Catholicos of All Armenians Visited the "Bread for the World" Social Service Center in Berlin and Presided Over the “Christians of Middle East” International Conference
21.10.2017
On October 20, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; along with the heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches were hosted at the “Bread for the World” Social Service Center of the Evangelical Church in Germany.
Ms. Cornelia Füllkrug-Weitzel, Director of the center; welcomed the Oriental Orthodox Hierarchs and briefly presented the history and mission of the social center, inviting the church heads to convey their welcome remarks to the attendees.
In his blessing remarks, His Holiness expressed his pleasure at the opportunity for the visit to the center, particularly stressing the importance of its mission in life of the Christian churches. "We are happy to be hosted at a church-social service center which offers its Christian devoted service to humanity during these days of hunger and suffering in the world. We are impressed with the work and achievements of the center. As you know, following years of Soviet godlessness, we’ve managed to create a Social Services Department at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin over the last twenty-five years. Armenia today faces an economic blockade and a war situation. We are trying to provide the necessary support for the needy children of our nation”, stated His Holiness, wishing good and productive outcomes to the Social Service work of the Evangelical Church in Germany, and to its employees in their further service and mission.
The Catholicos of All Armenians, along with the heads of the Coptic Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, chaired the "Christians of the Middle East" international conference opened in the center of the Dietrich Bonhofffer Evangelical Church in Germany.
Dr. Markus Drög, Bishop of the Evangelical Church in Germany in Berlin; in his welcoming remarks, greatly emphasized the place and role of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the life of the Christian Church, expressing gratitude for their visit to Germany.
In his German remarks, His Holiness stated in part: “In our remarks, we would like to highlight two important facts, which have become a daily experience for the Christian communities in the Middle East - martyrdom and deportation. Concepts that endanger the existence of Christian churches and communities and the preservation of historical and cultural values in that geographical area; that originated from the very beginning of Christianity. The words quoted from the book of Revelation in fact, reveal to us the early Christian testimony of persecution and martyrdom, through which hundreds of thousands Christian sisters and brothers continue to live in the Middle East today, who gave their lives for the progress and development of their native countries.
… Being under foreign domination, especially under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, the Middle East Christians passed along their way of faith through Calvary's cross and heroic testimony of martyrdom. But this did not lead the Middle Eastern Christians to isolation and despair, but on the contrary, through the inspiration and strength of the Holy Spirit, they made the ideas of rehabilitation and revival, renewal and resurrection, part of their spiritual life and culture. …The testimony of the sufferings, daily experiences of violent emigration, the testimony of dozens and often hundreds of martyrs of our devoted servants and faithful of the Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox and Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Churches, are the proof of the intolerance and distortion of sacred values of religion, which today exists in the words and deeds of various Muslim extremists in the Middle East. Difficulties resulting from the forced emigration of Christians from the Middle East and the growth of the Middle East diaspora in different countries, is also a matter of concern. Today, it is important to unite our efforts to preserve the Christian historical presence in the Middle East and to stop the forced emigration, to protect the rights of Christian minorities and communities, displaying the necessary care towards the Christian refugees in the Middle East that are gradually increasing in different countries.
His Holiness extended his appreciation and blessing to the organizers of the “Christians of the Middle East” International Conference, as well as to all those in international platforms, who have vigorously raised the issue of the conditions and persecution of Christians in the Middle East. His Holiness expressed hope that the organization of similar conferences will reveal the true situation in the Middle East region, to the broader international community, contributing to the safe and prosperous life of the faithful sisters and brothers living there.
Praying for the Armenian Church, children living in the Middle East, and the faithful, clergy and hierarchs of the Oriental Orthodox sister churches, the Catholicos of All Armenians asked the Heavenly Lord for peace and prosperity for the ancient and historic church communities. In conclusion, His Holiness stressed that martyrdom is as ancient as Oriental Orthodox Christianity, and wished that the centuries-old historical chain of Christianity will increase through justice and peace.
Following the official Conference program, an official reception dinner was held by Mr. Ashot Smbatyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentary of the Republic of Armenia to the Federal Republic of Germany; in honor of the official visit of His Holiness to Germany. The event was attended by high-ranking representatives of the German authorities, as well as diplomatic and religious missions. At the special invitation of His Holiness, His Holiness Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II of Antioch and All East attended the dinner with his official delegation.
