I just could not understand why the patriarch of a church so repressed by communists in the past would go to Cuba and kiss the butt of a communist dictator.Well for one thing I didn't think Constantinople was communist, and after that, Castro built the church and invited Bartholomew to come. It was a gift. I don't think Bartholomew kissed any one anywhere, it was widely reported that he didn't show at many political events which had expected him.
Bartholomew went to bless the church, thanked Castro with a gift and honor, then went home. It's called being gracious.
Umm...the Russian Orthodox Church was extremely repressed by the communist. And last time I checked, the Russian Orthodox Church is still in union with the Church in Constantinople. Both Churches are part of the same Orthodox tradition. The Orthodox have been one of the great institutions in this world who have fought the communists.
I just think he could have thanked him a better way. This was a Castro stunt and the patriacrch played into it by giving this tyrant so much good publicity as the article stated. I would have respected him more if he actually went to the island and spoke out for the oppressed people in the island. Or would that have been too rude??? Screw the oppressed people in Cuba, Castro gave me a gift in a Church so I will not say squat. That seemed to be the thinking of the patriacrch.