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CONFRENCE
OF THE HEADS OF ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES
RESOLUTION
I
We, the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, assembled
with our delegations in conference, solemnly declare His Imperial
Majesty Haile Sellassie I Emperor of Ethiopia as the “Defender
of the Faith.”
CONFRENCE
OF THE HEADS OF ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES
RESOLUTION
II
We, the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, assembled
with our Delegations in Conference, at the successful conclusion
of our sessions, are happy to pay tribute to His Imperial
Majesty Haile Sellassie I, whose initiative and foresight
made this meeting possible.
In this His Imperial Majesty follows the tradition of other
great and inspired rulers who have played their appointed
part in Christendom and have deserved the title of Defenders
of the Faith.
The conference expresses its gratitude to His Imperial Majesty
and to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church for the work and efforts
which have gone into the arrangements for this Conference.
It thanks the Secretariat with its Head, the distinguished
Secretary General, for the excellent arrangements at this
Conference.
The members of the Conference have been extremely happy to
visit the beautiful land of Ethiopia and to know its faithful
and devoted people.
We raise our thanks to Almighty God for this meeting in love
and brotherhood. We are confident that, with the blessing
of Divine Providence, this meeting will be followed by others
which will enlarge and strengthen the foundations so happily
laid, for the good of our Churches and of Christendom.
CONFRENCE
OF THE HEADS OF ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES
RESOLUTION
III
We, the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, assembled
with our Delegation in Conference, wish to express our deep
feelings of gratitude and appreciation for all those who have
shared in helping the initiative of His Imperial Majesty to
come into existence.
To those who have carried the burden of long preparation through
correspondence and delegations who visited our churches more
than once. To those who arranged the facilities to make our
stay so happy and pleasant.
Special tribute is rendered to the silent workers, the Ethiopian
theologians and young people who worked in the translation,
clerical work, transportation and all Secretariat, under the
wise guidance and patience of the Secretary General, Ato Abebe
Retta.
We thank the Clergy including the Debtera (singers) in the
Churches in which we worshipped together. We appreciate the
hard work of the two lady secretaries who came especially
from Geneva to help us in recording the minutes. We also extend
our gratitude to the World Council of Churches who graciously
made them available to us.
CONCLUDING
SPEECH OF HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY TO THE CONFRENCE OF HEADS OF
ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES
Venerable and Holy Fathers,
In listening to the profound spiritual message conveyed by
your closing addresses and appreciating the happy outcome
of your sustained efforts, our heart has been touched by profound
gladness. It should therefore be clear to the whole world
from the result of your work that your Holiness have guided
and inspired by the Holy Spirit to accomplish your task in
love and unity.
The great common tasks accomplished by this Conference in
unison bestowed on the true faith and true order of the Oriental
Orthodox Church the admiration of the whole world.
As Solomon says, physical distance can not be a barrier to
love. Likewise, the distances among your respective countries
have been abolished by proximity of your hearts. You have
thus been able to speak with a single tongue and think with
a single mind. We thank Almighty God for enabling us to witness
the realization of our dream in the successful outcome of
this historical Conference.
We are therefore happy to express to you our readiness, fortified
by the results of this Conference, to invite you and the Eastern
Orthodox Churches, and also other churches at the late date.
We ardently hope that we shall meet once again in the not
distance future.
As we stated at the inauguration of this Conference, to meet
together, to take council with one another, and to act in
mutual cooperation, has proved a most fruitful method both
in the secular and spiritual fields. Henceforth the way is
open for you to follow this fruitful path and to this end,
our help and assistance will always be forthcoming since we
support your efforts and ideas out of an unshakable conviction
that it is our spiritual duty to do so.
We are gratified in particular to note that the work of this
Conference has been concerned purely with religious spiritual
matters, free from extraneous political considerations. This
is only fitting and proper, for the church, as a symbol of
peace, must follow the path of peace in all parts of the world.
In this connection we are glad to note that our evangelistic
mission in the world has received due emphasis in your deliberations,
together with the recognition of the Christian duty to pray
for the rights o man and peace in the world. For world peace
can only be made abiding by the grace of God, through the
prayer of the Holy Fathers. The truth of this cardinal fact
is evident to all mankind.
We ardently hope that Almighty God shall bless the implementation
of your important resolutions and decisions, just as He made
possible the successful convening and conclusion of this historic
Conference.
REPLY OF H.H. KYRILLOS VI POPE OF ALEXANDRIA AND PATRIARCH
OF THE SEE OF ST. MARK
Your Imperial Majesty,
The psalmist says: “The king shall rejoice in thy strength
O Lord! And in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
His glory is great in thy salvation: Honour and majesty hast
though laid upon him” (Ps. 21 1&5.)
Now that this prophecy has come true, because we see you rejoicing
in the strength of the Lord and in His salvation it is meet
for us to say: The Lord has glorified His work in us and we
have rejoiced. Ethiopia has heard and she is happy and the
peoples of Orthodoxy have rejoiced. In your modesty, the Lord
has granted you glory and has given strength to Orthodoxy
with you.
In truth we the Heads of Oriental Orthodox Churches happily
assembled here would not have brought about this meeting.
God has singled you to bring this service to Orthodox peoples.
For this and for all your previous services, you have deserved
to be called the Defender of the Faith in the twentieth century.
As Faith came to Ethiopia through the see of St. Mark, so
have you, by the grace of God, been able to bring this service
not only to the see of St. Mark but to all the Oriental orthodox
Churches. I remarked this Conference that the Lord has blessed
Ethiopia from olden times. The Nile river flows down from
her mountains to bring life to millions of human beings, and
from this Conference held on the mountains of Ethiopia will
flow the inspiration for the spiritual strengthening of Orthodox
peoples. As you upheld the word of the Lord in the past, so
will the Lord uphold you.
Beloved brother Patriarchs, Bishops and other members of the
orthodox Clergy assembled in this Hall.
God has in His Divine Providence permitted that this Meeting
of ours should take place, so that our hearts may be bound
in the unity of Spirit which is love. We hope that this meeting
will be followed by many other meetings and we are confident
that Divine Providence will uphold the spiritual advancement
of our Orthodox Churches by the means of this unity and these
sacred ties. As for the decisions which the Conference has
unanimously approved, God will help us to implement them in
order that they should bring forth their fruit.
Your
Imperial Majesty, Brothers,
For myself I should praise the Lord who has granted me –
through your prayer- strength so that I may join you and enjoy
your holy company.
May God Almighty give the world the blessing of peace and
security and may He preserve our countries and our governments
and their heads.
May God Almighty preserve our beloved Orthodox brother Emperor
Haile Sellassie I and the Crown Prince and the other members
of the Imperial Family.
We ask him to preserve the life of our brothers the Patriarchs
of Orthodoxy and to glorify His name in their persons. We
ask Him to bring health to our dear brother Anba Basilios,
Patriarch Catholicos of Ethiopia, to bless the Bishops, clergy,
people of Ethiopia and the churches and peoples of Orthodoxy.
REPLY OF H.H. MORAN MAR IGNATIUS YACUB III
Your
Imperial Majesty, Holy Fathers and Brothers, beloved Clergy
and people.
Today is a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving. We rejoice as
we were privileged to meet as members of the Oriental Orthodox
Churches, sharing the common faith and communion after centuries
of isolation, and also because God has enabled us all to meet
in one mind and heart, and discuss with frankness matters
of common concern in an atmosphere of brotherly love, and
decide to take steps not only to establish closer contacts
with each other and better understanding with churches, but
also we decided to take steps to meet the challenges of the
changing times, thus enabling our churches both as a group
and severally better instruments in the hands of God for the
extension of His Kingdom.
All this would not have been possible but for the fact that
His Imperial Majesty Haile Sellassie I, Defender of the Faith,
had not shown courage, faith, wisdom and vision to bring us
together. This had not been an easy task. Apart from the tremendous
cost and work involved in the convening of such a Conference,
the arrangements, which could never be excelled, His Majesty’s
guidance in this Conference, His deep rooted Christian faith,
knowledge, devotion and humility had been a source of inspiration
to us all. We are proud of Him and His country. We have always
prayed for Him as our one and only Orthodox King, and we shall
continue to pray for Him and His people. May He Live for many
more long years to come. May He be blessed to help to execute
the decisions of this first Conference as Constantine for
the Council of Nicea.
The great hospitality and love shown by His Holiness the Patriarch
of Ethiopia, the Archbishops, bishops, clergy and the faithful
of this great country has far excelled even our wildest imaginations.
We pray for the restoration to health of His Holiness Patriarch
Basilios. May the Almighty bless all the leaders and the people
of both this great church and this great country.
Our Churches have gone through in the past great difficulties
and trials and there were real moments of darkness. Many of
Our Churches had to fight for their very existence. But through
it all our fathers maintained undefiled the faith that had
handed to them. God will never forsake His Church. He said
“Lo, I am with you always”.
This Conference surely is a sign of this promise. Holy Spirit
was present throughout, and His hand of guidance was visible
in our midst. As we go back to our respective lands, may we
take back this spirit of Addis Ababa with us. We are determined
that the forward steps we have taken in the many-sided activities
of the Church will never be reversed. We return with confidence
that from now on the Oriental Orthodox Churches are not more
the isolated pockets which shared a common heritage and faith,
but a united and living organism, determined to work together
for the glory of God.
With thankful hearts and penitent sprit, may we pray the Almighty
to fulfil in and through us purpose He has for us.
REPLY OF H.M MORAN MAR BASELIOS AUGEN I CATHOLICOS
OF THE EAST
Your Imperial Majesty, Holy Fathers, Eminent Brothers, Clergy
and People.
It
is with a heart full of joy and thankfulness that I stand
here today. I am reminded of the words of the old Simon when
he saw the child Jesus. Simon had been waiting to see the
consolation of Israel. When he saw the child Jesus, he knew
that salvation had come to his people. His heart was filled
with joy and he sang to the glory of God.
This
day is a great day for all of us, and for our Churches. We
have always been one in our faith, but for centuries our Churches
lived in isolation. That isolation has been broken. At this
conference, our Churches have been brought together once again.
In brotherly love, we considered our problems together. We
made many unanimous decisions. We have seen a new beginning
for our ancient Churches. Our hearts go out in gratitude to
God.
On
this historic occasion, we all want to say a special word
about His Imperial Majesty, Haile Sellassie I, Emperor of
Ethiopia. He reminds us of some of the great Christian Emperors
in the early history of the Christian Church. It was His vision
that brought us together. In His very inspiring opening address.
His Imperial Majesty remained us about the duties of the Church
in the modern world. His wisdom, piety, and love of peace,
have been an example for us. The vast amount of money, the
time, and the energy spent on this conference showed how much
His Imperial Majesty is concerned about the good of the Church.
At this time I specially remember His Imperial Majesty’s
visit to India and the interest He took in the Church in India.
I am confident that I am voicing the thought of all of us
when I speak of His Imperial Majesty as the Defender of the
Orthodox Faith. In the name of us all, I place on recorded
our grateful thanks to His Imperial Majesty. May God bless
Him and the Imperial family.
The
Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Imperial Ethiopian Government
have made our stay in Ethiopia a vary happy experience, and
we are all grateful to them. The ties that bind the Ethiopian
Orthodox Church with our church in India are very ancient.
When the invitation to this conference came, my old age and
physical infirmity made me hesitate. But my life-long desire
to renew contact with this ancient sister-Church encouraged
me to undertake this long journey from far-off India. I am
now glad that I came. At the celebration of Epiphany the other
day, we saw something of the special traditions that this
Church developed over the centuries. The singing of the Debteras
thrilled all of us. We sister-Churches have much to learn
from Ethiopia. The only thing that made me sad was that His
Holiness Abuna Basilios, the Patriarch, was not able to be
with us in the meetings. We shall al pray for His Holiness’s
health.
I
shall be falling in my duty if I do not say a work of thanks
to His Excellency, the Secretary-General, who conducted our
meeting so efficiently. I want also to thank all those others
who remain unnamed, but worked hard for the success of this
conference. Those who looked after our comforts at the residences
and on the way deserve our gratitude. On behalf of us all,
I thank them all most sincerely.
Addis
Ababa is a city blessed by God. The spirit of unity and brotherhood
which we experienced here will go forth from this city to
all the lands from which we came. In this blessed city, we
have gained a new vision of the glorious vocation of the Church.
The Bride of Christ is arrayed in the glory of her Bridegroom,
and we rejoice. We sing with the Prophet Isaiah “Enlarge
the place of the tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains
of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen
thy slakes; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and
on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the gentiles, and
make the desolate cities to be inhabited:. (Isa. 54: 2-3)
REPLY OF HIS BEATITUDE ABUNA THEOPHILOS ACTING PATRIARCH
OF ETHIOPIA 7 ARCHSISHOP OF HARAR
Holy Fathers and Brothers in Christ,
It
is with a heart full of gratitude to Almighty God that I stand
here at this time. This is indeed an occasion of unbounded
joy for us in Ethiopia and for me personally the happiest
moment In my life. Ethiopia is blessed by your visit, and
will remember this glorious event for many long years to come.
So it is my most pleasant duty and privilege to express, on
behalf of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and of my own humble
self, the gratification we all enjoy on this auspicious occasion.
As
Heads and Leaders of a great tradition in Oriental Christendom,
you have come to Ethiopia representing oldest Churches in
the world. We are most grateful to each and every one of you
for your kindness in visiting us and graciously talking part
in this historic conference.
Ethiopia
as an Orthodox Christian country is readily accessible to
any of you at any time, and we would like you to take advantage
of this situation and visit us whenever you can. We are able
to confidently affirm this because our Emperor is a most devout
member and protector of the Church, because His Imperial Majesty
Haile Sellassie I and the royal family are noted both in Ethiopia
and in the outside world for their love of the Church. As
you are well aware, the one man whose far-sighted vision and
determined effort made the convocation of this Conference
possible is His Imperial Majesty.
In
the history of the Church, beginning from the time of Emperor
Constantine the Great of the Roman Empire in the fourth century,
there have been many faithful Emperors and rulers of Kingdoms
who have taken the imitative in convening Councils and Synods
of the Church. His Majesty stands in the tradition of those
great men, and the convocation of this Conference marks the
crowning act or His illustrious service to the cause of the
Church. It is therefore our most pleasant duty to thank him
for what he has done, to convey to him the Church’s
blessings and pray for his long and peaceful life and prosperous
reign.
Holy
Father and Brothers, your coming to this Conference has inaugurated
a new era for our Churches. As you well know, the ancient
Orthodox Churches had maintained their unity till the fifth
century, when they underwent an unfortunate division which
continues to this day. We hop and pray that God will bring
together again the two traditions which thus came to be formed.
Our own Oriental Orthodox Churches, however, have always stood
together as branches of the same Church. At the same time
historical and various other factors did not leave us free
to convene common synods and Councils of all our Churches
for the last many centuries. Consequently our Churches were
isolated one from another, so that while being one Church
in principle, we have come to be considered as many Churches.
It
is against such a background that we have met in this Conference.
With a view to restoring healthy and fruitful channels of
communication and co-operation, we have taken here a number
of important decisions. We have agreed thus, insofar as possible,
we shall work together in the fields of evangelism, theological
education, ecumenical action and world peace. As a result
of which we shall all experience, we hope a concrete manifestation
of the unity in spirit which exists among our Churches.
Even
here the first thing which e need to face is the question
of the nature of our calling in the one Church. We are called
to bear witness to Jesus Christ, the incarnate crucified and
risen Lord, and to serve our fellow human beings in His name
and His spirit. So our Churches should become communities
filled with spiritual dynamism to fulfil the task entrusted
to us by the Lord of the Church. Here our ideal is that specified
by our Lord Himself when He said, “Be ye perfect even
as your heavenly Father is perfect”. As we follow this
great ideal, we shall experience the meaning of the heavenly
peace which our Lord Jesus Christ has promised us by His words,
“My peace I give unto you.” Our Lord Jesus Christ,
who in His High-Priestly prayer besought that His disciples
may ever remain united, will bless and sanctify our life and
work together.
Besides
the question of bringing our Church together again we have
taken time at this Conference to discuss our future relationship
with other Churches, and agreed to do all we can to help the
movement towards the unity of all Christians in the fellowship
of the Church. We believe that of the many bodies into which
Christendom is divided, the one nearest in spiritual Kinship
to our Churches is the Eastern Orthodox Church. We trust in
God that He will lead both our Churches to feel urged to evaluate
the positions of each other objectively in a spirit of Christian
charity and mutual appreciation, so that they may, under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, be restored to unity.
In
giving expression to this longing, we do not imply that our
concern for Christian reunion is limited to the East.
We
believe that there is only one ideal for Christian reunion,
and that is what our Lord has clearly specified in His Prayer.
He prayed that His disciples may remain eternally united in
the same way as God the Father and He Himself are one and
remain united. In our thinking. Christian reunion has behind
it no ulterior motive of securing earthly glory or temporal
power for the Church, or even of meeting some immediate danger.
WE seek reunion because our unity is the will of our Lord.
He wants our Christian communities to grow with Him into His
perfection. This indeed will require a broadening of our spiritual
vision to see all things as Christ sees them. Our search for
unity is not a partial search. We believe that God wants all
men to be united with Him. From this concern we express our
longing to see that peace and harmony are established in the
world, and pledge that we shall work unceasingly for the peace
of the world and the establishment of justice between man
and man nation and nation.
May
God lead all Churches in the world to realize this truth,
and may the beginning of a new era for our Churches, which
this Conference has initiated, help us to advance together
in doing His work.
Holy
Fathers and Brothers, our Conference is come to its close.
To all of you, I express once again our sincere thanks. May
God be with you in your journey back to your respective Churches,
and may He bring us together again. We shall remember you
constantly in our prayers, and may we request that you do
the same for us also. Visit us whenever you can, and do keep
us in touch with how you and your Churches are faring. May
the blessing of Holiest Trinity, the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit, be upon us all and our Churches, His Imperial
Majesty, and the royal family, Amen.
Copied from;
The Oriental Orthodox Churches Addis Ababa Conference January,
1965
Edited by the Interim Secretariat
Oriental Orthodox Conference
Addis Ababa - August, 1965
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