Syndesmos promotes Oriental Orthodox Conference

From 19-25 May, a conference was held at Duma in the Lebanon on the relations between the Orthodox and Oriental Churches. Its aim was to survey achievements in official and unofficial theological dialogues which have taken place over the past twenty-one years. "In the official dialogues, which began in 1985, both communities have understood that they have loyally maintained the authentic Orthodox Christological doctrine and the unbroken continuity of the Apostolic Tradition, through they may have used Christological terms in different ways," says Christine Chaillot, one of the participants. "Few people are objectively informed about these dialogues as well as about the obstacles which still hinder there establishment of full communion. Thus the Duma meeting was a great opportunity for young people of both communities to know each other better."

Forty-five participants from Argentina, Egypt, France, the USA, Finland, Indian, Lebanon, Syria, Holland, Poland, Russia and Switzerland attended the conference, which was organised by Syndesmos, the World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth and hosted by Syndesmos' Middle East Region. Heading the list of speakers was His Eminence, Metropolitan George [Khodre] of Mount Lebanon, who spoke on "Orthodox Witness in the Arab Orient: The Role of Chalcedonians and Non-Chalcedonians." The Rev. Dr. George Attiyeh, Professor of Dogmatic Theology at Balamand Theological Academy, spoke on "Towards a Full Unity between the Two Families: Chances and Obstacles." The Abbot of the Duma Monastery, Archimandrite Tuma, spoke on the "Hagiological Dimension of the Unity of the Two Orthodox Families." Other speakers included the Rev. Dr. John Abraham Konat of the Malankara Orthodox Church of India: "Towards a Full Unity: A Liturgical and Pastoral Approach"; Dr. Peter Bouteneff of the World Council of Churches Unit Faith and Order: "Chalcedonians and Pre-Chalcedonians: Realising Unity"; and Priestmonk Hilarion [Alfeyev] of the Moscow Patriarchate: "On the Reception of the Ecumenical Councils in the Early Church".

A Paper by His Eminence Metropolitan Damaskinos of Switzerland, Orthodox Co-President of the official dialogue, presenting what has already been done in the dialogue was presented by Dr. Gary Vachicouras. His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, Oriental Orthodox Co-President of the official dialogue, offered comments on the texts of the agreements and participated in various discussions. The participants were very enthusiastic and asked many questions on overcoming the present and remaining obstacles in the dialogue.

His Holiness Armenian Catholicos Aram of Cilicia received the participants of the conference in Antelias and spoke on the important role of youth in the present, not just the future, life of the Church. Participants also visited Tripoli and Saint John the Baptist Monastery in Duma. Conference participants produced a statement in which it says "youth become living bricks in the process of building the awaited unity and a helping factor in preparing the believers to receive it." The statement also included several recommendations related to Orthodox youth, including one which calls upon leaders of Orthodox youth movements to promote the meaning of the dialogue among youth and a recommendation that Syndesmos organise additional meetings related to the dialogue. It was also recommended that Orthodox-Oriental joint activities expressing a true Christian love are essential in putting the theological dialogue into full practice. "To know each other better helps to be more readily aware of one's diverse tradition and, above all, to accept each other better," says Ms. Chaillot. "From that attitude real friendship and togetherness in Christ can grow."

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