ADDRESS OF H.B. PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM IN THE “ISTANBUL WORLD FORUM”.

Istanbul, 14 of October 2012 Esteemed Fellow Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, As we gather in this great city, the meeting point of Europe and Asia, we greet you with the peace ofJerusalem, a peace that is meant for the whole world. We are here as a testimony to history, and we acknowledge that we stand in the presence of many who have the power to make history. Our gathering presents a precious opportunity to deepen our commitment to the common ground we share, our common human condition, and the aspiration that we all have for a better life for the entire human family. By virtue of our standing in our communities, the positions of leadership we hold, and the knowledge we have, we are able to shape in, and evoke from, our people enduring values and commitments. From these values and commitments in them and in their children, as well as in many circles of thought and in our cultures at large, come transformative actions in all walks of life. Our meeting is indeed important and timely. For in the world at large, and in our region, there are dramatic developments that indicate a future that is, at present, unpredictable. Our calling is to take responsibility, each in our own circle of significant influence, to make a better history for humanity as we live into this uncertain future. We do this primarily by choosing always to side firmly with peace, tolerance, and co-existence, and by holding fast to our common values. They are like a golden thread that connects our faiths. In these ways we can help to create the best possible future for all our peoples. Let us never underestimate the power that we have to do this. Since we have been asked to speak from our experience, let us say this. The Rum Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the Holy Land is the embodiment of the history ofJerusalem, and has existed from the very beginning of the Christianity. As part of this history, it is no exaggeration to say that the well-known Covenant of Omar has played a crucial role since the convergence of Christianity and Islam in theHoly Landfor 1400 years. In 638 CE Omar ibn Al-Khattab, who was the second Khalifa, entered Jerusalem at the head of a Muslim army. He entered the city on foot, as a gesture of humility, and there was no bloodshed. On the contrary, those who wanted to leave were allowed to do so with their possessions and were guaranteed a safe passage, while those who wanted to stay were granted protection for their lives, their property, and their places of worship. The Khalifa Omar even took steps to ensure the continued future of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as a place of Christian worship. This is the most authentic version of the Covenant as established by the majority of Arab and Muslim historians, and we shall read parts of it because of its significance for our conversations here: ”In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. ”This is an assurance of peace and protection given by the servant of Allah Omar, Commander of the Believers to the people of Aelia (Jerusalem). He gave them an assurance of protection for their lives, property, churches and crosses as well as the sick and healthy and all its religious community. Their churches shall not be occupied, demolished nor taken away wholly or in part. None of their crosses or property shall be seized. They shall not be coerced in their religion nor shall any of them be injured… He who leaves shall be guaranteed safety for his life and property until he reaches his safe heaven. He who stays shall also be safe, in which case he shall pay as much tax as the people of Aelia do. Should any of the people of Aelia wish to move together with their property along with the Rum and to clear out their churches and crosses, they shall be guaranteed safety for their lives, churches and crosses, until they have reached their safe haven… He who wishes to move along with the Romans may do so, and he who wishes to return home to his kinsfolk may do so. Nothing shall be taken from them until their crops have been harvested. To the contents of this Covenant here are given the Covenant of Allah, the guarantees of His Messenger, the Khalifas and the Believers, provided they (the people of Aelia) pay their due Jizya tax. Witnesses hereto are Khaled ibn AI-Waleed, Abdul-Rahman ibn ‘Auf, Amr ibn Al-’Aas and Mu’awiya ibn abi-Sufyan. Made and executed in the year 15 Hijri.” The Covenant of Omar is significant in many respects, and we shall highlight several observations: 1) The document was signed by four of the most eminent companions of the Khalifa, while traditionally just two witnesses were sufficient. 2) Though concise, the Covenant is very detailed, well organized, clear and legally ordered, leaving no space for different or conflicting interpretations. 3) The wording leaves no doubt of the great importance that Omar attached to the duty of all to abide by its provisions. 4) Most importantly, of course, the Covenant provided for rights and privileges of non-Muslims. In an all-encompassing manner it provided for basic rights and freedoms, especially: a) The freedom of religion, the safety and protection of churches and crosses. b) The right to life and dignity. c) The right to property. d) The freedoms of ordinary citizens, providing that the religious community abides by the laws of the State. e) Full respect of other communities and the prevailing culture. Later in our history, Salah al-Din, although he was a conqueror ofJerusalemand theHoly Land, also ruled with these principles. So we see in the Covenant of Omar and in the attitude of many of his successors right up to the Ottoman period that this Covenant was renewed and reconfirmed by various firmans issued by the Sublime Porte. So the enduring values of the Covenant continue to be relevant to us in our day. For they have been respected and maintained by modern international agreements and by the States that have ruled the region of theHoly Land. In conclusion, let us say this. In light of all that our region is experiencing, the various ethic and religious communities that have been at home in our region and have adopted the unique culture that has emerged from the co-existence of the religious traditions of their respective communities are anxious about the future. This is so because unexpectedly their established system of governance has shifted and has caused them uncertainty. This is why many are forced to flee a region that for them is their homeland. In our understanding, the Covenant of Omar can once again be considered as a paradigm that gives us valuable insights in the manner in which we consider the role of religion and its free expression and practice. For instance, we must always uphold the mutual respect between our various ethnic communities, communities which are in fact defined by their religious tradition. From our historical experience as the Rum Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Covenant of Omar has served as the basis of the ongoing life of Christians in Jerusalem and the broader area of the Middle East. We do believe that an interpretation and application to our modern world of this document can be a viable basis for understanding the relationship of religion and freedom, freedom of religious minorities, with their appropriate rights and responsibilities. This is how we understand the interaction between religion and freedom. The Rum Orthodox Patriarchate is prepared to continue to support any means by which such firm bases for our common life and common destiny are strengthened, and we are grateful to this Forum for allowing us to highlight our concerns and away forward to which we are committed. Thank you. His Beatitude THEOPHILOS III Patriarch of Jerusalem

Heretical Armenians attacking against to Greek Orthodox Monks

ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗΣ ΙΕΡΟΣΟΛΥΜΩΝ ΕΙΡΗΝΑΙΟΣ: "ΘΕΛΟΥΝ ΝΑ ΜΕ ΕΞΟΥΘΕΝΩΣΟΥΝ…

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Του Γιώργου Θεοχάρη - Ο ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗΣ ΙΕΡΟΣΟΛΥΜΩΝ ΕΙΡΗΝΑΙΟΣ ΣΤΟAGIORITIKOVIMA.GR "ΕΙΜΑΙ ΘΥΜΑ ΟΡΓΑΝΩΜΕΝΟΥ ΚΥΚΛΩΜΑΤΟΣ ΜΕ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΑ ΚΑΙ ΠΡΟΣΩΠΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ". Ο Πανάγιος τάφος απέχει από το κελί του μόλις τριάντα μέτρα. Αλλά για το πατριάρχη Ειρηναίο (διότι ποτέ Πατριάρχης δεν προσφωνείτε πρώην) δεν είναι προσβάσιμος. Καθώς οι εξωτερικές πόρτες του χώρου που βρίσκεται το κελί είναι κλειδωμένες. Τα λούκετα της ντροπής, προσπαθούν να φιμώσουν και να τρομοκρατήσουν. ΄΄Θέλουν να με εξουθενώσουν΄΄ εξηγεί κατηγορηματικά στο agioritikovima.gr o Πατριάρχης Ειρηναίος.

΄΄Δεν έχω δικαστεί από καμμία αρχή και είμαι εδώ έγκλειστος. Με μία ψευτοσύνοδο που έστησε ο Θεόφιλος είμαι εδώ και προσπαθούν να με ρίξουν από το θρόνο, εγώ είμαι ο Πατριάρχης Ιεροσολύμων. Αυτούς πρέπει να δικάσουν΄΄ σημειώνει.
΄΄Ο Θεόφιλος έδωσε εντολή να κλείσουν οι πόρτες και να είμαι σε απομόνωση ΄΄, συμπληρώνει και διευκρινίζει ΄΄Είμαι θύμα οργανωμένου κυκλώματος με επικεφαλείς πολιτικά πρόσωπα που συνεργασία με πρόσωπα της Εκκλησίας επιδίωξαν την καταρρεύση μου΄΄. Ταυτόχρονα ο κ. Ειρηναίος υπογραμμίζει, ότι περιμένει την αποκατάσταση του δικαίου από τον Θεό και από τους ανθρώπους που έχουν πίστη στο δίκαιο.
΄΄Πολύς κόσμος έρχεται να με δει αλλά μάταια,όλα είναι κλειστά.Είμαι κλειδαμπαρωμένος.΄΄ είπε.
Κλείνοντας ο Πατριάρχης είπε΄΄Από παιδάκι είμαι εδώ και θα πεθάνω στον Πανάγιο τάφο, με τον θεό δεν μπορεί να παίζει κανείς.Θέλω ο Ελληνικός λαός να μάθει την αλήθεια, ευχαριστώ όλους για τη συμπαράσταση τους.΄΄

Πάνω: Ο Πατριάρχης Ειρηναίος πίσω απο τη πόρτα του κελιού του. Κάτω: Η είσοδος του κελιού του.

Mother Maryam Zakka on Evangelism

The Bible says that we must evangelize! But our days are difficult now because we must respect people's choices and the various sects?!... and my friend who does not believe in God but rather reason?! And everyone around us?! What should I do?! .... -Yara

The Bible says, in the words of the Lord and of His chosen apostle Paul, "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season." (2 Timothy 4:2)

What is evangelism for us? Is it talking about the Gospel and its word or preaching to those around us? Or is it us replying to the questions people ask us? Or do we live the life of the Gospel in silence, so that those around us will learn from our silence and our behavior? It is all these things!

The true Christian life is itself evangelism. One of the philosophers said, "Tell me how you live and I will tell you who you are." So, evangelism is how we live. The Lord Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). The important thing is for the Lord our God to be blessed through our actions with those whom we meet in our daily life.

My daughter, be the shining lamp placed on the mountaintops to shine for others in the name of the Lord! Walk in true Christian love with those you interact with... starting with your husband at home, your children, your students, your friends.... Here I'd like to focus on that Christian friend who does not believe in anything other than science and who has lived her life scientifically... The most important thing you can do for her is praying for her, that she will return to knowledge of the Lord in her heart, since He said, "my son, give me your heart" (Proverbs 23:26).

Prayer has a 'miraculous' effect... If it comes from the depths of the heart and total reliance on the Holy Name, then it will bring this person to knowledge of the Lord through you!

Do not discuss faith with her, or she will take a defensive position about her opinions, especially if she is educated and has a scientific worldview... such people discuss faith viciously, because their god is reason! Just love her in silence and be a good model for her of the simple Christian life, perfected in the Lord Jesus... He is the fisherman who will catch her like a fish after nourishing her with His presence in the trials and paradoxes of her life...

You said, Yara, to start with, that we must respect people's choices, their opinions and religions... You're right, but don't forget that any person on the face of the earth, when he sees the goodness of the table spread before him will approach it and eat from it. He will choose what his soul desires and he loves... In the Church we have a blessed, living banquet, richer than the whole world's wealth!

We do not steal people for Christianity! However, we show them the goodness of our God and they will come to wonder and ask, "Who are these people? What is behind them? Who and how do they worship?" Let them know the truth!

"We are the preaching of the Gospel" in the gentle, kind, and loving way we treat others, in our tranquility, in our behavior, in our love for others regardless of their different religions or sects, in our holding fast to what our Church teaches, in our discussing with the 'knowledgeable' if the possibility of discussion is opened to us, in serving the needy, in giving to the poor and helping anyone seeking assistance, in our sober, loving behavior. Not in prideful divisiveness or avoiding sharing in others' suffering, but in our human presence and most importantly in our prayer for all who cross our path without criticizing them.

You say that evangelism has become difficult today. This is true, but that's the challenge! We are not better off today than the first Christians! They mingled with idolators and we today live with them. Do you not notice the idolatry of money and wealth, power, love of appearances, lying and confusion among us? And the other forms of worship that dilute and assault the true faith? Do you not notice the moral and sexual permissiveness, the heresies that affect all classes of people, rich and poor, educated and simple? Do you not witness the violence, drunkenness and wantonness, even among schoolchildren, which destroy moral, spiritual, and social values? Do you not fear the heresy of keeping up with the times, which separates the believer from his faith and cleaves him to false teaching? Do you not weep for the fracturing of the family, the splintering of children, the departure to far-off countries, and the abandonment of the faith? Do you not behold the domination of other religious which wipe out Christianity and kill the seriousness of those who strive for true worship of the Word of the Gospel?

"All the nations surrounded me and in the name of the Lord I conquered them" (Psalm 117:10)

We are approaching the end of times... this is what the holy fathers in our Church say! Even this question was posed by those who surrounded Jesus, and He answered them! We do not know the times or the hours that the Lord has appointed for the end of times and the second coming of Christ... but we do know one thing, that we must remain alert and ready to receive Christ who became incarnate to save us from the Enemy!

This is how we must live, girding our loins and bearing the Gospel of Christ in our hearts and minds, following His steps, praying, fasting, blessing, weeping, repenting for our sins and the ignorance of the people...

Each one of us has his work in this life, but all of us are called to know the truth, that we have one Savior, in whom we know God the Father, the Creator, and through whom we come to Him. He is the second hypostasis or person of the Holy Trinity, the ray of the Father, equal to Him in essence and eternity from all ages, in whom we live and move and have our being. His name is Emmanuel, God is with us, Jesus Christ the Redeemer.

For Him we live, not for any other person, idea, or teaching. To Him alone is due worship. To Him we lift up glory and honor. From Him we await eternal salvation, for us and for all those in existence whom He has called on us to pray for and love!

May the Lord Jesus Christ keep you and yours and all your generation.

Mother Maryam  Zakka
Abbess of the Monastery of St John the Baptist-- Douma
December 19, 2010

سؤال وجواب الأحد 19 كانون الأوّل 2010

قال الكتاب المقدّس علينا أن نبشّر! لكن أيامنا صعبة الآن! لأنّه عليك احترام اختيارات النّاس ومذاهبهم المتنوّعة؟!... وصديقتي الّتي لا تؤمن بالإله بل بالعقل؟! وكلّ الّذين حولنا؟! ماذا أفعل؟!...(يارا...).

قال الكتاب المقدّس بلسان الرّب يسوع وصفيّه الرّسول بولس: "بشّروا في كلّ آن موافق وغير موافق". (2 تيموثاوس 2:4). ما هي  البشارة بالنّسبة لنا؟ أهي أن نتكلّم بالإنجيل وكلمته أم نعظ الّذين حولنا؟ أم نجيب على أسئلة الّذين يسألونا؟ أم نحيا الإنجيليّة بصمت حتّى يتعلّم الّذين حولنا من صمتنا وتصرّفاتنا؟... إنّه كلّ هذا!. الحياة المسيحيّة الحق هي البشارة بحدّ ذاتها... قال أحد الفلاسفة: "قل لي كيف تحيا، أقول لك من أنتَ"... إذًا البشارة هي كيف نحيا... والسّيّد يسوع قال: "ليضئ نوركم قدّام النّاس فيروا أعمالكم ويمجّدوا أباكم الّذي في السّموات" (متّى 16:5). المهمّ أن يتبارك الرّبّ إلهنا من خلال أعمالنا مع كلّ الّذين نلتقيهم في يوميّاتنا.      يا بنيّة كوني أنتِ المصباح المنير الّذي يوضع على رؤوس الجبال ليضيئ باسم الرّبّ للآخرين! أسلكي بالمحبّة المسيحيّة الحقّ مع كلّ الّذين تختلطين بهم... زوجك في المنزل بدءًا، أولادك، تلامذتك، صديقاتك إلخ... وأود هنا التركيز على تلك الصّديقة المسيحيّة، غير المؤمنة إلاّ بالعلم ولقد حاكت حياتها علميًا... أهمّ ما تفعلينه لأجلها هو الصّلاة لها كي تعود إلى معرفة الرّبّ بالقلب، فهو قال: "يا بنيّ أعطني قلبك"...(أمثال 26:23). للصّلاة مفعول "عجائبيّ"... فهي إن صدرت من عمق القلب والاتّكال الكامل على الاسم القدّوس فستأتي بتلك الإنسانة إلى معرفة الرّبّ من خلالك!. لا تناقشيها بالإيمان، فهي ستأخذ موقفًا مدافعًا عن آرائها، خاصة إذا كانت إنسانة متعلّمة وعلميّة النّظرة والتقليد... هؤلاء يناقشون الإيمان بشراسة، لأنّ إلههم هو العقل!. فقط أحبّيها بصمت وكوني أمامها المثال الصّالح للحياة المسيحيّة البسيطة المنحى، المكمّلة بالرّبّ يسوع... وهو الصّياد سيأتي بها سمكة بعد إطعامها من حضوره في تجارب ومفارقات حياتها...      قلتِ يا "يارا" بدءًا، أنّ علينا احترام اختيارات النّاس ومنازعهم وأديانهم... حسنًا تفعلين لكن لا تنسِ أن أي إنسان على وجه الأرض حين يرى طيب المائدة ممدودة أمامه فإنّه سيتقدّم ليأكل منها، يختار ما تشتهيه نفسه وما يحبّ... ولنا في كنيستنا وليمة حيّة مباركة، غنيّة أكثر من غنى كلّ أهل الأرض!.      نحن لا نسرق النّاس إلى المسيحيّة! لكنّنا نريهم بتصرّفاتنا طيب إلهنا وهم سيأتون إلى السّؤال والتسآل: من هؤلاء؟ ما وراءهم؟ من وكيف يعبدون؟ ليعرفوا الحقيقة!!.      "نحن بشارة الإنجيل"، بتعاملنا الرّقيق الطيّب المحبّ... بهدأتنا، بتصرّفاتنا، بمحبّتنا للآخرين، رغم اختلاف دياناتنا وطوائفنا، بتمسّكنا بما تعلّمه كنيستنا، بنقاشنا "العارف" إن انفتح الحديث أمامنا، بخدمة المحتاج، بالعطاء للفقير ومساعدة أي طالب عون، بسلوكنا المحبّب الرّصين لا الفرق بالبذخ أو بالابتعاد عن مشاركة الآخرين آلامهم بل بحضورنا الإنسانيّ والأهم بصلاتنا لكلّ عابر دربنا دون انتقاده!...      تقولين البشارة صارت صعبة اليوم!. هذا صحيح ولكن هذا هو التحدّي!. لسنا اليوم أفضل مما كان عليه المسيحيّون الأوائل!!. كانوا يخالطون عبّاد الأوثان ونحن الآن نسكن معهم!!. ألا تلاحظين عبادة أوثان المال والغنى، والسّلطة، وحبّ الظهور، والكذب والاختلاط بيننا. والعبادات الأخرى لتمييع الإيمان الحق وضربه؟!. ألا تلاحظين التفلّت الأخلاقيّ والجنسيّ والبدع الّتي تطال كلّ مستويات النّاس الأغنياء والفقراء، الخاصة والعامة؟! ألا تشهدين العنف والسّكر والعربدة حتّى بين طلاب المدارس لهدم كلّ القيم الأخلاقيّة والرّوحيّة والاجتماعيّة؟! ألا تخافين بدعة محاكات الحداثة الّتي تُبعد المؤمن عن إيمانه وتشده إلى التعليم الكاذب؟!... ألا تبكين تفتّت العائلة وتشرذم الأولاد والرّحيل إلى بلاد بعيدة وترك الإيمان؟!... ألا تعاينين سيطرة الأديان الأخرى لإلغاء المسيحيّة وقتل جديّة الّذين يسعون للسّجود الحق لكلمة الإنجيل؟!. "كلّ الأمم أحاطت بي وباسم الرّب قهرتها". (مزمور 10:117).      نحن نقارب نهايات الأزمنة... هذا ما يقوله الآباء القدّيسون في كنيستنا!! حتّى هذا السّؤال وجّهه الّذين أحاطوا بالرّبّ يسوع وأجابهم! نحن لا نعرف الأزمنة أو الأوقات الّتي حدّدها الرّبّ لنهاية الأزمنة والمجيء الثّاني للمسيح... لكنّنا نعرف شيئًا واحدًا، أنّه علينا أن نبقى متأهبّين وحاضرين لاستقبال المسيح الّذي تجسّد ليخلّصنا من يد العدو المقاوم!.      هكذا علينا أن نحيا، ممنطقين أحقاءنا، وحاملين إنجيل المسيح في قلوبنا وأذهاننا، متبّعين خطاه، مصلّين، صائمين، مباركين، باكين وتائبين عن خطايانا وجهالات الشعب...      لكلّ واحد منّا عمله في هذه الحياة لكنّنا كلّنا مدعوون إلى المعرفة الحق، وهي أنّ لنا مخلّصًا واحدًا، به نعرف الآب الله الخالق ونأتي إليه بواسطته. إنّه إقنوم أو شخص الثالوث الثّاني، شعاع الآب المساوي له في الجوهر والأزليّة منذ الدّهر الّذي به نحيا ونتحرّك ونوجد وٱسمه عمّانوئيل، الله معنا، يسوع المسيح الفادي. أما بعد، هذا ولهذا نحيا، لا لإنسان آخر، أو فكر آخر، أو تعليم الآخر، بل له وحده ينبغي السّجود وله نرفع المجد والإكرام ومنه ننتظر الخلاص الأبديّ لنا ولكلّ الّذين في الكون الّذين دعانا للصّلاة لهم ومحبّتهم!. ألا حفظكِ الرّبّ السّيّد يسوع المسيح وكلّ المختصّين بك وكلّ جيلك!. الأمّ مريم

Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Church of Cyprus Help Syrian Refugees in Jordan

On Thursday, October 18 the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos was present and the reception of parcels of food, medicine, and clothing sent by the Church of Cyprus for Syrian refugees in Jordan staying at the Zaatari camp. The patriarch had intervened for these refugees, some time ago, with the ambassadors of Great Britain, France, Germany, and Cyprus in Amman. The patriarch then visited the camp and gathered information about the refugees' difficulties. They were at the center of recent discussions between the primates of the Patriarchates of Alexandria and Jerusalem and the Church of Cyprus and representatives of the European Union in Brussels. The Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos additionally called on the Archbishop of Cyprus to organize a collection of funds for Syrian refugees in Jordan. 

The Orthodox people of Cyprus as well as their government responded to this call: 10 tons of mineral water, 5 tons of food, and 185 cases of clothing, as well as 15 small refrigerators and 5 computers arrived in Akaba by sea and were then shipped to Zaatari on October 18 in the presence of Patriarch Theophilos and several Jordanian clergy, the ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus, and other Jordanian figures.

صلّوا بلا ملل ( لوقا 18: 1 )

الصلاةُ هي رفعُ العقل والقلب معًا الى الله، هي تأمُّلٌ في الله، هي حديثٌ جريءٌ مُقدَّمٌ منَ المخلوق للخالق، وذلك حينما تقف النفْسُ خاشعةً أمامه كما تكون أمام ملكٍ عظيمٍ، في نسيانٍ كاملٍ لكل ما هو حولها، مغتسلةً من خطاياها بحملِها نِيرَ يسوع الهيِّن وحِمله الخفيف.

الصلاة هي تقديس النفس، تذوُّقٌ لبركاتِ المستقبل، وتذوُّقٌ لسعادة الملائكة، هي المطرُ السماويّ الذي يُنعشُ ويروي ويخصبُ أرضَ النفس وينقِّي وينعشُ العقل، هي فرحُ الروح، الشريطُ الذهبيُّ الذي يربطُ المخلوقَ بالخالق، هي شجاعةٌ ومعونةٌ في كافة المِحن والتجارب، مصباحُ الحياة الذي يضيء الطريقَ نحو السماء، ضامن النجاح في كلِّ المهام، كرامةٌ مساويةٌ للملائكة، مشدِّدةُ الإيمان والأمل والحب.

الصلاة هي حياةُ عِشرةٍ ومشاركة مع الملائكة والقديسين الذين أرضوا الله منذ بدء العالم، هي إصلاحُ الحياة التي انحرفتْ، أُمُّ الخشوع والدموع، القوة الدافعة لعمل الرحمة، طمأنينةُ الحياة، مبدِّدةُ الخوف منَ الموت، إزدراءٌ بالكنوز الأرضيَّة، رغبةٌ مُلحَّةٌ لا تهدأ نحو البركات السماويَّة، إرتقابُ الدينونة بثقةٍ، وانتظارُ القيامة العامة بفرح، وتعطُّشٌ لحياة الدهر الآتي، هي جهدٌ وعزمٌ لخلاص نفوسنا منَ العذاب الأبدي، بحثٌ لا ينقطع عن طلبة الرحمة والإلحاح في طلبِ عفوِ الحاكم، شرف الوقوف في حضرة القدير، الكفُّ عن تطويب النفس وعن العطف على الذات وعن التماس الأعذار لها.

الصلاة هي توسيع القلب لحمل كافة الناس بالحب، حُلولية السماء بالنفس، ثبوتٌ متبادَل في الثالوث الكامل القداسة "إليه نأتي وعنده نصنع منزلاً"  (يو  14: 23)

القديس يوحنا كرونشتادت

Met. Elias (Kfoury) on the Martyrdom of Fr Fadi Haddad

"طوبى للمساكين بالروح فإن لهم ملكوت السموات".
الى عزيزي الخوري فادي حداد

تلقيت بحزن شديد (مع أن الرسول بولس يقول لنا "لا تحزنوا كما يحزن باقي الناس الذين لا رجاء لهم") نبأ اغتيالك البشع على طريق جبل الشيخ. نزل عليّ هذا النبأ كالصاعقة، أنا الذي منحك سرّ الكهنوت بوضع هذه اليد الحقيرة. أنا الذي عرفت فيك "مسكيناً من مساكين الروح القدس" الذين يرثون ملكوت الله. عرفت فيك الابن المحب الوفي لكنيسته ورؤسائه. رأيت البراءة في عينيك. والطهارة في نفسك، والمحبة في قلبك، تطبيقاً لقول السيد المسيح "بالمحبة غلبتُ العالم" (وليس بأي سلاح آخر).

نفسي حزينة حتى الموت، لأن البراءة تقتل بأيد مجرمة سفاحة، لا تعرف حرمة لكهنوت ولا لمقدسات. نفسي حزينة حتى الموت لأن المحبة تُضطهد، المحبة التي قال عنها بولس الرسول إنها "تعطي كل شيء، المحبة لا تسقط أبداً"، كذلك كرامة الكهنوت تُداس بالأقدام الهمجية (إن همجية الاسرائيليين الصهاينة لم تفعل ذلك)، أقول للمجرمين القتلة الذين نالوا منك: انتظروا يوم الحساب، حيث يجلس الديان العادل على العرش، ونهر النار يجري أمام عرشه والصفحة تفتح، والخفايا تعلن، يومها يسأل الله، جلّ جلاله، كلاً منا: ماذا فعلت؟ قايين قايين، أين أخوك؟

أقول لأحباء الخوري فادي ومريديه ما قاله السيد المسيح لأحبائه: "لا تخافوا ممن يقتل الجسد، بل خافوا من ذاك الذي يضعكم في جهنم النار، أي من الله". وللمجرمين القتلة أقول: لن ننتقم منكم، بل تركنا ذلك لله، الله الذي يملك السماوات والأرض، والذي يجازي كلاً بحسب أعماله.

الذي يقتل الجسد ماذا يستطيع أن يفعل بعد ذلك؟ هل يستطيع أن يقتل الروح؟ بالطبع لا، هل يستطيع أن يقتل الايمان؟ بالطبع لا، هل يستطيع أن يقتل الكرامة؟ بالطبع لا، ماذا يستطيع أن يفعل إذاً؟ أقول لكم ماذا يستطيع أن يفعل، يموت في غيظه، يغرق في حقده، وفي أوحال الخطيئة التي تخنقه وتقضي عليه. كل انسان لا رجاء له، مصيره كمصير يهوذا الاسخريوطي، الذي ذهب وخنق نفسه لأنه يئس من رحمة الله، بينما نحن معشر المؤمنين فإننا نحيا على رجاء القيامة والحياة الأبدية. وأنت يا عزيزي الخوري فادي تنتقل على رجاء القيامة والحياة الأبدية. نحن لا نستمد الحياة من أنفسنا، او من العالم، إننا نستمدها من الله الذي "من لدنه كل عطية صالحة وكل موهبة كاملة"، على قول الرسول بولس.

أما أنت يا عزيزي الخوري فادي، لك الفخر لأنك قضيت فيما كنت تحاول انقاذ حياة أحد خرافك الذين ائتمنك الرب عليهم. أحد أبناء رعيتك التي اقامك الروح القدس (بوضع يد رئيس الكهنة) عليها لتفتديها بدمك (وقد فعلت)، كما افتداها معلمك الفادي الأكبر، فإنك أيها الفادي تذهب لترتاح في جواره، في حضن ابرهيم، حيث الأبرار والصدّيقون.
ولأعزائي عائلة وأبناء رعية الأب فادي، رعية مار الياس، الذي صعد حياً الى السماء، أقول إن الخوري فادي لم يمت، بل صعد حياً مع النبي ايليا الى السماء. الخوري فادي لم يمت لأنه انتقل من الموت الى الحياة. الخوري فادي لم يمت. بل هو حيّ فينا الى الأبد.

أقول لهم ما كان يردده النبي أيوب الصدّيق عندما كانت تلمّ به ملمّة: "الرب أعطى والرب أخذ، فليكن اسم الرب مباركاً".
سامح الله الجناة. رحمة الله عليك يا أب فادي.

Met. Elias (Kfoury) on the Martyrdom of Fr Fadi Haddad

Arabic original here. To understand this, it's important to remember that 'Fadi' in Arabic means 'redeemer' and that Fr Fadi was killed attempting to redeem a captive.



"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

To my dear Priest Fadi Haddad,

I received with great sorrow (even though the Apostle Paul tells us, "do not grieve like others who have no hope") the news of your horrific murder on the road to Mount Hermel. This news hit me like a thunderbolt, I who gave you the mystery of priesthood by the laying on of this humble hand. I  am the one who recognized that you were "one of the poor of the Holy Spirit" who will inherit the kingdom of heaven. I recognized in you the loving son, loyal to his Church and his leaders. I saw innocence in your eyes, purity in your soul, and love in your heart, putting into action the words of Christ the Lord, "With love I have conquered the world"-- and not with any other weapon.

My soul is sorrowful unto death, because innocence is killed by murderous, criminal hands who do not know the sanctity of priesthood or of holy things. My soul is sorrowful unto death, because love is persecuted, love which the Apostle Paul said, "gives everything. Love never fails." The honor of the priesthood is trampled by barbaric feet (even the barbarity of the Zionist Israelis has not done this). I say to the murderous criminals who overcame you: Wait for the Day of Judgment when the Righteous Judge shall sit upon the throne. The river of fire will flow and the book will be opened. The hidden things will be revealed. On that day God Almighty shall ask each of us: What have you done? Cain, Cain, where is your brother?

I say to the friends and loved ones of the Priest Fadi what Christ the Lord said to His loved ones: "Do not fear the one who kills the body, but rather fear the One who can place you in the hell of fire. That is, God." To the murderous criminals, I say: We will not take revenge. We have left that to God, the God who rules heaven and earth and who repays each of us according to his deeds.

The one who kills the body, what can he do after that? Is he able to kill the soul? Of course not. Is he able to kill faith? Of course not. Is he able to kill dignity? Of course not. Then what is he able to do? I say to you, what is he able to do? He dies in his rage. He dies in his hatred, in the mire of sin which chokes him and puts an end to him. Every person without hope has a fate like that of Judas Iscariot, who went and hanged himself because he despaired of God's mercy, while we the faithful live according to the hope of resurrection and eternal life. You, my dear Priest Fadi are transported according to the hope of resurrection and eternal life. We do not obtain our life from ourselves or from the world. Rather, we obtain our life from God, "from whom is every good gift and every perfect gift," according to the Apostle Paul.

But you, O Priest Fadi, have honor, because you accomplished what you were trying to do, saving the life of one of your flock which God entrusted you with, one of the children of your flock which the Holy Spirit (through the laying on of the bishop's hands) gave to you to redeem with your blood (as you did), just as your Teacher, the Great Redeemer [al-Fadi al-Akbar] redeemed them and you, O Fadi redeemer [ayyuha al-Fadi], go to rest beside Him in the Bosom of Abraham among the just and righteous.

To my beloved, the family and flock of Father Fadi, the parish of Saint Elias who went up to heaven alive, I say that the Priest Fadi did not die, but rather went up alive to heaven with the Prophet Elijah. The Priest Fadi did not die, because he was transported from death to life. The Priest Fadi did not die. He is alive with us forever.

I say to you what the righteous Prophet Job repeated when he was struck with disaster: "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

May God pardon the perpetrators. God's mercy be upon you, Father Fadi.

Greek Orthodox Priest Murdered in Syria

By A. Papapostolou on October 26, 2012 In Asia, News

The body of the Greek Orthodox priest Fr. Fadi Jamil Haddad, was found today in the Jaramana neighborhood (north of Damascus ) near the place where he was kidnapped on October 19th, by an unidentified armed group. Father Haddad served the St Elie parish in Qatana, a mixed Christian and Muslim town of 15,000 inhabitants, 20 kilometers ( 12 miles ) west of Damascus .

This was confirmed by Fr. Haddad’s Greek-Orthodox confrere, who asked for anonymity. “His body was horribly tortured and his eyes gouged out,” he reported. “It is a purely terrorist act. Fr. Haddad is a martyr of our church. ” The kidnappers had asked the priest’s family and his church a ransom of 50 million Syrian pounds (over 550,000 euros). It was, however, impossible to find the money and meet this exorbitant demand.

The Orthodox Patriarchate condemned the savage crime and denounced attacks against civilians and religious figures who try to be messengers of peace under these difficult circumstances. He further called on humanitarian organisations and the public to condemn all crimes and robberies which undermine the safety of citizens.

The Syrian National Council, the main opposition bloc in exile, called Father Haddad a symbol of national unity and blamed pro-regime militiamen for his killing.

Father Haddad,