Photo essay
During his travels, which stretched from 26 September to 3 October, Pillay delivered a sermon at the Church of South India Cathedral in Kottayam on “Witness of the People of God.”
He reflected that the people of God as faithful witnesses are called to proclaim Christ in word and deed, and to transform the world. “Christians have been given an assignment to fulfill the great commission, given authority to overcome the world with all its struggles, brokenness, and pain—and we have been given the assurance that God will always be with us as we seek to do God’s will,” Pillay said. “I was most deeply inspired and amazed by the faithful commitment of Christians in Asia to the WCC.”
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Pillay opened the Christian Conference of Asia assembly with a special “Lighting the Lamp” ceremony as he offered an inaugural message.
CCA
Pillay opened the Christian Conference of Asia assembly with a special “Lighting the Lamp” ceremony as he offered an inaugural message. During the assembly, he gave a thematic address as part of a plenary session, and attend other assembly sessions, including one on “Dwelling in Harmony with Creation.”
The theme of the Christian Conference of Asia assembly was “God, Renew Us in Your Spirit and Restore Your Creation.” This theme, Pillay said, is a good indication of the Asian churches’ focus on climate change.
Pillay also met with participants of the WCC-Christian Conference of Asia South Asia Consultation on Ecumenical Diakonia, and with 100 young people who attended the Asian Ecumenical Youth Assembly at Vijayapuram Diocese Conference Centre. He also addressed 40 participants from member churches in 12 Asian countries who were participating in a capacity-building seminar for diakonia and sustainable development co-organized by the Christian Conference of Asia and the World Council of Churches.
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Pillay also met with participants of the WCC-Christian Conference of Asia South Asia Consultation on Ecumenical Diakonia, with 100 young people who attended the Asian Ecumenical Youth Assembly at Vijayapuram Diocese Conference Centre, and with a delegation from South Korea.
WCC
Pillay also met with and with delegations of church leaders from South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.
“The aspect I take away the most is their ability to be one in Christ in the midst of so much diversity,” he said. “The issue of minority religions and religious intolerance must be addressed.”
During his visits, Pillay observed that the situation of migration is a big concern in Kerala and elsewhere. “The WCC will draw from and build on the interreligious dialogue and cooperation in Asia,” he said. “For example, there was a strong request for WCC to work on Dalit issues.”
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Rev Dr Jerry Pillay participating in the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church Festival in Kothamangalam
WCC
Pillay was also received by the leadership and synods of WCC member churches in the region, including the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church in India, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Church of South India, and Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church.
Seminary visits were also on Pillay’s agenda, including the Mar Thoma Theological Seminary in Kottayam, Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary, Asian Ecumenical Institute at the Thomas Mar Athanasius Memorial Research and Orientation Centre, and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary. He also participated and addressed thousands of devotees at a church pilgrimage festival at the Marthoman Cheriyapally, an ancient Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in Kothamangalam.
Pillay concluded that he was deeply impressed with WCC member churches from Asia in many ways. “The depth of their spirituality, diversity, ability to work together, and their desire to work with the WCC will be an essential part of our global and contextual work together,” he said.
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WCC general secretary received by the administrative head of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, H.E. Joseph Mor Gregorios Metropolitan and H.E Dr Kuriakose Mor Theophilose Metropolitan, the resident Bushop of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary, with the Seminary Faculty members.
WCC
