Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical, and Interfaith Relations Year in Review

Visit our Website 2023 A Year in Review Dear Friends, As we approach the joyous blessing of the Nativity feast and the end of another year, it is an important time to reflect with gratitude upon the work of the Department this year. With thankful hearts, we recognize the efforts of our partners without whom our ministry would not be possible. From ecumenical conferences in the United States and abroad to work at the United Nations to hosting beloved hierarchs, the Department has accomplished incredible collaboration through Christ’s mercy. We remain steadfast in our appreciation for the leadership of H.E. Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. I pray that God will guide and protect you and your families throughout the Christmas season, bringing a peaceful, happy, and healthy New Year 2024! Protopresbyter Nicolas Kazarian, Ph.D. Director, Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations January Week of Prayer for Christian Unity On January 24th, in celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an Ecumenical Prayer Service was hosted at the newly re-opened St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in New York City. The theme of this year’s Week of Prayer was “Do good; seek justice” (Isaiah 1:17). Participants were welcomed by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and the Homily was offered by His Eminence Cardinal Timothy Dolan. To view the prayer service, click here! February Interfaith Prayer Service for Earthquake Victims On February 14th, faith leaders gathered in the wake of the tragic earthquake which devastated parts of southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros led an Interfaith Prayer Service for the victims at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. This service provided an opportunity for civic and religious leaders to pray together in solidarity with the families and communities most impacted. March Girl Delegates at the United Nations for CSW 67 In March, the Department supported the participation of Girl Advocates from local GOA parishes at the United Nations. Each year, the UN brings women and girls from around the world together to discuss pressing issues related to global gender equality. This annual conference is called the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). This year, for the 67th session of CSW, the priority themes were innovation, technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all girls. GOA Girl Delegates were active in this year’s CSW. They advocated directly to UN member state representatives and were able to offer insights into the agreed conclusions. We are very proud of the hard work of our GOA Girl Delegates including Demetra Chudley, Anna Kira Poneros, Xanthi Lazarakis, Beatriz Fino Morfogen, and Evangelina Benakis, pictured below. To learn more about their work at CSW 67, click here. ‌ April The Black American Orthodox Experience This year marks the launch of an Orthodox mission and outreach initiative called “The Black American Orthodox Experience.” Hosted by Archimandrite Chrysostom Onyekakeyah and Rev. Samuel Davis, this new program of the Orthodox Christian Network in partnership with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America teaches us about Orthodox faith and racial reconciliation. This program is an open discussion centering how we can continue to reach members of Black, Indigenous, and other communities through shared love of Jesus Christ. Explore here to view episodes! To read more, click here. May Assembly of Bishops: 101st meeting of the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation On May 16-18th, the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation held their historic 101st meeting at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto. This meeting marked a positive turning point in the Consultation’s future. The Consultation resolved its discussions on the topic of “Orthodox-Catholic Marriages” by completing a joint statement on the theology and practice of marriage in both churches. This document, set for publication, will offer specific pastoral recommendations for the care and spiritual growth of Catholic-Orthodox families. This meeting was hosted by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. To read more about the Consultation and its outputs, click here. June Central Committee Meeting of the World Council of Churches On June 21-27th, the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches met in Geneva, Switzerland. His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew offered the opening homily which acknowledged the 75th anniversary of the founding of the WCC in 1948. Director of the Department Rev. Nicolas Kazarian participated as a Central Committee member and delegate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, joining discussions at the plenary session on unity and diversity. July Ordination of Rev. Nicolas Anton In July, the Department celebrated the ordination of Deacon Nicolas Anton to the priesthood. Rev. Anton currently serves as the Director of Operations for the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. He formerly was Ecumenical Officer and Director of our Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical, and Interfaith Relations 2018-2020. He also served as Coordinator of UN Programs for the GOA 2014-2018, during which time he advocated for the human right to water and sanitation. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros offered warm remarks at the ceremony, inspiring others to careers of service in the church. He said, reflecting on Rev. Anton’s long ministry as a layman, “My beloved Deacon, you are called to be a gatherer.” Axios! August Parliament of the World’s Religions August 14-18th marked the biennial convening of the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago, Illinois. This year’s theme was “A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom and Human Rights.” Rev. Kazarian participated in various capacities throughout the week including moderating an interactive panel on the past, present, and future of interfaith engagement. He also promoted the environmental initiatives spearheaded by His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew in a Greening the Congregation panel. September 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly September 19-23rd marked the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. During UN High-Level week, the Department participated in several events to enhance awareness about the role religious communities play in achieving SDG goals. Kicking off the week at the Annual Prayer Service for Children and Young People, Rev. Kazarian along with other ecumenical leaders called upon world leaders “to rally around urgent actions to save entire generations of children.” Programs Coordinator Hannah Williams participated in the “Inspiring Faith, Hope and Transformative Action to Accelerate Progress Towards the SDGs” meeting toward climate action and sustainable development. The Department also co-sponsored a parallel event on the margins of the Climate Ambition Summit. This included a multi-faith worship service and roundtable discussions for faith-based actors to take stock of their own climate ambitions. October Ecumenical Dialogue Christian Churches Together Forum 2023 October 3-6th, leaders from over 30 communions and Christian organizations convened in Savannah, GA. The theme of this year’s Forum was “Waters That Unite & Waters That Divide: Baptism and the Journey to Unity and Reconciliation.” This topic explored how variation in doctrinal interpretations and practices of baptism have been both sources of healing and division. Rev. Kazarian participated in the Conference as President of the Orthodox Family. Christian Unity Gathering 2023 October 9-12th, the National Council of Churches hosted its annual Christian Unity Gathering in Nashville, TN. This year’s theme “Faith Under Fire” (1 Peter 1:7) provided an opportunity to unpack how the Church, as a significant stakeholder in humanity’s moral fabric, is called to engage actively in the public square. During the week, Rev. Kazarian offered a bible study examining how Peter’s faith was stretched between the fire of his conviction and the fire of his betrayal. November Visit of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Holy See of Cilicia On November 17th, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church visited the Archdiocese Headquarters during his Pontifical visit to the United States of America. In his welcoming remarks, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America expressed gratitude for the close relationship between the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and the Armenian Prelacy, thanking His Holiness Catholicos Aram I for his strong commitment to “ecumenical witness” and “mutual support and encouragement.” His Holiness Catholicos Aram I insisted on the importance of Orthodox unity through honest theological dialogue. He said, “It is a must to restore the broken unity of the Orthodox Churches.” This day marks the second time His Holiness has visited the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the first time being on October 3, 1997. December Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Hellenic College Holy Cross O JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM” (MT 23.37) | The Christians of Palestine. On Tuesday, December 12, we saw ecumenism in action. Over 100 people joined the Huffington Ecumenical Institute and the Massachusetts Council of Churches in conversation about the Christians of Palestine. The panelists were Dr. Maria Khoury (educator and author ), Fr. Arakel Aljelian (who serves at St. James Armenian Church in Watertown), Pastor Carrie Ballenger (who ministers at University Lutheran Church and Harvard University in Cambridge), and Mr. Matthew Bell (religion reporter for Public Radio International). If you missed it at The Maliotis Cultural Center of HCHC, you can watch on YouTube here. The Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Hellenic College Holy Cross aims to address contemporary issues and social challenges facing our century and the world through ecumenical dialogue and theological scholarship. The Institue was established earlier this year and is led by Rev. Archdeacon John Chryssavgis. For more information about The Huffington Ecumenical Institute click here. ‌ ‌ ‌