The
10th Meeting of the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle East
by SOLNews
SOLNews - ANTELIAS, Lebanon - 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.
Source: Suryoyo-online.org & Cathcil
Visit Link for Common Declaration: http://www.socmnet.org/Resource_OO_Common_Decleration_Syria_2007.htm
