Chief Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger, and the New Justinian Archbishop and of All Cyprus Chrysostomos have signed, on 12-5-2011, in the Cyprus Archbishopric, Nicosia, a Proclamation of historic significance. The Proclamation formalizes the bilateral commitment to enhance their relations, confirming that the total responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus, borne by the Jewish People, is a baseless dogma. It is the first time that an Orthodox Church, so clearly condemns this groundless doctrine in which, for centuries, it was the basic operative agent for European religious anti-Semitism.
The Declaration addresses, among other points: "We, the Chief Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger, and the Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos, thank G-d for the blessed development of mutual respect and affirm our commitment to strengthening the excellent relations between Cyprus and Israel ." In the Declaration we especially explain that the Church of Cyprus never participated in the categories involving the accusation of Judaism's wholesale responsibility, or its rejection as a faith. "Therefore, and characteristically, we confirm the rejection of similar preconceptions as being incompatible with the teachings of the Holy Writings."
It is noted that the Roman Catholic Church had rejected the dogma of the collective guilt of Jews, since 1965, in its Proclamation Nostra Aetate which was voted in the Second Vatican Council.
In an interview granted to The Jerusalem Post, the Chief Rabbi of Israel characteristically stated: "Today, we signed a historic statement concerning relations between Judaism and the Orthodox Church. Until now, Orthodox Churches were unwilling to undertake similar initiatives; still, the Cyprus Church, with today's declaration, has assumed this responsibility … We hope that now, and in stages, we will be able to develop similar commitment in relations with other Orthodox Churches, as the Greek and Russian."
Further, the Proclamation confirms the teachings of Judaism and Christianity relative to the sacredness of life, and in this fashion declares: "We condemn every action which violates this sacred belief, especially actions of bias, and terrorism against the innocent, specifically when they involve debasement of G-d's name and belief."
(Excerpts from The Jerusalem Post article, 12-08-2011, translated from the Greek by Prof. Asher J. Matathias, as it was published in Chronika, the Athens quarterly Jewish magazine of KIS, January-March, 2012)
The aforementioned news does not inform a simple decision, a common initiative. It includes a theological position of enormous historic meaning for the world community, in that it signifies a decision that points to a change in the teachings which obtained for twenty centuries.
For twenty centuries "the story of the three monotheistic religions, as much as it is full of actions of solidarity and sacrifice, it is just as much full of actions of fanaticism, intolerance, and bias, all frequently exercised with the best of intentions, for the good and the salvation of the other, the misguided, and in many instances it is the same people who both construct the projects of love as well as those of hatred," as was written by S. Zouboulakis (G-d in the City, Estia Bookstore, 2002).
For entire centuries the directed instruction was to submit to an intuitive learning in traditional religious attacks which viewed Jews to be murderers "who crucified Christ." With this as the basis for education, serious crimes have been promulgated, blackening the history of mankind. The result of such demonizing have been expressions of unexamined theories, unfounded assertions of propaganda, with people tortured, and put to death, leaving civilizations destroyed, in the wake of bloody warfare. In a climate of intimidation, the statement of an opposing view was rejected a priori, and could threaten severe sanctions. Such a difference of opinion, even if comporting with Christian religious documents, was condemned to death. That is the reason Nietzsche declared "G-d is dead," for he understood that the murderers were in the West, whereas the theologians were in the hierarchy.
What was needed was heightened leadership, personal and collective, via cultivation and study, undertaken with necessary dare, a raised human quality, in order to spiritually and dispassionately examine documents of faith, to conclude in the recognition of objective givens, historical truth. What was demanded was freedom to judge, the realization of the ideals of justice, honesty in inter-faith positions, a genuine social exchange in order for the big truths to be expressed, to promote relations of cooperation between Christianity and Judaism.
The Roman Catholic Church, in its highest hierarchical degree (Popes John XXIII, Benedict XVI) was first in all ages, with sensitivity to engage in similar Declarations. We know that in Orthodoxy a problem exists, making the adoption of similar documents, and decisions, with similar historical import, more difficult to achieve. The positive aspect is that a start has been effected, which we hail "with hope" from the depths of our hearts.
Commentary translated from the Greek by Prof. Asher J. Matathias
Source - macedoniahellenicland
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