The relationship between Eastern and Western Christians
The 6th Sunday of Easter is the International Day of Eastern Christians and on 14 May 2023 we are invited to join them in prayer.
But why Eastern Christians in particular? Why should their situation touch us more?
Moreover, the history of the Churches of the East, the diversity of the Byzantine, Coptic, Syriac, Chaldean, Maronite, Armenian and Latin rites, with their various cultures and languages so different from our own, is complex. If they interest us, they sometimes confuse us.
Yet, during this Easter season, the account in Acts reminds us of our source, our common origin. In the Pentecost account (Acts 2), it is said that people from all nations gathered together hear the wonders of God in their dialects and languages. They are “Parthians, Medes and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, of the province of Pontus and Asia, of Phrygia and Pamphylia, of Egypt and the Libyan lands near Cyrene, Romans passing through, Jews by birth and converts, Cretans and Arabs…”. In other words, they were Arameans, Arabs, Phoenicians, Persians, Egyptians, Greeks…
This was the birthplace of the Eastern Churches which brought the Good News to the world.
The Lord’s Prayer in Arabic, Holy Land.
Yet, during this Easter season, the account in Acts reminds us of our source, our common origin. In the Pentecost account (Acts 2), it is said that people from all nations gathered together hear the wonders of God in their dialects and languages. They are “Parthians, Medes and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, of the province of Pontus and Asia, of Phrygia and Pamphylia, of Egypt and the Libyan lands near Cyrene, Romans passing through, Jews by birth and converts, Cretans and Arabs…”. In other words, they were Arameans, Arabs, Phoenicians, Persians, Egyptians, Greeks…
This was the birthplace of the Eastern Churches which brought the Good News to the world.
The Lord’s Prayer in Arabic, Holy Land.
There are, of course, many sources for discovering the history of the Eastern Churches. Several associations work in favour of Eastern Christians in France. Their work of information and awareness-raising allows new links to be forged.
The link between Eastern and Western Christians is not primarily a geographical or historical issue. It is above all a challenge of fraternity. Fraternity, of course not exclusive, but profoundly spiritual, founded on the Good News of Jesus Christ. Fraternity founded on the mission of being a witness of his love and hope in the world.
Melkite Church, Jerusalem.
There are, of course, many sources for discovering the history of the Eastern Churches. Several associations work in favour of Eastern Christians in France. Their work of information and awareness-raising allows new links to be forged.
The link between Eastern and Western Christians is not primarily a geographical or historical issue. It is above all a challenge of fraternity. Fraternity, of course not exclusive, but profoundly spiritual, founded on the Good News of Jesus Christ. Fraternity founded on the mission of being a witness of his love and hope in the world.
Melkite Church, Jerusalem.
The Christians of the East and their witness of life, faith and resistance are today a sign for our world and for the Church. They often live in tragic conditions in Iraq, Syria and many other countries in the Middle East. A minority in their countries, living in contexts of war and persecution, they are signs of a hope and a peace that surpass them. Conscious of belonging to Christ, they go through personal and collective trials.
In his book “Le défi des chrétiens d’Orient”, Sébastien de Courtois underlines that the Christians of Iraq “have no fight, except to live in peace, at home, in the East, in Iraq, in Mesopotamia. To continue to live, quite simply.”
Their courage and humility, their solidarity with others and their lives are exemplary.
The Christians of the East and their witness of life, faith and resistance are today a sign for our world and for the Church. They often live in tragic conditions in Iraq, Syria and many other countries in the Middle East. A minority in their countries, living in contexts of war and persecution, they are signs of a hope and a peace that surpass them. Conscious of belonging to Christ, they go through personal and collective trials.
In his book “Le défi des chrétiens d’Orient”, Sébastien de Courtois underlines that the Christians of Iraq “have no fight, except to live in peace, at home, in the East, in Iraq, in Mesopotamia. To continue to live, quite simply.”
Their courage and humility, their solidarity with others and their lives are exemplary.
The day of the Christians of the East is therefore a challenge for each of us to achieve communion and peace in our “common home”. It is an invitation to dare to take the plunge, to go and meet them freely, to push open the door of an Eastern Church here in France, for example, or to take part in a liturgy, to provoke a meeting and simply share a moment and thus allow ourselves to be mutually enriched by our different human and spiritual treasures.
The Middle East Churches Symposium held in April 2023 in Cyprus provided an opportunity to take stock and reflect on the future of the Churches in the East. It shows that the presence of Christians is a witness and a factor of peace in different regions. They continue on their path of hope despite wars and local and international crises. They also need our support.
St Charbel, Lebanon
The day of the Christians of the East is therefore a challenge for each of us to achieve communion and peace in our “common home”. It is an invitation to dare to take the plunge, to go and meet them freely, to push open the door of an Eastern Church here in France, for example, or to take part in a liturgy, to provoke a meeting and simply share a moment and thus allow ourselves to be mutually enriched by our different human and spiritual treasures.
The Middle East Churches Symposium held in April 2023 in Cyprus provided an opportunity to take stock and reflect on the future of the Churches in the East. It shows that the presence of Christians is a witness and a factor of peace in different regions. They continue on their path of hope despite wars and local and international crises. They also need our support.
St Charbel, Lebanon
In this Easter season, we await in prayer the great wind of the Holy Spirit. It is up to each of us to reinvent the bonds of brotherhood and communion to bring the Good News of Christ’s love and to be witnesses of his peace and goodness in the world.
Patricia André, friend of the Cenacle.
Our Lady of Harissa, Beirut
In this Easter season, we await in prayer the great wind of the Holy Spirit. It is up to each of us to reinvent the bonds of brotherhood and communion to bring the Good News of Christ’s love and to be witnesses of his peace and goodness in the world.
Patricia André, friend of the Cenacle.
Our Lady of Harissa, Beirut
