Keraza No 1,2 dated Friday 5 January 2001
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>From El-Keraza No 1,2 dated Friday 5 January 2001
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On Monday 28 December a delegation from beni-Mazar (25 priest and 300
people) met with Pope Shenouda. They were discussing choosing a new
bishop and nominated Bishops Raphael and Timotheos. The Pope agreed
to consecrate any of them who would accept. Bishop Raphael asked
to be excused and Bishop Timotheos is focal in the diocese of Kossia.
They delegated the Pope at the end to find other possible
opportunities.

On the occasion of the month of Ramadan, Bishop Sarabamon of Sudan
organized an Iftar Banquet that was attended by President Omar El-Bashir

of Sudan and mayors of Khartum, Om-Dorman and other provinces. The
bishop gave a word about love and presented the president with a
symbolic present and thanked his care for the church.

It is probable that a new general bishop shall be consecrated on
Pentcost for the North-West European countries including Sweden,
Denmark and Belgium (Netherlands excluded it might acquire a seperate
bishop afterwards). It is worth to notice that North-West European
countries need special care for the existent churches there as well as
the possibilities of founding new churches.

We are glad to announce this recent practical step concerning union
and cooperation between Oriental Orthodox Churches in the region.
On 25 November 2000, under the care and guidance of the three
Patriarchs of the Coptic, Syrian and Armenian churches in the
Middle East the first meeting was held for representatives of
the Theological Institutes in the three churches. Mr Gerges
Saleh represented the Coptic Theological Seminaries, Fr Matta
Abdel-Ahad (Head of St Avraam Theological Seminary) represented
the Syrians and Archmandrite Shahan Sarkessian (Head of Bekfeia
Armenian Theological Seminary) represented the Armenians.
This meeting took place following the common declaration
issued by the Three Patriarchs upon their meeting in Celicia
last May 2000. The attendants discussed practical ways for
cooperation and possibilities of exchange of teachers and
students between the three Theological Seminaries and issued
the following recommendations:
- Exchange of some teachers and students inter-meetings
- Publish a common book about the heritage of our churches.
- Translation and Publication of Patristic Books of our church
fathers.
They also agreed that the following meeting is to take place
on 17 May 2001.

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