The English translation of the “The Fundamental Teachings of Christianity” book is released. The joint commission of Churches of Turkey which gathered first in 2003, completed the edition of the Turkish version of the same book and published it in 2015.
The presentation of the English version of the same book took place on 3rd February 2018 at the Armenian Patriarchate in Kumkapı, Istanbul. The book is translated into English by Nathalie Konutgan. Through this book, the Churches living in Turkey are stating that there are quite few differences among them and they are sharing the same values and teachings on the fundamentals of the faith.
The Committee which consists of Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant members did regular meetings for the text and this is a first and unique joint work, not only for the Christian churches but for all the denominations of all religions.
The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in his speech at the book presentation stated “We, as the followers of Jesus Christ, must give a double witness with our acts and collaboration against the challenges of this age. The Good News must be known all around the world. The way of our living, as Christians must be pleasant to God. We are responsible of that. We all desire that, all those who hear or read our new book would have a direct contact with the ties of love of Jesus that this book represents.”
Syriac Orthodox Church Metropolitan for İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir and the Patriarchal Vicar Mor Filuksinos Yusuf Çetin stated “We become one in the name of Jesus Christ and give the fruits of unity and harmony.”
The Latin Catholic Apostolic Vicar of Istanbul, Bishop Mgr. Rubén Tierrablanca Gonzalez said “As the Gospel is the book of reference for the teachings and daily life of us, bishops, priests, deacons and all the pastoral workers, this book is also important for the teaching of the fundamentals of Christianity.”
The Spiritual Council President of the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey, Archbishop Sahak Maşalyan stated that this book is a very successful fruit of ecumenism and there are many other works to be done for Jesus Christ, most importantly, working for fraternity, unity and solidarity instead of the competition.
