As leaders of our respective Coptic, Syrian, Ethiopian, Indian, Eritrean and Armenian Christian communities in Great Britain, we have been following with serious concern the disturbing news that the Israeli authorities have seized lands belonging to the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate in the Holy Land. As sister Churches, as much as members of the Oriental Orthodox Council of Great Britain, we are disturbed that the trusts of the Armenian Patriarchate are being threatened by this seizure last week.
APPEAL to the Government of Israel through its Foreign Ministry and Embassy from the Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches of Great Britain
As leaders of our respective Coptic, Syrian, Ethiopian, Indian, Eritrean and Armenian Christian communities in Great Britain, we have been following with serious concern the disturbing news that the Israeli authorities have seized lands belonging to the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate in the Holy Land. As sister Churches, as much as members of the Oriental Orthodox Council of Great Britain, we are disturbed that the trusts of the Armenian Patriarchate are being threatened by this seizure last week.
We pray fervently that this illegal and injudicious episode will be resolved equitably so that the lands in question in Bethlehem will be returned promptly to the Armenian Church as their legal, rightful and historical owners. As such, the invocation of the biblical Prophets to pursue justice and herald peace will be realised once again.
We also stand in solidarity with all our brothers in Christ in the Holy Land as we share today their daily concerns. The Oriental Orthodox Churches have enjoyed a time-long presence in the Holy Land and have fulfilled their witness since the early ages. We therefore pray with the Armenian Orthodox Church as well as all our communities in the lands of the Nativity and Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour so that ‘peace will finally dawn on this land of peace’ and that their trials and tribulations will cease so that hope regains their hearts and revisits their minds once more.
METROPOLITAN SERAPHIM
British Orthodox Church within the
Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria
BISHOP ANGAELOS
Coptic Orthodox Church
BISHOP NATHAN
Armenian Orthodox Church
