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No 54. January 2004 METROPOLIA OF WESTERN EUROPE:
AMPLIFICATION OF AN INTRODUCTORY NOTE
A note in the last issue to introduce the letter from the Patriarch of Moscow on a proposed Metropolia in Western Europe mentions ‘an enthusiastic response from many Orthodox in Great Britain’. According to this note,’ the response of most others would seem to be generally positive’. However, the note should be amplified by reference to the dismay with which the proposals have been met, even in the Russian-oriented circles to which the letter was addressed. Equally important, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has demonstrated no enthusiasm for the proposals, which ignore its role in Western Europe altogether. If the proposals really do envisage ‘a self-governing Orthodox church in Western Europe’, the Russians, even reunited, can hardly claim oversight of all diaspora churches in the West.
SH
DELEGATION OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OUTSIDE OF RUSSIA VISITS MOSCOW
A delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia arrived in Moscow on 17 November 2003 at the invitation of the Russian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate. On November 18 Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow received members of the delegation in episcopal rank. The problems of church unity were discussed with warmth and cordiality. On November 19 the patriarch chaired discussions between the members of the delegation and the permanent members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate).
Both parties expressed their will to establish communion in prayer and the Eucharistic communion. It was decided to set up commissions, which would facilitate the solution of the problems accumulated during many years. The participants expressed their willingness to follow the path leading to the unity of the Church in the spirit of genuine repentance on the basis of common canonical Tradition and with respect to the ecclesiastical and administrative realities, which took shape during the 20th century. Such a rapprochement, heartily expected by the faithful of the Russian Church both in the Fatherland in diaspora, will be the most important contribution into the spiritual overcoming of the tragic consequences of the revolution of Civil War in Russia, which were tangible during the long decades of confrontation and misunderstanding.
A visit of the President of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Metropolitan Laurus, to Moscow early in 2004 will become the most important landmark on the way to unity. It is expected that during the visit an agreement will be signed, by which the canonical, pastoral and practical foundations of the unity of the Russian Church will be determined.
(source: Russian Orthodox Church officialwebsite)
NEW VOLUME OF THE SYNAXARION PUBLISHED
Volume Four of the Synaxarion (lives of the saints used in the services and daily meditative reading in the Orthodox tradition) has recently been published. The work brings together material from the Byzantine and Slav lives with supplementary material on the lives of saints of the Christian West from the pre-schism period. .
The Synaxarion is published by the Convent of the Annunciation in Ormylia, Northern Greece, and is now available directly from them (address: Holy Convent of the Annunication, 630 71 Ormylia, Greece) at a price of £25.03 (EUR 37.20) including postage within the EU, or US$ 41.50 including postage outside the EU.. All the sisters need is the recipient's name and address, and a phone number and a cheque, in sterling, euros, or dollars as appropriate, payable to "The Holy Comvent of the Annunciation, Ormylia". Previous volumes are available from Ormylia at the same price.
TWO PILGRIMAGES TO THE MIDDLE EAST
A pilgrimage to Lebanon and Syria Led, by Monk Elia of Mount Lebanon, is being organised under the auspices of the Orthodox Church in Oxford, together with the St. Theosevia Centre for Christian Spirituality. The pilgrimage will take place from Tuesday 20 April – Sunday 2 May 2004.
It is hoped that the programme will include the following::
* The Biblical cities of Qana, Tyre and Sidon in South Lebanon
* Damascus and Southern Syrian sites associated with St Paul
* The Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch in Damascus
* Balamand (Belmont), the Cistercian Monastery and the Orthodox Institute of Theology
* The Monasteries of Mount Lebanon and St Simeon the Stylite site in North Syria
* Byblos (Jbeil), one of the oldest cities in the world, where the alphabet originated
* Heliopolis (Baalbeck), the largest Roman temple in the world
* Crac des Chevaliers, famous Crusader castle
* The Cedars of Lebanon and the Grottos of St George in Beirut
* Many other major historical, archaeological and Christian sites in Lebanon and Syria
The pilgrimage is open to all interested. A series of preparatory lectures for the trip will be held in Oxford in Hilary Term. Package Price £ 950, inclusive of all travel, accommodation, three meals daily and insurance. For further information, including a full itinerary, and to register for the trip, please contact:
Monk Elia, Margaret Hollis or Razvan Novacovschi
St Theosevia House, 2 Canterbury Road, Oxford, OX2 6LU
Telephone: (01865) 310 341
E-mail: orthmonkelie@hotmail.com . pelerinage2004@hotmail.com
The Anglican and Eastern Churches Association is planning its 2004 pilgrimage to Syria and the Syrian Orthodox Church, and will be led by Archbishop Matta Roham and Bishop Yuhanna Ibrahim of Aleppo. Bishop Geoffrey Rowell (the Bishop in Europe) will be the Anglican Bishop on the pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage will begin and end in Damascus and places visited will include Aleppo, Hassake, Palmyra and possibly Bosra, and is planned to take place between Tuesday 21st September and Saturday 2nd October (precise dates to be confirmed). The cost of the pilgrimage (half board throughout) including visas but excluding personal insurance is expected to be somewhat less than £900.
Prospective pilgrims should be aware of the fact that the daytime weather in September is hot and dry – expect 90 degrees Celsius -– and there will be a good deal of coach travelling over considerable distances.
A brochure, which should be available fairly early in 2004, will contain the full itinerary, the precise dates and the cost.
This may be obtained by contacting (by email if possible):
The Revd. D. W. Bond (Pilgrimage Secretary)
6 Denton Close, Willington Street
MAIDSTONE ME15 8ER
Tel: 01622 202239 Facsimile: 01622 205149 Email: dwbond@bigfoot.com
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
The date for the Fellowship pilgrimage to the shrine of St Alban within St Albans Abbey is still to be confirmed.
The Fellowship’s AGM will take place at 3 p.m. on Thursday 19th August at The Friars Conference Centre, Aylesford, Kent (see below)
FELLOWSHIP CONFERENCE 2004
After a successful conference inDurham last year, this year we will be returning to The Friars, Aylesford (near Maidstone in Kent). The conference will take place from Monday 16th-Friday 20rd August. The theme will be Transfiguration; As usual, the programme will include lectures, discussion groups, worship, and excursions to local places of Christian interest. Speakers and cost to be announced in the March newsletter, which will contain an application form.
SUBSCRIPTIONS REMINDER
Members are reminded that subscriptions are due for renewal in January of each year. Subscriptions may be renewed either by cheque, or by credit card on-line at www.sobornost.org (click on the ‘renew membership link’ to access the on-line secure payment facilities).
Members are encouraged to pay their subscription by standing order, and to make a Gift Aid declaration if possible. Forms are available from the fellowship office upon request.
We wish all of our members and friends
joy and peace in the New Year
Bless the crown of the year with Thy goodness, O Lord
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