OBL News

International Orthodox Christian News

12/3/2010

Serbian Orthodox Church

In the Patriarchal court, presided by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia , the first session of the Committee for marking 60 years since death of the Serbian Patriarch Gavrilo Dozic (1881-1950).

The session was attended by His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral, His Grace Bishop Jovan of Shumadia, professor Bogoljub Sijakovic, Minister of Religion of the Republic of Serbia, Archimandrite Rafailo Kalik, head of the Moraca monastery, Miomir Dasic, academician of the SASA, Dragoljub Zivojinovic, academician of the SASA, protopresbyter-staurophor Dr. Radomir Popovic, protopresbyter-staurophor Dr. Predrag Puzovic, professor Dr. Radmila Radic and a monk M.S. Pavle Kondic.

Their Graces Bishops, Vasilije of Srem and retired Atanasije of Zahumlje-Herzegovina, the Administrator of the Diocese of Raska-Prizren, Vasilije Krestic, academician of the SASA and professor Dr. Ljubodrag Dimic for valid reasons could not attend the session.

During the session the date of the 60th memorial service for Patriarch Gavrilo was determined on May 1, 2010. Fundamental decisions were brought on a number of festivities that will mark this anniversary. The working committee headed by His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral was formed, and he was put given supervision over an implementation of the brought decisions.

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10/3/2010

Members of Bulgaria’s Parliament paid tribute on March 10 2010 to the victims of the Holocaust and to Bulgarians who during World War 2 campaigned against the deportation of Jews to Nazi death camps.

Tsetska Tsacheva, Speaker of Parliament, said that people of all social strata in Bulgaria had joined in the campaign to prevent the deportations.

At the Yad Vashem memorial in Israel to the Holocaust, 14 Bulgarians are listed as Righteous Among the Nations, including the then-deputy speaker of Parliament, Dimitar Peshev, and Bulgarian Orthodox Church leaders Sofia Metropolitan Stefan and Plovdiv Metropolitan Kiril, who were prominent in the campaign against the deportations.

Under then-king Boris III, Bulgaria was allied to Hitler’s Germany during World War 2. Anti-Semitic laws modelled on the Nuremberg laws were approved by MPs of the time.

In December 1940, Bulgaria’s National Assembly adopted the Defence of the Nation Act.

Inter-marriage between Jews and non-Jews was outlawed. Jews were banned from certain professions. Special taxes were levied. Jews had to submit a record of their family wealth. They were limited to residence in certain zones, and a 5pm curfew was imposed. There were confiscations of property and real estate. Adult men were barred from military service and were drafted to forced labour.

In January 1943, a commission was set up which confiscated almost all Jewish personal jewellery, bank notes, household silver, and any other valuables, depositing them under official seal in Bulgarian National Bank.

But Peshev and others stood up in 1943 against intentions to send Bulgarian Jews to concentration camps.

The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church sent an official letter to Boris, to the National Assembly, and to the Cabinet demanding that there be no deportations.

The figures generally given for the number of people whose deportations were prevented is 50 000.

March 10 2010 marks the 67th anniversary of the campaign against the deportations and the 65th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust.

While Jews who had Bulgarian citizenship were not deported, a February 1943 agreement between Sofia and Berlin enabled the transfer of Jews in the territories of Aegean Thrace, Macedonia and Pirot, where nominally Bulgaria was in control but where Jews were denied Bulgarian citizenship, meaning that from these places, 11 343 Jews were sent to death camps.

Some died en route, as in 1943 when some of the old river cruisers being used to transport Jews up the Danube capsized, causing the deaths of the incarcerated Jews even before they reached camps such as Treblinka and Auschwitz where six million Jews were murdered.

Ironically, Peshev was put on trial in a communist kangaroo court after World War 2 on charges including “anti-Semitism”.

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12/3/2010

Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness Karekin II hosted Friday OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Joao Soares, a spokesperson to the press office of the Holy See said.

His Holiness Karekin II said praises efforts that the OSCE is making in relation to the process of settlement to the Karabakh conflict.

“We feel hopeful that the 21st century will mark final and fair decision to the issues that concern our people for ages,” His Holiness Karekin II said.

Joao Soares presented last activities by the OSCE and said of the great role of Church. Parties discussed a range of regional and international issues.

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Moscow, March 12, Interfax – Turkish government plans to resume work of an Orthodox Theological seminary on the Island of Halki as it was closed several dozens years ago.

“Me personally and the government are determined to restart education in seminar,” the Sedmitza.ru website has cited Turkish Vice Prime Minister Bülent Arınç I as saying.

As was reported in February, PACE deputies urged Turkish authorities to let Constantinople Patriarch reopen a theological school on Halki and register it as a branch of theological faculty of the Galatasaray University.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia after his meeting with Turkey’s head for Religious Affairs Ali Bardakoglu in Ankara in 2009 said that “to reopen the Halki theological school would be a right step to take.”

Turkish government closed the Halki theological school in the 1970-s, then it was the only seminary of the Constantinople Orthodox Church. It has not opened ever since.

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13/3/2010

BBC News

By Tom Esslemont

Officials in the ex-Soviet republic of Georgia have announced a scheme to let prisoners shorten their jail terms by spending time in a monastery instead.

The scheme for petty criminals has been proposed by the country’s Orthodox Church and government officials.

It comes as prisoner numbers in Georgia continue to rise and so too does the popularity of the Church.

It is unclear how many prisoners will be allowed to become monks or if they have any choice in the matter.

Overcrowding

To say that the Orthodox Church plays an important and influential role in Georgia is an understatement.

Some 80% of its population are said to be Orthodox Christians and its leaders have at times played a part in politics.

Now the Church has gone a step further by directly offering to help reform certain criminals by handing them a cassock and allowing them to serve out their sentence as monks.

In a joint statement, officials from the prisons ministry and the Church said they would work together to select the convicts they thought would benefit most from spending time in a monastery.

They said the purpose was to liberalise the criminal justice system, but the reality is that prisoner numbers are rising fast in Georgia.

A report last year by a penal reform organisation said the incarceration rate had risen by 300% since 2004 and that jails were badly overcrowded.

A senior cleric told the BBC he believed the Church played a positive role in society and that the scheme could work.

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Jerusalem Orthodox Patriarchate

The following is an extract from the newspaper Kul Al Arab:

Number 1157 / Friday 5/3/2010
‘Apology Announcement

The Newspaper Kul Al Arab on 6/4/2007 published an article against His Beatitude Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III and against the Law Office of Advocate Ahmad Al Mougrabi. In this article, incorrect information was reported causing damage to the reputation of His Beatitude and to the Patriarchate, concerning the disposal of the Patriarchate’s properties at Jaffa Gate. The Newspaper Kul Al Arab states that the reporter who wrote the article did not pay the proper attention and was not certain of the credibility of the sources which provided him with the information.

After an examination and cross-checking done by the management of the newspaper, it was found that the sources that provided this news had personal benefits from this article. The reporter of our newspaper was not objective and did not apply to His Beatitude or to the Law Office in order to get their official reply on what was about to be published in the article. Instead, the reporter opted to use unsubstantiated accusations and incorrect information which was proved not to be true.

Therefore the Newspaper Kul Al Arab on the grounds of its credibility, responsibility and duty towards its readers, apologizes to His Beatitude Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III and to the Law Office of Advocate Ahmad Al Mougrabi, Rami Moubrabi and Samer Zougbi for the damages caused to their reputation by the article. They accept His Beatitude’s assurance that He is always leading the battle in protecting the assets, properties and endowments of the Patriarchate, acquiring them back and restoring them solely under the Patriarchate’s ownership.’

Source:

03/10/2010

This year again His Holiness Aram I visited the Diocese of Lebanon and presided over the Mid-Lent Morning Service at the St. Nichan Cathedral. Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, the members of the Diocesan Council, representatives of different committees and the community welcomed him, and the clergy and the seminary students accompanying him.

Before his sermon, His Holiness Arm thanked the Bishop and the laity who kept the vibrant spirit of the community in the service of Lebanon.

In his sermon the Catholicos spoke of the importance of fasting before Easter. Keeping the fast for forty days he said is an attempt by believers to turn to God. He then continued: “Fasting is a spiritual reminder to rethink our lives. For some people it is an occasion to practice discipline in response to physical concerns. Body and soul cannot be separated, but we should remember that today our physical and worldly concerns dominate our lives. The period of Lent should, therefore, be a period to feed our souls and help us discover God.” He then added: Our clergy are called to seek God and nurture and accompany the spiritual journey of our people. This special vocation is a ‘call’ and formation begins at a young age at the seminary. Our youth should listen to this special calling and prepare themselves for the service”. His Holiness then concluded: “Our clergy are therefore, one of us, our children nurtured spiritually to serve God and us.”

At the end of the Service, those present joined His Holiness for an agape breakfast prepared by the members of the diocese.

Source:

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Rev. Prof. Ştefan Buchiu

Romanian Orthodox Church

10/3/2010

Rev. Academician Dumitru Popescu pased away last night. His dead body will be laid tomorrow, 11 March 2010, at the chapel of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of “Patriarch Justinian” of Bucharest, the church of “Saint Ecaterina”, as Rev. Prof. Ştefan Buchiu, dean of the Faculty of Theology of Bucharest informed the “Basilica” News Agency.

The decease occurred at Saint John Hospital of Bucharest.

Rev. Prof. Ştefan Buchiu has also offered more information on the personality of the great academician, for Trinitas Radio station: “Rev. Acad. was a great personality of the Romanian Orthodox Church and first of all of the Romanian Orthodox theology. He illustrated, just like his great predecessors as Rev. Stăniloae, Rev. Chiţescu and others, the specific character of the Romanian Orthodox theology, especially in the comparisons to the theologies of the other Christian Churches and confessions. He was the rector and dean of the Faculty of Theology of “Patriarch Justinian” of Bucharest. He prepared many generations teaching Dogmatic Theology, so that today the majority of the disciples he formed are professors of Dogmatic Theology at the Faculties in our country. His theological work is remarkable and it was very appreciated both in the country and abroad.

The fact that he has become corresponding member of the Romanian Academy tells a lot about what his personality represented, especially in the dialogue between theology and culture. Maybe these themes have been dealt with for the first time in the Romanian theology after 1990. On the other hand, he continued and promoted the thought of our great theologian Rev. Dumitru Stăniloae whose disciple he was, and prepared the Orthodox Theology to be in permanent dialogue with the other theologies emphasising the relationship between spirituality and the mission of the Orthodox Church”.

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12/3/2010

TBILISI, Georgia — Convicts in Georgia can now serve their time working for the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Clerics and prosecutors have struck a deal allowing criminals convicted of minor crimes to serve their sentences in the monasteries of the impoverished Caucasus Mountain nation.

They say the move will help relieve overcrowded jails while helping the church renovate monasteries destroyed in Soviet times.

Prison chief Khatuna Kalmakhelidze says the deal will help inmates do “socially valuable work.”

Church leader Metropolitan Theodor said Friday the convicts would be able to build or maintain monasteries in this predominantly Orthodox Christian nation.

Georgia is still overcoming the economic crisis caused by the 2008 war Russia over a breakaway province.

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Apostolos Andreas Monastery

12/3/2010

By Helen Christophi

THE CHURCH continues to remain silent on details of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s approval of restoring the Apostolos Andreas monastery on the Karpass peninsula in the north..

Initial and current media reports claim that Erdogan sent a personal letter to Archbishop Chrysostomos in which he approved the Archbishop’s request to restore the monastery. But some media outlets are now reporting that Erdogan delivered his approval to the Archbishop orally through unidentified officials, rather than through a letter.

The Bishop of Paphos reportedly commented Wednesday that Erdogan never sent a letter of approval to Chrysostomos and instead conveyed his approval via word-of-mouth. The Bishopric declined to comment further on the issue yesterday.

The Church’s press officer Protopapas said he was unaware whether Erdogan’s response came in written or oral form.

No other details of the project have been made available by the Church to the public yet because, according to Protopapas, negotiations are ongoing and extremely sensitive.

“The issue for us as the Church is to save the monastery,” said Protopapas. “Apostolos Andreas is a symbol for Orthodox Christianity and at the end of the day to do this right we must be lucky enough to put forth the right energies and the right efforts. [The proposals] must be followed and studied very carefully,” he said.

“The issue is very serious and we will not say anything,” said Protopapas, adding that he does not know any other information than what has already been published in the press because Chrysostomos was away from the Archbishopric and had not informed anyone of the latest developments surrounding the restoration project.

Takis Hadjidemetriou, head of the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Cyprus, said he was also unaware of the developments surrounding the restoration of Apostolos Andreas.

The monastery is in danger of collapse after having stood abandoned since the 1974 invasion and occupation of the region by Turkey. It was built in the first centuries AD and was a central pilgrimage site for Greek Orthodox worshippers in Cyprus until Turkish forces barred civilian access to it.

Source:

12/3/2010

Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç, who met with the leaders of Turkey’s non-Muslim communities yesterday, described the Fener Greek Patriarchate’s demand for the reopening of the Greek Orthodox Halki Seminary as “appropriate and just,” vowing to clear the obstacles before the reopening of the seminary as quickly as possible.

Yesterday’s meeting, which took place in Arınç’s office at Dolmabahçe Palace in İstanbul, was attended by 21 individuals, including Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, Chief Rabbi of Turkey Ishak Haleva, Armenian Archbishop Aram Ateşyan, Syrian Orthodox Archbishop Yusuf Çetin and Simon Zazadze, who represented the Catholic Georgian Church.

At a news conference following the meeting, Arınç was asked whether the issue of the reopening of the Greek seminary was on the agenda of the meeting. Arınç said: “We discussed this issue at the meeting. The esteemed patriarch has conveyed his thoughts regarding this issue. We already know what these thoughts are. Our esteemed prime minister, education minister and state minister [responsible for religious affairs] make statements from time to time about the ongoing work on this issue. We approach this issue with good will.”

Established on Oct. 1, 1844, on Heybeli Island — or Halki in Greek — in the Sea of Marmara, the Halki Seminary was the main school of theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church’s patriarchate in İstanbul until its closure by Turkish authorities in 1971. The İstanbul-based Greek Orthodox Patriarchate has long complained about the status of the seminary, with Patriarch Bartholomew saying its reopening is of vital importance to the survival of the Greek Orthodox clergy. The reopening of the seminary is also an important subject in Turkish-American relations. US President Barack Obama, who paid a visit to Turkey last year, requested that the government make an effort to reopen the school.

Arınç said it was very just for the Greek Patriarchate to demand the reopening of the school, adding that it was very normal for religious communities to want to raise theologians.

Yet the deputy prime minister said previous rulings of the Constitutional Court in Turkey have created restrictions on the reopening of the seminary, adding: “I should note that I and the government are determined to restart education at the Halki Seminary in line with our laws. I hope we will be able to make this possible in line with Turkey’s laws before it is too late.”

Arınç, who termed his meeting with the leaders of Turkey’s non-Muslim religious communities as “very significant” for himself and the government, said everyone who is linked to this nation through the bond of citizenship makes up the real components of this country.

“We are like a seven-colored rose that has grown in these lands with our different cultures, traditions and beliefs,” he said. “We actually resemble the organs of a body. When one of us is missing, the culture and belief chain of this country will be deficient.”

12 March 2010, Friday
GÜRKAN TUZLU İSTANBUL

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12/3/2010

Palestinian Christian organizations, figures and many other Palestinians from the Jerusalem and the surrounding area have sent a letter on March 4, to the heads of churches in Jerusalem, demanding them to encourage all Christians in Palestine to enter Jerusalem for the Easter celebrations without applying for permits from the Israeli authorities.

The letter also condemns the Israeli measures of preventing many people from entering the vicinity of the church of the Holy Sepulcher during the holy week,and stresses on the right of worship for all human beings in their holy sites.

A full copy of the letter and the names of the signatories up to date below:

Jerusalem March 4th 2010

H. B. Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theopholis III of Jerusalem
H. B. Patriarch Fouad Twal, Patriarch of the Latin Church
H. B. Patriarch Torkom Manoogian, Patriarch of Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church
H. G. Most Rev. Fr Pierbattista Pizzaballa, ofm, Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land
H. G. Most Rev. Archbishop Dr. Anba Abraham – Coptic Orthodox Church
H.G. Most Rev. Archbishop Mar Swerios Melki Murad, Syrian-Orthodox Church
H. G. Most Rev. Archbishop Abba Matthaious – Ethiopian Orthodox Church
H. G. Most Rev. Archbishop Paul Nabil Sayyah – Maronite Church
H. G. Most Rev. Bishop Suheil Dawani – Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese
H. G. Most Rev. Bishop Dr. Munib Younan – Evangelical Lutheran Church
H.G. Most Rev. Bishop Pierre Malki – Syrian-Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate
H.G. Bishop Jul Al-Zraa’i – Greek Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate
H. G. Most Rev. Fr Rafael Minassian – Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate

Your Beatitudes, Graces and Most Reverends

Re: Upcoming Easter Celebrations and Ensuring Participation of Local Faithful

The upcoming Easter Celebrations are most significant for cementing the faith of the local and expatriate faithful who flock to the Holy Land and to Jerusalem, in specific in reaffirmation of old age traditions and in hope for the vigor and strength that these celebrations offer.

As we approach these Celebrations, we are reminded of the infractions imposed by the Israeli authorities on Freedom of Access to the Holy Sites during the Holy Week that particularly target the local Palestinian Christian population residing in the Palestinian Territories. The permit system instituted by the Israeli authorities to allow a limited number of faithful to arrive to Jerusalem or Bethlehem during the high holidays is itself an affirmation of the systemic infraction of basic human rights of access and of religious observance.

From the practices from previous years even the permit system instituted by the Israeli authorities themselves is not honored when Easter coincides with the Hebrew Pessach. Using hermetic closure of the Palestinian Territories as an excuse, all permits issued by the Israeli authorities are no longer respected as the faithful are turned back at checkpoints with the excuse of “CLOSURE”. This is further proof of the inherently discriminatory nature of the denial of the basic rights to religious observance. We call upon all of Your Beatitudes, Graces and Most Reverends to encourage the faithful to arrive from the rest of the Palestinian Territories without the need for having permits. This could be an occasion to confirm that religious observance does not need permits and that the selective process of permit issuance is categorically unacceptable.

More specific infractions on the rights of the faithful during Easter Celebrations is the order by the Israeli authorities for the encirclement of the Old City of Jerusalem and denial of freedom of entry to the local faithful as well as pilgrims on pretexts of public safety and order. This is particularly the case during the celebration of Holy Fire on the Saturday of Light preceding Easter Sunday. Hundreds of local faithful families from Jerusalem and elsewhere in the country are denied entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and its vicinity. The pretexts used by the Israeli authorities to deny the faithful participation in the most sacred of the Easter rites are unacceptable and are further proof of the purposeful denial of the basic right of access to religious sites and participation in religious observances. Throughout the Ottoman, British Mandate and Jordanian times thousands of local faithful and pilgrims took part in the celebrations. Never was there a feeling of exclusion as is felt nowadays particularly on celebrating the ceremony of Holy Fire. Tens of Greek Orthodox families traditionally carry their family banners in the ceremony and are among the first to receive the holy fire. These families are not able to access the Holy Sepulcher due to the restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities.

The Kairos Palestine Document states: “Religious liberty is severely restricted; the freedom of access to the holy places is denied under the pretext of security. Jerusalem and its holy places are out of bounds for many Christians and Muslims from the West Bank and the Gaza strip. Even Jerusalemites face restrictions during the religious feasts. Some of our Arab clergy are regularly barred from entering Jerusalem.”

We ask Your Beatitudes, Graces and Most Reverends to ensure that all faithful who wish to participate in the different celebrations, rites and rituals of the reinvigorating Easter Liturgy are able to do so without hindrance. Any system which assigns entry permits to Easter celebrations necessarily denies the rest of the faithful their rights of participation in these religious events. We trust that the faithful are cognizant of the issue of public safety and we would ask you to involve the various Boy Scout troupes pertaining to your respective Church communities in ensuring orderly conduct and crowd management. This is done in various celebrations without the interference and restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities that are often unaware and insensitive to the significance of the religious ceremonies in which the faithful wish to participate.

It is befitting to recall at this blessed Lent Season the paragraph in the 1994 Memorandum of Your Beatitudes the Patriarchs and the Heads of the Christian Communities in Jerusalem on the Significance of Jerusalem for Christians:

For Christianity, Jerusalem is the place of roots, ever living and nourishing. In Jerusalem is born every Christian. To be in Jerusalem is for every Christian to be at home. For almost two thousand years, through so many hardships and the succession of so many powers, the local Church with its faithful has always been actively present in Jerusalem. Across the centuries, the local Church has been witnessing to the life and preaching, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ upon the same Holy places, and its faithful have been receiving other brothers and sisters in the faith, as pilgrims, resident or in transit, inviting them to be reimmersed into the refreshing, ever living ecclesiastical sources. That continuing presence of a living Christian community is inseparable from the historical sites. Through the “living stones” the holy archaeological sites take on “life.”

As we wholeheartedly support this statement, we ask for your quick consideration of this issue since we do not want for yet another Easter to pass and the faithful experiencing once again the denial of their basic and natural rights for active and full participation in the celebrations.

Respectfully Yours,

Organizations that have endorsed the letter so far

*Arab Orthodox Union Club – Jerusalem
*Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies – Beit Sahour
*Palestinian Center for Rapprochement between People – Beit Sahour
*Arab Educational Institute – Pax Christi Palestine
*National Christian Association – Jerusalem
*Arab Catholic Boy Scouts – Jerusalem
*Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees MECC Central Office
*Near East Council of Churches – MECC Gaza
*Sabeel
*Bethlehem Bible College
*The Laity Committee in the Holy Land
*International Christian Committee
*Peace and Democracy Forum Jerusalem
*Arab Orthodox Society
*Norwegian Church Aid
*Al Liqa’ Center – Bethlehem
*Holylanders Society for the Preservation of Christian Heritage
*Wi’am Center –Bethlehem
*Indiana Center for Middle East Peace
*YMCA – Jerusalem
*LDCs – BirZeit

Signatories
George Rishmawi, Palestinian Center for Rapprochement, Siraj Center for Holy land Studies
Nabil Mushahwar, Head Arab Orthodox Union Club
Fouad Giacaman, Arab Educational Institute (Pax Christi – Palestine)
Issa Kassisieh, Director – Negotiations Support Unit
Andre Batarseh, General Secretary – YMCA Jerusalem
Ibrahim Matar, National Christian Association
Mousa Qamar, Arab Catholic Scouts Group
Fr. Jamal Khader, Religious Studies Bethlehem University
Dr. Bernard Sabella, Palestinian Legislative Member
Sami El Yousef, Regional Director for Palestine & Israel, Pontifical Mission
George Stephan, Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees – MECC
Nora Carmi, Sabeel
Nicola Saba, Lawyer – Jaffa
Bishara Awad, Bethlehem Bible College
Rifat Kassis, Director DCI
Yusef Daher, The Laity Committee in the Holy Land
Ramzi Zananiri, Director International Christian Committee
Afif Safieh, Palestinian Ambassador-at-Large
Issa Samandar, Coordinator LDCs
Simon Kouba, Architect
Sam’an Khoury, Peace and Democracy Forum East Jerusalem
Constantine S. Dabbagh, Director – NECCRW/Gaza, Refugee Work, Gaza
Audeh Quawas, Medical Doctor – Amman/Jordan
Nora Kort, Arab Orthodox Society
Geries Khoury, Al Liqa’ Center – Bethlehem
Liv Steimoeggen, Norwegian Church Aid
Peter Abu Shanab, Holylanders Society for the Preservation of Christian Heritage
L. Michael Spath, Indiana Center for Middle East Peace
Zoughbi Zoughbi, Wi’am Center

Nadim Asfour
Nader Butros Tafesh
Laurence Carlos Samour
Khader Giacaman
Khaled George Abu Rdeineh
Hajar Antoine Hazboun
Rafiq Akaleh
Basem Hanna Basem
Khader Hanna Al A’ash
Fareed Ghazi Freij
Marcel Mike George Du’ik
Charlie Rizeq
Charlie Farah Batu
Rami Robert Rama
William Robert Suleiman
George Bishara George Ghazaleh
Khalil George Al Hazen
Jiries Qumsiyeh
Jimmy Issa Jamil Ba’bish
Yousef Antoine Yousef Al Araj
Yousef Antoine Ayoub
Michael Shaheen
Daoud Wakileh
Sami Iskandar George Wakileh
Yousef Butros Yousef Jahshan
Antoine George Suleiman Shammas
George Jahshan
Speer Jahshan
Al Mukhtar Zaki Hazou
Robert Sabella
Zari Calebinyan
Geries Shatara
Fernando Albert
Sami Al Sayeh
Bendaly Baqleh
George Baqleh
Usama Baqleh
Jiries Al Sousou
Antoine Abdo
Samuel Shehadeh
Yacoub Said
Samir Habash
Shehadeh Habash
Issa Habash
Hanna Bawab
Yousef Bawab
Abdallah Said
Adi Said
Rizeq Sara
Faris Mansour
Shehadeh Ibrahim
Therese Abdallah
Elias Wakileh
George Basous
Usama Dalo
Jack Rock
Hanna Rimon Qamar
Issa Majed
Na’im Al Sha’er
Yourgu Hirmandes
Nabil Abdallah
Antoine Hajjar
Yousef Jahshan
Maha Sahliyeh
Shadia Sleibi
Jumana Suleiman
Hadil Moussa
John Dabis
Ellen Zreeq
Vicky Ourshibyan
Ibrahim Azar
Munir Kasabreh
Yacoub El Yousef
Sawsan Musallam
Rania El Yousef
Shadi Khalil
Ra’afat Ibrahim
Antoine Farah
Haroun Manashyan
Hanna Al Beeni
Nabil Ajrab
Issa Khayat
Marline Azer
Jamal El Yousef
Simon Sam’an
Simon Bahbah
Isam Freij
Emil Stephan
Nijim Za’rour
Faraj Nasrallah
George Katanashu
Samer Salameh
Dr. George Nassar
Nader Stephan
Sam’an Basous
Joni Jad’on
Antoine Najib Hazboun
Nizar Khayou
Elias Yousef Zalfo
Issa Naber
George Murad
George Sam’an
Hanna Jamil Musa
As’ad Ibrahim Mahyoub Hazboun
George Yousef Elias Sham’on
Carlos Canawati
William Murad
Joni Elias
Edward Kabesh
Fadi Abu Ayyash
Shadi Abu Ayyash
Saleh Abu Ayyash
Said Abu Ayyash
Jamil Azer
Maha Abdallah
Asa’d George
George Hanna ijha
Isam William ijha
Elias William ijha
Hanna Elias ijha
Issa Fakhameh
Nasib Murad Nasib
Hanna Asmari
Philip Bishara Dahabreh
Bad’ Bitar
Farid Kort
Simon Kurt
Usama Abu Jaber
Nabil Abdulla Antoine Abu Jaber
Elias Farah Ibrahim Al Bandak
George Ramzi Housheh
Ibrahim George Al Bandak
Murkos Jiries
Hagoub Banyan
Wisam Zumot
Rojeh Hazou
Gabi Asmer Adam
Bassam Dahou
Tawfiq Radifi
Wael Fayez Hanoun
Salim Zidan Freij
Adel Bishara Handel
Michael Zreeneh
Samer Jubran
Nourma Beru
Murad Beru
Natalie Beru
Nina Dabri
George Hanania
Agnas Hanania
Shukri Mubarak
Ellen Hanania
Majdi Sleebi
Khamis Salim Kattan
Samer Hananiya
Suheil Hananiya
Nabil Murad
William Al Naser
Zu’bi Zu’bi
Rev. Michael Spath
Mary Sabella
Rami Sabella
Tala Dawani
Shereen Moussa
Hanan Turjman
Juliette Zakkak
Claire Kahwaji
Suha Z|eidan
Randa Hallac
Iyad Qudsi
Mr. Ibrahim Faltas
Mona Sabella
Margo Sabella
William Alonzo
Suad Nino
Nuha Nino
Maro Zacharian
Elias Alawi
Ra’fat Costa Issa
Sonia Abu Dayyeh
Dr. Maurice Sabella
Hanan Taweel
Aida Alawi
Aida Kawwas
Jamal Siniora
Zack Sabell
Antoine Nesnas
Joseph Hazboun
Dina Zreineh
Michael Awad
Nidal Abu El Zuluf
Lucy Thaljieh
Samer Moussalam
Tony Sabella
Randa Makhlouf
Rula Daher
Samia Khoury
Anton Sabella
Mukhtar Sami Barsoum
Rene Zanbil
Michel Zanbil
Nabil M. Aho
Jamil Khano
George Khano
Linda Ishaq
Georgette Bano
Lisa Bano
Aziza Khano
George Ishaq
Johnny Korik
Father Shimon Jilleh
Father Boulos Khano
Ibrahim Jilleh
Nadia Ishaq
Mimi Mrah
Hannah Ghattas
Fr. Mushe Cicek
Mary Ozgul
Ruben Steward
George Malki
George Foteh
Hanna Yousef Khazmo
Farhah Khayo
Hanna Khazmo
F. Khazmo
George Housheh
Siren Awwad
Johnny Hindo
Sharbel
Shadi Basous
Firas Freij
Elias Basous
Peter Hosh
Fadi Safar
Issa Qanawati
Sari Musleh
Issa Maliha
Rami Mirza
Rafiq Tabash
Jado Qara’ah
Elias Hazin
George Thaljieh
Fadi Abu ‘Alis
Aram Safar
George Safar
Shukri El Hihi
Elias Roony
Jadallah Hosh
Tewfiq Hosh
Peter Hosh
Tony Hosh
Marie Claire Habash
Nawal Sahhar
Jalil Habash
Marwan As’ad

Cc: HE Archbishop Antonio Franco – Apostolic Delegate
HE Consul General Geert Cockx – Belgian Consulate
HE Consul General Richard Makepeace – British Consulate
HE Consul General Frederic Desagneaux – French Consulate
HE Consul General Sotirious Athanassiou – Greek Consulate
HE Consul General Luciano Pezzotti – Italian Consulate
HE Consul General Ramon Ansoain – Spanish Consulate
HE Consul General Nils Eliasson – Swedish Consulate
HE Consul General Daniel Rubinstein – United States Consulate

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03/08/2010

SOUTH CANAAN, PA [OCA/STOTS] — The administration and faculty of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary here were pleased to learn recently that the Ministry of Education of the Hellenic Republic has decided to recognize the seminary as an accredited higher education institution, equal in standing to the schools of theology at Greek universities.

According to Bishop-elect Michael [Dahulich] of New York and New Jersey, seminary Dean, the Ministry of Education affirmed that the Master of Divinity degree conferred by Saint Tikhon’s Seminary is equivalent to the first degree in Theology conferred by the Theological Schools at the Universities of Athens and Thessalonica. As such, it makes it possible for degree holders to pursue the universities’ graduate studies and doctoral [Th.D.] programs.

By virtue of Greece’s membership in the European Union, this distinction extends to all schools and religious faculties at EU member state universities.

“This is truly a great event in the history of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary and the culmination of tremendous work and effort by everyone associated with it, especially our dearly beloved and deeply respected Dean, Bishop-Elect Michael,” said Dr. Christopher Veniamin, Professor of Patristics. “The Saint Tikhon community is grateful to God for bestowing this great and unsolicited blessing upon our humble efforts to spiritually form and academically prepare pastors and leaders for His Holy Orthodox Church.”

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Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America- Website

The month of March has been designated as Antiochian Women’s Month by His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP. During the month of March every year, women are encouraged to express the fullness of their ministry in the Church. Sponsored by the Antiochian Women, each local chapter is encouraged to hold activities during the month of March and to participate in the Liturgy by reading the Epistle, delivering the homily, and ministering to the parish, the archdiocese, and the community.

Especially during the month of March, women are encouraged to minister to the needs of the poor, infirm and aged, engage in local charitable and humanitarian works, and raise funds for the Project of the Antiochian Women.

Notes Roberta Royhab, Public Relations Director, “Since 1975, Metropolitan PHILIP has challenged the Antiochian Women to raise funds for a worthy project. Over $2,300,000 has been raised in support of special projects, such as, Antiochian Village, Married Seminarians, Missions, Project Orphanages, Retired Clergy Housing Fund, and more recently Al Kafaat, to name a few. This year our project is The Convent of St. Thekla which will be built on the grounds of Antiochian Village, a vision Metropolitan PHILIP has had for many years.

As many of you may know, Saint Thekla was called the First Martyr because she was the first Christian woman who suffered torture and persecution for the sake of God. She was given the title, Equal to the Apostles because she carried on preaching, teaching and baptizing as if she were one of the Twelve Apostles.

St. Thekla was from the city of Iconia. She was born of pagan parents and considered to be a great beauty. In the year 45 A.D., when she was eighteen years old, St. Paul came to Iconia to preach the word of God. He urged the people to purity, chastity, and to pray and love one another. Listening from her bedroom window, St. Thekla listened to his every word, so much so, that she remained without food. Her mother became very concerned and urged her husband, who was the governor at that time, to persuade their daughter to maintain her religion. St. Thekla’s father referred to St. Paul’s words as absurd, and that their Pagan religion was the tradition of their ancestors. He asked her to come back to her senses. She politely told her father our religion has no principle, that the statues that they worship are made of immovable stones and are without soul and without spirit. They do not hear or see, but Paul’s God is the real great God, the Creator of the universe.

Upon hearing her words, her mother became so enraged, she told her husband to, “Burn this hypocrite”. Her father then ordered Paul to be smitten and ordered out of the city, and his daughter Thekla, to be burned at the stake. As she bravely approached the burning wood, she made the Sign of the Cross over the flames and as she stepped forward, the sky suddenly became full of dark clouds, thunder and lightening, and it rained heavily, extinguishing the flames. Thekla was saved. Her angry father then ordered her to be thrown into a dark well with fierce lions, but they became tame in her presence. Next, her waist was tied with ropes to the horns of bulls and heated iron was put on her clothing in hopes of burning her, but the fire only burned the ropes and again she was saved. Even when placed in a room with venomous snakes, the snakes fled away, and Thekla was untouched. When her father ordered her head to be cut off, St. Thekla fled to Antioch, then toward Syria. Her fathers’ men remained in pursuit of her, but St. Thekla escaped, traveling on foot through valleys and over mountains. When she reached the base of Maloula Mountain, she was very tired. It was very high and she was unable to go any further. So she knelt, raised her hands and prayed to God. Suddenly, the mountain divided into two parts and a stream of water rushed under her feet. St. Thekla passed through the gap and found at its end a cave in the mountain, where she chose to live in order to be devoted to her prayers and worship to God. Here she remained praying, fasting, preaching, baptizing, and curing the sick, until her death at the end of the First Century. St. Thekla was buried in her cave, where her remains can be found until this very day.*

How fitting it is for us to also have a Convent of St. Thekla at Antiochian Village. Please join the North American Board of Antiochian Women in working on this exciting and worthwhile project. With faith, love and determination, please help us to make this vision a reality.

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10/3/2010

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

WASHINGTON – The White House hosted yesterday afternoon the Annual Greek Independence Day Celebration for the 24th consecutive year honoring the 189th Anniversary of the start of the Greek War for Independence of March 25th, 1821. This year’s celebration was scheduled earlier than the actual anniversary because the President will be traveling to Asia after March 18.

This year’s celebration coincided with the official visit to Washington of the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic Mr. George Papandreou.

President Barack Obama received Archbishop Demetrios of America representing the Greek-American Orthodox community and Prime Minister Papandreou in private, just prior to the public event, which started at 5:30 p.m.

For the first time in the history of this White House celebration, the First Lady Michelle Obama attended the gathering.

Mr. Papandreou, who earlier in the day had an official meeting with President Obama, was the first to address the more than 350 guests in the East Room of the White House. In his comments, the Prime Minister praised Archbishop Demetrios “for his commitment and his very important work as the spiritual leader of the Greek Americans.” Mr. Papandreou also acknowledged the contributions of the Omogeneia : “The Greek American Community is a lasting link between our two countries. We are proud, and I am part of this Community, we are proud of their accomplishments in academia, in business, in culture and politics. They contribute much to the United States and they are always a source of innovation and strength as they bring their ideas and aspirations to Greece when they visit our country.”

Archbishop Demetrios began by thanking President Obama for his “commitment to pursue what St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians describes as whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, and whatever is gracious (Phil. 4:8),” and said that it was in the spirit of those words of St. Paul that we experience this celebration.

His Eminence said that we pay homage to those who fought the Greek War of Independence and “we honor their universal legacy for freedom, democracy and independence,” he said the heroes of 1821 succeeded because they had “Souls filled with unwavering faith, hearts filled with enormous courage, and minds shining with brilliance…”

The Archbishop asked the President’s assistance on the issues of interest to the Greek American Orthodox Community and said: “We are gratefully aware of and we are with you in your persistence and commitment to promote globally those absolute values, especially in the sensitive areas of the Far, the Middle and the Near East Asia. We thankfully noted that in the first year of your Presidency, you have repeatedly shown your specific advocacy of the same values in the case of our Ecumenical Patriarchate, strongly defending its God-given right to religious freedom. We rely on your continued and dynamic support until, with the help of the omnipotent God, the expected good results are obtained. We also repeat our plea expressed to you in last year’s celebration, for your needed intervention in the still pending issues of the unification of Cyprus, and of the appropriate name for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Our plea for these issues is accompanied by our warm prayers for the leaders and people of Greece, the land which gave Democracy and universal values to the world.” ( see full text of His Eminence’s remarks )

President Barack Obama spoke last, in a warm and upbeat atmosphere, highlighted by the previous speakers and an earlier announcement from the Department of Homeland Security about the designation of Greece as a member of the Visa Waiver Program. The President in his remarks noted how fitting it was to have Mr. Papandreou present in this year’s Greek Independence Day celebration, thanked and praised Archbishop Demetrios, and acknowledged the contributions of the Greek American Community and its leaders. The President said that on March 25 we’ll not only celebrate a singular moment in time, we’ll be reminded of the spirit that has defined Greece and its people for all time. There’s a concept that captures it, and it doesn’t translate easily; it doesn’t really have an equivalent in English. But it’s a virtue that all of you know well, because it’s the very essence of being Greek – and you will forgive if my pronunciation is just so-so – philotimo. Right? Philotimo . Literally, it translates as “love of honor.” I love that concept – love of honor. But, of course, it means much more than that.” ( see full text of the President’s remarks )

At the conclusion of the program President Obama greeted many of the attendees including Metropolitans Iakovos of Chicago, Methodios of Boston, Evangelos of New Jersey, Bishop Savas of Troas, members of the Greek government, diplomats, numerous members of Congress present at the event and Alexi Giannoulias who is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois.

Later in the evening Archbishop Demetrios along with Prime Minister Papandreou attended a working dinner with the participation of other Greek government ministers and a small number of Greek American business leaders. A series of opinions and ideas were exchanged about resolving the present financial crisis in Greece and creating the proper conditions for investment in Greece by Greek American businesses.

The previous night the Chief of Protocol of the United States Ambassador Capricia Penavic Marshall hosted a dinner at the historic Blair House, in honor of Archbishop Demetrios and the anniversary of Greek Independence Day.

To see the full text of the Archbishop’s remarks go to:

http://www.goarch.org/news/ad-remarksatwhitehouse-0309-2010

To see photos of the White House reception go to: http://photos.goarch.org/main.php?g2_itemId=11
For a transcript of the President’s Remarks go to:

http://www.goarch.org/news/presidentobamaremarks-03-09-2010

Contact: PRESS OFFICE
Stavros Papagermanos
212.570.3530
pressoffice@goarch.org

Source:

Preliminary plans for 16th All-American Council — the first to convene in the Diocese of the West — announced

Orthodox Church in America

03/10/2010

SYOSSET, NY [OCA] — For the first time in the history of the Orthodox Church in America, an All-American Council will be held in the Diocese of the West.

Seattle Hyatt Regency”After exploring a dozen cities across North America, Seattle, WA was confirmed by members of the Holy Synod of Bishops and Metropolitan Council as the site of the 16th All-American Council, October 31 through November 4, 2011,” said Archpriest Eric Tosi, OCA Secretary. “A major consideration in the site selection was the desire to garner full participation by clergy and lay delegates from the Diocese of Alaska. In past years, travel costs from Alaska to Councils held in east coast and midwest US cities prohibited most Alaskan parishes from sending participants.”

All sessions will be held at the Hyatt Regency in suburban Bellevue, WA.

Father Eric, accompanied by Archpriest Myron Manzuk, Council manager, and Peter Ilchuk, logistics manager, visited the Hyatt Regency in February to make a final assessment of the venue and meet with members of the local planning committee, co-chaired by Archpriest John Pierce and Lynnell Brunswig. Dmitri Pletz and Michelle Mewhinney-Angel will serve as local treasurer and secretary respectively.

“The local committee has started organizing working groups, establishing local accounts and contacts, and overseeing ongoing site preparation,” Father Eric added. “Initial response from the region’s parishes has been quite enthusiastic.”

His Grace, Bishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West, will chair the Preconciliar Commission, which is responsible for selecting the Council theme and developing its agenda and related materials and resources. The Commission will meet for the first time shortly after Pascha 2010.

Seattle Hyatt Regency width=According to the organizational timeline mandated by the Statue of the Orthodox Church in America,

* the Preconciliar Commission will publish the proposed AAC agenda, notices and final arrangements on August 24, 2011.
* the Holy Synod and Metropolitan Council will approve the final agenda at their fall session in September 2011. All proposed changes to the Statute, resolutions, and related actions must be submitted by this date.
* the Chancery will issue delegate credentials and certification and distribute Council reports on September 30, 2011.

In addition to plenary sessions, the AAC schedule will include liturgical services, workshops, displays and exhibits, and related activities. Other Council-related events, including two possible pilgrimages to Sitka and select sites in the Pacific Northwest, are in the planning stage.

In addition to Bishop Benjamin; Fathers Tosi, Manzuk, and Pierce; and Mr. Ilchuk, other members of the Preconciliar Commission include Archpriest Alexander Garklavs, Chancellor; Melanie Ringa, OCA Treasurer; Priests Victor Gorodenchuk, Alexander Rentel, and John Vitko; and Prof. David Drillock, Lisa Mikhalevsky, and Valerie Zahirsky. Archpriest Leonid Kishkovsky will serve as a consultant, while Archpriest John Matusiak, OCA Media Coordinator, will oversee press and public relations and communications efforts.

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10/3/2010

Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Prince Albert II, current ruler of the Principality of Monaco and high patron of the Cardinal Paul Poupard Foundation, chose His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on March 3, 2010 to become his first recipient of the Cardinal Poupard Prize. He honored and recognized the Ecumenical Patriarch for his “engagement in favor of safeguarding creation” and environmental leadership.

His Eminence Paul Cardinal Poupard is the President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture and President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue for the Holy See. The award was given to His All Holiness in a ceremony at the Hotel de Paris in the Principality of Monaco.

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Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

6/3/2010

On March 6, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received Emir Kusturica, world-renowned Serbian filmmaker, actor and musician in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.He was accompanied by his wife, Maja, and musicians from his rock band, No Smoking Orchestra.

Welcoming the eminent artist to the headquarters of the Armenian Church, the Pontiff of All Armenians spoke of the Armenian Church and Its role in the life of the Armenian nation, and in the preservation of spiritual values and national identity. His Holiness also reflected on the national character and unique contribution of the Church to the creation and development of Armenian culture.

His Holiness Karekin II and Kusturica met in January in Moscow, when they were both granted the 2009 Patriarch Alexy II Award by the International Fund of the Unity of Orthodox Peoples.

In his remarks, Kusturica noted his pleasure in visiting Armenia and getting acquainted with a nation that has a similar past, filled with tragedy and hope. Kusturica also referred to the importance of spiritual values in society and presented his future plans to His Holiness.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Kusturica and his rock band visited the Museum of the Mother Cathedral and the pontifical residence.

Source:

8/3/2010

by Daily Telegraph, London

Esat Altindagoglu has been inundated with more than 50 visitors a day hoping to see the “miracle” at his house near Paris.

The one-foot high painting was given to his wife Sevin by a Lebanese priest on her birthday in 2006, the Turkish-born salesman said.

It began weeping oil on February 12 this year, and had been “crying” every day since, he claimed.

He said: “As word spread, people started arriving from France, then from all over Europe.

“I’ve been having between 50 and 60 people a day turning up for more than three weeks now.”

An Orthodox priest had now agreed to say mass at his home in Garges-les-Gonesse this week to thank the Virgin Mary, Mr Altindagoglu said.

He added: “Apparently the next step is to have to weeping witnessed by a bishop so the miracle can be officially recognised by the church.”

Over the centuries there have been hundreds of incidents of statues said to have wept blood, oil or water.

But the only one ever approved as a miracle by the Pope was Our Lady of Akita in Japan, in 1973, with all the others ruled out as hoaxes.

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