Asked to comment on the proposal by Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Church in Gainsville, Florida, to stage a Koran burning to mark the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre, Abba Seraphim observed,

“This is not Christian behaviour and it is an offence to Christians because Pope Shenouda has taught us that remarks which offend the religious sensibilities of others are against Christ’s teachings. Whilst there are legitimate issues we might wish to raise with non-Christians we have to respect the religious beliefs of other people, even if we do not share them. The basis for any meaningful dialogue between faiths must be mutual respect. Nothing can be achieved by insults and this is a deliberate and calculated provocation, intended to offend. How can we reasonably express concerns about the treatment of Christians by Islamic extremists and expect the goodwill and support of Muslims in addressing our concerns, if we condone extremist behaviour among Christians. It it quite apparent that Pastor Jones speaks for himself or at the most a tiny extremist minority. He  does not enjoy the support of any mainstream Christian community and I trust that fair-minded Muslims will see that he is a publicity-seeking pariah whose actions most Christians and decent people utterly deplore.”

On Tuesday, 7th September, the members of the Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches in the UK met together at the Syrian Orthodox Cathedral of St Thomas, Acton, London. The tube strike might have been expected to deter the bishops and priests from attending, but in fact five of the member Churches were represented. Abba Seraphim and Father Peter Farrington represented the British Orthodox Church, and decided to drive to the venue, rather than rely on the over-stretched public transport system.

The meeting was chaired by His Eminence Mar Thimothios, of the Indian Orthodox Church, while His Grace Bishop Angaelos attended as President of the Council. Other members who were attending were: Father Vahan Hovhanessian, Father Shnork Bagdassarian, Father Antonious Shenouda, Father Shenouda Shenouda, Father George Joy and Father Ishak Tuza.

The main topic of discussion at the meeting was the Orthodox Education Day, which has been planned to take place on Saturday 9th October at the Nevart Gulbenkian Hall of the St. Sarkis Armenian Orthodox Church in Kensington from 10am. Members of the Council will be giving a number of presentations on the day, and His Grace Bishop Angaelos will provide a welcoming message as he is unable to be present. The Council plans to sponsor and organise four more such study days during 2011.

The council also discussed the forthcoming visit of Pope Benedict of the Roman Catholic Church. Members of the Council will be attending a service of Vespers in Westminster Abbey.

There was an opportunity for warm conversation after the meeting, while the members enjoyed the refreshments kindly provided by the Syrian Orthodox community. His Grace Archbishop Athanasios was travelling abroad but had insisted on generously providing hospitality for the Council meeting. Father Ishak was a very attentive host, and the Syrian food which had been prepared for us was very enjoyable.

Father Peter Farrington visited the Franciscan International Study Centre in Giles Lane, Canterbury on Tuesday, 31st August. He was welcomed by Brother Philippe Yates, the Director of FISC, with whom he was able to have an enjoyable and fruitful conversation throughout the morning. Brother Philippe escorted Father Peter on a tour of the centre, which teaches theology and Franciscan Studies at undergraduate, graduate and research degree level. Brother Philippe described many aspects of the early Franciscan ethos, and provided some helpful direction for Father Peter in his reading and study of the Franciscan tradition. Father Peter is particularly interested in exploring the common features between the ideals of Francis of Assisi and those of some of the Orthodox monastic Fathers. Brother Philippe provided Father Peter with a tour of the substantial library at the Centre, and he was able to meet some of the staff and volunteers. The Centre has kindly allowed Father Peter to become a member of the library and he looks forward to making much use of it.

The Franciscan International Study Centre

His Grace Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios, Bishop of the Malankara Orthodox diocese of the UK, Europe and Africa paid a fraternal visit to the British Orthodox Church Secretariat at Charlton on 25 August, where he was wamly welcomed by Abba Seraphim.

His Grace Mar Thimothios is in the United Kingdom for a two month stay after having travelled extensively in Africa and Europe on pastoral visits to his  diocese, which must be one of the largest in the world. He and Abba Seraphim last met during the latter’s pilgrimage to Kerala in January this year. He was accompanied by Dr. George Kutty, Secretary of St. Gregorios Orthodox Church in Brockley, South-east London, who both lunched with Abba Seraphim and Father Peter Farrington, Secretary of the Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches in the UK. During the visit the two bishops were able to discuss various pastoral issues as well as aspects of the history and traditions of the Malankara Church. Abba Seraphim  presented Mar Thimothios with a copy of his A Pilgrimage to Malabar.

On 21 August, accompanied by Deacon Theodore de Quincey, Abba Seraphim attended a Thanksgiving Service for the life and ministry of the late Archpriest Michael Harper (1931-2010), formerly Dean of the Antiochian Orthodox Deanery of the United Kingdom & Ireland. The service, which was held at St. George’s Orthodox Cathedral at Regent’s Park, London, was conducted by Archpriest Gregory Hallam, the present Dean,  and Father Alexander Tefft.

After a Molieban of Thanksgiving, Father Jonathan Hemmings gave a meditative address which was followed by six short addresses and a eulogy by an ecumenical gathering of those who had collaborated closely with Fr. Michael at different stages of his ministry. The choir was led by Father Michael’s widow, Presbytera Jeanne, and a concluding appreciative statement made by Father Samir Gholam, the priest of the Cathedral’s parish. Light refreshments and fellowship followed in the Cathedral’s hall. Abba Seraphim had been unable to attend Fr. Michael’s funeral in January as he was in Kerala, although both Fr. Simon Smyth and Fr. Peter Farrington attended in his stead.