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Important issues Δελτία Τύπου 3rd Day of International Conference
Important issues Δελτία Τύπου 3rd Day of International Conference | 3rd Day of International Conference |
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.jpg "3rdday_(3).jpg") The International Conference on “Christian Presence and Witness in the Middle East Today: Theological and Political Challenges,” which has been organized by the Academy for Theological Studies of the Metropolis of Demetrias and the World Council of Churches, concluded successfully Wednesday, June 22, 2011.
The conference was broadcast directly on the interactive online television station intv.gr with simultaneous translation in Greek and English.
The speaker in the first morning session was the Metropolitan of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Aleppo, Mar Youhanna Ibrahim. .jpg "3rdday_(5).jpg") Metropolitan Mar Youhanna Ibrahim discussed “Christians in Syria." After describing the situation in the region at large and its direct or indirect effects on Christians in Syria, His Eminence outlined the current presence of Christians in the region, trying to offer some suggestions to the questions relating to what the media in surrounding countries expect vis-à-vis developments in Syria, where this will lead, and when the demonstrations and protests in the region will stop..jpg "3rdday_(4).jpg") The second morning session featured Dr. Sotirios Varnalidis, Professor Emeritus of Pastoral and Social Theology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and Deacon Sevan Nazareat Sankrim, representative of the Armenian Orthodox Archdiocese of Baghdad. .jpg "3rdday_(8).jpg") Dr. Sotirios Varnalidis discussed "Christians in Constantinople." Starting from his personal testimony, he described in historical perspective the different phases of persecution against the Orthodox Romans (i.e. Greeks) of the City (1943-45, 1955, 1964, 1971). He then sketched the current situation (the Romans’ living conditions, education/schools, the charitable activities of the Roman communities of Constantinople, etc.) which, although it is still difficult with several unresolved problems (e.g., the non-recognition by applicable law of the legal status of the Ecumenical Patriarchate), nevertheless nowadays shows some signs of amelioration from the official Turkish side (e.g., tentative steps to improve religious freedom in Turkey). He concluded with optimism about the prospects for the future..jpg "3rdday_(6).jpg") Deacon Sevan Nazarat Sankrim spoke on "Christians in Iraq." The main problem for Christians in Iraq is their flight from the country and the lack of people with an open mind. The conditions in which Christians live in the region render them unprotected and exposed to impediments to their very survival, inasmuch as the tribal system in Iraq, of which they are not a part, defends its own members against all others. The most important thing the Iraqi people as a whole need is the message of love, as offered and interpreted by the Christians in Iraq in the difficult conditions in which they themselves live. .jpg "3rdday_(9).jpg") The third morning session was attended by the Rev. Mohsen Muneer Rizkalla of the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services in Cairo and Mr. Nazo Berberian, a journalist and representative of the Armenian Orthodox Church-Holy See of Cilicia.The Rev. Mohsen Muneer Rizkalla discussed "Christians in Egypt." The presence of Christianity in Egypt dates back as early as the first century. Christians formed the majority in the region for centuries even in the seventh century after the Arab conquest. Christians in the region enjoyed a real commonwealth during the period 1919-1952. During the 70s Christians endured difficult conditions due to persecution and a policy of annihilation. After the revolution that took place in January 2011, many changes were made and are being made for a better future for the Christians in Egypt and true participation in society. .jpg "3rdday_(11).jpg") Nano Berberian spoke on "The Christians in Lebanon." He presented the view of the Armenian Apostolic Church on the witness to the Christian faith in the framework of the democratic and pluralistic values of Lebanon. Until the emergence of political Islam and all shades of fundamentalism, the Christians in Lebanon enjoyed a mutual respect with Muslims regarding religious freedoms and rights. This was aided, especially as regards the Armenians, by their neutral stance during the civil war in Lebanon, in which the Armenian Christians passionately defended democratic values for all religions, contending that only through mutual respect and mutual acceptance could they achieve a better quality of life and give hope for spiritual salvation. In this perspective, the Armenian Church in the region witnesses to the fact that the Christians of Lebanon and throughout the Middle East need a Church of the people and for the people, embodying the values of the Christian faith for all oppressed people. .jpg "3rdday_(16).jpg") The first afternoon session featured Dr. Audeh Quawwas, MD, former Member of Parliament in Jordan, Ms. Nora Kort, president of the Arab Orthodox Society in Jerusalem, and Dr. Bishara Obeid, doctoral candidate in theology in Nazareth.Dr. Audeh Quawwas discussed "Christians in Jordan." Having presented some historical information about the presence of Christians in Jordan, he explored the recognized Christian denominations (Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Coptic Orthodox, Maronite, etc.) and religious communities (Protestant Free Church, etc.) of the area. Christians in Jordan are living in a friendly environment where they have freedom of expression (participation in worship, observance of major Christian holidays, etc.), participation in economic and social life, and an adequate number of educational institutions, hospitals, and religious sites, while they are given special mention in current legislation on public education and the law on marriage, which is influenced by Islamic law. The speaker also mentioned some burning issues that remain unresolved regarding the presence and witness of Christians in the region, such as the absence of a National Council of Churches in Jordan. .jpg "3rdday_(13).jpg") Nora Kort spoke about "Palestinian Christians in Jerusalem." The Palestinian Christians in Jerusalem can illuminate to a fair extent the historical significance of Jerusalem through the centuries. She also described who are considered to be Palestinian Christians, their identity and the reality of their lives, focusing on the reasons for emigration, and providing some personal testimonies and a message of hope and faith. .jpg "3rdday_(15).jpg") Bishara Ebeid talked about "Palestinian Christians in Israel." This paper aimed to present the contemporary reality of Christians living in Israel, describing the situation from various perspectives, while also connecting it with the broader Middle East. The text presented the personal testimony of a Christian who lives in Israel, but also at the same time a theologian who does not hesitate to criticize what is wrong. The speaker’s goal was to analyze the current situation while attempting to offer a voice of hope for a better and more fruitful future..jpg "3rdday_(21).jpg") The speakers for the last session were Stavros Zoumboulakis, Director of the journal "Nea Estia" and Chairman of the Board of the foundation "Artos Zois," and Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzidis, Director of the Academy for Theological Studies and lecturer at the University of Thessaly and the St. Sergius Institute of Orthodox Theology in Paris. .jpg "3rdday_(20).jpg") Stavros Zoumboulakis developed the theme "Vocation and Witness of Christians in Palestine." What does it mean to be a Christian in Gaza today, and what does it entail? How can someone live the Christian faith in this area of suffering, poverty, and violence from Hamas? The speaker highlighted the important testimony of Manuel Musallam, Palestinian Catholic priest and pastor of the 200 Catholic Christians of Gaza, amongst 1,500,000 Muslims..jpg "3rdday_(22).jpg") Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzidis delivered a paper entitled "In the place of a conclusion: Christians in the Middle East: Building Bridges between East and West, between the Old and the New." The presentation dealt with how a Greek Orthodox perceives the presence and witness of Christians in the Middle East, what he/she should expect, and what concerns he/she should have for them. Having noted the positive and hopeful aspects of the situation (e.g., that Christianity in Middle Eastern countries usually represents the modern and new, renewal and progress), he also highlighted the disturbing signs that exist simultaneously .jpg "3rdday_(23).jpg") (such as the socialistic and not simply social composition of the Christian communities, the emergence of strong ancient and patriarchal elements, the ecclesiastical culturalism, i.e. the understanding of the Church’s faith in terms of identity and culture, etc.).After the completion of the last session there was sufficient time for an all-inclusive debate on issues that emerged during the conference. The program director of the WCC, Michel Nseir, Bishop Athenagoras of Sinope, Metropolitan Ignatios, and other attendees also put forth their own concluding views, and there were several useful addendums moving toward specific proposals and solutions to the various problems facing the Christian presence and witness in the Middle East. .jpg "3rdday_(24).jpg") .jpg "3rdday_(26).jpg")
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