(PNN) - The Heads of Churches and Patriarchs in Jerusalem condemned in a statement the brutal treatment of the clergy, people, and pilgrims in the Old City of Jerusalem during Holy Saturday last week, Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation said in a press release.
"A day of joy and celebration was turned to great sorrow and pain for some of our faithful because they were ill-treated by some Israeli policemen who were present around the gates of the Old City and passages that lead to the Holy Sepulcher," Heads of Churches said in a statement.
"We understand the necessity and the importance of the presence of security forces to ensure order and stability, and for organizing the celebration of the Holy Fire at the Church of the Resurrection," They continued, "Yet, it is not acceptable that under pretext of security and order, our clergy and people are indiscriminately and brutally beaten, and prevented from entering their churches, monasteries and convents."
They urged the Israeli authorities, especially the Ministry of Interior and the police department in Jerusalem, to seriously consider their complaints, to hold responsibility and to condemn all acts of violence against their faithful and the clergy who were ill-treated by the police.
They deplore that every year, the police measures are becoming tougher, and they expect these accidents will not be repeated and the police should be more sensitive and respectful if they seek to protect and serve.
They added, "We also denounce all those who are blaming the churches and holding them responsible of the Israeli measures during Holy Week celebrations."
The Heads of churches in Jerusalem condemn all of these measures and violations of Christians' rights to worship in their churches and Holy Sites. They also condemn all measures of closing the Old City and urge the Israeli authorities to allow full access to the Holy sites during Holy Week of both Church Calendars.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
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JERUSALEM (AP) — Orthodox Christians visiting the Holy Land often return home with more than just spiritual memories. Many drop by a centuries-old tattoo parlor in Jerusalem's Old City, inking themselves with a permanent reminder not only of their pilgrimage but also of devotion to their faith.
The same Jerusalem family has been tattooing pilgrims with crosses and other religious symbols for hundreds of years, testament to the importance of the ancient ritual. While Catholics can get a written certificate of their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Orthodox Christians opt for a tattoo, a permanent reminder of their visit.
In contrast to the bustling streets of the Old City outside, the Razzouk parlor is quiet, with only the buzz of an electric needle zigzagging across a pilgrim's arm.
Pilgrims said the pain of the needle is worth the sacrifice.
"The pain I feel is like the pain that Jesus Christ felt when he was on the cross with his crown of thorns," said Etetu Legesse, a nurse from Ethiopia, as a scene depicting the crucifixion was etched on her triceps.
Another Ethiopian woman wailed a song as an image of the Virgin Mary was tattooed onto her arm.
"I'm singing, God, I'm thinking about God; he died for us on the cross, that's why I'm singing," the 35-year-old woman, who gave her name as Mebrat, said.
Anton Razzouk, the family's 72-year-old patriarch, says the business can be traced back to a Coptic ancestor who traveled by camel and donkey from Egypt to Jerusalem for a pilgrimage about 300 years ago and decided to stay.
Today, the Razzouk business is the oldest tattoo parlor in the Old City catering to Christian tourists. Razzouk says that up until the 1950's his father's business was unchallenged and that he was the only one in the Old City, though a handful of competitors have sprouted up since then.
The art form was passed on from father to son and countless pilgrims have returned home over the centuries with the markings. Razzouk said his father, Jacob, tattooed Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, as well as hundreds of allied troops stationed in the region during World War II. He said the markings remind the faithful not to sin.
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"A tattoo on the hand is the best certificate of pilgrimage because it stays there forever. It stays until the person is dead. It stays with him until the grave," said Razzouk.
Whereas Judaism and Islam prohibit marking the body, for Orthodox Christian denominations like Armenians, Syrians, Ethiopians and Copts, tattoos are both decorative and a sign of faith. Roman Catholicism does not ban tattooing, but the practice is not as common.
Razzouk says he tattoos 300 to 400 pilgrims each year. His service is so popular that the family often goes to nearby hotels to tattoo travelers as well.
Designs include crosses in different shapes, as well as elaborate Virgin Mary and crucifixion motifs. Orthodox pilgrims traditionally get them done during Easter after wandering through the Old City and praying at the Holy Sepulcher Church, built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and resurrected. Tattoos cost between 20 and 100 dollars, depending on how elaborate they are.
Orthodox Christians, who follow the older Julian calendar, marked Easter at the beginning of May. Roman Catholic and Protestant denominations that observe the newer Gregorian calendar held their Easter celebrations at the end of March.
The shop is unassuming, with a simple sign reading "Tattoo & Change." To supplement their income, the family runs a money-exchange business and sells a variety of religious objects and books, from crowns of thorns to rosaries, as well as crosses and tour guides.
Razzouk can rest assured that his family will carry on the tradition. He has been training his son Wassim, 40, to take over the family business. On a recent day, Wassim was busy tattooing customers. Anton's 10-year-old grandson Nizzar has also shown interest in the business.
"A lot of people, when they sit down to make the tattoo, say that they've been waiting for this all their lives," Wassim Razzouk said.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
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(SOC-NASA) - His Grace Bishop Maxim of Western America (Serbian Archdiocese) made his second official visit to the Orthodox faithful in Mexico, May 8- 12, 2013, together with V. Rev. Blasko Paraklis. They arrived in Mexico City on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. During this visit, Abraham, a native of Mexico and a graduate of the St. Tikhon's Academy, served as their guide.
The pastoral-episcopal responsibility of the bishop of Western America to the Serbian residents living in Mexico is expressed in the decisions of the Holy Assembly of Bishops. Our fellow Serbs living in this city and the surrounding areas were informed that a Divine Liturgy would be served in the coming days at Holy Trinity Russian Monastery where His Grace Bishop Maxim served on Saturday with Hieromonk Nektarije, Fr. Blasko and in the presence of a number of Serbians and the Monastery brotherhood.
On Sunday there was another Liturgy at the OCA cathedral with Archbishop Alejo and his clergy.
More than a few Orthodox will find some of his statements erroneous or inflammatory. I ask that you comment with civility. The idea of unification of Eastern Catholics and Orthodox is difficult to imagine for many, disingenuous to some, and the very existence of Greek Catholics in Ukraine suspect to others.
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(RISU) - “Reconciliation between our churches will help the Russian and Ukrainian people understand one another. As often happens between neighbors, we have many mutual historical problems, but we cannot build a future without Christian communication. The process of reconciliation will also help overcome Ukrainophobia in Russia and stop the Russification of Ukraine,” Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), said in an interview with KAI (Catholic Information Agency).
Talking about the relationship of the UGCC with the UOC-MP, the head of the church said that until now there has only been informal discussion. “Furthermore, we believe that we are the heirs of the same tradition of the Kyivan Church, that we originate from the same Baptism of Rus’, the 1025th anniversary of which we are celebrating this year,” he said.
Now, according to the head of the UGCC, Greek Catholics seek understanding and reconciliation with the Orthodox to “keep to their roots and bear witness to Christ.”
As for ecumenical cooperation of the UGCC, Patriarch Sviatoslav said that in this respect the testimonies of the UGCC martyrs are important because they were “martyrs for the unity of the church.”
“Our church is a thorn in the side for those who do not seek true unity. My predecessor, Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, said that the biggest obstacle to the unity of the church is that not everyone wants it. We feel it is not good when we are separated, in the Catholic Church, and in relations with the Orthodox. Our mission is to remind about our unity,” he continued.
The Primate of the UGCC supported his statement with an example. He said Metropolitan Hilarion, head of the Department for External Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, said that the Orthodox Church is interested in forming a strategic alliance with the Catholic Church to come together and bear witness to traditional moral values. However, according to the metropolitan, we have to tolerate each other, work together, but not unite.
“I was recently in Istanbul, where I met with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. I was surprised by his openness and desire to unite our churches. He did not treat us as Uniates that interfere with the Orthodox-Catholic dialogue. We saw the great patriarch and his desire to seek church unity,” said the Patriarch Sviatoslav. (see here)
According to the Primate of the UGCC, Greek Catholics should seriously think about how to do the will of Jesus Christ, “so that all may be one.”
BELGRADE (inSerbia) – Patriarch Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) and Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic stated on Monday that absolute unity and responsibility are necessary in the search for a solution to the Kosovo-Metohija issue as the most important national matter.
“We wish to resolve the Kosovo-Metohija issue in a way that does not jeopardise the Constitution or Serbia’s sovereignty, nor calls into question the lives and security of Kosovo-Metohija citizens, especially the local Serb population,” the president said in a joint address to reporters after the meeting with the SPC patriarch in the Belgrade Patriarchate.
The patriarch also voiced the need for unity and warned that splits are the most difficult problem in the search for a solution to the Kosovo-Metohija issue, as well as stands voiced without grounds or reasons and excuses which can prove detrimental and cannot be of any use to Serbia.
Nikolic underscored that the patriarch and himself agreed in everything, adding that it is not easy to decide on behalf of the nation just as it is not easy to decide on behalf of the Church.
“Still, it is much better when there is unity among those who make decisions on behalf of the people and those who make such decisions on behalf of the Church,” the president said.
He noted that they also wish to avoid any discrepancies in the statements since there are none in their stands, and expressed the hope that Serbia would come out of this stronger and preserve its dignity.
The president said that certain individuals should take into consideration whether or not they are causing damage by their statements to Serbia’s relations as a whole.
According to him, everyone can and should say what they think and voice their ideas, but nobody is allowed to abuse their position in any way.
He noted that the Belgrade Patriarchate has always been a home where one can receive advice, appeasement and comfort, and added that he is grateful to the patriarch for their exchange of stands which always yields positive results for Serbia.
“The problem is rather comprehensive and it is very important for us to be united when it comes to the Kosovo-Metohija issue,” Irinej said.
“We know that the situation is difficult but we must not lose common sense and give in to emotions because reason needs to prevail so that we could see which path and solution we should opt for,” the patriarch said.
He remarked that certain statements were made over the past few days whose nature is purely individual and personal.
“We will discuss this within our bodies as well, as it is only natural for the Church to be united in everything, as the Church has always been the concept of unity,” the patriarch said.
Monday, May 13, 2013
(Greek Reporter) - Leaders of the Holy Mountain on Mt. Athos are threatening to exclude politicians from their functions of the holy site for the 100th anniversary of its incorporation into a state entity in October if it is not exempted from taxes forever.
During a recent meeting with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras in Athens, the cleric leaders demanded the special status, but it was not publicized.
A government representative, Takis Baltakos, was sent to meet the Mt. Athos officials and calm them while attending functions for the fare of St. George at the Xenophon Monastery and meet officials.
“We made this clear to the Prime Minister as well, regardless of the fact it wasn’t publicized. We will not accept any politician in celebrations if this isn’t immediately solved and indeed with the legislative regulation that will stand forever,” a monastery official stated to the newspaper Ethnos.
He added, “The discussion with the Prime Minister was vague but we are not satisfied by this. We want special commitments that will stand for life.
He said that during the celebratory functions it will be stressed that Mt. Athos is self-governing. Last November, during the 100th anniversary of the liberation of the peninsula of the area from the Ottoman Empire at Karyes, the only government officials invited were naval Vice-Admiral Kosmas Christides and other naval officers.
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(mospat.ru) - On May 12, 2013, the second week after Pascha, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the territory of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Beijing in which the Russian Orthodox Mission in China used to be.
The Primate of the Russian Church was assisted by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, Bishop Sergiy of Solnechnogorsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s administrative secretariat, Archpriest Nikolay Balashov, DECR vice-chairman, Archpriest Aleksiy Kiselev, dean of the Orthodox community in Shanghai, Rev. Sergiy Voronin, rector of the church of the Assumption of the Russian Embassy in Beijing, and Rev. Ilia Kosykh, acting head of the DECR communication service.
Among the worshippers were Russian Ambassador to China A. Denisov, Minister-Counsellor of the Russian Embassy Ye. Tomikhin, the Russian Embassy’s first secretary A. Povalyaev, as well as Russian and foreign diplomats. There were also V. Legoida, head of the Synodal Information Department, Russian-speaking expatriates living in China, Orthodox believers in China and other countries.
In his Primatial address to the congregation, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill greeted them with the Paschal exclamation and speaking about St. Thomas, who is commemorated on this day, said in particular,
‘What happened in Thomas’s soul has happened today and throughout history to very many people. We often read the Gospel and other books about Christ and his miracles and his life. We are amazed at the Gospel’s depth of thoughts and power of its moral message. But for very many it remains an insufficient testimony and while recognizing the value of Christianity as an ethical system, people remain non-believers. It happens because they have not encountered Christ, have failed to see his face and to feel his real presence.
And how can one encounter Christ? It is to feel, at some moment in your life, the hand of God lying on you, and what happens to you falls out of the life logic and gives an idea of a different world with which you have come in touch. It happens to very many people in this life, regardless of external conditions.
External conditions can be very unfavourable for one’s coming to believe in Christ. Nevertheless, meeting with the Lord, they find steadfast faith. It is not in the 90s that religious revival began in our country. It began in the terrible years of the Great Patriotic War when everybody, both generals and soldiers, turned to God, when our very victory over the enemy, who exceeded us in power many times over, appeared to be God’s intervention in our life. Overcrowded churches in the post-war years in our country were a testimony of people’s personal encounter with God…
It is a real religious experience, the one that Thomas had when he met with our Saviour. He confessed Christ as Risen God and his Saviour. From this meeting he received such a powerful spiritual impulse that made him take the path of preaching Christ, which led him to as far as India and China.
Thomas was the first to preach the Risen Christ in this land. This land saw the one who had seen the Risen Christ, and the tradition about it is still kept in the Chinese land.
Over three hundred years ago, Russian people, the Albazin Cossacks, appeared in this very place. They, together with their priest, were taken prisoner and brought to Beijing and settled on the very spot we are standing on. Nobody prevented our ancestors from praying and confessing our Lord and Saviour. Very soon the Albazin Cossacks married Chinese women. Their posterity got married to Chinese men and women, and today the Albazians are children of the Chinese people who keep the Orthodox faith in their hearts.
With a special feeling I greet the descendants of the Albazians and all the Orthodox Chinese who worshipped together with us.
In the early 18th century, a Russian Orthodox Mission was founded at the place where the Albazians lived. And great China came to know Russia through the Russian Orthodox Church. Neither Russians nor Chinese should forget that the first contact between the two nations happened in the very place where we have celebrated the liturgy today. Throughout the subsequent years, the Russian Orthodox Church was aware of her special responsibility for the relations between the two countries and peoples. Perhaps the fact that Russia was represented in China by the Russian Orthodox Mission explains the peaceful presence of our country in China with its great respect for the Chinese people and Chinese culture.
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The preaching carried out by the Russian Orthodox Mission was successful, and in the last century 50s, two Chinese were ordained bishops and many Chinese were ordained priests. In 1956, Chinese Orthodoxy was declared by the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church. It was a special date in the history of Chinese Orthodoxy.
The subsequent history was complicated both for China and Russia. We know that the Church suffered in Russia and she suffered in China, too.
Now, new times have come. By God’s mercy, the Patriarch of Moscow has had an opportunity to set foot on the Chinese land and to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the very place where the Russian Orthodox Mission used to work and where the Russian Embassy carries out its lofty mission.
I have come here in the first place to see you all and to pray together with you. I have also met with the leaders of the country to discuss the Russian-Chinese relations and the life of the Chinese Orthodox Church.
I would like to wholeheartedly wish China and the Chinese people peace, well-being and prosperity. I am confident that the participation of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Russian-Chinese relations will promote the cordiality of these relations, their sincerity and genuine friendship. Certainly, it will be helped by the historical fact of the existence of the Chinese Orthodox Church, which we consider to be the spiritual bridge uniting our peoples’.
Patriarch Kirill said that during the service prayers were lifted up for the victims of the flood which hit China: ‘Hundreds of thousands of people were affected by this disaster and lost their homes. Roads and bridges were ruined, fields bringing food were destroyed. We prayed that the Lord may show his mercy for the Chinese people and bring an early healing of these wounds’.
Patriarch Kirill also thanked the Russian Ambassador A. Denisov, saying, ‘In the remote year of 1993, during my first visit to China, we inspected the territory of what was the Russian Orthodox Mission and what is the Russian Embassy today and came in the garage arranged in the church of the Assumption. Already at that time we thought about the need to restore this shrine in the territory of the embassy. Both Russians and Chinese covered a long way to lead to the consecration of the church of the Assumption and my today’s visit to the Celestial Empire’.
Patriarch Kirill presented the church of the Assumption with liturgical vessels. Every worshipper received as a token a small icon of the Risen Christ.
After the service, Patriarch Kirill and Ambassador Denisov made a tour of the embassy territory in which the Russian Orthodox Mission used to be and made a stop at the cross erected on May 4, 1997, in the Upper Garden to commemorate all the Orthodox people ‘who died and were buried in this country’.
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