JERUSALEM, JANUARY 19 - 26, 2003
We have this treasure in clay jars [2 Corinthians 4:4-18]
Sunday, January 26th, 2003 - Back to Introduction 1 2
Greek Catholic Church of the Annunciation
The Greek Catholics appeared in Jerusalem with the consecration of the first hierarchs by Rome in the 18th century.
Until the year 1933, especially in the Middle East, there was a kind of agreement between the Greek Orthodox and Catholic clergy to provide certain places alternately with services and sacraments of the Church in case of need. This arrangement is actually on hold.
The Church is famous and was rebuilt by Archbishop Lutfi Laham, a Syrian Arab, who is at present Patriarch of the Greek Catholic Melkite Church in Damascus and could not come back to Jerusalem for the moment. The icons on the walls and the ceiling were painted by two Romanian Orthodox iconographers. It allows the preacher to show to the faithful the history of salvation, and the local faithful are rather young.
On this last day of the Unity Week, Archimandrite Metonios preached with conviction the fact that Christians do not belong to themselves or representing themselves or any institution but Jesus Christ, and he referred to the Gospel which had been proclaimed in Arabic and English from chapter 17 of the Holy Gospel according to Saint John, called the "Priestly Prayer" in the Western tradition : "That all should be one".
The Catholic and Apostolic Armenian bishops were present on this day on which they celebrate the Naming of the Lord.
CONCLUSION AND SUMMARY
In this year of grace 2003, the Unity Week in Jerusalem did happen and people who usually meet on different occasions were happy to share a time of peaceful if not silent "cry" to the Lord. Political issues were mentioned, but quietly. The year 2002 had been a terrible time for everyone in this area and Christians are often in despair, without any real support from the Churches throughout the world.
The participants in the Unity Week are traditionally involved in the educational and social care institutions developed within the local Christian Church and are truly inculturated. This should be noted.
One Baptist participant showed one day and the Messianics did not take part as they used to do in the previous years.
The atmosphere was very friendly and people could at least share a sign of peace or shake hands, "which is something of a miracle in this situation" as mentioned by Fr. Aleksandr.
There are less and less students, and local Christians have to face their identity and the challenge of their faith.
As a rule, some denominational representatives and faithful only visit their brothers and sisters sharing the same faith and do not show up to other services which may be rather "strange", unknown to them or barely understandable. But the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem came up and intervened, paving the way to further steps, which will have to be carried out over decades, with God's help, and faithful good will.
Please continue to Jerusalem Post Article of Thursday, 23rd, 2003
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