Requiem Service in Memory of Victims of the Armenian Genocide
0 Comments Published by georgy on Tuesday, September 30 at 11:48 PM.
On the morning of 27 September, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, visited the National Memorial to the Armenian Genocide, located on Tsitsernakaberd Hill in Yerevan. His Holiness was accompanied by Church leaders and representatives who had travelled to Armenia to witness the Blessing of the Holy Muron. Attending the memorial service were: His Eminence, Metropolitan Valentine of the Diocese of Orenburg and Buzuluk, of the Russian Orthodox Church; Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, who led the delegation for the Roman Catholic Church; His Grace Bishop Benjamin of Menoufeya from the Coptic Orthodox Church; His Eminence Metropolitan Mor Eustathius Matta Roham of Jazirah and Euphrates of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East; His Grace H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasios, Metropolitan of the Chengannur Diocese who led the delegation of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India; The Right Reverend Geoffrey Rowell, Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe of the Anglican Church, His Excellency Mgr. Vartan Ashkarian, General Representative of the Patriarchal Eparchy of the Armenian Catholic Church; Very Reverend Father Yeghia Kilaghbian, Abbot of the Armenian Mkhitarist Congregation of San Lazzaro; as well as representeatives from the World Council of Churches, and the organization "World Conference of Religions for Peace".
His Holiness presided over a memorial service for the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Prior to the start of the service, a wreath was laid at the memorial. During the service the members of Sister Churches offered prayers to God in their own languages for the victims of the Genocide. Clergymen from Armenian Dioceses, benefactors, and pilgrims took part in the memorial service. Following the service, members of the delegations visited the Genocide Museum.
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Blessing of the Holy Muron in Armenia - Snaps- Gallery 1
0 Comments Published by georgy on at 11:21 PM.
Opening of New Studio and Future Satellite Broadcasts Announced for “Shoghakat” Television
0 Comments Published by georgy on Monday, September 29 at 11:14 PM.
Reverend Father Vahram Melikyan, Director of the Information Services Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin welcomed the guests and delivered opening remarks. Father Vahram reflected on the history of "Shoghakat" TV, its goals and future plans. He also noted that the spiritual programs of "Shoghakat" had already gained great popularity among the citizens of Armenia and stressed the importance of the use of modern communications in accomplishing the educational mission of the Armenian Church.
His Holiness presided over a blessing ceremony for the official opening of the new building, and then addressed those present. His Holiness expressed his appreciation to Mr. Tigran Sargsian, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, for his assistance in obtaining the building, to the benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. Vatche and Tamar Manoukian, to the builders, and finally to the staff hoping that every family would always look forward to the programs of "Shoghakat" TV.
"I can state with happiness that for the past 10 years, "Shogakat" TV has made an important contribution to the Christian education of our children, and the strengthening of our spiritual, national and cultural life for. The programs on "Shogakat" TV Studio are also broadcast to the Diaspora through the Armenian Public Television (Channel 1)
Over the years, the staff of "Shoghakat" TV has revealed and presented the history, traditions, feasts and the mysteries of the Armenian Apostolic Church, as well as our spiritual culture and national values. "Shoghakat" TV plays an important role in strengthening our true beliefs in the hearts of the Armenian faithful as well as providing spiritual knowledge. The work of "Shoghakat" TV has become more important at a time when our Church needs to reach a greater number of people", mentioned His Holiness.
Mr. Vatche Manoukian also addressed the audience stressing the importance of spiritual and religious education for the Armenian Church and every Armenian. He hoped that with the blessing of His Holiness the programs of "Shoghakat" TV will be broadcast via satellite by next year, giving the opportunity for every Diasporan Armenian to know of the events taking place in the Armenian Church and in our country. Mr. Manoukian stressed that Christian education is important for our younger generation, and stated that he and his family are happy to assist "Shoghakat" TV operating under the patronage of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Following the remarks, Prime Minister Sargsian and Mr. Vatche Manoukian cut a red ribbon at the entrance and led the crowd into the new building.
High ranking government officials, city authorities, Members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See, members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, Mr Berge Setrakian, President of AGBU, national benefactors, representatives of Sister Churches and many guests participated in the ceremony.
H H Karekin II Blesses the ingredients for the Holy Muron - Snaps
0 Comments Published by georgy on Sunday, September 28 at 10:26 PM.
The Message of His Holiness Karekin II
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians
on the Occasion of the BLESSING OF THE HOLY MURON
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, 28 September 2008
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
"You shall prepare oil for holy annointing…
It is sacred, and therefore should remain sacred for you."
(Exodus 30:25-32)
Dear pious Armenian pilgrims,
From the heights of heaven, holiness descends once more today and disperses blessing, grace and exuberance over our homeland, within our souls, and throughout the whole of Armenian life. In the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, with the prayerful participation of the sons and daughters of our nation dispersed throughout the world, we bless the Holy Muron (Chrism) according to the words granted from our Lord. Glory, unending praise and thanks to our all-provident God.
It is through the beneficent Will of God, that on this festive day of the Holy Cross of Varag, we have gathered together with joyful souls to bless the Holy Muron. We are together in our holiest site where Christ Himself descended, which was drawn with heavenly lights as the center of witness of faith and the altar of oath for our people and for all time. For continuous centuries, guided by the spirit of pilgrimage, our Armenian nation, reinforced and renewed with faith, sees their illuminated path to eternity – their path to salvation and God. "So that this illuminates us with faith and we grow in the house of God; so that this renews us with the graces of the Holy Spirit and fills us, makes us fruitful and bountiful with the same." (Catholicos of All Armenians Simeon of Yerevan). The God-granted and soul-sustaining mission of Holy Etchmiadzin, from the time of Saint Gregory our Illuminator, is dispersed and distributed through the Holy Muron to our churches, our hearths and Armenian life around the globe.
On this grace-renewing day of the Blessing of the Holy Muron, we mixed the most noble, aromatic and healing liquids with the fruit of the olive tree – the symbol of peace with our Creator. To this virtuous mixture, we combined the previous Muron, through which, we transmit the oil blessed by our Lord from generation to generation; and also mixed the newly made Muron of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia. We blessed it with our sacred and cherished relics – with the saving Cross of our Lord, the Holy Lance, and the Holy Right Hand of our Illuminator Pontiff. With the warmest prayers of our souls, we appealed for the intercession of our holy forefathers, so that the newly blessed Muron, through the permeation of the Holy Spirit, becomes "the seal of heavenly cleanliness". We prayed that the seven virtues of heaven be distributed within our lives, and as God has directed, the Muron be and always remain sacred for all of us. Today, this Muron receives miraculous power with the heavenly graces of the Holy Spirit. Today, this substance, through prayer and entreaty, becomes conscious and alive, "I sanctify you, oil of the olive tree, in the name of Almighty God… so that all influences and powers of satan be persecuted by you, so that you become strengthened with blessing, to seal the Holy Spirit on all those whom you anoint, in the name of the Almighty Father and the Son – our Lord Jesus Christ." (Canon of the Blessing of the Muron).
Through the benevolent Will of God, the Holy Muron is holy and sanctifies. With the luminous and sweet aromatic Muron, we consecrate our churches; transforming them into the house of God. Through their ordination with Muron, clergymen are called to service at the holy altar of our Lord. Through the grace-bearing and grace-dispersing Muron, we are born from the baptismal font as the worthy people of God – as the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church. Through the seal of the Holy Muron, we recognize, live, feel and protect our Armenian and Christian identity and our national wholeness. Sealed with Holy Muron, we have triumphed over all wars of life and death; over all campaigns for survival and endurance, for the sake of our faith and our homeland. Through the power and light of the Muron, we unite our past, present and the future of our children.
The Blessing of the Holy Muron, dear Armenian sons and daughters, is a call and invitation to our nation, to remain under the graces of holiness, to renounce evil and its works, and to keep the light of our Lord’s gospel undimmed in our lives. The Blessing of the Muron is an exhortation to live with Christ, to walk with Christ, since you were baptized in Christ and took on the garment of Christ with the Holy Muron. (ref. Gal 3:27) Only with our Lord and the love He bestows, shall goodness and justice reign in our lives. Only thus shall the sacred faith our fathers remain unshaken and immaculate in our hearts, and our paths shall become successful and full of hope.
Today we, as Pontiff of All Armenians, are encouraged and optimistic, filled with the hopes of the future, since in our native land of Armenia and Artsakh, in our revitalized Church, in our independent state, but especially in the healthy inner-life of our people, we feel and see the awakening and maturing will and imperative to be cleansed, to be purified, and to create a righteous society and just state. We see the will and the demand to heal our national wounds, to overcome the difficulties in our ecclesiastical life – the divisions and diverging opinions brought on by the times. So that in Armenian life, we are one and united, always and forever – one nation, one faith, one Church – with our united homeland, and to proceed to new accomplishments with one will and one mind, to the realization of our righteous aspirations and worthy goals, to the lasting refuge provided for us by God.
We are optimistic and encouraged from all the goodness bequeathed to our nation by God, from all good works that are fruitful in Armenian life in dispersion, from plans turning into reality which serve the welfare of our people, the prosperity of our homeland, and the vibrancy of our Holy Church. Let us unite and strengthen our efforts so that our native land blossoms and lives in God-granted peace and liberty, and gains strength with our Lord’s true love, with the devotion, talent and creativity of its sons and daughters. Let us take care and be attentive so that our Holy Church dispersed throughout the world, always be vibrant through the traditions and contributions of our ancestors, with its God-loving people who are faithful to their Etchmiadzin-sealed souls. May the unity and mission of our Holy Church and the solidarity of our people be fruitful through the miraculous and nation-gathering graces of strength of the luminous Muron.
Dear pious faithful, on this sacred day of Blessing the Holy Muron, let us gaze again to see the descent of our Lord with the ranks of angels, the destruction of the demons of hell with the strike of the golden hammer, and the flow of life-giving waters from the heavenly altar deluging all of Armenian life, which is the Illuminator’s vision of our people’s baptism and rebirth with the Holy Spirit. Let us see and be reinforced with faith, and be filled with new hopes, with the awakening of reborn life.
O Armenian people, O people graced and triumphant, who through the life you have lived from century to century through heroic testimonies, are faithful to your oath with God established through Holy Etchmiadzin. Be renewed daily with your faith, become luminous with the righteous and beneficial results of church-building and nation-devoted works, so that under God’s blessing, our Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin remains eternally unshaken, our homeland forever crowned by Ararat always remains free and independent, and that Armenians always look to the future with confidence.
It is with these emotions and wishes what we welcome the presence of the president of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsian; president of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh, Bako Sahakian; and high-ranking state authorities of the Armenians; wishing them success in the progress of Armenia and Artsakh, and for the sake of the right of our people in Artsakh to live free.
With our love in Christ, we extend our fraternal greetings to the incumbents of our hierarchal sees, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia; His Beatitude Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem; and His Beatitude Mesrob Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople; asking for God’s blessing and assistance for their lives.
We are happy on this joyous day for our people, to welcome in Holy Etchmiadzin our brother in Christ, Ecumenical Patriarch His All Holiness Bartholomew I, asking for God’s protection for his pious flock.
Our love in Christ we also convey to the graceful representatives of our sister Churches, the diplomats accredited in the Republic of Armenia, and representatives of governmental and international organizations, wishing for them God’s daily guidance in their mission of service.
We convey our pontifical blessings and greet the diocesan primates of our Church, diocesan and parochial councils, our oath-bound ranks of clergy, you – our sons and daughters who have come today as pilgrims, and all our pious people in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora.
Let us together pray that the Almighty grant reconciliation to the world, keep our homeland in peace under His grace, and keep our people throughout the world secure and tranquil.
May the newly blessed Muron, as God has directed, be sacred for us and all, now and always. Amen.
Poland's Orthodox Church will build cathedral near Warsaw's airport
0 Comments Published by georgy on at 11:36 AM.
Poland's minority Orthodox Church is to build a cathedral near Warsaw's airport for Orthodox Christians serving in the nation's armed forces. The cathedral will be the first new Orthodox place of worship for a century in this predominantly Roman Catholic city. It will also be highly visible to all those arriving at the Polish capital's main airport. A church leader said the Greek-style cathedral, on Defense Ministry land adjoining Okecie Airport, would testify to the Orthodox presence and add a "prestigious feature" to the capital.
"We are already building many beautiful churches in Poland, so this is really nothing unusual," said Bishop Miron of Hajnowka, head of the Orthodox ministry to the nation's military forces. "Our church occupies a legal position in this country, and is noticed by everyone. The numerous Orthodox community shows no sign of declining, so the cathedral is clearly needed."
However, the chancellor of Warsaw's Roman Catholic curia has criticized the plan, saying Catholic Church leaders had not been notified and had heard about the project from the press. "The Orthodox already have a cathedral here, and [they] number just a few thousand out of a total city population of 1.5 million," the chancellor, Grzegorz Kalwarczyk, told ENI. "Looked at from outside, the Orthodox Church seems closest to the Catholic Church. But we have only official contacts—there are no neighborly gestures or courtesies."
The 570,000-member Orthodox Church, headed by Metropolitan Sawa, has seven eparchies (roughly equivalent to archdioceses) in Poland and a further six abroad, but is mainly concentrated in eastern parts of the country.The military pastorate was founded in 1994. Its clergy minister to an estimated 17 000 Orthodox soldiers and conscripts among Poland's 180,000 military personnel. The pastorate has 20 priests and seven parishes, but only one garrison church—at Ciechocinek—and is based at St Mary Magdalene Cathedral in Warsaw, one of two Orthodox places of worship in the capital.
Rzeczpospolita, a daily newspaper, said the prime site at the airport had been agreed on last March after the Defense Ministry had suggested several other locations. The newspaper added that the foundation stone for the cathedral and surrounding complex, including diocesan offices and a publishing center, would be laid this year.
Bishop Miron told ENI that his church had relinquished claims to two other early twentieth-century Orthodox churches, which were now in the hands of other denominations. He added that his diocese had "no special problems" cooperating with Poland's majority Roman Catholic Church, which has 180 priests in its ministry to the armed forces. The bishop added: "We haven't interfered with the building projects of other churches. They shouldn't interfere with ours."
Andrzej Debski, spokesman for the 90,000-member Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland (Lutheran), told ENI that his church's leaders were pleased the Orthodox pastorate would be able to give witness to Orthodox presence by establishing the new cathedral, adding that its location as the first church visible to visitors at Warsaw airport was "not significant."
His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr Received By Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos III
0 Comments Published by georgy on Saturday, September 27 at 11:14 PM.
In his greeting word Metropolitan Volodymyr noted with gratitude that His Beatitude Patriarch Theophanes of Jerusalem rendered inestimable service to the Russian Orthodox Church - restored the orthodox hierarchy in the territory of Rzeczpospolita.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr donated a copy of the facsimile edition of the Peresopnytsia Gospels - the first known translation o the gospel text into Ukrainian, to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem thanked the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for the valuable gift and underscored that the arrival of the orthodox pilgrims from Ukraine, Russia and other countries to the Holy Land not only testifies to the viability of the Church, but also enables the brethren of the Holy Sepulchre to bear their obedience of preserving the greatest shrines of the Orthodoxy.
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Role and Place of the Church in Development of Palliative Care in Ukra
0 Comments Published by georgy on at 11:12 PM.
Among the problems which arise, as we believe, on the way of creation and development of the effective system of palliative care in Ukraine, the central place belongs to the problems of spiritual ideological and axiological character, concerning first of all the concept of palliative care as such, and of the problems pertaining to the attitude of the society to the incurable death-marked patients.
I'd like to dwell upon some aspects of a possible place and role of the Church within the given scope of problems.
First of all I'd like to mention that palliative care, at least in the Christian outlook, may acquire autonomous and self-sufficient axiological significance and value both in purely medical and the wider socio-cultural context, opening for the incurable people the way and the possibilities of revealing spiritual side of their personalities, and will embody the virtues of mercy, compassion and service to the neighbour as self-sufficient values.
In such sense the palliative care may be important as such, both for patient and the people patronizing them. The Church emphasizes that sympathy with a dying neighbour in its active realization is an inalienable part of the personal and social moral, and an important means of consolidation of the people's social life.
That is why we believe the positive spiritually conscious attitude to incurable patients in the society to be a necessary precondition for the solution of the problems of such patients by means of palliative care.
Our Church recognises its major function in this sphere in the development of such kind of attitude. This function can be performed by different means and ways, proceeding from the historical and spiritual experience of the Church, and from her experience of the social ministry.
On the whole the following means should be emphasized:
• the church sermon (liturgical and non-liturgical);
• educational, pedagogical and enlightenment work carried out through the network of Sunday schools, mass-media etc;
•holding public prayer activities;
• educational work in the higher educational establishments;
• finally, personal example of service by the clergy and faithful to the death-marked patients.
On this occasion iI'd like to note that changing the attitude to the dying in the society should begin with our personal active and spiritual motivated attitude to them, and first of all it concerns their relatives and close ones, irrespective of the special institutions and specialized organisations. Another aspect of the Church's role and place, and it is the second one I'd like to mention, is the direct spiritual and social assistance to incurable patients and their families. I mean the spiritual pastoral care of the sick and their families, and charitable actions and social support that have always been performed by the Church and which are inherent in her social ministry. Thanks God, nowadays this opportunity exists in our state, and it was impossible even to think of that in the past, in the Soviet times. I won't analyze this aspect in detail. Its pastoral component is expounded in the "Regulations for palliative care", which we introduced for consideration of the Coordination Council of the Ministry of Health.
The third important aspect is participation of the Church or her individual representatives and church organisation in the palliative care activities, as well as in the work of palliative care establishments, medical and medical social establishments and other institutions rendering palliative care of the incurable patients. Such participation may be effected:
• by means of immediate work of pastors, spiritual and social workers, believers-volunteer workers in the functional teams and groups for palliative care;
• by means of involvement of the church representatives into the development of the national state and international programmes of palliative care;
• by means of involvement of the Church and her representatives into the management of the establishments for palliative care, also as members of guardians' boards and supervisory councils of these establishments, of commissions for ethics etc;
• by means of organizing charitable and fund-raising activities, etc;
• by means of organizing and introduction in the religious educational establishments of the courses for social and spiritual workers (medical chaplains) and the sisters of mercy, focusing on spiritual and social work with incurable and critically ill patients and care for them.
The last point should include state certification and state recognition of the diplomas of such religious educational establishments or certain special courses. That is what I actually wanted to tell concerning spiritual aspects of palliative care and possible participation of the Church in the development of palliative care in our society.
Address of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Plenary Session of the European Parliament
0 Comments Published by georgy on at 11:05 PM.
Your Excellencies, Honorable Members of the European Parliament,Distinguished Guests,Dear Friends,
First and foremost, we convey to you salutations from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, based for many many centuries in what is today Istanbul – greetings replete with esteem and respect. In particular, we express our gratitude to an old friend of ours, His Excellency Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament. We likewise express our sincerest appreciation for the extraordinary honor to address the Plenary of the European Parliament, especially on this occasion that commemorates the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.
As a purely spiritual institution, our Ecumenical Patriarchate embraces a truly global apostolate that strives to raise and broaden the consciousness of the human family – to bring understanding that we are all dwelling in the same house. At its most basic sense, this is the meaning of the word “ecumenical” – for the “oikoumene” is the inhabited world – the earth understood as a house in which all peoples, kindreds, tribes and languages dwell.
As is well known, the origins of our religious institution lie at the core of the Axial Age, deep in the history of the Christian Faith – with the earliest followers of Jesus Christ. Inasmuch as our See – our institutional center – shared the center and capital of the Christian Roman Empire, it became known as “ecumenical,” with certain privileges and responsibilities that it holds to this day. One of its chief responsibilities was for bringing the redemptive message of the Gospel to the world outside the Roman Empire. In the days before the exploratory age, most civilizations held such a bicameral view of the world as being “within” and “without.” The world was divided into two sectors: a hemisphere of civilization and a hemisphere of barbarism. In this history, we behold the grievous consequences of the alienation of human persons from one another.
Today, when we have the technological means to transcend the horizon of our own cultural self-awareness, we nevertheless continue to witness the terrible effects of human fragmentation. Tribalism, fundamentalism, and phyletism – which is extreme nationalism without regard to the rights of the other – all these contribute to the ongoing list of atrocities that give pause to our claims of being civilized in the first place.
And yet, even with tides of trade, migrations and expansions of peoples, religious upheavals and revivals, and great geopolitical movements, the deconstruction of rigid and monolithic self-understandings of past centuries has yet to find a permanent harbor. The Ecumenical Patriarchate has sailed across the waves of these centuries, navigating the storms and the doldrums of history. For twenty centuries – through the Pax Romana, the Pax Christiana, the Pax Islamica, the Pax Ottomanica (all epochs marked by intercultural struggle, conflict and outright war) – the Ecumenical Patriarchate has continued as a lighthouse for the human family and the Christian Church. It is from the depths of our experience upon these deep waters of history that we offer to the contemporary world a timeless message of perennial human value.
Today, the ecumenical scope of our Patriarchate extends far beyond the boundaries of its physical presence at the cusp of Europe and Asia, in the same City we have inhabited for the seventeen centuries since her founding. Though small in quantity, the extensive quality of our experience brings us before this august assembly today, in order to share from that experience on the necessity of intercultural dialogue, a lofty and timely ideal for the contemporary world.
As you yourselves have said – in this most esteemed body’s own words:
At the heart of the European project, it is important to provide the means for intercultural dialogue and dialogue between citizens to strengthen respect for cultural diversity and deal with the complex reality in our societies and the coexistence of different cultural identities and beliefs. (Decision No 1983/2006 of EP and CEU)
And we would humbly supplement this noble statement, as we did last year in our address to the Plenary of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in Strasbourg.
Dialogue is necessary first and foremost because it is inherent in the nature of the human person.
This is the principal message that we propose for your consideration today: that intercultural dialogue is at the very root of what it means to be a human being, for no one culture of the human family encompasses every human person. Without such dialogue, the differences in the human family are reduced to objectifications of the “other” and lead to abuse, conflict, persecution – a grand scale human suicide, for we are all ultimately one humanity. But where the differences between us move us to encounter one another and where that encounter is based in dialogue, there is reciprocal understanding and appreciation – even love.
In the past fifty years, our human family has experienced leaps of technological achievement undreamed of by our forebears. Many have trusted that this kind of advancement will bridge the divides that fragment the human condition. As if, our achievements had given us the power to overcome the fundamental realities of our moral and – may we say – our spiritual condition. Yet, despite every conceivable benefit and technological skill – skill that seems to outstrip our anthropological wit, we still behold the universal banes of hunger, thirst, war, persecution, injustice, planned misery, intolerance, fanaticism and prejudice.
Amidst this cycle that cannot seem to be broken, the significance of the “European Project” cannot be underestimated. It is one of the hallmarks of the European Union that has succeeded in promoting mutual, peaceful and productive co-existence between nation states that less than seventy years ago were drenched in a bloody conflict that could have destroyed the legacy of Europe for the ages.
Here, in this great hall of assembly of the Parliament, you strive to make possible the relationships between states and political realities that make reconciliation between persons possible. Thus you have recognized the importance of intercultural dialogue, especially at a time in the history of Europe when transformations are taking place in every country and along every societal boundary. Great tidal forces of conflict, and economic security and opportunity have shifted populations around the globe. Of necessity then, persons of differing cultural, ethnic, religious and national origin find themselves in close proximity. In some cases, populations are excluded from the broader societal context. In some cases, the same populations shun the greater whole and close themselves off from the dominant society. But in either case, as we engage in dialogue, it must not be a mere academic exercise in mutual appreciation.
For dialogue to be effective, to be transformative in bringing about core change in persons, it cannot be done on the basis of “subject” and “object.” The value of the “other” must be absolute – without objectification; so that each party is apprehended in the fullness of their being.
For Orthodox Christians, the icon, or image, stands not only as an acme of human aesthetic accomplishment, but as a tangible reminder of this perennial truth. As in every painting – religious or not and notwithstanding the talent of the artist– the object presents as two dimensional. Yet, for Orthodox Christians, an icon is no mere religious painting – and it is not, by definition, a religious object. Indeed, it is a subject with which the viewer, the worshipper, enters into wordless dialogue through the sense of sight. For an Orthodox Christian, the encounter with the icon is an act of communion with the person represented in the icon. How much more should our encounters with living icons – persons made in the image and likeness of God – be acts of communion!
In order for our dialogue to become more than mere cultural exchange, there must be a more profound understanding of the absolute interdependence – not merely of states and political and economic actors – but the interdependence of every single human person with every other single human person. And such a valuation must be made regardless of any commonality of race, religion, language, ethnicity, national origin, or any of the benchmarks by which we seek self identification and self identity. And in a world of billions of persons, how is such inter-connectedness possible?
Indeed, there is no possible way to link with every human person – this is a property that we would ascribe to the Divine. However, there is a way of understanding the universe in which we live as being shared by all – a plane of existence that spans the reality of every human person – an ecosphere that contains us all.
Thus it is that the Ecumenical Patriarchate – in keeping with our own sense of responsibility for the house, the oikos of the world and all who dwell therein, has for decades championed the cause of the environment, calling attention to ecological crises around the globe. And we engage this ministry without regard to self interest. As you know so well, our Patriarchate is not a “national” Church, but rather the fundamental canonical expression of the ecumenical dimensions of the Gospel message, and of its analogous responsibility within the life of the Church. This is the deeper reason that the Church Fathers and the Councils have given it the name, “Ecumenical.” The loving care of the Church of Constantinople exceeds any linguistic, cultural, ethnic and even religious definition, as She seeks to serve all peoples. Although firmly rooted in particular history – as any other institution is – the Ecumenical Patriarchate transcends historical categories in Her perennial mission of service.
In our service to the environment, we have to date sponsored seven scientific symposia that bring together a host of disciplines. The genesis of our initiative grew on the island that gave humanity the Apocalypse, Book of Revelation, the sacred island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. And it was in the Aegean that we commenced, in 1995, an ambitious program of integrating current scientific knowledge about the oceans with the spiritual approach of the world's religions to water, particularly the world's oceans. Since Patmos we have traversed the Danube, the Adriatic Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Amazon, the Arctic Sea, and we are now making preparations to sail the Nile in Egypt and the Mississippi River in the United States next year.
What we seek is not only an ongoing dialogue that is serviceable to practical necessities, but also one that raises human consciousness. While we strive to find answers to ecological concerns and crises, we also bring the participants into a more comprehensive sense of themselves as belonging to and relating to a greater whole. We seek to embrace the ecosphere of human existence not as an object to be controlled, but as a fellow-struggler on the path of increase and improvement. As the Apostle Paul, whose 2000 year legacy both the Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Churches are celebrating this year, says in one of his most famous epistles:
For we know that until now, the whole of creation groans with us and shares our birth pangs. (Romans 8:22)
Every ecosystem on this planet is like a nation – by definition limited to a place. The estuary is not the tundra, nor is the savanna the desert. But like every culture, every ecosystem will have an effect that goes beyond far beyond its natural – or in the case of cultures, national, boundaries. And when we understand that every ecosystem is part of the singular ecosphere that is inhabited by every living breath that fills the world, then do we grasp the interconnectedness, the powerful communion of all life, and our true interdependency on one another. Without such an understanding, we are led to ecocide, the self-destruction of the one ecosphere that sustains all human existence.
Thus it is that we come before you today, highlighting this Year of Intercultural Dialogue, bringing parables from the natural world to affirm your transcendent human values. As an institution, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has lived as a relatively small ecosystem within a much larger culture for centuries. Out of this long experience, allow us to suggest the most important practical characteristic that enables the work of intercultural dialogue to succeed.
Chiefly and above all, there must be respect for the rights of the minority within every majority. When and where the rights of the minority are observed, the society will for the most part be just and tolerant. In any culture, one segment will always be dominant – whether that dominance is based on race, religion or any other category. Segmentation is inevitable in our diverse world. What we seek to end is fragmentation! Societies that are built upon exclusion and repression cannot last. Or as the divine Prince of Peace Jesus Christ said:
Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. (St. Matthew 12:25).
Our counsel to all is to recognize that only when we embrace the fullness of shared presence within the ecosphere of human existence, are we then able to face the “otherness” of those around us – majority or minority – with a true sense of the consanguinity of the human family. Then do we behold the stranger amongst us not as an alien, but as a brother or sister in the human family, the family of God. St. Paul expounds on pan-human relation and brotherhood quite eloquently and concisely when addressing the Athenians.
This is why Europe needs to bring Turkey into its Project and why Turkey needs to foster intercultural dialogue and tolerance in order to be accepted into the European Project. Europe should not see any religion that is tolerant of others as alien to itself. The great religions, like the European Project, can be a force that transcend nationalism and can even transcend nihilism and fundamentalism by focusing their faithful on what unites us as human beings, and by fostering a dialogue about what divides us.
From our country, Turkey, we perceive both a welcome to a new economic and trading partner, but we also feel the hesitation that comes from embracing, as an equal, a country that is predominantly Muslim. And yet Europe is filled with millions of Muslims who have come here from all sorts of backgrounds and causations; just as Europe would still be filled with Jews, had it not been for the horrors of the Second World War.
Indeed, it is not only non-Christians that Europe must encounter, but Christians who do not fit into the categories of Catholic or Protestant. The resurgence of the Orthodox Church in Eastern Europe since the fall of the Iron Curtain has truly been a marvel for the world to behold. The segmentation of Eastern Europe has led to fragmentation in many places. Not only does the center not hold; it is hardly discernable. Through this process, as nation states strive to re-establish themselves, it is the Orthodox Christian faith that has risen, even above economic indicators, to a new status that could not have been predicted even twenty years ago.
One of the vital roles of our Ecumenical Patriarchate is to assist in the process of growth and expansion that is taking place in traditional Orthodox countries, by holding fast as the canonical norm for the worldwide Orthodox Church, over a quarter of a billion people around the globe. At this moment, we wish to inform you that in October, at our invitation, all the Heads of the Orthodox Patriarchates and Autocephalous Churches will meet in Istanbul, in order to discuss our common problems and to strengthen Pan-Orthodox unity and cooperation. Simultaneously, we will also concelebrate the two thousand years since the birth of the Apostle of the Nations Paul.
Currently in the City (Istanbul) we are experiencing great joy and enthusiasm as we are all preparing for its celebration as the European Capital of Culture in the year 2010. The City, which has a long history, was a crossroads for gatherings of people and served as a place of cohabitation of diverse religions and cultures. This past week, we attended a luncheon hosted by the Prime Minister of Turkey in honor of the Prime Minister of Spain. As it is public knowledge, both are co-sponsors of the Alliance of Civilizations under the auspices of the United Nations. We heard their wonderful speeches which were harmonious with the diachronic tolerant spirit of our City.
Your Excellencies, Honorable Members of the European Parliament: the Ecumenical Patriarchate stands ready to make vital contributions to the peace and prosperity of the European Union. We are prepared to partner with you in constructive dialogues such as this, and to lend willing ears to the concerns of the day. In this spirit, our Patriarchate for the past twenty-five years has been cultivating and developing academic dialogues with Islam and Judaism. We have realized many bilateral and tri-lateral meetings. In early November in Athens, we will have our twelfth stage dialogue with Islam.
Parallel to the aforementioned dialogues, we continue theological dialogues with the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Reformed Churches. In October, at the invitation of the Pope, we will have the opportunity to address the twelfth General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican.
In summary, the Ecumenical Patriarchate is very active in the sphere of ecumenical dialogue with the purpose of contributing to a better understanding of people, reconciliation, peace, solidarity, and for the estrangement from fanaticism, hatred, and all forms of evil.
We thank you for this singular opportunity to address you today, and we pray the abundant mercy of God and His blessing upon all your righteous endeavors. Please allow us from this honorable podium to offer our best wishes to the Muslim faithful around the globe for the upcoming Great Feast of Ramadan and also our best wishes to the Jewish faithful throughout the world for the upcoming Feast of Rosh Ha Shanah.
We are all brothers and sisters with one heavenly Father and on this beautiful planet, which we are all responsible for, there is room for everyone, but there is no room for wars and killing of one another.
We thank you once again for the great honor and privilege of addressing all of you here today.
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Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Addresses European Parliament
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"We are all brothers and sisters", Ecumenical Patriarch tells MEPs
24-09-2007 14:21
Addressing a formal sitting of the House as part of European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Orthodox Church, Bartholomew I, spoke of the value of the European project in promoting peace and tolerance, the importance of accepting minorities and the need for the EU to accept Turkey as a member. He also underlined his church's efforts to encourage respect for the environment.
Introducing the Ecumenical Patriarch, EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering stressed that "The European Union is a community based on values, the most fundamental of which is human dignity. In this respect religious freedom is central to human dignity". He linked this to the separation of church and state, as anchored in the Lisbon Treaty.
Mr Pöttering described the Patriarch as "a beacon to your followers in the Orthodox world" and pointed out that recent EU enlargements had brought in the Orthodox countries of Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania. He added "The late Pope John Paul II used the metaphor of Europe breathing again with its two lungs after the downfall of communism in Central and Eastern Europe. We could also use this metaphor to refer to the richness in the enlarged EU brought through the different perspectives of Western and Eastern Christianity".
Dialogue is "at the very root of what it means to be a human being"
In the opening part of his speech, the Patriarch told MEPs "our Ecumenical Patriarchate embraces a truly global apostolate that strives to raise and broaden the consciousness of the human family – to bring understanding that we are all dwelling in the same house." For twenty centuries the Patriarchate "has continued as a lighthouse for the human family and the Christian Church. It is from the depths of our experience upon these deep waters of history that we offer to the contemporary world a timeless message of perennial human value."
His core idea was that "Dialogue is necessary first and foremost because it is inherent in the nature of the human person". In other words, "intercultural dialogue is at the very root of what it means to be a human being, for no one culture of the human family encompasses every human person. Without such dialogue, the differences in the human family are reduced to objectifications of the “other” and lead to abuse, conflict, persecution – a grand scale human suicide, for we are all ultimately one humanity. But where the differences between us move us to encounter one another and where that encounter is based in dialogue, there is reciprocal understanding and appreciation – even love."
Importance of the European project
The Patriarch then stressed that "the significance of the 'European project' cannot be underestimated. It is one of the hallmarks of the European Union that it has succeeded in promoting mutual, peaceful and productive co-existence between nation states that less than seventy years ago were drenched in a bloody conflict that could have destroyed the legacy of Europe for the ages."
Only one ecosphere
There must be a more profound understanding of the interdependence of every single human person with every other single human person, continued the Patriarch, explaining "there is a way of understanding the universe in which we live as being shared by all", namely an "ecosphere that contains us all".
For this reason, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has long championed environmental causes. For example, it has "sponsored seven scientific symposia that bring together a host of disciplines". In 1995 it launched an ambitious program of "integrating current scientific knowledge about the oceans with the spiritual approach of the world's religions to water, particularly the world's oceans". The project has visited the Danube, the Adriatic, the Baltic, the Amazon, the Arctic, and is preparing to sail the Nile and the Mississippi next year.
Acceptance of minorities
Ecology could be seen not only as an important practical issue but as a metaphor for social issues, went on the Patriarch. "As an institution, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has lived as a relatively small ecosystem within a much larger culture for centuries. Out of this long experience, allow us to suggest the most important practical characteristic that enables the work of intercultural dialogue to succeed", namely "above all, there must be respect for the rights of the minority within every majority. When and where the rights of the minority are observed, the society will for the most part be just and tolerant". Indeed "only when we embrace the fullness of shared presence within the ecosphere of human existence, are we then able to face the “otherness” of those around us". This led him to the subject of Turkey.
Turkey: tolerance and understanding needed on both sides
To applause from the House, he explained "This is why Europe needs to bring Turkey into its project and why Turkey needs to foster intercultural dialogue and tolerance to be accepted into the European project. Europe should not see any religion that is tolerant of others as alien to itself. The great religions, like the European project, can be a force for transcending nationalism and can even transcend nihilism and fundamentalism by focusing their faithful on what unites us as human beings, and by fostering a dialogue about what divides us."
He pointed out that "From our country, Turkey, we perceive both a welcome to a new economic and trading partner, but we also feel the hesitation that comes from embracing, as an equal, a country that is predominantly Muslim. And yet Europe is filled with millions of Muslims who have come here from all sorts of backgrounds and causations; just as Europe would still be filled with Jews, had it not been for the horrors of the Second World War." Istanbul was looking forward to being European Capital of Culture in 2010, he added.
Peace and prosperity: Patriarchate ready to contribute
Lastly, Bartholomew I assured Parliament that "the Ecumenical Patriarchate stands ready to make vital contributions to the peace and prosperity of the European Union". By way of conclusion, he said: "We are all brothers and sisters with one heavenly Father and on this beautiful planet, which we are all responsible for, there is room for everyone."
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Archbishop Demetrios Receives Holy Relics of Saint Seraphim of Sarov
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Bishop Mercurius of Zaraisk, the head of the Representation of the Patriarchate of Moscow in the United States presented to Archbishop Demetrios the relics, sent directly from Moscow and by the express wish of Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia.
The bestowal of the Relics came as the culmination of a request from the St. Anthony’s Monastery in Florence, Ariz. The Russian Orthodox Patriarchate, observing the canonical order of the Church, transferred the Relics to the Archbishop, who will make provision for the bequest to the Monastery.
Bishop Mercurius and his staff, Fr. Alexander Abramov and Mrs. Yulia McGregor, were received by the Archbishop, Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, and the clergy and staff of the Archdiocese in the Archdiocesan Chapel of the Apostle Paul with a Doxology. In presenting the Relics to the Archbishop, Bishop Mercurius expressed the fervent desire of the Russian Orthodox Church that this bestowal be a token of fraternal love and a cooperative spirit. Archbishop Demetrios received the relics, venerating them and the Icon of St. Seraphim in which they are embedded. After the ceremony, Archbishop Demetrios again expressed his thanks to the Russian Orthodox Church and spoke of his own love for St. Seraphim of Sarov, noting the joy and welcome that the Saint had for all people.
Following the church service the Archbishop hosted a luncheon in honor of Bishop Mercurius and his staff in appreciation of all the work and cooperation they had offered on the official visit of the Archbishop to the Church of Moscow last May.
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"We must not exclude from the European family somebody who simply has a different belief from us," the Istanbul-based cleric told MEP's in the European parliament on Wednesday (24 September).
"Europe should not see any religion that is tolerant of others as alien to itself. The great religions, like the European project, can be a force that transcends nationalism and can even transcend nihilism and fundamentalism by focusing their faithful on what unites us as human beings, and by fostering a dialogue about what divides us," the white-bearded clergyman told MEPs.
"What I and the majority of the people of Turkey wish is full integration, full membership of the European Union, on condition that the criteria and preconditions that apply to all candidates are abided by," he later told journalists in Brussels.
Bartholomew I said, however, that Ankara needs to improve protection for religious minorities as part of wider human rights reforms.
He called in particular for Turkish authorities to allow the reopening of a Greek Orthodox seminary and return church property, describing a dispute at the heart of legal action currently before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Turkey's population of almost 75 million includes 65,000 Armenian Orthodox Christians, 23,000 Jews and approximately 2,500 Greek Orthodox Christians.
Ankara launched EU membership talks in October 2005 and has since opened six out of 35 negotiating chapters. Eight areas are blocked from further progress by member states due to Ankara's failure to meet its trading commitments to EU member Cyprus.The Orthodox cleric was invited to address MEPs in the context of the "European Year of Intercultural Dialogue" programme aiming at creating closer links between European cultures, languages, ethnic groups and religions.
MEPs boycott religious visits
Several Green, Liberal and Socialist MEPs refrained from listening to the Orthodox leader's address in a protest of what they see as the inappropriate intertwining of political and religious matters.Belgian Socialist MEP Veronique De Keyser in a press release said they were "sound[ing] the alarm for democracy and the separation of church and state."
The Belgian deputy warned that under the "mantle of the intercultural year" religions "have gone on the offensive" - something that violates the principle of separation of church and state on which the European parliament is based. She also warned that if people were not careful in upholding the division between politics and religion "The extreme right might take advantage."
Still no women in sight
"The real reason for these invitations of religious leaders is to, ultimately, bring the Pope to Brussels," Dutch Liberal MEP Sophie in 't Veld told EUobserver.
"That would, for many MEPs, be the ultimate achievement of their careers - as well as a photo opportunity never before seen," she explained, adding that she was getting "tired of the whole thing." Ms in 't Veld earlier this year raised her voice against the fact that neither women nor non-religious groups, such as organised humanists, were represented in the list of invitees.
Replying to the criticism, the parliament's president, Hans-Gert Poettering, then pointed out that the list of speakers was not final, and that "with goodwill," the EP would be able to produce "as balanced a list as possible." Only one woman speaker - Ms Asma Jahangir, a UN rapporteur on freedom of religion - has so far appeared in Brussels as part of the programme, despite the fact that various Christians around Europe are led in worship by female priests, pastors and bishops, and only after pressure from MEPs who demanded female representation.
"Curiously, on the day Ms Jahangir spoke, Mr Poettering had other things to do. It is a matter of courtesy, if she is invited to speak, he can at least show the courtesy of being present in plenary," Ms in 't Veld said.
"I am offended, as a politician and as a woman."
Guidelines for Election of Metropolitan and Prayers for 15th All-American Council now published online
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The memorandum included a copy of the “Guidelines for the Election of the Metropolitan of All America and Canada.” "These guidelines, approved by the Holy Synod of Bishops... provide a step-by-step description of the nomination and election procedure as currently outlined in the Statute," His Eminence writes.
The guidelines note that they "will remain in effect for the election of the Metropolitan at the 15th All-American Council, unless the proposed Statute amendment on the election of the Metropolitan is passed at the Council prior to the election."
Archbishop Dmitri added that "also attached are 'Prayers for the 15th All-American Council and Election of the New Metropolitan of All America and Canada.' These petitions have also been approved by the Holy Synod of Bishops and are to be included in the Litany of Fervent Supplication at all Divine Services, beginning immediately."
The "Guidelines" and "Prayers" are as follows.
Guidelines for the Election of the Metropolitan of All-America and Canada at the 15th All-American Council in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 12, 2008
Introduction
These guidelines have been compiled to prepare for the nomination and election of the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America. The Holy Synod of Bishops has approved these guidelines in order to ensure the orderly nomination and election of the Metropolitan of All-America and Canada at the 15th All-American Council that will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This election will select the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America to succeed His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN, whose voluntary retirement, effective on September 4, 2008, was accepted and announced to the Church by the Holy Synod. The following is a practical description, step by step, of the procedure defined in the Statute of the Orthodox Church in America - Article IV, Sections 3 and 4.
Election of the Metropolitan of All America and Canada
Whereas canonically and juridically His Beatitude Metropolitan HERMAN has retired and the vacancy of the office was officially declared by the Holy Synod (Statute - Article IV, Section 3); and
Whereas the Holy Synod at its session on September 4, 2008 has already accepted such retirement and declared it to be effective on September 4, 2008; and
Whereas, following the retirement of His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN the Holy Synod has met and declared formally the office of Metropolitan of All-America and Canada vacant, and elected a Locum Tenens in the person of Archbishop DIMITRI to preside at the election of the new Primate; and
Whereas, the Holy Synod resolved that the election of the Metropolitan of All-America and Canada will take place on November 12, 2008, during the 15th All-American Council; and
In addition, whereas this election is to take place at a regular and not extraordinary All-American Council, the Holy Synod of Bishops has resolved that the following procedure is to be observed:
I. Opening of the All-American Council
1. On Monday, November 10, 2008, after the delegates have assembled for its first plenary session in the All-American Council Chapel, following the opening Service of Prayer, His Eminence, Archbishop DIMITRI, shall formally declare the 15th All-American Council in session.
2. Thereupon, the Council shall proceed with customary business of organizing itself in compliance with Article III of the Statute. It shall hear and act upon the report of the Preconciliar Commission, elect its vice-chairmen, the Council Secretariat, Tellers and members of its other committees, and shall hear the report of the Credentials Committee.
3. The All-American Council will conduct the business of the agenda through the fourth plenary session.
4. When the fifth plenary session opens, the Locum Tenens shall announce the appointment, with the concurrence of the Holy Synod, of one of the Vice-Chairmen to direct the 15th All-American Council in the procedure established for the nomination and the election of the new Metropolitan. For the record, the Secretary of the Holy Synod shall read the Holy Synod’s decision accepting Metropolitan HERMAN’s retirement and the Holy Synod’s resolution formally declaring the see of the Metropolitan vacant and electing a Locum Tenens. The Locum Tenens shall direct the Council to adopt as the next item on its agenda the election of the new Metropolitan. The Council shall immediately proceed with the election as prescribed in the OCA Statute - Article IV, Section 4.
II. Election Procedure
1. The election shall begin with the Council singing the prayer, "The Grace of the Holy Spirit…"
2. The section of the OCA Statute defining the election procedure shall be read along with any additional guidelines from the Holy Synod. Questions from delegates regarding the voting procedure shall be answered.
3. Upon receiving the blessing of the Locum Tenens, the chairman of the session shall ask the chairman of the Credentials Committee to give a report on the number of delegates registered and present at this session. Based on the number of registered delegates (hierarchs, clergy and laity) in attendance at this session, the two-thirds majority required by the OCA Statute to nominate a candidate on the first vote (OCA Statute - Article IV, Section 4b) shall be established and posted. The doors of the Chapel shall be kept closed and no one will be allowed to leave or enter during the balloting process.
4. The chairman of the session shall ask all persons who are not accredited delegates but have been accredited as observers to the 13th All-American Council to remain in the specially designated area reserved for accredited observers. Only accredited delegates and accredited observers will be allowed to remain in the Chapel. All others will be asked to depart from the Chapel.
5. The chairman of the session shall then order the tellers elected at the first plenary session to receive from the Secretary and to distribute to all delegates (hierarchs, clergy and laity) of the Council, one per delegate, the ballots prepared and certified by the Secretary.
6. "On the first vote, one single name may be written on each ballot." (OCA Statute - Article IV, Section 4b). Therefore, any ballot with more than one name or with anything else written on it except the name of one candidate shall be considered invalid.
7. When voting, the delegates of the Council must remember that, in the words of OCA Statute - Article IV, Section 4,
"If not already a bishop, a candidate for the office of Metropolitan must fulfill the canonical, moral, and educational requirements stated in Article VI, Section 9:
a. The candidate for the office of diocesan bishop must satisfy all the requirements of the Holy Canons pertaining to this highest of all ecclesiastical offices. In addition, it is preferable that he has completed a course of study in a Graduate School of Orthodox Theology and that he be conversant in the English language.
b. If he is not already a bishop, he can be nominated only from among the monastic or celibate clergy or laymen;
c. If at the moment of his nomination he is a layman or a celibate or widowed priest, he shall pronounce at least the first monastic vows (rasophoria) before his election and consecration as a bishop.
8. Upon completion of the vote, the tellers shall collect the ballots and place them in a box, which shall be sealed by the chairman of the session and handed over to the chairman of the tellers appointed to count the votes.
9. The tellers shall then proceed to a specially prepared place where the counting of ballots shall then take place. They shall not leave the counting place, nor shall anyone who is not a teller be at the counting place, until the tabulation is completed and the results are transcribed on a report signed by all tellers. If a candidate has received a number of votes equal to or greater than two-thirds of the total number of votes, this shall also be registered on the report presented by the tellers. No teller shall give any information about the results of the voting until the chairman of tellers is ordered to present the official report to the Council.
10. During the counting and tabulation of ballots, the Council shall sing appropriate hymns from a booklet prepared for the occasion.
11. Immediately after the tabulation is completed and the report is signed, the chairman of tellers shall place the ballots in the box, seal it, and deliver it to the Secretary of the Council after presenting his report to the Council. The box shall be in the custody of the Secretary of the Council until the election is completed, at which time the Secretary in the presence of the members of the Secretariat shall destroy the ballots.
12. Upon being officially informed by the chairman of tellers that the tabulation has been completed, the chairman of the session shall order the chairman of tellers to proceed to the podium and to present his report to the Council. This report shall contain the names of the candidates with the number of votes received by each of them, presented in order of pluralities, greater to lesser.
13. If the report has clearly established that a candidate has received the two-thirds or more of the votes required by the Statute, the chairman of the session shall make the following declaration:
This All-American Council, acting in full compliance with the Statute of the Orthodox Church in America has nominated (name and title) for the office of Metropolitan of All America and Canada and now prayerfully submits this candidacy to the Holy Synod for canonical approval and action.
14. Immediately after this declaration, the members of the Holy Synod, with the Locum Tenens acting as Chairman, proceed into the sanctuary where they elect the Metropolitan by secret ballot, the votes being counted by the Chairman. Although all hierarchs of the Orthodox Church in America proceed into the sanctuary, only diocesan bishops are voting members of the Holy Synod (OCA Statute - Article II, Section 2). Therefore, auxiliary and retired hierarchs do not participate in the vote by the Holy Synod to elect the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America. If the single nominee submitted for canonical election to the Holy Synod, based on a two-thirds majority of the first vote of the Council, is a voting member of the Holy Synod, he shall not participate in the election by the Holy Synod.
15. If the nominee who has received two-thirds majority or greater is not elected by the Holy Synod, the Holy Synod shall formally state the reasons that motivated the rejection (OCA Statute - Article IV, Section 4, b).
16. If no nominee has received the required two-thirds of the ballots of the first vote by the Council, the chairman of the session shall make the following declaration:
Since no candidate has received the number of ballots required for nomination to the Office of Metropolitan of All-America and Canada, this All-American Council, in compliance with the Statute of the Orthodox Church in America, shall proceed with the second vote.
17. If there is a second vote, the results of the first vote have no effect on the procedure of the second vote.
18. The procedure of the second vote shall be the same as described in numbers 4 through 12 with the following difference:
"Two names shall be written on each ballot; the tellers shall not count any ballot on which fewer or more than two names are written." (OCA Statute - Article IV, Sec. 4d)
19. After the results of the second vote have been officially announced and the report of the tellers has been accepted, the Chairman of the session shall make the following declaration:
This All-American Council, acting in full compliance with the Statute of the Orthodox Church in America, prayerfully submits the names of (name and title) and (name and title) to the Holy Synod for approval, canonical election, and appointment of him whom God has chosen to be the Metropolitan of All-America and Canada.
20. Immediately after this declaration and while the Council sings "O Heavenly King…" and "The Grace of the Holy Spirit has assembled us today..." and other appropriate prayers, the members of the Holy Synod, with the Locum Tenens, proceed into the sanctuary where they elect the Metropolitan by secret ballot, the votes being counted by the Locum Tenens. Although all hierarchs of the Orthodox Church in America proceed into the sanctuary, only diocesan bishops are voting members of the Holy Synod (OCA Statute - Article II, Section 2). Therefore, auxiliary and retired hierarchs do not participate in the vote by the Holy Synod to elect the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America. If one or both of the nominees submitted for canonical election to the Holy Synod, based on the results of the second vote of the Council, are voting members of the Holy Synod, they shall not participate in the election by the Holy Synod.
21. The name of the newly elected Metropolitan is then written into a specially prepared Act to which all members of the Holy Synod affix their signatures and which is sealed with the Seal of the Church.
22. Upon the signing of the Act of Election, the Locum Tenens (or another hierarch designated by the Holy Synod) opens the Royal Doors and, with all participants of the All-American Council standing, he reads the Act:
In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Trinity one in essence and undivided. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to this Sacred Council of the Holy Orthodox Church in America to elect, on this 12th day of November, two thousand and eight, to the office of the Metropolitan of All-America and Canada (name and title). Axios!
23. To this announcement, the Council shall respond by singing three times: “Axios,” and if the newly elect is a bishop: "Ton despotin kai archierea imon…"
Note: If the Metropolitan-elect is not a bishop, the procedure comes to an end at this point. All necessary steps are then taken by the Holy Synod to consecrate him to the episcopacy and to enthrone him as Metropolitan.
24. If the Metropolitan-elect is already a bishop, he stands in the sanctuary while all other hierarchs of the Orthodox Church in America vested in their mantiyas stand on the solia. The senior hierarch, vested in his mantiya and omophorion, shall stand in front of the Royal Doors and conduct the following service:
Archdeacon: Bless, Most Blessed Master.
Senior Hierarch: Glory to the Holy Consubstantial…
Council: Amen. O Heavenly King…
Archdeacon: - In peace let us pray to the Lord
- For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord
- For the peace of the whole world and the welfare of the holy churches of God…
- For our newly elected Metropolitan, His Beatitude (name)…
- That our God who loveth mankind will grant him to exercise his holy office without stain or blame, let us pray to the Lord
- That He will deliver us from all tribulation, wrath, danger or necessity, let us pray to the Lord
- Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace
Council: Lord have mercy. (after each petition)
Archdeacon: Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other and all our life, unto Christ our God
Council: To Thee, O Lord.
Senior Hierarch: For unto Thee are due…
Council: Amen
Archdeacon: God is the Lord… (tone 8 with verses)
Council: God is the Lord… (four times in response to verses)
The troparion of Pentecost Glory…Now and Ever…
The troparion to All Saints of North America
Archdeacon: Again and again, on bended knees let us pray to the Lord.
Council: Lord have mercy (3)
Senior Hierarch: O Lord our God who hast chosen Thy servant Metropolitan (name) to be the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, make him to be an imitator of Thee, the true Shepherd, Who didst lay down Thy life for Thy sheep; to be a leader of the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a reprover of the unwise, a teacher of the young, a lamp to the world. That, having perfected the Church entrusted to him, he may stand unashamed before Thy throne, and receive the great reward which Thou hast prepared for those who have contended valiantly for the preaching of Thy Gospel. For Thine it is to show mercy, and to save us, O our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Council: Amen
Archdeacon: Have mercy upon us… (litany)
Council: Lord have mercy (three times in response to each petition)
Senior Hierarch: Hear us, O God…
Council: Amen
Then the two hierarchs, next in seniority, shall enter the sanctuary and lead the Metropolitan-elect through the Royal Doors to the cathedra in the center of the Chapel.
Then the two hierarchs, next in seniority, shall present the second panagia, saying: Axios!
Council: Axios (three times)
The two hierarchs, next by seniority shall vest the Metropolitan in the blue mantiya, saying: Axios!
Council: Axios (three times)
The next two hierarchs by seniority shall present the white klobuk, saying: Axios!
Council: Axios (three times)
The Senior Hierarch shall present the staff, saying: Axios! (and may address brief remarks to the new Metropolitan)
Council: Axios (three times)
Archdeacon: Wisdom
Senior Hierarch: Most Holy Theotokos save us.
Council: More honorable than the cherubim…
Senior Hierarch: Glory to Thee…
Council: Glory …now and ever… Lord have mercy (3)... Most Blessed Master bless.
Senior Hierarch: dismissal
Council: Amen. Eis polla eti despota.
Archdeacon: Diptychs of all Primates (except the newly-elected OCA Primate)
Council: repeats each petition of the diptychs
Archdeacon: To the Most Blessed (name), Archbishop of Washington and New York, Metropolitan of All-America and Canada, Many years!
Council: To the Most Blessed (name), Archbishop of Washington and New York, Metropolitan of All-America and Canada, Many years!
25. Following the conclusion of the service, the newly elected Metropolitan may deliver brief remarks. All hierarchs, in turn, then approach him to offer congratulations, followed by all delegates and participants of the 15th All American Council.
26. The 15th All-American Council reconvenes in regular session on Wednesday afternoon, November 12, 2008.
27. The Enthronement of the new Metropolitan of All-America and Canada will take place at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, Washington, DC, on a date to be announced.
These guidelines will remain in effect for the election of the Metropolitan at the 15th All-American Council, unless the proposed Statute amendment on the election of the Metropolitan is passed at the Council prior to the election.
Prayers for the 15th All-American Council and Election of the New Metropolitan of All American and Canada
to be inserted in the Litany of Fervent Supplication
Furthermore we pray that the Lord our Almighty and Eternal God, the Source of all wisdom and understanding, will be present with us as we prepare to gather in Council; and that in our striving to serve and glorify Him He will enlighten us with right judgment and godly purpose to His glory and the building up of His Holy Church.
Again we pray that the Lord our God, the Giver of every good gift, will look with favor upon His Church and bless and guide the minds and hearts of His people being gathered by the grace of the Holy Spirit; and that He will increase in us holy conversation, vigilance, fervent prayer, and trust in Him, guiding our plans and deliberations with faith and knowledge of His will for us.
Furthermore we pray that the Lord our God, Who raises up servants in every time and in every place as leaders for His people, will send His Holy Spirit upon us and so guide our minds and hearts that, inspired by His gifts of discernment and understanding, we may know and do His will as we prepare to elect a new Metropolitan.
Again we pray that the Lord our God, in His mercy and providential care for us, will call forth for His flock a true shepherd of wisdom and strength, blessing us with a Metropolitan to care for the well-being of our Church, and to unite His faithful people in a zealous confession of the Orthodox faith, in loving service to one another, and a bright witness to the glory of His Holy Name.
1800 children in Kosovo participated in the camps of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania
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The collaboration among the Albanian and Kosovar youth that came to Albania during 1999 has continued with a special tradition over these years. Through these camps, which have an educative and entertaining nature for the children, a close collaboration with an exchange of experiences and a deepening of friendships is attained, which started during the period of war and continues to grow every year.
At the end of August and beginning of September the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania organized camps with the participation of 1800 children in the community of Malisheva, Kosovo. For seven years now the Imer Krasniqi and Ilmi Hoti’s schools in Caralluke, Naim Frasheri’schools in Banja and Begaj and Ibrahim Mazreku’s school in Malisheva hosted a group of 24 young volunteers from the Orthodox Church.
“We have collaborated with the conviction that these activities are fruitful ones and of great value for the students which I also saw myself in Caralluke where all the children were satisfied and happy for the work done there. It was a pleasant surprise for all of us” – said Isuf Morina, the director of the Education in the Commune of Malisheva. The activities help in the development and in the mentality of the children. They learn good behavior, self-discipline, and other lessons which they practice during the school year.
At the end of August and beginning of September the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania organized camps with the participation of 1800 children in the community of Malisheva, Kosovo. For seven years now the Imer Krasniqi and Ilmi Hoti’s schools in Caralluke, Naim Frasheri’schools in Banja and Begaj and Ibrahim Mazreku’s school in Malisheva hosted a group of 24 young volunteers from the Orthodox Church.
“We have collaborated with the conviction that these activities are fruitful ones and of great value for the students which I also saw myself in Caralluke where all the children were satisfied and happy for the work done there. It was a pleasant surprise for all of us” – said Isuf Morina, the director of the Education in the Commune of Malisheva. The activities help in the development and in the mentality of the children. They learn good behavior, self-discipline, and other lessons which they practice during the school year.
Bedri Krasniqi has been one of the first collaborators with the staff of the orthodox youth since the first camp and he says that this friendship has been completely sincere. “After the war we have been in frequent contact, since the Church in addition to activities has helped us with the school library to provide a better environment also equipping us with new books published by publishing houses there, multiple copies and also books for the youth in Malisheva” - emphasizes the teacher of the village of Caralluka.
Bedriu remembers that all the people, traumatized by the war of 1999, needed relaxation and the goal was the entertainment of the children through wonderful games so that they may forget the pain of the war. “The activities have brought relaxation; they have helped me as a teacher to organize the lesson in a better and more effective way.
Some of the teaching elements that the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania has helped us are: contemporary working methods with children and the work in groups as well. Having adopted the Bologna system we needed to do the teaching work in groups and this work in our school started before this reformed due to the Church. We, the staff of the Caralluka’s school had it easier to work with students with this method.
The camp program this year included games in small groups, songs with movements, discussion sessions about different aspects of freedom, which was also the theme of the camp. Through this theme were emphasized more three aspects of freedom: respect, self-control and responsibility. The leader and the initiator of this activity that now has become traditional is Mr. Nathan Hoppe that said in front of the students in Kosovo that: “Freedom is one of the most valued values in life, the gift that God has given to each one of us. Often in history, freedom has been seen only as a concept linked with the politics rather than the everyday life.
We hope that with these values you will enjoy a life in personal freedom and that Kosovo will go ahead and will have a truly free society where every person will enjoy his freedom. He also reminded the campers to be grateful to the staff which volunteered their time to work with them and the donators that have supported the activity especially Archbishop Anastasios who has always encouraged and supported these activities. ”The program contained also games in large group, art and craft project, snack, Olympic Games and a festival at the end of the camp. A dinner was offered in honor of the teachers of these schools.
The director of one of these schools, Mr. Mifail Krasniqi said: “The children more than anybody else need more activities; they play and enjoy, be entertained and learn. They really need such activities. This is a fruitful collaboration from which we are really pleased. Both the teachers and parents are happy to see the joy that their children experience.”
Edona, one of the children in Malisheva, said that she had learned a lot about freedom and that she wants to participate in the next camps.
“The staff of the orthodox youth brings new ideas, relaxation and entertainment but above all they have raised in our hearts the desire to become people of the future” – ends Bedri Krasniqi.
Inspired by this activity, other schools have requested that in the future their schools may be included as well. The staff of the camp also visited the monastery of Decani in Kosovo during the time they were there.
Translated and edited by Gabriela Hoppe
Source:
“No life is more beautiful than the life with Christ!” Girls’ Camp 2008
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The Albanian Orthodox Church
This meaningful phrase was the theme of the 2008 “Good Shepherd” Girls’ Camp organized at the Monastery of Saint John Vladimir in Elbasan.
The girls’ summer activities were again highly successful and exuberant this year. Nearly 260 girls came from different regions of Albania to attend three separate, 10 day camps and live together, like one big family, on the grounds of the Monastery of Saint John Vladimir. The camp sessions were organized into three age groups with a full program of creative, educational and recreational activities prepared exclusively for them.
Each day was special. It began with prayers, and included time for meditation, learning and singing Christian songs, the planned activities of the day, and ended again with prayer. Every day the program was filled with new and different activities: a poetry contest; or each girl sharing the story of why she came to camp, her expectations and knowledge and experience of life in Christ.
The time from July 1st to August 4th was important to the girls because they had an opportunity to come to know the beauty of our Orthodox Faith.
All the participants used the books: “The Church Grows,” and “The Liturgical Year” for their Bible studies. Special importance was given to the Feasts of the Lord, such as Christmas, Epiphany, and Pascha. Many different speakers came to the camps: Metropolitans, Bishops, clergymen and theologians of our church and spoke on the theme of the camp.
The Church services were a special part of the program and the girls became acquainted with most of the services celebrated in the Orthodox Church.
During the three camp sessions, 40 young girls became members of the Church of Christ through the sacrament of Baptism. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated each week and many girls were able to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. Father Jani Trebicka and Archimandrite Justin offered the sacrament of Repentance Confession each week for the spiritual benefit of the girls.
There were many special occasions during the camps. They visited Berat and Korca for the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Enthronements of our beloved Metropolitans Ignati and John which gave a different texture and importance to life in camps.
Archdeacon Asti delivered an educational and inspiring power point presentation on the life and resurrection of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania during the second camp session and His Grace Andoni, the Bishop of Kruja and Assistant to His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios, offered the presentation in the third session.
A third presentation on the academic life and activities of the students studying in the Resurrection of Christ Theological Academy, in Saint Vlash acted as an appeal to all the participants to acquire a deeper knowledge of Christ through studying at the Academy. These presentations offered unique impressions.
Part of the program of the camp was dedicated to learning practical aspects of our faith: learning the hymns of the Church, traditional dances; performing sketches, and making crafts like crosses from beads. There was also a free Dental Clinic where each girl had an opportunity to visit and speak with the dentist.
The life at the Girls’ camp becomes more beautiful each year. All the offerings and efforts are done for one purpose – in order to become members of the Church wherever we might be, proclaiming Christ with words and deeds. For it is only in this way that will we are able to understand that, “No life is more beautiful than the life with Christ.”
This year was also the 10th Anniversary of the spiritual journey of the Saint John Vladimir Monastery as a camp, which began in 1998. All the efforts are a blessing from God through the spiritual and financial care of His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios who refers to this camp as “the summer university,” emphasizing its importance.
The “university” is over for this summer. With joy and tears the girls parted from the social circles they established during their time together. Wishing, hoping and praying that each of them understood the theme and the purpose of this camp, let us not forget that each day is a gift of God to us personally. We should spend each day given to us with exuberance and effort, because days pass and never return and God speaks to us in many ways throughout the day.
Let us continually pray that we always be ready to hear His voice!
Translated by Joan Baba
Edited by Anastasia Pamela Barksdale
Source:
A Successful End to Boys Summer Camps in our Church all over Albania
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The Albanian Orthodox Church
This summer was especially important as it marked the 10th year of activities at the monastery in Zvernec, and as if to join in on the festivities a number of old inhabitants – the pelicans and cranes – returned to this beautiful and rare ecosystem in the lagoon that surrounds the monastery island. Once again we must remember that all these wonderful years at camp would not have been possible had it not been for the care and support of Archbishop Anastasios, to whom we owe much gratitude.
As usual the three sessions of camp at this monastery were divided according to age groups. This year with the theme “There is Hope,” each group gathered together for a week and a half to hear about Christ and His Church, join in prayers, and to enjoy fellowship and games with other Orthodox Christians from all over Albania. The first camp held in the beginning of July for ages 11-14 was attended by 150 children. One special day was when they attended a Divine Liturgy to celebrate the anniversary of Archbishop Anastasios being chosen by the Ecumenical Patriarch as Archbishop of Tirana.
Another special part of the program was a documentary dubbed into Albanian about the lives of the Saints, which helped all the boys to become better acquainted with these holy lives. At the end of camp 30 boys made the decision to join themselves to Christ and walk on the road of salvation, through receiving Holy Baptism.
The second session of camp in Zvernec was attended by high school students and directed by the teaching staff of the Theological Academy. The program was filled from morning to evening with activities: morning prayers, catechism, group discussions, excursions to the nearby beaches of the Ionian Sea, sports championships, and the creating of a camp radio station. This camp was crowned with the baptism of 14 catechumens, adding to the list of those made members of the Church of Christ at this monastery.
About 100 boys participated in the third camp session. Here the brothers in Christ were helped to know God better by the many spiritual discussions. Also they were given the chance to take Confession from Fr. Justin who joined the boys, working tirelessly to be near them and give them priceless advice. Another special event at this camp was an excursion to St. Theodor Monastery in the beautiful mountain village of Dhermi near the coast of the Ionian Sea where they held a Paraklesis Service.
On the last night of camp prizes were given out for the sports and music competitions and the boys left with faith and hope in God, looking forward to their return next year.
The youth camp at the St. John the Forerunner Monastery was held once again this year with the blessing of His Grace Joan, Metropolitan of Korca. This camp is funded by the National Youth Office of the Church and contributes considerably to the spiritual needs of the youth in this diocese.
Meanwhile in Saranda, with the blessing of His Grace Dhimitri, Metropolitan of Gjirokaster, a camp was held at the St. George Monastery. This was the fourth year of this camp and was directed by catechists, workers from the Youth Office, and students from the Theological Academy. This camp was a special time for a number of children who live in distant and isolated areas of the diocese.
The purpose of all of the camps is to create an environment where the boys could learn and spiritually cultivate the lessons of the Gospel. Furthermore, it gives them a chance to try to live according to God’s will in a Christian brotherhood, through spiritual, cultural, and recreational activities. Camp experiences help our young men to offer a different voice in their various communities through their Christian behavior and sharing of hope and comfort to those around them. In this way the Orthodox Church of Albania is able to affect the Albanian society, by helping the youth to know the true faith and be healthy parts of the society.
Isidor Koti
Translated and edited by Georgia Bendo
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Message on the occasion of the Ramadan by His Beatitude Theodoros II
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"On the occasion of the Great Feast of the Ramadan, I wish to express my heartfelt wishes to the Muslims of the blessed and development loving country of Egypt, as well as Muslims around the world.
Also, my fervent personal wishes are sent to His Excellency the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr Muhammad Hosni Mubarak and his noble wife Mrs Susan Mubarak, and to the Great Sheik of Al-Azhar, Dr. M. S. Tantawi.
I also especially wish "many years" to the Honourable Governor of Alexandria, Mr Adel Labib.
May the God of love, peace and justice continue to cover and protect the hospitable people of Egypt, so that the peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians may be a lightened example for all people."Many years!"
THEODOROS II
Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa
In the Great City of Alexandria
29 September 2008
International Broadcast of Blessing of the Holy Muron
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The blessing of the Holy Muron, which traditionally occurs once every seven years, will take place in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varag, September 28, 2008 starting at 18:00. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, will preside and personally offer the service. He will be assisted by twelve archbishops of the Armenian Church from dioceses throughout the world.
For the first time, Armenian communities throughout the world will be able to view this special service live, from the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin on Sunday evening, September 28, on Armenian Public Television available through satellite providers. Please check with local providers for times and dates of the live broadcast in your community. The time-zone for Armenia is GMT 4.
On 20 September, the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Armenian Pontiff Vasken I of blessed memory, Kirov Street in the town of Vagharshapat was renamed after His Holiness Vasken I. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during the ceremonies.Before the unveiling of a memorial stone Mr. Gagik Avagian, Mayor of Vagharshapat, congratulated the residents of the town on the occasion of the renaming.
"The spiritual heritage of Etchmiadzin is immeasurable, and for my generation it was enriched with one more legacy, the tomb of Vasken I. History will reflect on Vasken I for a long time, but we as municipal authorities are grateful to keep and cherish the street that carries the name of a great Armenian, great churchman and great patriot," stated the Mayor in his speech.
At the conclusion of his speech, the memorial stone was unveiled by His Holiness and Mayor Avagian, designating the street in the name of His Holiness Vasken I. His Holiness presided over a ceremony of blessing the newly named street, and delivered his pontifical message to the participants of the ceremony. The Catholicos congratulated the authorities of Vagharshapat on the occasion, and emphasized the important role of Vasken I in the reinforcement of the Church and the homeland.
"Indeed, there is great joy not only in the in town of Etchmiadzin but also in the souls of all Armenians. In the heavens, 131 Pontiffs of the Armenian Church look at us and bless us for honoring the activities and labors of our beloved Catholicos. Vasken I was one of the Armenian Pontiffs who reigned during the hard and difficult times of the Soviet Union. During those years of state-sponsored atheism he defended our national rights with wisdom and strengthened and enlivened our Church. His attention was especially focused on the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, so that the children of our nation could continue to live and develop their homeland with pride. His Holiness was able to transmit to our children his patriotic and god-loving spirit for the benefit of the Armenian nation, sustaining their life in the Motherland and instilling a love for the homeland. Teaching them that despite all forms of suppression and persecution, to love the Church and keep the closed doors open, making their prayers eternal under the arches of the Church" stated the Catholicos.
His Holiness also delivered his blessings to the participants of the ceremony asking that the blessings of Holy Etchmiadzin sustain them, and inspire and encourage the residents of Etchmiadzin, filling their souls with zeal and honor in order to keep and guard the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The ceremony ended with a closing prayer.
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100th Anniversary of the Birth of His Holiness Vasken I of blessed memory
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On 20 September, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians presided during the celebration of a special Divine Liturgy in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Armenian Pontiff Vasken I of blessed memory.
The celebrant was His Eminence Archbishop Yeznik Petrosian of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin. In his sermon, His Eminence reflected on the exceptional role of His Holiness Vasken I in the life of the
"I am happy to be the scion of a pontiff like His Holiness Vasken I. I am certain that he is looking down at us from heaven, and is joyful – not because we are gathered here and honor his memory; not because the Armenian Church and the authorities of the Republic of Armenia honor him by naming schools after him; not because celebrations are held in Armenia and the Diaspora; rather his soul rejoices because he sees that today, the Armenian Church steadfastly follows the direction he had charted for us," stressed Archbishop Yeznik in his sermon. His Eminence also asked the faithful to express their appreciation to God for giving the Armenian people a Catholicos like His Holiness Vasken I of blessed memory.
After the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Karekin II presided over a Repose of Souls service offered at the tomb of His Holiness Vasken I, in the courtyard of the Mother Cathedral.
His Holiness Vasken I
His Holiness Vasken I (Baljian) was born in
In 1955, Bishop Vasken Baljian was elected as Catholicos of All Armenians in Holy Etchmiadzin by the National Ecclesiastical Assembly. He was one of the youngest members of the church hierarchy to ascend to the Throne of the Illuminator.
During his nearly 40-year reign as the Armenian Pontiff, he lived through many historic events and developments of Armenian life. He led the Church through the difficult years of the Cold War between the West and the Soviet Union, through Détente, through the easing of tensions and restrictions in the U.S.S.R., through the terrible earthquake that devastated Northern Armenia in 1988, through the liberation struggle for the Armenians of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh) and the independence movement for Armenia, and through the difficult war years between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Finally, at the very end of his life, Vasken I saw a free and independent Armenian homeland and a liberated Artsakh, fulfilling the dreams of all Armenians for more than 600 years.
He was a prolific writer, having published numerous scholarly and ecclesiastical articles, and valued Christian education as one of the most important tasks of the Church. Following independence, he began a substantial church re-building program and saved numerous historic ancient churches and monasteries. He also was successful in saving countless church treasures and managed to gather priceless relics and manuscripts in Holy Etchmiadzin for safekeeping. He traveled extensively, conducting more than 30 pontifical visits during his 39-year reign. He became the first Catholicos of All Armenians to ever visit North and
Vasken I also intensified ecumenical ties and emphasized the development and maintenance of positive inter-Church and inter-faith relations. He visited the heads of many sister Churches and leaders of other faiths, and in turn, received them in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Vasken I entered his eternal rest on
HIS HOLINESS
“The Church is not only an institution, a hierarchy, or a body of dogma and rites. While the former are the Church’s means of expressing itself, in its true identity the Church is service. The founder of the Church, Jesus Christ himself became the servant of humanity. In the words of the Gospel, He came to the world not to be served, but to serve. Therefore, the source of the church’s strength and authority is service. Today more than ever the Church should serve the multiple needs of humanity in the example of Jesus Christ,” said His Holiness in his welcoming address to the representatives of the Focolare Movement.
His Holiness also responded to a number of questions on the presence and witness of Christianity in the
The Focolare Movement is one of the important movements of the Catholic Church. The movement’s representatives and its supporters organize annual conferences around the world. This year, the movement’s conference was held in
The Cardinal spoke at the start and the end of the meeting. He expressed his joy at His Holiness’ thorough knowledge of the Focolare Movement and its late President Ms. Chiara Lubich. The Cardinal also expressed his deep appreciation for His Holiness’ great contribution to the ecumenical movement and the advancement of cooperation between churches.
Russian Church calls on CE to avoid "political corruption" at Caucasus Discussion
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Moscow, September 26, Interfax - The Moscow Patriarchate hopes that at the upcoming discussion of the events in South Ossetia by the Council of Europe will refrain from "bloc thinking" and stay committed to protecting human rights.
"What else would be logical to expect in this situation from the Council of Europe? First of all, an honest, principled approach to the problem, which would involve the discussion of all decisions that have already been made on unilateral recognition of the independence of the new nations in Europe," Russian Church representative in Strasbourg Hegumen Philaret (Bulekov) wrote in an article published in the Vedomosti newspaper on Friday.
In that case "all such decisions would either have to be questioned or, if all of them are recognized, the most important thing will have to be addressed, that is setting the common rules of game" which would apply to all Europeans, he said.
At the same time, some of the recent statements by its representatives have shown that the Council of Europe is ready to "give up its own values and yield to the temptation of swaying towards bloc thinking, [to start] looking for and siding with the strongest one and make the human rights rhetoric serve for one of the parties," he said.
"The Georgian-Russian conflict [...] has presented the Council of Europe with a serious choice: to show to the world yet another example of political corruption or to follow its mandate and vocation by acting as a humanitarian arbiter, who is not so much concerned with the circumstances of what happened as with the long-term implications of this international and inter-human conflict," the Moscow Patriarchate's representative said.
Source:
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=5199
Patriarch-Pope talks possible after rifts overcome - Moscow Patriarchate
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Moscow, September 24, Interfax - The Moscow Patriarchate has again said that it is not rejecting talks between Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia and Pope Benedict XVI, but noted problems dividing the two Churches must be settled first. "If we forge joint decisions that will help resolve the problems dividing the two Churches, it will not be difficult to find a time and venue for such talks. Many plans have been proposed, and all of them will be assessed, of course," Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, the vice-chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, told Interfax-Religion. What is most important is that talks between the Patriarch and the Pope "should not be merely a protocol event or an appealing picture to fill the TV screen, but help relieve believers' pain and concerns, felt in many places," he said.
"This is so in places where the Greek-Catholic Church is artificially expanding its influence, and where attempts are made to convert into Catholicism the Orthodox by Christening and family tradition," Fr. Vsevolod said.
When these problems are solved, new prospects will open for cooperation, he said. Earlier reports quoted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko as saying in an interview with Western mass media, that he would like the Russian Patriarch and the Roman Pope to meet in
Source:
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=5194
The Dialogue of Civilizations forum in Greece to have over 400 Participants
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The main topic for discussion is as follows: "The dialogue community as a model of contemporary development." In one way or another, this subject will come up in the reports presented by participants in the discussions within the framework of nine panels and roundtables of the Forum: religious, political, economics, legal, education and migration.
"In view of certain recent events this year's Rhodes Forum is destined to become the first major public platform in the international calendar that is opening up in conditions of an onset of a sharp global cooling. It is clear that here we are not talking about the weather: the world climate is, as many claim, on the contrary, in the stage of warming. And the potential of dialogue and cooperation among countries, cultures and civilizations these days is passing through a severe stamina test", the organizers of the Forum note.
By their opinion, the recent events in the Caucasus, the renewed activation of Muslim extremism, including the terrorist acts in Turkey and Pakistan, "shall also be a stamina test for the dialogue of civilizations, while for the organizers and main participants in the dialogue this is seen as a test of their loyalty and faithfulness to their convictions and philosophical principles".
There will be presentations of new books, including the book by the WPF President Vladimir Yakunin Dialogue of Civilizations in the contemporary epoch in Rhodes. The organizers of the Forum have devoted particular attention to the presentation of a special Russian language publication by the influential Italian Catholic journal 30 Giorni, the editor-in-chief of which is ex-premier of Italy Julio Andreotti.
It is expected that at the Forum most interesting presentations will be made by such eminent and prestigious experts as Jacques Sapir (Professor of Economics with the Higher Education School in the area of social sciences, France), Jack Goldstone (Professor with the Public Politics School at the George Mason University, USA), Lee Seen (Professor, Shanghai University, PRC), Indian Professor of Law, Yogesh Tyagi, and many others.
Source:
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=5192
Ukrainian Orthodox organizations again protest against possible NATO Affiliation
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They also supported the Verkhovnaya Rada deputies who said they believe that Yushchenko "deserves to be impeached for his actions on dragging
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Patriarch Ignatius IV to Visit U.S.
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His Beatitude, Patriarch Ignatius IV, will visit the Antiochian Archdiocese in the United States from October 28-November 2, 2008. His Beatitude will arrive at Newark airport and will be staying in Boston, Massachusetts. During his stay, he will a preside over a banquet on Saturday evening, Nov. 1, 2008, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the University of Balamand in Lebanon. His Beatitude will be celebrating Divine Liturgy on Sunday, Nov. 2 at a place to be determined within the Diocese of New England. Hotel arrangements can be made at the Westin Copley Place, 10 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116 or by calling 800/937-8461. The rooms are reserved in the name of the University of Balamand/Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese. The rate is $199.00 per night and you must make your reservations before October 17, 2008 to get this special rate.
In honor of His Beatitude's visit, Metropolitan PHILIP is suggesting that parishes in the Archdiocese make a donation to University of Balamand Scholarship Fund that benefits needy and worth students.
Source:
http://www.antiochian.org/node/18280
"Ascetism of Orthodox Women and Way of Philanthropy Live Forever in People's Memory" The Ukrainian Orthodox Church On September 16, the historians, the theologians, the clergy and all those interested gathered at one of the lecture halls of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to take part in the conference "Ascetism of Orthodox Women and Way of Philanthropy Live Forever in People's Memory", dedicated to the blessed memory of the newly glorified saint - the Venerable Dimitra of Kyiv. The forum was made possible through the joint effort of the Holy Presentation Monastery, founded by the Venerable Dimitra in its time, and of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The event was held at the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr of Kyiv and All Ukraine. Anniversaries of mother Dimitra (Yegorova), the founder of our monastery. On March 18, 1878 the Venerable Dimitra received from Emperor Alexander II the order for foundation of the religious community dedicated to the Holy Presentation of the Theotokos. On March 22, 1878 she passed onto the Lord while staying on a visit to St. Petersburg concerning the monastery foundation. On August 21, 1878 the body of Mother Dimitra was transferred from St. Petersburg to Kyiv. On November 27, 1878 Metropolitan of Kyiv and Halych Philotheus (Uspenskyi) consecrated the main temple of the Monastery of the Holy Presentation of the Theotokos. Of course, it is not mere occasion. This is the mysterious work of the God's Providence."
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Meeting of Sacred Procession Dedicated to 1020th Anniversary of Baptism of Rus to Take Place
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At the blessing of His Beatitude Volodymyr, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, the sacred procession which moved afloat on the Dnieper and the Black Sea, arrives to Dnipropetrovsk. The procession is dedicated to the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus. Source: http://orthodox.org.ua/eng/node/348 |
His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr Presided Over Festivities Dedicated to Glorification of Venerable Job (Kundria) Among Saints
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The central event of the festivities was the Divine Liturgy in the open air near the Church of The Holy Great Martyr Demetrios of Thessaloniki, celebrated by the Primate.
Concelebrating to His Beatitude were Metropolitan Onuphriy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna, Archbishop Mark of Khust and Vynohradiv, Archbishop Augustine of Lviv and Halych, Archbishop Volodymyr of Pochayiv, Bishop Iustin Sigheteanul (Orthodox Church of Romania), Bishop Anthony of Boryspil, Bishop Iriney of Nizhyn and Pryluky, Bishop Panteleimon of Ivan-Frankivsk and Kolomiysk, Bishop Alexander of Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyi (Secretary to the Primate of the UOC), Bishop Feodor of Mukacheve and Uzhgorod and the diocesan clergy.
The Venerable Job (Kundria) of Ugol was glorified by the decision of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of May 8, 2008 (Journal of Proceedings No.35).
At the Liturgy the rite of glorification of the ascetic was performed. During the rite of glorification the last panikhida for the Venerable Job was served, following which Metropolitan Onuphriy read out the resolution of the Holy Synod on glorification of archimandrite Job (Kundria) among the ranks of the locally venerated saints.
Then the Life of the saint was read out and the troparion and kontakion to the Venerable Job were sung. His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr blessed those present with the icon of the newly venerated saint, upon which he and the concelebrating hierarchs kissed the icon and bowed unto the honourable relics of the saint.
Praying at the divine liturgy were the representatives of the regional administration, Governor of the region Oleg Gavashi, city mayor of Mukacheve Vasyl Petiovka among the other.
At the end of the Liturgy the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church addressed the faithful with the sermon and greeted them on the festive event.
"I heartily congratulate you on the great feast which contributed to the sanctity of this city, where a simple man and a God's man at the same time fought a good fight, proving us that one could and should achieve the Kingdom of God, relying upon the God's mercy. Let the man of prayer of this place show us example of how we should love God, love each other and assert the God's commandments", underscored the Archpastor.
In conclusion of the visit Vladyka visited the Holy Ascension Convent in Chumalevo. There he was met by the abbess of the convent hegumeness Theodosia with sisters. At the cathedral the Primate greeted those present on the occasion of glorification of one more saint whom the lands of Transcarpathians brought up and blessed the nuns and the parishioners with the icons of the baptism of the Kyivan Rus. The Primate of our church kissed the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God "Sweet kissing".
reported by Maxim Sydorenko
for ORTHODOX.ORG.UA
Photos by Maxim Brusnyka
Source:
http://orthodox.org.ua/eng/node/350
Belgrade, Serbia (IOCC) — His Grace Bishop Teodosije of Lipljan hosted Serb basketball stars Vlade Divac and Dragan Tarlac on a two-day visit to Kosovo September 8-9, 2008. The delegation visited children as they began the new school year and provided shirts, hats and basketballs donated by Adidas through the Peja Stojakovic Children’s Foundation. The trip to Kosovo was organized by International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) in cooperation with His Grace Bishop Teodosije and included the participation of IOCC Executive Director & CEO Constantine M. Triantafilou. The delegation made stops in Serb enclaves in Kosovo, including Banje, Osojane, Gorazdevac and Velika Hoca villages where they also viewed projects that have been implemented by IOCC and the Visoki Decani Monastery with the support of the basketball players and donors from the United States.
“This is the greatest thing that could happen for these children,” said Miroslav Kovacevic, the Director of the Elementary School in Banje. “This visit will encourage the children in the coming months and years. Sports help the children to forget about the situation they are living in.”
Banje, a small village in a remote part of the Srbica Municipality, is home to about 400 Serbs. Through support from Vlade Divac, IOCC provided a computer center and generator for the children of the elementary school.
In Gorazdevac, hundreds of children were on hand at the elementary school to receive gifts and autographs from the basketball players. The school has undergone renovations including installation of new windows for the ground floor. During the visit, IOCC also committed to completing the remaining windows on the first floor, while the Visoki Decani Monastery will replace the flooring throughout the school.
“It is amazing to see the smiles of the children who are living under such difficult circumstances,” said Vlade Divac. “The work that is being done by Bishop Teodosije and IOCC is critical for the survival of these people.”
In the village of Velika Hoca in southwestern Kosovo, the group toured a community center that was completed by IOCC, a monastic winery that has recently been expanded with the support of Dragan Tarlac and the local elementary school where IOCC has also installed a new computer center and repaired the floors, doors, roof and wall around the schoolyard.
“The strong will shown by the people who have chosen to remain in Kosovo and to have their kids go to school there is an inspiring thing to see,” reflected Dragan Tarlac, who has visited Kosovo numerous times over the past couple of years. “The positive thinking that they display in facing the challenges in Kosovo always makes me happy.”
In addition to the clothing that was distributed during the visit, Peja Stojakovic has also provided a 40 foot container of food to assist the people of Kosovo. The container is expected to be delivered in the coming weeks.
The trip began with a visit to the Studenica Monastery in Serbia, and included visits to the Serbian Orthodox Patriarchate in Pec and the Visoki Decani Monastery.
Recently, IOCC announced an initiative to provide half a million dollars in assistance to Kosovo for the expansion of agricultural projects that provide employment and foster inter-ethnic cooperation. The initiative will also provide assistance to schools and create educational and recreational programs. The John G. Rangos Sr. Family Charitable Foundation and His Grace Irinej (Dobrijevic), Bishop of Australia and New Zealand of the Serbian Orthodox Church have committed to match each dollar raised up to $100,000 for the projects.
To help in providing assistance to families in Kosovo and the Balkans, visit www.iocc.org, call IOCC toll free at 1-877-803-4622, or mail a check or money order payable to “IOCC” and write “Kosovo” in the memo line to: IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225.
IOCC, founded in 1992 as the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), has implemented over $275 million in relief and development programs in 33 countries around the world.
Diversity Task Force meets regularly to promote Acceptance
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ORTLANDT MANOR, NY: Metropolitan Mykhayil has been active in the Town of Cortlandt Diversity Task Force, since this past June, when the group first begain regular meetings. Appointed by the Cortlandt Town Council, Vladyka Mykhayil and the other members are working together to combat bias and acts of hate and to celebrate diversity and acceptance in the area.
The idea for the Task Force came into being following an unfortunate instance of a cross-burning/hate crime in the Town last November 21. The town government, headed by Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi, in cooperation with the Peekskill Area Pastors Association (PAPA), acted quickly with a public forum and the idea of a permanent committee to create an atmosphere that celebrates the diversity in the Town.
According to its working statement, the Diversity Task Force "exists to support the Cortlandt community as it strives to become a community that celebrates the richness of its diversity, where all who live, work, play and worship are safe and enthusiastically accepted, valued and respected as key participants and contributors, to the enrichment of all."
Above, His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil joins other members of the Cortlandt Diversity Taskforce for a photo with Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi (third from right), during a recent meeting. At the far left is task force chairperson, W. Garrison Jackson.
Vladyka Mykhayil serves on the committee as a representative of the PAPA, of which he serves as vice-president.
The Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the
With us everything should be secondary compared to our concern with children, and their upbringing in the instruction and teaching of the Lord. (
College Student Sunday
September 21, 2008
To the Most Reverend Clergy, Venerable Monastics and Devout Faithful of the Holy Orthodox Churches in the
Dearly Beloved in Christ Jesus:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ!
We, the Hierarchs of SCOBA, have established the first Sunday after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Most Precious Cross as College Student Sunday. Since this designation was first made in 2003, we have witnessed an increased awareness and support of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) among all the Orthodox Faithful, even as the OCF continues to grow on college campuses all across our Nation.
Orthodox Christian Fellowship, the official campus ministry agency of SCOBA, manifests the loving and guiding presence of the Orthodox Church to our young people, who have ventured away from the security and stability of their parents’ homes to advance their education. Many young students are forced to face this new chapter of their lives without a substantive connection to the local Church community of their youth. OCF fills this gap by building a strong Orthodox fellowship on campus, and by providing a bridge to the local parishes.
By the grace of God, OCF has expanded the reach of its ministry to college students significantly in the five years of its Agency designation from SCOBA. Since the year 2000, OCF has grown from 50 chapters to over 260 throughout
On Sunday, September 21, 2008, the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, we ask all faithful Orthodox Christians to prayerfully call to mind our students on college campuses. We also encourage all of our parishes to take up a collection to support this vital ministry, and support the workers in this Vineyard of the Lord.
With abundant thanks to God and to all those who share in the OCF ministry, we pray that our college students may continue to deepen their relationships with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Holy Orthodox Church.
With paternal blessings and love in Christ,
†Archbishop DEMETRIOS, Chairman
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
†Metropolitan PHILIP, Vice Chairman
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of
†Metropolitan CHRISTOPHER, Secretary
Serbian Orthodox Church in the
†Metropolitan NICHOLAS of Amissos, Treasurer
American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese in the
†Bishop MERCURIUS of Zaraisk
Representation of the
†Archbishop DMITRI Locum Tenens
Orthodox Church in
†Archbishop NICOLAE
Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in
†Metropolitan JOSEPH
Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church
†Metropolitan CONSTANTINE
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the
†Bishop ILIA of Philomelion
Albanian Orthodox Diocese of
Source:
http://www.uocofusa.org/news_080916_2.html
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), which mobilized its Emergency Network for this year’s severe weather including the Iowa floods and Hurricane Gustav, has been in contact with Orthodox hierarchs in the affected areas and deployed a team of IOCC staff and Orthodox clergy known as the “Frontline.” They are now in Texas evaluating the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and coordinating a relief plan with IOCC partners on the ground.
IOCC is issuing an emergency appeal for its continuing response with cash funds going towards immediate clean-up and recovery efforts. Orthodox faithful, including Sunday Schools, youth groups and others, are also urged to continue providing emergency clean-up buckets and health kits for shipment to the Gulf Coast (for information on assembling the kits go to www.iocc.org/emergencykits.aspx). IOCC distributed 1,000 such kits in New Orleans and Baton Rouge immediately following Hurricane Gustav.
Cash donations can be made by calling IOCC’s donation hotline toll-free at 1-877-803-4622; by making a gift on-line at www.iocc.org; or by mailing a check or money order payable to “IOCC” and writing “US Emergency Response” in the memo line to IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225.
IOCC, founded in 1992 as the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), has implemented over $275 million in relief and development programs in 33 countries around the world.
Source:
http://iocc.org/news/9-16-08hurricane.aspx
50th anniversary celebration at OCA Chancery to be held September 25, 2008
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All clergy and faithful who are in the area are welcome to attend.
Source:
http://www.oca.org/news/1642
The Message of His Beatitude Daniel to the Participants at the 16th International Ecumenical Conference on Orthodox Spirituality
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The XVI International Ecumenical Conference on Orthodox Spirituality Opens
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The blessing of the Holy Muron, will take place in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on September 28, 2008. Several public events are planned during the days before and after the festive service. The schedule of events follows. More information will be provided as details become available. Scheduled events are subject to change.
Friday, 26 September 2008
16:00 Consecration of St. Vartan and St. John the Baptist chapels / baptisteries
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
19:00 Concert
Komitas Chamber Music Hall, Yerevan
Saturday, 27 September 2008
11:00 Repose of Souls Service
Memorial to the Armenian Genocide, Tsitsernakaberd Hill, Yerevan
17:00 Ecumenical Prayer Service
St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Yerevan
Sunday, 28 September 2008
10:30 Divine Liturgy
Main Cathedral, Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
17:00 BLESSING OF THE HOLY MURON **
Open Altar, Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
Monday, 29 September 2008
19:00 Presentation of "Anoush" Opera
Yerevan Opera House
His Holiness Karekin II Blesses the ingredients for the Holy Muron
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His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Mother Cathedral in the morning. In the evening, following vespers, His Holiness presided during the "Andastan" service, wherein the Catholicos, bishops, priests, deacons and faithful processed around the Cathedral with the reliquary containing an actual piece of the Holy Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The Andastan service also includes the blessing of the four corners of the world on this festive day. The service is noted by the blessing of basil and the sprinkling of rosewater on the faithful.
At the conclusion of the Andastan service, the procession of clergy and faithful moved from the courtyard of the Mother Cathedral to the garden of the Old Pontifical Residence, where the service of blessing the ingredients that will comprise the Holy Muron was offered. As Holy Scripture was read, prayers intoned and hymns sung, the Armenian Pontiff blessed the oils, balsam, floral extracts, aromatic roots and plants, and asked for the graces of the Holy Spirit to descend from heaven, infuse the elements of nature that would soon be added to the cauldron, and to dwell within the hearts of Armenian faithful in the homeland and throughout the Diaspora.
In his message to the faithful, His Holiness also stated, "We encourage our sons and daughters throughout the world to pray with us unceasingly during this time, so that your voices will be mixed with the sweet aromas and floral essences, and thereby sanctify the Muron. We ask God to send the manifold gifts of the Holy Spirit with His miraculous power to purify the souls of all Armenians who will be baptized, sealed and ordained with this Chrism, and that the sanctity of the Muron becomes the adornment of every individual."
After the ingredients were blessed, His Holiness added the elements into the cauldron one at a time, and sealed the lid. The cooking process will take three full days, during which time the cauldron is constantly attended to by the monks and deacons of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin. As the fire below the cauldron cooks the elements, the clergy stand 24-hr vigil and offer their continuous prayers and recitation of psalms, since the mixture is never left unattended.
On the evening of Wednesday, September 17, the cooking process will come to an end, and the mixture will be allowed to rest for three full days. During this time as well, the cauldron is never left unattended and is always accompanied by the prayers and psalms of the priests.
On Sunday, September 21, the mixture will be strained and prepared for the actual blessing of the Holy Muron one week later, on Sunday, September 28, when it is mixed with the pure olive oil that has been placed in the main cauldron which has been resting on the bema of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin for the past 40 days. Also added at that time will be a portion of the Holy Muron consecrated by the Catholicos of All Armenians in 2001, to confirm the continuity of the Holy Muron from the past to the present, and from the present to the future
Source:
The Moscow Patriarchate against Catholic efforts to expand influence over Orthodox
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According to him, today “Catholic hierarchs and laymen actively opposes the problems actual for modern
Though, he noted, the Moscow Patriarchate saw “there are people in the Catholic Church who try to expand the area of its influence in Orthodox countries and nations.” “It happens in
He pointed out the
“We don’t understand those Catholic missionaries who come to various regions of
Source:
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=5178
The Moscow Patriarchate urges Israeli MPs not to politicize the process of giving St. Sergius Representation back to Russia
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"It's not the field for politicizing. Historical justice should go first," Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations Bishop Mark of Yegoryevsk has told an Interfax-Religion correspondent on Tuesday. Thus, he commented on the decision of Israeli MPs to ask the Supreme Court to abolish the agreement on transferring the representation church to
Bishop Mark reminded, ordinary Russian believers on donations collected all along
Source:
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=5172
The Russian Orthodox Church spiritually supports relatives of victims killed in Perm plane crash – Alexy II
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According to Alexy II, we all feel a deep sorrow, especially hard for relatives and friends of the victims. "The Russian Orthodox Church spiritually supports the afflicted on these mournful days. May the Lord help them to go through the hard trial with patience and dignity," the Patriarch wished. He is also convinced that the Russian President and government will spare no effort to ease the pain of those who lost their relatives in the crash. "Commemorating the victims of the tragedy, let us care for each other and for peace and security of our relatives and neighbors, all citizens of
Source:
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=5168
Bulgarian PM Opens Orthodox Church in Turkey
0 Comments Published by georgy on Tuesday, September 16 at 10:33 PM.
Turkish minister Gunay, who also took the floor at the ceremony, said that the opening of the 140-year-old church coincided with Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims.
"This is a good example for the countries in our region, the
"This is the second church in
Source:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=28187
Encyclical of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross - September 14, 2008
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The Universal Exaltation
of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross
To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Each year on September 14, our Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross. This important event in the liturgical life of the Church reminds us of the continuous presence of Christ in our midst. Specifically, it reminds us of His redemptive work of dying on the Cross for our salvation. Christ’s crucifixion on the Cross serves as the precursor to his Resurrection; and it is for this reason that we refer to the Cross, once a horrifying instrument of death, as a sacred symbol of that which is “Precious and Life-giving.”
In contemplating the significance of the Cross as the core symbol of our Orthodox Christian faith and as the sign of the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ over death, we are called to a more refined understanding of power in Christian terms.
On this day, when we gather as communities to raise the Cross visibly in our parishes, we are in effect raising that symbol collectively as standard-bearers of our Christian identity. Through raising the Cross, we engage in the act of elevating humility and selfless service to others as great virtues, and we pronounce power in Christian terms as the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death.
Also, as we remember the Cross and its message of service to others, we are celebrating the feast of our Holy Cross School of Theology, our beloved Seminary in
It is my heartfelt prayer that as we reflect upon the significance of this day, we may come to a closer understanding of the great love and mercy of our Lord. Let all of us, through the power of His Precious and Life-giving Cross, enjoy this victory over the forces of sin and death, and let us make this victory our own victory.
With paternal love in Christ,
†DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of
Source:
http://www.goarch.org/en/news/NewsDetail.asp?id=2054
Message of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I for the Beginning of Ramadan
0 Comments Published by georgy on Sunday, September 14 at 10:23 PM.
Furthermore, the beginning of Ramadan coincides with the first day of September, the Feast of Indiction, which is the first day of the ecclesiastical year of the Orthodox Church and also the day of protection of the natural environment with prayers and supplications for all creation to be offered by this holy Center of Orthodoxy. This day serves as an invitation to all to remain faithful to a natural use of all God’s creation, “offering thanks to the God, who created the world and granted everything to us.”
In light of the spiritual and moral dimension of the environmental problem and the times of an exceedingly deep and multifaceted crisis in spiritual values, the faithful of our two religions are called to the higher level of spiritual development and life, transcending human failings and the accompanying lapses into ways of life lower than divine will.
Our respective religious traditions have inexhaustible spiritual reserves which can contribute to the realisation of values of peace, social justice and human rights in relations between individuals and peoples, irrespective of religious, national, racial, social or other differences. Common practices of our spiritual traditions include fasting, prayer, philanthropy, almsgiving and charity. Furthermore, in our love of the One God and the love of neighbor, we are able to enhance dialogue and understanding for the sake of the Peace of God in the world. For this reason, always believing in the possibility of peaceful coexistence and cooperation between faithful and all citizens of good will we must find practical ways to optimize mutual understanding, respect and cooperation.
With these thoughts in mind and with feelings of profound affection for all faithful of Islam, we would like to express the wish that Ramadan will help bring peoples and nations together to attain the meaning of life and the hope of immortality and for the propagation of peace and goodwill on earth, especially in the regions suffering from war, and with the hope of salvation for all people.
May the grace and infinite mercy of the one, sole God, Creator of all things, be always with you.
Yours sincerely in God’s love,
+ BARTHOLOMEW
Archbishop of
New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch
Catholicos Patriarch Blessed Parish Participate into Georgia’s Supporting International Action on 1 September
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Ukrainian Orthodox Church Helps Flood Victims in West Ukraine
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The Ukrainian Orthodox Church raises funds and humanitarian aid throughout the dioceses to help the flood victims in West Ukraine. In compliance with the decision of the Holy Synod of the UOC of August 5, 2008, this responsibility is conferred upon the Synodal Department for Charity and Social Ministry of the UOC and on Metropolitan of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna Onuphry, whose diocese was also affected by the disaster. Source: http://orthodox.org.ua/eng/node/341
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His Beatitude Daniel Blesses the Beginning of the New School Year
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One Year Since the Election of His Beatitude Daniel as Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
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In his thanksgiving speech, at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, the sixth Patriarch of Romania expressed his gratitude towards the Holy Synod and the members of the National Church Assembly for the trust they showed him, and stated his desire to serve the Romanian Orthodox Church. His Beatitude also highlighted that the Patriarch does not perform his mission alone, but together with the Holy Synod, the clergy, the monastics and all the faithful of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
Source:
The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad Sends a Greeting to the International Church Music Conference “The Russian Diaspora: Music And Orthodo
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Dear in the Lord Fathers, Brothers and Sisters!
I send my heartfelt greetings to all the participants of the international scholarly conference “The Russian Diaspora: Music and Orthodoxy” and wish you heavenly aid and blessed success in your work.
The composers and church choir directors in the Russian diaspora preserved and increased the great legacy of the pre-Revolutionary Russian Orthodox Church, and, as they grieved for their Fatherland, they illuminated their own compositions with the sounds of Holy Russia, sprinkled with the blood sweat and tears of many princes, hierarchs, saints, New Martyrs and Confessors. Also, their works are the collective oeuvre of the Russian Church Abroad, an expression of her theology, love, aspirations and piety. Indeed, if an icon or fresco is called “theology in paint,” then our Russian church music, the songs of our holy monasteries and composers can be called “theology in sound,” for our church singing, like an icon, “fills the soul with heavenly bliss, or brings tears of kindheartedness. It lifts our thoughts above all that is worldly, it makes peace within us and with our neighbors, it diminishes our weaknesses, lightens our sorrows, and warms our hearts with heavenly love.”Those are the words of the revered spiritual father of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, Hegumen Gurii, who reposed several years ago, and I am deeply convinced that he is right. That is why these familiar sounds are dear to the Russian Orthodox Christian, they are pondered, experienced, lived through time and time again by our God-bearing people. That is why we must cherish these songs as monuments of church and socio-religious vocal art. Efforts to preserve and restore our traditions in church singing are one of the main goals of those to whom the interests of the Church and of our people.
Once again I congratulate the organizers and all the participants of this conference, and wish all of you, beloved in the Lord fathers, brothers and sisters, bountiful mercies and Divine blessings!
With love in the Lord and beseeching your prayers,
+HILARION,
Metropolitan and Eastern
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of
Mallawi Archbishopric Refuses to Attend Reconciliation Ceremony Of Abu Fana Monastery Crisis
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The Coptic Orthodox Church
The Mallawi Archbishopric refused to attend the reconciliation ceremony that was given the title ‘In love for Egypt’ and that was meant to announce the success of the negotiations to solve the Abu Fana Monastery crisis. This made the municipality turn the event into a prize-giving ceremony to the memorizers of the Quran and the A-students of the high schools. Labib Eid, representative of Pope Shenouda in the customary reconciliation commission, said: “Father Demetrius, the monks of the monastery and I could not attend as long as our people are still detained pending investigation, whether they are Christians or Muslims. We shall celebrate once they are released and the case is closed.”
Father Agabius of Deir Mouass district said: “We will all stand by the governor.”
His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa received His Eminence George of Emessa, Hierarch of the Antiochian Patriar
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On 14th August His Beatitude officiated at the Great Vespers and the Epitaphios of the Theotokos at the Holy Patriarchal Church of St Savvas the Sanctified in
Many Greeks from the
Proposed amendments to OCA Statute now published online
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The proposed resolutions are as follows.
Article III, Section 15 (Concerning the Auditing Committee)
The present text reads as follows.
An auditing committee (consisting of three members of the All-American Council) shall be elected at the All-American Council. Its duties shall be to audit the accounts of the Treasurer and the funds of all Church-related institutions on a quarterly basis and to report to the Metropolitan Council. Members of the auditing committee attend sessions of the Metropolitan Council only to make their reports. Vacancies in the auditing committee are filled by the Metropolitan.
The proposed amendment reads as follows.
An auditing committee consisting of three members shall be nominated and appointed by the Metropolitan Council at its first meeting following the election of Metropolitan Council members at the All-American Council. The term of service shall be from appointment to the end of the next All-American Council. Its duties shall be to audit all accounts of The Orthodox Church in
The present text reads as follows.
When a vacancy has occurred in the office of Metropolitan, the bishop senior by rank and date of consecration shall convene the Holy Synod. After the formal vote declaring the vacancy, the Holy Synod will proceed with the election of a locum tenens. Within a period not exceeding three months (unless some unavoidable necessity forces a prolongment of this period), the locum tenens will convene an All-American Council at which a successor shall be elected. If not already a bishop, a candidate for the office of Metropolitan must fulfill the canonical, moral, and educational requirements stated in Article VI, Section 9. The election shall take place according to the following order:
a. The Council nominates candidates by secret ballot without previous discussion of names. A blank paper ballot shall be distributed to each member of the Council before the vote.
b. On the first vote, one single name may be written on each ballot. If the name of a candidate is written on a number of ballots equal to at least two-thirds of the total number of members in attendance at the Council, his name shall be submitted to the Holy Synod for approval by majority vote; in case of rejection, the Holy Synod shall formally state the reasons which motivated the rejection.
c. If no candidate receives a number of ballots equal to at least two-thirds of the total membership in attendance, or if the person receiving that number of ballots fails to receive the approval of the Holy Synod, a second vote shall be taken.
d. In the second vote, two names shall be written on each ballot; the tellers shall not count any ballot on which fewer or more than two names are written. The names of the two candidates who receive the highest number of ballots on the second vote shall be submitted to the Holy Synod for their choice by majority vote.
Upon his election, and before the dismissal of the All-American Council, the new Metropolitan will be enthroned according to the established ritual.
The proposed amendment reads as follows.
The election (of the Metropolitan) presided over by the ranking member of the Synod of Bishops shall take place according to the following order:
a. The Council nominates by secret ballot, without previous discussion of names. Three blank paper ballots shall be distributed to each member of the Council before the vote.
b. Each Council member writes one name on each of the three ballots.
c. The ballots are counted and the names of the three men receiving the most votes are announced to the Council, with the number of votes each man has received.
d. Should any of the men so nominated not already be a bishop, his name is given to the Synod of Bishops for canonical clearance. If the Synod determines that the nominee is not canonically qualified to be consecrated a bishop, they announce the reason for his disqualification, and the procedure for electing nominees is repeated according to the above rules until three nominees are secured.
e. The Synod of Bishops receives the acceptance of nomination from each of the nominees. Should any refuse, the procedure is repeated until three nominees are secured whose names are written on three identical sheets of paper, identically folded, put into an appropriate vessel, covered, and placed on the Altar Table.
f. After the Divine Liturgy is celebrated by the locum tenes and the Synod of Bishops, followed by a Service of Prayer, a member of the Church appointed by the Synod of Bishops picks one paper from the vessel.
g. The new Metropolitan, chosen by lot, is immediately enthroned in office according to the established ritual. Should he not be a bishop, the Synod of Bishops announces the time and place of his episcopal consecration and enthronement as primate of the Orthodox Church in
The Statute Commission submits these proposed amendments with no recommendation. At the same time it notes that the issues under consideration in these proposed amendments will have to be taken up again in the near future in the context of a complete revision of the Statute.
Source:
His Holiness Karekin II Receives Members of International Association of Judges Conference
0 Comments Published by georgy on at 7:49 PM.
On September 9 His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received the members of the International Association of Judges, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Over 250 participants representing 53 countries were in attendance.
His Holiness welcomed the judges to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, expressing His satisfaction at their visit to
In his remarks, His Holiness touched upon the mission of the
On the same day the participants of the Conference toured the grounds of the Mother See, visited the Museums and were introduced to the spiritual-cultural values of the spiritual and administrative headquarters of the
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I MEETS WITH PATRIARCHS HAZIM AND ZAKKA IN DAMASCUS
0 Comments Published by georgy on at 7:42 PM.
The meeting with Patriarch Hazim was held in the Patriarchate, at the entrance of which the Patriarch greeted His Holiness surrounded by Bishops. Welcoming the Armenian Pontiff, Patriarch Hazim recalled the strong ties of love and cooperation that bind the Greek Orthodox Church and the Catholicosate of Cilicia. He also emphasized his long-standing friendship and collaboration of over thirty years with His Holiness Aram I particularly in ecumenical circles.
His Holiness Aram I expressed his happiness for being, once again, at the Greek Patriarchate. He too stressed the years-old ties and cooperation between the two churches at local, regional and international levels. His Holiness emphasized that in the Middle East this cooperation should continue particularly with respect to the Christian-Muslim dialogue. Patriarch Hazim then hosted a luncheon in honor of His Holiness.
Visiting the Greek Orthodox Patriarch with His Holiness was a delegation, which included the Primate of the Diocese of Aleppo, Bishop Shahan Sarkisian, Deputy Sounboul Sounboulian, Mr. Tsolag Tutelian from the Central Committee, Chairman of the Lay Council of the Diocese of Aleppo, Mr. Daron Avedissian, Mr. Levon Yedalian and Mr. Zareh Poladian from the council, Mr. Harout Vartanian from Der-Zor, the representative of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Damascus Mr. Mesrob Shirinian, Mr. Noubar Melikian from Damascus and staff-bearer Father Mesrob Sarkisian.
On the same evening His Holiness and the delegation visited Patriarch Zakka I Iwas in the Syrian Church’s summer residence. The Synod of Syrian Bishops is underway presently. Upon his arrival, His Holiness was received by the Patriarch and the Bishops.
Patriarch Zakka I warmly welcomed the Pontiff underlining the friendly relations between the two churches. The Patriarch recalled the Fellowship between the Coptic and Syrian Churches and the Catholicosate of Cilicia, set up by the efforts of His Holiness Aram I 12 years ago.
Making a brief overview of the relations between the Armenian and Syrian Churches, His Holiness Aram I said: “Our two churches have had the same theological approach and have together against all external heretical movements. We must further strengthen our cooperation in a world in which we are facing many challenges patching the daily life of our communities. He called upon the Bishops to continue the strong cooperation between the two churches with the same spirit particularly at the level of the Dioceses.
The meeting was followed by a reception during which Syrian Bishops asked His Holiness questions about theological and ecumenical issues.
Source:
Alexy II blesses St. Daniel’s bells returned from the USA
0 Comments Published by georgy on at 7:38 PM.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev prayed at the festival service. “I heartily thank His Excellency Mr. President Dmitry Anatolievich Medvedev who has come to share the joy of this historical event,” the Patriarch said. Alexy II thanked everyone who helped “save, preserve and return” historical bells to
Source:
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=5162
Metropolitan Kirill to consecrate the first Russian Church in Cuba
0 Comments Published by georgy on at 7:34 PM.
"The construction of a church in the Cuban capital is completed. Experts from
The Bishop said that the Church of the Constantinople Patriarchate is situated near the
Cuban President Fidel Castro and Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad Kirill at their meeting decided to build not just a church for Cuban Russian Orthodox believers, but a large cathedral, where Russian Orthodox priests would be trained not only for
The Russian parish in
Source:
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=5155
St. Daniel’s bells triumphantly returned to the native Monastery
0 Comments Published by georgy on at 7:32 PM.
The bells were delivered from
The bells in a road train accompanied by road police arrived at the
The road train slowly moved from the square to St. Daniel’s monastery while modern bells welcomed it with their ringing.
The bells arrived from
A road train with the bells accompanied by road police cortege arrives in
Ringing of contemporary bells will welcome historical bells in the monastery, then they are to placed at the monastery square.
St. Daniel's monastery will conduct a festival ceremony of consecrating historical bells, which are to be conveyed to the monastery. Then all arrived bells will ring in the monastery for the first time.
The bells hardly survived the 1930s and were sold abroad. Member of the American charitable mission in
Several buildings of the
Source:
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=5152
"There were certain complications, but by God's mercy I managed to get over them," Alexy II said on Wednesday at his meeting with Russian Culture Minister Alexander Avdeyev in
According to the Patriarch, his trip to
Source:
Seven New Bishops for the Orthodox Church of the East
0 Comments Published by georgy on Thursday, September 11 at 11:22 PM.
Fr Dr Markose Joseph
Rev Fr Dr John Panicker
Rev Christophorous Ramban
Very Rev Eldo Ramban
Fr Stephen OIC
Fr Dr Mathew Baby
Fr Alex Daniel
Source:
OBL news Service
Rev. Fr. John-Brian Paprock received the "Middleton Good Neighbor Award"
0 Comments Published by brj on Wednesday, September 10 at 12:15 AM.
"is truly an asset to our community." The GNF Committee gives three Good Neighbor awards each year. More information
Reflections on Receiving the Good Neighbor Award in August 2008 By Rev Fr. John-Brian Paprock
One of the families that live in a duplex down the street came up to
congratulate me on this award. They had seen the picture in the local
paper. I was pleased to see them and was honored that they took the time.
I said, trying to be gracious, "Well, being a Good Neighbor requires
neighbors and I am blessed you are our neighbors."
When the Good Neighbor Festival president, Rich Schmidt, called me a few
weeks earlier, I was a bit surprised. I asked, "Why me?" He said that
Middleton has a long tradition of recognizing exemplary voluntary service to
the community and that he had several pages of an extensive history of
service to the community. I was surprised that he would have such a history.
Apparently, my wife had conspired with Ron Berman to make my nomination. I
must have hesitated, because he asked if I would accept the award. "If it
would help others to serve the community, I am honored," I said.
Serving others is one of the oldest and most endearing traditions of
Christianity. As Christians, we should not avoid being seen in our service,
but we should do it for the glory of God and the welfare of our neighbors,
that is "everyone." Service, as I was taught by my spiritual elders, is
doing the right thing for the right reason. It should be action taken as an
expression of our inner life, our spiritual development, our religious
tradition. It should be guided by the Holy Spirit and guarded with prayer.
Whom we serve and how we serve will be unique to our gifts and abilities.
Another neighbor, reading through the published list of my volunteer
activities, said, "wow, you have done a lot." Only by the mercy and support
of God, but also by being willing to serve God and humanity. When I was
young, we were poor and often had nothing to put into the basket at church.
One time, I cried to the priest and said that if I had anything I would give
it. He smiled and said, "There are many ways to give to God and the church.
Money is only one." He suggested many simple things that I could do,
including serving around the altar. I tried them all.
Later, during pastoral studies, the bishop would give me a weekly "podvich"
- a spiritual chore, usually simple and humble, like cleaning the floors of
the chapel or accompanying someone who needed help getting to services. I
was instructed to do these things prayerfully, either singing hymns or
repeating a simple prayer or even with spiritual dialogue.
This has been the mode and method of my service since I was a child. Of
course, circumstances change and so I have moved from project to project, or
rather podvich to podvich. Sometimes, I have asked the Lord why he led me
to this or that, but even without clarity I have done the chores - from the
simplest physical labor to complex organizational development and event
planning.
There is an aspect of Christian service that makes it quite different that
secular or other forms of community work. It is a quality of self-emptying
to allow God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) to be manifest in the midst of
our labor. To be assured that whatever good has come of my activities, the
credit is due to my Creator who made me, to my Savior who teaches me by His
example, to the Holy Spirit who inspires me, gives me insight, courage and
strength to serve.
Another aspect of Christian service is in the fundamental understanding that
serving others IS serving God. God desires to be in relationship and there
is no better way than to be in our neighborhoods, our homes, our cities and
towns - to be everywhere we are. One of the reasons for the incarnation of
Christ is to establish a living relationship with us in this world. We were
not created separated from God, but have become separated, born into this
world. God joined us and walked with us and among us and left us with the
commandment of love - to love one another. He challenged His followers to
view everyone through His eyes. To engage us in relationship, He said, "What
you have done to the least of humanity you have done to me." I have
learned, although not always able to practice effectively, that this is only
possible if I respond to the needs of humanity with honesty about my
limitations and abilities. There is always more to do, righteous causes to
join, families in need, etc.
But this is not a challenge only for clergy and monastics, it is a challenge
for everyone who claims the benefits of being Christian, a member of the
Church. It should be no great effort to serve, for in all our relations, we
seek relationship with the divine. By honoring that, we honor God's
goodness, mercy and loving-kindness. If we are recognized for doing that,
let us be gracious and not hide this light under a bushel. It is all part
of God's blessing to all of us - that His love be manifest in the simple
things as in the great things. There is no difference between a little
miracle and a big one in Christ. We ought to be as grateful for the small
miracles as we are for the big ones for no miracle, regardless of size, is
deserved or earned. In serving humanity, we participate in miracles every
day.
Under a green and white tent at the outdoor ceremony during Good Neighbor
Festival, I bowed my head, shook Rich Schmidt's hand, said "Thank you."
Then, I returned to face painting to raise funds for scouting.
Rev. Fr. John Brian Paprock
frjohnbrian@gmail.com | jonbrian@chorus.net
Malawi Diocese Demands Abu Fana Wall To Be Four Meters High
0 Comments Published by georgy on Friday, September 5 at 11:56 PM.
The Malawi Diocese sent an official letter to the Menya governor in which it called for increasing the height of the wall that is supposed to be built around Abu Fana Monastery to not less than four meters. The governor replied that the law stipulates that walls should not be higher than two meters.
Diocese Undersecretary Paula Anwar said the letter was sent two days ago to the Malawi City Council to Dr. Ahmed Diaa Eddin. It was sent in response to a letter received by the church from the city council to the effect that the height of the wall should only be 1.5 meters.
“The monastery lies in a quicksand area, so that there should be a high wall to protect the priests,” he said.
Exclusives to al-Masry al-Youm, Menya Governor Ahmed Diaa Eddin said the law is clear and stipulates that walls should not be higher than two meters. The Malawi diocese’s demand is subject to laws and engineering bylaws relating to bases.
On the other hand, Malawi diocese lawyer Ihab Ramzy apologized to Father Demetrious for not continuing in the monastery’s case. Ramzy said: “As there is a committee responsible for reconciliation between the Church and the Bedouins, I decided to give up the case.”
The Menya Misdemeanor Court will consider renewing the imprisonment of 15 defendants in the last May 31 clashes. The defendants include 13 Muslims who were accused of attacking the monastery, harming farmlands and carrying unlicensed arms. Two Copts were accused of killing Khalil Mohamed Ibrahim Abu Qureen.
IOCC Emergency Appeal: Hurricane Gustav Makes Landfall
0 Comments Published by georgy on at 11:55 PM.
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), which is monitoring closely the situation and is in contact with its partners on the ground, has alerted its Emergency Network to be ready to mobilize if the situation warrants.
IOCC is issuing an emergency appeal with cash funds going towards immediate clean up efforts. Orthodox faithful and parishes are encouraged to begin assembling hygiene kits and emergency clean up buckets to be shipped to the Gulf Coast (for information on assembling kits go to http://iocc.org/giftsofheart.aspx).
To help in providing emergency relief, call IOCC’s donation hotline toll-free at 1-877-803-4622, make a gift on-line at www.iocc.org, or mail a check or money order payable to “IOCC” and write “US Emergency Response” in the memo line to: IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225.
IOCC, founded in 1992 as the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), has implemented over $275 million in relief and development programs in 33 countries around the world.
Source:
http://www.iocc.org/news/9-1-08gustav.aspx
IOCC Delivers Aid to Families Who Fled to North Ossetia
0 Comments Published by georgy on at 11:50 PM.
The families are taking shelter in the Alansky Epiphany Monastery in the town of Alagir. IOCC distributed hygiene supplies, linen, towels, kitchen utensils, toys, baby food, and diapers. More than 155,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Georgia and South Ossetia since the conflict began on August 8.
“IOCC’s longstanding relationship with the Orthodox churches of Georgia and Russia allows us to serve all who have been victimized by this conflict,” says Greg Manzuk, IOCC Emergency Response Coordinator for Georgia and Russia.
IOCC began providing assistance to displaced persons in and around Tbilisi on August 13, assisting more than 1,000 individuals in three distributions. The displaced families included South Ossetians, ethnic Russians, and Georgians. IOCC will expand its assistance to other parts of the country that are receiving less assistance than the capital.
Since the early 1990s, IOCC has been active in both Russia and Georgia, working in cooperation with the Georgian and Russian Orthodox Churches to provide food assistance, agricultural development, infrastructure repair and micro finance programs.
To help in providing emergency relief, call IOCC’s donation hotline toll-free at 1-877-803-4622, make a gift on-line at www.iocc.org, or mail a check or money order payable to “IOCC” and write “Conflict in the Caucasus” in the memo line to: IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225.
IOCC, founded in 1992 as the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), has implemented over $275 million in relief and development programs in 33 countries around the world.
Source:
http://www.iocc.org/news/8-28-08georgia.aspx
His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr Presided Over Festivities Dedicated to Academic Year Beginning in Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary
0 Comments Published by georgy on at 11:38 PM.
The Knowledge Day in the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary began with the Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated in the Refectory Church of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and headed by Rector of the Academy and Seminary Bishop Anthony of Boryspil, in concelebration of the professors and teachers in the holy orders.
Following the Divine service the premises of the Academy students' dormitory (Lavra's block No.55) were blessed because of the general repairs carried out throughout the summer vacations. The rite of blessing was served by the Rector of the KTA&S, Bishop Anthony of Boryspil. He addressed those present with the following words: "It has become a good tradition to sanctify something new, repaired, restored at the beginning of the Academic Year: last year it was the administrative block, this year it is the dormitory of the Academy." Also the Right Reverend Rector expressed gratitude to those who had contributed to the restoration of the building.
Then the teachers together with the students followed to the Church of the Exhaltation of the Cross, with Vladyka Anthony at the head. There, at the reliquary of the Venerable Nestor the Chronicler His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr served the prayer service for the beginning of new academic year.
Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Bishop Anthony of Boryspil and Secretary to the Primate of the UOC Bishop Alexander of Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyi. Praying at the divine service also were Archbishop Augustine of Lviv and Halych and Bishop Iriney of Nizhyn and Pryluky.
Congratulating the pious community on the beginning of the new academic year, the Archpastor addressed those present with a word of exhortation: "Bearing obedience of a priest is rather difficult. Simple desire is not enough, one must expend significant effort. A priest is imposed with a great amount of pastoral work. It means teaching, preaching, performing the Holy Mysteries of Christ, taking thought of all parishioners and some individuals. To prepare ourselves to pastoral ministry is both our duty as teachers and a duty of those who has entered the Holy Lavra for the first time and for those who have studied here for many years."
Upon completion all teachers and students received the blessing of the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for work and study in the new school year.
After the prayer service the festive event was held in the session hall of the Kyiv Theological Academy (Lavra's block No.45), in the course of which His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr blessed the future clergymen by his archpastoral blessing.
"Every labour is honourable. Every science is labour needing special attention, focusing of man's attention, exercising of his will. Let the Lord bless You and your families so that you could worthily and rightly work on the formation of your personality, which will be called to serve the world in future." Also His Beatitude conferred church orders upon some teachers of the KTA&S on the occasion of the anniversaries celebrated and for the services to the Church. Thus, the teacher of the Holy Scripture of the Old Testament Bishop Iriney of Nizhyn and Pryluky was bestowed the order of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, and the inspector for educational work archdeacon Sergiy Kosovskyi was bestowed on the order of the Venerable Nestor the Chronicler on the occasion of his 50th anniversary. At the end the Rector of the Theological schools Bishop Anthony of Boryspil expressed gratitude to the Primate of the UOC on the part of the "big academic family" for his love, constant care and guardianship of the Kyiv Theological Schools and presented some statistical data. Thus, as of September 1, 2008 776 studied in the KTA&S, 321 of them are full-time students, and 455 are per correspondence students. There are 133 full-time students in the Academy, and 169 in the Seminary. The faculty and teaching staff account for 63 persons, 5 of them are hierarchs and 31 are clergymen.
After the solemn action the class hour were held, in the course of which the tutors of the courses greeted the students on the beginning of the new academic year and blessed for the diligent study of the theological science.
Source:
http://orthodox.org.ua/eng/node/322
Visist of Ukrainian Orthodox Church Deligation to Greece
0 Comments Published by georgy on at 11:25 PM.
Source:
http://orthodox.org.ua/eng/node/326
OCA Holy Synod of Bishops grants retirement to His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman
0 Comments Published by georgy on at 11:08 PM.
“On September 4, 2008, The Holy Synod of Bishops received a letter from His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN. In this letter, His Beatitude asks for Retirement, effective immediately, 'in the best interests of The Orthodox Church in America, and taking into consideration the current condition of my health.'
“Effective this date, The Holy Synod of Bishops grants His Beatitude’s request to retire from the Office of Metropolitan of All America and Canada of the Orthodox Church in America.
“The Holy Synod of Bishops resolves that, in retirement, the title will be ‘Former Archbishop of Washington and New York, Metropolitan of All America and Canada.’
“The Holy Synod of Bishops expresses to His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN, their fraternal love and gratitude for his primatial service and archpastoral labors.
“The Holy Synod of Bishops resolves that His Eminence, DMITRI, Archbishop of Dallas and the South, be Locum tenens of The Orthodox Church in America. In liturgical commemorations, in the Litanies, he is to be commemorated in this manner: 'For His Eminence, Archbishop DMITRI, for His Grace, our Bishop [N]...' At the Great Entrance and at 'Among the first...,' he is to be commemorated in this manner: 'His Eminence, DMITRI, Archbishop of Dallas and the South, Locum tenens of the Metropolitan See...'"
Source:
http://www.oca.org/news/1632
Fr. Athanasios Demos Named Archepiscopal Vicar of the Direct Archdiocesan District
1 Comments Published by georgy on at 3:58 PM.
Source:
Swinging icon-lamp in Athos monastery announced S.Ossetian tragedy - daily
0 Comments Published by georgy on at 3:55 PM.
Source: