Catholicos Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews III meets Coptic Orthodox head in Cairo

Catholicos Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews III, head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, met Pope Tawadros II, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, during his recent visit to Cairo, Egypt, and held discussions on strengthening ties between the two Churches.

According to a statement issued by the Orthodox Church, the meeting between the two prelates is expected to further reinforce cooperation between the sister Churches within the Oriental Orthodox communion. During the meeting, the Catholicos expressed the Church’s deep concern over the ongoing genocide against Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia.

The long-standing Malankara Church dispute too figured in the talks. “The Malankara Church remains committed to conveying that, even after the Supreme Court of India delivered its final verdict based on truth, justice, and righteousness, complete and lasting peace is yet to be achieved. Otherwise, the essence of the court’s judgments could be questioned before the world,” the statement said. It added that the Indian Orthodox Church has always stood in alignment with the nation’s legal framework.

It further noted that the Coptic Church also shares the desire for peace among Malankara churches, though no formal committee has yet been constituted to address the matter.

Accompanying the Catholicos at the meeting were Metropolitan Abraham Mar Stephanos, representing the Church’s Ecumenical department; Father Ashwin Fernandes; and working committee members Jacob Mathew and Father Geevarghese Johnson. The discussions were held at the official residence of Pope Tawadros II in Cairo.