THE FIFTEENTH MEETING OF THE HEADS OF THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES IN THE MIDDLE EAST

THE FIFTEENTH MEETING OF THE HEADS OF THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate, Cairo, Egypt
17-18 May 2025

C O M M O N D E C L A R A T I O N

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17.20–23).

In this Post-Resurrection season, we extend to our faithful and all Christians in the world the centuries-old traditional Paschal greeting: “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” (Luke 24.34).
We, Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of the See of Antioch and all the East and the Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church and Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenians of the Holy See of Cilicia, give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for once again granting us the opportunity to pray and reflect together on issues and challenges of common concern, at the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate, Cairo, Egypt. This is the fifteenth time that we meet as Heads of Churches together with our Standing Committee, within the framework of our fellowship that we have created in 1998.

A) 1700th Anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council
This year we have the blessed and unique opportunity of having with us our Metropolitans, Archbishops and Bishops, representatives of our Holy Synods, to celebrate together the 1700th anniversary of the first Ecumenical Council in Nicaea (325) through a Joint Synod, concelebrated Divine Liturgy, and a Spiritual Concert.
On this occasion we shared our reflections and called for the affirmation of Christian faith, spirituality and pastoral engagement.
In our meeting we reaffirmed our unity of faith that from the beginning of Christianity has been the basis of our common doctrinal position and theological heritage. Deeply rooted in the Holy Scriptures, the Apostolic Faith and Tradition, the three Ecumenical Councils (Nicaea 325, Constantinople 381 and Ephesus 431) and the teachings of our Church Fathers, our unity has sustained the life and witness of the Churches of the Oriental Orthodox Family as a living source of spiritual strength, diaconal service, and missionary and evangelistic outreach.

B) Meeting with the Standing Committee
In our meeting we discussed topics of common interest and concern for our three churches, as well as suggestions made by the Standing Committee. Here are the highlights of our discussion and decisions:

1) Christian Presence in the Middle East
The Christian presence in the Middle East is a top priority for us. We belong to this region being deeply rooted in its history and civilization. Our churches have played a highly significant role in all spheres and at all levels of society life. Immigration from the Middle East is a serious concern.
We call our people to remain in the region in spite of so many challenges we face. Our churches are called to work constantly for peace and justice in dialogue with their neighbors, promoting mutual understanding and respect.
We extend our thanks to the governments and to all people of good will for their continuous assistance to enable our churches to fulfill their pastoral care and ministry.
We follow with profound concern the conflicts and tensions taking place in different parts of the world and especially in our region. We thank God for the general stability in Egypt. We hope that the election of a new president and the appointment of a new government in Lebanon will open a new chapter of peace and prosperity. We look forward to the success of the efforts of the new leadership in Syria, aimed at restoration of peace, security and unity as well as assurance of the equal rights of all citizens.
We condemn all forms and expressions of violence, and urge the international community to take appropriate action for the immediate ending of aggression in Gaza and initiate meaningful and credible negotiation for the permanent solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Indeed, only justice can ensure the restoration of comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East.
We pray for the two Archbishops of Aleppo Gregorius Youhanna Ibrahim and Paul Yaziji who were abducted 12 years ago and for all who were affected by the wars and conflicts and ask the Lord to grant us security and stability in order that we may continue living together in harmony and tolerance with all the people of the region.

2) Relationship with Church Families
The Oriental Orthodox Family is engaged in a number of bilateral theological dialogues. We believe that these theological dialogues will help us strengthen our collaboration with other churches and enhance our efforts for the visible unity of the Church.

a. Dialogue with the Eastern Orthodox Family
We believe that the Theological Dialogue between the Eastern Orthodox Family and the Oriental Orthodox Family is of vital importance to restore the unity of the Orthodoxy. There is a strong willingness to implement the decisions of previous meetings. A Preparatory Committee meeting for the representatives of the Eastern Orthodox and the Oriental Orthodox Families took place in September 2024, in Egypt. Also informal talks have taken place between the members of the committee. We support all efforts aimed at the continuation of this dialogue.

b. Dialogue with the Catholic Church
We commend the work done by the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. The Oriental Orthodox Coordinating Committee had zoom meetings and explored new ways for the continuation of the Dialogue, studied the work the Commission has done so far, and followed up through the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity the developments and clarifications related to Fiducia Supplicans: On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessing of 18 December 2023. The Coordinating Committee is in process of preparing a report to be presented to the Heads of our Churches.

c. Anglican-Oriental Orthodox International Commission
We recommend the continuation of this Commission’s work and propose that it also includes in the agenda socio-ethical issues which have become divisive in the Christian world.

3) Ecumenical Councils of Churches
We remain committed to the ecumenical movement and its goals and vision. As members of the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches and other local councils of Churches, our churches will continue their active role in these ecumenical bodies through their representatives.

a. The World Council of Churches
Currently, Catholicos Aram I is a president of the WCC representing the Family of the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Middle East.
On the occasion of 1700th Jubilee of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325), the Coptic Orthodox Church will host an ecumenical celebration organized by the Faith and Order Commission of the WCC, in the Papal Center Logos of St. Bishoy Monastery, Egypt, in October 2025.

b. The Middle East Council of Churches
Currently, Metropolitan Antonius of the See of Jerusalem is a president of the MECC representing the Oriental Orthodox Family.
The role of the MECC in the region is vital. As founding Churches of the Council, we are responsibly and fully participating in its work and witness through our clergy and lay representatives.
We pray for the success of the Council’s ministry and mission at these critical times facing the region. We congratulate the MECC on the occasion of the golden Jubilee of its founding. It is our expectation that the General Secretariat of MECC works more closely with the member churches.

4) The Syrian Orthodox Church in India
The Coptic and Armenian Churches congratulate the Syriac Church of Antioch on the occasion of the consecration of a new Catholicos for the Syrian Church in India His Beatitude Mar Basilios Joseph by Mor Ignatius Aphram II, as well as for the meeting of the Universal Holy Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch with the participation of the Regional Synod in India.
Pope Tawadros II and Catholicos Aram I expressed their solidarity and support regarding the decision of the Universal Holy Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch not to participate in any liturgical celebration and formal theological dialogues in the presence of the representatives of the separated faction of the church in India.
At the same time in order to strengthen the internal unity and integrity of the Oriental Orthodox Family, Pope Tawadros II and Catholicos Aram I propose to invite to Cairo the two Catholicoi of the Syrian Church in India, Mor Basilios Joseph and Baselios Morthoma Matthews III, and in the presence of Mor Ignatius Aphram II, to discuss and help restore peace and unity, respecting and preserving the dignity of the Apostolic See of Antioch as well as the identity and integrity of the Syrian Orthodox Church in India.

5) Collaboration on Diocesan Level
Through our previous decisions and declarations, we have recommended that our diocesan metropolitans, bishops, clergy as well as laity initiate joint committees, programs and other ways of working together, concretely manifesting the unity of our sister churches.
We re-state our recommendation in view of the growing needs of deepening our unity also on the local, diocesan and national levels. In order to facilitate the participation of our dioceses in the work of the Standing Committee, we recommend that it shares its findings and decisions including the Common Declarations with our dioceses.

6) News of our Churches
Sharing news on the important activities of our churches is an enriching experience and contributes to the building up of our common life and ministry. We were informed with great spiritual joy the dedicated service of our churches to our faithful in the Middle East and all over the world through liturgical celebrations, socio-humanitarian and pastoral services and various programs and activities in multiple areas of our life
In order to continue our collaboration in a more organized way, we re-appointed two Sub-Committees on Theological Seminaries and Youth which will work under the supervision of the Standing Committee.
We congratulate our Sister Eritrean Orthodox Tawahedo Church for the enthronement of Patriarch His Holiness Abuna Baselios I.

In conclusion, we appeal to our faithful in the Middle East and throughout the world, to remain firmly attached to the Holy Gospel values and imperatives, and actively participate in the total life and witness of our Churches by facing the challenges of contemporary socio-ethical issues which are not in line with biblical and our Church’s teachings.
We also recommend that, both clergy and laity, work together to deepen further and articulate concretely the unity of our churches.
We express our thanks to the Sister Coptic Orthodox Church for hosting this meeting and the celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the first Ecumenical Council in Nicaea (325).
We thank our Lord for guiding us in our discussions and decisions, and we ask Him to grant us strength, courage and wisdom to carry on His mission with renewed commitment and to work for the unity of His Church.
Glory to the Holy Trinity – the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen.