Eucharist Unites ELCA, Armenian Orthodox, Says Church Leader

GENEVA, Switzerland (ELCA) -- The "real presence" of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is an important concept that unites the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), said His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey. He made the comment in a 30-minute telephone call here in which he addressed an ELCA delegation, led by the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop.
Hanson is leading an 18-member delegation of ELCA bishops, pastors, members and staff who are involved in an "ecumenical journey" to meet with international church leaders. The trip was scheduled months before war with Iraq became a probability, and the events leading up to war have been significant factors both in decisions about the itinerary and in the topics being discussed.
Following meetings with international ecumenical organizations here, the group had planned to travel to Istanbul, Turkey, to meet with several Orthodox church leaders including Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Mesrob II. Hanson made a difficult decision to call off that portion of the journey because of security concerns related to the war with Iraq. However, the group was able to make contact with the Armenian patriarch by telephone March 20.
Mesrob II said he had looked forward to meeting the ELCA group in person because he enjoyed "very close ties" with the Lutheran Church when he served in Jerusalem from 1979 to 1983.
The presence of Christ in the Eucharist is an official teaching in the Armenian Orthodox Church, he said. "We do hold the teaching that the substance of bread and wine do not change ... but the Lord is present and the Holy Ghost," Mesrob II said. "In the Eucharist we do have that unity of understanding."
Mesrob II told the group that he heads one of the four centers of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church. The Christian church provides "spiritual and cultural" support for 400,000 Turkish Armenians, he said. Last year, the church celebrated its 1,700th anniversary. The Rev. Lowell G. Almen, ELCA secretary, represented Hanson at the anniversary observance.
In his greeting to the Armenian Orthodox leader, Hanson noted the church's 17 centuries of history, and said the church and its members have paid a "high price" during much of that history.
"Political, ethnic and religious persecution tragically occurred in many periods of the Armenian Church's history," Hanson said. "Even as recently as the past century, genocide claimed multitudes of Armenians. Yet, in the face of such tragedy the courageous witness of the faithful persisted in heroic ways."
The phone call took place a few hours after U.S.-led forces began military action to disarm Iraq and remove Saddam Hussein from power. Hanson, who has openly opposed war with Iraq, said the delegation's "hearts were heavy-laden" as "the tragedy of war" began.
"Our resolve to work for peace remains strong," he said. "Our prayers for peace remain fervent. May the deepening of our unity in Christ reflect our commitment to God's will for peace for the whole creation."
Mesrob II said he and some young ministers were involved in a Lenten retreat when they learned the war had begun. "We are all distressed that this is happening because violence will only beget violence," he said.
Through the World Council of Churches (WCC), based here, the Armenian Orthodox Church joined the ELCA in signing a statement opposing the war, Mesrob II said. WCC and church body representatives have tried to explain to Muslims that the war is "not a Christian crusade against Islam," he said. Muslims and Christians have lived "side-by side" in Europe and the United States, and war may create problems for both groups, Mesrob II said.
"We don't think an armed intervention is justified fully. We think that this has something to do with oil and water in the region," Mesrob II said. "Water is not 'pronounced' openly but it is one of the main reasons, we think, because what is happening is very close to one of the largest water reservoirs in the region." Oil and water have helped support the present Iraqi regime, he said.
"We think that the Iraqi people have the right to get rid of this tyranny themselves, and they have to have self-determination, and this should not be done from other countries by force," he said.
The phone call ended with comments from the Rev. Donald G. McCoid, bishop of the ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, Pittsburgh, and chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops. The ELCA and Armenian Orthodox Church "have been able to stand together" in raising concerns about restrictions for people living in the Middle East, he said. McCoid is Lutheran co-chair of the Lutheran-Orthodox dialogue in the United States.

POSTPONED TRIP TO TURKEY LEAVES BISHOP UNEASY, SAD
The ELCA delegation canceled its trip to Turkey March 18, two days before it was to arrive for a three-day stay in Istanbul. Opinion polls suggested the people of the heavily Muslim country strongly opposed a U.S. attack on Iraq -- also a predominantly Muslim country -- and it was not clear what the ELCA group might experience there. Following discussion by the group and consultations with government and church officials, Hanson made "a reluctant decision" to cancel the trip to Turkey. The decision was made because of safety concerns and uncertainty about conditions in the country, he said.
Saying he was "greatly disappointed," Hanson told the group March 18 the decision not to go was "another sign of our divisions. The pain of division in our world keeps us apart."
"This will not impair our relationships with Orthodox churches," said the Rev. Randall R. Lee, director, ELCA Department for Ecumenical Affairs, whose department organized the European trip. "We are disappointed we can't visit Turkey in this time of global turmoil. We trust that the Spirit of God through this series of unfortunate events will strengthen our relationships in the body of Christ," he said.
"I will live with second thoughts and deep sadness. I am not at peace with my decision," Hanson said the next day. "This will remain an unsettled, sad part of this trip we'll all carry with us."
A significant part of the ecumenical journey was to express the ELCA's commitment to its relationship with the Orthodox Church and the ELCA's appreciation for its leadership, Hanson said. It would have been a "powerful symbol" to be in Istanbul when the world was facing war, he said. Hanson admitted that, of all of the ELCA's ecumenical connections, he knows the least about the Orthodox churches.
Hanson said he plans to reschedule a trip to Turkey as soon as possible to meet with Orthodox Church leaders. -- -- --
The Department for Ecumenical Affairs has its home page at http://www.elca.org/ea/ on the ELCA Web site.

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