“We have not come here because it is written in the status quo, we have come because we love you,” said the Coptic Orthodox bishop of Jerusalem on his arrival to Saint Saviour’s Convent the day after the Latin Christmas. To be exact, the round of visits to exchange holiday greetings is not actually based on the status quo, which only regulates activities in the holy places of the Basilicas of the Resurrection in Jerusalem, of the Nativity in Bethlehem and of the Virgin Mary’s Tomb, as well as at the site of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives. The visits themselves are rooted in tradition. But tradition can also be immutable, and it would be more than remarkable if a Church omitted a visit: it would be a diplomatic incident.
Such an incident was narrowly avoided when, arriving at one of the Oriental Patriarchates, the Custody delegation found no one to receive them. The young man on duty is beside himself with worry, lips and eyes begging them to be patient. He makes a phone call. “They are on their way back.” The thing is, everyone is visiting everyone else. Here and there, the Old City’s roads echo with the pounding of the kawas. Sometimes the delegations cross each others’ paths. For days before, these formal visits are the headache of the various secretariats. Faxes and telephone calls fly back and forth and in all directions to set the meetings, move them up, set them back.
Once a delegation has installed itself for such a visit, tradition calls for an exchange of speeches: the meaning of the feast, the unity of the Church in Christ, an exchange of wishes for peace and prosperity. Then everyone applauds. “Right, fine, the official speeches are over. So how are you? How were the holidays,” one jovial bishop exclaims. Glasses of liqueur, themselves a tradition in a lighter vein, are passed and tongues are unfettered. With the Ethiopians, the conversation seeks to understand why their new year starts in September. This year they will celebrate the millennial year 2000. There are also concerned questions about the state of affairs in their country. With the Syriacs, the discussion is about an incident between the Scouts of the two Churches and the steps being taken to resolve it. Their new year starts in September, too. With the Copts, a meal to be shared in Jericho is the topic: “Come with all your brothers,” insists the Coptic bishop. During December, the Father Custos also received the official visit and greetings of the Franciscan Biblical University (Studium Biblicum Franciscanum), which was the occasion for an exchange of news about their respective activities, thus contributing to the unity of the Custody, with its diverse charisms.
Following the exchange of greetings with the Armenian Orthodox dignitaries during their visit to the Custody in December, there was a “big-little” innovation. Father Basilio Talatinian ofm, 93 years old, after having first asked the permission of the Father Custos, recites from memory a little poem in his native language:
I am an Armenian child, of Hayana origin / I speak the language of Haigh and of Aram / I have no crown, no gold, no throne or diamonds / But my heart is full of the greatest honesty.
Burning with a tender love for my native land / I sense burning within me the spirit of our heroes / and the sacred fire of my ancestors / whom I would not exchange for all the gold in the world.
Even banished, even persecuted / the Armenian will never beg for his bread / He adorns his brow with honest sweat / he finds protection in his faith, a gift of heaven.
The Armenian delegation listens with respect and affection. To all the Armenians of the Old City, Father Talatinian is a very worthy son of the homeland. Father Talatinian returns to his seat, smiling and eyes sparkling.
Judging by the smiles all around, tradition may have its rigid aspects, but when it offers such moments of sharing, it is also very good.
MAB
Such an incident was narrowly avoided when, arriving at one of the Oriental Patriarchates, the Custody delegation found no one to receive them. The young man on duty is beside himself with worry, lips and eyes begging them to be patient. He makes a phone call. “They are on their way back.” The thing is, everyone is visiting everyone else. Here and there, the Old City’s roads echo with the pounding of the kawas. Sometimes the delegations cross each others’ paths. For days before, these formal visits are the headache of the various secretariats. Faxes and telephone calls fly back and forth and in all directions to set the meetings, move them up, set them back.
Once a delegation has installed itself for such a visit, tradition calls for an exchange of speeches: the meaning of the feast, the unity of the Church in Christ, an exchange of wishes for peace and prosperity. Then everyone applauds. “Right, fine, the official speeches are over. So how are you? How were the holidays,” one jovial bishop exclaims. Glasses of liqueur, themselves a tradition in a lighter vein, are passed and tongues are unfettered. With the Ethiopians, the conversation seeks to understand why their new year starts in September. This year they will celebrate the millennial year 2000. There are also concerned questions about the state of affairs in their country. With the Syriacs, the discussion is about an incident between the Scouts of the two Churches and the steps being taken to resolve it. Their new year starts in September, too. With the Copts, a meal to be shared in Jericho is the topic: “Come with all your brothers,” insists the Coptic bishop. During December, the Father Custos also received the official visit and greetings of the Franciscan Biblical University (Studium Biblicum Franciscanum), which was the occasion for an exchange of news about their respective activities, thus contributing to the unity of the Custody, with its diverse charisms.
Following the exchange of greetings with the Armenian Orthodox dignitaries during their visit to the Custody in December, there was a “big-little” innovation. Father Basilio Talatinian ofm, 93 years old, after having first asked the permission of the Father Custos, recites from memory a little poem in his native language:
I am an Armenian child, of Hayana origin / I speak the language of Haigh and of Aram / I have no crown, no gold, no throne or diamonds / But my heart is full of the greatest honesty.
Burning with a tender love for my native land / I sense burning within me the spirit of our heroes / and the sacred fire of my ancestors / whom I would not exchange for all the gold in the world.
Even banished, even persecuted / the Armenian will never beg for his bread / He adorns his brow with honest sweat / he finds protection in his faith, a gift of heaven.
The Armenian delegation listens with respect and affection. To all the Armenians of the Old City, Father Talatinian is a very worthy son of the homeland. Father Talatinian returns to his seat, smiling and eyes sparkling.
Judging by the smiles all around, tradition may have its rigid aspects, but when it offers such moments of sharing, it is also very good.
MAB