Ignatius IV Hazim - Enlightener of the World

[OrthodoxyOrDeath]

Stronger ties with the Catholic Church, says Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim
by Jihad Issa

During Easter Mass in Damascus, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch urged the faithful to renew their faith in the future and expressed a desire for a single calendar for all Christians.

Damascus (AsiaNews) – We want to renew and strengthen our ecumenical commitment with the Catholic Church under Pope Benedict XVI. It was with this statement that Ignatius IV Hazim, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, began his solemn Easter Mass homily.

The mass was celebrated last Sunday, May 1, at al-Mariamieat Cathedral in Christian neighbourhood of Bab Touma—Thomas Gate—in Damascus before thousands of faithful and several representatives of the Syrian government.

“We really want to believe in the Resurrection of the Lord, and we believe in it through deeds of peace, harmony and charity,” the Patriarch said. [I must comment here: this is a confession that here is no _real belief in the Resurrection]

He urged the faithful to “repent in the heart” and renew in each and everyone of you your “faith in the future”. [This man must not have read the Gospel of Mathew]

Ignatius IV told those present of the important role each one of them played without which it would be impossible to rebuild “a true Christian identity”. [A new identity for a new super-church, the church of the Antichrist]

The Patriarch expressed his desire to see Christian Churches agree to a “fixed calendar for celebrations”, which would give the Christian people, wherever they dwelt, the possibility of celebrating the same feasts at the same time.

The Patriarch strongly reiterated his desire to maintain and strengthen the ties established by the late Pope John Paul II with the Church now led by Pope Benedict XVI to whom he sends his best wishes.

At the end of the service, Ignatius Iv asked Mary, Mother of God, for Her intercession, so that today’s world may “be more peaceful, dialogue and communication between one and another”

http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=3193

[Maria]

Stronger ties with the Catholic Church, says Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim
by Jihad Issa

During Easter Mass in Damascus, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch urged the faithful to renew their faith in the future and expressed a desire for a single calendar for all Christians.

Damascus (AsiaNews) – We want to renew and strengthen our ecumenical commitment with the Catholic Church under Pope Benedict XVI. It was with this statement that Ignatius IV Hazim, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, began his solemn Easter Mass homily.

The mass was celebrated last Sunday, May 1, at al-Mariamieat Cathedral in Christian neighbourhood of Bab Touma—Thomas Gate—in Damascus before thousands of faithful and several representatives of the Syrian government.

“We really want to believe in the Resurrection of the Lord, and we believe in it through deeds of peace, harmony and charity,” the Patriarch said. [I must comment here: this is a confession that here is no _real belief in the Resurrection]

He urged the faithful to “repent in the heart” and renew in each and everyone of you your “faith in the future”. [This man must not have read the Gospel of Mathew]

Ignatius IV told those present of the important role each one of them played without which it would be impossible to rebuild “a true Christian identity”. [A new identity for a new super-church, the church of the Antichrist]

The Patriarch expressed his desire to see Christian Churches agree to a “fixed calendar for celebrations”, which would give the Christian people, wherever they dwelt, the possibility of celebrating the same feasts at the same time.

The Patriarch strongly reiterated his desire to maintain and strengthen the ties established by the late Pope John Paul II with the Church now led by Pope Benedict XVI to whom he sends his best wishes.

At the end of the service, Ignatius Iv asked Mary, Mother of God, for Her intercession, so that today’s world may “be more peaceful, dialogue and communication between one and another”

http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=3193

This is scary. The history of the Antiochian Church according to His Grace Kallistos Ware (cf. The Orthodox Church) has been shaky. The Melkite Eastern Catholics split from the Antiochians in 1724. So it has happened before.

Are you aware that the Antiochians at least on the West Coast allow an Antiochian Orthodox child to have both an Orthodox Godparent and a Catholic Godparent. The poor child grows up confused.

[Joseph]

Regarding this message from Patriarch Ignatius IV:

After reading this, a number of questions immediately come to mind. One would expect a bishop of the Church to proclaim the Resurrection with confidence and encouragement in the hope and joy it gives.

Instead, he seems to set forth the “Social Gospel” understanding of the Resurrection that the Resurrection is essentially keeping the spirit and life of Christ alive through human efforts for peace and unity on earth.

Where is the confident confession of the Resurrection as set forth by the Apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost? Where is the hope of St. Paul in I Corinthians 15 that if in this life only we have hope, we are really and truly hopeless? Instead, and again according to the “Social Gospel”, his hope seems to be in the future of this world where man creates peace and unity. Where is the Church’s understanding that this world lies under judgment and the only hope for peace and unity is in the Kingdom of Christ in His Church and in the Kingdom to come?

Where is any word about the meaning of Christ’s passion on the cross for the sins of the world?

Where is any word about the victory of the Resurrection over sin, death and the Devil and about how we must be united to the death of Christ in order to share in His Resurrection?

Where is any word with comfort and hope about eternal life and our resurrection?

Instead of proclaiming the glorious hope of the Resurrection as held by the Church, he seems to put his hope in the “Christian Churches” of the world and a unity that is prevented only by the use of different calendars and the lack of dialogue and communication.

If this is a true and accurate reporting of what was said, it is truly a sad and pathetic Resurrection message from one who is supposed to be a shepherd and guardian of souls. One thing is clear. What is said here is not the Orthodox Faith but a different “gospel”.

[Seeker]

This is where I must draw the line in the sand. I just don't see how the Calendar is such a "Big" deal! The Gregorian calendar is in fact more accurate than the Julian calendar. The Julian calendar does NOT take into account Leap Years, etc... My faith does not hinge on the date of Easter. My faith is in the Risen Christ!

If healing between Churches can be made over the Calendar even if it means giving up the Julian calendar then SO BE IT! I am in NO WAY suggesting that the faith ever be compromised! Rather, the Calendar has NOTHING to do with the Faith. It is just that a Calendar. There are more important issues like theology that should be discussed rather than Calendars.

BTW, would it hurt ROCOR to engage the world with other "Christian" churches on issues like Abortion? When was the last time ROCOR priest prayed in front of an Abortion Mill or told the faithful to write letters to congress against Abortion?

I think Patriarch Ignatius IV is saying that on some issues Orthodoxy can work hand in hand with Schismatics to help right wrongs in the world. That I believe is the will of the FATHER. After all Christ had dinner with many sinners. Did Christ compromise HIS faith at those dinners? I think not!

I say ROCOR engage the world!

[Joseph]

It appears that is Ignatius IV that is raising the calendar issue and setting it forth as the greatest of stumbling blocks. If it is no big deal I wonder why he doesn't just ignore it and why all the ecumenists don't just ignore it. The reason is their agenda behind the calendar.

Accuracy in the calendar has nothing to do with it. You should read "Against False Union" and "Touchstone" to see what the issues really are. Any calendar will do if it is agreed upon by all according to the order of the Church and not unilaterally as was done. As it is, it is a clear violation of the Canons/Councils. Surely, you would agree that this is a problem. But the real issue is not dates or months or years but the driving force behind the calendar which is ecumenism and syncretism - a denial of the Orthodox Faith.
The calendar is a trojan horse.

[Joseph]

On the issue of Christ having dinner with sinners... You confuse the facts.

There is a clear distinction made in holy Scripture between those in heresy and unbelievers. What did St. Paul say our response should be to those who do not walk according to the Apostolic Tradition and still call themselves Christians? We are told to avoid them and have no spiritual intercourse with them that they may know they are outside of the Church. Nothing should be done to imply that their Christian Faith is just fine and dandy.

[Jean-Serge]

The accuracy of the Gregorian calendar is not an argument. The scientific accuracy has no importance. We all know Jesus was not born on December 25th but we celebrate Christmas at this time... We are not going to organize a scientific assembly to choose an historical (more probable) date... We worship God and not science...