SCOOCH met at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary

(SOC-AEUS) - A meeting of the Standing Conference of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in America was held at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, New York on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. His Eminence, Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim participated in this meeting, with their Eminences: Khajag Barsamian, Vicken Aykazian and Mor Titus Yaldho.

Archbishop Karim was accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Shabo, Rev. Fr.Joseph Chamoun and Rev. Fr. Alan Shaltan.

Some of the items on the agenda were: A proposed Forum on Oriental Orthodox Youth, Review of the Concelebrated Liturgy, Joint Commission of the Eastern/Oriental Orthodox Churches, Eastern Orthodox/Oriental Orthodox Prayer Service for U.N., Christian Churches Together, Roman Catholic/Oriental Orthodox Dialogue, Oriental Orthodox NGO Project and Scooch Website.

Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim talked about Christian Churches Together’s plans for 2013. He specifically announced the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of MLK’s letter from prison, which the Conference decided to hold in Alabama, on April 15. He also read a draft of the Orthodox contribution to this letter. There was an agreement on holding the next CCT meeting in Austin, Texas, from January 29 to February 1, 2013, and the topic chosen was Immigration. Also, under the item( Roman Catholic/Oriental Orthodox Dialogue), His Eminence, Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim headed the discussion about Christians in the Middle East, particularly Pope Benedictus’ visit to Lebanon, immigration and refugee issues. The next meeting was scheduled for October10 and 11,2013. Fr. Findikian was appointed the secretary for the Oriental Orthodox delegation to assist Mor Cyril.

After the meeting, a dinner was held at St. Nersses Seminary for all the attendees.