The Shepherd, August 2006
NEWS SECTION, 2
PATRIARCH ALEKSII AWARDED MUSLIM ORDER
HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH ALEKSII OF MOSCOW has been awarded the highest Muslim Order of Sheik ul-Islam “for his contribution to the development of mutual understanding among nations and religions.” The award was presented by Allashukur Pasa-zade, the head of the Muslim Board of the Caucasus, according to an Interfax report, dated 4th July. The Patriarch accepted the award in recognitions of the activities of the entire Russian Orthodox Church. He is quoted as saying, “Its hierarchs, clergy and laity have always sought cooperation with all people of good will and strengthened relations between the Orthodox and Muslim clergy.” The order itself is made of precious metals and enamel and decorated with diamonds.
MOSCOW AND ROME
ANOTHER INTERFAX posting (25/7/06) reports that Patriarch Aleksii II hopes for “considerable rapprochement with the Roman Catholic Church, noting the positive role being played by Pope Benedict XVI.” “The key of our relations has changed with the new pontificate," the Patriarch said. “In his first address Benedict XVI said that the improvement of relations with the Orthodox church was a priority of his ministry.” … “The Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate said it remains in favour of the continuation of dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church on the problems of common concern. The synod pointed to human rights, human dignity and moral responsibility of the human person among the key issues for the dialogue with the Catholic Church. The synod noted the closeness of views of both churches on these issues and their wish to continue common work over a document that would fully reflect the positions of the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches. Bioethics, defence of the family and the right to life were seen as specific issues that the formulating of a common position of the two churches would be useful.” It appears that the Moscow hierarchy here is not addressing an ecclesial rapprochement as such, and thus not engaging in an ecumenical dialogue, but rather contemplating addressing various social concerns in the contemporary world together with the Roman Catholics.
MP-ROCA RAPPROCHEMENT
AGAIN INTERFAX is a source of information (24/7/06):- “The unity of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of (sic) Russia and the Moscow Patriarchate may be completely re-established by the end of 2006,” it reports Patriarch Aleksii as thinking. “In the end of this year a joint liturgy may be celebrated by representatives of the two branches of the Russian Church in the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Moscow Kremlin, he said in his interview to Pervyi canal on Sunday. According to church canons that will mean the final overcoming of the schism.… He recalled that the delegation of Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia headed by its first hierarch had visited Russia last year and attended the three services celebrated by the patriarch, praying at them.” As the proceedings of the commissions have not been made public, it is difficult to tell whether this is a firm statement of intent or simply the Patriarch’s wish.
REPOSE OF ABBESS EVPRAKSIA
THE VERYREVEREND ABBESS EVPRAKSIA, superior of the Convent of Our Lady of Kazan, Kentlyn, NSW in Australia, died on the evening of Wednesday, 6th / 19th July, in Campbelltown Public Hospital after suffering a severe stroke the previous day. Abbess Evpraksia had been in poor health for a number of years, and near the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul began to experience some difficulties regarding her medical condition. Please pray for the repose of her soul, that her memory might be eternal and her rest with the saints, and pray also for the bereaved sisters of her monastery. (It was at the request of Mother Evpraksia that we asked Michael and Margaret Woodrow to formulate a Lily of the Valley fragrance for our incenses - for many years she was insisting that we did this. We hope the incense will ever recall her memory.)
CELEBRATION OF ROYAL MARTYRS
FOR THE FEAST of the New Royal Martyrs of Russia, 4th /17th July, this year, Archbishop Mark visited London, it being the dedication festival of the lower church at Harvard Road. On Saturday 2nd/15th, he celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Convent of the Annunciation, assisted by Fr Alexis and Fr Vadim Zakrevsky with Hierodeacon Sabbas. On the Sunday he served with the Harvard Road clergy at their church, and then for the feast itself, the Monday, he again served at Harvard Road with Fr Alexis, Fr Vadim and Fr Stephen Fretwell. The Liturgy was preceded with the Lesser Blessing of Waters, and followed by a short moleben. Archbishop Anatolii of Kerch, from Ennismore Gardens (MP), attended the celebration of the Divine Liturgy as a guest on this day. Afterwards, as the church hall was being used by the play-group, all the participants were treated to a delicious feast in the garden. Finally the clergy, including the two Archbishops, were supplied with hard hats and given a tour of the work being undertaken in the upper church, being taken up right into the central dome to inspect things.
PILGRIMAGE IN IRELAND
THE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH of St Ignatius in Belfast will be hosting a Pilgrimage to Ireland from the 22nd to the 30th of September. Their guide will be Dn John Musther who has published “The Living Tradition of the Saints: And the significance of their teaching for us.” For full details about the Pilgrimage, itinerary, costs etc please visit: http://www.orthodoxirelandpilgrimage.antiochian.org.uk/
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