Although the Oriental Orthodox churches in the United Kingdom share a common faith, they do not share a common calendar, so the Nativity Feast was celebrated on 25 December for the British, Indian  and Syrian Orthodox, on 6 January for the Armenian Orthodox and 0n 7 January for the Coptic, Eritrean and Ethiopian Orthodox.

On 6 January Abba Seraphim presided at the Blessing of the Waters and Divine Liturgy at St. Mary & St. Felix Church at Babingley, Norfolk, where he preached on the meaning of the Holy Theophany, one of the seven great feasts of the Church. Having blessed all those present with the newly sanctified water, they afterwards took away bottles of the holy water for use in their homes. That same evening, Abba Seraphim presided at the Nativity Vigil of the canonical Eritrean Orthodox Church (recognising Patriarch Antonios) in London meeting in Archway, Highgate, where he was warmly welcomed by Father Shenouda Haile and his congregation. Also assisting in the sanctuary was Subdeacon Daniel Malyon from the British Orthodox Church. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy clergy and people sat together to enjoy a festive meal and Abba Seraphim blessed two birthday cakes as well as the traditional  enjera,  hambasha and wat.

INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION FOR THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES REPORT

Ninth Meeting

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 17 to 21, 2012

The ninth meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from January 17 to 21, 2012. The meeting was hosted by His Holiness Abuna Paulos I, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It was chaired jointly by His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and by His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Joining delegates from the Catholic Church were representatives of the following Oriental Orthodox Churches: the Antiochian Syrian Orthodox Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholicosate of All Armenians), the Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia), the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. No representative of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church was able to attend.

The two delegations met separately on the morning of January 17. In the afternoon, the Catholic members attended a prayer service with the local Catholic hierarchy, clergy, religious and faithful, at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady. They were greeted with an address by Abune Berhaneyesus D. Souraphiel, CM, Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia. Cardinal Koch was also invited to speak to the assembly. That same evening, all the members of the commission accepted a gracious invitation from His Excellency Archbishop George Panikulam, Apostolic Nuncio in Ethiopia, to attend a friendship dinner at the Apostolic Nunciature in honor of His Holiness Patriarch Paulos, who also attended the meal.

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Join us for a day of exploring the Bible and reflecting upon it as the source of our faith and inspiration. The faithful of the Armenian, Coptic, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Malankara Indian and Syrian Orthodox Churches and the affiliated churches are cordially invited to attend this daylong educational seminar and great opportunity for fellowship.

Location: Nevart Gulbenkian Hall
St. Sarkis Armenian Orthodox Church
Kensington, London

Date: Saturday, 9 October, 2010

Time: 10:00am-3:00pm

According to the following schedule:

• 10:00 AM: Matins in the Armenian Church
• 10:15 AM: Registration, Tea and coffee in the Church Hall
• 10:30 AM: Welcome and announcements
• 10:40 AM: Message by His Grace Bp. Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Church
• 10:45 AM: Lecture 1– His Grace Abba Seraphim: “The Septuagint in the Oriental Orthodox Traditions”
• 11:15 AM: Lecture 2 – V. Revd Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian: “The Bible as the source of spirituality in the writings of the Armenian Church Fathers.”
• 11:45 PM: Q&A Re: lectures 1 & 2
• 12:00 Noon: Lunch (buffet)
• 1:30 PM: Lecture 3 – Revd Fr. Peter Farrington: “The Bible as the source of Orthodox Christology.”
• 2:00 PM: Q&A Re: lecture 3
• 2:10 PM: General Discussion
• 2:25 PM: Announcements
• 2:30 PM: Final blessing

Registration for attendees will be £5.00 to defray the cost of the lunch and materials
For further information or to sign up in advance please e-mail: fatherpeter@britishorthodox.org