Indian Orthodox Malankara Church welcomes dialogue with Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch and All East
Ajesh T Phillip (OCP Delegate of Indian Sub-Continent)
9/8/14
Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II calls for dialogue & unity with the Indian Orthodox Malanakra Church
India/Kerala/Kottayam: The Indian Orthodox Malankara Church has welcomed dialogue with the Syriac Orthodox Church of Anthioch and All East. The Secretary of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Severious Mathews of Kandanad stated that the Church of India is open for dialogue with the Syriac Church based on the 1934 Church constitution and the Supreme Court Judgment of 1995. The statement was made by the Metropolitan after the concluding session of the Holy Episcopal Synod on 8th August 2014 at Catholicate palace, the Church headquarters.
The Indian Orthodox Church has positively responded to the call for dialogue by Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of Antioch and All East. For the past couple of months, there has been a lot of discussions going in all sectors on the details regarding the revamping of dialogue between the Indian and Syriac Orthodox Churches. Now there should be constructive efforts from all sides to begin the discussion for lasting peace and prosperity.
Source:
OCP News Service
To attain peace, reconciliation and unity
which is now a dream of the major portion of the faithful in both factions of
the Church, this protocol to be prepared and approved by the two Holy Synods of
the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch (SOCA) and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian
Church (MOSC).
Protocol between the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch (SOCA) and the Malankara
Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC)
1. For the sake of recognition of the hierarchical succession of the Malankara
Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC), and in accordance with this protocol, the Syriac
Orthodox Church of Antioch (SOCA) recognizes the autocephally (independence) of
the MOSC.
2. His Holiness, the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, being the successor
of St. Peter the Apostle, has the first position of honor, in accordance with
the Church traditions, and the resolutions of the canonical ecumenical councils
confessed by the two Churches and also due to the historical links between the
two Churches, in a manner that does not belittle the independent status of the
MOSC. (MOSC Constitution Articles 1, 2).
3. The SOCA belongs to the SEE of SAINT PETER and MOSC belongs to the SEE of
SAINT THOMAS and confess one Orthodox Doctrine, in mutual Communion and each of
them having its own independence.
4. In order to manifest and affirm the spiritual relations between the two
Churches, HH the Patriarch of Antioch and HH the Catholicos of the East should
be mentioned in all the Holy Qurbanas. The name of the Patriarch of Antioch to
be mentioned first.
5. Each Church has her own Holy Synod to care for her affairs.
6. To assure the oneness in the Apostolic Orthodox faith and Tradition, a
general Holy Synod of both Churches is desirable to be convened as and when the
need arises.
7. Each Church has the liberty to chose its own Patriarch / Catholicos. But in
order to manifest the close relations between the two Churches; the other
Church will send a delegation to attend the election process as guests.
8. In any future consecration and enthronement of a Patriarch / Catholicos for
either one of the two Churches, a delegation should be sent from the other
Church. Patriarch / Catholicos of the other Church should be the Chief
Celebrant. (Resolution 4 of the Kaphartuto Synod in AD 869 Hudaya Canon 7:1 and
MOSC Constitution Article 101, 114)
9. It is desirable that both Churches invite each other to major occasions in
order to strengthen mutual relations.
10. In meetings of official dialogues with other confessions, on matters of
faith, which are not on the level of the Oriental Orthodox Family, each Church
will invite the other Church to send at least one member of the Holy Synod to
attend. The two Churches will consult each other on worldwide ecumenical
affairs.
11. A permanent joint committee is to be formed out of the members of the two
Synods to monitor the implementation of this protocol and to promote the
cooperation of the two Churches in different areas such as:
a) Exchange of visits of: Patriarchs, Catholicos, Metropolitans, Bishops,
Priests, Monks, Professors, Students and Deacons should be encouraged.
b) Theological education.
c) Christian Education: Sunday schools. Youth and Family programmes.
d) Social services and Development projects.
e) Pastoral Care: Both Churches should be given the chance to extend their
pastoral care to their people in a foreign country.
12. This protocol once approved by both Holy Synods and signed by the Primates
of the two Churches, will make any previous agreement and/or protocol between
the two Churches null and void.
13. The text of this protocol, being approved by both Holy Synods and signed by
the Primates of the two Churches, has come into effect and should be publicized
and circulated to all the dioceses and parishes of both Churches as well to the
Heads of sister Churches.
14. Any addition or amendments of this protocol should be discussed and
approved in the joint meeting of the two Holy Synods.
15. This protocol has been prepared in the Malayalam, Syriac, Arabic and
English languages. If misunderstandings arise in matters of interpretation, the
English version shall prevail.
The above protocol of 15 articles, together with the introduction, a total of 4
pages (in the English version), pursuant to article 13 of this protocol, it is
hereby signed by the Heads of both Churches.
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