VII Colloquium Syriacum on 'Liturgical Ecumenism'

The seventh Colloquium Syriacum, organised by the Pro Oriente Foundation, took place at Klosterneuburg Abbey near Vienna from 29 June to 3 July on the topic 'In Europe at Home – In Dialogue with Homelands: Liturgical Ecumenism”.

Bringing together representatives of ten Syriac Churches, as well as experts and scholars from various countries, the colloquium addressed subjects such as 'Lex orandi and ecumenism', the importance of 'lex agendi' as 'liturgy after the liturgy', and the link between synodality and liturgy. The colloquium coincided with a workshop for young Christians of the Syriac tradition.

Since 1994, Pro Oriente has endeavoured to establish an unofficial platform for encounter and ecumenical dialogue and academic exchange among the Churches of the Syriac tradition. Since 2005, this work has been undertaken through the 'Forum Syriacum', which also hosts the 'Colloquium Syriacum' at regular intervals.

On this occasion, Cardinal Kurt Koch sent a message to the participants, expressing his gratitude for this unique initiative which brings together all the Churches of the Syriac tradition in an academic setting. The message was read by Reverend Father Hyacinthe Destivelle, Official of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, who attended the colloquium as an observer.