The Ecumenical Movement

1. The Meeting with the See of Constantinople and the Chalcedonian Orthodox:
   The first journey undertaken by His Holiness the Pope to Europe and Asia had its impact in deepening relations with the Byzantine Orthodox Churches, such as the Churches of Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Syria, and Lebanon. It was a historic visit, as for the first time in 15 centuries the Coptic Orthodox Church met with the See of Constantinople, where Pope Shenouda met in Istanbul with the Ecumenical Patriarch Anba Demetrios.
   During this journey, His Holiness also met with the heads of the two Armenian Orthodox Churches: Catholicos Vasken in Armenia, and Catholicos Khoren in Antelias. He also met with Patriarch Maximos Hakim, head of the Greek Catholic Church in Syria and Egypt.
2. The Meeting with the Church of Rome in the Vatican:
   This took place in May 1973, and among the fruits of this meeting was the joint statement signed by the heads of the two Churches (Pope Paul and Pope Shenouda). Among its fruits also was the joint dialogue committee, which is still working for Christian unity.
3. Ecumenical Work during the Journey to America:
   It was an opportunity to meet with all the Catholic, Greek, and Protestant churches there along with their theological institutes… along with another meeting with the National Council of Churches in America, as a branch of the World Council of Churches… and also a meeting with professors of St. Vladimir’s Institute.
   All these meetings had long-term effects in ecumenical work, which were praised by these churches, and also praised by city and university leaders.
4. The Pope’s Meetings with Church Delegations:
   In all the subsequent journeys to Egypt, the Pope receives representatives of the different churches and speaks with them personally about ecumenical work and Christian unity.
   Many of them attend his weekly meeting at the Clerical College, and all these meetings deepen love between the Coptic Church and the rest of the churches.
5. Meetings with Other Churches in Egypt:
   Whether the Coptic Catholics, the Greek Catholics, the Evangelicals, the Episcopalians, or other churches, with mutual visits and joint committees. There are also meetings with the Holy Synod of the Coptic Catholics and the Synod of the Evangelicals, as well as participation together in some activities such as: Bible Week and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
6. The Participation of the Coptic Church in Ecumenical Work:
   The Coptic Church came to hold the position of Vice President in the All Africa Conference of Churches, and the position of President in the Middle East Council of Churches, and from it also came the General Secretary of the theological institutes in the Middle East.

Article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – Al-Kiraza Magazine – Year Eight (Issue Forty-Seven) 25-11-1977

For better translation support, please contact the center.