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Message

A Message for International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel, June 3rd – 9th , 2007

27 May 2007

Patriarch Theophilos III, head of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, was received by the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia in May 2006 at the WCC headquarters in Geneva.

WCC asks the Jordanian government to reconsider decision on Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has received with "deep concern" the recent withdrawal of Jordan's recognition of Patriarch Theophilos III as the head of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and requested the decision to be reconsidered.

23 May 2007

Letter

Letter to Prime Minister Suleiman al-Bakhit

Letter to the Prime Minister of Jordan Dr Marouf Suleiman al-Bakhit, expressing concern over the news that the Jordanian government decided to withdraw its recognition from the legally elected Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine.

18 May 2007

General Secretary

Message

Easter Message 2007, The Patriarchs and Heads of Local Churches in Jerusalem

Easter Message by the Patriarchs and Heads of Local Churches in Jerusalem, 2007

08 April 2007

WCC to launch new effort for peace as Palestinians and Israelis mark 40 years of occupation

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is launching an international, inter-church advocacy initiative for peace in Israel and Palestine - the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum - at a conference June 17-21, 2007, in Jordan.

07 March 2007

Commission on Faith and Order

Advocacy report

Frequently asked questions about the date of Easter

In 2007 Christians from all traditions will celebrate Easter on the same day, April 8. But in many years major Christian traditions celebrate Easter on different dates, thus giving the impression of a divided witness to this fundamental aspect of the Christian faith. In recent years the desire to find a common date for the celebration of Easter, the Holy Pascha, the feast of Christ's resurrection, has become more and urgent. Initiatives by the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches have urged churches to address this issue. This page seeks to provide some answers to frequent questions asked about the date of Easter.

01 February 2007

Jerusalem church heads viewing the Separation Wall (August 2004)

Jerusalem churches call Palestinian factions to focus on national priorities; WCC concurs

In a message to all the Palestinian people, Jerusalem church leaders alarmed at worsening relations between two main political parties are calling for an end to violence and an urgent return to the "real priorities" of Palestinians. The plan is to work with Jerusalem's top Islamic leaders on a similar Christian-Muslim message as well.

15 January 2007

Sermon

Jerusalem patriarchs and heads of churches

12 January 2007

An ecumenical observer looks on as an ambulance is stopped at Beit Jala

Twenty-five new ecumenical accompaniers, including a Hindu and a Muslim, get to work

A new group of 25 ecumenical accompaniers have just begun three months of working with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). The group includes the first Hindu and the second Muslim to participate in the programme, the former from South Africa and the latter from the UK.

20 October 2006

Patriarch Theophilus III with Kobia during the former's May 2006 visit to the WCC

WCC urges Israel to recognize Theophilus III as head of the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem

"The World Council of Churches (WCC) calls for the prompt and unqualified recognition of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilus III as the primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem by the Government of Israel," said WCC general secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia in a letter sent to Israel's prime minister Ehud Olmert on 29 September.

03 October 2006

Sermon

Recognition of Patriarch Theolophilus III

29 September 2006

General Secretary

Statement: public statement

Status of Jerusalem, Patriarchs and Heads of the Local Christian Churches in Jerusalem, 2006

Statement of Patriarchs and Heads of the Local Christian Churches in Jerusalem on Status of Jerusalem, September 29, 2006

29 September 2006

Sermon

Recognition by Israel of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilus III

29 September 2006

General Secretary

Report

Projects Overview, Programme Plans 2007-2013

06 September 2006

Central Committee

Report

Final Report of the Public Issues Committee (adopted)

06 September 2006

Central Committee

Advocacy report

Statement on the War in Lebanon and Northern Israel, and Ecumenical

06 September 2006

Central Committee

New Middle East forum to unite church efforts for peace

In a major new initiative, the central committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) has endorsed proposals to establish a comprehensive ecumenical advocacy initiative for peace in the Middle East, and has reiterated its alarm at the dramatic humanitarian consequences and alleged violations of international law during the recent war in Lebanon and northern Israel. Â

05 September 2006

Kobia calls for comprehensive response to Middle East crisis

World Council of Churches' (WCC) general secretary the Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has called for a comprehensive ecumenical response in seeking lasting peace in the Middle East.

31 August 2006

From left: The Ven. Colin Williams, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, Mgr. Bernard-Nicolas Aubertin, Rev. Jean-Arnold de Clermont and Ms Marilia Alves-Schüller

Ecumenical delegation returns from Beirut and Jerusalem, transmits concerns of the churches

High-resolution photos available - see below

16 August 2006