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It is issued by the Computer | | Departement in the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate | |___________________________ _____________________________| Keraza No.: 11, 12 I | X Friday Mar 27th, 1998 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< -- + -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Y | O =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Patriarchs of our Oriental Orthodox Churches their meeting in Cairo and at the monastery (March 10-11 '98) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Those were historical days, as gathered in Cairo and the monastery the heads of our Oriental Orthodox churches in the Middle East: HH Pope Shenouda III, Pope and Patriarch of the Coptic Church (Seat of Alexandria), HH Ignatius Zakka I Patriarch of the Syrian Church of Antioch and all the East and HH Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia for the Armenian Apostolic church. On all sides, it was a successful meeting, from church, theological and popular point of view where the Holy Spirit dwelled clearly. On Monday March 9th, HH Ignatios and Catholicos Aram arrived to Cairo. They were received in the adequate way at the airport. At the Papal residence, they were received with Coptic Hymns chanted by the Theological Seminary Chorus. In St Bishoy Monastery: ---------------------- Early in the morning of Tuesday March 10th, the three patriarchs and their bishops drove on to St Bishoy Monastery at Wadie El-Natrun where their historical meeting would be held. Attended the meeting with the Patriarchs members of the Standing Comittee (watch the 11th point of the Common Declaration) as well as Their Graces Abba Sarabamon, Serapion, Joannes, Gabriel, Paula Barsoma (Syrian church in Cairo) and some priests and monks of our church. Meeting: ------- After revising, evaluating, studying, discussing and reformulating what had been prepared by the preparative Comittee of the meeting through its meetings with the three patriarchs in Cairo, Damascus and Beirut, They diffused a historical common declaration, assuring their unity of faith and their anxiety about keeping and strengthening it, as well as their common mission towards their congregation in the whole world and common witnessing in this region and to clearify the most effective ways and means to strengthen the links which bind their churches emerging from their former declaration on June 14th '96 at the Armenian Catholicossate of Cilicia, Antelias-Lebanon. The declaration includes 11 point. The first five are about our common Christian faith and our unity to keep it. The sixth is about strengthening the links that binds our churches. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Common Declaration of the Three Patriarchs (translated from Arabic by Shenouda Mamdouh) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Following we shall quote part of it: Witnessing to the faith: ----------------------- First: In our common witnessing to our one faith in the One Son and Incarnate Word (Logos) Jesus Christ our saviour, maintain the apostolic faith that we received from the apostles in the holy books of both the Old and New Testaments and the first three ecumenical councils of Nicene (325 AD), Constantinople (381 AD) and Ephesus (431 AD) as well as the teachings of the saint fathers in our three churches who struggled for maintaining the faith of our churches and the teachings of those councils. Over history, our churches struggled with the blood of martyrs to preserve the teachings and decisions of the council of Ephesus concerning the incarnation of the Logos, based on the teachings of St Cyril I the great. Second: The teachings of St Cyril the great are the base of the Christological Education of our churches, upon those teachings, the "Common Official Theological Dialog Comittee" between Oriental Orthodox and Byzantines was able to formulate a common aggreement which was proposed and it is in the process of being studied by the Holy Synods of the two families. Third: Maintaining and honestly Obeying the faith and dogmas of our saint fathers, we firmly assure our rejection of all heretic teachings taught by: Arius, Sabilius, Apolinarius, Makdonius, Paul of Samosate, Diodore of Tarsus, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Nestorius, Eutyche and all who follow their heresies or teach their false heretic teachings and all other heresies. Fourth: And we believe that our Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, the Word (Logos), came in His own Person, not taking one of the people but He Himself, in a Personal Union took a full human nature: rational soul and flesh but sinless from the Saint Mary virgin by the Holy Spirit, making His own humanity and divinity One Nature and One Person to incarnate naturally and Personally in the moment of incarnation. His divinity didn't seperate from His Humanity for one moment nor a twinkling of an eye. This union is above description and realisation. Fifth: We agreed on the necessity of having united dogmatic positions in all Theological Dialogues. Therefore, from now on, any Theological Dialog which would be held with other churches and World Christian Groups, would firstly be held in the circle of the Oriental Orthodox family in the Middle East. We Hope that this principle would be adopted by churches of the family worldwide as it is currently done in many dialogues. Affirming tight relations: ------------------------- Sixth: We agreed on the necessity of developping common organized and tight relations through some means amongst: 1- Meeting on periodical basis yearly and regularly. 2- Having one dogmatic position in all theological dialogues. 3- Having common postions concerning vital issues of our churches in the Middle East Council of Churches, World Council of Churches, Pro Oriente and other ecumenical organisations. 4- Exchanging theological scholarships, professors and students between the institutes of our churches. 5- Exchanging pastoral messages concerning faith matters, christian witnessing, predication, spreading the gospel and service. 6- Exchanging books, periodicals, Christian Education publishings, Theological and Church Ethics Education. 7- Exchanging information concerning church work. 8- Standing in united positions in matters of Justice, Peace and Human Rights. 9- Encouraging our Clergy and congregation to promote cooperation both on parish and diocesian levels in the Middle East and everywhere. Our relations to other churches: ------------------------------- Seventh: Following the historical meeting of Adis Abeba (1965) and through our common efforts we hope to enlarge shortly the cirle of our meetings to include the rest of our beloved in the the Oriental Orthodox Family. Eighth: We hope to meet regularly with the Byzantine Orthodox Family heads to promote the theological dialogue and the Ecumenical cooperation on the regional, national and global levels. Celebrating the second Millenium: -------------------------------- Nineth: We discussed celebrating the second Millenium for Christ birth, we appointed a special responsibility to the standing comittee (see Eleven) to organize this great event. Political efforts: ----------------- Tenth: We shall spend together, big and continious efforts through ecumenical gatherings and the society in the whole world that the Arabs have back their stolen rights in Jerusalem, Palestine, Gulan and South Lebanon. We inquire to lift the siege and sanctions on the people of Irak. We pray that peace and justice dwell in the whole world. Standing Comittee: ----------------- We formed a "Standing Comittee" to execute agreements of this meeting which shall gather twice a year. Members of the comittee are namely: Metropolitan Bishoy and Bishop Moussa (Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria), Metropolitan Gregorius Johanna Ibrahim and Metropolitan Theophilos George Saliba (Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and all the East), Bishop Siboh Sarkessian and Archmandrite Narik Elimazian (Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenian Catholicossate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon). The fathers asked the "Middle East Oriental Orthodox Churches Common Standing Comittee" which they had formed to meet periodically every 3 month at most to follow the duties assigned. It will meet God willing next April 30th in Damascus. The comittee schedule include the preparation for the coming Patriarchs meeting in St Ephraam the Syrian Seminary, (Ma'aret Sednaya, Damascus). The declaration gave thanks to the Lord who crowned the efforts with success and the Coptic Orthodox church for it's love and hospitality and all those who prayed and worked for the success of this meeting. Concerning The World Council of Churches WCC: -------------------------------------------- Then the Patriarchs and all the party moved to the discussion of whether or not it is possible to have a common Orthodox position during the coming Nineth General Assembly of the WCC in Harare, Zimbabwe Dec 3rd-11th '98 and the importance of holding firm the divine commandments and the Apostolic Orthodox tradition and common confession of holy life and living faith in this Ecumenical scope. HG Bishop Serapion presented a report concerning the Orthodox position required required in the coming stage. The patriarchs expressed their desire to unite Orthodox positions. Signing the common declaration: ------------------------------ On Wednesday Mar 11th '98 morning, in a ceremonial session, the Patriarchs signed the text of the declaration both in Arabic and English. The Patriarchs exchanged presents and Pope Shenouda distributed gifts to the members of the Armenian and Syrian delegations. St Athanasios the Apostolic Relics: ---------------------------------- Then Pope Shenouda invited the Patriarchs to participate moving the relics of St Athanasios which HH had brought from the Vatican on 1973 to the new shrine, down St Mark cathedral which was prepared since the Silver Jubilee of HH two years ago. The Patriarchs were overjoyed for this invitation and considered it a historical day in the life of the three churches. The patriarchs signed a manuscript explaining this great event, the same manuscript explained that part of the relics had been previously donated to St Athanasios Cathedral (Damanhur) upon the inquiry of HE Metropolitan Pachomius of Behera. They moved on to Cairo where the Theological Seminary was waiting and in a procession they moved the relics to it's location. The manuscript was left with the relics inside the shrine, in the atmosphere of hymns and songs with the joy of all the attendance and finaly a closing prayer concluded this great event. Then Pope Shenouda had prepared a lunch for his guests. At Pope Shenouda weekly lecture (St Mark Cathedral - Cairo): ----------------------------------------------------------- In the evening the party moved on to St Mark Cathedral where the weekly lecture of Pope Shenouda is held. The congregations received the Patriarchs with great joy. Pope Shenouda gave a word welcoming them, the HH Ignatius I Zakka said: "It is a great blessing we as Syrian Church receive following the invitation of HH Pope Shenouda III dean of the Oriental Orthodox Church Patriarchs who provided us the chance to meet as Oriental Orthodox Coptic, Syrian and Armenian churches and to carry the relics of the great saint, protector of the faith, Saint Athanasios the Apostolic and put it in the location prepared for it, we congratulate you for that. St Athanasios who carried faith, protected it and relayed it to us so that we keep it as a pure and sacred jewel. The saints Athanasios, Cyril, Dioscorus, Severus, Philoxinos and Gregorius (the enlighter) kept this faith by their pure blood to relay it to us.." Then HH Catholicos Aram I spoke he said that he is happy for this historical meeting to emphasize our union in faith and he recognises the theological positions of HH Pope Shenouda to preserve faith following then St Athanasios and St Cyril. He mentioned that he attended the enthronment of Pope Shenouda (Nov 1971) and he was then a priest at the Armenian church (Pope Shenouda attended the enthronment of Catholicos Aram I at the Armenian Catholicossate in Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon July 1995). Pope Shenouda thanked the patriarchs for their love and humility, he mentioned the faith and deep cooperation that unites the three churches, and which was expressed in the common declaration signed the same morning. HH also announced the news of moving the relics of St Athanasios to the new shrine by the Patriarchs in that historical day March 11th 1998. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Miscellaneous News =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= On Thursday March 12th '98 morning, Pope Shenouda received a delegation from responsibles of the New York City Council of Churches in USA. The meeting lasted for more than one hour and was attended by Their Graces Bishop Moussa, Joannes and Gabriel. HH answered the questions which were directed to him and it was a very nice meeting. On March 6th '98 a class for forming mental handicap teachers was inaugurated by HG Abba Joannes with a spiritual meditation. Supervises its service Tasoni Ruth. Actually enrolled are 90 male and female servants from dioceses of Cairo, Giza, Beni-Sweif, Malawy, Fayoum, PortSaid and Tanta. Classes are held once a week every Friday. The primary contract for buying a piece of land for Paroisse de l'archange Michel et de Saint Georges was signed by HG Bishop Damian general bishop of Germany upon the delegation of HH Pope Shenouda. HG Abba Suriel held Youth meetings for churches in St Mark Washington DC, Papal Residence Cedar Grove, Archangel Staten Island, St George Brooklyn, St Abraam Long Island and St Mark Jersey City. As well as many divine liturgies, raising of incense, meeting for parents of the Youth, Symposium at Vladimir Institute, High School Students meeting and many spiritual meetings at the Papal Residence. All that in the period Feb 20th to Mar 20th. and a meeting for the youth comittee on Saturday Feb 21st '98 (16h00-18h00). On Tuesday March 17th morning, Pope Shenouda visited St George Convent at Haret Zweila to consult nuns as who shall be delegated as abbess after the recent departure of Tamav Aghape. Accompanied HH, Bishops Joannes, Raphael and Gabriel. HH talked to each of the nuns and novices. In the evening of Thursday Mar 12th '98, HH received Mr Schirmann head of Pro Oriente Catholic Organisation in Vienna. It is the organisation that HH visited in 1971 (when still a bishop of education) to participate at the theological dialogue around the nature of Christ between Old Orthodox churches and the Catholic church. The meeting was about HH forthcoming visit to Autria at the end of next April to inaugurate the Coptology Fair and building the founding rock for the Coptic church in Vienna. Attended the meeting HE Metropolitan Bishoy and HG Bishop Joannes. On Monday Mar 16th '98 at 19h00 in the evening, HH received His Excellency Mr Daniel Kurtzer, new American Embassador in Egypt along with the secretary of the Embassy. Attended the meeting Their Graces Abba Joannes and Gabriel. It was an introductory meeting and the discussion was about interrelations. HH explained the sufferings and pains of the children of Irak because of lack of food and medicines. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appendix: -------- HH : His Holiness, for Popes and Patriarchs. HE : His Eminence, for Metropolitans. HG : His Grace, for Bishops. Heg. or Hg. : Hegumen, prior priest. Dcn. : Deacon, for full deacons. BLESS : Bishopric of Public Ecumenical and Social services. Abba : Old Coptic word meaning father, used for Coptic metropolitans, bishops and the Pope. Servant: Volunteer steward in the Coptic church activities, sometimes used to designate Sunday school teachers. Mayamer: in singular (Meimar) Syrianic word designating biography of a saint. Tamav : Coptic word meaning "my mother" used as title for abbesses and any mother superior of a Coptic convent. Tasoni : Coptic word meaning "my sister" used as title for Coptic deaconness or priest wife. NY : New York NJ : New Jersey DC : District of Columbia, Capital of the United States of America. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=