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11/28/2011 Patriarch Kirill Considers Collapse of the USSR a Decay of Historical Russia Moscow, November 15, Interfax - Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia believes collapse of the Soviet Union was a negative event. . COMMON DECLARATION BY THE HEADS OF THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHESTHE MEETING OF THE HEADS OF THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, H.H. Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, H.H. Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Orthodox Church and H.H. Abuna Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, give thanks to God for bringing us together here in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday, 14 November 2011, to pray together and to reflect together on matters and concerns pertaining to our Churches and the Oriental Orthodox Family in general. We were accompanied by metropolitans, archbishops and bishops of our Churches. In fact, the Churches of the Oriental Orthodox Family are united in faith, theology, doctrine, tradition and spirituality. This strong bond of unity has sustained this Family and became a source of spiritual strength, missionary outreach and social action in spite of tremendous challenges and crisis which surrounded these Churches in the course of their long history. The unity of faith of our Family is grounded on Apostolic Tradition and the teachings of the first three Ecumenical Councils of Nicea (325), Constantinople (381) and Ephesus (431). We developed our theological teachings and shaped our doctrinal positions on the basis of the teachings of these Ecumenical Councils, and adopted a common position in respect to heresies and heretics. It is vitally important that we re-affirm and re-strengthen our unity, and re-invigorate our Christian witness. In a world which is constantly threatened by secularistic and materialistic ideologies and different sort of heresies which may jeopardize the integrity, identity and unity of our faith, therefore, re-organizing and re-revitalizing our intra-family collaboration is of decisive importance. The Oriental Orthodox Family has a long and rich history. Its relevance needs to be re-affirmed and its common witness to be re-activated in those regions and countries where the faithful of our Churches have organized their church and community life. For H.H. Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I, H.H. Catholicos Aram I and H.H. Abuna Paulos, participating in the 40th anniversary celebration of the enthronement of H.H. Pope Shenouda III was indeed a source of spiritual joy and a unique opportunity to express our brotherly love and unity. The pontificate of His Holiness has been one of dedicated service to the sister Coptic Orthodox Church; a committed service marked by so many achievements in different spheres of the life and mission of the Church. We pray the Almighty God to strengthen H.H. Pope Shenouda III to carry on his pontifical ministry with renewed commitment and vision. We appeal to our faithful to remain firm in their Christian faith and participate fully in the witness of our Churches. May God lead our Churches in faithfulness to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. Glory be to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Pope Shenouda III Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Catholicos Aram I Patriarch Paulos Source: Ten Thousand Roman Catholics and Anglicans Joined Syrian Orthodox Church17/11/2011 MA`ARAT SAYYIDNAYA, DAMASCUS: Around 10,000 Catholics and Anglicans joined Holy Syriac Orthodox Church in Brazil. The Syriac Orthodox Church has about 100 000 new members in Brazil. It’s about Portuguese people who were previously Catholics and Anglicans, who found their spiritual home in the Syriac Orthodox Church. His Holiness the Patriarch approved and blessed 2 bishops and 2 priests who represented around, 80 priests and more than 10,000 believers who joined in the Syriac Orthodox Church Community. The official request was submitted to His Holiness around 2 years ago and since then they were working for the Church’s development in Brazil. The two Syrian Orthodox bishops called Jolino Gomes Neto (Archbishop) and Jose Faustino Filho and 2 priests, are now in the Patriarchate. They met with His Holiness before His Holiness’s departure to Cairo and discussed the church’s growth in Brazil and other related matters. Mor Silvanus Peter Al-Nehm, Metroploitan of Homs and Hama and Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, Patriarchal assistant were present during the discussions. Holy Father decorated Father Flavio Tadeusz with Golden Cross and Chain. Source: Pope Shenouda III Celebrates 40th Anniversary of His Enthronement15/11/2011 Oriental Patriarchs His Holiness Ignatius Zakka Iwas of Anthioch and All East , His Holiness Abuna Pulose of Ethiopia, His Holiness Aram I of the Armenian Church in Lebanon, representatives from Eritrean Church and several other dignitaries took part in the auspicious ceremony. His Holiness Baselius Paulose II, Catholicose of East and Malanakra Metropolitan, primate of the Indian Orthodox Church had sent congratulatory message to Pope Shenouda III. Pope Shenouda III celebrated Monday the 40th anniversary of his ordination as pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Nearly 5000 Copts and Eastern Orthodox patriarchs took part in a celebration event held at the papal office in Abbasseya. Prime Minister Essam Sharaf sent a letter of congratulations to the pope, promising to personally visit him soon. A number of public figures also attended the celebration, including former Deputy Prime Minister Yehia al-Gamal, Vice President of the Supreme Constitutional Court Tahani al-Gebali and former MP Georgette Qellini. Members from the Mapsero Youth Union, a Coptic activist group, were also present. Earlier press reports had said the pope intended to cancel the event, probably in protest of the bloody incident that took place outside the Maspero state television building on 9 October. That night, military vehicles reportedly ran over Coptic-led demonstrators decrying recent attacks on churches around Egypt. Twenty-eight people were killed in the violence. Several human rights groups and activists have accused the armed forces of a deliberately violent response to the protests. This accusation has been denied by army officials. Relations between the military and the Coptic community have degraded as a result of the Maspero incident. Source: Communiqué of Meeting of the Primates and Representatives of Seven Local Orthodox Churches Held in Moscow on the Occasion of the 65th Birthday of the Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All RussiaOn November 21, 2011, the Primates and representatives of seven Local Orthodox Churches: Antiochian, Russian, Georgian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Polish and of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, met at the patriarchal residence in the Moscow Kremlin on the occasion of the 65th birthday of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. Participating in the meeting were: Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia Iliya II, Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland, Metropolitan Christopher of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, Metropolitan Nifon of Filippopolis (Antiochian Orthodox Church), Metropolitan Nifon of Târgoviste (Romanian Orthodox Church), Metropolitan Dometian of Vidin (Bulgarian Orthodox Church). On the eve of the meeting, the Primates and representatives of the seven Local Orthodox Churches celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Christ the Savior on the occasion of the 65thbirthday of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. They gave thanks to God for the opportunity of fraternal meeting, greeted the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, and wished him many happy returns and God’s help in his primatial ministry. The Primates and representatives of the fraternal Local Churches of the East-European region stated that they have had common experience. Each of these Churches suffered different kinds of oppression by the theomachist political systems and now encounters new challenges that replaced the dominance of anti-religious ideology. These challenges include secularization, propagation of permissiveness and consumerism, and erosion of moral standards. The participants in the meeting noted the necessity of stimulating the Church’s mission and expressed their support to the extension of its social ministry in constructive cooperation with all healthy social forces. While interacting with society, the Church does not forget oppressions it had suffered and cherishes the freedom it has gained. The Primates and representatives of the Local Churches which have survived under hard historical circumstances expressed their solidarity with the Churches of the Middle East and North Africa: of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem and Cyprus, and expressed their sympathy with all Christians of the Middle East who suffer oppressions and in certain cases are subjected to direct persecution for the faith today, as well as the orthodox Serbians of Kosovo. The participants noted the significance of the recent regional meetings of the Primates and representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches held in Cyprus, Jordan, and Constantinople on the initiative of the Heads of the respective Churches. The meetings facilitated inter-Orthodox cooperation on the situation of Christians in the Middle East and drew attention of the world community to the problem of discrimination against Christians in the region. The Primates and representatives of the seven Churches welcomed the revival of conciliar life in the Church in recent years and expressed their hope that the pre-conciliar process will in due time lead to the convocation of the Pan-Orthodox Council, which might solve many important church problems. Procedure and content of the Council should be thoroughly prepared, and the position of each Local Church should be taken into consideration. For this objective, it is necessary to adhere to the principle of consensus in decision-making during the preparation process and at the Council itself. The participants in the meeting emphasized that the Council should give a competent response to the modern challenges. The Council’s decisions should fully correspond to the dogmatic and canonical Tradition and not introduce novelties that might endanger the unity of the Holy Church. + Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia + Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia Iliya II + Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland + Metropolitan Christopher of the Czech Lands and Slovakia + Metropolitan Nifon of Filippopolis + Metropolitan Nifor of Târgoviste + Metropolitan Dometian of Vidin November 8/21, 2011 Synaxis of the Archangel Michael Source: http://www.mospat.ru/en/2011/ Restoration of the Church of St. George - Slava of Novi SadOn the day of the Patron Saint's Day of Novi Sad, the feast day of the Restoration of the church of Holy Great Martyr George, November 3/16, 2011 , the head of the Church of God in Novi Sad and Backa, His Grace Bishop Dr Irinej of Backa served the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral Church in Novi Sad. Congratulating all the residents of God's saved city of Novi Sad their slava, Bishop Irinej said in his sermon that today's liturgical commemoration of the restoration of the church of St. George was related to an ancient mutual history of the Church. Reminding the present that few years ago in the City Hall, with the blessing of the Church and by a mutual prayer, the slava was worthily commemorated. Bishop Irinej expressed a regret because the actual representatives of the city justify their non-churchliness and non-catholicity with so-called private and closed celebration of the slava of the city. During the Holy Liturgy, Bishop Irinej ordained deacon Igor Ignjatov, brother of the church of Sts. Cyrill and Methodius and the officer of the Diocesan administrative committee of the Diocese of Backa. The Liturgy in the Cathedral church, besides monsignor Djura Gasparevic, bishop of Srem, many figures from the public life of Novi Sad were present. Source: http://www.spc.rs/eng/ The Patriarch Of Romania Preached In The Saint Martyr George Chapel Of The Patriarchal Residence On 20 November 2011, the 26th Sunday after Pentecost, the evangelical pericope of the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 12: 16-21, reading about the example of the rich man whose “ground yielded an abundant harvest” was read in all the places of worship of the Romania Patriarchate, during the Divine Liturgy. Source: Orthodox Young People On A Visit To The Patriarchal Residence On 20 November 2011, over 60 young people, members of the Romanian Christian Orthodox Students’ Association (A.S.C.O.R. in Romanian) and of the Romanian Christian Orthodox Youth League (L.T.C.O.R. in Romanian) were received by His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church at the Patriarchal Palace. His Grace Mihail, Romanian Orthodox Bishop for Australia and New Zeeland was also present at the event. Source: http://www.basilica.ro/en/ Metropolitan Job Mar Philexinos Passes Away20/11/0211 KOTTAYAM: Metropolitan Job Mar Philexinos,72, the head of Delhi Metropolitanate of Orthodox Syrian Church of the East -Malankara, passed away at Kolenchery on Sunday, owing to prolonged illness. The body, which was brought here in the evening, will be kept at Old Seminary chapel for the public to pay homage till 10 am on Monday. On Monday morning, the body will be taken to Mount Tabor Monastery at Pathanapuram via Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Pandalam and Adoor. The funeral services will be held at Mount Tabor at 2 pm on Tuesday. Mar Philexinos was keeping indifferent health after he underwent kidney transplantation in 1993. He was admitted to Kolenchery Medical College Hospital in September after his health condition worsened. Born on May 8, 1939, to K C Thomas and Achamma of Kanianthara family, Job Mar Philexinos is the grandnephew of the latte Catholicos of the East Basilios Givargis .He had his primary education at St John’s School, Mepral, and PMV School, Peringara. At 16, he joined Mount Tabor Monastery as a novice. He was ordained a Deacon on May 26, 1956. In 1962, he was ordained a full Deacon at Parumala, and on May 11, 1972, as a priest. He took Master,s Degree in English Literature from St Joseph’s College in Tiruchirappalli. In 1969, he became a lecturer at St Stephen’s College, Pathanapuram. He was the head of the English Department and later became the vice-principal of the college. In 1974, he was appointed vicar of St John’s Orthodox Church, Mepral. Mar Philexinos received his monastic tonsure as a monk (Ramban) on March 31, 1990, at St Peter’s and St Paul’s Orthodox Church at Parumala. He was ordained the Bishop of the Malankara Orthodox Church on April 30, 1991 at Parumala Church. He was appointed assistant bishop of Delhi Diocese and became the Diocesan Bishop after the death of Paulose Mar Gregorios in 1996. He was elevated as Metropolitan on August 27, 2002, at Devalokam, Kottayam. He took the initiative to institute the Paulos Mar Gregorios Memorial Award, which was won by eminent national and international personalities, including Dalai Lama, social activist Baba Amte, father of White Revolution V Kurien, Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala founder P K Warrier, and statesman Karan Singh. Mar Philexinos was instrumental in taking up Shantigram Social Service project in Mandavar in Haryana, formation of self-help group for the womenfolk of Mandavar, retreat Centre at Sohna in Haryana, the first medical mission of the Orthodox Church in Delhi among others. Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ Belt of Blessings: Christian Relic Visits Russia21/11/2011 Thousands of Muscovites are lining up to worship one of the most revered Orthodox Christian relics - The Mother of God's Belt – as it goes on display at the Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The Orthodox Church believes in a legend that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, wore a belt woven from camel wool, and, after her death and Assumption, it came into the hands of the Apostle St Thomas. The Christian relic, which came to Russia from Greece, is believed to have divine powers to cure infertility and disease. In the first centuries of the Christian era, the Belt was held in Jerusalem. By the end of the 4th century, the relic was taken to Constantinople (now Istanbul). It had been repeatedly cut into parts throughout history. And only three pieces remain. One of them is kept in Georgia, the two others are in Prato, Italy, and at Vatoped Monastery on Mount Athos in Greece. The latter is believed by Orthodox Christians to be under protection of the God`s Mother. The Belt has never been taken from Athos before, with an exception only made for the month-long Russian tour across 14 cities this year. The relic will be on display for more than a week. Source: http://rt.com/news/christian- In Egypt’s New Democracy Copts Feel SidelinedBy THE MEDIA LINE CAIRO - Calm and composed, 26-year-old Shaheer Ishak was a university student onlya few short years ago. Now, he is campaigning for a seat in the first parliament of Egypt’s post-Husni Mubarak era. Ishak is one of a handful of youth activists, who were instrumental in the protest movement that ousted the former dictator in February who decided to throw his hat in the race. He does, however, understand the worries and fears, but is optimistic that the change people wanted can be achieved, through voting. “It is our greatest power as a democracy.” Source: http://www.jpost.com/ Protestors Call on Getty Museum to Return Pages of Armenian Bible 21/11/2011 About 30 protesters gathered on Saturday near the Getty Museum calling to return seven pages of 75-year-old Armenian bible created by Toros Roslin. The protesters were holding signs that read “Shame on Getty” and “Our history is not for sale”, Glendale News-Pressreported. “It is a piece of culture taken away from us. It is a piece of our identity. It is a piece of our past,” said Glendale resident Rita Mahdessian. Demonstrators said that through events like the protest on Saturday, they hoped to generate public interest in the issue stateside. While their opponents say the pages deserve to be on display for thousands to see for people to learn more about other culture. Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church filed a lawsuit against the J. Paul Getty Museum, demanding return of 7 pages from 750-year-old bible. The Armenian Prelacy claims that the pages were lost or stolen during the Armenian Genocide. On November 3, Los Angeles court rejected claim filed by Getty Museum urging to reject the lawsuit. The rest of the bible is currently housed at the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Madenataran) in Yerevan. Source: 11/6/2011 First Russian Orthodox Church on Arabian Peninsula Built in the UAE Abu Dhabi, November 2, Interfax - Russia thanked authorities of the United Arab Emirates for cooperation in building the first Russian Orthodox church on the Arabian Peninsula, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. Source: http://www.interfax-religion. Girdle of the Holy Virgin Delivered to Russia from Athos MonasteryMoscow, October 21, Interfax - Delegation of St. Andrew the First-Called Foundation delivered a reliquary with one of the greatest Christian shrines - belt of the Mother of God from the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos to St. Petersburg Source: http://www.interfax-religion. Orthodox Students’ House Opened at University of Fribourg, SwitzerlandOn October 28, 2011, Metropolitan Hilarion, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, led a solemn ceremony of opening a house for Orthodox students at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. The event was attended by Archbishop Diego Causero, apostolic nuncio to Switzerland, Rev. Gwido Vergauwen, rector of the university, Prof. Mariono Delgado, dean of the faculty of theology, Ms. Barbara Hallensleben, professor of dogmatic theology, as well as professors and students of the university. In the morning, a brief prayer was said. During breakfast, Metropolitan Hilarion told the participants about problems and prospects of Orthodox-Catholic dialogue and answered numerous questions. A possibility for establishing a parish of the Moscow Patriarchate was discussed as a meeting place for Orthodox students and the local community of Russian expatriates. The day before, the DECR chairman read a lecture for theological students on Orthodox-Catholic dialogue and addressed the students of the department of Slavic Studies and students who came from Eastern Europe. On the same day, Metropolitan Hilarion met with the rector of the university and the dean of the faculty of theology. DECR Communication Service Source: http://www.mospat.ru/en/2011/ ‘CHILDREN MUST BE AT THE HEART OF OUR THINKING’Stated His Holiness Aram I during his Pontifical visit 10/27/2011 His Holiness Aram I emphasized the importance of Armenian children’s education during his three week-long pontifical visit to the parishes of Western Prelacy in California. He devoted his time to visiting the Armenian schools in Los Angeles, Valley, Pasadena, Montebello, Hollywood, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Fresno and in other regions of California, and spent time with the children and their teachers. The Catholicos Aram I was disturbed by the fact that despite the large number of Armenian schools, many children attended other schools. In tune with his declaration of ‘2011 Year of the Armenian child’, the Catholicos urged parents and teachers to nurture the spiritual, social and intellectual growth of the Armenian child.
Source: http://www. Proclamation Of the Canonization Of Saint Hierarch Andrei Saguna, Metropolitan of Transylvania On 29 October 2011, the proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Hierarch Andrei Saguna, Metropolitan of Transylvania, took place in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Sibiu, in the presence of the Greek and Romanian hierarchs. Many representatives of the state institutions, and Mr. Traian Basescu, President of Romania, too, were present, as well as representatives of the government, of the sister Churches, local authorities, archpriests, priests, professors and people of culture, young students and pupils, and thousands of faithful who wanted to attend. Source: Proclamation Of the Canonization Of Saint Simeon Stefan, Metropolitan Of Transylvania On 30 October 2011, the proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Simeon Stefan, Metropolitan of Transylvania, took place in the porch of the Reintegration Archiepiscopal Cathedral of Alba Iulia, in the presence of the Patriarch of Romania, of the Metropolitan of Patras, of the members of the Alexandrine and Greek delegations. Several hierarchs members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church were also present. Source: Promotion of a New Book: Full Serbian Translation of the Holy Bible2/11/2011 On Friday, October 28, at the Book Fair there was a presentation of the first edition of the Holy Bible Old and New Testament with translated deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament, which were translated into the modern Serbian language by His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral and retired Bishop Atanasije of Zahumlje-Herzegovina. In the presence of His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch and Their Graces Bishops Hrizostom of Zica and George of Canada, about this edition of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church it was spoken by the member of the Synod Bishop Irinej of Backa and the vicar of Serbian Patriarch Irinej Bishop Atanasije of Hvosno. Spiritual and cultural event of the year Bishop Irinej emphasized a fact that in our cultural environment the Holy Bible was still unknown, which should concern us. He also pointed out that " the Holy Bible is the most read book in the world, the bestseller of all times, which is less read in our country, despite the recommendation of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The results are disappointing, due to historical reasons but also because of the lack of good and useful habits of believers to systematically read the Bible. Now we have the full text of the Bible in the reliable Serbian translation, which will eventually be perfected, and now it is acceptable and recommended. Slavica Lazic Source: http://www.spc.rs/eng/ 16th All-American Council opens Monday Evening, October 31; Ancient Faith Radio to Broadcast Plenary Session PodcastsOCA 1/11/2011 The formal opening of the 16th All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America is taking place on Monday evening, October 31, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel here.
Patriarch Kirill Hopes Visit to Japan, Will Strengthen Bilateral Ties(updated) Moscow, November 1, Interfax - Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has reaffirmed his readiness to visit Japan in 2012. Source: http://www.interfax-religion. Greek Church, Qatar Hold Talks on Developing Ecclesiastical LandNov. 2 (Bloomberg) -- The Archbishop of Athens, Hieronymos II, discussed with Qatar the development of church land in Athens during a recent visit to the emirate, the synod of Greek Orthodox bishops said in a statement on its website. While the statement didn’t identify the site, Imerisia reported that the talks were about a plan for Qatar to develop 21 acres of prime real estate in the seaside suburb of Vouliagmeni, either as an hotel or as a photovoltaic park. The newspaper didn’t say where it got the information. --Editors: Alan Purkiss, Chris Peterson To contact the reporter on this story: Paul Tugwell at ptugwell1@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Angela Cullen at acullen8@bloomberg.net Source: Greeks in Hungary Celebrate National “Oxi” Day31/10/2011 Within a very emotionally tense atmosphere due to the recent loss of Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Austria and Exarch of Hungary Michael, Greeks residing in Budapest celebrated the national “Oxi” Day Anniversary with laurel wreaths, ecclesiastic blessings and a gala. Tributes were paid at the Monument of Hellenism in front of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Dormition of Virgin Mary in Budapest downtown. This church has been in the ownership of the Russian Orthodox Church ever since the end of World War II, but the Ecumenical Patriarchate has been taking actions on reclaiming it over the past years. The celebrations were attended by the Ambassadors of Greece and Cyprus in Hungary, Mr. Spyridon Georgiles and Mr. Vassos Chiamberlen, the representative of the Orthodox Exarchy archpriest Joseph Calota, the president of the Görög Országos Önkormányzat, a powerful Greek association in Budapest Mr. Georgios Tzitzis, the president of the Intercultural Association Macedonia Mr. Dimitris Ladas, the president of the Greek-Cypriot-Hungarian Friendship Association and the president of the Greek Orthodox Ecclesiastic Community of Budapest Mrs. Martha Politidou. After the ecclesiastic blessing, the Community was able to wine and dine at the gala organized by the Greek Orthodox Religious Community and the Macedonian Association. The Monument of Hellenism was unveiled 5 years ago in a central square of the capital city and symbolizes the creative presence of Hellenism in Hungary over the centuries. Source: http://eu.greekreporter.com/ Armenian Catholicos, US Ambassador Discuss Karabakh Settlement1/11/2011 Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II met with the newly-appointed US Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern. At the meeting, the catholicos called the Ambassadors’ attention to OSCE Minsk Group for Karabakh settlement, praising their efforts in preservation of peace and stability in the region. Source: http://www.news.az/articles/ Coptic Pope Bans Political Campaigning in Churches 1/11/2011 The head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Shenouda III, has given directives to prevent Coptic parliamentary candidates from using churches for their electoral campaigns. The pope called on Coptic candidates not to mix religion with politics or use religious slogans in their campaigns for the parliamentary elections set to start on 28 November. The number of Christian nominees for the People's Assembly and Shura Council elections in Alexandria currently stands at 19, Coptic activist Karim Kamal told Al-Masry Al-Youm. In 22 October, independent daily Al-Fagr quoted Mamdouh Nakhla, another Coptic activist, as saying that Copts are increasingly inclined to abstain from participating in elections either as candidates or as voters. Nakhla predicted that the rate of Coptic candidacy in the polls will not exceed 10 percent, saying that the nominees might decide to run on lists backed by liberal parties, such as the Free Egyptians Party. Before the January uprising that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak, many parliamentary candidates held their electoral campaigns in places of worship. The state usually allowed nominees from the former ruling National Democratic Party to take every step possible to run their campaigns. The use of religious facilities was notable during the vote on constitutional amendments in March, especially by Islamist groups that urged voters to support the amendments. Source: http://www.almasryalyoum.com/ An Artistic Night at the Abbasiya Cathedral Commemorates the Martyrs of Maspero's Black Sunday Sherry El-Gergawi 31/10/2011 Poetry, song and pantomime at the Abbasiya Cathedral expressed deep sorrow after the Maspero massacre Different artistic performances were held on Saturday, 29 October, at the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Abbasiya, near Downtown Cairo, to commemorate the martyrs killed in a bloody night of violence on 9 October. The deaths occurred when military police clashed with mostly Coptic Christian protesters around the Maspero State TV building. The evening’s performances, infused with Coptic anger at the Maspero massacre, varied from poetry, singing, pantomime, monodrama and a theatrical performance titled Sarkhet Wadaa (A Goodbye Cry). Two paintings by an artist called Joseph were displayed, one depicting the blood spilled at the massacre and the other depicting Jesus, with his arms wide open to the martyrs. The item that received the most applause and attention was by Maikel Romany, who through painting with sand told the story of the Maspero Black Sunday, when army vehicles ran over protesters in a peaceful march. His performance also included the heart-wrenching story of the martyr Maikel Mossad and his fiancée. Families of martyrs as well as injured people attended the performance, along with a number of artists, intellectuals and media figures. In his speech, Bishop Moussa, who organised the event, thanked the Minister of Culture Emad Abou Ghazi for attending the event and for offering help preparing for it, adding that the Salam Theatre in Garden City has been offered for 10 days to host this performance. Abou Ghazi then commended the performance, which he said has expressed the tragedy in a creative way, and added that Egyptians should stand together to build the civic nation that they seek. The actor Mahmoud Yassin expressed his awe with his performance. “Our youth have a lot of creative energy. These are youth that need freedom so that Egypt can move forward. They reclaim Egypt’s identity which is: Egypt for all Egyptians.” The actor and theatre director Mohamed Abou Dawood also expressed his appreciation for the event and said that in order to solve the sectarian problem in Egypt, one has to have solutions that tackle the core of the issue. The media figure Fatma Naout was highly moved by the performance. “I hope everyone learns how to love from you. Despite everything that is happening to Copts in Egypt, the love still fills their hearts,” she said, teary-eyed. Source: Communiqué2/11/2011 The Committee of the Holy Assembly of Bishops for the preparation of marking the 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan as a co-organizer along with the Association of non-government organizations of South-East Europe - CIVIS, Austrian foundation PRO ORIENTE and Swiss PEACE AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION organizes a promotion of the book - collection of works of the conference participants UNCHANGING VALUE AND PERMANENT ACTUALITY OF THE EDICT OF MILAN - TOWARDS THE GREAT JUBILEE OF 2013, which was held in Nis, at the St. Sava's House of the Diocese of Nis, from February 24-26 of this year. The promotion of the book will be held At the promotion about this collection of works will be discussed by: His Grace Bishop Dr Irinej of Backa, His Grace Bishop Dr Porfirije of Jegar, Professor Dr Bogoljub Sijakovic, monsignor Dr Andrija Kopilovic and Ms. Mirjana Prljevic, the international secretary general of the CIVIS Association. It is expected that His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch also would be present there. For all additional information, please contact us by phone 011/ 26.21.723 or by email contact@civis-see.org. Bojana Popovic Source: |