Archbishop Karim speaking at St. Nersess Seminary

(SNAS) - His Eminence Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim, Patriarchal Vicar of the Syrian Orthodox Church of the Eastern United States, will speak at the Seminary this Monday, February 22, 2010. His topic will be the place of the Armenian Church within the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Mor Cyril's presentation is part of the Seminary's 2009-2010 Public Lecture Series entitled, The Armenian Church: A Distinctive Christian Voice.

Gifted Church Leader

Born in Kamishly, Syria, His Eminence was appointed as leader of the Syrian Orthodox Church in the Eastern United States on March 3, 1996. In addition to seminary studies in Lebanon and Syria, the Archbishop has advanced theological degrees from the Coptic Theological Seminary in Cairo, Egypt and St. Patrick's College in Maynooth, Ireland. During his years as hierarch of the Archdiocese, Mor Cyril has overseen the establishment of of ten new churches. He has also made extraordinary efforts to minister to the youth, meeting with them often in retreats and conferences.

Over the past decade, Archbishop Cyril has also distinguished himself as an ecumenist very much concerned about Christian unity. He has served on both the Executive and Central Committees of the World Council of Churches. Moreover, he has been an active member of the Executive and Governing Boards of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and serves as a Vice Chairman of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches in America. In recent years he has been instrumental in the establishment of Christian Churches Together in the USA, a new and promising ecumenical body.

Sister Churches

The Syrian Orthodox Church and the Armenian Church are sister churches. Together with the Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox and Malankara Indian Orthodox Churches, they comprise a family of ancient eastern churches known as the Oriental Orthodox Churches. "These five churches are in full sacramental communion," says Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Dean of St. Nersess. "This means that although we are each autonomous, we have the closest possible relationship among Christian churches. Faithful from one church may receive Holy Communion and other sacraments freely in other churches of the family."

Shared History

Historically, Armenians and Syrian Orthodox have lived as neighbors in Asia Minor and the Middle East for milennia. Sadly, this common history included Genocide. Syrian Orthodox were massacred alongside Armenians during the years surrounding the turn of the twentieth century.

In cities like Edessa (Urfa) and Dikranakert, they often inter-married. As a result, it is not uncommon to encounter Armenian speakers in Syrian Orthodox churches and communities.

Archbishop Karim is a dynamic church leader who plays an active role in the ecumenical movement, not only in the United States, but throughout the world.

"As we explore the particular message and mission of the Armenian Church in this year's lecture series, we wanted also to hear the perspective of our closest sister church," said Fr. Findikyan. "We are delighted that Sayidna Karim accepted our invitation."

Free Lecture is Open to the Public

Monday night's lecture will take place at 7:30PM at the Seminary. A reception will follow.

The lecture series has been subsidized by the Edward and Anita Essayan Educational Fund of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.