“THE FIRST ARMENIAN CHURCH WILL BE BUILT IN ABU DHABI”
Announced His Holiness Aram I
After leaving India, H.H. Catholicos Aram I spent two days in the Gulf Region visiting the members of the Armenian Diocese. The Prelate H.E. Archbishop Gorun Babian and members of the National Council welcomed him at the airport in Dubai and accompanied him during his stay.
In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, His Holiness met with the clergy and lay leaders of both communities and greeted the members during a Vespers Service in Abu Dhabi. In his address he invited the people to deepen their faith in God and shape their lives according to the Gospel values.
His Holiness also met with the Ambassadors of Lebanon and Armenia. The highlight of his visit to the Gulf was the meeting with the Political Authorities of Abu Dhabi, who informed His Holiness that in response to an earlier request, the ruler of Abu Dhabi was offering a peace of land 3000 square meters large to build a church and a community center.
CHURCHES IN INDIA EXEMPLIFY ECUMENISM IN THE XXIst CENTURY
Stated His Holiness Aram I Before Leaving India
During his five-day visit Catholicos Aram I met on several occasions with His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I, Catholicos of the East and Malankara, of the Indian Orthodox Church, and the members of the Holy Synod of the first Christian Church on the sub-continent. He also met with the representatives of the Syrian Orthodox Catholicos, Archbishops and Heads of the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Protestant Churches, Ecumenical representatives, former WCC staff and government officials.
He addressed the Synod of the Indian Orthodox Church, clergy, theologians and seminarians of Christian churches on contemporary ecumenical issues such as: Ecumenism in the XXIst Century, Christian Unity, Fellowship Building, and Interreligious Living. He also spoke of The Armenian Church and the Ecumenical Movement, reminding the audience of the long history of the presence of Armenians on the Asian Continent and its ecumenical relations.
He visited churches and monuments built by St. Thomas, prayed with the Orthodox believers and shared their spirituality and piety.
Upon his departure from India he described the Indian Orthodox Church with its leadership and people as an example of what it meant to be the church in multireligious society of India . His Holiness then commanded local ecumenism. He said that observing the way churches are living and working together teaches us about local ecumenism; and finally, he continued, being minorities in a largely Hindu society, and relating with other faiths, shows how dialogue and enculturation take shape.
“THE CHURCHES OF INDIA LIVE AS ONE FAMILY IN A BROADER MULTI-RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY”
Said His Holiness Aram I
02/28/2010
Concluding his visit to the Indian Orthodox church, His Holiness Aram I said that “The Churches of India live as one family with a strong sense of togetherness as integral part of a broader inter-religious community”. He warmly welcomed the Churches growing commitment to working together and moving forward to the visible unity of the church: “The Churches of India share a common tradition and values. They all venerate ST. Thomas as the founder of Christianity in India. This sense of belonging to the same tradition must become a driving force in the churches endeavors to give fuller manifestation to the communion of faith” said His Holiness Aram I.
Aram I was speaking at the farewell diner given in his honor by His Holiness Dydimos I. Attending the diner were the bishops of the Indian Orthodox Church, representatives of the churches, state ministers and deputies and representatives of civil society.
Catholicos Aram I also stressed the vital importance of living together as a community with other religions, considering India “a model of community of inter- religious diversities”. He said that “a community of inter-religious diversities must be built on common values and sustained by tolerance and mutual trust”.
According to His Holiness, globalization is a “hope and progress”, at the same time it may become a source of “evil if its values are taken blindly”. He said that we must have “a critical and realistic approach to globalization. The local traditions and identities must not be destroyed by the forces of globalization. Religions have a special role to play in this respect”.
The concluding remarks of Aram I was preceded by the greetings of Catholicos designate of the Indian Orthodox Church, metropolitan Gregory of Trivandrum Dr. Ninon Koshi, the former director of the World Council of Churches International Affairs Department and Minster of cultural and education.
ADDRESSING THE HOLY SYNOD OF THE INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
ARAM I EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF ORTHODOX UNITY
02/26/2010
As part of his visitation program to India, on February 26, 2010, His Holiness Aram I addressed the Holy Synod of the Indian Orthodox Church. This was preceded by a prayer service presided on by His Holiness Baselios Mar Thoma Didymus I, His Holiness Aram I and His Beatitude Paulos Mar Militius Catholicos Designate.
In his address Catholicos Aram I highlighted the significant aspect of the Oriental Orthodox-Eastern Orthodox Theological dialogue. As a person who has been one of the initiators and active members of this dialogue, he strongly stressed the crucial importance of reactivating this dialogue.
Speaking about the consensus reached in this dialogue, Aram I considered it as a major step taken in the right direction. At the same time he indicated the need for further clarity and deeper discussion on a number of issues pertaining to councils and liturgical traditions and practices. His Holiness reminded the Holy Synod that both families belong to the same Orthodox tradition; they are rooted in the apostolic faith and early Church. Therefore, sharing common apostolic faith these churches are called to renew their commitment through this process of dialogue aimed at the full communion.
His Holiness Aram I then presented his view about the Oriental Orthodox-Catholic dialogue. In his assessment, this dialogue constitutes another vital dimension for the Oriental Orthodox Churches ecumenical engagement, and as such it must be taken seriously. He said that we have commonalities with the Catholic Church in many areas of our life, teachings and witness. We must deepen those aspects and approaches that unite us and we must address those critical issues on which we have different attitudes.
Aram I welcomed the particular emphasis of this bilateral dialogue on ecclesiology. He proposed that moral and ethical issues be included on the agenda of this dialogue and the findings of this dialogue be shared through education and awareness building process by the faithful of these churches.
After his presentation, His Holiness answered to a number of questions posed by the members of the Holy Synod, concerning these dialogues as well as the various aspects of the ecumenical relations of the Oriental orthodox Churches.
His Holiness concluded his presentation with an urgent call for Oriental Orthodox unity. He said that member churches of our family are facing some intra and inter-church difficulties and sensitivities. We must help each other to overcome our difficulties as far as possible.
The Holy Synod strongly proposed that His Holiness takes an initiative by inviting the representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Churches to the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias-Lebanon, as a first concrete step forward to strengthen the internal unity of the Oriental Orthodox family.
"FELLOWSHIP BUILDING RELATIONS CONSTITUTE THE HEART OF THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT"
ARAM I
02/25/2010
In a second key-note speech on "Ecumenical relations" delivered in the context of his formal visit to the Orthodox Church in India, His Holiness Aram I emphasized the pivotal importance of relations. He said: "Relations generate mutuality, it deepens fellowship and builds community. Relations is the second name of ecumenism".
His Holiness identified six dimensions of relations which are closely inter-vowen: intra-church relations, inter-church relations, church-society relations, relations with neighbors, relations with environment, and relations with God.
Aram I then spelled out the significant features of the different dimensions of church's relations. Within this context he put the emphasis on the relations with neighbor and with environment. He said that "relations with our neighbor today is neither mere relations nor coexistence; it is living together as a community". Therefore, in his view "we must know how to live together with our differences, accepting each other and providing space for each other". Catholicos Aram I believes that the otherness of the other is not a source of fear but hope".
Speaking about our relations with the environment, Aram I reminded the public that what is called ecological crises is "essentially a moral crises pertaining to humanity-God relations". He said, that "the creation is not a human possession; it belongs to God. We are stewards of God's creation. Hence, we are accountable to God; we must use the creation for the glory of God; the abuse and misuse of creation is a sin".
At the end of his lecture, Aram I said that "all these forms and expressions of relations must be sustained by our relation with God: God is the source and converging point of all human relations".
"ECUMENISM MUST BE OWNED BY THE CHURCHES, OTHERWISE,
IT MAY BECOME A MOVEMENT OUT OF THE REACH OF THE CHURCHES"
SAID HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
02/25/2010
In a key note lecture on "Ecumenism in the 21st Century", His Holiness Aram I challenged the churches "to re-own the ecumenical movement, otherwise, it may become an extra-ecclesiam movement embracing NGOs and different actors of civil society". According to Catholicos Aram I, the ecumenical movement "being a gift and a call of God, the churches are called to play a leading role in promoting the ecumenical values and cause".
Referring to present state of ecumenism, Aram I said that "ecumenism is not in crisis, the churches' response to ecumenism is in jeopardy. It looks that the churches have different priorities and ecumenism has become a marginal concern for them. Therefore, this stagnated situation needs a serious diagnosis". His Holiness identified a number of areas and concerns which require deeper discussion.
According to Aram I, who has served for two terms as Moderator of the World Council of Churches, "to become an ecumenism in and for the 21st century, the ecumenical movement must respond to the challenges of modern societies". Then His Holiness posed a crucial question: what kind of ecumenism we need for the 21st century? Responding to this question, he said that we need an ecumenism: "a) which brings the churches out of their frozen institutionalism, localism, confessionalism, excluvism and bilateralism and engages them in interactive relations and global fellowship; b) which is faithful to its raison d'être, at the same time, responsive to emerging realities; c) which embraces the whole people of God and makes difference in the life of people; d) which has a prophetic role to play in the life of modern societies as the voice of the voiceless and the messenger of the Gospel".
"THE CHURCHES OF INDIA PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT"
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
02/24/2010
"The ecumenical movement owes a great deal to the churches of India. With their theological input, active participations in ecumenical discussions, and firm commitment to the ecumenical vision they played a significant role in the formation and expansion of the ecumenical movement", said His Holiness Aram I on his arrival to Cochin, India, on Wednesday 24 February.
Speaking about his visit to India, Aram I said that although he is invited by His Holiness Catholicos Moran Mor Baselios Marthoma Didymos I of Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church, he considers his visit ecumenical: "Ecumenism is not out there; it is a local reality. We must be ecumenical primarily on the local level. How can the churches manifest concretely the ecumenical spirit through joint ventures, by sharing their joy and problems, and addressing together common concerns? This must become a permanent concern and challenge for the churches" according to Aram I.
In response to a question regarding the prevailing conflict within the Indian Orthodox Church, Catholicos Aram I said that "he has not come to India with a mission of reconciliation". He also added that "he cannot remain indifferent in view of the division in the same church. Working for unity and reconciliation is at the heart of Christian vocation".
His Holiness stressed the vital importance of interreligious dialogue. In his view, "interreligious dialogue is no more an academic exercise, it is integral to our daily life in this globalized world. India is a model of a pluralist society in which dialogue is an existential reality. Hence, we must take this dimension of Christian life and witness very seriously". His Holiness, who has a rich experience in the area of interreligious dialogue, pointed out that Indian theologians have brought, out of their concrete experiences, a significant contribution to many initiatives of dialogue on the global level.
The visitation program of Aram I will include meetings with the leaderships of the churches of India, meeting with the holy synod of the Indian Orthodox Church, public lectures on ecumenical topics and visits to the churches and church-related institutions.
His Holiness is accompanied by H.E. Arch. Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran, H.E. Nareg Alrmezian, Ecumenical officer, and his secretary V. Rev. Mesrob Sarkissian.
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I BEGINS FIVE-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT
TO THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH IN INDIA
02/23/2010
On Tuesday 23 February 2010, His Holiness Aram I left for India today in response to the invitation of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I, Catholicos of the East and Malankara, of the Orthodox Syrian Church. His Holiness is accompanied by Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran (Iran), Bishop Nareg Alemizian (Ecumenical Officer) and Father Mesrob Sarkissian (Staff-Bearer).
While in India he will meet with Heads of Churches and other Communities. His Holiness will also lecture at the Kottayam Orthodox Theological Seminary and address clergy, theologians and academics in different institutions that he will be visiting.
On his way back Catholicos Aram will visit the United Arab Emirates and meet with Armenian communities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharja.