PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
POPE SHENOUDA III, PATRIARCH ZAKKA I AND CATHOLICOS ARAM I
SIGN A COMMON DECLARATION
April 19-21, 2007, the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, who
have their headquarters in the Middle East, His Holiness Pope Shenouda
III of the Coptic Church, His Holiness Patriarch Zakka I of the Syrian
Church and His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Armenian Church-Holy
See of Cilicia, held their 10th annual meeting, at St. Ephrem Syrian
Orthodox Monastery, Damascus-Syria. This fellowship of three Oriental
Orthodox Churches was founded in 1996, by the initiative of His
Holiness Aram I, at the Holy See of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon.
April 16-18, the Standing Committee of the Fellowship convened its
meeting in Antelias and Damascus. The representatives of the Holy See
of Cilicia in this six-member Committee are His Eminence Archbishop
Sebouh Sarkissian (Primate of Tehran) and His Grace Bishop Nareg
Alemezian (Ecumenical Officer).
During their deliberations, Heads addressed issues related to the
family of the Oriental Orthodox Churches and its theological dialogues
with various Churches, and discussed matters related to dialogue
with the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Roman Catholic Church, the
Anglican Communion and the Lutheran World Federation Churches of
the Reformation.
Pope Shenouda III and Patriarch Zakka I asked Catholicos Aram I
to follow up the issues related to these theological dialogues to
deepen the collaboration between the Oriental Orthodox Churches and
these Churches.
The spiritual Heads encouraged the continuation of their relations
and collaboration with the Russian Orthodox Church and the Oriental
Orthodox Churches with the United Bible Societies.
Regarding the official theological dialogues, three important decisions
were taken: First, to re-activate the Eastern Orthodox-Oriental
Orthodox theological dialogue, according to the decisions taken
during recent meetings in Antelias. Secondly, it is expected that
the Archbishop of Canterbury hold an official meeting with Catholicos
Aram I to clarify the current situation in the Anglican Communion and
discuss practical steps for the resumption of the dialogue. Thirdly,
to welcome the invitation received through Catholicos Aram I from the
Lutheran World Federation to strengthen relations with the Oriental
Orthodox Churches and to establish an instrument for regular bilateral
contacts.
Underlining the visible unity of church as a priority, their Holinesses
renewed their commitment to and active participation in the ecumenical
movement through the World Council of Churches and the Middle East
Council of Churches. Pope Shenouda III and Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I
extended their deep gratitude to Catholicos Aram I for his ecumenical
involvement of so many years and his leadership in the World Council
of Churches, especially as its moderator for the last fourteen years.
Analyzing the socio-political situation in the world and particularly
in the Middle East, they called their faithful to work constantly
for peace with justice. They also expressed their full support to the
Christian-Muslim dialogue as integral to the history and cultures of
the Middle East.
At the end of their meeting, Heads signed a Common Declaration.
The 11th meeting of the three Heads will be hosted by the Armenian
Church – Holy See of Cilicia, in Antelias-Lebanon, May 8-10, 2008.
THE TENTH MEETING OF THE HEADS
OF THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES
IN THE MIDDLE EAST
St. Ephrem Monastery, Ma’arat Saydnaya,
Damascus, Syria
April 19-21, 2007
C O M M O N D E C L A R A T I O N
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; Amen.
We, Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See
of St.
Mark, Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch of Antioch and all the
East, and Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenians of the Great
House of Cilicia, give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for granting
us, once again, the opportunity to pray and to reflect together on
issues and challenges of common concern, at St. Ephrem Monastery,
in Ma’arat Saydnaya, Damascus, Syria. This is the tenth time that
we meet as Heads of Churches within the framework of the Fellowship
that we have established in 1996. The Standing Committee that we have
appointed has joined us.
In our meeting here in Ma’arat Saydnaya we reaffirmed our unity of
faith that, for centuries, has been the basis of our common doctrinal
position and theological teachings. Deeply rooted in the Holy
Scriptures, the Apostolic Faith and Tradition, the three Ecumenical
Councils (Nicea 325, Constantinople 381, and Ephesus 431) and the
teachings of our Church Fathers, our unity has sustained the life and
witness of the Churches of the Oriental Orthodox Family becoming a
living source of spiritual strength and missionary engagement. For
the Oriental Orthodox Churches the full communion and the visible
unity of churches are based on the unity of faith which is manifested
through Eucharistic communion and other Sacraments of the church.
In our unity of faith we are not confined to the family of the Oriental
Orthodox Churches; we feel also responsible to strive for the unity
of all churches, both in our region and in different parts of the
world. We consider the visible unity of church a priority. We remain
firmly committed to the ecumenical movement both through the World
Council of Churches, as a global ecumenical fellowship, and the Middle
East Council of Churches, as a regional ecumenical fellowship. We
will continue our active role in the World Council of Churches. We
express our satisfaction for the adoption of the consensus decision
making by the World Council of Churches. The Ninth General Assembly
of the World Council of Churches has already conducted its business
in Porto Allegre, Brazil, according to this procedure. We encourage
the Permanent Committee on Consensus and Collaboration to continue
the mandate of the Special Commission on Orthodox Participation in the
World Council of Churches. We will also continue our active role in the
Middle East Council of Churches, and we look forward with hope to the
next General Assembly of the M.E.C.C. in Cyprus, November 26-30, 2007.
H.H. Pope Shenouda III and H.H. Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I extend
their deep gratitude to H.H. Catholicos Aram I for his ecumenical
commitment for so many years and his leadership in the World Council
of Churches, especially as its moderator for the last fourteen years.
In our endeavor for the unity of the church, our Churches are engaged
in a number of bilateral theological dialogues. We believe that these
theological dialogues with the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic,
Anglican, Lutheran and Reformed Churches will further affirm the
orthodoxy of the Christological teachings of the Oriental Orthodox
Churches. Those theologians, who used to call us monophysite
(single nature), have came to realize that we are miaphysite
(one united nature), following the teachings of our common father
St. Cyril of Alexandria. There still exist differences of doctrinal,
ecclesiological, liturgical and ethical nature, which need more
dialogue and discussion with other churches. We should keep in mind
that the reception of the agreements of theological dialogues by the
churches needs time and patience.
Concerning the Theological Dialogue between the Eastern Orthodox and
the Oriental Orthodox Families, His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew I has commissioned the new co-president of the Joint
Commission of the dialogue Metropolitan Emmanuel of France to meet
Catholicos Aram I asking his assistance for the reactivation of this
theological dialogue.
Subsequently the two co-presidents of the Joint Commission,
Metropolitan Emmanuel and Metropolitan Bishoy met at the Armenian
Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon, on April 17, 2007 and
discussed the future steps.
The International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between
the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches held its
fourth meeting from January 28 to February 3, 2007 in Rome. The
fifth meeting of the Commission will take place at St. Ephrem Syrian
Orthodox monastery, Ma’arat Saydnaya, Damascus, Syria, from January 27
to February 2, 2008, by the invitation of Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I.
The Archbishop of Canterbury H.G. Rowan Williams recently sent a
delegation to visit us in Lebanon, Egypt and Syria to discuss the
possibility of resuming the work of the Commission of Theological
Dialogue between our Churches and the Anglican Communion. In order
to be able to achieve this goal, we expect that the Archbishop of
Canterbury hold an official meeting with Catholicos Aram I, who is in
charge of the theological dialogues of our Fellowship. The purpose of
this meeting will be to clarify the current situation in the Anglican
Communion, share with the Archbishop the views and concerns of our
three Churches, and discuss practical steps for the resumption of
the dialogue.
We received through Catholicos Aram I an invitation from the Lutheran
World Federation to strengthen relations with the Oriental Orthodox
Churches and to establish an instrument for regular bilateral
contacts. We welcome this invitation. We will convey this invitation
also to the other Churches of our Family.
We are fully aware of the events surrounding us in our region. Our
churches are called to work constantly for the just peace in the Middle
East. The Christian-Muslim dialogue has been integral to the history,
civilizations and cultures of the Middle East. Our churches in this
region have been in existential dialogue with Islam. Due to emerging
new situations and new developments taking place especially in Iraq
and Palestine, continuous efforts must be made to deepen mutual
respect and understanding between Muslim and Christian scholars and
community leaders. Everybody has the right to explain and defend his
or her religion without becoming aggressive and offensive towards
the other religion. The same should apply to media which became a
highly sensitive agent affecting the relations between cultures,
religions and nations.
We condemn all forms and expressions of violence. Religion should
be a promoter of love, hope and reconciliation, peace, justice and
human rights.
Religion cannot be exploited for non-religious purposes. We urge all
those who, for one reason or other, use violence to resolve their
problems. The problems must be resolved through dialogue, mutual
understanding and mutual respect.
We focused our attention on Iraq which is exposed to the destructive
activities of evil forces. This prevailing critical situation obliges
a great numbers of people, both Muslims and Christians, to emigrate
from their homeland. We encourage the United Nations (U.N.) and all
the humanitarian organizations to support the suffering people of
Iraq, wherever they are, till the Lord gives their country security
and stability.
We believe that the peace process must continue with new impetus,
and the Palestinian people must have its independent state and the
right to return home. Israel must implement all Resolutions of
the U.N. Security Council by withdrawing from the occupied Arab
territories, including the Farms of Shabaa in South of Lebanon,
Golan Heights and Jerusalem. Only full justice will bring about
comprehensive, real and permanent peace in the Middle East.
We pray and hope that the Lebanese leaders may soon reach, through
frank dialogue, to mutual understanding leading Lebanon to security,
peace, and unity with the participation of all communities.
We noted with satisfaction that the Christians in Iran are
participating in the social, cultural and economic life of the country
and enjoying the freedom of practicing their Christian faith.
We greet the President of the Republic of Syria, His Excellency
Dr. Bashar Al-Assad, the heads of all religious communities and the
people of Syria. We noted with joy that the Christians in Syria are
engaged in a renewal process: they are experiencing religious freedom;
they are organizing church activities; they are building new churches
and monasteries; and they are playing an active role in society and
contributing to the progress of the country.
We appeal to our faithful, in the Middle East and throughout the
world, to remain firmly attached to the Gospel, its values and
imperatives, and participate more actively in the church’s total life
and witness. We are committed to intensify and deepen further our
collaboration within this Fellowship. We are also committed, under
the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to give a renewed efficiency and
vitality to the witness of our Churches particularly in educational,
theological, diaconal, evangelistic and ecumenical spheres.
As we conclude our Tenth Meeting, we would like to express our
thanks to His Holiness Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I for his warm
hospitability.
May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all the faithful of
our Churches.
Shenouda III Mar Ignatius Zakka I Aram I
Pope of Alexandria and Patrairch of Antioch Catholicos
Patriarch of the See and all the East of the Great
of St. Mark House of Cilicia
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View the photos here:
s87.htm
tos88.htm
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
Ecumenical activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer
to the web page of the Catholicosate, The
Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is
located in Antelias, Lebanon.