Latest news with #OrientalOrthodoxChurches
New Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Malankara Orthodox Church says ‘no' to joint declaration in Kerala
KOTTAYAM: In a clear indication that peace remains elusive among the warring Jacobite and Orthodox factions of the Malankara Church, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) on Tuesday condemned the joint declaration issued by the heads of three Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle East on Sunday. While it welcomed the peace mediation efforts initiated by the heads, the MOSC denounced the other aspects in the joint declaration, which endorsed the decision of the Universal Holy Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch to refrain from participating in any liturgical celebration and formal theological dialogues with the Orthodox faction. The MOSC said the decision was made by a regional assembly of leaders of three Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle East, which lacked legitimacy, and contended that the leaders were misled by the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch. 'The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Armenian Apostolic Church of Etchmiadzin, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church were not involved in the joint declaration. Apart from local groups and pan-Oriental dialogue platforms, there is no single representative body that speaks for all Oriental Orthodox Churches,' said the MOSC's Inter-Church Ecumenical Relations department.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Orthodox Church rejects joint declaration backing Jacobite faction
Taking a strong exception to a common declaration by the heads of three Oriental Orthodox Churches in West Asia, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church here on Tuesday maintained that the declaration was issued by a regional body without any real authority. Though the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church welcomed the peace mediation efforts initiated by the heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, it firmly denounced the other contents in the joint declaration, which endorsed the decision of the Universal Holy Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch to refrain from participating in any liturgical celebration and formal theological dialogues with the Orthodox faction. In a statement from its Department of Inter-Church Ecumenical Relations, the Orthodox Church emphasised its independent (autocephalous) status and unique apostolic tradition within the Oriental Orthodox family. It noted that since 2017, it has pushed back against efforts by the Antiochian Church to isolate the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church from global Orthodox gatherings, both legally and theologically. 'Regional assembly' While declaring that the decision was made by a regional assembly of the leaders of the three Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle East, the Orthodox church also contended that these leaders were misled by the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch. 'Neither the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church of Etchmiadzin, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, nor the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church were involved in the joint declaration. Apart from local groups and pan-Oriental dialogue platforms, there is currently no single representative body that speaks for all Oriental Orthodox Churches,' stated Inter-Church Ecumenical Relations department of the Orthodox Church. The said declaration, which followed the 15th meeting of the heads of three Oriental Orthodox Churches in West Asia the other day, stated that 'Pope Tawadros II and Catholicos Aram I expressed their solidarity and support regarding the decision'' of the universal synod of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch not to participate in any liturgical celebration and formal theological dialogues in the presence of the representatives of the separated faction of the Church in India. Meanwhile, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church also reiterated its objection to the recent consecration of Mar Baselios Joseph as the new Catholicos of the Jacobite Church by Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch. It alleged that this act was an attempt to create a parallel leadership structure within the Malankara Church. The Orthodox Church claimed this move violated the Church's constitution and was aimed at gaining international recognition for the Jacobite faction.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Oriental Orthodox Churches intervene to mediate Malankara Church dispute
KOTTAYAM: In a major development in the efforts to resolve the disputes between Jacobite and Orthodox groups within the Malankara Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches have stepped forward to facilitate peace negotiations. The 15th meeting of the heads of the three Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle East, which concluded at St Bishoy's Monastery in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, on Sunday, decided to invite Mor Baselios Joseph, Catholicos of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church and Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, to Cairo for discussions and help restore peace and unity in Malankara Church. As per the decision, which was taken to strengthen the internal unity and integrity of the Oriental Orthodox Family, Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark, and Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Orthodox Church of the Great House of Cilicia will lead the discussions in the presence of Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church. The date and further details will be released in accordance with the responses from both factions. Jacobite Church welcomes decision At the same time, in a major setback for the Orthodox Church, the common declaration of the Oriental Church heads' meeting noted that 'Pope Tawadros II and Catholicos Aram I also expressed their solidarity and support regarding the decision of the Universal Holy Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch not to participate in any liturgical celebration and formal theological dialogues in the presence of the representatives of the separated faction of the Church in India.' Although the Orthodox faction reserved its official response for the time being, the decision has ignited significant protests among Church leaders. Orthodox Church sources said they won't accept the decisions made by only three members of the Oriental Churches as the decision of the entire Oriental Orthodox Churches.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Three Oriental Orthodox Churches seek to resolve dispute in Malankara Church
The efforts to resolve the dispute within the Malankara Church have received a boost with three Oriental Orthodox Churches stepping in to facilitate peace negotiations. According to sources, the 15th meeting of the heads of three Oriental Orthodox Churches in West Asia at St. Bishoy's Monastery in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, the other day decided to invite Catholicos Baselios Joseph, head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, and Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Orthodox Church, to Cairo for discussions As per the decision, Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark; and Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Orthodox Church of the Great House of Cilicia; will lead the discussions in the presence of Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and head of the Syriac Orthodox Church. The date and further details will be released in accordance with the responses of both factions. Common declaration At the same time, a common declaration of the heads of the three Churches stated that 'Pope Tawadros II and Catholicos Aram I expressed their solidarity and support regarding the decision'' of the universal synod of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch not to participate in any liturgical celebration and formal theological dialogues in the presence of the representatives of the separated faction of the Church in India. Orthodox Church sources said they would not accept the decisions taken by only three Oriental Orthodox Churches. 'There are seven Oriental Orthodox Churches, including the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The decisions were taken in the absence of the Orthodox Churches of Ethiopia, Eretria, and Armenian Apostolic Church, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. They have no right to take such a decision,' they said. The Orthodox Church raised questions about the legitimacy of the universal synod of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. 'To date, the Oriental Orthodox Churches have not taken any decisions regarding the participation of liturgical celebrations and theological dialogues,' said a priest. The Jacobite faction, on its part, welcomed the decisions taken by the Oriental Orthodox Churches, noting that the call from the leaders of the Oriental Orthodox Churches should be embraced with an open mind. The Oriental Orthodox Churches reject the dogmatic definitions of the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451 AD and recognise only the first three ecumenical councils of Nicaea (325), Constantinople (381), and Ephesus (431) whereas the Eastern Orthodox Churches recognise seven ecumenical councils including the first three. The Armenian Apostolic Church has two Catholicosates: the Catholicosate of All Armenians (headquartered in Etchmiadzin) and the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia (headquartered in Antelias, Lebanon).
