Perspectief 2019-44

Perspectief 10 The Dispersion of the Syriac-Orthodox Throughout the World in the Diaspora 2. Challenges & Opportunities It is true that large-scale emigration from the traditional homeland in the Middle East to the West has brought problems and challenges to the Syriac community. It has, neverthe- less, led to greater awareness among other Christian Churches both of their existence and of the richness of their theological, spiritual and intellectual tradition. While the challenges that face the Syriac community at the beginning of the millennium are numerous and formidable, new opportunities are nevertheless also present. Here, I shall first identify what these challenges and opportunities are and then say a few words about each one of them. Before dealing with the current situation, a word or two about the first Syriac comers to North America is in order. I use the American model, since it is older and thus may offer us some good examples to compare with. The first comers to America, being molded in the centuries-long Orthodox faith and tradition, held to their faith strongly as a source of spiritual strength as well as a sign of identity and security. Language within the community was not a problem, and values were shared in common. The first generation maintained very strong ties with their brothers and sisters in the homeland. However, like other immi- grant nationalities, the first Syrian Orthodox families faced practical problems of language, mentality and cultural differences with Americans. As the Very Rev. John Meno, the pastor of St. Mark's Syrian Orthodox Cathedral, has noted: "The children and grandchildren of this first generation of the Syrian Orthodox were to find themselves in the reversed role regarding later immigrant faithful from overseas." 1 The children of the first generation had managed to keep some of their linguistic, cultural and religious heritage without being totally assimilated into the American culture. The generation of grandchildren, on the other hand, lost much of their linguistic and cultural heritage and became assimilated into the American melting pot, as it were. Many, through inter -and mixed- marriages, having very little or no knowledge about their faith and tra- dition, have been lost to the Church and the faith of their forefathers. Having said this, I shall now look at some of the challenges that face the Syriac community in North America and Europe today.