EVENTS

THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX AND ROMAN CATHOLIC DIALOGUE CONCLUDES ITS WORK IN ADDIS ABABA

The last session of the ongoing Oriental Orthodox and Roman Catholic dialogue was held 17-21 January 2012 in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). The Armenian Church was represented by Bishop Armash of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, and Archbishops Oshagan Choloyan and Nareg Alemezian Holy See of Cilicia.

On the first day, His Holiness, Patriarch Abune Paulos of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, presided over a meeting of the representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. They discussed issues arising from the ecumenical movement. In the same evening, the Patriarch hosted a dinner to welcome the members of the Dialogue Committee.

During the meeting, several papers were read on the topic “Eucharistic Communion”. Discussion followed the presentations. On Friday 20 January, members of the Dialogue Committee took part in the celebration of Timkat, the  Ethiopian Epiphany.

On Sunday 21 January, Bishop Armash celebrated the Liturgy at the Armenian Church in Addis Ababa and Archbishop Nareg preached the sermon and transmitted the blessings of His Holinesses Catholicos Karekin II and Catholicos Aram I.

The next meeting of the Dialogue Committee will be held 22-27 January 2013 in Rome.

‘THE CHURCHES OF THE MIDDLE EASE ARE CALLED

TO SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE’

Stated His Holiness Aram I to the Press

At the end of the planning meeting of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Leadership met the press at the Cilicia Museum Hall of the Catholicosate.

His Holiness Aram I opened the conference with a brief introduction. He said that unity among the Churches in the Middle East is the priority at this moment of the history of the region. All churches belong to the Mystical Body of Christ irrespective of doctrinal differences. They form different parts of the same Body. The current events in the region urge us to pray together, reflect together, plan and act together in the service of our societies. He also said. “The Middle East Council of Churches is neither an organization, nor an institution apart from the life and witness of the Churches. It belongs to the Churches and the Churches own the Council.” He then presented and elaborated on the four programmatic priorities as adopted by the last General Assembly: Education and Formation, Diakonia, Christian-Muslim Dialogue and Ecumenical Relations.

1.       Education and Formation understood not only as giving information, but as spiritual growth. It should begin at home; continue in schools and the Church. The MECC programme should prepare the future leadership of Christian communities of the Middle East.

2.      Diakonia is an important vocation taught by the Gospels, hence an inseparable aspect of Christian life. Churches have historically expressed their diakonia through hospitals, old peoples’ homes, social centres and other projects. They should be enabled to continue their humanitarian work to serve the needy in their countries.

3.      Christian Muslim Dialogue in the Middle East is part of the daily experience of the people, unlike other places where it is limited to theological dialogues. The MECC will reinvigorate its work to promote wider cooperation among all partners at all levels.

4.      Ecumenical Relations to be strengthened among the four families of churches of the MECC, with Middle East Churches and their Diasporas, as well as with global and regional ecumenical structures. These relations should be based on new principles to respond to the challenges of globalization.

Catholicos Aram I then concluded. “The Church can neither be an observer, nor a follower. The Church is called to participate in all aspects of life that aim to build justice, promote the inherent dignity of the human being and human rights. These are not political goals but the core of the Church’s vocation.

After the introduction of His Holiness Aram I, The Syrian Catholic Patriarch Ignace Youssif III Younan, Archbishop Paul Matta (Maronite), Bishop Costa Kayal (The Representative of Patriarch Hazim), Rev. Dr. Habib Badr (Evangelical Churches) and Rev. Dr. Paul Rohanna, General Secretary, Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) took the microphone and  emphasized the importance of churches working together in the Middle East.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I PRESIDES OVER ECUMENICAL MEETINGS

01/12/2012

On Thursday 12 January 2012, His Holiness Aram I chaired several ecumenical meetings held in Antelias. The day began with a meeting with Archbishop George Saliba of the Sytrian Orthodox Church. His Holiness and the Archbishop discussed issues concerning the Oriental Orthdox Churches in the region and more specifically in Syria. They also discussed the forthcoming Roman Catholic Orthodox Dialogue to be held in Ethiopia in the coming weeks.

The Catholicos then received representatives of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), including, The Syrian Catholic Patriarch Ignace Youssif III Younan, Archbishop Paul Matta (Maronite), Bishop Costa Kayal (Antiochian Orthodox Church), Rev. Dr. Habib Badr (Evangelical) and the General Secretary of the MECC, Rev. Dr. Paul Rohanna. The meeting focused on the reorganization of the Council and priorities in view of the new challenges in the region.

HEADS OF FOUR ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES MEET IN CAIRO

As announced earlier, His Holiness Aram I left for Cairo on 13 November 2011, accompanied by Archbishops Sebouh Sarkissian and Nareg Alemezian.

Consultations began Monday morning when His Holiness Aram I met with Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Orthodox Church and Patriarch Zakka I Iwas of the Syrian Orthodox Church. The three Spiritual Heads discussed challenges to Christian presence in the Middle East, and the forthcoming General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches. At the end, Abuna Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church joined the meeting.

The meeting of the four Heads of Oriental Orthodox Churches continued with an enlarged meeting including the accompanying delegations. On the same evening, the Spiritual Heads attended a thanksgiving celebration marking the 40^th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III as the Head of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, at the Cathedral in Cairo The former Prime Minister of Egypt, Muslim Religious Leaders and a large number of Copts were also present.

On Tuesday members of the Standing Committee of the Heads of Oriental Orthodox Churches met to discuss the forthcoming Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches and the current situation in the Middle East and the challenges it presents to Christians in the region.

The visit of His Holiness Aram I ended with an extensive television interview where the Catholicos spoke of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Armenian Orthodox Church, Christian presence in the Middle East and the human rights of survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

At the end of their meeting, the four heads of the churches, issued a common Declaration emphasizing the importance of giving a concrete manifestation to the unity of the Oriental Orthodox churches. Hereunder the text of the common Declaration.

THE MEETING OF THE HEADS

OF THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES

Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate

Cairo, Egypt

14 November 2011

COMMON DECLARATION

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, H.H. Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, H.H. Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Orthodox Church and H.H. Abuna Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, give thanks to God for bringing us together here in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday, 14 November 2011, to pray together and to reflect together on matters and concerns pertaining to our Churches and the Oriental Orthodox Family in general. We were accompanied by metropolitans, archbishops and bishops of our Churches.

In fact, the Churches of the Oriental Orthodox Family are united in faith, theology, doctrine, tradition and spirituality. This strong bond of unity has sustained this Family and became a source of spiritual strength, missionary outreach and social action in spite of tremendous challenges and crisis which surrounded these Churches in the course of their long history. The unity of faith of our Family is grounded on Apostolic Tradition and the teachings of the first three Ecumenical Councils of Nicea (325), Constantinople (381) and Ephesus (431). We developed our theological teachings and shaped our doctrinal positions on the basis of the teachings of these Ecumenical Councils, and adopted a common position in respect to heresies and heretics.   

It is vitally important that we re-affirm and re-strengthen our unity, and re-invigorate our Christian witness. In a world which is constantly threatened by secularistic and materialistic ideologies and different sort of heresies which may jeopardize the integrity, identity and unity of our faith, therefore, re-organizing and re-revitalizing our intra-family collaboration is of decisive importance. The Oriental Orthodox Family has a long and rich history. Its relevance needs to be re-affirmed and its common witness to be re-activated in those regions and countries where the faithful of our Churches have organized their church and community life.

For H.H. Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I, H.H. Catholicos Aram I and H.H. Abuna Paulos, participating in the 40^th anniversary celebration of the enthronement of H.H. Pope Shenouda III was indeed a source of spiritual joy and a unique opportunity to express our brotherly love and unity. The pontificate of His Holiness has been one of dedicated service to the sister Coptic Orthodox Church; a committed service marked by so many achievements in different spheres of the life and mission of the Church. We pray the Almighty God to strengthen H.H. Pope Shenouda III to carry on his pontifical ministry with renewed commitment and vision.

We appeal to our faithful to remain firm in their Christian faith and participate fully in the witness of our Churches. May God lead our Churches in faithfulness to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Glory be to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

14 November 2011

Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate

Cairo, Egypt

Pope Shenouda III                                                               Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I    

Catholicos Aram I                                                                 Patriarch Paulos

THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA REPRESENTED AT THE NINTH INTERFAITH DIALOGUE MEETING IN DOHA

10/27/2011 

Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, the Prelate of Tehran represented the Catholicosate of Cilicia at the Ninth Interfaith Dialogue Meeting organized by the Centre of Interfaith Dialogue of Doha from 23 to 27 October 2011. The purpose of the meeting was to identify effective methods of communication.

His Excellency Hasan Bin Abdullah Al-Ghanem. Minister of Justice welcomed the 242 participants representing 60 countries. Archbishop Sebouh, one of the main speakers at the conference presented a paper on “Mass Media and a new language of Communication among Religions.”

EPIL BOARD ELECTS A NEW PRESIDENT

Vienna – 25-26 September 2011, at the end of Module II in Vienna, the members of EPIL Association and the Board met according to the constitutional requirements of the Swiss Registered Association.

On Sunday afternoon, Co-directors Reinhild Traitler Espiritu and Teny Pirri-Simonian presented the 2010 annual report and the Treasurer, Catherine Giarmathy, presented the audited financial report. The members of the Association received and adopted the two reports with appreciation.

On Monday morning the Board received reports on the current course and fund-raising initiatives.  They heard concerns raised by the co-directors and treasurer regarding the financial situation of EPIL in view of the current global crisis; they discussed the programmes and budgets of the two modules to be held in 2012.

At the end of the Board meeting, the president, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Becker, announced his resignation as President of the Board. In his speech, he encouraged the Board and staff to keep EPIL alive because of its unique pedagogy. He then added, “It is time for EPIL to have a woman president, and he congratulated Rev. Mag. Barbara Heyse Schaeffer, Head of the Protestant Women’s Work in Austria, for accepting to lead EPIL as the new president until the end of Course III.” The Board members thanked Ulrich Becker for his support and commitment to EPIL since its beginning. Under his leadership, the EPIL constituency has benefited from his vision as an adult educator and pedagogue of theology of religions. Ulrich Becker’s legacy, through his work in the World Council of Churches as Director of the Education Department and as Emeritus Professor at Hannover University, will remain firm in future EPIL work.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA JOIN IN THE DAY OF PRAYER FOR PEACE IN ASSISI

In response to the invitation to His Holiness Aram I by H.H. Pope Benedict XVIth, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan of the Eastern Prelacy (USA) and Bishop Khoren Doghramadjian,Prelacy of Greece, joined the 25^th Anniversary of the Day of Prayer in Assisi (Italy) on Thursday 27 October.

At the end of the gathering, the two representatives of the Armenian Orthodox Church Holy See of Cilicia were pleased that a significant number of Muslims were part of the gathering.  They made the following statement:  “Christians and Muslims living together is part of the history of the Middle East Region and an existential reality today.”

PILGRIMS FROM THE COMMUNITY OF CHURCHES IN THE CANTON OF VAUD (CECCV) SWITZERLAND, VISIT THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA IN ANTELIAS

10/23/2011 

On Sunday 23 October 2011 in the afternoon a group of pastors, priests, theologians, university professors representing the French speaking churches in Switzerland visited the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia accompanied by Ms. Teny Pirri-Simonian, a member of the CECCV Committee in Switzerland.

In the absence of His Holiness Aram I, who is currently on a pontifical visit to the USA, Fr. Masis Zobouyan greeted the group in French and invited them to the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral to the evening service where the Gospel and prayers were read in French.

The group then met at the Cilicia Hall for an introduction on “The Armenian Orthodox Church, its ecumenism within the nation, in the region and the wider ecumenical movement.” Father Masis spoke of the history of the Armenian Church and its people, its vision and mission from its beginnings until the Genocide, and after its establishment in 1930 as a result of the Turkish policy to uproot them from Cilicia during the Genocide. Father Antranik Granian of the Armenian Catholic Church described the beginnings of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate and its service to the Armenian people. Finally Rev. Robert Sarkissian, the Pastor of the French Reformed Church of France spoke of the Armenian Evangelical community and the Haigazian University, which is the only Armenian university in the diaspora. He then spoke of the cooperation between the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the Armenian Evangelical Church that is based on mutual respect. In his conclusion he said, “When we speak of ecumenism, we turn to the leadership of His Holiness Aram I.”

After the presentations, the evening ended with a spiritual concert by the Seminary choir conducted by Fr. Torkom Donoyan, and a visit to the Cilicia Museum guided by Fr. Hrant Tahanian.   The guests were then invited to dinner to enjoy the hospitality of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia.

During the visits, the members of CECCV were also introduced to other important places related to the history of the Genocide of 1914. In the north, they visited The Birds Nest orphanage begun by Danish Missionaries where they were met by V. Rev. Krikor Chiftjian the spiritual counselor of the institution. In the Beka’a valley they visited the Armenian Town of Anjar, whose history of resistance to the Turks is described by the Czech born novelist Fraz Werfel in his book “The Forty Days of Musa Dagh” (1933).

THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA ATTENDS THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SECRETARIES OF CHRISTIAN WORLD COMMUNIONS (CWCs)

10/20/2011 

The annual meeting of the Secretaries of Christian World Communions was held 17-20 October 2012 at Silver Spring (Maryland USA). Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, the Ecumenical Officer and Current Dean of the Seminary attended the meeting.

On 18 October the group visited Washington and met with representatives from the White House and other State Departments, where Archbishop Nareg had the opportunity to refer to the Middle East and speak of the Armenian Genocide. The rest of the agenda covered ecumenical concerns particularly related to the growing number of free churches and their impact on local churches in different regions; religious freedom, and other global concerns and challenges to ecumenical relations.

During discussions on bilateral dialogues, Archbishop Nareg spoke of the Oriental Orthodox Dialogues with other churches, and gave a progress report on the activities of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia.

At the end of the meeting, on behalf of His Holiness Aram I Archbishop Nareg invited the Secretaries to meet in Antelias in October 2012.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HOLY SEE OF CILICIA ATTEND THE ST. EGIDIO GATHERING IN MUNICH

09/13/2011

Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer and Dean of the Seminary represented the Catholicosate at the “International Meeting of Prayer for Peace” organized by St Egidio Community 11-13 September 2011.

The Archbishop took part in the service commemorating the tenth anniversary of 11^th of September, and later in a panel where he spoke of Armenian presence in the Diaspora.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I WELCOMES THE GROWING IMPACT OF ECUMENISM ON THE LIFE OF THE CHURCHES IN ASIA

08/05/2011 

His Eminence Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian of the Diocese of Tehran (Iran) participated in a joint meeting of the World Council of Churches and the Christian Conference of Asia, held 1-5 August 2011, in Bangkok. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of joint ecumenical actions to ensure Asia’s peace and security. The participants reported on the life and witness of their churches and the issues that the poor people and minorities are facing.

In his presentation, Archbishop Sarkissian said that Christianity in Iran dated back many centuries and the Armenian Church has always played an active role. During discussions, the Archbishop spoke of the Armenian Genocide, Nagorno Karabagh and the situation of the Palestinian people.

At the end of the meeting, on behalf of His Holiness Aram I, His Eminence invited the General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia to Antelias, Lebanon.

His Holiness welcomed the growing impact of ecumenism on the life of the churches in Asia, and the active participation of the Armenian Church in Iran in ecumenical witness in the region.

THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE HEADS OF

ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES MEETS IN CAIRO

07/04/2011

On Monday 4 July 2011, the Members of the Standing Committee met in Cairo. The Committee was established in 1998, upon the decision of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III Coptic Orthodox Church, His Holiness Ignatus Zakka I Iwas Syrian Orthodox Church, and His Holiness Aram I Armenian Orthodox Church, Catholicosate of Cilicia.

The members of the Committee, Anba Bishoy, Coptic Orthodox Church, Metropolitan George Saliba and Archbishop Nais, Syrian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian and Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, met with His Holiness Pople Shenouda III, before beginning their meetings. The agenda of the Standing Committee included: assessment of the Bilateral Theological Dialogues; relations with the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches and participation in these bodies; strengthening cooperation and coordination of activities between the three sister churches.

In its final statement the Standing Committee reaffirmed the unity of the faith that exists between them; recommitted them to face together challenges and developments in the Middle East; and reconfirmed their attachment to their ancient orthodox roots in the Region.

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA

AT THE CONFERENCE ON “CHRISTIANITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST”

HELD IN GREECE

June 23-26 the consultation organized jointly by the World Council of Churches and the Academy of the Greek Orthodox Church brought together theologians, politicians and civil society members to discuss the situation of Christians in Palestine and the Middle East, and possible ways of building bridges between the East and West, the old and the new.

Mr. Nazareth Berberian, representing the Catholicosate of Cilicia, spoke on the topic of “Christians in Lebanon”, and Sevan Nazareth Samprim spoke of “Christians in Iraq”. After listening to all presentations,

the participants identified the following areas of concern: Rising fundamentalism in the region and its challenge to pluralism; growing fear among Christians and their emigration from the region. In relation to the recent events in the region, they hoped that the people will recover their just rights.

The conference also expressed its concern over the ‘ethnic cleansing’ policy of the Turkish occupation army in Northern Cyprus, and its interference with Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox and Maronite Church properties.

At the end, the participants emphasized the importance of strengthening ecumenical relations between churches in the West and the East and enabling local churches to become bridges builders through interfaith dialogue.

The conclusions of the Volos meeting will be discussed by the representatives of Churches in the Middle East during a consultation organized by the World Council of Churches and hosted by the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias (Lebanon) in November 2011.

THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA WAS PRESENT AT THE 100^th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE NOTRE-DAME IMMACULÉE CATHEDRAL OF MONACO

H. E. Archbishop Nareg Alemezian was invited by Archbishop Bernard Barsi of Monaco to attend a Thanksgiving Mass celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the Notre Dame Immaculee Cathedral of Monaco.

Before the mass, Archbishop Nareg met with the Archbishop and transmitted the greetings of His Holiness Aram I. The two clergymen then discussed the Holy See of Cilicia, its contribution to the ecumenical movement and its long relations with the Roman Catholic Church. They also spoke of the recent social revolutions in the Middle East and the situation of Christians in the region.

During his stay in Monaco, Archbishop Nareg was the guest of the Anglican Priest Rev. Walter Raymond. On Sunday June 12 he attended the Anglican Church and at the end of the Service he was asked to deliver a message to the congregation.

THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA TAKES PART IN ECUMENICAL MEETINGS IN GENEVA

6-9 June 2011, Archbishop Nareg Alemezian participated in three important meetings at the World Council of Churches. He first met with the staff preparing the “Regional Consultation on Christian Presence in the Middle East: Challenges and Hopes,” which will be held in November 2011 in Antelias and will be hosted by the Catholicosate of Cilicia.

Archbishop Nareg then attended a meeting of the Steering Group of the Secretaries of Christian Communions (SCWCs), and invited them to hold their annual meeting in 2012 in Antelias.

On June 8-9, the Archbishop chaired the meeting of the Joint Commission between the World Council of Churches and the Secretaries of Christian Communions, during which they discussed the next Assembly of the World Council of Churches in 2013 and the forthcoming meeting of the Global Ecumenical Christian Forum.

THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE INTERNATIONAL ECUMENICAL PEACE CONVOCATION WITH FIVE DELEGATES

05/24/2011 

The International Peace Convocation was held in Kingston Jamaica 17-24 May 2011. His Holiness Aram I had nominated Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Archdeacon Marc Shirin, Miss Jeanette Nararian and Mrs Asdghik Kandaharian, representing Dioceses in the United States of America and Lebanon.

The International Ecumenical Peace Convocation was organized to celebrate the end of the Ecumenical Decade to Overcome Violence (2001-2011), and its achievements. The representatives of the Catholicosate were assigned different tasks within the programme. Archbishop Alemezian was member of the message committee and Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian lead a Bible Study Group.

On this occasion, the press and TV reporters interviewed Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, who spoke about the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the importance of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 by the International Community..

Archbishop Nareg, Bishop Anoushavan, Archdeacon Marc and Mrs Seta Khedeshian (representing the Middle East Council of churches) took part in the closing Ecumenical Worship Service.

ARCHBISHOP NAREG ALEMEZIAN RECEIVES THE

DR. OF MINISTRY DEGREE

05/09/2011 

On Monday, 9 May 2011, at the convocation which took place in the Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, Canada, His Eminence Archbishop Nareg Alemezian received his Dr. of Ministry degree from the University of British Columbia Vancouver School of Theology.

The subject of Archbishop Alemezian's thesis is "Priesthood in the 21st Century in the Armenian Church: The Model of the Celibate Brotherhood of the Catholicosate of Cilicia". On Friday, 29 April, Archbishop Nareg defended his thesis, which was unanimously approved by the examining committee.

His Holiness Aram I welcoming the academic achievment of His Eminence, reminded that the Brotherhood of the Catholicosate of Cilicia gives priority importance to university education, considering it vital for the witness of the church.

THE OFFICERS OF THE JINISHIAN MEMORIAL

FOUNDATION VISIT ANTELIAS

03/21/2011 

On 21 March 2010, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Jinishian Memorial Foundation, Ms. Eliza Minassian, visited the Catholicosate. She was accompanied by Mr Doug Welch and Mr Amgad Beblawi of the Presbyterian Church USA and Ms. Seta Pamboukian, Director of the Foundation for Lebanon. On behalf of His Holiness Aram I Archbishop Nareg Alemezian welcomed the guests and thanked the Jiniahian Memorial foudation for supporting the Bird’s Nest, the Old Peoples’ Home and the Popular Housing Project.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA MET THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

02/21/2011 

During the Central Committee meeting, Archbishop Nareg Alemezian and Dr. Nora Bayrakdarian-Kabakian met with Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit to transmit the greetings of His Holiness Aram I and his message urging the General Secretary to pay close attention to Christian presence and witness in the Middle East. The message of the Catholicos also included concrete proposals for action.

The representatives of the Catholicosate of Cilicia also participated in the committee work of the Central Committee. Archbishop Nareg moderated the Church and Ecumenical Relations Committee and Dr. Bayrakdarian-Kabakian served on the International Relations Committee. Dr. Bayrakdarian-Kabakian was also part of the drafting committee preparing the message of the forthcoming International Ecumenical Peace Convocation. Mrs. Seta Khedeshian, who represented the Middle East Council of Churches, participated in the work of the committee discussing the situation in the Middle East.

THE ARMENIAN CHURCH PARTICIPATES IN THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

The Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) began its regular session in Geneva, Switzerland on 16 February and will continue until 23 February. The Armenian Church is represented by Archbishop Vicken Aykazian and Mrs. Paula Devedjian from the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, and Archbishop Nareg Alemezian and Dr. Nora Bayrakdarian-Kabakian from the Holy See of Cilicia.

The first thematic plenary discussed the study document on the changing ecclesial and ecumenical landscape, interreligious relations and organizational governance.  Archbishop Nareg Alemezian was invited to respond to the study from a Middle East perspective. After describing the situation in the Middle East, he spoke of the challenges to the churches arising from migration, globalization and missionary work.

Two other members of the Holy See of Cilicia attended the meeting. Mrs. Seta Khedeshian represented the Middle East Council of Churches, and Mr. Rasmig Mikaelian participated as a youth from the Armenian University Students’ Association.

THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE ECUMENICAL COMMITTEE PREPARING COMMON RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TEXTBOOKS

02/01/2011 

The 2011 Session of the Ecumenical Committee was held at the Maronite Prelacy of Beirut. The committee was created by the Spiritual Heads of Christian Churches in Lebanon in 1996 and included the following Churches: The Armenian Church, the Greek Orthodox, the Greek Catholic, Latin, and Evangelicals. The Catholicosate of Cilicia was represented by Rev. Masis Cheboyan. The mandate of the committee is to prepare common textbooks for religious education for elementary and secondary classes both in public and private schools.

THE REPRESENTATIVES OF HIS HOLINESS ARAM I ATTEND CELEBRATIONS HONORING

METROPOLITAN GEORGE SALIBA OF MOUNT LEBANON

2/08/2011

On 8 February 2011, Bishop Nareg Alemezian and Rev. Mesrob Sarkissian attended the special event honouring the 30^th Annivarsary of the ordination to priesthood of Mor Thophilos George Saliba. The representatives gave to the Metropolitan a letter of blessing from His Holiness Aram I in which the Catholicos praised the Metropolitan for his pastoral leadership, his contribution to ecumenical and interreligious relations, and asked the God the Almighty that the Metropolitan may continue his service for many more years.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HOLY SEE OF CILICIA MEET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL

FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN UNITY

01/27/2011

On 27 January Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Diocese of North America and Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Director of Ecumenical Relations, met with Kurt Cardinal Koch, the newly appointed President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU). After conveying the good wishes of His Holiness Aram I to the Cardinal, they transmitted Catholicos Aram’s hope that the Joint Oriental Orthodox and Roman Catholic dialogue arrive at concrete results and that these meetings give a new thrust to ecumenical relations. During the meeting they spoke of issues and concerns regarding the Christian presence in the Middle East, and the efforts of the Catholicosate in this area.  The meeting also provided the opportunity for the Cardinal to learn more about the activities of the Catholicosate. While in Rome, Bishop Nareg met with Walter Cardinal Kasper, President Emeritus of PCPCU, and Marc Cardinal Ouellet, the present prefect of the Congregation of Bishops, and transmitted the greeting of His Holiness Aram I.

THE ARMENIAN CHURCH TAKES PART IN THE EIGHTH ORIENTAL ORTHODOX AND ROMAN CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE

01/29/2011 

The eighth meeting of the Oriental Othodox and Roman Catholic dialogue took place from 24 to 29 January 2011 at the Vatican. The Armenian Church was represented by Archbishops Khajak Barsamian and Yeznik Bedrossian from the Holy See of St. Etchmiadzin, and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and Bishop Nareg Alemezian from the Holy See of Cilicia.

On 25 January the representatives of the Oriental family of churches met to discuss the agenda. In the same evening they attended the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, presided over by Pope Benedict XVI at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls. During the following three days, the Joint Committee discussed the theme “Communion and Communication among the Churches before the Middle of The 5^th Century: The Role of the Clergy.”

The meeting ended with a dinner offered by the newly appointed President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU), Cardinal Kurt Koch. On the 28^th of January the members of the dialogue commission met with the Pope. The Ninth Theological Dialogue will be held 16-23 January 2012 in Ethiopia.

THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA INVITED TO THE CONFERENCE ON CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM DIALOGUE IN DAMASCUS

Recently the Minister of Religious Affairs of Syria and the Greek Catholic Patriarchate organized a meeting to discuss the recent The Vatican Synod on the Middle East and its official message. The meeting was held in Damascus with the participation of around one thousand persons.

His Holiness Aram I could not attend the meeting personally, but he sent a delegation of three persons, consisting of His Eminence Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran (Iran), His Grace Bishop Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate of Peria (Syria) and Mr. Mesrob Shirinian, to represent him.

Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian greeted the conference and welcomed the initiative in the name of Catholicos Aram I, and hoped that the meeting would give a new impulse to Christian-Muslim dialogue. He then continued, “His Holiness Aram I continually reminds dialogue partners of the urgency of cooperation along with dialogue meetings”. The Archbishop then described the commitment of the Catholicosate of Cilicia to interreligious dialogue, and said, “During the fifteen years when His Holiness Aram I was Moderator of the World Council of Churches, and currently as a President of the Middle East Council of Churches, he persistently reminds the ecumenical community of the importance of existential dialogue.” Archbishop Sebouh concluded his speech by describing the Armenian diaspora and the existential dialogue of Armenians with their host neighbours, particularly in the Middle East for many centuries as a vivid example of this commitment of the Catholicosate.

NEAR EAST SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY STUDENTS OF ECUMENISM VISIT THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA

12/08/2010 

For the 9^th consecutive year Dr. George Sabra, Dean of the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Lebanon brought his students to learn about the Armenian Orthodox Church. After visiting the Cathedral, the Martyrs’ Monument and the Cilicia Museum, H.E. Archbishop Nareg Alemezian met with them and presented the Armenian Orthodox Church, its history and Traditions; and the witness of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in the Middle East. At the end of the lecture there was lively question and answer period when students coming from all over the world wanted to know about the church’s advocacy on the issue of genocide as a just cause.

THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE HEADS OF ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES IN THE MIDDLE EAST MEET

12/02/2010 

On 2 December 2010, the members of the Standing Committee, Metropolitan Amba Bishoy and Metropolitan Amba Musa representing H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Metropolitans George Saliba and  Mattias Nais representing H.H. Patriarch Zakka I Iwas, and Archbishops Sebouh Sarkissian and Nareg Alemezian, representing H.H. Aram I, met in Cairo.

The Committee assessed the theological bilateral dialogues of the family, discussed concerns regarding ecumenical relations particularly with the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches; relations with the United Bible Societies, and issues related to interreligious relations.

THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF ORIENTAL AND EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCHES WITH UNITED BIBLE SOCIETIES

11/05/2010 

Archbishop Komitas Ohanian represented the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia at the meeting between the United Bible Societies and the Joint Committee between Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches, held at Ayia Napa Monastery in Cyprus.

The representatives received the reports of the outgoing Executive Committee and the General Secretary; they discussed future plans as well as the draft of a new agreement to be signed by the two bodies during their forthcoming meeting in November 2011.  

THE HOLY SEE OF CILICIA TAKES PART IN

ECUMENICAL MEETINGS IN GENEVA

I

The meeting of the Secretaries of Christian World Communions brings together the General Secretaries, or, ecumenical officers of major Christian denominations that either have common membership with the WCC, cooperate or dialogue with the World Council of Churches (WCC. Around thirty secretaries representing the Greek Orthodox, the Russian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Baptists, Methodists, the Reformed, Evangelicals and Free churches attended the meeting.

His Eminence Archbishop Nareg, the Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate also attended the meeting. When reporting, the Archbishop spoke of the theological dialogues between within the Oriental Orthodox Family, and the interreligious dialogues of the Catholicosate.

II

During 1-4 November, the World Council of Churches organized an Interreligious Consultation between Christianand Muslim religious leaders and scholars, at its Headquarters in Geneva. As His Holiness Aram I could not attend the meeting personally, His Eminence Sebouh Sarkissian , Prelate of the Diocese of Tehran, represent ed the Catholicosate of Cilicia, while Archbishop Viken Aykazian represented the Catholicosate of St. Etchmiadzin.

Around sixty participants discussed ways to build a common future based on a culture of peace.

During one of the the sessions of working groups, Archbishop Sebouh reported on Christian presence in the Middle East.  He was also elected a member of the conference monitoring committee.

A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CATHOLICOSATE AT THE ORTHODOX CONSULTATION ON RECONCILIATION IN DAMASCUS

The pre-world gathering orthodox consultation on The International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) was held in Damascus 18-22 October in Damascus (Syria). The purpose of the meeting was to prepare an orthodox response to the world convocation to be held in Jamaica in 2011.

Dr. Aida Hovhannessian, Chairperson of the Diocesan Council of Tehran (Iran), represented the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia.

THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA ATTENDS THE MIDDLE EAST SYNOD

ORGANIZED BY THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Upon the invitation of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVIth, around 185 delegates gathered in Rome from 10 to 24 October 2010, to discuss issues related to the Catholic Church in the Middle East. The agenda of the meeting was organized around the general theme “Communion and Witness: The multitude of those who become believers were of one heart and one soul” (Acts 4:32).

His Holiness Aram I nominated H.G. Bishop Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate of the Diocese of Peria (Syria) to represent the Catholicosate. Bishop Shahan was one of the thirteen fraternal delegates attending the meeting. Jews and Muslims were also invited.

During the meeting, H.G. Bishop Shahan read the message of H. H. Aram I addressed to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVIth. In the message Catholicos Aram I  expressed his appreciation for the timing of such a meeting and shared his views on the way churches in the Middle East could help their believers to stay in the region. According to the Catholicos, Middle East churches should work more closely towards unity, find new ways of cooperation and mutual support, and promote interreligious dialogue particularly with Islam. At the end of the message, His Holiness Aram I invited the churches in the region to strengthen the Middle East Council of Churches.

Bishop Sarkissian contributed to the meeting by participating in the work of the committees and other activities organized around the Synod.

THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA ATTENDS THE 50^th SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

10/08/2010

Commissioner Mrs Vana Der Hovhanessian , representing the Catholicosate of Cilicia attended the meeting held in Tirana (Albania). The theme of the meeting was Current Challenges to International Relations and the Role of the Churches. The commission identified peace and security, migrant workers, and religious freedom as priority issues for the World Council of Churches for the period 2010-2013.

During the session when the participants shared concerns from their regions, Mrs. Der Hovhanessian described the current situation in USA and Canada from the perspective of the Armenian Church located in the Middle East with an active diaspora on the North American continent. In the end, she raised the question on the role of the international community in protecting sacred spaces and drew the attention of the commission to the attempt by the Turkish authorities to erase presence of Armenians by removing the cross from the dome of the Holy Cross Church on Aghtamar Island on Lake Van, and renaming it as “Akdamar” (white vein in Turkish).

HOLY SEE OF CILICIA REPRESENTATIVE VANNA T. DER OHANESSIAN PARTICIPATES IN MEETING OF WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN ALBANIA

Continuing the Holy See of Cilicia’s active involvement in the world-wide ecumenical movement, Commissioner for the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (“CCIA”), Vanna T. Der Ohanessian, Esq. participated in what was the 50^th meeting of the CCIA in Durres, Albania from October 3-8, 2010. 

The theme of the CCIA’s meeting was “Emerging Trends in International Relations.”  Various aspects of this theme were addressed in the reports of the CCIA’s Director, Mathews George, the General Secretary of the WCC, Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, and the Moderator of the CCIA, former Prime Minister of Norway, Rev. Kjell Magne Bondevik.   In responding to the needs of its member churches, the CCIA decided to refocus its priorities, establishing four thematic working groups to guide their work through the next General Assembly scheduled for 2013.  Those working groups include Peace and Security, Dignity and Rights of Migrants and Migrant Workers, Freedom of Religion, and Peace in the Community.

The agenda for the meeting was comprised of program highlights set forth by the WCC staff, including establishing a conceptual basis for ecumenical peace initiatives beyond the “Decade to Overcome Violence,” which was a program run from 2001 through 2010, the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) set to take place in Jamaica next year, nuclear disarmament, global advocacy, human rights, issues related to the Israel/Palestine conflict, poverty, wealth, and ecology, and inter-religious relations in emerging geo-political contexts.  Additionally, the Commissioners carried out their work in more specialized small working groups which consisted of regional group meetings focused on identifying priorities and accompanying churches in responding to conflict situations.  Mrs. Der Ohanessian drafted and presented the report to the Commission on the regional group for North America and Canada.

Additionally, Mrs. Der Ohanessian is a part of the working group for inter-religious dialogue and cooperation.  In this capacity, she authored and presented the report for the group on inter-religious dialogue, one of the main areas of focus for the WCC in general, and the CCIA in particular.  Rev. Kjell Magne Bondevik stressed that freedom of religion must be recognized as a basic human right and that protection of holy sites needs to be considered together with and part of promoting peace among religions and peoples.  In drawing on her people’s own experience dealing with the issue of freedom of religion, Mrs. Der Ohanessian stressed that preservation of holy sites should not only be limited to situations where holy sites are physically destroyed, but also to situations where holy sites are used as a tool for leaders and nations to serve their own political agendas.  Here, Mrs. Der Ohanessian raised the example of the case of the 10^th century “Holy Cross” church located on the island of Akhtamar in ancient Armenia/modern day Turkey.  Mrs. Der Ohanessian pointed out that Turkey had recently attempted to gain a lot of publicity by promoting religious freedom in its country when it made international declarations that it would allow the Armenian Orthodox community access to this ancient church so that they may conduct religious services there.  Turkey also stated that it would erect a cross atop its dome in time for its re-opening.  However, once it garnered points in the international arena as a state which fosters religious tolerance, Turkey recanted on its promises and instead turned the church into a museum without erecting a cross on its dome (until some time after the grand re-opening of the church) and prevented anyone from using it as a regular place of worship.  The Commissioners concluded that destruction of holy sites, whether physical or otherwise, is tantamount to historical genocide and hence deserves the utmost protection, as such sites are a part of the world’s shared cultural heritage.  Establishing a universal code on preservation of holy sites was also discussed.    

Mrs. Der Ohanessian also served as rapporteur for the group responsible for addressing boycotts, divestments, and sanctions, which focused on non-violent means as a way to resolve conflicts in the world.

Concluding the meeting, the Commission made several recommendations to the Program Committee, which included a program for ecumenical accompaniment in Iraq and Colombia, support for the preparation of a study document on freedom of religion, and encouraging ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue and cooperation in all its programs and initiatives. 

ARMENIAN ORTHODOX BISHOPS ASSIST IN THE CONSECRATION OF THE SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AJALTOUN, LEBANON

08/08/2010

On Sunday 8 August 2010, Archbishop Gomitas Ohanian the Grand Sacristan of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, and Bishop Nareg Alemezian the Ecumenical Officer assisted in the consecration of St. Gabriel Syrian Orthodox Church at Ajaltoun in Lebanon.

At the end of the ceremony, the Bishops conveyed to His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Zakka-I Iwas and to Mor Theophilus George Saliba, Metropolitan of Mount Lebanon, the blessings and message of love and brotherhood of His Holiness Aram I.

THE HOLY SEE OF CILICIA ATTENDS THE HISTORIC MEETING OF REFORMED CHURCHES

06/23/2010 

During 18-23 Junes 2010, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian represented His Holiness Aram I at the historic meeting in Grand Rapids MI, where The World Alliance of Reformed Church (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) merged and formed The Communion of Reformed Churches. The leaders of Reformed churches hope that the new organization would respond better to their continued commitment to justice.

Bishop Tanielian conveyed to the new leadership of the Communion of Reformed Churches the greetings of His Holiness Aram I.

THE HOLY SEE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN

THREE ECUMENICAL MEETINGS IN GENEVA

05/20/2010 

During 17-20 May 2010, His Grace Bishop Nareg Alemezian represented the Catholicosate in three meetings. On 17 May he took part in the evaluation meeting of the Global Christian Forum. The participants assessed the activities of the Forum since 2007. Bishop Nareg, representing the Oriental Orthodox Family at this meeting emphasized the important role of the local Churches in the Middle East, and the necessity to respect local sensitivities. On 18 May he attended the expanded officers’ meeting of the Secretaries of Christian World Communions, and took part in the planning of the forthcoming annual meeting of the Secretaries.

As the Moderator of the Joint Committee between the Secretaries of Christian World Communions (CWCs) and the World Council of Churches, His Grace Bishop Nareg presided over its annual meeting 19-20 May 2010. The committee was established during the last WCC Assembly in order to encourage closer cooperation between the CWCs and the WCC. The members of the Committee analyzed challenges the ecumenical movement is facing today; reception by the churches recommendations of official bilateral dialogues; the contribution of CWCs to the 2011 WCC Peace Convocation, and finally the Assembly of the WCC in 2013.

THE ARMENIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ATTENDS THE WCC ECUMENICAL OFFICERS’ MEETING

05/06/2010 

The two Ecumenical Officers of the Armenian Orthodox Church, Bishop Hovaguim Manoukian of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and Bishop Nareg Alemezian of the Holy See of Cilicia attended the meeting held 4-6 May 2010 at the Ecumenical Institute Bossey (Switzerland).

The meeting of the Ecumenical Officers of member churches of the World Council of Churches provides the opportunity for the staff of member churches to meet, share their experiences and concerns, and discuss WCC programmatic priorities.

Following greetings by the General Secretary of the WCC, the programme staff presented their plans for the coming year, and a thematic outline of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation to be held in Kingston, Jamaica next year.

Bishop Nareg reported on the ecumenical implications of the recent visits of His Holiness Aram I to India as the guest of the Malankara Indian Orthodox Church, the Pontifical visit to the Church of Greece, and the visit of the Ecumenical Officer to the Church of Cyprus. The Bishop also mentioned the forthcoming interreligious dialogue with Iran to be held in Antelias.

A CHURCH TO CHURCH VISIT TO CYPRUS BY HIS GRACE BISHOP NAREG

05/03/2010 

On behalf of His Holiness Aram I, the Ecumenical Officer of the Holy See of Cilicia Bishop Nareg Alemezian visited Cyprus from 26 April to 2 May 2010. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen and deepen the long-standing relationship between the Church of Cyprus and the Armenian Orthodox Church.

After the formal meeting with His Beatitude Archbishop of Nova Justiniana and all Cyprus, Chrysostomos II, Bishop Nareg accompanied by The Vicar-General of the Armenian Church of Cyprus Archbishop Varoujan Herkelian and Dr. Antranik Ashjian, President of the Executive Committee of the Church Council met with the Metropolitans heading the departments of the Church of Cyprus and Kikko Monastery.

During these encounters they discussed issues related to Orthodox participation in the WCC, the participation of the Catholicosate in the Forum of Civilizations, theological dialogues and Christian- Muslim Dialogue. On this last issue they affirmed the importance of pursuing the problem of divided Cyprus and the Armenian Genocide during the dialogues.

The official visit ended with a dinner offered by Archbishop Varoujan Herkelian and the National Council of the Church in honour of His Beatitude Chrisostomos at the Prelacey in Nicosia. During his speech the Archbishop thanked the Church for the visit, expressed his appreciation of the Leadership of His Holiness Aram I in the ecumenical movement, and thanked the Armenian community for their contribution to the Cypriot society.

REPRESENTATIVES OF CHURCHES AND CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ANTELIAS

04/06/2010 

On Tuesday 6 April 2010, representatives of historic churches and recently established churches and communities met in Antelias upon the invitation of His Grace Bishop Nareg Alemezian, the Ecumenical Officer of Holy See of Cilicia.

After welcoming the guests, Bishop Nareg asked the participants to introduce themselves, the churches they represented, and the date the churches or communities were established in Lebanon or the Region. After the first round of introductions, Bishop Nareg asked them to describe briefly their vision and understanding of Christian unity, and recommend ways of cooperation and communication.

At the end, the group decided to continue such meetings and proposed to meet again in September 2010 in Antelias.

BISHOP NAREG REPRESENTS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AT THE CELEBRATIONS OF THE PATRON SAINT OF DUBROVNIK, ST. BLAISE

02/07/2010 

During 1-7 February 2010, His Grace Bishop Nareg, Director of Ecumenical Relations, represented His Holiness Aram I at the annual celebrations of the Patron Saint of Dubrovnik (Croatia), upon the invitation of Bishiop Gerlimir Poulic of Dubrovnik.

During the opening ceremony, Bishop Nareg read the message of His Holiness Aram. In his message the Catholicos said that St. Blaise was a popular saint specially of healing. The message then reminded the people that their Patron Saint had come to Croatia from Cilicia, and since then ties between the two churches and the people had remained strong. The message ended with the wish that the faith of the martyr Saint protected city always.

Bishop Nareg participated in the entire spiritual and cultural events organized around the relics of the Saint, as well as held private meetings with the Mayor of the City, Bishop Gerlimir, the members of the religious orders of the Franciscan and Dominican Orders for men and women. He also attended the concert organized by the Croato-Armenian Friendship Committee honoring Aram Khatchadourian.

In his interviews with the media, Bishop Nareg spoke of the significance of his presence as a representative of the Armenian Church. His presence he said, would renew the ties between the two peoples, because he was not coming from Cilicia but from Lebanon where the Catholicossate had found refuge after the Armenian Genocide.

"ECUMENISM NEEDS CLEAR ORIENTATION AND FOCUS"

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

"Depicting the present state of the ecumenical movement in terms of crisis has become a general trend; I do not share this approach" stated His Holiness Aram I. He said that "seeking new vision, redefining its orientation, revising its agenda, restructuring its programmatic priorities are integral to the very nature of the ecumenical movement". Catholicos Aram, who has served 15 years a Moderator of the World Council of Churches, reminded that "with ecumenism we are dealing with movement, not institution, with vision not programme, with fellowship, not with management". Hence, according to Aram I reducing the ecumenical movement to its institutional expression will be the end of it.

Aram I believes that the ecumenical movement must remain "restless, in permanent crisis, seeking new ways of articling its vision". However, for Aram I the ecumenical movement is actually "disoriented, its focus is not clear and its raison d'être has become shaky. Here is the problem". In his view this situation is largely due to "non-committal ecumenism of the churches, as well as the shift of interest from church unity related issues to moral-ethical matters, inter-religious dialogue and confessional ecumenism".

His Holiness stressed the need for a "credible, relevant, reliable and responsive ecumenism, an ecumenism with which the churches can identify themselves". Aram I said that the discussion on the reconfiguration of the ecumenical movement that the WCC started must continue with the active participation of the churches.

These views of Aram I were shared with a few reporters at the end of the meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Charities which was held at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon, from 27-30 January 2010.

REPORT

The Seventh Meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue

Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches

Antelias, Lebanon, January 27 to 31, 2010

The seventh meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches took place at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, from January 27 to 31, 2010.  The meeting was graciously hosted by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia. It was chaired jointly by His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church.  

Joining delegates from the Catholic Church were representatives of the following Oriental Orthodox Churches: the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Syrian Orthodox Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholicosate of All Armenians), the Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia),  the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.  No representative of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church was able to attend. 

The two delegations met separately on January 27, and held plenary sessions each day from January 28 to January 30.  Each day of the plenary sessions began with a common celebration of Morning Prayer.  At its initial session, the members of the Joint Commission considered reactions to and evaluations of the agreed statement that it had issued one year earlier, “Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church.”  This document had been approved for publication by the Joint Commission and is now being considered by the authorities of their churches. 

The studies prepared for this session focused on two topics:  the ways in which the churches expressed their communion with one another in the first five centuries and the reception of councils.  The papers presented included “Ecclesial Communion in Armenia and Surrounding Regions” by Rev. Fr. Boghos Levon Zekiyan, “The Order of Reception of the Ecumenical Councils in the Armenian Church and their Relation to the Other Local Councils” by Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian, “How Churches Understood the Reception of the Ecumenical Councils, How Churches Expressed their Communion in the First Five Centuries, and Whether Rome Was Given Any Special Role. From the Perspective of the Coptic Orthodox Church” by Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, “Communion and Councils: The Persian Church in the First Five Centuries” by Professor Dietmar W. Winkler, “Exercise of Communion in the Church of St. Thomas Christians in India” by Rev. Fr. Matthew Vellanickal, and “The Reception of the Three Ecumenical Councils by the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church” by Rev. Fr. John Matthews. 

During the course of the meeting, which took place in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, the members carefully examined the papers presented and reached a number of conclusions.  It was noted that until the middle of the fifth century, the churches did not exist in isolation, but were in communion with one other.  Signs of this communion included the exchange of synodical letters and letters of enthronement, the veneration of common saints, the exchange of visits and, above all, sharing in the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist.  This communion was based on an understanding that the churches shared the same faith, and  willingness to defend it together against heresies and other threats.  They also saw themselves as engaged in the same mission of evangelizing the nations.  This was often a “horizontal communion” where churches were most intensely in relation to neighboring churches in the same region, but also with other churches throughout the world. 

On the morning of January 27, the members of the Joint Commission, together with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I,  paid a visit to His Excellency Michel Sleiman, the President of Lebanon, in the Presidential Palace at Baabda.  The President welcomed the delegation to his country and presented his condolences to the representatives of the Ethiopian Church over the crash of an Ethiopian airplane near Beirut on Monday, January 25.  In his remarks, the President observed that recent events had illustrated the importance of including minorities in the political life of nations.  He said that Lebanon is an example of this political inclusiveness since the constitution gives all the country’s ethnic and religious communities a political role whatever their numerical size.  He also emphasized the need to organize capitalism in democratic countries in a way that protects the interests of minorities, especially the poor and the vulnerable.

On the evening of the same day, the Joint Commission members were received by His Beatitude and Eminence Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, Patriarch of the Maronite Church, at the patriarchate in Bkerké.  During an ecumenical prayer service in the patriarchal chapel, the Patriarch extended a warm welcome to his guests, and spoke highly of the agreed statement finalized by the Joint Commission in January 2009.  This text, the Patriarch stated, “presents the ecclesiological tradition common to all those churches, a tradition which remained plentiful and sound, in spite of 1500 years of separation.”  He also spoke of the positive ecumenical relations that exist among the churches of Lebanon, and wished the members great success in their meeting, which he saw as a sign of encouragement and hope.  After the prayer service, His Beatitude hosted a dinner for the Joint Commission members  and the spiritual heads of Christian communities in Lebanon.

On the morning of January 28, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the members of the Joint Commission.  In his remarks, the Catholicos offered his views on the present state of ecumenism, and said that he has come to a renewed appreciation of the work of the bilateral dialogues.  He had studied the 2009 agreed statement carefully and appreciated it very much.  His Holiness said that in the dialogues the members must never loose sight of the many things we have in common, and not focus exclusively on our differences.  He was critical of a tendency of some ecumenical circles to divert their attention to more social issues.  He expressed the hope that the Joint International Commission would endeavor to bring about visible unity of the Church, an objective that he as Moderator of the World Council of Churches had worked to achieve.  After meeting the Catholicos, the group prayed at the memorial to the Armenian genocide of 1915 on the grounds of the Catholicosate.  On the evening of the same day, the Catholicos hosted an official dinner at the Catholicosate that was attended by the spiritual heads of Christian communities in Lebanon, Armenian members of the Lebanese government and parliament, and Brotherhood and Central Executive Council members of the Holy See of Cilicia.

On January 29, the co-chairmen held a press conference at the invitation of Bishop Beshara Raï, the President of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications.  It took place at the Catholic Information Center, which is under the direction of the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon.  Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Holy See of Cilicia, introduced the co-chairmen, and highlighted that “the presence in Lebanon of our brothers from the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches is an occasion of spiritual joy and a sign of solidarity with our churches in the Middle East.”  Cardinal Kasper spoke of the importance of the participation of the faithful in the dialogue because the unity of the Church concerns the whole people of God and not theologians alone.  Metropolitan Bishoy described the history of the composition of the Joint Commission from the preparatory meeting in 2003 until this seventh meeting.  He added that the Commission meets alternatively in Rome and in countries where Oriental Orthodox are present.  On the evening of the same day, the members of the Joint Commission attended a dinner hosted by Metropolitan George Saliba. 

On Sunday January 31, the members of the Joint Commission attended the Holy Eucharist in the Cathedral of the Catholicosate of Cilicia presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I.  Cardinal Kasper preached the homily. 

The eighth meeting of the International Commission will take place in Rome at the invitation of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.  Arrivals will be on January 24, 2011.  The two delegations will meet separately on January 25, and participate in the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  This will be followed by plenary sessions on January 26, 27 and 28, with departures on January 29.  At the eighth plenary meeting, the members of the Commission will deepen their study of the communion and communication that existed between our churches until the mid-fifth century of Christian history, as well as the role played by monasticism. 

The members of the Commission are:

Representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Churches (in alphabetical order)

Antiochian Syrian Orthodox Church: H.E. Mor Theophilus George Saliba, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon, Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church, Beirut, Lebanon; H.E. Kuriakose Theophilose, Metropolitan of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary and President of the Ecumenical Secretariat of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church in India, Ernakulam, India;

Armenian Apostolic Church: Catholicosate of all Armenians: H.E. Khajag Barsamian, Archbishop of the Eastern Diocese of the USA, New York (Represented by H.G. Armash Nalbandian, Armenian Orthodox Church Diocese of Damascus); hhhhhH.E. Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian, General Secretary of Inter-Church Affairs of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, Armenia;

Armenian Apostolic Church: Holy See of Cilicia: H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy in the USA, New York; H.G. Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Holy See of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon;

Coptic Orthodox Church: H.E. Anba Bishoy (co-chair), Metropolitan of Damiette, Egypt, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church; Rev. Fr. Shenouda Maher Ishak, West Henrietta, New York, USA; H.G. Bishop Daniel of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Sydney, Australia (observer);

Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church: Rev. Fr. Kaleab Gebreselassie Gebru, Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Patriarchate, Asmara, Eritrea (unable to attend);

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church: Rev. Fr. Megabe Biluy Seife Selassie Yohannes, Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate, Addis Ababa (unable to attend).  The Ethiopian Church was represented at this meeting by H.E. Archbishop Demetrios of the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon; Rev. Fr. Abba Gebre Kidan of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church of Lebanon;

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church: H.E. Metropolitan Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios, President of the Department of Ecumenical Relations, Diocese of Trivandrum, India; Rev. Dr. John Mathews (co-secretary), Secretary of the Department of Ecumenical Relations,  Kottayam, India.

Representatives of the Catholic Church

His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper (co-chair), President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity;

Most Reverend Paul-Werner Scheele, Bishop Emeritus of Würzburg, Germany;

Most Reverend Youhanna Golta, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop of the Coptic Catholic Patriarchate, Cairo, Egypt;

Most Reverend Jules Mikhael Al-Jamil, Procurator of the Syrian Catholic Patriarchate to the Holy See and Apostolic Visitator in Europe, Rome;

Most Reverend Peter Marayati, Armenian Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo, Syria;

Most Reverend Woldetensae Ghebreghiorghis, Apostolic Vicar of Harar, Ethiopia, President of the Ecumenical Commission of the Catholic Church in Ethiopia and Eritrea;

Rev. Fr. Frans Bouwen M.Afr., Consultant to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity; Jerusalem;

Rev. Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB, Executive Director, Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA;

Rev. Fr. Ronald G. Roberson, CSP, Associate Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC, USA;

Rev. Fr. Paul Rouhana, OLM, Université Saint-Esprit, Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon;

Rev. Fr. Mark Sheridan, OSB, Pontificio Ateneo S. Anselmo, Rome;

Rev. Fr. Mathew Vellanickal, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Changanacherry, India;

Rev. Fr. Boghos Levon Zekiyan, Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome;

Prof. Dietmar W. Winkler, Consultant to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Salzburg, Austria.

Rev. Fr. Gabriel Quicke, official of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Rome (co-secretary).

Antelias, Lebanon, January 31, 2010

THE THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

AND THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES CONTINUE IN ANTELIAS

01/27/2010

During the past two days the representatives of the Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Churches have been discussing their churches’ reception of the decisions of the early ecumenical councils, the impact this reception had on eucharistic communion and the role of Rome.

Archbishop Yeznik Bedrossian, Armenian Orthodox Church, and Father Levon Zekian, Armenian Catholic Church, presented papers on the topic by citing Armenian sources. H.E. Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette presented the Coptic position by citing Coptic sources. The floor was then opened for plenary discussion and clarification.

In the second part of the dialogue, Father Mathew Velanikar of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian church spoke of his church’s reception of the early ecumenical council, and Dr. Ditmer Winkler presented a paper on the position of the churches in the Persian Empire. Following the presentations and discussions, Father Johan Mathew from the Malankara Church explained the reasons why his church had accepted the first three ecumenical councils.

The meeting of the Theological Dialogue Commission ended with a press conference, participated in by the two co-moderators, H.E. Walter Cardinal Kasper and H.E. Metropolitan Bishoy, along with Bishop Nareg Alemezian. In the evening, the participants were invited to dinner by Mor Theophilus George Saliba, Metropolitan of Mount Lebanon, at the Syrian Orthodox Archbishopric. 

HIS HOLINESS BASILILIOS MAR THOMA DIDMOS I, CATHOLICOS OF THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH INVITES HIS HOLINESS ARAM I TO INDIA

01/29/2010 

His Holiness Aram I has been holding private meetings with the representatives of the churches taking part in the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

On Friday 29 January 2010, he met with Bishops Gabriel Mar Gregorios and Mathew Velanikal of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

The Bishops transmitted the brotherly love of their Patriarch, briefed Catholicos Aram on the latest developments in their Church and handed a letter from Catholicos Didmos I inviting His Holiness Aram I to visit India.

After thanking the Catholicos for the invitation, His Holiness Aram I and the guests discussed relations between the two sister churches.

"BILATERAL DIALOGUES MUST SHIFT THEIR EMPHASIS FROM CONSENSUS-ORIENTED

AGREEMENT TO CONVERGENCE-ORIENTED PROCESSES"

                                                                                                                  ARAM I

01/28/2010 

Addressing the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, meeting at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon, His Holiness Aram I emphasized the crucial importance of bilateral dialogues for the future course of the ecumenical movement. He said that multilateralism and bilateralism need to be taken in their inter-connectedness, complementing and strengthening each other on the way towards the visible unity of the church.

Referring to the theological dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Catholic Churches, the Catholicos reminded that in the course of history several initiatives have been made in the form of ecumenical encounter, theological talks and joint actions between the Catholic Church and the churches of the Oriental Orthodox family. In 2003 these churches formally embarked on theological dialogue. Catholicos Aram I drew the attention of the Joint Commission to the following points:

1.- After so many years of christocentric ecumenism, he said that the last decade has witnessed an increasing move towards ecclesiocentric ecumenism. According to His Holiness, ecclesiology must remain a priority on the ecumenical agenda. The churches have different concepts of unity because they have different ecclesiological teachings; the churches are divided in respect to ethical issues, because they have different ecclesiological self-understanding. Catholicos Aram also emphasized the need to develop a holistic perspective which will enable the churches to have interactive approach to ecclesiology, ethics and missiology.

2.- His Holiness reminded that the churches are existentially exposed to the moral-ethical repercussions of secularism, syncretism and of so many "ism"s, and are more divided in their response to these issues than in doctrinal matters. Therefore, he strongly suggested that bilateral dialogues seriously tackle these issues and their theological and pastoral implications.

3.- According to His Holiness, who has a long experience in bilateral dialogues, these dialogues must shift their emphasis from consensus-oriented agreement to convergence-oriented processes. In his opinion, consensus implies negotiation within a given time-frame; it is a static reality while convergence is a dynamic process which is not confined to any time-line and agenda and provides open space for greater and creative interaction.

4.- His Holiness also proposed to develop a new perception of reception that involves the whole people of God. He said that the findings of bilateral dialogues must be appropriated by the people; otherwise they become sheer academic exercise. He said that people-oriented reception process implies awareness-building and collaboration on the local level. Reaching out to the people must become an ecumenical priority, otherwise ecumenism will lose its relevance and credibility.

5.- Aram I underscored the need to affirm the commonalties that exist among the churches. Bilateral theological dialogues deal with controversial issues and project the divided image of Christianity. We must affirm our God-given unity, at the same time articulating our commitment to heal the brokenness of the church. This must become our ecumenical strategy, stated His Holiness Aram I.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AND CARDINAL WALTER KASPER MEET IN ANTELIAS

01/27/2010  

On Wednesday 2010, His Holiness Aram I and H.E. Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, held a private meeting within the context of the meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Among other issues they discussed the contribution of bilateral theological dialogues to ecumenical relations.

The meeting will be concluded on Sunday 31 January with the Holy Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral where the Cardinal will preach.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AND THE MEMBERS OF THE CATHOLIC AND ORIENTAL ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE COMMISSION VISIT THE PRESIDENT OF LEBANON

01/27/2010 

On Wednesday 27 January the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, currently meeting in Antelias, visited the President H.E. Michel Suleiman. After introducing the members of the delegation to the President, His Holiness Aram I explained the purpose of the commission and the importance of its work in promoting ecumenical relations.

The President welcomed the guests and expressed his appreciation of their work. He then spoke briefly about the political situation in Lebanon and the region. At the end of the visit, the delegates thanked the President and hoped that the unity government will bring peace to the country. 

ANTELIAS HOSTS THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION FOR THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES

01/25/2010 

Upon the invitation of His Holiness Aram I, the Commission will meet in Antelias 26-31 January 2010. Delegates appointed by the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and the Holy See of Cilicia represent the Armenian Church on this Commission. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Archbishop of the Eastern Diocese in USA, and Bishop Nareg Alemezian, the Ecumenical Officer are the representatives of the Holy See of Cilicia.

The Commission will discuss the role of Ecumenical Councils in the Early Church. On Sunday, 31 January during the closing Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, His Excellency Walter Cardinal Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity will give the sermon.