Am Samstag, den 28. Mai 2005 war die ökumenische interreligiöse Pilgerfahrt vom Wahren Leben in Gott zu Ende. Vassula und ich reisten aus Jordanien ins Heilige Land, begleitet von Pater Samir Habiby und Mezied, einem WLIG-Leser aus Nazareth, der uns aus Jordanien über die Grenze ins Heilige Land (Beth Shean-Brücke) hinüberfuhr. Es war ein Segen, dass wir einen Sonderausweis von dem Berater des Königs, Herrn Akel Biltaj, hatten, mit dessen Hilfe wir als spezielle Gäste Seiner Majestät, des Königs Abdullah II., über die jordanische Grenze kamen.

Nach der Ankunft in Nazareth machten wir im Pilgerheim St. Margaret der anglikanischen Kirche Quartier. Wir waren zur Einweihung der Bibliothek der St.-George-Schule eingeladen worden, worauf dann noch die Abiturfeier folgen sollte. Herr Akel Biltaj war als besonderer Gastredner vorgesehen. Er begrüßte Vassula in den Gärten von St. Margaret, und er freute sich so, sie wieder zu sehen, nachdem er sie ja erst kürzlich in Jordanien getroffen hatte. Der ordentliche Reverend Riah Abu El-Assal, der anglikanische Bischof der Episkopalkirche von Jerusalem und dem Mittleren Osten, begrüßte Vassula ebenfalls und lud uns zu der Abiturfeier ein, wo besondere Plätze für uns reserviert waren.

Foto: Vassula mit Herrn Akel Biltaj zur Rechten in den Gärten von St. Margareth, Nazareth

Danach aßen wir bei den Rosary Sisters ("Rosenkranzschwestern") zu Mittag. Sie hatten ein besonderes Essen für uns und einige der Wahres-Leben-in-Gott-Pilger, die nach der Pilgerfahrt bei uns blieben, zubereitet. Später fuhren wir zurück zum Abendessen im Garten von St. Margaret mit Bischof Riah Abu El-Assal. Pater Samir Habiby, der Abu El-Assals Vetter ist, hatte dieses Treffen arrangiert. Der Bischof freute sich wirklich, Vassula kennen zu lernen, und bezeugte uns eine wunderbare orientalische Gastfreundschaft; er behandelte Vassula sehr höflich und freundlich, mit viel Respekt und Hochachtung.

Pfarrer Hatem Shehadeh, ein anglikanischer Priester aus Haifa, nahm auch an dem Abendessen teil. Zu unserer Überraschung las er schon seit Jahren die Botschaften vom "Wahren Leben in Gott". Obwohl er für die Abiturfeier nach Nazareth gekommen war, wusste er nicht, dass Vassula dorthin fuhr, daher freute er sich über das Zusammentreffen und lud sie ein, im nächsten Jahr in seiner Kirche, St. Johannes und St. Lukas in Haifa, zu sprechen. Pfarrer Shehadeh bot sich als Übersetzer und für Hilfeleistungen bei ihrer Mission an. Während des Abendessens stellte Bischof Riah viele interessante Fragen. Er kündigte an, dass er Vassula am nächsten Morgen zum Frühstück wieder treffen wolle.

Vassula, zu ihrer Linken, Bischof Riah, Pfarrer Hatem Shehadeh, und Rev. Samir Habiby

Am nächsten Tag, Sonntag, dem 29. Mai, übergab Vassula Bischof Riah beim Frühstück die Schrift der Glaubenskongregation in arabischer und englischer Sprache. Er bat sie, das Heft für Patriarch Sabbah zu unterschreiben, und versicherte ihr, dass er es Patriarch Sabbah, der der Patriarch der Lateiner (= römische Katholiken, Anm. d. Übers.) in Jerusalem ist, überreichen werde. Bischof Riahs Großonkel ist Simon Strougi, der gemäß dem Vatikan nur einen Schritt unter der Heiligkeit sei. Bischof Riah brachte Vassula gegenüber seine Ansicht zum Ausdruck, dass der Materialismus bei den Christen einen großen Einfluß ausübe. Jesus erwähnt in den Botschaften, dass Materialismus und Rationalismus zu Atheismus führen. 19. September 1991, 1. Juni 1991

Vassula zeigt Bischof Riah Abu El-Assal WLIG-Unterlagen in Nazareth

Nach dem Frühstück gingen wir zu einem Treffen mit Erzbischof Georges Haddad, dem Oberhaupt der griechisch-melkitischen (katholischen) Kirche von Akko, Haifa, Nazareth und ganz Galiläa in Israel. Wir besuchten seine Kirche, St. Peter und Paul. Nach dem Gottesdienst gab es einen kleinen Empfang in der Halle, wo Kaffe und Süßigkeiten angeboten wurden. Der Erzbischof stellte Vassula seiner Gemeinschaft vor und bat sie, über "Das Wahre Leben in Gott" und ihre Erfahrung zu sprechen. Ein arabischer Übersetzer half ihr dabei.

Sie erzählte, dass sie vor zwanzig Jahren von unserem Herrn berufen worden war und dass Er ihr eine Mission für die Einheit zugunsten der Kirche gab. Sie hatte nicht um diese Mission gebeten, sondern der Herr hatte sie gebeten, Ihm zu dienen. Er hatte sie gebeten, "Ihm zu dienen unter Menschen, die Mich geißeln, Mich anspucken, die Mich verlassen haben, und die Mich wieder aufs Neue kreuzigen". Diese Botschaften haben Versöhnung, Bekehrung, Reue und Einheit zum Ziel. Sie sagte, dass auch die Muttergottes Botschaften gegeben habe. Beide rufen auf zu einer wahren Einheit der Kirche. Vassula sagte, dass der Herr gesagt habe, Dialoge seien gut, aber dass Er Taten sehen wolle. "Zeigt Eure Liebe und Euren Glauben, indem Ihr um einen Altar herum zelebriert; das ist Einheit für den Herrn."

Noch eines zum Schluß: Wenn der Herr über Reue und Versöhnung spricht, so gilt das nicht nur für die Kirche. Es betrifft auch unsere Familien. Auch die Vergebung, das "Verzeihen". Sie sagte, wenn sie über die Botschaften und die Heilige Schrift nachdenke, dann könne man alles, was Gott sagt, in einem Satz definieren: "Liebt einander, wie Ich euch liebe, und dient Mir." Was bedeutet "dient Mir"? Gott lebt in jedem von uns. Wir sollen einander dienen und einander helfen. Das heißt, dem Herrn dienen. (Während der ganzen Zeit senkte der Erzbischof ständig den Kopf, während sie sprach. Er stimmte allem zu, was sie sagte.) Sie sagte, dass wir alle nach dem Maß der Liebe gerichtet werden, das wir hier auf Erden hatten.

Foto: Erzbischof Georges Haddad mit Vassula in Nazareth

Dann lud er Vassula zu einem besonderen Imbiß mit ihm und seiner Gemeinde ein.

Foto: Vassula mit Erzbischof Georges und Pater Habiby zu ihrer Rechten, beim Imbiß in Shefar'am, Nazareth

**** Teil II auf Deutsch folgt ****

After we left Nazareth, we were on our way to Jerusalem. We checked in at the Notre Dame Monastery and Guest House across from the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem. We had been invited by Bishop Riah to another graduation, this time at the St. George School in Jerusalem. He had special seats reserved for us in the front rows. It was a beautiful day and the Arabic music that was playing was quite moving.

When Bishop Riah began addressing the distinguished guests who were there, he also addressed and welcomed Vassula as “Sister Vassula.” There were many representatives from the different Christian denominations as well as Moslems since both Christian and Moslem students attend the school.

Archbishop Riah and Vassula at the graduation in Jerusalem

We then ended our day with our meeting with Rabbi Alon Goshen-Gottsein, the Director of The Elijah Interfaith Institute. He spent a couple of hours speaking with Vassula at the Notre Dame Hotel. They spoke about Vassula’s guardian angel Daniel, I AM, the intimacy of God the Father, Satan, Unity, Prophecies, Patriarch Bartholomew. He was very interested in listening to Vassula. He asked her about others who are authentic. I was observing and it was as if they were already familiar with one another. He appeared to be very comfortable and it was amusing how they were at times even humorous with one another.

Vassula and Rabbi Alon Goshen-Gottstein, Ph.D in Jerusalem

Monday, May 30, 2005, was a marathon day of meetings. Vassula was invited to have lunch in Bethlehem (which means House of Bread) at the Sisters of Emmanuel. We crossed the border on foot from Jerusalem into Bethlehem because at the check point our car was not allowed to go through. We showed our passports and the guards let us walk through. It was a strange feeling walking across the border by the wall that has been built. We felt such a strong sense of division. No one can imagine the height of the wall until one is standing there in person.

Wall in Bethlehem

Vassula with the Sisters Emmanuel in Bethlehem

Father Spyridon, who is a priest of the Greek Orthodox Church at the Church of the Nativity, was there also and he greeted Vassula and invited all of us to his house for lunch. His gracious Presbytera (wife) served us a wonderful meal that she had cooked for us. Father Spyridon gave Vassula a gift of a beautiful icon. We then went to visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Vassula and Father Spyridon in Bethlehem

Vassula at Father Spyridon’s house having lunch in Bethlehem

Vassula and the Icon gift at Father Spyridon’s house in Bethlehem

Vassula at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

We then went to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Vassula met with Father G. Sellassie and Abba Fissihatsion. Vassula spoke to them about Unity. They told Vassula that she is most welcome in their Church and blessed the work that she is doing. She invited them on the next True Life in God Ecumenical Pilgrimage, 2007, because we had not had the Ethiopian Church represented on any of the four preceding pilgrimages.

Vassula and the Ethiopian Orthodox Priests, Father G. Sellassie and Abba Fissiatsion

Vassula with Father G. Sellassie and Abba Fissiatsion

Vassula and Father Emmanuel, the Armenian Orthodox Priest in Jerusalem

Vassula had a visit with The Greek Orthodox priest, Father Atallah. He and Vassula knew each other previously. He is the spokesman for the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem and the Holy Land. In the evening we shared a meal with him at his residence in Jerusalem. He told her that she has the blessings of the Greek Orthodox Church here in the Holy City. Vassula mentioned to him that she had also received blessings from Father Vassilis in Jerusalem. He suggested that we go to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and visit Patriarch Irineos.

Father Atallah mentioned that he had recommended to the Synod that they should select an Abbot from a monastery to become Patriarch. He added that he would e-mail Patriarch Bartholomew and let him know that Vassula had visited with him.

We called the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate to visit with Patriarch Irineos. However, they said he was not receiving guests at the time.

Vassula and Father Theodosius Hanna (Atallah) in Jerusalem

Tuesday, May 31, 2005 became another marathon day of meetings. Vassula had a meeting at The Romanian Patriarchate where she spoke with Archimandrite Ieronium Cretu, the Patriarchal Representative. He has an ecumenical center. He expressed to Vassula how wonderful it is to bring people together. She explained to him that the True Life in God Messages revive the soul and are for renewal. She spoke to him about unity and emphasized that division is a sin. She also spoke to him about the Apostasy and told him about the prophecy of Romania in the messages. Dec 24, 1989

Vassula and Father Ieronium also exchanged some words in Greek as he speaks Greek. He welcomed Vassula and the TLIG ecumenical group to come to his Cathedral to commune in two years, and because he was so pleased with our ecumenical group, he invited Vassula and our group to come not only to his Cathedral, but also to the new Cathedral in Jericho to commune when it is finished. Vassula mentioned to him that Bishop Theophylactos had welcomed us in the St. George Cathedral in Cairo, Egypt. Upon hearing this, Father Ieronium exclaimed that he said he knows Bishop Theophylactos very well.

In an ensuing conversation, Vassula and Father Ieronium also touched on subjects concerning Freemasonry. Finally, Vassula talked to him about the Beth Myriams and especially the one in the Ukraine.

This same day one of our TLIG pilgrims, Zigmas, met Father Pavich at Notre Dame. At breakfast he spoke with him and explained to him the clarifications on True Life in God and gave him the CDF booklet.

Vassula with Archimandrite Ieronium Cretu in Jerusalem

Vassula and Fr. Ieronium offering us hospitality, Romanian Patriachate In Jerusalem

We then were off to St. Mark’s Convent and the Syrian Orthodox Church. Vassula met with Father Shemun Can. They had met before as well. He invited us to stay for lunch during which time he said the prayer, “The Our Father” in Aramaic. He spent time explaining to Vassula some of the history of the Syrian Orthodox Church. He also blessed Vassula’s mission for church unity because of his involvement with the ecumenical group in Jerusalem. This group has an icon that is believed to have been painted by St. Luke, the Evangelist. Father Can is looking forward to participating in the 2007 TLIG Ecumenical Pilgrimage.

Vassula and Father Shemun Can, Syrian Orthodox priest in Jerusalem

Vassula and Father Shemun Can

We then went to The Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem. It is wonderful that they are all so close by. Truly they are neighbors! We were just going from appointments to appointments which we called the “Spiritual Marathon.” Bishop Aris Shirvanian and Vassula were sharing on the dialogue of unity and she asked him how he feels about the unification of the dates of Easter. Vassula invited him to the next pilgrimage as well and he said he would be looking forward to it.

Vassula and Bishop Aris Shirvanian, Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem

Vassula and Bishop Aris Shirvanian

Vassula’s next meeting was at The Maronite Patriarchate in Jerusalem where Vassula met with Archbishop Paul Sayah. He was interested to know about her ecumenical meetings so she told him that she had, in 2001, been invited by the International Bridgettine Centre of Farfa in Italy to speak on Ecumenism and Spirituality and that she would mail him her Farfa speech. He then took us to the roof top where there is a beautiful view of Jerusalem from which can be seen the Dome of the Rock on one side and the Mount of Olives on the other.

Vassula and Archbishop Paul Sayah, Maronite Patriarchate in Jerusalem

We went back to the hotel at Notre Dame to check out, and providentially, while we were putting our luggage into the car, we saw Bishop Timotheos of The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate there in the courtyard. Well, this was the Finale! The Lord surprised us with this one. We had tried earlier to go to the Patriarchate but at that time, they were not receiving guests. It was such a pleasant surprise that the Lord brought Bishop Timotheos to us! He was there in the courtyard having a meeting. He recognized Vassula whom he had met before on a previous visit, and came over to greet her. He expressed his pleasure at seeing her again and asked her for her latest book. I ran to the car to give him the CDF in English, and also two small booklets, the Bridegroom (He had said, “Is this Nimphios?” which means bridegroom in Greek) and the Odes. He assured us that he would read them.

Bishop Timotheos then asked Vassula what she would be able to do for the Church in Greece. They were talking like good friends. He said to her, “I welcomed you into my office. Remember?” I was at an advantage because I knew what they were saying in Greek. Unfortunately, I did not take a photo. Believe me! I was later so upset not to have taken his photo with Vassula, but at the time I was so excited about this Divine Providential meeting of the two, that I just froze. Here at least is a photo of him below from the Jerusalem Patriarchal website.

Bishop Timotheos of Bostra

We then drove to Yehud, which is close to Ben Gurion Airport. Vassula had an interview with a correspondent for the Die Welt. This took place on the grounds of the Hotel Avia in Yehud where we stayed for the evening. We departed the next morning, Wednesday, June 1, 2005.

The True Life in God people of the Holy Land did a wonderful job setting up all these meetings and our accommodations. They showed us great hospitality and may God bless their work. It was wonderful spending time with them in the Holy Land right there where they live. I thank God for such a memorable and exciting time with Vassula and meeting His Shepherds who are so unique, diverse, and yet all belong to Him!