Caucasus

New strengths in mission emerge at the Synod for the Middle East: the scourge of extremism that suffocates Christians and Muslims, the need to recognize Christians as citizens with full rights in society, the right to the proclamation of the gospel. A summary of the week’s proceedings by an expert at the synodal assembly.

As the Year for Priests comes to an end, Benedict XVI writes a letter to seminarians. Recalling his own personal experience, he outlines the traits a priest must have, which must be developed during their years in seminary. The Pontiff also talks about the relationship priests must have with God, their sensitivity towards popular piety, the need for a rational aptitude towards answering questions, and their growth towards human maturity.

The successor to the bishop Anatolia demands an end to the "intolerable rumors circulated by the very instigators of the crime, alleging the homosexuality of the martyr”. An urgent request for pastors, missionary personnel and economic aid for the Church in Turkey.

Notwithstanding the jargon for insiders, the chairman of the Federal Reserve says that the current situation cannot be sustained. There will be major consequences for the public debt, pension plans and health care programmes of the United States, Europe and Japan. The only way out is belt-tightening, less democracy and greater power to the banking system.

How does the Pope see the Synod, the problems of the region and its churches? Here are some notes: the apostolic tradition of the Eastern Churches, their diversity and unity with the pope. The suggestion for the Orthodox, the importance of the mission and proclamation of Christ the Saviour, even for Muslims. The emphasis on "the land" of Israelis, Palestinians, Muslims and Christian witness of a "land" which is not of this world.

Benedict XVI presides over the Special Assembly, which opened today. Communion and witness by Christians must be reinforced by strengthening ties between Christian Churches and the dialogue with Jews and Muslims. However, the region’s Christians must be able to live “with dignity in their homeland” with religious freedom, peace and justice. Everyone must contribute, the international community; religions, so that they can reject violence; and the Universal Church, so that the faithful can “feel the joy of living in the Holy Land.”

Metropolitan Hilarion, head of external relations, appreciates the support offered by other Christian communities: willingness to offer churches and assistance to the Orthodox abroad important. But if Uniates fail to renounce expansion, ecumenical dialogue will not be fruitful.

With only a few days to go until the assembly of bishops from the Middle East, the region is dominated by tensions between Sunnis and Shiites; stalemate between Israelis and Palestinians, persecution especially in Egypt. The Synod will also be able to make proposals for politics. But most of all it must reawaken the duty and mission of Christians in the Middle East: the freedom and right to offer witness to God's love in front of Jews and Muslims.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) prepares Friday prayer in the former Meryemana cathedral among the ruins of the medieval city of Ani on the border with Armenia. A ham-fisted response to permits received by the Orthodox and Armenians to celebrate in illustrious former places of worship.

For weeks the mayor Luzkhov and his wealthy wife are the subject of an public campaign that highlights their personal interests and mismanagement of the Russian capital. Behind TV campaign, the hand of the government that wants to get rid of the long time first citizen, the undisputed master of Moscow for over 18 years. The possible successors.

The mufti of the capital warns: lack of mosques, we would not want to end up celebrating in churches. The Russian Orthodox Patriarchate says it is "happy to accommodate our Muslim brothers." But these are superficial statements to content the government's policy of tolerance. Neither community is planning to arrive at such "extreme" solutions.

Archbishop Aram Atesyan has described the event as “a miracle”. The church is located in lands where the Armenian genocide took place. In the past, its icons were used for target practice and darkened by the smoke of barbecues. The building is still missing its iron cross from the top of its dome. Diaspora Armenians complain about it; Armenians living in Turkey are happy and joyful for the event.