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A new Church is innaugurated-Dommar-Syria
Melkite Solidarity
Encounter-Lebanon-
Encounter-Syria-

This event took place on Feb 4, 2005, during theVesper Prayer presided over by Their Beatitudes Ignatius IV, Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and Gregorios III, Melkite Catholic Patriarch, where they prayed together and fulfilled the ceremonial inauguration of the new Church of St. Peter and St. Paul erected in Dumar  Habitat Project. The Altar was equipped according to the Tradition with the attendance of an enthusiastic crowd, in which participated religious, political and diplomatic figures and a large number of clergy from both communities
In the speech addressed on this occasion, Patriarch Ignatius said: “…Christ is, in the first instance, for all people, this is the true  unity…We are living now a reality which is above all words and speeches, a reality symbolized by our presence together, Patriarch Gregorios and myself, in this same place for the launching of this common Church…”
Patriarch Ignatius saluted the memory of   late Patriarch Maximus, and paid high tribute to the efforts exerted by Archbishop Isidor Battikha, the Catholic Patriarchal Vicar, and expressed deep gratitude for the donation by Eng. Habib Beitinjaneh, who contributed in the greatest part of the implementation costs of the church. Eng. Beitinjaneh was granted the decoration of St. Peter and St. Paul Order, from the rank of Great Officer.
In return, Patriarch Gregorios  said in his speech : “ the inauguration of this church is one of most beautiful news  now spreading from the Church of Antioch, the good news of brotherhood, communion and partnership …From Antioch, from Damascus the message of unity is launched to the divised world, it is a beginning and a follow up…” He recalled the long history  of painful divisions and the fruitful results of reconciliation,  love and cooperation between the Churches of Antioch . He also acknowledged with deep thanks the efforts of all those who contributed in the fulfillment of this meaningful project.  Eng. Beitinjaneh was granted the Cross of Jerusalem.
Finally, Eng. Beitinjaneh exposed the long journey which led to this achievement , expressing gratitude to the contributions of all parties who worked to this end, above all the Syrian Government that granted the earth on which the church was built. He expressed high esteem and gratitude to the President, Dr. Bashar Al Assad who  reiterates permanently that Syria is the Cradle of Christianity…He also described the different parts of the building, especially those in which Christian education will be given

 

More than 600 persons contributed to “Melkite Solidarity” achieving the sum of 10 000 dollars up to December 2004:
 
 Projects :
Hospital in Damas- Syria-
School in Raboueh- Lebanon-
Support Al-Liqa center-Syria-
 
Heartfelt thanks to the Donors to the Melkite Solidarity Appeal2004- 2005:
35 members from Khabab-Syria
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour-Lebanon-100$

Salvatorian Sister 100$

Mr Philippe Marquis 4 Euro

Mr Karim Sayegh 100 Euro

Mlle Lucienne Vandenplas 15 $

Famille Shiniara 200$

Mr Jurgus Kampgen 200$

 
Melkite Solidarity
Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate
P.O.Box 70071 Raboueh- Antelias- Lebanon
Membership Form to the Melkite Solidarity
(to be sent to the above address of the Patriarchate)

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If you wish to contact us. To send your membership. To give your address. The following are our addresses.
 
Raboueh – Lebanon
Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate 

B.P. 70071 Antelias
Tel: +961 4 525 301
       +961 4 525 655
Fax: +961 4 418 113 
 
Damas- Syria
Patriarchate of Greek Catholic
B.P. 22249 Damascus-Bab Sharky- Syria
Tel: 00963/ 11 544 65 29
       00963/ 11 544 10 30
Fax: 00963/ 11 541 89 66

 

Bank account in USA
Bank Audi
19 East 54th Street
New York, NY 10022
00001059-02600237-6164 20 0001

 

Bank account in Lebanon
Société Générale de Banques
003-004-362-135575-02-3
Antelias- Lebanon

 

Bank account in Germany
Christkonigs Institut Meitingen
LIGA Bank- Augsburg
Kto 118 745 *BLZ 750 90 300

 

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►The Encounter Center is under the  patronage of the Patriarchate in Raboueh - Lebanon. The Melkites entered into communion with the Church of Rome at the beginning of the 18th century, but they remained faithful to their tradition and ecclesial structure. His Beatitude Gregorios III, who holds the title of “Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, of Alexandria and of Jerusalem” has been since November 2000 the head of the Melkite Church, which is a very international community. It has 2 million members and about 400 clergy, who are scattered around the globe. Eparchies, churches and centers are to be found in the following countries: Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Turkey, Egypt, Sudan, France, Italy, Belgium, Great Britain, Sweden, Austria, Germany, USA, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.
The Church worldwide directs about 100 schools, 80 social facilities, 33 publishing houses and bookshops.
 
THE INTERNATIONAL
ENCOUNTER CENTER
 
The Vision of the Center
The Encounter Center grows out of a long tradition in the Melkite Greek Catholic community, to be a Church without borders. This tradition can be defined as following:
 
(I) Commitment to Christian unity.
(II) Working for the dialogue between Islam and Christianity and between the East and the West.                               
(III) Supporting the development of an educated, tolerant, open society.
(IV) Profound sense of inculturation in the Arab world.
(V) Building bridges between generations.
(VI) It is called “ The Church of the Arabs.”
 
The program and idea of encountering people  is not new in this country. Lebanon has always been a meeting point for different religions, cultures and ethnics groups. For a very long time a diverse society exists, which is proud to be a birthplace of civilizations and religions, the place of inventing the alphabet (in Byblos). Therefore Pope John Paul II expressed the unique character of Lebanon, saying: “Lebanon is more than a Country, it is a Mission”.
Main Goals of the Encounter Center:
- Bringing people from different parts of our world together.
- Overcoming prejudices.
- Building a bridge between the West and the Arabic-Islamic world.
- Exchanging ideas and thoughts.
- Being a witness for a peaceful coexistence between different religions and ethnic groups in the Middle East.
- Exchange of academic and scientific research.
- Dialogue for unity between different Christian denominations.
-  Helping the West to understand more about the diversity of the Islamic world.
- Searching for ways to live together in a society of mutual tolerance and peace.
Basic Activities
- Organization of international and local conferences, colloquiums, meetings and lectures.
- International summer camps for young people
- A research platform for international students
- Initiation of a book club
- Further training courses
- Retreat center
- Cooperation with academic institutions in various fields
The Location in Lebanon
-  Although different facilities are available in several places in Lebanon ,the Encounter Center finds its home in the old patriarchal residence in Ain-Traz (Aley), about 35 Km away from the Lebanese capital Beirut. It was built in 1811, destroyed during the Lebanese war, and rebuilt and expanded by H.B. Gregorios III in 2002-2003. A magnificent panorama awaits the visitors; the Barouk mountains, the Cedars and in the horizon the sea! The monastery of Ain-Traz, where the center is located, has 40 rooms with all facilities and dormitories. There are halls for the Holy Synod, for conferences, a reception hall, and the historical old renewed church.

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THE MELKITE CHURCH
-The Encounter Center is under the patronage of the Patriarchate in Damascus. The Melkites entered into communion with the Church of Rome at the beginning of the 18th century, but  they remained faithful to their tradition and  ecclesial structure. His Beatitude Gregorios III, who holds the title of “Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, of Alexandria and of Jerusalem”  has been since  November 2000 the head of the Melkite Church, which is a very international community. It has 2 million members and about 400 clergy, who are scattered around the globe. Eparchies, churches and centers are to be found in the following countries: Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Turkey, Egypt, Sudan, France, Italy, Belgium, Great Britain, Sweden, Austria, Germany, USA, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.
The Church worldwide directs about 100 schools, 80 social facilities, 33 publishing houses and bookshops.
The Vision of the Center
The Encounter Center grows out of a long tradition in the Melkite Greek Catholic community, to be a Church without borders. This tradition can be defined as following:
 
(I) Commitment to Christian unity.
(II) Working for the dialogue between Islam and Christianity and between the East and the West.                               
(III) Supporting the development of an educated, tolerant, open society.
(IV) Profound sense of inculturation in the Arab world.
(V) Building bridges between generations.
(VI) It is called “ The Church of the Arabs.”
 
The program and idea of encountering people  is not new in this country. Syria has always been a meeting point for different religions, cultures and ethnics groups. For a very long time a diverse society exists, which is proud to be a birth place of civilizations and religions. The President of Syria Dr. Bashar al-Assad pointed this out, when he welcomed Pope John Paul II in the year 2000 and called Syria “The Cradle of Christianity.”
Main Goals of the Encounter Center:
- Bringing people from different parts of our world together in Syria.
- Overcoming prejudices.
- Building a bridge between the West and the Arabic-Islamic world.
- Exchanging ideas and thoughts.
- Being a witness for a peaceful coexistence between different religions and ethnic groups in the Middle East.
- Exchange of academic and scientific research.
- Dialogue for unity between different Christian denominations.
-  Helping the West to understand more about the diversity of the Islamic world.
- Searching for ways to live together in a society of mutual tolerance and peace.

Basic Activities
- Organization of international and local conferences, colloquiums, meetings and lectures.
- International summer camps for young people
- A research platform for international students
- Initiation of a book club
- Further training courses
- Retreat center
- Cooperation with academic institutions in various fields

The Location in Syria
-Although all the facilities of the Patriarchate in Damascus are at its disposal, the Syrian Encounter Center finds its home in the newly built Monastery of St. Thomas 30 kilometers away from the Syrian capital of Damascus. A mild breeze blows in this area during the hot days of the Syrian summer. Overlooking the historical city of Saydnaya, the Qalamoun mountain range and the Ma’arra plains, a magnificent view awaits the visitor.
The old site of St. Thomas Monastery is one of the greatest and most beautiful Roman vestiges in the country, just another part of the cradle of Christianity which left its traces in this region. On the church walls, some pictures and Greek inscriptions can still be faintly seen.
The Monastery of St. Thomas, where the Encounter Center is located, can host more than 200 guests in single and double rooms, as well as in dormitories.

Other facilities
- Conference rooms
- Dining halls
- Book / icon shop
- A Library
- A Museum
- A Computer Lab
- Offices
- Meeting rooms
- A church and chapel
- Rooms for meditation