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PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HolySeeOfCilicia
HEADS OF FOUR ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES MEET IN CAIRO
As announced earlier, His Holiness Aram I left for Cairo on 13 November
2011, accompanied by Archbishops Sebouh Sarkissian and Nareg Alemezian.
Consultations began Monday morning when His Holiness Aram I met with Pope
Shenouda III of the Coptic Orthodox Church and Patriarch Zakka I Iwas of the
Syrian Orthodox Church. The three Spiritual Heads discussed challenges to
Christian presence in the Middle East, and the forthcoming General Assembly
of the Middle East Council of Churches. At the end, Abuna Paulos, Patriarch
of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church joined the meeting.
The meeting of the four Heads of Oriental Orthodox Churches continued with
an enlarged meeting including the accompanying delegations. On the same
evening, the Spiritual Heads attended a thanksgiving celebration marking the
40th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III as
the Head of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, at the Cathedral
in Cairo The former Prime Minister of Egypt, Muslim Religious Leaders and a
large number of Copts were also present.
On Tuesday members of the Standing Committee of the Heads of Oriental
Orthodox Churches met to discuss the forthcoming Assembly of the Middle East
Council of Churches and the current situation in the Middle East and the
challenges it presents to Christians in the region.
The visit of His Holiness Aram I ended with an extensive television
interview where the Catholicos spoke of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the
Armenian Orthodox Church, Christian presence in the Middle East and the
human rights of survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
At the end of their meeting, the four heads of the churches, issued a common
Declaration emphasizing the importance of giving a concrete manifestation to
the unity of the Oriental Orthodox churches. Hereunder the text of the
common Declaration.
THE MEETING OF THE HEADS
OF THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES
Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate
Cairo, Egypt
14 November 2011
COMMON DECLARATION
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.
14 November 2011
Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate
Cairo, Egypt
Pope Shenouda III
Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I
Catholicos Aram I
Patriarch Paulos
##
Photos: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos650.htm
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HolySeeOfCilicia
HEADS OF FOUR ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES MEET IN CAIRO
As announced earlier, His Holiness Aram I left for Cairo on 13 November
2011, accompanied by Archbishops Sebouh Sarkissian and Nareg Alemezian.
Consultations began Monday morning when His Holiness Aram I met with Pope
Shenouda III of the Coptic Orthodox Church and Patriarch Zakka I Iwas of the
Syrian Orthodox Church. The three Spiritual Heads discussed challenges to
Christian presence in the Middle East, and the forthcoming General Assembly
of the Middle East Council of Churches. At the end, Abuna Paulos, Patriarch
of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church joined the meeting.
The meeting of the four Heads of Oriental Orthodox Churches continued with
an enlarged meeting including the accompanying delegations. On the same
evening, the Spiritual Heads attended a thanksgiving celebration marking the
40th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III as
the Head of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, at the Cathedral
in Cairo The former Prime Minister of Egypt, Muslim Religious Leaders and a
large number of Copts were also present.
On Tuesday members of the Standing Committee of the Heads of Oriental
Orthodox Churches met to discuss the forthcoming Assembly of the Middle East
Council of Churches and the current situation in the Middle East and the
challenges it presents to Christians in the region.
The visit of His Holiness Aram I ended with an extensive television
interview where the Catholicos spoke of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the
Armenian Orthodox Church, Christian presence in the Middle East and the
human rights of survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
At the end of their meeting, the four heads of the churches, issued a common
Declaration emphasizing the importance of giving a concrete manifestation to
the unity of the Oriental Orthodox churches. Hereunder the text of the
common Declaration.
THE MEETING OF THE HEADS
OF THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES
Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate
Cairo, Egypt
14 November 2011
COMMON DECLARATION
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.
14 November 2011
Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate
Cairo, Egypt
Pope Shenouda III
Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I
Catholicos Aram I
Patriarch Paulos
##
Photos: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos650.htm