OBL Forum Delegation Meets Metropolitan Abba Seraphim

18/1/2010

With the blessings of Rt Rev Chorbishop Dr. Kyriakose Thottupuram of Chicago (OBL Chancellor) the OBL delegation met with His Eminence Metropolitan Abba Seraphim (Primate of the British Orthodox Church) on 17/1/2010 at Cochin. The Private meeting was arranged between the Eastern Christian Links delegation headed by Metropolitan Abba Seraphim, who is on a visit to Kerala.

The OBL delegation had talks with Abba Seraphim on various topics like Orthodox Unity, cooperation between OBL and BOC, the situation of the British Orthodox Church, on the situation of His Holiness Patriarch Abune Antonios Of Eritrea who has been under house arrest for the past couple of years. It was decided to establish cooperation between OBL Forum and the British Orthodox Church, especially on promoting Eastern – Oriental Orthodox Dialogues for unity and fraternity. As a result of the meeting, it was decided that OBL will launch an internet campaign to fasten the procedure to release Patriarch Antonios of Eritrea from House Arrest.

On behalf of the OBL Forum Supreme Chancellery, Rev Fr Thomas John presented His Metropolitan Abba Seraphim with the icon of St Thomas. The rest of the delegation members were presented with the miraculous Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

OBL delegation included Subin Varghese(Chairman-OBL), George Alexander (Spokesperson OBL) Rev Fr Thomas John and Mr. K C Jacob. On behalf of the OBL Chancellor Rt Rev Chorbishop Dr. Kyriakose Thottupuram and Chair Man Lejit George, Mr. George Alexander conveyed warm greetings to His Holiness Pope Shenouda.

The meeting was facilitated by Rev Fr Abraham Thomas and hosted by Mr. Georgy Joseph at Mangalam Residence in Cochin.

Details of the of Eastern Christian Links

Eastern Christian Links (ECL) – Reconnecting East and West is an ecumenical Christian initiative founded in 2004 by Nicholas Crampton, a Norfolk lawyer to encourage local churches to explore the history, liturgy, and traditions of the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches. Among countries which members have visited are Turkey, Syria, Egypt, Georgia, Serbia, and Armenia.

Abba Seraphim
Metropolitan of Glastonbury and head of the British Orthodox Church within the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria; writer, lecturer, and traveler; one of the original patrons of ECL

Archimandrite Deiniol
Head of the Wales Orthodox Mission within the Ukrainian Orthodox Diocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; academic & traveler

Father John Whooley
Roman Catholic parish priest of Holy Ghost & St. Stephen’s parish, Shepherd’s Bush, West London; former teacher of His Beatitude Mesrob, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul; academic and traveler

Mr. Mark Hassell
Formerly Reader in Roman Archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology, University College, London; academic and author

Valeria, Viscountess Coke
Fine Arts advisor attached to the Victoria & Albert Museum, London; lecturer and traveler

Mr. Trevor Maskery
Personal Assistant to Abba Seraphim, founder of Chromex Studies and Technical Director for the British Orthodox Church; designed websites for the Campaign to Restore Patriarch Antonios of Eritrea to his throne and the Focus Group for Mor Gabriel Syrian Orthodox monastery in Tur Abdin.

OBL News Service