Romanian Orthodox Metropolitans Ioan of Banat, Iosif of Western and Southern Europe and Serafim of Germany, Central and Northern Europe participated in the International Meeting “Imagine Peace” organized by the Sant’Egidio Community between September 22 and 24 in Paris.
The event brought together laypeople and religious leaders from many countries and cultures of the world.
Metropolitan Ioan: Homeland and peace, sacred gifts
On the same day, Metropolitan John of Banat gave a speech at the Forum “Religions and Resistance to Evil”, in which he said: “Homeland and peace are sacred gifts, they cannot be negotiated or alienated because they are given through God’s mercy and goodness”.
“Our sacred feelings for our homeland and peace should be the foundation for educating younger generations, so that peace may be the aspiration of every people. Today, more than ever, human reason demands us to remove conflict from the world and establish peace based on wisdom and love among peoples.”
“May peace and love be among us and in all the hearts that beat today in all the people on earth!” concluded the Metropolitan of Banat.
Metropolitan Iosif contributed to the talk about martyrs
Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe attended the opening event, which included messages delivered by Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, the Primate of the Anglican Communion, by President Emmanuel Macron and Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris.
His Eminence also took part in the “Witness of the Martyrs” Forum on 24 September.
Metropolitan Serafim: Prayer overcomes death
In a speech held at the “Prayer overcomes Hatred” Forum, Metropolitan Serafim presented the Orthodox cosmology and anthropology and the teachings of the Holy Fathers on spiritual peace, emphasising that war is the result of sin, and that sin is a departure from God’s law, which alone ensures the functioning of man and all creation according to their nature.
“In the life of the faithful, nothing is more important than prayer, which overcomes not only hatred and all evil but also death! That is because prayer connects us with God and communicates His life and gifts: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). It is only in God that we are truly alive!” His Eminence emphasised.
“And yet, prayer is the most neglected part of our lives. Why is that? Because it requires focus on our hearts, the fireplace where all the powers and energies of the universe and humankind reside. Man is truly a microcosmos! The heart is also God’s residence, his favourite place.”
“The stars obey God’s laws written in their nature: and He established them for ever and ever— He issued a decree that will never pass away (Psalm 148:6). This is why harmony reigns in the universe (the word kosmos in Greek also means harmony). Only man, endowed with freedom, does not respect God’s laws and that is why there is no harmony in him and humanity, there is no peace, but rather discord and war,” explained the metropolitan.
“Sin is, therefore, to live against one’s nature, to violate the physical and moral laws (the Ten Commandments) which were only given by God so that harmony, peace and health of soul and body may reign within us.”
“Holy Apostle Paul urges us to pray incessantly,” said Metropolitan Serafim. “In Orthodox religious services, we can often hear: Again and again let us peacefully pray to the Lord! That’s my appeal to you all!”
Call to make peace
Other participants from Sister Orthodox Churches were Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon (Ecumenical Patriarchate), who took part in the “Inequalities Challenge the Economy” Forum and the closing event, Metropolitan Gennadios of Botswana (Alexandria Patriarchate), who spoke at the “Religions in Dialogue for Pace” Forum, and Metropolitan Joan of Korca (Church of Albania), who gave a speech at the „Solidarity with the Poor and Peace” Forum.
The International Meeting “Imagine Peace” concluded with a ceremony symbolically held in front of Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral, burned and then renovated, where a message from Pope Francis was transmitted and the religious leaders signed an Appeal for Peace and lit vigil lights.
The Sant’Egidio Community is a worldwide movement of laypeople based on prayer, poverty and promoting peace. This year’s meeting for peace is the 22nd organized by the community.
Photo credit: Sant’Egidio International Meetings for Peace
