Blog from the Living Letters visit to Germany
The Living Letters blogs are written to share about visits to specific countries or regions around the world, organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) Decade to Overcome Violence initiative along with assistance from local coordinators, churches and other organizations. The Living Letters blogs are personal narratives from members of the "Living Letters" team and do not necessarily represent the opinion or policies of the World Council of Churches.
Whether you know it or not, today was a very special day in the Armenian Orthodox Church. Today was the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ so we were very fortunate and honored to be invited to celebrate with them in the morning with the holy liturgy and a large lunch and coffee and dessert and more dessert and coffee and lunch! It was more like a party, with families and children and youth from the Armenian community in attendance.
As with all the people we've met here in Germany, but especially from the Armenian community, we received a very warm and familial welcome. Their arms were open to us as they welcomed us to worship with them in their church and be with them at their tables. They wanted to make known to us that our visit there made them feel not alone Our visit to their community created for them the feeling that they are not alone. That they are part of the larger ecumenical family. So often, when describing their lives and situation in the world, they used words like uncertainty, fear, hurt, and unsafe. They emphasized that even in their everyday lives they see false portrayals and pictures of their community, through the use of negative media.
In short, we did not need to define our roles as Living Letters, they did it for us. For them, we were glad to become a source of comfort and solidarity. A sounding board representing a wide picture of the ecumenical movement, against which they could share their fears and suffering. It's important to communicate that these fears come from extremist groups, not majorities. Like all of us, the Armenian people with whom we spoke want to live and work with moderate people in other faith communities who are willing to talk. The question is: How can we strengthen them to cooperate and communicate with each other? And strengthen each other? Once again, there are so many other things we wish to share and talk about. The conversation is only just beginning.
In the afternoon we found out when visiting the Melanchthon Academy of Cologne that life is like a teeter-totter. You cannot play alone, because if you do, you always stay down. By learning of a program started in Cologne called "Weisst Du Wer Ich Bin?" (Do you know who I am) we explored new ways of how Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities can live together in peace. The people here in Cologne are trying to create places where Jews, Muslims and Christians can coexist peacefully. The evening consisted of detailed conversations about civil conflict resolution and a lovely music-filled reception. Katerina & Thomas
