Page 4 - AECA.org.uk ¦ Koinonia 66

future Christian presence in the region. With clergy and laity from the Diocese
he recently undertook a visit to the refugee camp known as the ‘Jungle’ at
Calais. The group spoke to many refugees there and heard their heart-rending
stories, and delivered a hundred Bibles in appropriate languages for the
Ethiopian Orthodox Church of St Michael in the camp. Bishop Christopher
will be joining the Vatican Coordination Visit to Gaza and refugee camps in
Jordan at Epiphanytide 2016.
The on-going refugee crisis and events in Syria in particular are on the
minds of many of us, with horrible scenes being regularly shown on social
media in a way that has brought the suffering of war into our homes. It is now
widely recognised that the refugee crisis particularly affects Christians, who
find themselves doubly discriminated against, first as Christians and second as
refugees. As a result, many are not present in the places where the British
government proposes to seek refuges to be settled in the UK. Many Anglican
and Orthodox Church leaders in this country are working with government
officials to help them understand the situation on the ground in order to
respond appropriately. It is for this and other reasons that the annual AECA
Orthodox Church Leaders Reception is so important – it shows solidarity and
provides and opportunity for networking and discussion of ideas. Considering
the crisis, it is perhaps not coincidental that the turnout from Orthodox clergy
was greater than ever before.
It is with hope that I wish to end this editorial and return to the
ecological theme. Both Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew have offered a
vision of environmental concern that unites not only all Christians, but all
humanity to protect the Creation, serving one another and the Lord. As
Patriarch Bartholomew said during his visit:
‘Dear friends, the future is open; and the choice is ours, yours. On
the one hand, our world is indeed in crisis. Yet, on the other
hand, never before in history have human beings had the
opportunity to bring so many positive changes to so many people
and to the global community. There has never been so much
turmoil on our planet; but equally so, there has never been greater
opportunity for communication, cooperation and dialogue.’

My apologies and thanks to those who have sent in articles which I have
not been able to include in this edition. I hope to do so in future editions,
space permitting.

2