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Library at St. George's College in Jerusalem Named for the Brownings

Episcopal News Service. April 7, 1994 [94070]

At the end of a 10-day pilgrimage in the Middle East, Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning and his wife Patti were honored during a special dedication service on Easter Sunday that named the library at St. George's College in Jerusalem for them.

After gathering at St. George's Cathedral near the Old City of Jerusalem, a procession moved to the nearby library. Dean John Peterson paid a moving tribute to the Brownings and gave a clear indication of why the library was being named for them.

"Today we name this library for two people who have not only stood with the church in Jerusalem but, in many ways, are the church in Jerusalem, intricately locked in arms with us," Peterson said at the door of the library. "No two people have given more unselfishly of their time, talent and energy to the ministry of the church in the city of the empty tomb."

After the rite of dedication by President-Bishop Samir Kafity of the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East, the presiding bishop responded, calling the dedication "the greatest honor for the two of us -- ever." Struggling to maintain his composure, he said that "there is nothing we believe in more than the ministry of the church in this place."

The Brownings first visited the Middle East in 1962 and, through the years, have been persistent advocates of justice for the Palestinian people.

During their "spiritual journey consecrated to the cause of peace for all peoples for this region," the Brownings visited Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. They met with high level government and church leaders -- including President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Pope Shenouda of the Coptic Orthodox Church; patriarchs of the Oriental Orthodox churches in the area; King Hussein of Jordan and Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin of Israel; and they joined pilgrims for Holy Week in Jerusalem.