A meeting was held at the Logos Papal Center in Egypt on September 16th-17th, 2024 in response to Pope Tawadros II’s invitation for unity among the Orthodox Churches. Led by Pope Tawadros II and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, representatives discussed the importance of mutual understanding and cooperation for Christian unity.
The Joint Commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, co-chaired by Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and Metropolitan Thomas of Quosia and Mir, discussed past achievements and future steps towards unity. They emphasized the need for immediate action to implement agreements and address contemporary challenges facing the Orthodox faith.
Discussions focused on family matters and challenges in today’s society, with a shared belief in the sanctity of marriage and the family as the foundation for children’s upbringing. Both Orthodox families rejected the justification of same-sex relations, affirming human rights while upholding the commandments of the Creator.
Agreements were reached for continued work on liturgical and pastoral issues, communication with Church leaders, the creation of a joint website for dialogue documents, and the involvement of clergy and laypeople in the dialogue process. As the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea approaches in 2025, the representatives expressed a desire for all Christians to celebrate Pascha following Orthodox traditions.
In conclusion, participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity to come together in the spirit of Christ and grow in unity through dialogue and mutual understanding.
The participants expressed their gratitude to the Coptic Orthodox Church and Pope Tawadros II for their Abrahamic hospitality and for hosting the meeting. They appreciated the warm welcome and hospitality extended to them during the event. The images below capture moments from the gathering, showcasing the spirit of unity and cooperation among the attendees.
Source link