Pope Tawadros II Calls for Preparation of 17th Century Anniversary of the Nicaea Ecumenical Council in 2025

Gerges Mounir Hanna – OCP News Service – 05/11/2022

Cairo – Egypt: His Holiness Pope Tawadros II spoke about the Middle East Oriental Orthodox meeting and the possibility of an ecumenical meeting in 2025, during his Wednesday weekly message on 02 November 2022.

In his message, Pope mentioned his thoughts on an ecumenical meeting in 2025, which will be the 17th-century anniversary of the first Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325 AD, which included all the Churches of the world. Pope added, “We are trying to make preparations for this meeting when it happens in 2025, and it will be pleasant for us all. Pray about this matter”.

Pope Tawadros II also shared his hope of a meeting of all heads of Oriental Orthodox Leaders. Pope also spoke about the possibility of meeting between heads of Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Churches in near future. Pope pointed out that many of those can only be done on informal levels due to sensitive issues.

Text of H.H. Popes Address:

Over the last two weeks, we had a meeting with the Heads and Patriarchs of the Ancient Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Coptic Church, the Armenian Church and the Syriac Church. It was a pleasant meeting as we spoke and discussed many topics. I want to also say for general knowledge, the Oriental Churches include Coptic, Syriac and Armenian Churches as well as the Ethiopian Church, the Eritrean Church, the Indian Church and the Armenian Church of Chemazin. These are all considered the Family of the Ancient Eastern Oriental Orthodox Churches. We, as Heads of the Middle east region) have gathered, considering that our countries and our churches have the same circumstances, whether in Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria.. etc.
By the grace of the Lord, we wish and we will try to have a meeting, even an informal meeting, with all these churches, as well as the Byzantine Orthodox Churches, as we call them “Eastern Byzantine”. We are attempting to meet informally with the Patriarch, perhaps there is some sensitivities with formal meetings, but we can meet and think in an informal meeting. I also ask you to pray for the Ecumenical meeting in 2025, which will be the 17th century anniversary of the first Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325 AD, which included all the Churches of the world. We are trying to make preparations for this meeting when it happens in 2025, and it will be pleasant for us all.
Pray about this matter.

Source:

Coptic Orthodox Church
OCP News Service