECEIVED BY METROPOLITAN largest and most important parts of the HILARION OF VOLOKOLAMSK ON MAY 11, N HIS MESSAGE TO HIS HOLINESS Russian Orthodox Church and is at the ful- 2011, AT THE DEPARTMENT FOR EXTER - SHENOUDA III, POPE OF ALEXANDRIA crum of disputes over Soviet history, laid a NAL CHURCH RELATIONS . Present at the IAND PATRIARCH OF THE THRONE OF wreath of chrysanthemums at a war me- meeting were also Hegumen Philaret (Bu- ST. MARK IN ALL AFRICA AND THE morial in Kharkov. The city in northeastern lekov), DECR vice-chairman, Mgr Visval- MIDDLE EAST , HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH Ukraine, near the Russian border, was the das Kulbokas, first secretary of the Apostol-

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 7. ic Nunciature to Russia, Rev. Dimitry Si- the Sofia metochion of the Moscow Patriar- on the importance of having the Days of zonenko, DECR acting secretary for inter- chate; and hierodeacon Ioann (Kopeikin), Slavonic literature in the regions and called Christian relations, and Alexy Di- assistant to the DECR chairman. the mass media to cover the celebration karev of the DECR secretariat for inter- The DECR chairman conveyed warm more actively in order to help people un- Christian relations. fraternal greetings from His Holiness Pa- derstand its meaning. Metropolitan Hilarion congratulated triarch Kirill to His Holiness Patriarch The of the Russian Orthodox Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic on taking the Maxim and underscored the importance of Church underscored that the celebration of office of Apostolic Nuncio, wished him the glorification of the martyrs of Batak, as the Day of Slavonic Literature and Culture success in his work and expressed hope for “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the should include inter-state and inter-church further development of constructive coop- Church.” Metropolitan Hilarion told the aspects and reminded the participants that eration between the Moscow Patriarchate Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Department for External Church Relations about the plans to build in Moscow the Constantinople, who took part in the 2010 and the Apostolic Nunciature to the Rus- church of Metropolitan Cyprian of Mos- celebration, suggested inviting representa- sian Federation. His Eminence noted with cow, “a great son of the Bulgarian people.” tives of the Local Orthodox Churches and satisfaction that Orthodox-Catholic rela- The development of relations among secular leaders of various states in order “to tions have considerably improved in recent the Local Orthodox Churches was also dis- celebrate this day together with the repre- years. In this connection, he underscored cussed during the talk. sentatives of other Slavic nations.” the role of the Joint Working Group for The DECR chairman presented an His Holiness noted that the Organizing considering problems in relations between of St. Sergius of Radonezh to His Holiness Committee would have to elaborate a con- the Roman and the Rus- Patriarch Maxim as a keepsake of their cept of the celebration for the coming years sian Orthodox Church as an effective in- meeting. – Press Release, Moscow Patriar- and assured the participants of the willing- strument for discussing and searching for a chate, May 16. ness of the Church to take part in this work. settlement of various practical problems in – Press Release, Moscow Patriarchate, May relations between the two Churches. HE RUSSIAN ORGANIZING COMMIT - 21. They also discussed prospects for Or- TEE FOR PREPARING THE CELE - thodox-Catholic cooperation in bearing TBRATION OF THE DAY OF SLAVONIC HE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH common witness to Christian values in the LITERATURE AND CULTURE HELD ITS URGES AGAINST RUSHED DECISIONS modern society and in protecting the rights MEETING AT THE HOUSE OF THE GOVERN - TOVER THE REMOVAL OF THE of Christians who are subjected to persecu- MENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION ON EMBALMED BODY OF COMMUNIST LEADER tion in various parts of the world. MAY 20 TH , 2011. VLADIMIR LENIN FROM THE MAUSOLEUM In conclusion of the meeting, Archbi- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ON RED SQUARE , a senior clergyman said. shop Ivan Jurkovic thanked Metropolitan and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Mos- "It is obvious that the condition of Le- Hilarion for the warm welcome and assured cow and All Russia chaired the meeting. nin's body does not fit into Russia's cultural him of his desire to promote further devel- Prime Minister Putin addressed the tradition...but we should take into account opment of cooperation and mutual under- participants and congratulated His Holiness the opinions of various social groups and standing between the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill on his Name Day, thanking avoid making decisions that entail social Church and the Roman Catholic Church. – him for his “fruitful activity and sincere zeal upheavals," the chairman of the Synodal Press Release, Moscow Patriarchate, May for the revival of spirituality in Russian Department for Relations of the Russian 11. society.” Orthodox Church and Society, Archpriest In his address, His Holiness Patriarch Vsevolod Chaplin, told RIA Novosti on N 16 MAY 2011, HIS HOLINESS Kirill said that this celebration explains Tuesday. PATRIARCH MAXIM OF BULGARIA “who we are and how to build our future in Eighty-seven years have passed since ORECEIVED METROPOLITAN HILARI - the best possible way.” the body of Vladimir Ulyanov, known ON OF VOLOKOLAMSK , CHAIRMAN OF THE His Holiness called to include cultural worldwide under his pseudonym Lenin, was MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE ’S DEPARTMENT and education competitions, ethnographi- placed in a glass sarcophagus and displayed FOR EXTERNAL CHURCH RELATIONS cal, museum and publication programs in in a specially built granite mausoleum near (DECR), who arrived in Bulgaria with the the Day of Slavonic Literature and Culture the Kremlin wall. blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of as well as events that would “help people Throughout the years of Soviet rule, Moscow and All Russia to take part in the make choices in in life, education and pro- the Lenin mausoleum became a symbol of celebration of the commemoration day of fession.” the Soviet Union, and crowds of Soviet the martyrs of Batak. The Primate of the Russian Orthodox citizens and numerous delegations from They were joined in the meeting, Church underscored the necessity of actions foreign countries visited the tomb. which took place at the Synodal residence, aimed at the recovery of the purity of the However, voices of those willing to by Metropolitans of the Bulgarian Ortho- Russian language and the culture of com- remove the Russian revolutionary leader's dox Church: Kalinik of Vratsa, Kyrill of munication, calling it a nation-wide task. embalmed body from his granite mauso- Varna and Veliki Preslav, Dometian of His Holiness believes that the organiz- leum on Red Square and bury him are be- Vidin, Neofit of Rousse, Natanail of Ne- ers should pay particular attention to the coming stronger today, 20 years after the vrokop, Grigorij of Veliko T rnovo, and youth. He is confident that the celebration issue first emerged with the breakup of the Bishop Naum of Stobi, general secretary of should be interesting and significant to Soviet empire. the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Patriar- young people. The deed of Ss Cyril and In 2011, the issue of Lenin's removal chate; Rev. Igor Yakimchuk, DECR secre- Methodius and its meaning for the Slavonic from the mausoleum was raised again by tary for Inter-Orthodox relations; hiero- culture should be actualized. prominent members of the ruling United Zotik (Gayevsky), acting treasurer of His Holiness shares Mr. Putin’s view Russia Party apparently as an attempt to

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 8. give the party a greater public appeal prior on the agenda. We should consider many brothers in faith remain in distress. All this to parliamentary polls in December. important issues in the life of the Russian leads to the mass emigration of Christians The move sparked anger from Russia's Orthodox Church and the reorganization of from countries in which they have lived for Communists, whose leader Gennady Zyu- several . We should think of meas- centuries, as we see in today’s and ganov accused United Russia of being only ures to bring about a more intensive church some other countries of the Middle East. able to "destroy monuments, rename streets life in certain regions in compliance with At the same time there are manifesta- and dig up graves." the decisions of the Bishops’ Council.” tions of Christianophobia also in countries According to a public opinion poll The Synodal institutions have prepared where a majority of citizens confess Chris- conducted in February, over 60 percent of reports to be considered at the session. “We tianity. The domination of rigid and some- Russians want Lenin to be removed from shall size up the work of all Synodal institu- times even aggressive secularism leads to the mausoleum and buried, while 30 per- tions and chart future tasks,” the Primate of forcing Christians out of public life, while cent are in favor of leaving Lenin in the the Russian Orthodox Church noted. public statements and actions motivated by mausoleum as they believe it has long be- The members of the Holy Synod will Christian faith, especially its moral assess- come a major tourist attraction. also consider nominees to bishopric and ment of events taking place in a society, The discussion seems set to continue discuss certain aspects of the external activ- provoke a negative reaction. for some time as the opinion of Russia's top ities of the Moscow Patriarchate. – Press By drawing the public attention to the leadership remains non-committal. Release, Moscow Patriarchate, May 30. growing manifestations of Christianophobi- Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the a, discrimination and persecution against leader of the United Russia party, said in HIS DOCUMENT WAS ADOPTED BY Christians of various confessions, we do not 2010 that the time when the Russian people THE HOLY SYNOD OF THE RUSSIAN intend to interfere in the internal affairs of decide on the fate of Lenin's mummy is still TORTHODOX CHURCH AT ITS state and do not call upon the world com- to come, adding that history shows a strong MEETING ON MAY 30, 2011 (Proceeding munity to do so. teaches its dislike for haste and disturbances. President No. 51) followers to obey the law and to respect Dmitry Medvedev has never made a public With profound concern the Russian lawful governments, according to St. Paul comment on the issue. -- RIA Novosti , May Orthodox Church has taken reports coming who said, Let everyone be subject to the 25. from various countries in the world about governing authorities (Rom. 13:1). At the recurring manifestations of Christianopho- same time, governments, too, as responsi- N 25 MAY 2011, HIS HOLINESS bia. Christians have been subjected to per- ble before their citizens, are obliged to re- PATRIARCH KIRILL OF MOSCOW secution, becoming victims of intolerance spect people’s dignity and rights and, ac- OAND ALL RUSSIA RECEIVED A and various forms of discrimination. The cordingly, to ensure the free confession of DELEGATION OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF recent tragic events in Egypt’s Giza on May religious faith and security of religious CONSTANTINOPLE that was in Moscow to 7 and 8, when during mass disorders Chris- communities. participate in the celebration of the Days of tian churches were set on fire and pari- Nor do we see other religions as Slavonic Literature and Culture and the shioners of the Coptic Church were killed, sources of Christianophobia. The Russian commemoration of Ss Cyril and Methodius are only one chain in the link of such devel- Orthodox Church has always opposed any Equal-to-the-Apostle – the Name Day of opments. Our brothers and sisters are discrimination against individuals and His Holiness. killed, driven away from their homes, sepa- peoples on the grounds of their religious The Primate of the Russian Orthodox rated from their relatives and friends, de- affiliation and resolutely condemned any Church greeted the guests and asked Met- prived of the right to confess their religious manifestations of anti-Semitism and Isla- ropolitan Elpidiphorus of Prusa to convey beliefs and to bring up their children ac- mophobia. Russia, just as other countries gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Bartho- cording to their faith. Regrettably, the ma- under the canonical jurisdiction of the Mos- lomew of Constantinople for sending his nifestations of Christianophobia cannot be cow Patriarchate, has accumulated a rich representatives to the celebration and his treated as occasional incidents: they have experience of peaceful coexistence between congratulatory message. Discussed were become a settled tendency in some parts of religions, as well as mutual respect and the development of cooperation between the world. interreligious solidarity. We are ready to the two Patriarchates and certain subjects of Discrimination against Christians va- share this experience with all those who pan-Orthodox importance. ries in expression from country to country. wish to build a just society. After the meeting with His Holiness In some cases Christians are attacked in Christianophobia is manifested in the Patriarch Kirill, the delegation of the Pa- hooligan actions, which as a rule are ma- first place in situations where religious dif- triarchate of Constantinople departed for nifestations of extremism on religious ferences are used in political struggle most- . – Press Release, Moscow Patriar- grounds. In some countries where Chris- ly by extremist forces who pursue their own chate, May 26. tians are a minority their freedom of faith is purposes incompatible with the welfare of considerably restricted with regard to the the whole society. Such manifestations REGULAR SESSION OF THE HOLY right to celebrate, to own property and to ought to be unequivocally condemned by SYNOD OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHO - establish and run theological schools. There all the healthy social forces including public ADOX CHURCH OPENED AT THE are cases where Christians are rendered and religious leaders. Discrimination on HISTORICAL BUILDING OF THE HOLY GOV - extremely severe court judgments and given religious grounds can be overcome only ERNING SYNOD IN ST. PETERSBURG ON 30 even death sentences according to laws on through a broad dialogue involving gov- MAY 2011. The session was chaired by His blasphemy (as disagreement with the be- ernments, international organizations, reli- Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and liefs of other religions is described in such gious communities and the civil society. All Russia. cases). But even in those countries where We call upon the world community, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill opened Christianophobia is manifested only in see- religious leaders and all the responsible the session, saying, “There are many items ing Christians as ‘second-rate citizens’, our public forces to develop a comprehensive

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 9. and effective mechanism for protecting establishment of the feast of the wonder- (Cilerdzic) with the title Bishop of Remezi- Christians and Christian communities who working Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos ja. Likewise, the Assembly asked Bishop are subjected to persecution or restrictions kept at the Patriarchate of Pec, to be cele- Grigorije of Zahum-Hercegovina to assist in their religious life and work. brated every year on the day after the feast Metropolitan Nikolaj of Dabro-Bosnia in The Russian Orthodox Church stands of the Ascension of our Lord. From this carrying out his archpastoral duties as his for a more intensive dialogue between reli- time this feast loses its local and takes on an deputy. gious leaders and the international commu- all-church character. Beginning with its On the American continent, as the re- nity for working out foundations for peace- most important liturgical aspect, the As- sult of restructuring, the Diocese of New ful coexistence between believers belong- sembly concerned itself with the upcoming Gracanica-Midwest America was created, ing to different traditions. celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the while the Metropolitanate of Libertyville- We express solidarity with our broth- Edict of Milan (313-2013) in Nis, the Chicago ceases to exist. The Assembly ers and sisters – Christians who are sub- birthplace of St. Constantine the Great, on decided that St. Sava Monastery in Liberty- jected to discrimination, persecution and the local, pan-Orthodox, and all-Christian ville, near Chicago, will attain the status of violence, empathizing with their suffering levels. The Assembly also sent a letter to a stavropigeal institution, that is, a monas- and deprivations wherever they may be on His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartho- tery directly under the jurisdiction of the their earthly journey. lomew about the earliest possible calling of Serbian Patriarch. New York-Washington We pray and call the faithful of the the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox was designated as the new see of the East- Church to augment their prayers for suffer- Church — naturally, after all necessary ern American Diocese. The revised Statute ing and persecuted brothers and sisters. We preparations, with deep accountability and of the Canadian Diocese was approved, as pray that they may be strengthened in their in the spirit of complete faithfulness to the was the Constitution of the Metropolitanate faith and spiritual courage. – Press Release, holy ecumenical and local councils of the of Australia and New Zealand. Moscow Patriarchate, May 30. past. The creation of new dioceses from the Having heard the report of the Holy Archdiocese of Belgrade-Karlovci was for HE REGULAR MEETING OF THE Synod on its activities in the period just the present postponed. Likewise, while ASSEMBLY OF BISHOPS OF THE ended and the reports of the diocesan hie- aware of the obvious pastoral reasons for TSERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH TOOK rarchs, the Assembly made appropriate the reestablishment of the ancient Diocese PLACE AT THE SERBIAN PATRIARCHATE IN decisions. of Ras, absorbed by the Diocese of Prizren BELGRADE MAY 16-27, UNDER THE At the meeting of the central body for during the difficult time of the Turkish en- PRESIDENCY OF HIS HOLINESS SERBIAN the completion of the Church of St. Sava on slavement, and that the permanent presence PATRIARCH IRINEJ . Participating in the Vracar, the Assembly welcomed with warm of a bishop in the Ras region would streng- Assembly were all the diocesan hierarchs of thanks the brotherly willingness of the Rus- then the visible and active presence of the the , as well as of sian Orthodox Church and the great Rus- Serbian Orthodox Church in that part of the autonomous Archbishopric of Ochrid sian state to help with the interior appoint- Serbia, the Assembly temporarily post- headed by His Beatitude Archbishop of ments of the church, and after the meeting a poned the resolution of this question until Ochrid and Metropolitan of Skopje, Jovan. memorial service was held for the founders, all necessary conditions are met. The Assembly began its work with the benefactors and donors of the church. With the aim of ensuring the most ef- joint serving of the hierarchical Divine Li- The reorganization and restructuring of fective organization of church life, the As- turgy in the Holy Archangel Michael Ca- certain dioceses in Serbia, in Europe and in sembly enlarged the existing Assembly thedral in Belgrade, led by Serbian Pa- America and Australia was carried out, and commission for the revision of the Constitu- triarch Irinej, including the Invocation of most episcopal vacancies were filled, al- tion of the Serbian Orthodox Church. the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth and wis- though some dioceses continue to be guided As it does every year, the Assembly dom, in Whom the Church lives and always by bishop administrators. As bishop of the gave full attention to church education in works, especially in the assemblies of its vacant see of the Diocese of Nis was general and church schooling in particular. bishops. Then the president of the Assem- elected the heretofore vicar bishop to the The Orthodox Theological Faculty of Bel- bly, His Holiness the Patriarch, in his open- Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Coast- grade University has been entrusted with a ing statement to the Assembly indicated lands and elder of Monastery Ostrog, the very important mission—the translation of some of the current questions of the life and Bishop of Dioclia Dr. Jovan, and as bishop the works of the holy Fathers and Teachers mission of the Church in these times, times of the newly created Diocese of Krusevac of the Church from the original languages of difficult trials for us and for the world, Hierodeacon Dr. David (Perovic), assistant and their publication with accompanying but also times of hope and spiritual action. professor at the Theological Faculty of Bel- scholarly introductions and commentaries. During this year’s Assembly the joint grade University. The administrator of the Further, the Assembly expects the ad- celebration of the Liturgy took place newly formed Diocese of and Swit- vancement of cooperation between the Ser- twice—on the feast of the transfer of the zerland with its see in will be the bian Orthodox Church’s institutions of relics of our Holy Father Nicholas on May Bishop of Backa Dr. Irinej, and Metropoli- higher learning. Protopresbyter Professor 9/22 in Sremski Karlovci on the patronal tan Dr. Amphilohije of Montenegro and the Jovan Petkovic was elected the new dean of feast of the completely renovated Cathedral Coastlands will serve as administrator of the Seminary in Karlovci, and it was de- church of St. Nicholas, and in Belgrade’s the newly created Diocese of Buenos Aires, cided to resume the work of the Prizren church of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist which will be comprised of all the congre- seminary in Prizren itself, while part of its Mark on the feast of the Holy Brothers Cy- gations and missionary parishes in South activities will continue in Nis. The Assem- ril and Methodius, Enlighteners and Teach- and Central America. Elected as vicar bi- bly recommended steps for the advance- ers of the Slavs, on May 11/24. The most shops to His Holiness the Patriarch were ment of the educational system in the semi- important decision of the Assembly con- Protosyngel Jovan (Culibrk) with the title naries of the Serbian Orthodox Church and cerns the liturgical life of the Church — the Bishop of Diplja, and Archmandrite Andrej steps for the introduction of theology into

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 10. the educational system of Serbia on Serbian inter-Orthodox unity, whoever may be the state and a rejection of the democratic prin- territory, and recommended the establish- instigator and organizer of the activities ciples of the separation between the Church ment of Orthodox high schools and other which endanger that unity. and state, as well as an open reintroduction schools which would work under the juris- The Assembly also deeply regrets that of a long ago overcome social categoriza- diction of the Church, wherever that is the government of the Republic of Mace- tion, the category of second class citizen- possible. donia, despite criticism by international ship based on religious and ethnic identity. The Assembly welcomed the return of organizations for its violation of religious Therefore the Assembly demands that the religious services to the Serbian Army, as freedom and human rights, continues to state officials of Montenegro respect their well as the decision of the Constitutional persecute the canonical Archbishop of constitution and the rights of every church Court of Serbia on the constitutionality of Ochrid Jovan and refuses to legally register and religious organization, and consequent- the law on the return of illegally seized the Archdiocese of Ochrid, an autonomous ly the rights of Serbian Orthodox Church, properties of the Church and religious or- Orthodox Church which is in full union guaranteed by the domestic and internation- ganizations. In this regard, the Assembly with all Orthodox Churches throughout the al laws. It would indeed be a huge embar- awaits and seeks the implementation of the world. The Assembly Fathers most strongly rassment and shame to go to Brussels, provisions of this law, which has not yet condemn the recent violent incident against Strasburg and Washington in order to se- been implemented even though it is valid a bishop, monastic clergy and faithful of the cure these rights and justice. and obligatory, which is unacceptable. Ochrid Archdiocese during the celebration The Assembly is also concerned be- The Assembly welcomes the decision of a liturgical service in Kavadarci, insti- cause of the difficulties that the Republika of the Serbian state authorities to return the gated and directed by a local schismatic Srpska, and consequently the Serbian Or- Church’s metrical books, which were con- bishop according to his own public admis- thodox Church in Bosnia and Herzegovina, fiscated after the Second World War, and sion. Those who have such an unchurch- are facing. The Assembly is convinced that hopes for the return also of bequests and like mentality, not only because they desire citizens of the Republika Srpska, like citi- donor funds which have not yet been re- no dialogue to heal the wounds of schism zens in other modern democratic states in turned. Expecting and seeking the complete but because they aggravate those wounds, general have a right to plebiscitary expres- return of expropriated church property, the heap injustice upon injustice, bringing great sion on questions that they hold important Assembly also supports the return to all spiritual harm to the misled faithful and as this right is a clear if not the only exam- organizations and foundations of properties provoking both God’s longsuffering and ple of democracy. The Assembly also asks illegally confiscated from them. The As- human patience. The ill-begotten are al- the domestic political structures and foreign sembly regrets that the neighboring Repub- ready judged, as the wise popular saying relevant factors and policy making centers lic of Hungary refuses to return the former goes. to respect the Dayton agreement and in church building in Budapest’s Baca Street The Assembly gave special attention doing so, to continue building a compre- to the Diocese of Budim. and consideration to serious difficulties hensive peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Similarly, the Assembly regrets that faced by the Metropolitanate of Montene- A particular concern weighing on the there has occurred a deep crisis in relations gro and the Coastlands and other dioceses souls of the Assembly members is the non- between the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Monte- existence (and that after so many years) of oldest Christian Church, and the Romanian negro. Examples are: threats that the church conditions for the return of expelled refu- Orthodox Church, because of the uncanoni- of the Holy Trinity on Mount Rumija will gees from Kosovo and Metohija, a new cal activities of the latter in the Holy Land. be destroyed; the demolishing of Saint Al- endangerment of Serbian property and Sadly, neither does the hierarchy of the exander Nevsky and the Most Holy Lady homes, and the lack of conditions for re- respect the Theotokos churches on Saint Stefan; the building more than one hundred destroyed canonical order and jurisdiction of the sister unlawful intention to usurp churches in churches. The Assembly reminds the do- Churches in other places. In our case, the Cipur and Krusevac; a statement from the mestic and international public that any Assembly is grateful to the Romanian Or- highest state official by which the right of dialogue about Kosovo and Metohija that thodox Church for its good relationship the Serbian Orthodox Church to lawfully would lead to the violation of the Constitu- towards the Serbian Orthodox Church’s exist and function in Montenegro is denied tion of Serbia and the violation of the Unit- Diocese of Temisvar and for the support it along with its right to own property; the ed Nations’ resolution 1244 would offers to its administrator, clergy and mo- publicly expressed ambitions of certain represent a direct undermining of the Unit- nastics, which reciprocates the Serbian Montenegrin politicians to administer ed Nations’ Charter and international order Orthodox Church’s stance of brotherly love church affairs and through pressure, and established after World War II. The wrong towards the Romanians in Serbian Banat, even through open physical threats, to ma- resolutions would be no resolutions at all; but at the same time it expresses its regret nipulate the identity and organization of the rather they would become long-standing and energetic protest concerning the unca- Orthodox Church in Montenegro with the and possibly permanent: instability, adver- nonical intrusion of certain bishops and open wish to make the Church an instru- sities and chaos in Serbia, especially in her clergy from Romania in the territory of two ment of their own political aims; the deter- south region and in southeast Europe in dioceses in eastern Serbia, without the ap- mination of the Montenegrin party in pow- general. proval of the ruling bishops from the Ser- er, the Democratic (!) Socialist Party, to The concern and sadness of the As- bian Orthodox Church. If the noncanonical aggressively shape the church life of Or- sembly members is made even greater by and unbrotherly actions of these individuals thodox Christians in Montenegro (fortu- the fact that among the Serbian people do not end, the Assembly and Synod of the nately, not disturbing other churches and there are more deaths than births. This in- Serbian Orthodox Church will take all ca- religious communities). All this represents dicates a deep moral, family and even reli- nonical and legal steps to stop them, to the endangerment of essential human rights gious crisis despite the fact that the majority protect the established canonical order, and and religious freedom, an active denial of of our people consider themselves Ortho- to prevent the disturbance of the sacred the secular character of the Montenegrin dox Christians. As a result, the Assembly

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 11. appeals to the conscience of parents, teach- As former secretary of Pope John Paul ON FRIDAY WITH ARCHBISHOP OF ers, state officials and all those who may II, His Eminence Cardinal Stanislaw Szi- ATHENS AND ALL GREECE AND A CHURCH have an impact on the state of society and wisz remembered the unforgettable visit of OF GREECE HOLY SYNOD DELEGATION . the dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox the former Pontiff Sovereign to Bucharest Papandreou underlined the importance Church and their local parishes to recom- (7 – 9 May 1999) and underlined its impor- of state-Church cooperation in this difficult mend the establishment of funds for assis- tance for the consolidation of the theologi- time for the country, stressing however, that tance to families with three or more child- cal dialogue and of the relations between each side has its own special role. ren, to take preventative and pastoral- the Roman Catholic Church and the Roma- "Greece should enter a different course therapeutic measures in fighting against nian Orthodox Church. if we wish to produce solutions that will immorality, pornography, drugs and all His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said bring hope and optimism," he added. other spiritual illnesses which directly and that the two encounters between Patriarch On his part, Archbishop Ieronymos indirectly harm man and the future of our Teoctist and Pope John Paul II in Bucharest agreed with the comments made by the nation and many other nations. (1999) and at the Vatican (2001) had a premier and stressed that "the people agon- The newly elected Synod members are: favorable effect on relations between the ize over the future and want the crisis to be His Grace Vasilije, Bishop of Srem, His Romanian Orthodox faithful and Catholics overcome. We should make decisions that Grace Irinej, Bishop of Backa, His Grace in Italy and in some other countries with a will bring relief to the people." – ANA , May Jovan, Bishop of Sumadija and His Grace Catholic majority. 7. Joanikije, Bishop of Budim-Niksic. – The Patriarch of Romania emphasized Communiqué, Serbian Patriarchate, May the traditional friendly relations between RCHBISHOP OF ATHENS AND ALL 31. the Romanian and Polish peoples and un- GREECE IERONYMOS IS BEING derlined the importance of the dialogue and ATREATED AT A HOSPITAL IN THE ODAY , 19 MAY 2011, THE WORKING practical co-operation between Churches CITY OF AGRINIO , WESTERN GREECE , SESSION OF THE HOLY SYNOD OF for promoting peace, good understanding FOLLOWING A DOUBLE FRACTURE IN THE TTHE ROMANIAN ORTHODOX and solidarity with various Christian com- LEG HE SUSTAINED AS HE WAS ENTERING CHURCH BEGAN IN THE SYNODAL ROOM munities in distress. – Press Release, Ro- THE CHURCH OF AGIOS CHRISTOFOROS . OF THE PATRIARCHAL RESIDENCE , under manian Patriarchate, May 20. As the Archbishop was coming out of the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch his car to go to the church, he slipped, Daniel. HE HOLY SYNOD OF THE ROMANIAN probably due to slipperiness caused by rain, After opening the proceedings, the ORTHODOX CHURCH ANALYZED resulting in his injury. meeting of the Holy Synod proceeded to the TDURING ITS WORKING SESSION HELD The Archcbishop expressed the desire election of the titular hierarch for the vacant AT THE PATRIARCHAL RESIDENCE , FROM to be taken to Athens. post of Archbishop of Alba Iulia, under the 19 – 20 MAY 2011, UNDER THE CHAIR - Archbishop Ieronymos was in Agrinio chairmanship of His Eminence Metropoli- MANSHIP OF HIS BEATITUDE PATRIARCH to attend events regarding the celebration of tan Andrei of the Metropolitan See of Cluj, DANIEL , THE DECISIONS OF THE HOLY patron saint Christoforos, while earlier he Alba, Cri ana and Maramure . SYNOD OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSA - had been proclaimed an honorary citizen of The Holy Synod elected, by secret bal- LEM published on its official site on 9 May Agrinio. – ANA , May 10. lot, one of the two candidates that the Met- 2011 and thinks that these decisions are ropolitan Synod of the Metropolitan See of contradictory to the spirit of the brotherly RCHBISHOP IERONYMOS OF Cluj, Alba, Cri ana and Maramure as- communion between the sister Orthodox ATHENS AND ALL GREECE ON signed after consulting the Eparchial As- Churches. ATUESDAY UNDERWENT SUCCESS - sembly of the Archdiocese of Alba Iulia, in Nevertheless, the Holy Synod of the FUL SURGERY IN ATHENS ' KAT HOSPITAL the person of His Grace Irineu Bistri Ńeanul Romanian Orthodox does not break up the to treat a double fracture in his left leg. for the vacant post of Archbishop of Alba communion with the Patriarchate of Jerusa- According to the medical bulletin is- Iulia with 29 votes out of 42 expressed. His lem. sued, his postoperative condition is excel- Grace Andrei F ăgără anul, Assistant Bi- Therefore, the Holy Synod of the Ro- lent and he will remain hospitalized for shop to the Archdiocese of Sibiu, got 13 manian Orthodox Church assigned a dele- roughly a week. – ANA , May 11. votes. gation made up of His Eminence Honorable The enthronement ceremony of the Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of RCHBISHOP OF ATHENS AND ALL new Archbishop of Alba Iulia will take Târgovi te, His Eminence Honorable GREECE IERONYMOS LEFT AN place in “Reintregirea” Cathedral of Alba Archbishop Ioan, of the Diocese of Covas- AATHENS HOSPITAL ON MONDAY Iulia city on 5 June 2011. – Press Release, na and Harghita, His Grace Vincen Ńiu, Bi- AFTERNOON , where he had undergone sur- Romanian Patriarchate, May 19. shop of Slobozia and C ălăra i, and His gery for a broken leg. The Archbishop will Grace Ciprian Câmpineanul, Assistant Bi- continue therapy at home. N 20 MAY 2011, HIS BEATITUDE shop to the Patriarch with the official Shortly before leaving hospital, he was PATRIARCH DANIEL RECEIVED HIS mandate to have an official dialogue with visited by main opposition New Democracy OEMINENCE CARDINAL STANISLAW the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in order to (ND) party leader Antonis Samaras, while DZIWISZ , ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP solve this issue. – Press Release, Romanian he had also been visited by Education Mi- OF CRACOW , WHO WAS ON A VISIT TO Patriarchate, May 21. nister Anna Diamantopoulou. – ANA , May ROMANIA . His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan 17. Robu, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bu- REEK PRIME MINISTER GEORGE charest and President of the Catholic Bi- PAPANDREOU HAD A SCHEDULED HE SPRING SESSION OF THE METRO - shops’ Conference of Romania, was also GMEETING AT THE MAXIMOS MAN - POLITAN COUNCIL OF THE ORTHO - present. SION GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS IN DOX CHURCH IN AMERICA OPENED T SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 12. AT CHRIST THE SAVIOR CHURCH , those ethics complaints and to present a full didates; and funding to cover costs realized CHICAGO , IL ON WEDNESDAY , MAY 4, report. by the change in the Metropolitan Council 2011 with the celebration of the Divine John Vitko presented the latest meeting venue. She also presented a budget Liturgy. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, revised version of the OCA Strategic Plan. for the 16th All-American Council. presided. The Metropolitan Council resolved to rec- The Financial Development Commit- His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek of ommend that the revised Strategic Plan be tee reported on investment strategy and the Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania posted on the OCA website for continued need for a professional financial advisor. chaired the meeting, while Igumen Alexan- feedback from the Church and that it be The Pension Board presented two der [Pihach] served as vice-chair. incorporated into the agenda of the upcom- amendments to the OCA Pension Plan, After approving the agenda and the ing 16th All-American Council. The forma- both of which were adopted. The amend- minutes of the previous meeting, Metro- tion of a Post-Concillar subcommittee of ments include housing allowance calcula- politan Council members heard the opening the Metropolitan Council to oversee im- tion for non-clergy Church employees and a remarks of Metropolitan Jonah. An exten- plementation of the Strategic Plan after the clarification on disability retirement bene- sive discussion ensued, during which the Council was recommended. fits. Holy Synod announced the four resolutions On its second day, Thursday, May 5, Fr. Leonid Kishkovsky, Director of it had adopted concerning OCA governance the Metropolitan Council heard the report External Affairs and Interchurch Relations, going forward. The resolutions—found in of the Charity Committee; the Council De- reported on the external relations of the the public minutes of the Holy Synod of velopment Committee, which presented its Orthodox Church in America. The report Bishops -- deal with Locum Tenency, the report and an updated version of the Coun- included an account of the relations, con- Officers of the Church, the Permanent cil Handbook; and the Crisis Management tacts, and correspondence with Orthodox Lesser Synod, and the Chancellor. Committee, which presented its report in Churches after the Holy Synod retreat at the In his report, Bishop Melchisedek, executive session. An extensive discussion end of February 2011 and the announce- Interim Chancellor, spoke of the work that on failures in the Church to adequately re- ment of the leave of absence of His Beati- was done during his two months, including spond to critical issues was held. tude, Metropolitan Jonah. specific issues dealing with the leave of Following the Human Resources Father Eric presented an extensive absence of Metropolitan Jonah. He in- Committee report, the Metropolitan Coun- overview of the 16th All-American Coun- formed the Metropolitan Council that he cil resolved to recommend that Archpriest cil, highlighting work accomplished and will continue as Interim Chancellor for the Alexander Garklavs remain as consultant to items that still need attention. He outlined foreseeable future. He also outlined major the Interim Chancellor for his institutional the timeline for the months leading to the concerns going forward. knowledge and continuity of the work of the Council and reviewed the registration Archpriest Eric Tosi, OCA Secretary, Chancery; that his compensation and bene- process. The draft agenda was adopted. reported on his activities. He spoke at fits continue until he receives another ap- Father Eric unveiled the new OCA length about the difficult work in the chan- propriate appointment; and that his sever- website and reviewed the process and work cery and introduced the new communica- ance package of four months’ salary be that has gone into its redesign. He ex- tions team and spoke about their recent deferred compensation. plained various features of the site, which is work and the process of communications in The Internal Governance Committee due to make its debut in June. the Church. He also reviewed a variety of presented a report in executive session on Father Alexander Garklavs addressed administrative issues, including human various critical issues in Church govern- the Council, offering words of gratitude. A resources, insurance, estate management, ment. Out of executive session, the Internal motion was made to acknowledge with pastoral and legal issues. Audit Committee, represented by Michael profound gratitude Father Alexander’s ser- In an executive session, the members Strelka, presented its findings and outlined vice as Chancellor, which was accompa- of the Sexual Misconduct Policy Advisory the reporting procedures leading up to the nied by a standing ovation. Committee [SMPAC] discussed their work, All-American Council. The Metropolitan The Human Resources Committee was focusing primarily on the methodology used Council thanked the Internal Audit Com- mandated to organize the search for a new in compiling their confidential report, mittee for its professional work. To date, all Chancellor by the next meeting of the Met- which was presented at the Holy Synod stavropegial institutions have been ex- ropolitan Council in September 2011. session preceding the joint meeting. amined or have had their external audits Council members authorized funding to After a long and intense discussion, the examined, with the exception of one institu- conduct the search. Metropolitan Council resolved to recom- tion slated to be audited during the summer. The Holy Synod and Metropolitan mend strongly the cessation of any activity The Legal Committee presented its Council offered their gratitude to the Dio- of Priest Gregory Jensen in matters pertain- report, which covered a variety of current cese of the Midwest and Christ the Savior ing to sexual misconduct, and that any can- and potential legal issues, in executive ses- Church for hosting the gathering. didates to fill a position in the Office for sion. A lengthy discussion ensued on in- After the Metropolitan Council meet- Review of Sexual Misconduct Allegations stances of potential liability of the Church ing closed on Friday morning, members of must be vetted by the SMPAC. The MC and involved an in depth discussion. the Strategic Planning Committee met to also resolved to commend the SMPAC for Melanie Ringa presented her extensive discuss the changes and release of the Stra- its extraordinary work. Treasurer’s report, after which it was re- tegic Plan, plans for the All-American Also in executive session, the Metro- solved to make some minor adjustments to Council, and other issues. – OCA Press politan Council received the report of the the 2011 budget. Among the adjustments Release, May 6. Ethics Committee and reviewed various are funds for further OCA web site devel- ethics complaints that had been raised. The opment for the Feasts and section; IS BEATITUDE , METROPOLITAN ethics committee was blessed by the Holy translations into Spanish; funding for psy- JONAH , PRIMATE OF THE ORTHO - Synod to conduct an investigation into chological evaluation of all can- DOX CHURCH IN AMERICA [OCA], H SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 13. AND HIS EMINENCE , METROPOLITAN The meeting, on 2 May, took place Church and said that the Moscow Patriar- HILARION , FIRST HIERARCH OF THE while His Grace was in Istanbul, in transit, chate considered it extremely important that RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OUTSIDE OF on the way to the Holy Land for a pilgri- the world community and international or- RUSSIA [ROCOR], CONCELEBRATED THE mage with some 72 faithful of the Holy ganizations should give special attention to at Saint Nicholas Cathe- Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the protecting the life, dignity and religious dral here on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, the East. freedom of Christians in a number of coun- Feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius. His Grace was received at the Patriar- tries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The Liturgy was an historic one, in that chate (in the Phanar district of Istanbul) by In conclusion, Bishop Mar Isaac Jo- it marked “the first joint service of the the Patriarchal deacon at 11:00 am. The seph asked Metropolitan Hilarion to convey American Bishops and the Russian Ortho- deacon then gave a tour of the Patriarchal to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus- dox Church after nearly 70 years of the cathedral of St. George the Martyr, which sian cordial greetings and best wishes from liturgical period of absence of communica- houses the relics of St. Gregory Nazianzus the Primate of the Assyrian Church of the tion,” according to the web site of the Pa- and St. . East, Mar Dinkha IV. – Press triarchal Parishes in the USA. It represents The Patriarch received the Assyrian Release, Moscow Patriarchate, May 11. the fruit of the diligent labors undertaken by and clergy at 12 noon in his person- the joint OCA-ROCOR Commission. al office. After a colloquium of about one IS GRACE MAR , At the conclusion of the Divine Litur- hour, during which His Grace Mar Awa BISHOP OF CALIFORNIA AND gy, Metropolitan Jonah presented relics of handed His All Holiness Bartholomew I a HSECRETARY OF THE HOLY SYNOD Saints Herman of Alaska and Alexis Toth very important letter from His Holiness OF THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST , to Metropolitan Hilarion, who in kind pre- Mar Dinkha IV addressed to the Patriarch HAS DELIVERED THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT sented relics of Saint John Maximovich to of Constantinople, the Assyrian bishop and THE ANNUAL CHRISTIANITY IN IRAQ Metropolitan Jonah. The Metropolitans also clergy were invited to share lunch with the SEMINAR DAY HELD IN LONDON . sent a message to His Holiness, Patriarch Patriarch and other Greek Orthodox pre- The seminar, on 28 May, was pre- Kirill of Moscow, on the occasion of his lates and clergy resident at the Patriarchate. sented by the Center of Eastern and Ortho- patronal feastday. The text of the message During the audience, His Holiness dox Christianity, Department for the Study reads as follows. Bartholomew I welcomed the Assyrian of Religions, School of Oriental and Afri- “We thank the Lord, Who on this festal clergy to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and can Studies (SOAS), University of London, day has vouchsafed us to offer unto Him the extended his sincere greetings to His Holi- in conjunction with the British Institute for Bloodless Sacrifice in the Patriarchal Ca- ness Mar Dinkha IV, and spoke briefly the Study of Iraq and the Jerusalem and thedral of St. Nicholas of the Russian Or- about the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s com- Middle Eastern Churches Association. thodox Church in New York City! mitment to promoting understanding and The Christianity in Iraq Seminar Day “On this, the feast day of the holy dialogue among Christian Churches. this year focused on the Christian library Equals-of-the-Apostles, Sts. Cyril and Me- After bidding the Patriarch and the from Turfan and the “mother church” in thodius, Enlighteners of the Slavs, having members of the Patriarchal court farewell Mesopotamia. Between 1902-1914 the communed in the One Holy Spirit of the with gratitude for his immense hospitality, German Turfan Expedition unearthed a One Chalice of Christ, with sincere love we the Assyrian delegation headed directly to library at the monastery site of Bulayiq in greet Your Holiness on the occasion of your the airport in order to reach the Holy Land. Turfan (north-west China) that yielded over Name Day. – Assyrian Church News , May 10. 1000 Syriac, Christian Soghdian and Chris- “By God’s beneficent Providence you tian Uighur manuscript fragments written in have been fated to serve as the Primate of N MAY 11, 2011, METROPOLITAN the Syriac script. This material remains the Russian Orthodox Church, of which the HILARION OF VOLOKOLAMSK , preserved in various locations throughout Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Rus- OHEAD OF THE MOSCOW PATRIAR - Germany. sia is an inseparable part, and which is the CHATE ’S DEPARTMENT FOR EXTERNAL The range of discovered literature, Mother—and Sister—Church of the Ortho- CHURCH RELATIONS , RECEIVED BISHOP dated between the 9th and 14th centuries dox Church in America. MAR ISAAC JOSEPH OF NORTHERN IRAQ demonstrates that Turfan was an important “We are certain that the long-desired AND RUSSIA , ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE outpost of the Church of the East’s legen- concelebration of the Hierarchs of the EAST , AT HIS REQUEST . dary missionary enterprise. Amongst the American Church and the Russian Church Bishop Mar Isaac Joseph thanked Met- discovered manuscripts were Christian Abroad will be a glad tiding to Your Holi- ropolitan Hilarion for the audience and talk Soghdian translations from the Peshitta, ness, and to the innumerable Orthodox and told him about the hardships expe- hymns, psalms and importantly, several clergy and laity.” – OCA Press Release, rienced by Christian Churches in Iraq to- Hudras (liturgical cycles) that are dated to May 25. day, about the blasting of churches and the 9th or 10th centuries. attacks on Christians. He asked the Su- Four papers exploring the manuscript The Assyrian Church of the East preme Authorities of the Russian Orthodox discoveries were delivered by Syriac scho- Church to raise their voices in defense of lars, Dr. Erica C.D. Hunter (SOAS), Prof. IS GRACE MAR AWA ROYEL , the suffering Christian population in Iraq Peter Zieme (Berlin), Dr. Mark Dickens BISHOP OF CALIFORNIA AND and a number of other countries so that the (SOAS) and Prof. Nicholas Sims-Williams HSECRETARY OF THE HOLY SYNOD world community could pay attention to (SOAS). His Grace Mar Awa’s keynote OF THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST these facts and put an end to the continued presentation addressed the importance and HAS BEEN RECEIVED IN AUDIENCE BY HIS violence committed on religious grounds. impact of the liturgical texts from Turfan on ALL HOLINESS BARTHOLOMEW I, During their talk, Metropolitan Hila- the liturgy today. ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE AND rion assured Bishop Mar Isaac Joseph of His Grace Mar Awa holds a BA from ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH . the support of the Russian Orthodox Loyola University in Chicago (1997), a

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 14. Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the Uni- 190 people, warning that anyone who ries. He went on to say that the Church de- versity of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundele- threatens the military-ruled country's secu- pends solely on Coptic donations and tith- in (1999) and a Licentiate of Sacred Theol- rity will face "an iron fist." The Christians ing. ogy from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in have, however, alleged the military was not Sadeeq told Al-Masry Al-Youm that . In 2007 His Grace took a PhD in doing enough to protect them. "These the Patriarchy would not permit financial Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Orien- events do not benefit either Muslims or supervision by the Central Auditing Agen- tal Institute in Rome. – Assyrian Church Copts," said Ahmed al-Tayyeb, the Sheik of cy, or by any other state entity, as the mon- News , May 31. al-Azhar. ey concerned “is simply private money.” He Muslim are in the majority in Egypt said that supervision is appropriate only for The Oriental Orthodox Churches with Christians accounting for 10 per cent public funds or institutions financially sup- of the 80 million population. – Frederick ported by the state. HRISTIAN AND MUSLIM CLASHES IN Nzwili for ENI , May 9. Sadeeq went on to say that the finan- EGYPT HAVE LEFT 12 PEOPLE DEAD , cial and administrative committees within C238 INJURED AND TWO COPTIC HE HEAD OF EGYPT 'S COPTIC the Church are currently run by secularists, CHURCHES IN BURNED , THE STATE ORTHODOX CHURCH , POPE SHE - not the state. – US Copts Association, May MEDIA REPORTED . TNOUDA III, MET ON MONDAY WITH A 31. Faith and political leaders condemned DELEGATION OF SEVEN ETHIOPIAN CLERICS the weekend violence, which was triggered LED BY ETHIOPIA 'S ARCHBISHOP . N THE COMBINED OCCASION OF HIS by rumors that a woman who had converted In a statement to MENA, Shenouda's 80 TH BIRTHDAY , 60 TH YEAR OF to Islam was being detained at the sixth- secretary, Anba Armia, said the meeting OMONASTIC LIFE AND THE 20 TH century Coptic Church of St. Mena in the was dominated by a new atmosphere of YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ORDINATION AS working-class neighborhood of Imbaba in understanding between Egypt and Ethiopia, A BISHOP , H. G. BISHOP MAKARIUS northwest Cairo. It's the worst sectarian which has developed since the 25 January RECEIVED RECOGNITION at the Crown Pla- violence since protests in February overth- revolution and the recent visit by interim za Hotel in Secaucus, New Jersey on May rew Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's long serving Prime Minister Essam Sharaf to Ethiopia. 1, 2011. The event was organized by the president, and the clashes are presenting He noted that the guests praised Coptic Orthodox Church in North America. fresh challenges to the military-led gov- Egypt's new stance and predicted stronger The invited guests to the special recep- ernment. bilateral collaboration in the coming period. tion included four other Coptic bishops, Members of the Coptic community He explained that cooperation between many Coptic, Eritrean and Ethiopian clerics there were reportedly forming groups for the Egyptian and Ethiopian churches on and over 400 people. Many of His Grace’s self-defense saying they expect more clash- religious and spiritual matters would con- accomplishments were spoken of by several es in the coming months. The groups will tinue. representatives of Coptic churches he has protect churches as well as homes and In early April, Shenouda resumed helped found and nurtured. Even children businesses owned by Copts. "Now we are communications with Ethiopian church and young people who have grown under really afraid," said the Rev. Arshileadis Mar leaders to convince the government not to his pastoral care and influence gave moving Mina, a priest at the Mar Mina church, add- escalate the Nile crisis between Egypt and messages. ing, "people are systematically attacking us Sudan, which erupted after Ethiopia de- There was a large contingent of Eri- and there are no police or military to pro- clared the construction of its Millennium trean men and women from the New York tect us." He was quoted by the Al Masry Al Dam on the River Nile. Egypt and Sudan City and New Jersey area. Their ululation Youm independent newspaper. fear the new dam will affect their share of and applause as an expression of their ap- The trouble reportedly started on 7 Nile water. -- Al-Masry Al-Youm , May 16. preciation on seeing such great honor being May, when nearly 500 Muslims who are bestowed on their beloved bishop gave the followers of the Salafi fundamentalist Is- HE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH HAS event an added significance. lamist ideology attacked the church de- CALLED ON THE EGYPTIAN CABINET Representing the Eritrean Orthodox manding the release of Camelia Shehata, TTO PRESENT IT WITH THE UNIFIED Church’s Archdiocese of North America, the wife of the priest there, alleging she was LAW FOR PLACES OF WORSHIP ONCE IT HAS Fr. Prof. Athanasius Ghebre-Ab delivered being held hostage after conversion. BEEN DRAFTED . A Church source said that the first message of the evening. He ex- The mobs then lobbed firebombs at head of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church, pressed the gratitude and indebtedness of homes, shops and the church, setting its Pope Shenouda III, was awaiting the law. the Eritrean people in general, and the Eri- facade on fire. Later, a separate group set The source went on to say that the trean Orthodox Church and that of the on fire the nearby Virgin Mary church. "A Church has rejected the financial supervi- Archdiocese’s in particular, for the support Catholic church was also attacked, along sion of churches as they do not receive any and encouragement His Holiness Pope with Coptic Orthodox ones," said the Rev. funding from the state. All sources of Shenouda has shown since the crisis in the Luciano Verdoscia, a missionary who has Church income are either from Coptic en- Church surfaced six years ago. Fr. Athana- been working in Cairo for several years. dowments or Coptic donations, the source sius reminded the audience about the con- Muslims on 29 April held a sit-in out- said. tinued imprisonment of His Holiness Ab- side San Marco Cathedral to demand She- The source also called for the swift une Antonius, the canonical Patriarch of the hata's release. This prompted several Cop- adoption of the unified personal status law Eritrean Orthodox Church. tic movements to call for a protest march on for non-Muslims. Speaking of the insightful and resolute 6 May to protect the cathedral in the Cairo Meanwhile, Kameel Sadeeq, from the leadership H.G. Bishop Makarius has given suburb of Abbasseya. Coptic Council in Alexandria, said the Pa- to the Archdiocese, Fr. Athanasius unders- Islamic clerics have denounced the triarchy does not receive one cent from the cored his “tenderness towards his flocks.” violence, and the government has arrested state’s general budget for services or sala- He added, “But when the situation calls for,

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 15. Bishop Makarius has also shown his fear- matters,” Archbishop Karekin Bekjian, a of new clerics at the Tıbrevank School in less side as well.” He cited as an example candidate for the Patriarchate and a primate Istanbul’s Üsküdar district in the early the most recent and much publicized homi- of the German diocese of the Armenian 1960s, but this right was revoked in 1968, ly he delivered to the people of Eritrea Apostolic Church, told the Hürriyet Daily the archbishop said. The school, which still when nearly 400 Eritrean young men, News on Sunday. operates as the Private Surp Haç High women and children drowned off the coast Bekjian was in Istanbul to celebrate School, lost its status as a foundation in of Libya. Fr. Athanasius concluded that the the 550th anniversary of the Patriarchate, 1985, he said. Eritrean people have shown their elation which was only marked by a low-profile If the Halki Seminary on Heybeliada over having His Grace to talk to them and service and a small reception due to the Island were to be opened again, then the for them in such a time of national tragedy. continuing illness of titular Patriarch Me- Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey could also In Him, they have found a true father. srop II, who is incapable of discharging his take advantage of the situation, and clerics H. G. Bishop David and many others duties due to dementia. Grandiose plans to graduating from the seminary could then also paid tribute to Bishop Makarius for his celebrate the 550th anniversary of the Pa- enroll in theology seminars abroad before spiritual leadership and decades of commit- triarchate were turned down by prominent returning to Turkey, Bekjian said. ted service to God and his church. Moreo- figures within the Armenian community “Our people in Germany speak Tur- ver, Bishop David reiterated once more on due to the Patriarch’s illness. kish and preach in Turkish. [Even though] this fitting occasion and to a sustained ap- In his stead, Archbishop Aram Ate yan the Armenian community has a past in Eu- plause and a standing ovation that the Cop- was appointed as acting Patriarch although rope that goes back 150 years, they do not tic Church “recognizes no other canonical Bekjian was one of the leading opponent’s have established traditions there,” said Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, of Ate yan’s investiture. Bekjian. but H. H. Abune Antonius. “A deputy Patriarch was already ap- The Armenian community of Istanbul, May God continue to grant H.G. Bi- pointed in 1998 while Mesrop II was still in however, thrived on a well-established sys- shop Makarius good health and many more good health. Why was [someone else] ap- tem of traditions, according to Bekjian. years of service to God and the church. – pointed [afterwards]? Was there a deal with “Istanbul is my memories, my every- Eritrean Orthodox Diocese of America, the state? There should have been an elec- thing. For me, Istanbul is a never-dying May 6 tion for the Patriarch as if the the current aspiration. I could not live without this Patriarch were dead,” Bekjian said. city,” Bekjian said. -- Vercihan Ziflio ğlu N MAY 5, HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN Discussing his current role, Bekjian for Hurriyet Daily News , May 30. II, SUPREME PATRIARCH AND said his primary duty as a cleric was to OCATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS , maintain the church’s well-being. N MONDAY , 9 MAY 2011, AT THE DEPARTED TO PAY A PONTIFICAL “Any bonds that will form between the CONVOCATION WHICH TOOK PLACE VISIT TO SOUTH AMERICA . diaspora [and the Armenian Patriarchate in OIN CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL , Accompanying His Holiness are His Turkey] must come about of its own ac- VANCOUVER , CANADA , HIS EMINENCE Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, cord. If they prefer to recognize the Patriar- ARCHBISHOP NAREG ALEMEZIAN Primate of the Western Diocese of the Ar- chate, then they will; and if they prefer oth- RECEIVED HIS DR. OF MINISTRY DEGREE menian Church of North America; His erwise, then we will not feel any special from the University of British Columbia Grace Bishop Artak Derderian, Dean of the obligation to reach out to them,” said Bek- Vancouver School of Theology. Monasteries of the Mother See; Rev. Fr. jian, who is well-acquainted with the Ar- The subject of Archbishop Aleme- Anania Tsaturian, Staff-bearer of His Holi- menian diaspora because of his residence in zian’s thesis is "Priesthood in the 21st Cen- ness; Rev. Fr. Adam Markarian, Secretary Germany. tury in the Armenian Church: The Model of of the Catholicosate; and Deacon James Asked whether he would become a the Celibate Brotherhood of the Catholico- Kalustian, Supreme Spiritual Council Turkish citizen if elected as Patriarch, Bek- sate of Cilicia.” On Friday, 29 April, Arch- Member and Benefactor of the Mother See. jian said he currently had both Turkish and bishop Nareg defended his thesis, which The Armenian Pontiff will pay a Pon- German citizenship. was unanimously approved by the examin- tifical visit to the Armenian Diocese of During the ceremony, Ate yan also ing committee. Brazil from May 6 to 10. His Holiness will presented Mustafa Sarıgül, the mayor of His Holiness Aram I, welcoming the visit the Armenian Diocese of Uruguay Istanbul’s ili district, with a Patriarchate academic achievement of His Eminence, from May 10 to 12 and the Armenian Dio- Special Service Gold Medal, marking the recalled that the Brotherhood of the Catho- cese of from May 12 to 21. The first time that a person of Turkish descent licosate of Cilicia gives priority importance Catholicos of All Armenians will also visit has been awarded the honor. to university education, considering it vital the Armenian Communities of Chile and Mesrop II had suggested opening a for the witness of the church. – Press Re- Venezuela from May 21 to 25. – Press Re- theology department within a university lease, Great House of Cilicia, May 13. lease, Holy Etchmiadzin, May 5. several years ago to raise new clerics for Istanbul’s Armenian community, Bekjian N MONDAY 30 TH MAY 2011, HIS HE ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE OF said. HOLINESS ARAM I LEFT FOR TURKEY WOULD DO BEST TO STEER “The idea of sending young clerics to OEREVAN , ARMENIA ON THE TCLEAR OF POLITICS , ACCORDING TO theology departments in Europe had also INVITATION OF H.E. SERGE SARKISSIAN , A POSSIBLE FUTURE PATRIARCH who has come up, [but] I am not warm to that idea. PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA . vowed to keep politics at an arm’s length Clerics must be chosen from among the As one of the two spiritual leaders in the from the church if elected to the post. Armenians of Istanbul so that they can un- Armenian Church, he was invited to partic- “Even though I am personally con- derstand the mentality, the cast of that mind ipate in the Pan-Armenian committee to cerned about politics, I would not advise that exists here,” Bekjian said. prepare the 100th Anniversary Commemo- the Patriarchate to get involved in such Authorities used to permit the raising ration of the Armenian Genocide.

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 16. President Sarkissian announced the 75th birthday and 25th anniversary of the may be claimed by the Orthodox and about formation of this committee a month ago. ministry of the ruling Bishop Yulian (Vo- the current number of their communities in The leaders of the Armenian Revolutionary ronovskyi) of Sambir and Drohobych western Ukraine, what kind of relations we Federation (the Tashnag Party) and the . – RISU , May 9. have between our communities at the basic, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (the local level, in order for us to have clear Ramgavar Party) visited Aram I to discuss HE SUBJECT OF RELATIONS BETWEEN statistics about the churches with which we the importance of Armenia-Diaspora con- THE UKRAINAIN GREEK CATHOLIC are going to deal, for us to be able to con- sultation on this issue. – Press Release, TCHURCH (UGCC) AND THE ORTHO - duct our own investigation. Then we can Great House of Cilicia, May 31. DOX CHURCHES IN UKRAINE WAS DIS - study and discuss the real situation, not CUSSED IN A RECENT INTERVIEW OF MAJOR fantastic figures but real facts and names of The Catholic Churches ARCHBISHOP SVIATOSLAV WITH THE villages where there may be some tension. ENGLISH -LANGUAGE PROGRAM OF Only after this will we be well prepared to N MAY 7, 2011, DURING HIS STAY . meet with the Orthodox and study specific IN DROHOBYCH , THE HEAD OF THE In this regard, the new head of the churches and affairs." – RISU , May 11. OUKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC UGCC said: “The main challenge for the CHURCH (UGCC), church situation in Ukraine is the division N MAY 11, 2011, THEIR EXCEL - SVIATOSLAV , MET WITH JOURNALISTS , among the Orthodox, and so it is very diffi- LENCIES THE MARONITE BISHOPS SEMINARY STUDENTS AND CLERGYMEN . cult to form some relations because if we OHELD AT BKERKEH THEIR MONTH - ONE OF THE MANY QUESTIONS OF THE develop cooperation with one group, the LY MEETING , WHICH WAS PRESIDED OVER JOURNALISTS WAS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF others feel ignored or rejected. It is very BY HIS BEATITUDE PATRIARCH BECHARA THE UGCC. important for us that the special organiza- PETER RAI , with the participation of His In describing his vision of the future of tion, which we call the All-Ukrainian Beatitude and Eminence Nasrallah Butros the church in 10 years’ time in its internal, Council of Churches and Religious Organi- Cardinal Sfeir. They studied church and external and territorial development, Major zations, exists in Ukraine. Each religious national matters. At the end of the meeting, Archbishop Sviatoslav said: community that was registered by the state they issued the following communiqué: “The Synod of our Bishops established joined the council. It provides certain kinds The Fathers dwelled upon two distin- Team #2, which was to elaborate the vision of opportunities to cooperate, at least to talk guished events that the of what our church should be in 10 years, and meet together with state authorities and experienced during the last month: by 2020. We have chosen ten priorities of develop our relations,” said the hierarch. 1. The first event was the visit of His what we would like to do during these ten According to the hierarch, the UGCC Beatitude Patriarch Bechara Peter Rai to years. Now, Team #3, which is to develop has a special task: to be the bridge between the . He was accompanied by certain mechanisms of implementation, the divided communities, not only between a number of Bishops, Superiors General, begins its activity. The main questions were Catholics and non-Catholics but even, like priests, faithful and officials of different the questions of young people, evangeliza- in this case, between the Orthodox, to communities, headed by the representative tion, inculturation, development of struc- create space where they can not only meet of His the President of the Re- tures of our church, language in the liturgy. with us but also with each other. public, to celebrate the confirmation of the The question of language may not be so Major Archbishop Sviatoslav says that ecclesiastical communion with His Holi- urgent for Ukraine but when other countries the UGCC is open to a dialogue with the ness Pope Benedict XVI and visit the Vati- are concerned, it is a very painful question. Orthodox. “I was 20 when Communism can Curia. The Lebanese delegation re- In 2020, I would like to see our church as a collapsed. And I remember well the tension ceived a distinguished paternal welcome unified organism existing all over the between the Orthodox and Greek Catholics from His Holiness and the Vatican authori- world, speaking different languages, proc- in western Ukraine. But this tension is no ties. laiming the Gospel in different countries, more. And I know well the wounds still 2. The second event was the beatifica- but being a unified church of an eastern carried by our people from that time. There tion of Pope John Paul II. His Beatitude the tradition. Therefore, taking advantage of the are many of them. Therefore, I speak not Patriarch participated, heading a church fact that seminary students are present here, only on my own behalf but also on behalf of delegation from different countries, beside a I would like to call the brethren to think the communities that were wounded at that Lebanese delegation in which His Excel- very seriously about the missionary minis- time. And I understand this fear, or, to put it lency the President of the Republic was try.” more precisely, pain of the Orthodox com- represented by the First Lady. They ex- The head of UGCC also stressed that it munity and the Russian Orthodox who con- pressed the esteem of the Lebanese people is important to provide spiritual care to all stantly accuse Greek Catholics of destroy- for everything the new blessed did to de- Greek Catholics scattered around the ing their three in western fend their homeland and carry its case be- world: “Our task is to follow them where Ukraine. It is not an easy question. But I fore the international circles, considering they are. Our people need pastors. In that think that, first of all, to be able to touch not only as a homeland, but also case, by 2020, we will probably have epar- upon that question, we should be open and as a message of freedom, dialogue and chies, metropolitanates in Africa, in the ready to forgive each other,” said the hie- peace for all Peoples. Middle East and in countries where our rarch in the interview. 3. The Lebanese are still suffering people need our spiritual care, who need to In answer to the question if the new from the worrying situation in their homel- have a father and want to know that this head of the UGCC has any practical ideas, and and neighboring countries. They reflect father from Ukraine really cares about ways of promoting the project of reconcilia- upon them as deplorable security events, them.” tion, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav re- difficult being conditions, confusing eco- The head of UGCC visited Drohobych sponded: “First of all, we are gathering nomic stagnation and an almost total para- on the occasion of the celebration of the specific information about churches that lysis of the centers of decision-making and

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 17. authority. Thus, the Fathers call upon all the Najib Miqati as the new prime minister. trum of questions regarding cooperation authorities to close ranks and expedite the According to the Lebanese English daily, between the Kyivan Patriarchate and formation of a government that would be the Daily Star, the religious leaders said UGCC, including social morality, social responsible for treating the concerns of the divisions could weaken Lebanon's ability to ministry, state-Church relations, patriotic citizens, ward danger off the homeland and face regional challenges and they expressed education, freedom of worship, etc. Major secure a future for all its daughters and support for the use of dialogue to resolve Archbishop Sviatoslav noted that he in- sons, specially the rising generations. domestic problems. tends to develop the achievements of his 4. The meeting held by some Maronite In his opening speech, Rai said Leba- predecessor, Cardinal Lubomyr (Husar) leaders at Bkerkeh, in response to the invi- non needed to set a precedent of inter- regarding these questions. tation of His Beatitude and under his presi- religious dialogue and strengthen Lebanon's The participants in the meeting ex- dency, left a great relief upon the citizens, national pact of coexistence, according to pressed concern over growing social con- strong hope in the possibility of overcom- media reports. frontation and political extremism. They ing wounds, advancement in the national In their final statement the leaders stressed the need to jointly defend the state reconciliation procedure and mutual for- urged political leaders to form a new gov- sovereignty, independence, territorial inte- giveness, holding hands in order to streng- ernment as soon as possible, based on grity and civil accord in Ukraine. The pri- then Christian presence in Lebanon and the "constitutional principles so that (the coun- mates discussed specific lines of develop- region and strengthen their role in building try) can play its role as the region is going ment of further cooperation regarding the good societies on the bases of justice, love through critical times," the Daily Star said. bilateral and multilateral interaction. and respect of Man. The summit's statement also encour- Patriarch Filaret presented the head of 5. The Fathers look forward with joy aged officials "to refer to constitutional UGCC with a translation of the Apostolic and hope to the Moslem-Christian spiritual institutions to solve any conflict and to de- Fathers and other books published by the summit meeting tomorrow at the Patriar- pend on the Lebanese Army and legitimate Kyivan Patriarchate. – RISU , May 21. chate. They hope that this summit will faci- security forces to preserve stability and litate true national unity and that the partic- security and fight organized terrorism," said N SATURDAY , 21 MAY , THE HOLY ipants will endeavor to work together to media reports. FATHER APPOINTED ARCHBISHOP strengthen common life among all the In reference to the current regional OTHOMAS E. GULLICKSON , APOS - children of this homeland, with respect for instability, the religious leaders expressed TOLIC NUNCIO TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , the plurality of their religious cultural and their commitment also not to interfere "di- Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, social adherence, and be committed to di- rectly or indirectly" in other countries' in- Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Sts. alogue which respects the different points ternal affairs, according to media reports. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Suriname, of view and aims at realizing public good. They warned that current divisions are Saint Vincent and Grenadines, and apostol- 6. In the Easter-tide, the Fathers call harming Lebanon's ability to confront chal- ic delegate in the Antilles, as apostolic - upon all their sons and daughters to renew lenges currently facing the Arab region. cio to Ukraine. – VIS , May 21. their hope in Christ who vanquished sin "The Lebanese government is the source of and death. In this month consecrated to the power for the Lebanese people. The citi- OPE BENEDICT XVI HAS NAMED Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, they call zens are supposed to respect [the state] MSGR . MIKAEL MOURADIAN , WHO IS upon them to persevere in prayer, ascetic- institutions, and the officials should respond PSUPERIOR OF THE CONVENT OF ism and repentance, to visit Marian shrines to [national] needs," they said. "Political NOTRE DAME IN BZOMMAR , LEBANON , AS and saints’ tombs asking their intercession leaders should rise above their political THE NEW BISHOP OF THE EPARCHY OF OUR that God may grant our homeland and re- differences." – Judith Sudilovsky for ENI , LADY OF NAREG IN NEW YORK FOR gion security and peace and our Peoples May 16. ARMENIAN CATHOLICS . tranquility, love and affection. Press Re- The appointment was announced May lease, Maronite Church, May 11. N 18 MAY , PATRIARCH FILARET , 21 in Washington by Archbishop Pietro THE HEAD OF THE UKRAINIAN Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United EBANESE RELIGIOUS LEADERS HAVE OORTHODOX CHURCH -KYIVAN States. Bishop-designate Mouradian, who WARNED AGAINST GROWING INTER - PATRIARCHATE (UOC-KP), MET WITH THE was born in Lebanon, succeeds Bishop LNAL DIVISIONS IN THEIR COUNTRY HEAD OF THE UKRAINIAN GREEK CATH - Manuel Batakian, who is 81. AND URGED NATIONAL LEADERS TO WORK OLIC CHURCH (UGCC), MAJOR ARCH - The New York-based eparchy serves TOWARDS UNITY AND TOLERANCE , FOL - BISHOP SVIATOSLAV , AT PATRIARCH FILA - about 25,000 Armenian Catholics in the LOWING A JOINT CHRISTIAN -MUSLIM RET ’S RESIDENCE . The Major Archbishop United States and about 10,000 in Canada. MEETING convened on 12 May in Bkerkeh was accompanied by the Secretary of the The church has two parishes in Canada, by newly appointed Maronite Patriarch Synod of UGCC, Bishop Bohdan Dziurakh. Toronto and Montreal, and seven in the Beshara Rai. According to the press-service of United States -- two in California and one Lebanon has been without a function- UOC-KP, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav each in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jer- ing government since January when the thanked Patriarch Filaret for attending his sey, New York and Massachusetts. Muslim militant group and political party enthronement as head of UGCC at the Ca- The eparchy was formed as an exarc- Hezbollah toppled the government coalition thedral of the Resurrection. In remem- hate in 1981. On Sept. 12, 2005, Pope Be- of Saad Al Hariri in a dispute over an in- brance of the event, he presented to the nedict raised it to an eparchy. The same day vestigation of the assassination of Former head of UOC-KP a copy of the Icon of the Bishop Batakian, who had headed the ex- Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Al Hariri, Mother of God from the of the archate since 2001, became the first eparch. Saad's father. Cathedral of the Holy Sophia in Rome and Dioceses in Eastern Catholic churches In turn, Al Hariri has refused to sup- a video of the enthronement service. are called eparchies. An exarchate is a port the appointment of Hezbollah-chosen The hierarchs discussed a wide spec- church jurisdiction formed in areas where

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 18. there are enough Catholics of that rite to dom and unity of Christian Europe. Cyril The Feast of Sts Cyril and Methodius is a establish a hierarchy but the church is not and Methodius were “living Gospels” and cause of joy for all of us. Sent to the Slavic sufficiently developed yet to form an eloquent signs of the goodness of the Lord, people, these holy brothers announced the eparchy, or full diocesan structure. and therefore their witness reached the Gospel amidst great difficulty always sus- The eparchy is named for a village in people of their time more easily. tained by an unwavering trust in the Lord. Armenia. Nareg was the site of a famous These two great Saints remind the Eu- They were inspired by the passion to make monastery and home to one of Armenia's ropean peoples, who have recently opened known the Good News of Christ and for most noted theologians and saints, St. Gre- themselves to new perspectives of coopera- that reason they worked prodigiously to gory of Nareg. tion, that their unity will be strengthened if make Christian Doctrine known, recording Bishop-designate Mouradian, who will it is based on their common Christian roots. it in books written in the Slavic language. turn 50 in July, is a member of the Institute In fact, in the complex history of Europe, No doubt this was a decisive factor in the of the Clergy of Bzommar. Ordained a Christianity represents a central and quali- growth and development of the Slavic cul- priest Oct. 24, 1987, he has held a number fying element. The Christian faith has ture and civilization in general. The witness of positions, including serving as head of molded the culture of the Old Continent and and teaching of Sts Cyril and Methodius are Caritas Armenia. is permanently woven into its history, to the still relevant for those who serve the Gospel A native of Greece, Bishop Batakian point that this would not be understandable today, and for those who are called to go- served the church in Lebanon, and if it did not refer to the events which first vern the futures of nations. Rome before coming to the United States. characterized the long period of evangeliza- The life of these men was entirely ded- Born in Athens Nov. 5, 1929, he tion and then the great centuries in which icated to apostolic activity and the divine moved with his family to Lebanon during Christianity assumed an ever more signifi- inspiration of making the message of Reve- World War II. After philosophy and theolo- cant role. lation accessible and comprehensible to gy studies in Rome, he was ordained a Therefore, it is important that Europe peoples was the uniting cause of diverse priest Dec. 8, 1954, as a member of the grow also in a spiritual dimension in line traditions and cultures. In the acceptance of Armenian Patriarchal religious order, the with its salutary history. The unity of the God’s plan of , people can redis- Institute of the Clergy of Bzommar. Continent, which is progressively maturing cover the foundations on which to build a He was Patriarchal vicar of the insti- in consciences and is also defining itself on society imbued with the spirit of reconcilia- tute, 1978-84; pastor of the Armenian ca- the political front, represents a perspective tion and peaceful coexistence. There can be thedral in Paris, 1984-90; and of the of great hope. Europeans are called to no real unity without respect for the dignity Armenian Pontifical College in Rome, commit themselves to creating a condition of every human person and his or her in- 1990- 94. of deep cohesion and of effective coopera- alienable rights. The Gospel of Christ, as Elected a bishop in December 1994, tion between peoples. To build the new Sts Cyril and Methodius understood, is he was ordained the following March and Europe upon a solid base it is not enough to capable of illuminating every part and di- served as vicar general of the Patriarchate. depend on economic interests alone; rather mension of human experience, making it He was named head of the U.S.- Canadian it is necessary to rely on authentic values fully human. The Word of God calls us exarchate in November 2000 and took up which are founded on the universal moral continually to a conversion of heart, so that that post in January 2001. – CNS , May 23. law, inscribed on the heart of every person. every decision, every choice, may be puri- I warmly wish that the moral and cultural fied from selfish interests; and it is precisely IS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI legacy of Sts Cyril and Methodius may al- from this steadfast conversion to God that it GAVE THIS SPEECH WHEN HE ways nourish in everyone esteem for the is possible to give birth to a new humanity. HRECEIVED A DELEGATION FROM spiritual patrimony of your lands and, at the Your annual pilgrimage to Rome is BULGARIA HEADED BY HER EXCELLENCY same time, openness and communion in both an occasion for renewing the bonds of TSETSKA TSACHEVA , PRESIDENT OF THE mutual respect. May this meeting serve to friendship between your Nation and the BULGARIAN PARLIAMENT , on May 23: motivate further relations of brotherhood Catholic Church and for reinforcing your Madam President of Parliament, and solidarity. May the Lord bless your country’s commitment to promote its good. Hon. Members of Government, dear Country and all of its citizens. – Vati- Let us invoke the intercession of Sts Cyril Distinguished Authorities, can website, May 23. and Methodius that the Lord may grant his Venerable Brothers of the Orthodox peace and bless the people of the Former Church and of the Catholic Church, IS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia! -- Vati- I wish to address my respectful greet- GAVE THIS SPEECH WHEN HE can website, May 23. ing to the Official Delegation of Bulgaria in HRECEIVED A DELEGATION FROM Rome — led by the President of the Par- THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF N MAY 26, THE HOLY FATHER liament — as is customary in the context of MACEDONIA HEADED BY HIS EXCELLENCY GRANTED THE CONFIRMATION the liturgical Feast of Sts Cyril and Metho- GJORGE IVANOV , PRESIDENT OF THE OREQUESTED OF HIM IN ACCOR - dius. This welcome meeting, taking place REPUBLIC , on May 23: DANCE WITH CANON 153 OF THE CODE OF again this year, offers me the opportunity to Mr. President, CANONS OF THE EASTERN CHURCHES BY highlight the spiritual and cultural relev- Hon. Members of the Government, BISHOP GEORGE ALENCHERRY , OF THU - ance of these two distinguished and worthy Distinguished Authorities, CKALAY OF THE SYRO -MALABARS , canoni- pioneers of the evangelization of Europe, Venerable Brothers of the Orthodox cally elected as major archbishop of the figures honored in the East and in the West. Church and of the Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly of Thanks to their courageous preaching along I am particularly pleased to welcome the Syro-Malabars, India by the Synod of the roads of the Continent, they fostered a you and to extend to each of you my cordial Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church meet- vast spiritual renewal and laid the founda- greeting, especially to the President of the ing in Mount Saint Thomas, Kakkanad- tions for an authentic promotion of the free- Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Kochi, in Kerala, India on 24 May. Bishop

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 19. Alencherry was born in Thuruthy, India in Though the Syro-Malabar Church has hood in 1972 and ran the religious educa- 1945, was ordained a priest in 1972, and more than 3.6 million members, more than tion program of the Changanacherry Arch- consecrated a bishop in 1997. – VIS¸ May half a million of them are scattered outside diocese. He did further theological studies, 26. Kerala state, where the church remains the specializing in catechesis, eventually earn- largest Christian denomination. ing a from the Institut Catholique RCHBISHOP GEORGE ALENCHERRY , The 66-year-old bishop of Thuckalay in Paris. THE NEW MAJOR ARCHBISHOP OF was elected major archbishop of Ernaku- Returning to India, he was director of ATHE SYRO -MALABAR CATHOLIC lam-Angamaly by the Syro-Malabar bi- the Changanacherry catechetical center and CHURCH , SAID HIS PRIORITIES WOULD BE shops' synod May 24. Pope Benedict con- later director of the Pastoral Orientation "EVANGELIZATION , GREATER UNITY AND firmed the election the following day. Center, which is sponsored by the Latin- COMMUNION WITH OTHER CHURCHES ." Archbishop Alencherry succeeds Car- rite, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara "My aim is to serve with love through dinal Varkey Vithayathil, who died at age Catholic bishops of Kerala state. dialogue," he told Catholic News Service in 84 while celebrating Mass April 1. He had He also served as a professor of pas- a May 27 telephone interview from Mount led the Syro-Malabar Church, the larger of toral counseling and of systematic theology St. Thomas, headquarters of the Syro- the Eastern-rite Catholic churches in India, before being ordained a bishop in 1997. Malabar Church, in Cochin. since 1997. Fewer than 2 percent of India's 1 bil- Asked about how he was planning to The new head of the church was born lion residents are Catholic. The church has take care of the Syro-Malabar Catholics in 1945, the sixth of 10 children in a farm 161 dioceses in India; 128 of them are Lat- who have migrated in large numbers to family in Thuruthy. He has a sister who is a in rite, 27 belong to the Syro-Malabar different parts of India and abroad, Archbi- nun and two brothers who are priests. All Catholic Church and six dioceses belong to shop Alencherry replied that "the pastoral three priests were ordained Dec. 18, al- the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. – rights of our church members, as spelled though in different years. Anto Akkara for CNS , May 27. out by canon law, will be pursued through Archbishop Alencherry earned a ba- the structures of the church, including the chelor's degree in economics from Kerala Vatican." University. He was ordained to the priest-

Major Archbishop Mar George Alencherry, Primate of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church

Catholic News Service Stories © 2010. Reprinted with permission. Abbreviations: CNS=Catholic News Service, ANA=Athens News Agency, VIS=Vatican Information Service, RRN=Russian Religious News (http://www.stetson.edu/~psteeves/relnews), RISU=Religious Information Service of Ukraine, KED=Kathimerini English Daily, ENI=Ecumenical News International, L’OR=L’Osservatore Romano Daily Edition, L’ORE=L’Osservatore Romano English Weekly Edition, SOP=Service Orthodoxe de Presse, F18News=Forum 18 News Service (http://www.forum18.org), ICNS= Indian Catholic News Service.

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

SEIA Newsletter on the Eastern Churches and Ecumenism , n. 188, May 31, 2011, page 20.